The Ascension of the Lord

Sunday 16 May 2021

         Seventh Sunday of Easter

 

The Ascension of the Lord

The Ascension, one of the primary feasts of the Church’s year, marks the close of the appearances of Jesus after the resurrection and returning to the Father.  It underlines the teaching that it is from Heaven that the ascended Christ exercises his power over heaven and earth.

 

‘The Ascension of Christ means our own salvation as well; where the glorious Head has gone before, the body is called to follow in hope. Let us, therefore, exult, beloved, as is fitting, and let us rejoice in devout thanksgiving. For on this day not only have we been confirmed in our possession of paradise, but we have even entered heaven in the person of Christ; through his grace, we have regained far more than we had lost through the devil’s hatred’ (St Leo the Great, Sermon 73:4). No other celebrations, not even funeral Masses are permitted today (see Lit. Note 8) The week of prayer for the coming of the Holy Spirit recalls the waiting in prayer of the disciples with Mary.

 

Pope Francis Prayer for Protection from the Coronavirus

O Mary, you shine continuously on our journey as a sign of salvation and hope.
We entrust ourselves to you, Health of the Sick.
At the foot of the Cross you participated in Jesus’ pain, with steadfast faith.
You, Salvation of the Roman People, know what we need.
We are certain that you will provide, so that,
as you did at Cana of Galilee,
joy and feasting might return after this moment of trial.
Help us, Mother of Divine Love,
to conform ourselves to the Father’s will
and to do what Jesus tells us:
He who took our sufferings upon Himself,
and bore our sorrows to bring us,
through the Cross, to the joy of the Resurrection.
Amen.
We seek refuge under your protection, O Holy Mother of God.
Do not despise our pleas – we who are put to the test
– and deliver us from every danger, O glorious and blessed Virgin.

 

 

The Ascension of the Lord, Seventh Sunday of Easter

St Paul Missal pages 254 and 260

Your prayers are requested for Thomas (Tom) Fennessy and Michael Hughes recently deceased and for Detta and Derry Malone and Austin and Carl Mullen those whose anniversaries occur around this time.

 

MAY THEIR SOULS AND THE SOULS OF ALL THE FAITHFUL DEPARTED THROUGH THE MERCY OF GOD REST IN PEACE. AMEN.

 

Mass Times and Intentions

Saturday 15

10 am       

Celebrant’s intentions

4.30 pm       

Celebrant’s intentions

6 pm             

Marie Hannon – 1st Anniversary

Maureen Dunne – Recently Deceased

Terry Noone – Recently Deceased

Michael (Mike) Kilcline – Recently Deceased

Sunday 16

9.00 am   

Celebrant’s intentions

10.30 am 

 

Joe Perry – Anniversary

Jacqueline Hynes – 1st Anniversary (to thank relatives, friends and neighbours for their support and sympathy).

Grainne Brennan - Anniversary

Mary Gordon – Recently Deceased

12 noon        

Maire Murphy – Recently Deceased

Martin Lennon – Recently Deceased

Joe Gorman – Recently Deceased

Susan + Brendan Payne – Anniversary

William Barron - Anniversary

Monday 17

10 am            

Holy Souls

Special Intention

Tuesday 18

10 am       

Parishioners’ intentions

Wednesday 19

10 am

Aoife Bonar – Recently Deceased

Christina (Chrissie) Breen – Recently Deceased

Thursday 20

10 am

Special Intention

Mary + James Hickey – Anniversary

Annie Jane Kirwan - Deceased

Special Intention

Friday 21

10 am

Special Intention

Tom Fennessy – Recently Deceased

 

 

St. Vincent de Paul

 

The Monthly collection for St. Vincent de Paul will take place at all the Masses on next weekend 22 and 23 May 2021.  The Conference would like to thank sincerely all those who continue to support it during lockdown by donating online and leaving donations at the Parish Office.  Your generosity has allowed us to maintain our assistance to families in need in the parish.

 

 

Communication Message from Dermot Farrell

Archbishop of Dublin

 

Arising from recent announcements regarding the easing of restrictions on religious services from May 10th the Department of an Taoiseach has clarified a number of issues that have arisen as follows:

 

Pods of 50

 

Where the size of the premises/Place of Worship allows for a capacity of greater than 50 this may be permitted only where:

 

  • social distancing guidelines are adhered to
  • the premises can be subdivided into distinct sections (cordoned or marked appropriately) of not more than 50 persons in each section
  • there is a minimum of 4 metres between sections
  • each section having its own entrance/exit route
  • there are separate arrangements for elements of the service involving close contact, for example the distribution of Holy Communion
  • strictly no movement of people between sections before, during or after the service
  • the premises are well-ventilated

 

Funerals

 

There is an increased risk of transmission of the virus where families and communities come together following the death of a loved one.

 

Therefore, numbers at funeral services (and Weddings) is capped at 50 regardless of size of premises.

 

Notwithstanding the increase in numbers permitted, funerals are still considered private family events and all notices in newspapers or on-line should be clear about this.

 

Funeral services should continue to be live-streamed to help reduce numbers attending.

 

Attendance at wakes in private homes and at Funeral Homes remains unchanged i.e. immediate family only and people should be discouraged from queuing to pay respects.   

 

Singing   

 

As with previous reopening for religious service congregational singing and choir singing is not permitted. 

 

Solo singing with accompanist is permitted subject to compliance with detailed guidance contained in HSE Covid-19 Guidance for Religious Services.

 

Outdoor Worship is not permitted in line with Government restrictions on organised outdoor gatherings. 

 

Drive-in Religious Services may take place outside places of worship (e.g. church carpark) where all attendees remain in their vehicles and no sharing of vehicle outside of family unit. If your parish is considering this option, the utmost respect for the distribution of the Eucharist is essential.

 

Use of Religious premises for any other purposes/parochial activities/community meetings etc. is not permitted in line with Government restrictions on organised indoor gatherings.

 

I hope this advice is of assistance,

 

Dermot Farrell

Archbishop of Dubln