DREAM ON
Some people say they never dream but this it is said is untrue
and that everyone dreams. Yes, we can day dream or dream
of winning the Lotto or some other fortune that never
comes true. There are dreams we would not want to be
true and others we wish might be. As child or adult
we can waken from sleep glad that we were only
dreaming or as in some cases having a nightmare.
Some blame what they ate before they went to bed
and some dreams can have an explanation. We spend
about a third of our lives sleeping. A fifth of that time
is spent dreaming. So every twenty years or so we spend
one year in dreamland. It is said that we only remember
about 5% of our dreams. Dreams however have a
place in the Bible and in Christianity.
In the Old Testament dreams were called the “dark speech
of the Spirit”. In the book of Job we read “God speaks
again and again in dreams, in visions of the night, when
sleep falls on men as they lie on their beds. He opens their
ears at times like that and gives wisdom and instruction”.
(Job 33:14)
The book of Genesis tells us the story now famous in song of
Joseph who could interpret the dreams of Pharaoh. Dreams
play an important role in the New Testament. In Matthew’s
Gospel we see how another Joseph, the foster father of
Jesus and spouse of Mary had no less than four religious
dreams. They all had to do with the birth and protection
of Jesus. We read too how God the Father tried to protect
his beloved Son from suffering by means of the inspired
dream of Pilate’s wife. In the Acts of the Apostles there
are many examples of religious dreams. For example
St. Paul came to Europe as a result of one (Acts 16:14-16).
The Roman Empire ceased to be pagan as a result of a religious
dream experienced by Constantine the emperor. St. Patrick came to
Ireland after a dream which he recounted in his “Confessions”.
Since then many holy men and women have reported how God
revealed himself to them in dreams. Speaking of one such dream
St. Therese of Lisieux wrote, “I cannot express the joy of my soul
since these things are experienced but cannot be put into words.
Several months have passed since this sweet dream and yet the
memory it has left in my soul has lost nothing of its
freshness and heavenly charms.”
Dreams it is said are letters from the unconscious written in
the chamber of the heart on paper supplied by the imagination.
So as you go to sleep tonight open your post and dream on!
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 Avignon the city of the Popes, Ars
famous for the Cure of Ars and the Shrine of St. Margaret Mary,
Nevers, Lisieux and two nights in 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. As yet only a few have expressed an interest.
ROME
REUNION
Those
who travelled on our Jubilee Year Pilgrimage are invited to our
‘Reunion’ on Friday next 9th February. It will commence in the Church at
7.30p.m. with a short prayer service and blessing of our new shrine to Sts.
Clare and Francis of Assisi. This part of our reunion is open to all. A
candle shrine will now be in position at this spot to mark our Jubilee Year
Shrine. After our ceremony in the Church we will ‘reunion’ at the Arklow
Bay for refreshments, sharing of photographs and watch the video.
RADIO LINK
From this weekend
we are broadcasting our Weekday and Sunday Masses. This is possible by way
of a radio receiver like a transistor which works on battery or mains. This
receiver also receives Radio stations and can simply be retuned to our
frequency. With time other Church Services and uses will be made of this
facility like Reflections, the Rosary and Sacred Music. So far about 20
homes have ordered a receiver which costs £30. If interested please leave
your name at the sacristy.
GET WELL
Our Prayers and
Good Wishes are sent to all who are sick at this time at home or in
hospital. You will have a special remembrance in our Triduum during the week
in preparation for the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes.
WORLD DAY OF THE SICK
Sunday next 11th February, the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes will be
marked throughout the Universal Church as World Day for the Sick. In
preparation for this a Triduum of Prayer in honour of Our Lady of Lourdes
will be offered at our morning Masses this week on Wednesday, Thursday and
Friday with a short reflection each day. Prayer leaflets are available and
if unable to attend at Mass please join in by saying these prayers at home.
