WELCOME TO THE CHURCH OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD, CHURCHTOWN Sunday 28th February SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT Parish Office Closed until further notice . Tel. Numbers: Parish Office: 01 2984642 Fr. Brian Edwards 01 5571459 Website www.goodshepherdchurchtown.ie E-mail: info@goodshepherdchurchtown.ie

Sunday December

Church opens at 9am. Mass at 10am n for

Monday December 14th

Mass on webcam from Ballyroan/Rathf Tusday December 15

th

Mass at 10am. Parish Office and shop wi

Wednesday December 16th

Mass at 10am. Parish Office Closed t Thursday December 17

th

Mass at 10am. Parish Office and shop wil Church closes at 7pm.

Friday December 18th

Mass at 10am. Parish Office and shop w Church closes at 7pm.

Saturday December 19th

Church opens at 9.00am. Mass at 5pm. Church closes at 6pm.

Sunday December 20th

Church opens at 9am. Mass at

UPDATE ON PASTORAL ARRANGEMENTS January 1st 2021

Mass Intentions for the Coming Week.

Sunday 28th February 2021

12noon Patrick & Mary Jordan (A)

Marie O’Loughlin (2nd A)

Paud Walsh (A)

Nóirín McAuley Month’s Mind

Edward Hackett (1st A)

John & Carmel Neville (RIP)

Gerard Collins (3rd A)

Pat Malin (1st A)

Peter & Paul Early (A)

Helen Early (A)

Anne Murray (14th A)

Tuesday 2nd March 2021

10am Special Intention

Wednesday 3rd March 2021 10am Special Intention

Thursday 4th March 2021 10am Sr. Clare McInerney

(Month’s Mind).

Novena of Grace Begins

Friday 5th March 2021 10am Altar List of the Dead

Novena of Grace

Saturday 6th March 2021 10am Novena of Grace Sunday 7th March 2021

12noon Thelma Gallagher (1st A) Edward McDonnell (Month’s Mind) Dolores Fay (Month’s Mind)

Sr. Clare McInerney

(Month’s Mind)

Josephine & Gerry Early (A)

Novena of Grace

De La Salle College

Envelop Donations of red ponsettia

plants for the decoration of the Altar,

Crib and Church over Christmas and

Epiphany w Donations of red

ponsettia plants for the decoration of

the Altar, Crib and Church over

Christmas and Epiphany would be

very much appreciated. They can be

left in the Church in the area beside

the baptism font anytime after

December 14th.

Many thanks for your generosity.

ould be very much appreciated. Th

Donations of red ponsettia plants for

the decoration of the Altar, Crib and

Church over Christmas and Epiphany

would be very much appreciated.

They can be left ey can be left e

System

Ponsettia

Lotto

Diocesan Food Appeal for

Crosscare Food Banks Sincere thanks to all who supported the

appeal last weekend for the Crosscare

Food Bank.

PARISH LOTTO Our Jackpot currently stands at

€14,400

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Pastoral Arrangements

Feb 28th – March 7th

These may change at short notice.

Sunday February 28th Mass on webcam at 12noon. Church opens for private prayer at 1pm. Church closes at 5pm Monday March 1st Mass on webcam from Rathfarnham at 10am. Church opens at 11am for Private Prayer. Church closes at 7pm. Tuesday March 2nd Mass on webcam at 10am. Church opens for private prayer at 11am. Church closes at 7pm. Wednesday March 3rd Mass on webcam at 10am. Church opens for private prayer at 11am. Church closes at 7pm. Thursday March 4th Novena of Grace begins. Mass on webcam at 10am. Church opens for private prayer at 11am. Church closes at 7pm. Friday March 5th Novena of Grace. Mass on webcam at 10am. Church opens for private prayer at 11am. Church closes at 7pm. Saturday March 6th Novena of Grace. Mass on webcam at 10am. Church closes at 7pm Sunday March 7th Novena of Grace. Mass on webcam at 12noon. Church opens for private prayer at 1pm. Church closes at 5pm

