Wishing all our readers a Happy and Peaceful ... - Newbridge Parish

More documents

Recommendations

Info

ContinUing oUr preparation for the eUCharistiC Congress “Prepare the way of the Lord. Make his paths straight.” (Mark 1:3) As we prepare to celebrate the birth of Christ at Christmas, what more appropriate time is there to continue our journey towards the Eucharistic Congress? In the selected Readings for the season of Advent we are told that John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, ‘proclaiming a baptism of repentance,’ and the people of the whole countryside were going out to him. Mark opens his Gospel with the words, “The beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ…” At the time this was written, Jerusalem had collapsed, the Temple had been destroyed: people thought it was the end, and Mark was saying ‘it’s only the beginning!’ After all the horror stories and scandals we have been reading and hearing about in recent times, what would it be like if someone stood in our midst today and said: “The beginning…”?! What a statement of hope that would be. One of the loveliest aspects of the Christian faith is its emphasis on forgiveness. Forgiveness is a process. We first need to forgive ourselves, as soon as we take responsibility for the wrong we have done. God is greater than our own accusing heart. After we have forgiven ourselves then we can approach others and seek their forgiveness. Finally, we can go to God and celebrate that forgiveness. At the beginning of every Eucharist we pause to consider the Award winning 5 star Hair & Beauty Salon Curragh Grange, Newbridge Phone: 045 434247 *Free Parking * Senior Citizens & Students Wash/Cut & Blow Dry: Only €28 Tues to Fri Late nights Wed/Thurs/Fri Nature’s OptiONs HealtH Food Store Tel: 045-432439 Moorefield Road (opposite Bergins Pharmacy) opeN: Mon. to Sat. 10am to 6pm. Please call 4 ways we have failed in our calling as Baptised Christians: we are called to take our own darkness seriously. Everyone has sinned and is in need of forgiveness. Yet we all realise how difficult and even how risky it is to offer forgiveness: our open hand of reconciliation may be rejected, or we may reason ‘How can I forgive if I am unable to forget?’ In spite of everything, however, the Scripture tells us we must forgive. We belong to Christ, not just by forgiving others, but by receiving Christ’s forgiveness in our own sinful lives. The supreme words of forgiveness came from Christ’s own lips as he was dying on the Cross: “Father, forgive them. They do not know what they are doing.” On Friday, 9 December, there will be a service of Reconciliation in the parish church at 8.00 p.m. following evening Mass. As a parish we will have the opportunity to acknowledge together that we are all in need of forgiveness and that we also need to forgive. Let us pray that this gathering will be a lovely moment in the life of our parish, when we will claim again our own life for Christ and give back to others, even perhaps to members of our own families, the life we may have taken from them by our lack of forgiveness. (Submitted by Holy Family Convent scripture group.) A Member of the youth group, Ronan Maher remembers the WYD trip to Madrid last August It was one of those unknown hours, 2 am, when I got up. The grogginess was soon lost to an excited buzz, the penny had dropped, I was going to World Youth Day this morning. The bus and plane trip seemed only a few minutes because at what still seemed 2:30 am, I was setting foot on Spanish soil. My name is Ronan Maher and I travelled to WYD 2011 in Madrid. It was a trip that completely surpassed any expectations I ever had. From coping with severe heat, 41 degrees on some days, to acting as an interpreter on a crowded train, I enjoyed every minute of it. The experience of meeting so many young people from so many different nations, all together for the one purpose was truly amazing. To see nearly 1 million people sit in open air, during a thunder storm, to watch the Holy Father is something else indeed. There isn’t enough space for me to write everything but I’ll write this; the trip was inspirational, from prayer to hikes and the friends I’ve made is something I will not forget. REMINDER: If you have family members who won't be home for Christmas why not tell them about our Parish Webcam at www.newbridgeparish.ie they might like to tune in to midnight or Christmas day Masses online this year. Person – Centred Counselling Counsellor & Psychotherapist Working with Children, Adolescents & Adults using a Person-Centred, Integrative & Creative Approach. Professional Confidential Counselling located in a private setting to Newbridge, Naas, Kildare and surrounding areas. Contact Mairéad on 087 9946978 B.sc (Hons) in Counselling & Psychotherapy
