HOLY SPIRIT PARISH, GREENHILLS
Newsletter 11 January 2009
Priests of the Parish:
Fr Myles Healy CSSp PP: ℡4504040
Fr Roddy Curran CSSp :
℡4506617
Sacristy /Parish Office ℡ 4509191—
Office hours 9am-3pm Monday-Friday
Fax 4605287 E-mail: [email protected]
Web site: www.holyspiritgreenhills.ie
Masses: Sat 10am,6.30pm (Vigil): Sun 9am,10.30am,
12 noon5.30pm. Weekdays 8am,10am
Child Protection: Parish Contact Person Mrs Adrienne Meegan Phone: 087 2966649
BAPTISM OF THE LORD
A VERY SPECIAL WELCOME to the parents of and the
babies who were baptised here in our church in 2008. We
are delighted to have you with us for a special celebration
of the Eucharist on this Sunday 11 January 2009, which is
the feast of the Baptism of the Lord.
GOSPEL REFLECTION FOR
THE BAPTISM OF THE LORD
Is Change Possible?
Anyone who watched the soaps over
Christmas and New Year will notice that
whatever happens, the
characters go largely
unchanged. Through murders,
abductions, affairs and family
bust ups, the bad characters
remain bad, the weak
characters remain weak, the spiteful
characters remain spiteful and the losers in
love remain unloved. Of course the writers
keep the characters unchanged so that the
story lines endure, but are we so very
different from the soap characters that so
exasperate us? Do we go through life
slipping on the same old banana skins?
January is a time for new beginnings and
fresh resolution. John the Baptist was an
expert on this. John’s ministry was all
about repentance and life changing reform
… that’s what his baptism was all about.
But anyone who has ever seriously tried to
change themselves will know how
difficult change really is. The addict will
tell you how difficult it is to quit
gambling, drinking or
cigarettes. All of us can point
to parts of our life that remain
stubbornly unchanged. Those
who were baptised by John
were baptised as a sign of
their intent to change from
their old ways, but knowing how difficult
change can be, we can’t help wondering
how successful they must have been.
Perhaps John appreciated this too when he
said “I have baptised you with water, but
he will baptise you with the Holy Spirit.”
We are told that the same Holy Spirit that
empowered Jesus at the outset of his
ministry, is the same Holy Spirit that is
given to us in our baptism. This is an
inspiring thought. Validating our baptism
anew every day, knowing that we are
filled with the Holy Spirit ….. perhaps
change isn’t beyond us after all!
AN SLI
Enrolments in
Greenhills Community Centre on
Monday 12 January 2009
from 11-12 noon.
Classes commence Tuesday 13 Jan 2009
Art with Debbie 10-12 noon
Singing with Fiona 10-12 noon
A NEW CLASS (for 6 weeks only)….
Healthy Eating 10-12 noon.
Wed 14 January 2009
Tai Chi with Stuart 9.30 – 11.30am
Irish with Mary 10-12 noon.
Thurs 15 January 2009
Computers for Beginners 10-12 noon
Art with Debbie 10-12 noon
Dancing: Salsa, Modern, Line 10-12 noon
with Sheila.
Contact Nora for further details at
450 4595.
A GENTLE REMINDER
A BIG THANK YOU
C
hristmas Dues envelopes are
available on the tables at the
back of the church. They are
also included in the family
offering envelopes given out in
April last. Please return your
Dues to the Sacristy or put your
envelope into one of the shrine
boxes (which are emptied daily),
place in the collection basket on
Sunday or put into Sacristy door
letterbox.We wish to thank you
most sincerely for your
generosity in previous years. If
you wish to include your name
and address we will send a letter
of acknowledgement.
AMEN: SUPPORT SERVICE FOR
MALE VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC
ABUSE. Weekly Support Group Meetings
– Tuesday Night 8pm – 10pm. Contact
046 – 9023718 for further information.
Bitesize
The harder the conflict, the more glorious the
triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we
esteem too lightly; it is dearness only that
gives everything its value. I love the man
that can smile in trouble, that can gather
strength from distress and grow brave by
reflection. 'Tis the business of little minds to
shrink; but he whose heart is firm, and
whose conscience approves his conduct, will
pursue his principles unto death. Thomas
Paine US patriot & political philosopher
(1737 - 1809)
DEEPEST SYMPATHY to the families,
relatives and friends of the late
Carol Savage, late of St Joseph’s
Road, who died in England also
Rita Donnolly, Greentrees Park,
who died recently. May they rest
in peace.
WEEK OF PRAYER FOR
CHRISTIAN UNITY 2009
The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
2009 commences on the usual date of 18th
January. This year the official opening
service for the Dublin area will take place
in Christ Church Presbyterian Church,
Rathgar, Dublin at 3:30pm on that date.
BACK TO SCHOOL
As our schools have re-opened again
after the Christmas break, we take
this opportunity to wish all
our Principals, Teachers,
School Staff, Parents and
Students every blessing in
their work and we pray that it will
be a successful and fulfilling year
for all.
SET DANCING CLASSES will
resume on Thursday 15 January
2009 at 8pm in Greenhills
Community Centre. New members
are most welcome.