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Parish Newsletter

RECENTLY DECEASED: In our prayers we remember Con Reen, late of Grange Road and Tom Ruby late of Frankfield. We extend our sincere sympathy to their loved ones, relatives, neighbours and friends; may they rest in peace.

FEAST OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION – FRIDAY DECEMBER 8th: Mass will be celebrated on Friday, 8th at 10am NO Vigil Mass on Thursday.

ST JOSEPH’S YOUNG PRIEST SOCIETY: Monthly meeting will take place on Monday 4th December in the Little Chapel after 10am Mass; new members are welcome.

CHRISTMAS DUES ENVELOPES: Distributors your bundles of envelopes are ready for collection in the parish office. Extra help is always needed to distribute the envelopes. If you have spare time call to the sacristy or parish office during the week.

EXPOSITION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT: Weekly Adoration every Friday in the Little Chapel after the 10am Mass is now all day until 8pm. Thank you to all who have made this possible. Everyone is welcome to come along and spend some time in private prayer.

PRAYER OF BLESSING FOR THE ADVENT WREATH: Lord God, your Church joyfully awaits the coming of its Savior, who enlightens our hearts and dispels the darkness of ignorance and sin. Pour forth your blessings upon us as we light the candles of this wreath; may their light reflect the splendor of Christ, who is Lord, for ever and ever.      

PARISH CONTACT NUMBERS: Please note the new contact number for Parish Priest and Parish Emergencies is 087-673254

ACTIVE RETIRED PROGRAMME: MONDAY 2pm – 3pm: Gentle Exercises Relaxation, cuppa and chat. 3pm – 4pm: Line Dancing. TUESDAY 2pm Art Group  WEDNESDAY – Cuppa and chat after 10.30 Mass. All events in the parish centre. 
 
A STUDY OF ST MARK’S GOSPEL: Webinar by Dr. Francis Cousins on Tuesday 5th December from 7pm – 8.30pm. This webinar will examine the Gospel of St Mark which is the focus of the Sunday Gospel Readings in the Liturgical Calendar 2023-2024. To register, send an email to Advent@downandconnor.org by Friday 1st December.
 

FIRST SATURDAY DEVOTIONS – Saturday 2nd December. Rosary will be recited on the first Saturday of every month at 6pm in the back chapel in the church in honor of Our Lady of Fatima. There will be a fifteen-minute meditation on the mysteries of the Rosary following the 6.30pm Mass. The First Saturday’s devotion was given to us as a gift from Our Lady of Fatima. She promises that whoever does the Five First Saturdays will be assured of her assistance at the moment of their death. Everyone is most welcome to this special time of prayer.

MASS BOOKINGS for December, January, February and March may now be booked in the parish office; opening days/hours Monday, Wednesday & Friday from 10.30am – 12.30pm.  Mass booking may also be made by emailing frankfieldgrange@gmail.com or by Tel. 021 4897379.
 

CHRISTMAS CONCERT: The Frankfield Gospel Choir and Cork Light Orchestra will be performing together in a Christmas Concert on Sunday, December 17th at 5pm here in our parish church for the benefit of Feed Cork. Doors open at 4.15pm. No tickets required. Please come along with family and friends to support this wonderful charity and enjoy a festive evening of Christmas music and song.

CHRISTMAS TRIDUUM MASSES: Christmas Triduum Mass Bouquet cards are now available from the parish office. 10am Masses celebrated on Wednesday 20th, Thursday 21st and Friday 22nd December will be offered for the intentions of all the names placed on the Altar; card €1, offering €3
 
DOUGLAS LIONS CLUB Members and their volunteers will be collecting at Ryan’s Supervalu in Grange and outside Dunnes in Douglas Court Shopping Centre, from Thursday 7th to Sunday 10th December inclusive. Your continued support will be most appreciated to help those most need this Christmas.
 
PIONEER TOTAL ABSTINENCE ASSOCIATION: The 2024 Pioneer calendar is available from Pioneer centres and from Central Office (01 805 4226). The calendar is designed to offer spiritual support and encouragement to families which are being impacted by alcohol and addiction. The calendar is priced at €5. www.pioneerassociation.org/calendar.
 

OFFERTORY COLLECTION for last weekend amounted to €1385; thank you for your continued generosity.

SOCIETY OF ST VINCENT DE PAUL: Members of the local branch of St. V. De Paul will speak at all Masses this weekend. Their annual Christmas church door collection takes place next weekend, Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th December; your support is greatly appreciated.

