The following are notices and upcoming events here in St Finian's Church
Click here for notices & events in Our Lady Queen of Heaven Church
31st May, 2020
Pentecost Sunday
Pentecost Sunday is one of the most ancient feasts of the Church, celebrated early enough to be mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles (20:16) and St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians (16:8). It is the 50th day after Easter (if we count both Easter and Pentecost), and it supplants the Jewish feast of Pentecost, which took place 50 days after the Passover and celebrated the sealing of the Old Covenant on Mount Sinai.
Christ had promised His Apostles that He would send His Holy Spirit, and, on Pentecost, they were granted the gifts of the Spirit. The Apostles began to preach the Gospel in all of the languages that the Jews who were gathered there spoke, and about 3,000 people were converted and baptized that day.
That is why Pentecost is often called "the birthday of the Church." On this day, with the descent of the Holy Spirit, Christ's mission is completed, and the New Covenant is inaugurated. It's interesting to note that St. Peter, the first pope, was already the leader and spokesman for the Apostles on Pentecost Sunday (see Acts 2:14ff).
PRAYING
We are blessed to have our church open every day from 9am to 6pm. In order to keep everyone safe, we ask that you practice some guidelines that have been put into place:
The middle section of the church is only to be used when sitting or kneeling to pray.
Please make sure that you are six feet away from others.
Hand Sanitisers have been installed in the church this week. Please ensure that you use them when entering the church. We are all in this together.
God Bless You - Fr. Des
The society of St Vincent De Paul would like to thank everyonr for their kind donation of €290.
Your priests are here with you and for you. Fr Antony and Fr Des offer Mass each day in St Finian’s and Our Lady Queen of Heaven for your protection from sickness and for all your intentions. We pray for all your needs in the Divine office and our Rosary each day. Please do not hesitate to call us if you need a priest. We know that you are already keeping an eye on your neighbours especially the sick and elderly who may live alone. Please call the parish if you need assistance (eg. shopping, prescription, doctor’s appointment.) The priests are delighted to help. We also have some kind volunteers who have offered to give practical help to anyone in need.
God bless you and may our Lady protect you.
The Sacrament of Reconciliation was held in the church Car Parkon the last two Saturdays. Everyone that attended did so with great dignity and respect, and social distancing was observed by all involved. Thank you for making this day work for everyone.
Fr Des and Fr Antony will be hearing Confession again in the church Car Park this Saturday, 30th May at 12pm.
All are Welcome!
A MESSAGE FROM ACCORD, DUBLIN
ACCORD Dublin has unfortunately had to cancel all their sacramental marriage preparation courses from now up to the end of July of this year. The decision was not easy but as time passed we were left with little option. We have contacted couples who had booked, and asked those who could to reschedule for later in the year. In the coming weeks we will announce extra courses for the autumn.
All Baptisms that were scheduled to take place for the month of April in River Valley parish have been cancelled. Parents can re-schedule their Baptisms with us in the near future.
ACCORD Dublin has set up a helpline to provide support for people struggling with relationship issues during this time of self-isolation. The contact number is 01 9059555. The line is open from 10 until 1 pm every Monday to Friday.
More details from their new website at:
Mass will be offered for the Intentions that have been booked in and for God’s protection on the people of the parish. Please make a spiritual Communion. You can receive great grace from the Lord by quietly inviting Him into your soul at Holy Communion time even though you don’t receive sacramentally.
The following is a prayer for Spiritual Communion:
My Jesus, I Believe that you are present in the most Blessed Sacrament. I love you above all things and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot now receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if you were already there, and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen
Parish Office
Please note that the parish office is open every morning from 9.30am to 12pm to facilitate the booking of Masses, Mass Cards, etc. You can phone or email Steph with any queries.
Enjoy the Bank Holiday weekend!
God Bless and Stay Safe
Celebrating Together
Mid July has been set in the Roadmap as the time for public worship to resume, provided all the ‘opening up’ measures are going as predicted. We are looking forward to celebrating our weekend and weekday Masses with you again. Physical distancing will remain for some time. This means a maximum of 120 people in the Church at any one time. We will have extra Masses for Sundays to accommodate everyone. More on that later. Hand sanitisers and seat and floor markings are being installed in the church. We will publicise our own guidelines in the run up to the first Masses.
God Bless You!
Thank You!
