We wish the WMOF volunteers from Ashbourne-Donaghmore Parish every success as they make their final preparations to welcome the many pilgrims from home and abroad travelling to Dublin for the World Meeting of Families.  May their support, enthusiasm and hospitality create an uplifting and enriching experience for all pilgrims.

Ashbourne-Donaghmore Parish welcomes pilgrims from Valencia, Spain and the UK who will be staying with host-families in Ashbourne and surrounding areas for the World Meeting of Families.  We pray their time among us will be a blessing for them and their families as they celebrate with joy and faith, the ‘Gospel of the Family: a Joy for the world.’

AS A GENERAL RULE OF THUMB WHEN PREPARING:

What you bring you have to carry.  Travel light!

• Wear comfortable walking shoes
• Water
• Rain Mac
• Portable radio (The Holy Father will speak in Italian)
• Lunch and drinks
• Money (drinks/merchandise etc.)
• Plastic bag to sit on ground/foldable seat (details provided with tickets)
• Camera/phone
• Papal Flag/Ashbourne Flag
• SMALL umbrella (large umbrellas are prohibited)

Multiple food and drinks stations will also be available, as will medical facilities, toilets and baby changing facilities. There will be volunteers throughout the venue, at the gates and at the hubs who will be able to help you.

The Parish has been advised that the coach packs for our parish pilgrimage to the Papal Mass in the Phoenix Park on Sunday 26th August have been dispatched.  It is hoped tickets, wristbands, travel details, prohibited items, etc., for pilgrims can be collected from the Parish Office from Wednesday.

We can advise that the parish coaches will be parked in the Kylemore Coach Park and access to the Phoenix Park will be via the Chapelizod Gate.  Organisers have advised that it is 2.5km from the coach park to the Chapelizod Gate with a further 1km walk to the Mass site once you gain entry.  They have reminded all  travelling to the Papal Mass that this is a pilgrimage and all should approach it as such.

Each bus will be given a designated time for arrival into the coach park.  The departure time for the parish coaches will be earlier than previously advised.  Parishioners will be advised of the departure time when tickets are collected from the Parish Office.

REVISED MASS TIMES

Thanks to the kind assistance of Fr. Tom Rafferty who is home from Pakistan on holidays to rest and spend time with his family, the following revised Mass schedule will be in place in the parish the weekend of Pope Francis’s visit to the WMOF:

Saturday 25th August  6pm—Ashbourne

Sunday 26th August    9am—Ashbourne

10am—Donaghmore

(Please be advised, the Festival of Families in Croke Park

(25th Aug) commences at 6.30pm.)

CALLING ALL YOUNG SINGERS IN ASHBOURNE!

A new choir for young people is starting in Ashbourne this September.

This is an exciting opportunity for young people to receive a musical and choral education, quality instruction in singing and vocal technique, explore fantastic new music, while making friends and having FUN!  The choir is open to applicants from third class in primary school through to second level. Age appropriate leadership roles will be available for interested applicants.

Rehearsals will take place weekly during the school term.

WHERE: Ashbourne Parish Hall  WHEN: Mondays 4.30-5.45PM

REGISTRATION & INFORMATION SESSION:

Monday 17th September 2018 Ashbourne Parish Hall, 7-8PM

All interested young singers, parents and guardians welcome.

For more information, email youngashbournesingers@gmail.com

Thank you to all who volunteered their time on Saturday to assist in painting the Parish Office in preparation for the forthcoming ordination of Fergal Cummins.  Our sincere thanks to all who provided refreshments for the volunteers.

Parishioners are invited to join together Saturday next, 11th August at 11am to assist in painting the Parish Office in preparation for the forthcoming ordination, on 30th September.  It is an opportunity to meet new parishioners and build our community.  What to do?  Bring a paint brush/roller!  Let’s try and complete the project in one day!

In order to assist with our spiritual preparation for the celebration of the World Meeting of Families, Fr. Derek and Fr. Ciarán will be available for the celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, Saturday 11th August

10.30am-12noon

4pm-5.30pm