Dear parishioners,
In this Sunday’s Gospel we hear about one of the many healing miracles which Jesus performed. Healing, although it can happen in a moment, usually takes a longer period of time. Regardless, it always starts by acknowledging the reality of the wound and the pain.
This week the Jesuit Order took another step in acknowledging some of the wounds and pain caused by Irish Jesuits. On Thursday our Provincial Fr Shane Daly welcomed the publication of a narrative record of the abuse perpetrated by Fr Joseph Marmion SJ on students in Jesuit schools. Fr Joseph Marmion SJ. His abuse, the harm caused and Jesuit accountability: A narrative record expands on previously published information and, importantly, it begins with an apology.
The document and a statement from the Jesuit Order, including the naming of two other deceased Jesuits against whom complaints of abuse have been received, can be accessed online at www.jesuit.ie.
Fr Daly wishes “to invite any person who was harmed by any Jesuit to consider speaking with us. We really want to hear from you.” This can be done by contacting our Safeguarding Office by emailing: safeguarding@jesuit.ie or by phoning our Jesuit Safeguarding Helpline PHONE: 00 353 830874254 (Opening hours Monday-Friday 8 AM to 8 PM; Saturday 10AM to 5 PM; Sunday 10 AM to 2PM). An alternative to contacting the Order directly is to contact Tusla and/or the Gardai.
This harrowing news comes to us just a week before this year’s Worldwide Day of Prayer for Survivors and Victims of Sexual Abuse, which will take place on February 16, the first Friday of Lent. The Day of Prayer is an initiative of Pope Francis and was first marked in Irish dioceses in 2017. Here at St. Francis Xavier's, the 6pm Mass and the Holy Hour at 6.30pm will be offered for this intention. The candles we light before the altar will symbolise our sincere efforts to atone for and learn from the past. We can only hope that our prayers will help bring about some degree of healing for those who have suffered so much.
In Christ,
Fr. Niall
SONS OF IGNATIUS PODCAST
Fr. Niall speaks to Fr. Mark Lopez SJ and Ted Penton SJ, who was based in the Parish for 8 weeks, about the final stage of Jesuit formation, known as Tertianship. Now available on Spotify and Apple Podcast.
ASH WEDNESDAY – 14th FEBRUARY
Ashes will be distributed during all Masses: 11am, 1pm & 6 pm.
DAY OF PRAYER FOR SURVIVORS OF ABUSE IN THE GLOBAL CHURCH - 16th FEBRUARY
Pope Francis has designated the first Friday in Lent as a day of prayer for the victims of abuse in the global church. This day affords us the opportunity to reach out in prayer and to show our solidarity with all survivors and victims of abuse.
ANNUAL BL. JOHN SULLIVAN MASS
Annual Mass in honour of Bl. John Sullivan SJ will take place on Saturday, 17th February at 11am. Bishop Alan McGuckian SJ will be the celebrant. Church of Ireland Archbishop. Michael Jackson will also attend. We hope to see you there!
NOTE this Mass is at 11am, NOT at 1pm. It replaces the usual monthly Mass.
POPE FRANCIS PRAYER INTENTION - FEBRUARY 2024
FOR THE TERMINALLY ILL
We pray that those with a terminal illness, and their families, receive the necessary physical and spiritual accompaniment.
FIAT 40 / EXODUS 40
This Lent, we invite young people (18-35) to enter the 'desert' alongside Jesus through daily prayer, fasting and companionship following the Fiat 40 / Exodus 40 programmes.
We will walk together in small groups of 5-7 other young men or women. There will be a daily check in with your companion, a weekly in-person meeting with your wider group on Mondays, 6:30-7:30pm, in Gardiner Street, as well as personal daily prayer and asceticism.
Please contact Stephanie (after Youth Mass) for further details or register your interest on this link. You can sign up on our website under Upcoming Events on What’s on.
http://tinyurl.com/Fiat40Exodus40-signup
OUR RECENTLY DECEASED
We remember in prayer those who have died recently:
Philomena O’Connor
Jimmy Lynch
May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
WEEKLY COLLECTION
Church: €691, Share: €121.
Card readers & iDonate: €363.
All contributions are gratefully accepted, and the donors are remembered in our prayers.