Due to Covid restrictions we will continue to upload Mass from the Parish on the YouTube channel at 10 am on Sunday.

Parishioners can go to the Parish website: www.sjparish.ie and scroll down to the bottom left- hand side of the screen.  Click into the YouTube channel.

This Sunday’s Mass will be offered for:

Ann McKenna, Harry, Molly & Eugene McKenna and Rose Kenny

Martin Byrne (9^th Ann)

Thank You – Parish Collections

A word of gratitude to the many parishioners who supported the Collections over Christmas.

Envelopes

Thank you to all who continue to drop weekly envelopes to the church/parochial house.  Your support is very much appreciated.

If you wish to contribute to the church by bank transfer, you can e-mail your request to the parish at secretary@sjparish.ie and we will contact you.

Parishioners can also donate through the parish website www.sjparish.ie and click the Donate button.

Envelopes

The weekly envelope boxes are currently being distributed.  If you do not receive your box, or if you wish to receive a box, please contact the parish office.

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity Service

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity service which begins today has been prepared by the Monastic Community of Grandchamp in Switzerland.

The theme that was chosen, “Abide in my love and you shall bear much fruit”, is based on John 15:1-17 and expresses Grandchamp Community’s vocation to prayer, reconciliation and unity in the Church and the human family. Today the community has fifty sisters, all women from different generations, Church traditions, Countries and continents.  In their diversity the sisters are a living parable of communion.

Prayer for Christian Unity

Eternal Father, we praise you for sending your Son to be one of us and to save us. Look upon your people with mercy, for we are divided in so many ways, and give us the Spirit of Jesus to make us one in love. We ask this gift, loving Father, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Act of Spiritual Communion

My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You, Amen.

On the publication of the report into the Mother and Baby Homes, a note from Archbishop Elect Dermot Farrell

I welcome the publication of the report into the Mother and Baby Homes.

This report, and those like it, which explore our painful past make for extremely disturbing reading. They reveal deep wounds and bring to light the profound injustices perpetrated against the vulnerable in our society over a long period of time – against women and children whose lives were regarded as less important than the lives of others. The silence which surrounded this shameful time in the history of our land had long needed to be shattered. The pain of those who were hidden away must be heard; those, once largely without a voice, now can speak clearly to our world, and we need to listen, even when what we hear pierces to the heart.

I welcome, therefore, the actions of our Government and of the Commission that has made this possible. These voices must be heard, but hearing, while important, is not enough. The grievous failures of our past have been laid bare. A genuine response is required: ours – as a Church and a society – can only be a full apology, without any reservation. There should never have been a time for avoidance and facile solutions. This country, the Church, our communities and families are better places when the light of truth and healing are welcomed. May the Lord’s compassion be the touchstone of our response.

May the light of Christ bring healing to all.

Today’s Gospel

Come and See

There is a Brazilian proverb used when a visitor is leaving one’s home: ‘Whoever drinks of this water keeps coming back’. Offering a beverage such as a cup of water or tea to a visitor is a universal gesture of welcome and hospitality. Today we hear how Jesus invites two of his disciples to ‘come and see’ where he lives. He welcomes them into his home and they stay with him for the rest of the day, undoubtedly eating and drinking and conversing with him.

Jesus’ invitation is simple, yet intimate. We don’t know where he lived or what his living arrangements were, but we know he wanted his friends to spend time with him and get to know him.

This precious early time with Jesus must have set his friends up for a lifetime of discipleship. We too are invited to ‘come and see’, to spend time with the Scriptures and in prayer to get to know Jesus. He welcomes us with open arms.

As we reflect on the inviting love of Jesus, we are also encouraged to extend a warm welcome to others in a spirit of friendship.

Pope Francis has often spoken of our responsibility, as individuals, communities and church, to welcome everyone – including those who are homeless or who have been forced to leave their home or country. Our welcome is a response to the Lord’s supreme commandment to love the other, the stranger, as ourselves.

We all have opportunities to do this in our communities. ‘Every stranger who knocks at our door is an opportunity for an encounter with Jesus Christ, who identifies with the welcomed and rejected strangers of every age. ’Pope Francis

Parish Office

The parish office is closed for the moment.  You can contact Fr. Declan on 01-8412647.

Parishioners are also invited to e-mail requests or queries to the Parish Office:  secretary@sjparish.ie.  We are checking e-mails regularly and will respond as soon as possible.