Family Offering Collection The Family Offering Collection is of vital importance to the Parish. It is the only collection that goes towards the day to day running costs of the Parish. Each household presently contributing to the family offering by weekly envelope should have received their new box of envelopes along with a summary of the parish financial statement of accounts for 2019. The statement is also included in this newsletter. It is also possible to contribute to the family offering online through our parish website: www.goodshepherdchurchtown.ie/ and click on the ‘Donate’ button and follow the instructions. There are also yellow donation envelopes available in the church for this purpose. The Parish Finance Committee, is aware of the great and often quiet work that so many people of our Parish Community do, attending to the day to day activities and care of the Church and parish in many dedicated ways. Without such support, the day to day running costs of the Parish would be significantly higher. Once again, we thank all those who are supporting the parish financially through the Family Offering and invite those who are not contributing and, who are in a position to do so, to help with the day to day running costs of the Parish. You can contact the Parish Office at 2984642 and we can arrange for you to contribute by way of weekly or monthly envelope or by completing a standing order form. With Renewed Thanks for your ongoing kindness and generosity. Fr. Brian

Financial Corner

Weekly Collections

1st Collection € 478.55

2nd

Collection €155.60

Family Offering € 1317.00

Shrines €876.21

Christmas Dues: €735

Thank You for your continued

generosity and support.

COVID-19 Support Line for Older People

ALONE manage a national support line and

additional supports for older people who

have concerns or are facing difficulties

relating to COVID-19 (Coronavirus).

Professional staff are available to answer

queries and give advice and reassurance

where necessary.

The support line is open seven days a week,

8am - 8pm, by calling 0818 222 024. Calls to

the ALONE National Support Line cost no

more than a local call to a landline. Calls from

Vodafone or landline bundles, PAYG bundles,

and mobile contracts are free.

Pray for those who have died recently

Patrick Farrell R.I.P

May he rest in peace Novena of Grace to St Francis Xavier

March 4th - 12th.

The Novena of Grace is a time for prayer as a community supporting each other during these cery difficult times. Mass will be celebrated on webcam at 10am each day and Sunday 12noon . All are welcome to join us

WELCOME TO THE CHURCH OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD, CHURCHTOWN Sunday 28th February SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT Parish Office Closed until further notice . Tel. Numbers: Parish Office: 01 2984642 Fr. Brian Edwards 01 5571459 Website www.goodshepherdchurchtown.ie E-mail: info@goodshepherdchurchtown.ie

Accord Annual Collection

Accord Dublin's Annual Collection took place on the weekend of 13th & 14th February. We realise that it will be much more difficult for parishes to support us this year – although the demand for services is greater than ever. Parishioners can donate in the following ways: Online at www.accorddublin.ie where you will find a DONATE button. By post to Accord Dublin, Holy Cross Diocesan Centre, Clonliffe Road, Dublin 3. By bank transfer to ACCORD Dublin Catholic Marriage Care Service CLG, Bank of Ireland, 88 Lower Camden Street, Dublin 2. IBAN: IE27 BOFI 9001 1357 0742 03; BIC:BOFIIE2D.

Continuous Rosary in Ireland for Peace and Charity

The idea is simple. A Continuous Rosary will be offered up every minute of every day for Peace and Charity in Ireland. Begins on Ash Wednesday, 17th February 2021. To make this work there needs to be a minimum of two parishioners per parish, one with surname beginning A-L and one with surname M-Z to say the rosary twelve times per year. For more information, please visit: www.continuousrosary.com

LET'S LIVE LENT: BRINGING THE LENTEN GOSPELS TO LIFE

Join us for Pastoral Conversations during Lent Tuesdays at 8pm.