TROCAIRE CHRISTMAS GIFTS OF CHANGE: The gifts are ethical, sustainable and are real items that families in developing communities ask us for to make their lives safe and healthy. These gifts can bring real hope and opportunity to families and communities living in poverty across our world, and a chance to create lasting and positive change. There are gifts for everyone starting at €5 for the Gift of Soap. You can support the gifts by buying them online at trocaire.org/gifts; by phone 1800 408 408/021-4275622; by post or in person to Trócaire, 9, Cook Street, Cork. T12 F583. Here is a link to some videos which explain the gifts in good detail if you wished to share the power of the gifts on your parish social media. Trócaire Gifts of Change 2023 on Vimeo  
 

CORK LIONS CLUB is delighted to announce they will be running an Online Auction in aid of the Christmas Food Appeal.  Bidding opens on Monday, 4th December and closes on 8th December at Midnight. We are grateful to the Cork Business Community, who have donated items to date for the auction – visit www,corklionsclub.ie for details. The proceeds from the auction will go towards the Cork Lions Club Christmas Food Appeal. Every year Cork Lions Club distributes food hampers to deserving families in Cork City, with over 500 hampers distributed in 2023.

NEXT 45 CARD DRIVE: Monday, 4th December at 7.30pm in the parish centre; beginners and experienced players are welcome.

CORK ALZHEIMER CAFÉ: The café is a safe place for people with Alzheimers and other dementias, their carers, family and friends along with social and health professionals to meet. Last Friday of each month 11am to 12.30pm in St Finbarrs Hospital Activity Centre, Douglas Road. Light refreshments provided free of charge. 
 
 
 
 
Medjugorje Pilgrimage ex Cork May 29th – June 5th 2024. Spiritual Director Fr. Ted Sheehan. €779.00 pps. if fully paid before December 1st. Contact Sean O’Shaughnessy 086 2959380. Limit to 50 places. Travelling with Joe Walsh Tours.
 
MEDJUGORGE PILGRIMAGE from Cork Airport – Group Leader Jim Keogh. This pilgrimage travels to Medjugorje from Cork on 5th June 2024 with Aer Lingus. Full daily programme which includes a visit to all the apparition sites where Our Lady first appeared to the six children in June 1981. Our 4 star hotel is conveniently located close to the village centre and the St James Church. Coach transfer to Medjugorje on arrival. 7 nights 4* hotel accommodation. Half board: breakfast & dinner each day. Coach transfer from your hotel to airport for return flight. Check-in assistance at airports. 1 x 20kg check-in bag & 1 x small cabin bag. For further information and details please contact Jim Keogh 021 4885371 you will be most welcome. 
 
 
Affordable Live-in Homecare provides live-in carers for the elderly in your area. If you are looking for a live-in carer for your relative, please call Eileen or Tom today on 087 991 6791 or 087 744 0729. Our website is www.alhomecare.ie
 

 

 

Parish Secretary – Job Vacancy

We have a vacancy for a parish secretary. This is a part time role of two hours, three mornings a week, with a requirement for an additional 4 hours a week. This role will require a person with good administration, secretarial and computer skills.
 
As a visible representative of the parish, the successful candidate needs to be courteous, empathetic, possess good communication skills, and exercise discretion at all times.
 
Interested parties can forward their application with covering letter, CV and references to Fr Ray Riordan, Co-PP, The Presbytery, Frankfield, Douglas, Cork or email frankfieldgrange@gmail.com before Friday, 24th November.

Annual Mass of Remembrance St John’s Cemetery, Ballinrea.

Death creates a heartache which in time will heal, love creates memories which death cannot steal.

Read more →

Novena to the Sacred Heart

NOVENA TO THE SACRED HEART – from Thursday, 8th June to Friday 16th June inclusive.
 
Starting with Adoration each morning from 8.50am to 9.50am; rosary will be recited at 9.30, followed by 10am Mass.
 
On the Feast Day of the Sacred Heart – Friday 16th June, there will be an extra hour of Adoration in the evening from 7pm – 8pm; finishing the Novena with Benediction.

Easter Message from Fr Kevin

Dear Parishioners,

When I wrote the Easter message last year little did I think that many of the topics I mentioned would still be making headlines. Covid is still with us and we still have to take precautions. Our world continues to follow the war in Ukraine, and we are all feeling the economic knock on effects of this war. While things are returning to the way they were pre-Covid, changes are also happening.