Many thanks to you the people of our parish for all your kind donations towards the Easter dues envelopes and the upkeep and family offering envelopes over the last few months. A number of you have set up Standing orders to the parish and we thank you greatly. This is an easy way to contribute as life becomes “contactless”. Please think about it, just contact Steph for details.
Fr Des and Fr Antony will continue saying a Private Mass daily at 7pm on the parish webcam:
or at
mcnmedia.com
As we come to the end of the Month of May we thank Our Lady for keeping us safe in these unsure and trying days. We continue to offer our prayers and intentions to her. Thank you to all our different communities in our parish that led us in the Rosary to our Lady every Saturday evening during the month of May.
Pope Francis’ Prayer to Mary
during the coronavirus pandemic
O Mary, you always shine on our path as a sign of salvation and of hope. We entrust ourselves to you, Health of the Sick, who at the cross took part in Jesus’ pain, keeping your faith firm. You, Salvation of the Roman People, know what we need, and we are sure you will provide so that, as in Cana of Galilee, we may return to joy and to feasting after this time of trial. Help us, Mother of Divine Love, to conform to the will of the Father and to do as we are told by Jesus, who has taken upon himself our sufferings and carried our sorrows to lead us, through the cross, to the joy of the resurrection. We seek refuge under your protection, O Holy Mother of God, do not despise our pleas – we who are put to the test – and deliver us from every danger, O glorious and blessed Virgin. Amen.
Every year Trócaire asks for your help during Lent to fund lifesaving programmes around the world. This year, of course, it was not possible to return Trócaire boxes through schools or parishes in the usual way. This is the worst possible timing coming just as the world’s poorest people need us most. Therefore, Trócaire are appealing to you to return your Lenten donation. Simply count or estimate what is in your box and donate in the following ways:
1. Online at www.trocaire.org
2. By phone: 1850 408 408 (ROI) or 0800 912 1200 (NI)
3. By post to Trócaire, Maynooth, Co. Kildare (ROI) or Trócaire, 10 King Street, Belfast, BT1 6AD (NI)
4. Check with your local parish on how to safely return your donation (**If it is possible and safe for people to return donations to your parish, please include those details here**)
The contents of each and every Trócaire box, no matter how small, come together to make a significant difference. This virus knows no borders, but neither does our compassion.
Prayer for Healing at this Time
Jesus Christ, you travelled through towns and villages “curing every disease and illness”. At your command, the sick were made well. Come to our aid now, in the midst of the global spread of the Corona virus, that we may experience your healing love. Heal those who are sick with the virus. May they gain their strength and health through quality medical care. Heal us from fear, which prevents nations from working together and neighbours from helping one another. Heal us from our pride, which can make us claim invulnerability to a disease that knows no borders. Amen
Do you need to talk to a counsellor?
Fingal Counselling Service is open to accept new clients and new referrals.
Given the current restrictions on face to face contact, all assessment and counselling appointments will be completed via telephone until the restrictions are lifted.
Call 01 8902596, leave a message and we will return your call.
Stay safe
DID YOU KNOW?
Our parish has a Facebook and twitter page. Keep in touch with us and see what interests you in your parish.
Facebook: RiverValleyParish
Twitter: @RiverValleyP
Parish Collections
Do you know where the different church collections go?
Do you know for example that NONE of the money placed in the baskets during Mass is for the running of the parish. The First Collection at Mass is lodged with the Diocese for the common fund. This money is for the remuneration of priests.
The second collection at Mass is usually for SHARE. This is used to pay for the personnel employed at diocesan level e.g. the staff of the different offices in Archbishop's house e.g. Finance, H.R., Parish Pastoral Workers, Education, Liturgy and several other departments.
Only the money contributed to the Family Offering Collection is used to run the parish, i.e. pay for light, heat, insurance, repairs, altar wine and bread, wages, stationery and many more. Money to the Family Offering is usually contributed by way of a weekly envelope or standing order or annual cheque.
If you are in a position and would like to contribute to the family offering by way of standing order or weekly envelope please contact Stephanie at 8409043 or email the parish at
Offerings Received in our Church during the last Month
For the Running of our Parish
Family Offering: €980
Standing Orders: €370
Upkeep Envelopes: €260
Shrines: €550
The above are the sole means of support for the running costs of our parish. Please consider contributing if you don’t already do so. Please contact Stephanie in the parish office for details.
The Parish Newsletter is available each week via email. If you would like to add your name to the distribution list please contact Stephanie on All Newsletter are also available on our Newsletter page .