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This website is currently being updated so please be patient till we get it right.
In the meantime, below you will see samples of upcoming or ongoing parish and local events, activities and services
and the menu on the left will give you access to a lot of useful information about our parish.
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Welcome to the Parish of Firhouse
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CÉAD MÍLE FÁILTE
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A warm welcome to all, especially to those who have moved into our parish in recent times.
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' Within its outer walls, our mostly glass church with its surrounding seasonal gardens is an oasis of quiet, "far from the madding
crowd." Here, people can come into the presence of the Jesus, alone or with others, to pray, to worship, to prepare for or celebrate
sacraments, to commemorate those who have died or to simply sit in peace before the tabernacle. This is an awesome privilege.
In the hustle and bustle of modern life with its non-stop noise of traffic, machinery, computers, phones, radio, television, shops,
sport and even conversation, it's nice to know that in this sacred space prayer gets priority and the Lord is always here for us.
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Current Weekend Mass Times
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6.00.p.m. Saturday Evening Vigil Mass
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11.00.a.m. Sunday Morning Mass
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Upcoming Activities/Events
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The "Alpha" Course 
We hope to start an 8 week Alpha course in January, since it was not possible to hold it
in the Autumn as originally planned. We hope to hold this Alpha course on Monday evenings in Scoil
Treasa. Alpha is a series of weekly events that explores some of the basic truths of the
Christian faith - "Who is Jesus?", "Why Did Jesus Die?" and "Does God Heal today?" Alpha is relaxed,
non-threatening, low key, friendly and fun. Have you ever wanted to take a little time out to explore
the meaning of your life? Or ask questions about the Christian faith? Alpha may be tailor made for you.
It is an ideal course for spiritual renewal - to help people make the transition to a vibrant, active,
adult Christian faith.
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World Meeting of Families 2018
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World Meeting of Families 2018 will be a joyful festival of the love of God revealed in Jesus Christ, 
the same love that Christian families are called to witness to in the world. It will consist of an enriching
main programme for adults of keynote speakers, workshops, talks, testimonies and discussions.
There will be an engaging and exciting programme for young people as well as fun activities for children.
WMOF 2018 will include Eucharistic Celebrations, a festival of families, exhibitions, performances, events
around the city, among many other things. The Meeting will also foster gestures of solidarity for families
in difficulties. During these five days, there will be time to meet and share, pray and reflect, grow in faith
and love, celebrate, as well as gather strength to continue the journey of life.
You might like to check out http://www.worldmeeting2018.ie/ and click on the fourth picture down its home
page to take a look at the video interview with Archbishop Diarmuid Martin about this event.
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Phase II of Church Refurbishment
Work is continuing to provide wheelchair accessible toilet facilities at the back of the church
and to reconfigure the main church entrance, porch and meeting rooms to accommodate this. The changes
should also make the meeting rooms more usable, more suitable for parish small group activities and more
independeltly accessible, regardless of whether the church itself is open. The addition of tea/coffee making
facilities will add versatility necessary for these activities. This work follows Phase 1, now complete, which
involved replacing the glass in the church with safer, higher standard glass due to health and safety require-
ments and also replacement of steps to the entrance nearest to the shopping centre and other more minor
works. If funds permit, we hope Phase II will be completed by the end of the summer. Otherwise, some
parts of this project may have to wait.
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Current Activities'
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Website Links and Phone Apps
Click on the "Useful Links" page (on the left of this screen) for links to Bible Websites,
Prayer Websites, Church Websites and Charities Websites and especially to some really good smart
phone apps for children or adults including Bible Apps.
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First Friday Visits to the Housebound
Communion is brought to our ill or housebound parishioners normally on the First Friday of every month.
If you, or someone you know, would like a First Friday visit, please let us know by contacting the
Parish Office at 01 - 452 4702 or email: olmcfirhouseparish@gmail.com.
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Weekly Eucharistic Adoration continues
We have Eucharistic Adoration every Friday for one hour from 10.30.a.m. (after 10.00 Mass) till 11.30.am.
All are welcome for quiet prayer.
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Evening and Morning Rosary 
Monday evening Rosary for our young people's faith: Concerned about reluctance of many
young people to embrace the faith? If so, please join us on Monday evenings at 6.00.p.m. in Our Lady
of Mount Carmel Church, Ballycullen Avenue, to pray the Rosary for this special intention.
It will take only 15 minutes or so. All are welcome. (Please enter by the Parish Office Door).
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Weekday morning Rosary: After 10.00.a.m. Mass each morning the Rosary is prayed by an ad hoc
group of parishioners at the back of the church. Anyone who would like to join in is very welcome.
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'Tuesday Morning Prayer Service
We used to have two priests in our parish (and years ago we also had a parish sister). Now, with the dramatic fall in vocations we have only one priest. As part of the fallout from this we now have no Mass in the parish church on Tuesdays. Instead, we have a service provided by some of our Ministers of the Word and Ministers of the Eucharist. We are grateful to these volunteers for their willingness to provide this service. It has become a necessary but vital part of parish life. The service consists of a penetential rite, reading of the word of God (scripture readings of the day), intercessory prayers and distribution of Holy Communion. No doubt, in future we will need, and can expect to see further lay involvement in parish ministry.
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Bethany Bereavement Support Group
Have you been bereaved by the loss of a loved one? Firhouse Bethany Bereavement
Support Group is holding a series of open meetings for bereaved persons on the 3rd Monday of each
month from 7.30p.m. to 8.45p.m. Enquiries about these meetings or any other aspect of the work of
the Bethany Bereavement Support Group: Parish Office 01 4524702 or Bethany member: 087 2852647.