1. March 2nd - Songs of the Sanctuary

2. March 9th - Into the Light

3. March 16th - Seeds of Hope

Presented by a team from the Office for Evangelisation and the Liturgy Resource Centre. To book email lisia.cashen@dublindiocese.ie

Trocaire Lenten Campaign 2021

This year Trocaire's Lenten Campaign will focus on exploring the Impact of Conflict on Families in South Sudan. This Lent, we learn more about the suffering of people who have lost their homes and loved ones to war, and how they are rebuilding their lives through love, friendship and solidarity. Parish resources are now available at Parishes - Resources | Trócaire (trocaire.org) Trocaire boxes and donation envelopes are now available on all the tables at the entrance and exit points of the church. Thank you for your support.

Support Services Aware - Support & Self Care Groups If you, or those with whom you work wish to connect with people in relation to your mental wellbeing, please consider using the Phone In and Zoom Support & Self Care Groups, the Support Line or Support Mail, now and throughout the holiday season. These services provide support, coping skills and information – and most importantly help people who are in distress to know and feel that they are not alone in their experience. For more information about the groups www.aware.ie/support/support-groups/ and all of our services on www.aware.ie

Irish Hospice Foundation Bereavement Support Line

This is a national freephone service 1800 80 70 77 available from 10am to 1pm, Monday to Friday. We aim to provide a confidential space for people to speak about their experience or to ask questions relating to the death of someone during the COVID-19 pandemic or a previous bereavement that feels more difficult at this time. We will listen to what a person says about what has happened. We will do our best to provide comfort and emotional support. We will provide any information that might help the caller, including information on practical supports. We will provide support for employers or professionals who want to inform the care their organisation can offer to bereaved colleagues.

Bethany Bereavement Group Due to the ongoing Covid 19 Virus we regret we are unable to meet bereaved families face to face but we are available via telephone. If anyone would like to talk, in confidence, to a member of the Bethany Group, please contact the Parish Office at 01 2984642 and a member of Bethany will get back to you.

WELCOME TO THE CHURCH OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD, CHURCHTOWN Sunday 28th February SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT Parish Office Closed until further notice . Tel. Numbers: Parish Office: 01 2984642 Fr. Brian Edwards 01 5571459 Website www.goodshepherdchurchtown.ie E-mail: info@goodshepherdchurchtown.ie

UPDATE ON PASTORAL ARRANGEMENTS

March 1st 2021

Further to the Government announcement regarding restrictions at Level 5, the following Religious Service restrictions apply until at least April 5th: There will continue to be no Public Masses in the Church of the Good Shepherd until further notice. Masses will be broadcast on webcam with no congregation present. Funerals are limited to 10 mourners. Weddings are limited to 6 people. We respectfully ask people not to gather in the church grounds on the occasion of a funeral. The Parish Office will remain closed until further notice. You can ring 01 298 4642 or email info@goodshepherdchurchtown.ie for any parish queries and we will do our best to contact you as soon as possible. In the case of an emergency you can contact 087 240 2585. The Church will be open for Private Prayer as follows: 11am – 7pm (Monday –Saturday) and 1pm to 5pm on Sundays. All Pastoral meetings/Pastoral gatherings in the church meeting room and Parish Centre remain postponed until further notice. The celebration of the Sacraments of Baptism, Reconciliation, First Holy Communion and Confirmation remain postponed until further notice. Weekly donations to the 1st & 2nd collections, Family Offering, as well as Christmas Dues and donations for the St. Vincent de Paul Society can be placed in the secure safes in the church. Alternatively you can contribute to these collections by clicking the ‘Donate’ button at the top of the parish website https://www.goodshepherdchurchtown.ie/ and follow the instructions. Thank You for your ongoing support and generosity. The Parish Lotto Draw is suspended until further notice. Envelopes received will be included in the next draw. Further details will be announced in due course. Thank You for your understanding at this very challenging time for everyone. Please continue to pray for one another and to look after your neighbours and fellow parishioners.

