The weekend, the children of our parish continued their preparation for Confirmation.  The theme of this month’s ritual Mass was: ‘The Name of God is Love.

The tableau focused on the various biblical names for God.  Each student prepared a white dove on which they wrote the names they had chosen for their Confirmation.

This weekend the children of our parish continued their preparation for First Holy Communion focusing on the theme: ‘Remembering to say ‘Please’, ‘Thank You’ and ‘Sorry’.  Pope Francis encouraged all families to write those phrases on the door of every family home as they are the key to living well and in peace both inside and outside the home.  They are simple words, much easier to say than to put into practice, but ‘they contain great strength: the strength of protecting the home, even with a thousand difficulties and trials; instead, when they are lacking, cracks gradually open up that can even lead it to collapse.’

Each child was invited to write three short prayers using the words, please, thank you and sorry, which were later placed in a sealed ‘Prayer Post-Box’ (below).

Fr. Derek reflected on the painting created as the altar frontal.  He remarked,  “the beautiful colours reflect a community that is alive because of the way they treat each other.  The church is at the centre because the three phrases are gospel values – ‘Do unto others what you would have them do to you’, Jesus said.   The author, Peggy O’ Mara once said, ‘The way we talk to our children becomes their inner voice.’   If we teach the boys and girls how to say please, thank you and I’m sorry, they will be the richest people in the world.   That is why when we begin to say please, thank you, and I’m sorry at home, we bring those values with us when we leave the home to the people we meet.  In that way, we create a community as beautiful as the one we see in front of the altar.  The kites flying high above all the buildings of the town keep before our eyes the importance of being able to say ‘Please’, ‘Thank You’ and ‘I’m sorry’.”

Feast of St. Blaise

Traditionally on the Feast of St. Blaise, 3rd February, individuals are invited to have their throats blessed using candles that are blessed on the Feast of Candlemas (2nd February).  The blessing of throats will take place after each Mass this weekend.

Saint Blaise was the bishop of Sebaste in Armenia during the fourth century.  According to various accounts he was a physician before becoming a bishop.  His reputation spread throughout the entire Church in the Middle Ages because he was reputed to have miraculously cured a little boy who nearly died because of a fishbone in his throat.  From the eighth century he has been invoked on behalf of the sick, especially those afflicted with illnesses of the throat.

The theme of the Mass was ‘Disconnect to Reconnect’.  In the Gospel, Jesus was reconnecting with his roots as he read from the scroll of the Prophet Isaiah in the synagogue where he grew up.  As adults and children we are encouraged to disconnect……to take time away from our phones and tablets…..to put them down and to look up!  It gives us the opportunity to reconnect with ourselves and others, and not live our lives through the lense of a phone or screen.

 The clock on the Sanctuary reminded everyone how valuable our time is and how important it is to use our time wisely.  The numbers on the clock were replaced with icons of the many apps and devices that preoccupy our time.  On the outside of the clock are alternative ways in which we can spend our time in a positive, productive way.

Each student prepared a tablet and on it they made an internet-safety pledge which will guide them and others when they use modern technology.

Parent/Child Phone-Internet Contract 2019

• I will always tell the truth about what I am doing on my phone or computer. Not telling the truth takes away your trust in me and it’s really hard to get that back.
• I will not use my phone/computer to do anything mean—no bullying, no teasing, no being rude.
• I will not take pictures of people and post them without permission.
• My social networks are limited to (e.g. Facebook and Snapchat). We will discuss adding more later when I show you responsibility using these.
• I will put my phone/iPad in the kitchen every night by ________p.m. and I understand this phone is yours—you will check it whenever you want to, to keep me safe.
• I will always report any unusual online behaviour to my parents/guardians as well as any behaviour that scares or worries me.
• My mobile phone is a way for me to communicate to my parents.
• I will not give my PIN or password to any of my friends.
• I will not download or use any apps, nor will I visit any sites that have been “banned” by my parents/guardians.
• I will give you my PIN codes and passwords.
• I will only accept friend requests from my “real-life” friends.
• This phone/computer will not turn me into a rude person; I will not answer it while in a restaurant, movies or while talking to another human being.
• I understand that I am responsible for where my phone, iPad or laptop is and for keeping it in good condition.
• I understand that having my phone/computer is a privilege, not a right. If I abuse this privilege my phone will be taken off me.
• I will not give out my personal information on the internet.
• I will make sure my profiles are set to private.

Congratulations to parents in our parish on the birth of their children.  Our parish shares in your joy and we are delighted to welcome your baby into the Christian family of the Church through Baptism.  By asking for your baby’s Baptism, parents are publicly thanking God for His gift to them and they make a commitment to bring up their child in the Christian faith.  We will help you carry out your decision by giving you our wholehearted support.

