Praying for Peace
We have crossed the threshold into 2026, a time of hope and new beginnings. On last Thursday, New Year’s Day, we celebrated World Day of Peace. A few years ago, we would have done this somewhat ‘in passing’ as we didn’t get any sense that our world was changing and…
Happy New Year
We have celebrated Christmas wonderfully here in St. Michael’s this year. It has helped to lift the gloom that can surround us towards the end of the year as well as the stress of having to do so much in preparation for Christmas. This weekend, we are in a much quieter…
Happy Christmas
As we reach the Fourth Sunday of Advent, we can begin to wish one another ‘Happy Christmas’ though it’s still nice to hear those words on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning in the church. These words of greeting are most meaningful when gathered to pray, to sing and to look…
Gaudete Sunday – we have reached the third Sunday of Advent and preparations are well progressed for us to celebrate Christmas in our church, parish and Family of Parishes this year. The Church Crib is now in place and Christmas decorations are well under way. The parish schools have been here in the…
Celebrating Together – our church and parish centre has been very busy in recent times as we continue through Advent and approach Christmas. We had a wonderful concert in the church last Sunday evening which was very well attended. We were delighted to facilitate and welcome the Polish Community to the Parish Centre last weekend…
Confirmation – The Confirmation candidates from Scoil Barra Naofa Cailliní, Scoil Barra Naofa Buachaillí, Scoil Ursula and St. Michael’s NS participated in wonderful retreat day in the Parish Centre and the church last Thursday. The retreat was facilitated by a team of eight young people from NET Ministries. Our Confirmation candidates had a very good…
Praying Together
In the coming weeks, we will gradually introduce a number of small changes as to when we stand and when we kneel during the celebration of the Mass. Bishop Fintan Gavin has said that ‘during our Year of Prayer, Listening and Discernment, people shared a desire for a deeper and more united experience…
Fáilte
We all know when we are welcome in a situation, visiting a neighbour, a workplace, a social gathering or anywhere. It’s even more important in a church and place of worship that people feel welcome, included and noticed. Welcome is the kernel of faith and parish life. It’s something that we should never take…
Remembering
The early days of November have been very fulfilling as we have gathered to remember our loved ones who have died. There has been a great response and participation in the November Novena with so many names now placed on the altar to be remembered in Novena Masses. Our Remembrance Mass on last Monday…
Remembering Our Loved Ones
When I was student for the priesthood, I clearly recall returning home from Maynooth at this time of the year. In those days, we would have returned to Maynooth in late August and the first visit home was at the end of October. I couldn’t but notice the change…
St. Michael's Parish