Each Friday the parish is delighted to be able to welcome the different classes from Scoil Niocláis at the morning Mass. The extended family and friends can once more celebrate with the children as they receive the sacraments during the school year. The parish community along with the school community are looking forward to welcoming Bishop Fintan for the celebration of Confirmation after Easter.

Ongoing change is happening in parishes across the diocese with the establishment of the Family of Parishes by the bishop. This summer our parish of Frankfield/Grange together with Turners Cross and Douglas/Rochestown will become a Family of Parishes. This new structure will see a team of priests with a moderator and co-parish priests working together. Each priest will be appointed as a co-parish priest to minister across all the parishes in the Family of Parishes. The formation of this Family of Parishes will bring a certain amount of change; these will be worked out in the Family of Parishes by all collaborating together.

Easter brought about change in the world with its message of joy and hope. It is this same joy and hope that we have to share with the world today in a new way.

I once more take this opportunity to thank you for your continuing generous support. The Easter Dues can be returned in the provided envelope, or online by clicking on the donate button on the parish website www.frankfieldgrange.ie and selecting the option for Priest’s Income collection.

I look forward to welcoming you all to the celebration of the Holy Week Ceremonies and Easter. I wish you and all your loved ones all the joy and peace of this special season.

Fr Kevin

Christmas Message

As we approach Christmas we look forward to celebrating with family and friends the birth of Our Saviour. May all who are travelling reach their destinations safely.
 
We remember all those who will be working over Christmas, especially those in the emergency services and those caring for the sick.
 
For some it will be a difficult time, missing loved ones who passed away or who will be away from home. We unite with the Ukrainian people in prayer as we pray that the coming of the Prince of Peace may bring peace to their homeland.
 
I pray that the light of Christ will fill your lives with hope, love and peace.
 
Fr Kevin

Annual Bereavement Mass

Perhaps they are not the stars, but, rather openings in Heaven where the love of our departed ones pours through and shines down upon us to let us know they are happy  (Eskimo legend)

There was a great attendance at the annual parish bereavement Mass. The Mass was offered for all those in our parish who departed this life in the previous twelve months, and for their families who mourn their passing and grieve their loss.

The choir sang the entrance hymn Be Still

Fr Kevin began the Mass by welcoming one and all to the church, and also the online congregation. He said we were there primarily to support the recently bereaved and to pray for their loved ones who had died since November 2021, but also to remember and pray for the happy repose of the souls of all our own loved ones who had died. During the Mass we were to especially remember all those whose names were called out after the homily, and those who mourn their passing.

The first reading from the Prophet Isaiah was read by Mary O’Connell.

Fr Kevin read from the Gospel of St John – Do not let your hearts be troubled…

In his homily Fr Kevin said forty-six people had died from the parish in the past twelve months. Some of them died early in the twelve months and some more recently; some died suddenly, while others died after a short or long illness. We, in Ireland, have a great tradition of remembering our dead. We have our annual parish cemetery Mass. As is the norm this Mass is celebrated in August in St John’s cemetery, Ballinrea. Every year the crowd of mourners attending grows as more of our loved ones die and are laid to rest. We also pray for our deceased loved ones during the November Novena of Masses for the Holy Souls; we place their names on remembrance branches in the church to the left of the sanctuary. 

Fr Kevin then went on to speak about the different stages of grief. The grieving and sense of loss which might never leave, but then acceptance comes with time and this enables a person to reach a stage where they can move on with their life again. No two people grieve alike, it’s so important for people to be allowed to grieve in their own way and in their own time. Some people need help in coming to terms with their loss and grief, while others are able to move on with their lives themselves. There are many triggers that remind us of our loved ones, some of these can be so strong they prevent us going to a certain place where we had spent time with them. With the recently bereaved there is still heartache, still pain, and tears continue to be shed for the loss of our loved ones. Fr Kevin assured all present of the support and sympathy of our community.

We need to realise we are never alone in our grief, Christ is always with us and he is here with us now this very evening. We are a people of faith and we place our trust in God, in Jesus. We will indeed see our loved ones once again when we too go to our eternal rest.

Fionnuala read out the names of the forty-six people who died in the parish in the last twelve months, since November 2021. Fr Kevin invited their families to come forward as their loved one’s name was called out, and to place the lighted white candle on the middle table.

The congregation was then invited to come forward and place their lighted red candles on the other tables while remembering their own loved ones who had died.

During this time the choir sang In the Shadow of your Wings.

Mary O’Connell read the Prayer of the Faithful in which we asked God’s mercy on our deceased love ones, comfort for the bereaved who mourn them, healing for those who are sick in body, mind or spirit in our community, support for carers who look after the sick.  Lastly we prayed for our own personal intentions.

