Very Rev. Kevin Moore, Moderator Tel. 01

ST. SYLVESTER’S PARISH NEWSLETTER
Very Rev. Kevin Moore, Moderator Tel. 01-­‐5496615 PARISH OFFICE Tel: 01 8451244 email: stsylvesters@eircom.net. Web: www.malahideparish.ie Mass Times: Sunday: 10.00am, 11.15am, 12.30pm & 5.30pm. Weekdays: 10.00am Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament: Mon: 10.30am -­‐10.00 p.m. Tues: 10.30am – 3.00pm & 7 -­‐9pm. Wed: 8.00am -­‐9.45am, 10.30am – 2.00pm & 7 -­‐9pm; First Fridays: 10.30am – 7.30pm Malahide parish is clustered with the parishes of, Kinsealy, Portmarnock and Yellow Walls
MALAHIDE PARISH CENTRE –Our Parish Centre is open for refreshments 9.00am -6.00pm – Please visit our
Prayer Chapel.
Information about the Centre/to book a room contact Sharon Tel: 086 0492369 or email
sharon@malahideparishcentre.com
PENTECOST
The word Spirit is mentioned 505 in scripture.
Clearly the Spirit of God is hugely important
but yet we don’t often talk much about it.
We feel it’s a bit abstract
and so best left to one side.
A better description is to be found in John’s Gospel
where the Spirit is called ‘The Paraclete’
This translates as ‘someone who walks alongside’.
We believe the Spirit of God
is everywhere but especially
that God walks alongside us throughout our lives.
This is comforting and consoling.
God doesn’t happen to be with us occasionally
or abandon us when we do something wrong.
God’s presence is constant, assured, near
and always alongside us.
We struggle sometimes to understand
how near and close God is.
In our joys, struggles, hurts, failures,
successes, disappointments, sadness
or whatever may be going on for us,
God is always there too.
SPIRIT OF SIMPLICITY
Simplicity has been described as
not making simple things complicated
but making complicated things simple.
Don’t we all need to make things in life
much more straightforward and simple.
It is we who complicate life
and make it so difficult at times for us.
In our Gospels Jesus spent most of his time
telling people to keep their lives, their faith,
their values and everything important
simple and down to earth.
A good prayer today might be:
‘Lord, help me to add some love
to some person’s life today,
help me to subtract hate
and all negative stuff,
help me to multiply
all the good I can do today
and help me to use my time
in the best way I possibly can.
Amen
FIRST COMMUNIONS: As the Newsletter goes to print the Church and the Pastoral Centre are receiving their final preparations
for the occasion of the Parish First Communions which take place this weekend on Saturday 23rd May (yesterday). The Classes
of Ms. Keogh, Ms. Ryan from St. Oliver Plunkett’s School and the Pupils from St. Andrew’s School are at 10.00am and then the
classes of Ms. Clinch and Ms. Fogarty from St Oliver Plunkett’s School are at 12.00noon. The pupils have been excellently
prepared both at home and at school and took part in the ‘Do This In memory ‘programme in the parish. The excitement levels
are high and all the final touches are being put in place under calm pressure. The whole place is looking really nice for the
occasion. The weather is promising and all the work is just about done. The pupils are ready and we know they will be excellent.
We look forward to seeing them today (Sunday) and hearing about their special day. Our sincere thanks to all involved. In all that
we do for today may we not forget Jesus, The Bread of Life, who comes to us in Holy Communion as a true friend and may the
real meaning of First Communion Day take root for the boys and girls by the regular practice of receiving Jesus in Holy
Communion at Mass.
WHATS ON IN ST. SYLVESTER’S PARISH CENTRE: Mum and Baby group; Fit mum; Music Classes, Art Class; Legion of
Mary, Pilates, Mindfulness; Mother and Toddler Group; Clinical Pilates; Yoga; Bethany Bereavement Group; Bridge Classes;
Ladies Fitness Class; Sewing Classes; History Class; Senior Citizens Social Group; Irish Dancing; Slimming World; Bowls; Baby
Bump and Me – Lots more and many one off events and occasions. Why not see if there is something you are looking
for taking place in the Centre or if you would like to hire the centre for an activity you wish to organise –
Contact Sharon, Centre Manager at 086 0492369 or visit her in the Centre itself. And don’t forget that the Coffee Shop is open
from 9.00am – 6.00pm EVERYDAY for great coffee and other beverages and good food.
