Wednesday 31 October 2012

All Saints and All Souls

                                     St Mary's Saggart Graveyard

This is being written on Hallowe'en, before the young people come calling to the door.  The day brings back vivid childhood memories for everyone, I'm sure.  We can only do our best to provide some nice memories for the children of today when they 'go round' calling, so that they too, when grown up, will be able to recall with fondness and gratitude the generation of their parents and their neighbours down the road.

One major aspect of Hallowe'en that has changed a lot is the religious one. Priests in the 50s and 60s would talk about the indulgences to be gained by visiting a graveyard and saying the prescribed prayers. The true meaning of all this might well have been lost in the details of the various obligations to be followed, but we can still appreciate the abiding value of what it was all about: the idea of reaching our loved ones through our poor prayers. And so our thoughts this month will be on our family and friends who rest in peace in the earth, both here in Saggart and in other graveyards around the country, as we say for them as well as for ourselves:

I look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come.

Saturday 20 October 2012

Junction 4 - 21st October 2012

Junction 4, the Parish Newsletter for Saggart/Rathcoole/Brittas and Newcastle is now available online. Follow the link below to download Junction 4 for October 21st 2012.

Junction 4 - 21st October 2012

Saturday 13 October 2012

Junction 4 - 14th October 2012

Junction 4, the Parish Newsletter for Saggart/Rathcoole/Brittas and for Newcastle is now available to read and download online. Follow the link below to see this week's Junction 4.

Junction 4 - October 14th 2012

Saturday 6 October 2012

Junction 4 Parish Newsletter - Sept 30 & Oct 7

Junction 4, the Parish Newsletter for Saggart/Rathcoole/Brittas and Newcastle for September 30th 2012 and October 7th 2012 is available below. Follow the links to download Junction 4.

30th September 2012

7th October 2012

Friday 5 October 2012

Day for Life (2012): Choose Life



Parishes and individuals are invited to pray a special ‘Prayer for the Child in the Womb’ during Masses throughout the month of prayer which will end on the Feast of All the Saints of Ireland on 6th November next.  The prayer asks us to open our hearts to welcome every child as a unique and wonderful gift, and to help those who make our laws to uphold the uniqueness and sacredness of every human life from the moment of conception to natural death.

The Irish Episcopal Conference has asked that annual Day for Life in Ireland this year, on Sunday 7th October, will mark the beginning of a special month of prayer dedicated to theme ‘Choose Life!’

Please click here for more information