WELCOME TO THE CHURCH OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD, CHURCHTOWN Sunday 28th February SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT Parish Office Closed until further notice . Tel. Numbers: Parish Office: 01 2984642 Fr. Brian Edwards 01 5571459 Website www.goodshepherdchurchtown.ie E-mail: info@goodshepherdchurchtown.ie

The celebration of 1st Holy Communion & The Sacrament of Confirmation

Over 2020 and in these first two months of 2021 many children and young people, their families and those within our school and Parish communites have been left very disappointed and sometimes even annoyed at the postponement of these Sacraments over recent months. We had hoped it might be possible to begin the process of celebrating these Sacraments this Spring. However, as we know the situation with Covid 19 case numbers deteriorated rapidly after Christmas and a decision was taken re introduce level 5 restrictions which will remain in place until at least April 5th. We have been asked to stay at home, work from home if at all possible and limit all contacts in order to suppress this virus. All our parishes have been closed again since December 26th for all public Masses, and will remain closed until April 5th at the earliest. The only exception to this is the celebration of a funeral Mass where 10 mourners can attend and the celebration of a wedding where only 6 people can attend. Our new Archbishop of Dublin, Dermot Farrell recently wrote to parishes and published a message to the families and young people preparing for these sacraments. This message can be viewed on the Dublin diocesan website at: https://www.dublindiocese.ie/ or through this link: https://www.dublindiocese.ie/message-from-archbishop-dermot-farrell-to-the-parents-of-children-due-to-receive-the-sacraments-of-first-holy-communion-and-confirmation-this-year/ In this message the Archbishop recognises the disappointment so many have experienced and hopes when it is safe to do so, we can begin the process of celebrating these sacraments once again. He does emphasise there is no rush or deadline for these sacraments to take place. As a parish we are committed to following and observing the current safety norms and when restrictions are eased and we are permitted to gather again in our churches we look forward to celebrating these important sacramental moments in the lives of our children and young people, their families and all in our school and parish communities. It is possible this may be some months away yet, but we will be guided by advice from Government and Health authorities. Can I once again thank you for your ongoing understanding in what has been a most difficult year in so many ways. As we continue through 2021, there is hope, hope for the success of the vaccine, hope that our children and young people can return to school in these weeks, hope that we can see those of our families and friends who we have not been able to be with over these times, and hope for a return to the day to day routine of normality. Let’s do our part in making this possible sooner rather than later. With Renewed thanks for your understanding and support, _______________ Fr. Brian Edwards.

WELCOME TO THE CHURCH OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD, CHURCHTOWN Sunday 28th February SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT Parish Office Closed until further notice . Tel. Numbers: Parish Office: 01 2984642 Fr. Brian Edwards 01 5571459 Website www.goodshepherdchurchtown.ie E-mail: info@goodshepherdchurchtown.ie

A detailed Statement of Income and Expenditure for the 12 months to December 31st 2019 is published below. The Parish Finance Committee would like to thank all parishioners for their ongoing financial support of the parish during these difficult times. We are aware of the great and often quiet work that so many people of our Parish community do: attending to the day to day activities and care of the Church and parish in many dedicated ways. Without such support, the day to day running costs of the Parish would be significantly higher. The Family Offering Collection is of vital importance to the Parish. It is the only collection that goes towards the day to day running costs of the Parish. Over recent years contributions to the Family Offering have decreased. We thank all those who are supporting the parish financially through the Family Offering and invite those who are not contributing and, who are in a position to do so, to help with the day to day running costs of the Parish. This can be done in a number of ways:

Donate online through our parish website: www.goodshepherdchurchtown.ie/ , click on the ‘Donate’ button on the top of the page and follow the instructions.