FESTIVAL OF PEOPLES & OSCAR ROMERO BEATIFICATION This weekend, Pope Francis will beatify Archbishop Oscar
Romero of San Salvador. Archbishop Martin will celebrate the occasion at the Festival of Peoples Mass in St. Mary’s Pro
Cathedral at 6.30 pm on this Sunday 24th May. President Michael D. Higgins will attend.
WORDS OF WISDOM : 1) The first step to wisdom is silence; the second is listening; 2) Do the things you fear and the death of
fear is certain; 3) Reputation is made in a moment: Character is built in a lifetime; 4) Jesus is a friend who knows all your faults
and still loves anyway.
COLLECTIONS: 1st Collection for the support of the priests of the Cluster and for sick and retired priests of the diocese -€1,775. 2nd Collection – SHARE - €1435. Thank you for your support of the Sunday collections and your support of the parish
through standing orders and the envelope collection.
THE SOICIETY OF ST. VINCENT DE PAUL wish to thank you very much for your support of the recent outdoor Collection. It
raised €2051. Your support is very much appreciated and enables them to continue their important support of those most in
need.
ST. SYLVESTERS SENIORS SOCIAL GROUP meet in The Parish Centre WEDNESDAYS 10.45-12.45PM Tea/Coffee-Music &
Sing-a-long, Poetry, Gentle Exercises, Chat etc. ALL WELCOME.
MASS INTENTIONS: Monday: Margaret Georgina and Michael Boyle (A) Tuesday: Brigid and Michael Lally (A) Wednesday:
Maria McCann (R.I.P.) Thursday: Liturgy of the Word and Communion Friday: Denis Hickey (R.I.P.) and Saturday: John Murphy
(R.I.P.)
LOURDES VOLUNTEERS: Volunteers needed to work at the Hospitalite Notre Dame de Lourdes from the 5th to the 12th July or
from the 12th to the 19th July. No previous experience required, full training. Enquiries to Liz Byrne 087 1926346 or
lizbyrne@iol.ie.
JOHN MAIN MEDITATION GROUP: Meet on Thursdays at 6 pm in the Prayer Room in St. Sylvester’s Church.
COMPUTER CLASSES FOR THE OVER 55’S: Malahide Library free 2 hour course will run once a week for 4 weeks at the
Malahide Library. For more information, or book a place, phone Age Action at 01 4756989.
SENIOR HELP LINE Do you need someone to talk to? ‘Senior Help Line’ is a confidential listening service for older people
provided by trained older people for the price of a local call anywhere in Ireland, LoCall 1850 440 444. Senior Help Line is open
every day from 10.00am till 10.00pm 365 days a year.
LECTIO DIVINA: If you would like to reflect and pray with the Sunday gospels in an informal setting please join our
ecumenical group in the Prayer Chapel on Tuesdays 10.30 – 11.30am Contact Phil at 086.0638074
MALAHIDE BETHANY BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT GROUP Meeting for the bereaved every Monday morning @ 10.30am
and on the second Monday of the month at 7.30pm in the Parish Centre. All Welcome.
MEDJUGORJE YOUTH PILGRIMAGE: For Youth Festival 29th July to 5th August – a group from the cluster will travel to this
event and there are still a few places left for anyone over 18. Due to fundraising cost is €499 for under 26 years and €549 for
adults accompanying youths. As bookings for this trip must close shortly please contact us immediately if you are interested in
joining the group. For further details phone Teresa 087 2069249 or Roisin 085 1407786.
IRISH COLLEGE OF ENGLISH: Host families are now being recruited for the Irish College of English for the peak weeks of 4th
July to 25th July. Families must offer a shared or single room and can host 1 – 3 students at a time. Breakfast, packed lunch and
dinner to be served each day. Provide a friendly and welcoming environment. Families will be offered excellent rates and full
support during the students stay and can earn up to 1050 euro by hosting 3 students during this two week period. To enquire
please email contact@iceireland.com or phone Loraine at 01 8453744. All families must be located in Malahide.