A box for petitions will be left at the pillar from Wednesday. All Petitions
will be included in our Masses and will not be opened. At our weekend Masses
we will remember the sick in a special way. The 11.30a.m. Mass on Sunday
will be offered for all who are sick and are commended to our prayer and our
care at this time. Monday 12th will be our Day of Prayer and Exposition of
the Blessed Sacrament and will be offered for the sick.
THINKING OUT LOUD
** Just when perhaps you
thought I had stopped thinking out loud remember that ‘absence makes the
heart grow fonder’.
**
The absence of don’t say it – ‘road works’ has indeed been short
lived with ‘hole digging’ on the Dublin Road. Most people thought the
last ‘digging up’ was the last but alas no! Our sympathy is also with
those who must travel to Dublin every morning with the extra delays now
going through Kilpedder as well as the Glen of the Downs. It can’t be good
for the blood pressure.
**
Talking of ‘digging up’ the Tribunals continue to do their excavation
work but is it’s a sad trait in Irish Politics where the ‘Mea Culpa’
is very absent. Unlike our counterparts across the water who are quick to
admit their fault and step down from public office, not so here! Perhaps its
only the beginning!
**
While a Political Party may be changing its leader no change is foreseen for
the Church of the Dublin Diocese. While according to Canon Law a Priest or
indeed Bishop must retire on reaching the age of 75 this will not now be the
situation for our Archbishop. I sent him a letter of congratulations on
behalf of the many who have expressed satisfaction at his elevation as a
Cardinal and Prince of the Church. Archbishop Connell will remain in Dublin
and will be known as Cardinal Archbishop of Dublin after the consistory in
Rome on 21st February when he receives his ‘Red Hat’. I hope
RTE will give us good coverage of the event.
**
Unlike ex-priest Tim Devereaux of Glenroe fame I am not seeking the
Bishops’ approval of our weekly Newsletter. Now that Glenroe is to finish
in May I don’t expect that ‘Glenroe Hello’ will be a source of
competition. Many people are disappointed at the decision of RTE chiefs to
finish the series, perhaps someone should start a ‘Save Glenroe
Campaign’. Did you know that your TV licence fee is also being increased
by £50. Both decisions by RTE chiefs are surely a shame and disgrace!
**
Talking of increases! Yes the members of ASTI may be back at the school
benches but ‘bench marking’ has proved very worthwhile for Politicians
and others with the pay rises revealed this week. Now the TUI and INTO are
looking for a piece of the cake, in fact 40% of it. Where will it all
finish, there will soon be no cake left!** Apparently one successful game of
snooker will be worth more than the Annual wage of the Taoiseach. Much
annoyance has been expressed at the decision of the Department of Health to
put their money into ‘Snooker Cues’ instead of ‘Hospital Queues’.
Surely there are many businesses who would be only too happy to sponsor such
an event. The Departments anti-smoking campaign is good and might instead be
targeted at the youth through our schools. It is a shock to know of the
number of school going teenagers especially girls who smoke. The other great
surprise is the number of parents who ‘don’t know’!** Enough for this
week! We could have had a great Panto! Apologies to those who were
disappointed.
CHURCH CLEANERS
Church
Cleaners this week are Group D.
IN
REMEMBRANCE
Our
Masses next weekend 10th/11th February will be offered in remembrance of-
Saturday
7p.m. - Patrick O’Neill Anniv.
Sunday
9a.m.- John Keegan Anniv.
Sunday 11.30a.m. - For Intentions of the Sick.
TEMPLERAINEY ICA
Next meeting on
Wednesday 7th February in the Methodist Church Hall, Ferrybank at
8p.m. ‘Springtime Gardening’ will be the topic for the meeting with a
talk by Paul from Ballyraine. New Members Welcome.
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION
Parents
of children in the First Holy Communion Class are reminded of the Meeting
for Parents in the School Hall on this Monday night 5th
February at 8p.m. Please note that the meeting of which you have
already been notified should finish at about 9p.m. Please make every effort
to attend.
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.
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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