Parents should keep the following in mind:

(i) Parents can provisionally book the date for their child’s Baptism through the Parish Office.  (Please note: Baptisms are limited to six in Ashbourne Church for any one ceremony, or two in Donaghmore Church.)  Baptisms can only proceed when parents have completed the Pre-baptism Programme.

(ii) The Baptism Registration Form can be downloaded from the parish website.  This form must be returned to the Parish Office before attending the Pre-baptism Programme in the parish.

(iii) Parents living outside of Ashbourne-Donaghmore Parish who wish to return to Ashbourne/Donaghmore for their child’s Baptism are very welcome.  In such cases, parents are required to provide a letter from their parish of residence permitting the baptism to take place outside of the parish where they live.  Parents can complete pre-baptism preparation for their child in the parish where they are living and the permission letter from the parish should confirm this has been completed.

(iv) Visiting priests are welcome to officiate at baptisms in our parish.  The same requirements—(i)-(iii) – apply to parents in these circumstances.  Under diocesan safeguarding regulations, visiting ministers are required to present a valid celebret before officiating at the ceremony.

Further details about baptisms are available on the parish website or from the Parish Office.

SPIRITUAL RESOLUTIONS FOR THE NEW YEARS 2019

• Morning Prayer: Why not join our parish community for Morning Prayer each day (Mon-Sat) at 9.40am.  It only takes 15 minutes!
• Read one spiritual book per month. Check out www.veritas.ie or similar websites for possible suggestions.
• Read one chapter of the Gospels daily. God speaks to us through His Word.
• Commit to praying one of the psalms each day. There are 150 which speak of our every need in prayer.
• Pray the Rosary or even one Decade daily. It only takes seven minutes to pray one decade.
• Volunteer. Is there something you can do in your Parish?  Giving of your time will fill your heart more abundantly and cultivate a deeper sense of gratitude.
• Keep Sunday holy. We all need to rest!  If God rested on the seventh day, and called us to do the same, why not rest in his presence in the Eucharist.  Worship together & pray together!
• Go to confession once a month. Don’t let fear deter you from experiencing God’s love for you through the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
• Eucharistic Adoration. Why not spend some time in the presence of Jesus.  Drop in to the John Paul II Chapel on Thursdays from 10.30am-9pm.  Sit in the Lord’s presence, pray for your own needs, those who have asked you to pray for them.
• Sign up to a daily spiritual website: www.wordonfire.org, www.livingspace.sacredspace.ie, www.livingfaith.com to mention a few.
• Download a Catholic app onto your phone. ‘Universalis’, ‘The Pope App’, ‘Truth & Life’, ‘Divine Mercy’, ‘John Paul II’, ‘Rosary’, ‘Confession’, ‘Catholicpedia’ etc.
• Consider joining a Christian Meditation Group.  A group meets each Wednesday in the JPII Chapel or check out Christian Meditation on line.
• Attend a Spiritual Retreat to reconnect with the ourselves and the Lord.
• De-clutter!  Create a space in each day for stillness and silence.
• Begin a daily journal.  Where did God speak to you in the encounters and experiences of each day.
• Tune in to a Catholic TV station once a week.  EWTN – Eternal Word Television Network; Salt and Light TV and Radio Stations; Catholic Life Television.

(Fr. Derek)

We wish all our parishioners every blessing for the New Year!

As we celebrate the season of Christmas, may St. Joseph grant to all of us the ability to dream great things, drawing us closer to what God dreams about us.  As he gazed into the eyes of the Infant Child, may the radiant beams of His holy face captivate us too with renewed hope and confidence in God’s Love – the Word made flesh—who dwells among us.

As we begin a New Year, may Jesus knock gently on your hearts so that the year ahead may be warmed by the tenderness of His Father, who deepens our faith, strengthens our hope and increases our love for Him and one another.

(Fr. Derek)

CHRISTMAS EVE

5pm                          Family Mass                                   Ashbourne

In the interest of everyone’s safety and comfort at this Mass, parents with buggies are asked to store the buggies in the Parish Office where they can be collected after Mass.

The Red Cross will join us for the 5pm Mass to ensure the safety of all joining the parish community on Christmas Eve,

8pm                          Vigil Mass                                   Donaghmore

11pm                        ‘Midnight Mass’                        Ashbourne

This Mass is broadcast live on RTE television and simultaneously on Eurovision.  Please join our parish community as we unite with families across Europe to celebrate the feast of Christmas.

CHRISTMAS DAY

Ashbourne 9am, 10am (Polish), 11am, 12.30pm

Donaghmore 10am

STEPHEN’S DAY

10am Mass   (Please note: church will not open until 9.30am)