R.I.P: We extend our sympathy to the family of Catherine (Kitty) Crossen recently deceased.
IRISH CONVERSATION GROUP – Fridays at Seomra Tae – 10.30 am. Céad Míle Fáilte to all
CARE & REPAIR MALAHIDE PORTMARNOCK & KINSEALY: Are you 60+ years of age and would you like to have a
small repair job done for you? Malahide Care and Repair uses a pool of trustworthy volunteers and handypersons to carry out
minor repairs for older people for free. Phone 086.8653311
CASA, Caring and Sharing Association, is a charity that provides respite care to people with disability. Volunteers needed
for a couple of hours a week to do light garden work in our Break House.
If interested -contact Kathleen on 01-8454841/0863868105.
ST. DOULAGH’S ANNUAL ECUMENICAL SERVICE OF PRAISE: Sunday 24th May at 3.30pm in St. Doulagh’s field, with
Brass Band & Choir. Guest Speaker V. Rev. Kevin Moore of Malahide. Bring a folding chair. Guided tour of St. Doulaghs
M.A.R.A. next meeting Monday 25th May at 10.15a.m. in Malahide Library. Speaker Tony Byrne will present music from
Musical Shows and Stage
NURTURE an Irish registered charity offering supports and counselling to women, partners & families surrounding conception,
pregnancy and childbirth. www.nurturecharity.org Contact: Lisa 01 8430930
DIABETES IRELAND is inviting all walkers to support the charity through registering to take part in an all new fundraising
walk. Sunday June 21st Lap the Lake 2015 is a 28km walk around the Blessington Lakes in Co. Wicklow on the incredibly
scenic Lake Drive Rd. Full details at www.diabetes.ie or lo-call 1850909909
OPEN EVENING for BA in THEOLOGY Are you interested in studying Theology? You are welcome to attend an Open Evening
on Thursday 28th May, from 5.30 pm - 7.00 pm, for a BA in Theology and Lifelong Education (part-time) on Thursday evenings
over 24 weeks and 4 academic Saturdays in Mater Dei Institute of Education. Offering a foundation in Systematic Theology,
Ethics, Scripture and Pastoral Theology. For any enquiries please contact Mary Jones, email m a r y . j o n e s @ d c u . i e or call 01
808 6513.
BLESSING OF REMEMBRANCE IN GLASNEVIN CEMETERY: This Sunday 24th May at 3.00 pm. Each year bereaved
parents and family members come together for a Blessing Service at the Old Angels garden. Many parents travel from all over
Ireland to attend and we hope to see you all again this year. We welcome in particular parents whose babies died long ago and
who may have only in recent years traced their babies’ grave or to those parents who have no grave. A Little Lifetime Foundation.
HALLELUJAH AND THE DONKEY: A man bought a donkey from a preacher. The preacher told the man that the donkey had
been trained in a very unique way (being the donkey of a preacher). The only way to make the donkey go was to say, ‘Hallelujah!’
The only way to make the donkey stop was to say, ‘Amen!’ The man was pleased with his purchase and immediately got on the
donkey to try out the preacher’s instructions. ‘Hallelujah!’ shouted the man. The donkey began to trot. ‘Amen!’ shouted the man.
The donkey stopped immediately. ‘this is great said the man. With a ‘Hallelujah!’ he rode off, very proud of his new purchase.
The man travelled for a long time through the mountains. As he travelled towards a cliff he tried to remember the word to make
the donkey stop. ‘Stop!’ said the man. ‘Halt! He cried. The donkey just kept going. ‘Oh no! Bible!...Church!..Please Stop!’ shouted
the man. He just began to trot faster and faster and was getting closer and closer to the cliff edge. Finally, in desperation, the
man said a prayer. ‘Please, dear Lord, make this donkey stop before I go off the end of this mountain. Amen!. The donkey came
to an abrupt stop just one step from the edge of the cliff. ‘Hallelujah!’ shouted the man.