Message from Fr. Andrew

fr andrew on altar

Dear Parishioners,

As you are aware the parish of Sandyford, Kilternan & Glencullen

has been engaged in a major restoration programme which has

involved the undertaking of numerous projects such as:

 Upgrading liturgical vessels and vestments in all three churches

 Repainting of St Mary’s Church

 New Parish Office

 Restoration of the Parochial House, Presbytery and Parish Meeting Room

 Hiring of a part-time secretary and sacristan and youth officer

 Upgrading the maintenance and keep of the grounds of our churches

 Cleaning of gutters of our churches and numerous structural repairs to the churches

 Restoration of church pews

 Restoration of Our Lady’s statue, amongst others. These are only a few of the jobs completed so far.

The parish, in order to carry out these essential works, had to borrow half a million euro and I am happy to report, due to a number of fundraising initiatives we have now cleared our parish debt in a very short space of time. I am very grateful to the Parish Finance Committee for their untiring efforts and to all those who have contributed to the financial wellbeing of this parish. We are now in the fortunate position of being able to focus on our next project which is the restoration of the Blue Church—Our Lady Of the Wayside.

The Blue Church is not looking its best and is in real danger if we do nothing. This autumn I hope we can launch a serious drive to raise the necessary funds that are needed to restore this beautiful church and to paint it blue. The costing estimate for these works is approximately €400,000. I am appealing to parishioners to please contact me if you would like to help in any way to raise these vital funds. As part of the fundraising campaign, we will  have one or two major  fundraising events during the course of next year and it is my hope that we will be able to start the restoration works in the Autumn of 2014 but this will be dependent on how much money we raise.

The parish is growing stronger by the day and it is wonderful to see so many young families and new people coming to our churches. I hope that together we will become a more vibrant, Christian community where everyone feels both welcome and at home.

Fr Andrew

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Eucharistic Adoration Times

adoration

Eucharistic Adoration – New Times Added

Come and ‘watch one hour’ with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament  at St. Mary’s Church Each Tuesday from 10.30am to 9pm.  We conclude with a guided Holy Hour which starts at 8 p.m. and finishes with Benediction at 9 p.m.

There is an additional hour of Adoration added each First Friday morning at 9 a.m.  Rosary will be recited at 9.40am and Benediction at 9.55am.  Immediately after the Blessed Sacrament is reposed on these First Fridays we encourage you to join us for the Mass of the day at 10 a.m.

This additional Holy Hour will take place again on First Fridays 5th July and 2nd August, then every Friday, beginning in September at 9am.  Last week a great number came to pray before the Blessed Sacrament on the First Friday which coincided with the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

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New Youth Officer – Patrick Reynolds

pat reynolds final1We welcome Patrick Reynolds as the newest member of our Parish Team here in Sandyford. He is a native of Scotland and has been appointed as the Youth Development Officer for the Parish. Patrick has over 12 years experience working with young people by giving talks and leading retreats throughout Ireland and Europe.   We wish Patrick every success in his new Ministry and hope through it young people will become more engaged in parish life.    You can link up with our Youth Programme by finding us on Facebook (Sandyford Youth) or feel free to Email Patrick on  patrick_j_reynolds@hotmail.com

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