My Journey from Faith Friends to Parish Pastoral Minister This month we welcome Donal Mahon to the Parish team. Donal has been involved in various parish activities over the years while studying Pastoral Ministry. Originally from Wexford, he lives in Newbridge with his wife and two daughters. We are delighted to have him with us on the Team and wish him every blessing and support. He introduces himself as follows: For many of us, the mention of Faith Friends is like a blast from the past! For me it was the beginning of a journey that has led me to my new role here in the parish as Parish Pastoral Minister. Faith Friends was a programme run in the parish here over 10 years ago that involved parents with their childrens’ First Communion preparation. Involvement in Faith Friends was the beginning of a journey, not just for my daughter, but for me. It helped me to realise that my own understanding of faith had not moved on since my Confirmation. I attended all the usual religious events such as Sunday Mass, Christmas & Easter ceremonies but a deeper sense of faith was not there. I then began a 10 year journey that took me from a ‘Preparing for Ministry’ course to a BA (Hons) in Pastoral Ministry, at present I am doing a course in Catechetics that is helping me fine-tune my skills for working in the area of Adult Faith Development. Our faith journey is never ending: Every day we awaken, we begin another part of that journey. So often it can be filled with grief, hardship, disappointments, and we think we are alone on the journey but we never are. God never leaves our side even though it might seem that way sometimes. To me, God just stands back and gives us the space we need. In St. John’s Gospel, chapter 1:38 Jesus asks “what are you looking for?” Ten years ago I heard these words and asked for what I wanted. Today I am living the answer in my role as husband, parent, parish pastoral minister and friend. My new role as a Parish Pastoral Minister is to help others to find their answer to Jesus question: “What are you looking for?” God bless, Donal Mahon A call to Christmas Blessing; "A star from Jacob takes the leadership, a sceptre arises from Israel." (Numbers 24:17) by Fr. Willie Rembrandt was one of the greatest of artists. His portraits Gospel (Mt 21:23-27), we see the prophecy fulfilled: the are matchless; his Bible scenes deeply atmospheric. promised one is with us. His leadership is challenged by Probably the most unusual of these shows a man beating those who claim authority. He turns their question back on a donkey. An angel stands over both. The donkey seems them, for it will be others who will recognise him for who to be speaking; and in fact it is. The pagan seer Salaam has he truly is. been summoned by a king hostile to the Israelite settlers to call down a curse upon them. The donkey sees an angel bar the way and refuses to move. As the donkey's master beats her, she asks why he is doing so. Then Balaam at last sees and obeys the angel and consequently refuses to curse the Israelites. Instead, he utters one of the most beautiful blessings in the whole of scripture. Within the blessing there is a prophecy that touches every Christian heart: "I see him - but not in the present, I behold him - but not close at hand: a star from Jacob takes the Advent invites us to recognise all the more his unique authority. It is an authority of love and not of power. There will be no sceptre of worldly power in the manger of Bethlehem. But in the darkness of the night there will be a star that shines as no other. May we be blessed anew by his light at Christmas, and may we bless all those around us. God our Father, may Christ your Son be the true authority in our lives, the source of our freedom and peace. May his light free us from all that is darkness in our lives, and may leadership, a sceptre arises from Israel." In St Matthews we be a true blessing for all those we meet. EXTERNAL INSULATION • €4,000 Government Grant • Reduce Heating Costs • Prevent Mould & Fungal Growth • Stop Draughts • No Internal Disruption • No Reduction in Internal Floor Space PW Thermal Building Solutions Ltd., Unit 20 Newbridge Industrial Estate, Newbridge, Co. Kildare. Tel: 01 4201771 / 087 9231375 5 Marty’s CaBs Ph: 045-432015 087-2650210 Reasonable Discounts on Contract Runs For a Punctual and Friendly Service Ring MaRtin Kenny Cabs
Page 1 and 2: DECEMBER 2011 MÍ NA NOLLAG 2011 Wi
Page 3: By Breda Reid • EDITORIAL • “
Page 7 and 8: Colour me in Competition! TRIcky TR
Page 9 and 10: CHRISTMAS SERVICES IN OUR PARISH DO
Page 11 and 12: THE MASS: BECOME WHAT YOU RECEIVE G
Page 13 and 14: BAPTiSMS Emily Rosemary Blake, Belm
Page 15 and 16: HomE aND GarDEN; • hoMe iMproveMe

Wishing all our readers a Happy and Peaceful ... - Newbridge Parish

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?