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Bulletin for 18th February, 2007

PARISH LENTEN PROJECT

In my younger days the standard question at this time of the year was “What are you giving up for Lent?” There were two assumptions hidden here – firstly that you certainly would be marking Lent in some way, and secondly that it would involve ‘giving up’. I would have to be very naïve to believe that nowadays everybody will be marking Lent in some way – and that’s a pity, as it is a very important season of preparation for the celebration of Holy Week and Easter. But on the other hand, I know that of the very many people who will enter into the spirit of the season, their way of marking it is likely to be much more positive than simply ‘giving up’ something.

‘Giving up’ is fine, and can in itself be a very positive exercise is self-control and penance, etc. But our primary call is to be a ‘giving’ people – giving ourselves in faith into the hands of the Lord that He may use us to bring His love to the world. And, thank God, we have a wonderfully ‘giving’ Parish here in St. Joseph’s. Many people give of themselves so that we may feel welcomed; so that our Liturgies will raise spirits and hearts; so that our children will grow in their knowledge and love of Jesus; so that the less well-off may have a hot meal, and so on.

But a special element in the ‘giving’ mentality of the Parish has been our annual Parish Lenten Project. Last year, you may remember, as a result of your generosity, €30,000 was sent to our extremely deprived mission in Mozambique. This year we are proposing two separate projects – one of our missions in India, and one of our missions among the Wichi tribe in northern Argentina.

Our mission in Randham, in south-east India, is staffed by 3 Passionists. They have been doing sterling work in lifting the people out of utter poverty. A major need is for education. They have begun work on a new 12 class-room building in the hope that money will come in to finish it. Each 22 x 20 ft classroom costs just under €4000 to build and equip – so there’s no luxury involved! Wouldn’t it be good if we were able to fund a few of these classrooms?

In our mission among the Wichi people in Juarez, Formosa , in the Argentine, the greatest need is for medicines – TB and chagas are major problems, as also are extreme climatic conditions, and being constantly driven off their lands by large agri-businesses. Our missioners have been trying to build small multi-purpose halls in two different villages. They have been lying incomplete for over a year now because of lack of funds – less than€4000 in one case, and €500 in the other. Sad.

Our Lenten Project will begin next Sunday, and continue through the Sundays of Lent, in the form of a second collection at all Masses. Whether you’re giving up or just giving doesn’t matter; it’s what these people will be getting – basic facilities that we simply take for granted.

NOTICES

 Ash Wednesday 21 st February: There will be three Masses on Ash Wednesday – the usual daily mass at 8.30 am.; mass at 12 noon, which will be followed by the Lenten Soup Lunch, organised by the ACWO; and mass at 8.30 pm. (Please note the slightly later time than usual, an experimental attempt to facilitate those who have had difficulty in the past getting here for 8.) Ashes will be distributed at all the Masses. Voluntary donations given at the Soup Lunch after the noon mass will go to the support of Trinity Soup Kitchen. Contact: Jackie 06.86.84.56.30

Lenten Services: During Lent, beginning this coming Friday, February 23 rd, there will be an extra Mass each Friday evening at 8.00, followed by the Stations of the Cross. Other services will include a Taize prayer evening on Wednesday, 28 th March, and our Penitential Service on Tuesday, 3 rd April.

Parish/Home Prayer Day: A reminder of the request last week for people to host a prayer evening in their on Wednesday, 14 th March. The idea is, that volunteer parishioners would host an evening in their general region – eg. Paris south-east, western suburbs, etc. The prayer and reflection would be followed by a light potluck supper. We would provide guidance on how to conduct the meeting, and the participants would provide the potluck meal. We need to have an idea of the level of interest in this prayer project as well as volunteers in each of the areas to act as hosts. Kindly contact Regan, orillac@aol.com, or ph. 06 13 21 92 65 if you are interested in hosting a prayer and reflection meeting in your home, or if you are simply interested in attending.

Lourdes Collection: Fr. Peter Clucas (who spoke at all the Masses last Sunday) writes:- “Again my thanks to the Community and Parishioners of St Joseph’s for their very warm welcomeshown to me last weekend. My sincere thanks and gratitude to all who gave so generously to the second collection in aid of the work for the invalid guests on the Oblate pilgrimage to Lourdes. Also to those who gave theirnames and who are thinking about joining the group of young adults on the trip you are very welcome.” www.oblateyouthservice.com  peter@oblateyouthservice.com

Youth Assembly: St. Patrick’s Province of the Passionist Congregation is organising a Youth Assembly on the week-end of 6 th – 8 th July. It is open to all young people, between the ages of 18 and 35 who attend our churches in Ireland, Scotland and Paris. It will be taking place just outside Dublin. While it will be partially concerned with preparations for World Youth Day in Sydney next year, it is open to people who may not necessarily be intending to go to Sydney. For further information please contact Anne-Marie Colombo, Edna Irani or Fr. Pat, or leave your contact details in the Parish office. There are only a very limited number of places left.

Parish Retreat: We are happy to say that with the amount of positive response, there will definitely be a Parish Retreat Day, open to all parishioners, on Saturday, March 24 th. It will be taking place here on our own premises. Further details will follow later.

CCD: Just a reminder that the next CCD classes will be on Sunday, 11 March.

Gospel Group (3 - 4 yr olds) during the 11am mass. It’s lovely to see that the numbers participating in this group is growing by the week. This is not simply a child-minding service, but is a way of introducing children to the faith. It is open to any 3 or 4-year-old children and is available for free. A new program, suited to their age has recently been introduced.

RCIA, (Tuesday)Next meeting on 20 February.

Marriage Course (Wednesday evening): No meeting this week. We’ll meet again on 28 February.

Bible Study: Please notethere will be no Bible study this Wednesday. We'll be back on the 28th of February at the usual time.

Mission Lunch Soup Kitchen: Volunteers Needed .    Volunteers please note the change. Due to the February, school holiday, St.Joseph's will not be running the mission lunch on the 26th. We will, however, run the 1st Friday in March, which is March 2nd. New volunteers are needed, please contact Loraine for further information. 01 34 80 11 10, or lorainesd@wanadoo.fr  Thanks to the extra volunteers who turned up for the January Lunch.

New Prayer Group: a new prayer group has started and will meet on a monthly basis on the 2nd Saturday of each month from 4:30-6pm. Next session will be on Saturday 11 March. Contact Janet Sitzmann at 06.13.13.48.56 or you can email me at jsitzmann@hotmail.com .