FATHERS ARE WONDERFUL PEOPLE
Fathers are wonderful people too little understood,
And we do not sing their praises as often as we should.
For somehow father seems to be the man who pays the bills,
While mother binds up little hurts and nurses all our ills.
And father struggles daily to live up to ‘his image’,
As protector and provider and ‘hero of the scrimmage’.
And perhaps that is the reason we sometimes get the notion,
That fathers are not subject to the thing we call emotion.
But if you look inside Dad’s heart where no one else can see,
You’ll find he’s sentimental and as ‘soft’ as he can be.
But he’s so busy every day in the gruelling race of life,
He leaves the sentimental stuff to his partner and his wife.
But fathers are just wonderful in a million different ways,
And they merit loving compliments and accolades of praise.
For the only reason Dad aspires to fortune and success,
Is to make the family proud of him and to bring them happiness.
And like our Heavenly Father he’s a guardian and a guide,
Someone that we count on to be always on our side.
Helen
Steiner Rice
BLESSING OF CANDLES
The
annual blessing of Candles for use in Church and homes takes place at Mass
on Friday 2nd February the Feast of the Presentation of the Child Jesus in
the Temple also known as Candlemas.
If
you wish to order Candles for your home or to be burned for you in the
Church you may do so at the Sacristy. Candles are £1 each.
CLOSING
OF THE CRIB
Our
Church Crib will be officially closed with the removal of the Infant Jesus
at the end of our 9.30a.m. Mass on Friday next 2nd February, the Feast
of the Presentation of the Child Jesus in the Temple. If your Crib is still
in place at home why not have an ‘official’ closing also at the end of
the day with the family and a simple prayer.
BLESSING OF THROATS
The
tradition of the Blessing of Throats in honour of St. Blaize whose feast
falls on 3rd February is a very old and honoured one. Candles blessed on the
Feast of Candlemas 2nd February are used to touch the throat and invoke the
blessing and intercession of the Saint. This Blessing will be given on
Saturday evening next 3rd February before Mass from 6.30p.m. until 6.50p.m.
and again after Mass as required.
SHRINES
OF FRANCE
As
previously announced it is hoped to have a pilgrimage to the Shrines of
France. This will depend on the interest and the numbers. Initial
information is as follows-
Saturday
12th May for 7 nights. First three nights in Lourdes followed by four nights
in other locations visiting Nevers, Lisieux and Paris from where we return.
The total cost is £548. Single Room extra. Anyone interested in taking part
is asked to let me know by 12th February. No deposits required yet. If there
is not sufficient interest to form a reasonably sized group by then it will
not proceed.
SENIOR PARISHIONERS
Our
postponed Senior Parishioners Social Night and Supper will be held in the
school on Friday 16th February. It will commence with Mass at 7.30p.m. So
all our Senior Parishioners are asked to take note. Reminders
each week in advance.
ALZHEIMERS SOCIETY
The
Wicklow Branch of the Alzheimers Society invite “Carers” to a support
meeting in the Cullenmore Hotel at 8p.m. on Tuesday 6th February. Do come
along. For further information contact Eleanor Heaney 31513 or Bernie
Tyrrell 31758.
QUIZ
NIGHT
Quiz
Night in
aid of Day Care Centre Hartin Hall, Avoca on the Old Ship on Wednesday 31st January.
£10 per table. Your support would be greatly appreciated.
CONGRATULATIONS
As
a Community we send our Congratulations and Best Wishes to our Archbishop
and Cardinal Elect Most Reverend Desmond Connell.
On Sunday last Pope John Paul counted him among 37 new Cardinals to fill the
vacancies of the College of Cardinals caused by the deaths and age of
others. He is the first Cardinal Archbishop in the Dublin Diocese since
Cardinal Edward McCabe who died in 1885. As a Cardinal he would be eligible
to participate in and be a candidate for the next Pope. This elevation is an
honour not just for the Archbishop but also for the Diocese, its people and
priests. As a community we have given the Dublin Diocese an Archbishop in
the past. He was Daniel Murray who was born on 18th April 1768 at Sheepwalk,
Beech Road. During the insurrection of 1798 he was serving as curate in
Arklow and was forced to seek refuge in Dublin. He became Archbishop of
Dublin in 1823 until his death in 1852. In congratulating our new Cardinal
Elect Archbishop Connell we wish him the priestly blessing of “Ad Multos
Annos”.
RADIO LINK
Our
Radio Link with the Church is presently being installed and a number of
people have expressed an interest in ‘linking up’ by way of a receiver.
Special Receivers are available at £30 each to anyone interested. You
don’t have to be ‘housebound’ to avail of this facility. Both Weekday
and Sunday Church Services will be broadcast when installed. If interested
please leave your name at the Sacristy.
BELL TOLLS AGAIN
I
am happy to report that our Bell is now ringing again after its few months
silence. While it had been damaged by children throwing stones it had also
deteriorated from exposure to the weather. The electronic works attached to
the bell itself had corroded and burnt out. While the cost of this repair is
in excess of £1,000 it is a necessary expense to restore the bell for use.
We will again have the Angelus ring each day.
NEVER UNDERESTIMATE
There
were 11 people hanging onto a rope that came down from a helicopter. Ten
were men and one woman. They all decided that one person should get off
because if they didn’t the rope would break and everyone would die. No one
could decide who should go, so finally the woman gave a really touching
speech saying how she would give up her life to save the others, because
women were used to giving up things for their husbands and children, giving
in to men and not receiving anything in return. When she finished speaking
all the men started clapping. So never underestimate the power of a woman.
A coincidence is a small miracle where God chooses to remain anonymous.
Speak when angry and you will make the best speech you will ever regret.
How far would Moses have gone if he had taken a poll in Egypt?
Life
is fragile, handle with prayer.
CHURCH
CLEANERS
Church
Cleaners this week are Group C.
IN
REMEMBRANCE
Our
Masses next weekend 3rd/4th February will be offered in remembrance of-
Saturday
7p.m.
Denis Keogh Anniv.
Sunday
9a.m.
Dermot Murray Anniv.
Sunday
11.30a.m.
Saney Wolohan Anniv.
GET WELL
Our
Prayers and Good Wishes are sent to all who are sick at home or in hospital
at this time. Remember if you have a family member who is housebound and who
would like to receive Holy Communion this can be arranged. Please let me
know. Also Mass can be celebrated in your home at any time.
PLANNED GIVING
At
present the boxes for the New Planned Giving Year are being organised and
distributed. Sincere thanks to those involved with this work and to our
collectors. New Collectors are required in some areas such as Beech Road,
Mountain Bay, and Ferrybank. No offers of help yet! If you are willing to
help please let us know. If you are not already registered as a subscriber
and are willing to support this means of Parish Fund Raising please leave
your name and address at the Sacristy.
ANTHONY
KEARNS
In
Concert at the Arklow Bay Hotel
On
Sunday 28th January at 8p.m.
In
aid of Arklow Maritime Museum
Tickets
£13 available at the Hotel, from Committee Members or 32249/31513
MUSIC
CLASSES
The
Irish Music Classes on Saturdays at 11a.m. in the school hall. New members
always welcome. Contact 0402-39242.
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