The choir sang Eat This Bread at the Offertory and Be Still My Soul at Communion time.

Following Communion Maelíosa read the reflection Remember.

Fr Kevin thanked all who helped to organise the Mass, parish office secretaries, sacristans, parish choir for enhancing the Mass with their music and singing, Ministers of the Word and Eucharist, the outgoing parish assembly, and the people who looked after the refreshments. He then extended an invitation to everyone to partake of these refreshments in the parish centre.  

Before the final prayer Fr Kevin invited everyone to bring home their candles.

As the congregation excited the church the choir sang the recessional hymn Beautiful Isle of Somewhere.

Hail Holy Queen Conference 2022

HAIL HOLY QUEEN CONFERENCE 2022 is live on Radio Maria Ireland from 2pm on Saturday, 15th October. 

Radio Maria Ireland can be listened to by downloading the Radio Maria Ireland APP, Saorview Channel 210 or listen live at (01)4373277

 

 

Bishop Fintan’s pastoral visit to our parish of Frankfield/Grange

On the 10th and 11th September there was great excitement as Bishop Fintan made his first pastoral official visit to our parish church, and concelebrated the Vigil and Sunday Masses with Fr Kevin.

During his homily, Bishop Fintan spoke about the recent pastoral letter “Putting Out Into Deep Waters”. He said twelve of the sixteen Families of Parishes had come into being that weekend.

Next year Frankfield/Grange joins the parishes of Douglas and Turners Cross in forming a Family of Parishes.

At the conclusion of each Mass, Fr Kevin thanked Bishop Fintan on behalf of all in the parishioners.

Bishop Fintan greeted and met with parishioners as well as Ministers of the Word and Eucharist and representatives from the Parish Assembly, Parish Finance Committee, The Church Choir, Social Media Coordinator, Baptismal Preparation Team and Parish Safeguarding Representatives.

The bishop also met members of the Frankfield Men’s Shed and The Frankfield/Grange Active Retired Group.

Thanks to Bismark Photography for the images

Bishop Fintan’s visitation

Bishop Fintan will visit our parish church this coming weekend 10/11th September.

He will celebrate Mass at all three Masses – 6.30pm Vigil Mass on Saturday, and 10am and 11.30am Masses on Sunday.

Bishop Fintan Gavin was born in Dublin in 1966 and baptised in Saint Andrew’s Parish, Westland Row, Dublin.  Son of Angela and Michael Gavin, he is the second eldest of seven brothers and sisters.

His family roots are in Marino, Saint Vincent de Paul Parish, on the Northside of Dublin.  His primary and post-primary education were at CBS, Marino, Dublin. Before going to Clonliffe College, Dublin, where he trained to be a priest, he began training as a residential social worker for a year.

He was ordained to serve as a priest of the Archdiocese of Dublin by Bishop Éamonn Walsh, Auxiliary Bishop of Dublin, on 7 June 1991.

Bishop’s Fintan’s first appointments were as teacher/chaplain at schools in Bray and Tallaght as well as assisting in the local parishes.

In 1996 he undertook post-graduate studies in Rome.

He was awarded a Doctorate in Canon Law from The Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome, in 2003.

In between and during the academic years, he ministered in Rome, Florence, New York, Buenos Aires and Alicante. He speaks Italian and Spanish.

In 2003, Bishop Fintan was appointed Vice-Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Dublin and was appointed Chancellor in 2017. (The chancellor of a diocese is the chief record-keeper, certifies documents and manages the administrative offices on behalf of the bishop.)

Up to the time of his appointment to the Diocese of Cork and Ross, Bishop Fintan was Chancellor in the Archdiocese of Dublin, Parish Chaplain in Our Lady of Victories, Ballymun Road, and the grouping of parishes of Iona Road, Drumcondra, Glasnevin, Ballymun Road and Ballygall, Dublin, Chaplain to the Italian speaking community in the Archdiocese and Chaplain to the annual Dublin Diocesan Children’s Pilgrimage to Lourdes.

Bishop Fintan was ordained bishop at the Cathedral of St. Mary and St. Anne, Cork on June 30th, 2019. Bishop John Buckley was the Principal Consecrator and Archbishop Diarmuid Martin and Archbishop Kieran O’Reilly were co-consecrators. His Excellency Archbishop Jude Thaddeus Okolo, Apostolic Nuncio to Ireland, was among the concelebrating bishops.