A SPECIAL EASTER VIGIL

Our Easter Vigil was marked by a special event this year. Traditionally in the Church, the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday night is the occasion when those wishing to join the church, who have spent many months in preparation as catechumens, are introduced by their mentors and spiritual companions in a special Liturgy within the Mass, and are then welcomed into full communion within the church.

This year on Easter Saturday night Penny Kowalczyk was formally received into the full communion of the Catholic Church and warmly welcomed by the whole congregation.  She then celebrated the Sacrament of Confirmation and her First Holy Communion. Penny’s brother, Alex came over from England for the occasion.  Also with her were those who accompanied her from the time she decided to become a Catholic. Firstly among these was her Irish fiancé, John who was her Confirmation sponsor as was her friend and mentor, Catherine Keenan; also present at the altar were her spiritual companions, Bernie McFeely, Sheila McDonnell and Berna Whiteley who had been meeting Penny and John every Monday night over a number of months for the purpose of communicating an appreciation of our Catholic belief and way of life.

Penny was deeply touched by the warm welcome she received on Easter Night and also at the ritual celebrations that marked other key stages throughout her journey.  Celebration – Ceiliura will have more about Penny in the Pentecost Issue.

The Easter ceremonies are a wonderful expression of the parish community united in ensuring each of the liturgies are special and meaningful.  When one ticks off the number of people involved, quite remarkable results emerge.  Moving from those who open and close the Church through those who clean, dust and polish, those who prepare and set out the flower arrangements and candles, create the ‘desert’ amd make it miraculously bloom; through the music makers, cantors, choirs, Ministers of the Word, Ministers of the Eucharist,the organisers of the Family Mass, the Stations and Tenebrae; help at the communal reconciliation services - including visiting priests, the makers of the Pascal Fire, the Altar Servers, the Sacristans, and of course our clergy - one arrives at more than eighty who have given of their time and talents.   No wonder Eastertime in Holy Cross is so memorable! Thank you all! Alleluia! Alleluia!

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REFRESHING TIMES

The Parish Pastoral Council recently spent a successful day in Orlagh to discuss their work and have some time together.  The Ministers of the Word came together at two alternative sessions with Donal Harrington to consider what practical and spiritual actions could be taken to support their Ministery.   A speaker from ‘Care for the Elderly’ gave a talk to members of the Care Group, the Dom Marmion Society and the Bereavement Group and others, which was followed by a brief discussion and a tasty supper when people mingled and met with those from the other groups.

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Keep an eye out for events in

‘BEALTAINE’: THE MAY FESTIVAL OF CREATIVITY IN OLDER AGE

A Month long festival celebrating and encouraging the participation of older people in the Arts.  This year’s theme is FOREVER BEGIN  enhancing the joys of constant learning and promoting the idea that

you are never too old to try something new!

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KILKENNY YOUTH CHOIR

The Kilkenny Youth Choir was formed in 1982 to give girls of secondary school age the opportunity to sing music  from the 16th century to the present day, to a high standard.

The choir’s repertoire includes music by Monteverdi, Palestrna and Byrd , many Classical and Romantic pieces up to Poulenc’s  Litanies de la Vierge Noir and Britten’s  Missa Brevis.

The choir will sing at the
6.15 pm Mass
in Holy Cross Church, Dundrum
on Saturday, May 12th 2007.

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Were you at St. Mary's Holy Faith Secondary School,
Haddington Road?

To mark its closure and celebrate the achievements of the school,

Mass will be celebrated at St. Mary's Church, Haddington Road on
Saturday 19th May at 3.00 p.m.

After Mass refreshments will be served in the school.
A warm welcome is extended to all past pupils, former staff members, parents and friends of St. Mary's.

To prepare for this celebration we have arranged two choir practices, to be held in the school hall, for Wednesday 9th and Wednesday 16th May at 7.30 p.m.  Please join us.

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NEWSNOTES

Legion of Mary – weekly meetings at 8.15 pm on Mondays at Legion Room in basement beside Church Hall – interested? Drop in, all are welcome.

What is Lectio Divina?  You are most welcome to come along to find out on Mondays after the 10 am Mass and join Fr Peter and others in the Parish Centre

Divine Mercy Prayer Meeting every Thursday night at 8pm in 49 Sweetmount Park,
Dundrum, Dublin 14. All are welcome. Ring Stephanie at 2988749 (after 6pm)

ORLAGH RETREAT CENTRE.  Living Confidently is the theme for May’s Monthly DAY FOR YOURSELF on Saturday, May 12 from 10 – 4.30 pm: usual mix of meditation, input, time on your own and scripture reflection to help participants to have confidence as they continue life’s journey. Cost – incl. full lunch €40.  A Pentecost Vigil will be held in Orlagh on Saturday May 26 from 7pm – 11pm (Mass included) No charge.  Advance Notice: Orlagh Bible Week: ‘A Biblical Understanding of the Eucharist’ June 25 to June 29 With Sean Goan, Sr. Carmel McCarthy and Fr Kieran O’Mahony - more in June Newsletter.

"The Phoenix Park" is the topic of the talk to be given by Brendan Nolan, author of book on same, to Dundrum & District Historical Society on Monday, 14th May, at 8pm in Dom Marmion Hall. All welcome; non-members €2.

The next meeting of the Patricians (Discussion Group) will take place on Thursday 10^th May ’07 in Notre Dame convent, Churchtown Rd. commencing at 7.45 pm. Subject for discussion will be : The Pope’s recent Encyclical on the Eucharist – Sacramentum Caritatis. All are welcome

Are you between 18 and 38? If so, there is a special weekend for you at Dowdstown House Dalgan Park Navan where you can 'Discover the spirit of Love and Joy Within You’  From Friday evening to Sunday mid-day 18 – 20 May.  Contact Kieran at 087 971 1162 or Sr Úna 090-648 2666.
email: youthretreats@gmail.com. Offering: Full board €50.00    Buses Eden Quay

Preparations are well advanced for World Youth Day in Sydney in July 2008.  World Youth Day is one of the outstanding initiatives of our late Holy Father, John Paul 11, and is being continued by his successor, Benedict XVI, a week that you will never forget! CYC will provide you with an opportunity to prepare yourself spiritually and grow in faith. It is a chance not to be missed.

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ITEMS FOR NEWSLETTER PLEASE!

We are told you want to know what others are doing in the parish – BUT

if you do not tell us what you are doing

we cannot put it in the Newsletter and the other others may never know!

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BAPTISMS

First Fridays: 10.00am and 7.30pm [This First Friday evening Mass is a special ‘Month’s Mind’ Mass for those who died the previous month.]

At the 12.00 Mass on the second Sunday of each month the first Anniversaries of those who died a year previously are specially remembered.

For details of other sacraments and parish liturgies see Parish Website, Notice Boards and Parish Office.

The next newsletter will be issued on 2^nd / 3^rd June. The deadline for submission of material for the June newsletter is the 20^th May.

You may email the Parish Office at: parishofficedundrum@eircom.net

Parish Office is open weekdays 9.30a.m. to 12.30p.m. Phone 2983494