Arrange a Bank Transfer {once off, monthly or quarterly} to the Good Shepherd Parish. Our Bank account details are: BIC: AIBKIE2D IBAN: IE57 AIBK 9332 9512 7300 20

You can contact the Parish Office Accounts Department at 2984642 or email accounts@goodshepherdchurchtown.ie and we can arrange for you to contribute by way of weekly envelope

If you make a donation of €250 or more in any calendar year, then the Parish can reclaim tax on your donation at no cost to you. This applies to donations made to the Family Offering, Christmas and Easter Dues and envelope contributions to 1st and 2nd collections. THE FIRST COLLECTION at Mass on Sundays and Holy Days together with Christmas and Easter dues are for the support of priests of this parish, priests of poorer parishes and the sick and retired priests of the diocese. THE SECOND (SHARE) COLLECTION supports poorer parish and diocesan pastoral services. The sale of the Parochial House was completed in 2019. The once-off funds of €760,000 (received in December 2019) allowed us to clear the outstanding loan of €203,518 payable for the refurbishment project. It allowed us to begin upgrading the church grounds and the Parish Centre, along with other urgent works. The stained glass window has now been fully restored. Unfortunately due to the pandemic and restrictions, it has not been possible to proceed with the next phase of works at present. It is hoped to begin the process of tarmacadaming the church grounds as soon as is possible. The funds also allowed us to put a modest reserve in place for unforeseen contingencies. The Parish Finance Committee thank you for your ongoing generosity and support in these very difficult and challenging times. It is very much appreciated.

WELCOME TO THE CHURCH OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD, CHURCHTOWN Sunday 28th February SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT Parish Office Closed until further notice . Tel. Numbers: Parish Office: 01 2984642 Fr. Brian Edwards 01 5571459 Website www.goodshepherdchurchtown.ie E-mail: info@goodshepherdchurchtown.ie

Income

Category 2019 2018

Family Offering

Family Offering Envelopes €46,030.49 €47,833.45

Standing Orders €42,479.33 €44,331.36

Total Family Offering €88,509.82 €92,164.81

Other Sources

Bequests and Donations €2,026.75 €3,000.00

Shrines €40,710.32 €29,443.99

Books & Papers €1,913.37 €1,743.88

Parish Shop €4,231.00 €4,347.27

Parish Centre Income €2,661.65 €2,663.40

Baptisms/Wedding/Funerals (stole fees) €4,777.00 €3,563.00

Sundry €5,439.47 €3,021.93

Total Other Sources €61,759.56 €47,783.47

Other Items

Tax Refund on Donations €30,656.06 €48,302.78

Lotto €18,280.40 €9,546.60

Total Exceptional Items €48,936.46 €57,849.38

Total Income €199,205.84 €197,797.66

Expenditure

Category 2019 2018

Staff Salaries -€72,046.80 -€63,190.60

Church Helpers Expenditure -€544.77 -€1,919.14

Rent/Rates/Insurance -€11,218.84 -€15,573.86

Bank Interest & Charges -€8,344.85 -€8,248.40

Heat and Light -€15,486.59 -€15,412.23

Telephone and Postage -€2,148.39 -€3,484.25 Office Equipment and Software -€10,175.12* -€826.65

Printing, Publications, Books and Stationary -€15,004.71 -€13,074.16 Altar/Liturgy Supplies -€6,839.68 -€6,071.79 Parish Shop -€3,456.10 -€2,393.20

Hospitality/Catering -€5,999.45 -€4,013.46 Choir and Music Expenses -€14,649.00 -€10,903.30

Repairs and Maintenance (including Parish

Grounds) -€40,833.25*** -€15,227.58 Lotto Expenses/Prizes -€910.20 -€5,748.95**

Professional and legal fees -€5,146.76 -€3,336.90

Sundry -€3,856.19 -€3,512.67

Total Expenditure -€229,459.70 -€172,937.14 Net Income -€30,253.86 €24,860.52

Exceptional Item

Sale of Parochial House €760,000.00

Payment of Refurbishment Loan -€203,518.00

Legal Fees Associated with the Sale -€12,799.00

Net Income €543,683.00

*office equipment and software purchase of new printer and photocopier for parish office

** Lotto Jackpot won

***One off payments: Donnybrook Landscaping 8,700, Painting, new blinds and new lighting in parish centre, including stripping and

varnishing of doors 8,200, upgrading of sound system in church 5,200