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Parish Choirs
Rehearsals continue each Wednesday at 7.30 in Scoil Carmel. New members urgently needed.
There have been no new members for almost two years, and some have retired, so the message is very clear!
Contact Ray at 087-9195012. Also, see below.
Do you play an instrument? If you play the guitar, fiddle, accordion or indeed any instrument you are
invited to play with the parish choir on Sundays. Contact Ray at 087-9195012 for more information.
The voice of angels! The wonderful Parish Children's Choir resumes singing at the Vigil Masses
at 6.00.p.m. on Saturday evenings, led by Martina. A rota of kind volunteers is always present, and necessary
in a supervisory/safeguarding role at rehearsals - on Saturdays at 5.00.p.m. for the 6.00.p.m. Mass.
New members are always welcome to this choir. Any parent whose children would like to sing with this Choir -
please contact Martina through the Parish Office at 01 4524702.'
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Previous Activities/Events
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Sad News - September 2017
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Sadly, the death has occurred of Jimmy Whelan, our much-loved, long-serving (22 years) and retired sacristan. Jimmy was very involved in the parish and the local community over the years, as was his wife Bridie, R.I.P. He was a regular contributor to parish newsletters, with many fascinating historical accounts of the area before it became built up. Jimmy received the Benemerenti Medal, a rare honour awarded by the Pope to members of clergy or laity for service to the Catholic Church (see below). He will be sadly missed not only by family and friends but also more generally in the parish. Jimmy's funeral Mass took place at 10.00.a.m. on Sat 16th September. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.
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Sun-drenched outdoor Coffee Morning
The Hospitality Team organised a most enjoyable coffee morning in aid of the Pink Tie charity associated with Crumlin Children's Hospital. Apart from reflecting Jesus' instruction to love our neighbour as ourselves (fulfilled in this coming together to raise money for a worthy cause) this echoes what is often the forgotten one of four practices of the earliest Christians as reported in the Bible in Acts of the Apostles, Chapter 2, verse 42, where we are told: "They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer."
Fellowship does not just happen of its own accord . . .
From early morning the Hospitality team were busy with Burcos and Benches, Chairs and Chores, Buns and Beverages. Huge organisation, last minute adjustments, great attention to detail and unbroken sunshine made this endeavour an outstanding success. Most guests opted for the outdoor seating in the courtyard at the main entrance to the church, which features fabulous flora courtesy of our gardeners and volunteers. There, convivial conversation and cameraderie crowned a wonderful occasion and a great time was had by all, as you can see below. Congratulations and thanks to all those involved.
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Thank You to our Volunteer Distributors!
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Safeguarding Information Meeting
"Knowledge is Power": All parish volunteers, regardless of whether they deal directly with children or not, are now required to attend one safeguarding information meeting. For any volunteers who were not able to attend one of our three previous safeguarding information meetings, and because this is urgent, there was one more such meeting on Wednesday 10th May at 8.00.p.m. in the church. It was very informative. Did you know that most child abuse takes the form of neglect? Did you know that vulnerable adults are now covered by safeguarding legislation? Do you know why parish volunteers need to be Gárda vetted even if they don't deal directly with children. These and other questions were addressed and clarified on the night. We will have to have one more such information meeting in the Autumn.
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Sad News - April 2017
We were shocked and saddened by news of the sudden death of Fr. Pádraig Coleman, O.F.M.,
who served as chaplain in Firhouse parish for 11 years from 2005 until last Autumn, 2016. We were
truly blessed to have Fr. Pádraig with us for these years and we miss him since his transfer to
Sandymount last September. We offer our condolences to his family and to his colleague Franciscans
who no doubt miss him too. Ar dheis Dé sa bhflaitheas go raibh a anam.
Fr. Pádraig's funeral Mass took place at 10.30.a.m. on Monday 24th April in the Church of the Immaculate
Conception (commonly known as Adam & Eve's Church) Merchant's Quay, Dublin and was followed by
burial in Shanganagh Cemetery.
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More Sad News - April 2017
We were deeply saddened by news that, after a long illness that he bore with great dignity, our previous
parish priest, Fr. Colm Matthews has died. Fr. Colm served as parish priest in our parish from 1995
to 2004 before moving to Holy Rosary parish nearby. Having served previously as army chaplain in the
Congo and spent time in the mission fields in Chile, Fr. Colm brought many gifts to our parish when he
came here. He is fondly remembered by everyone who knew him. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.
Fr. Colm's Funeral Mass took place at 10.00.a.m. on Tuesday 2nd May in Holy Rosary Church, Ballycragh,
his final parish, where he served as a curate after leaving Firhouse.
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Walk at Dawn
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Saturday 6th May 2017 at 5.00.a.m in aid of "See Change" Jigsaw, Green Ribbon, for youth mental health.
This walk started and ended at the Tree of Hope beside Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, Firhouse. It was a
cool morning so walking was brisk and those who participated enjoyed the exercise. It started with a prayer focusing
mental health, depression and suicide and ended with a decade of the rosary - the Resurrection. A big thank you is
due to the organisers of this event.
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Not One Benemerenti Medal but Two
While the Benemerenti Medal is a rare honour awarded by the Pope to members of
clergy or laity for service to the Catholic Church, it is a source of great joy and pride for
our parish that two of our parishioners have received this award.
One is Jimmy Whelan, our much-loved, long-serving (22 years) and now retired sacristan. Jimmy's
contribution to our parish over the years has been immense. He is pictured with current parish priest
Fr. Peter Reilly, previous parish priest Fr. Paddy Madden and previous parish chaplain Fr. Padraig Coleman R.I.P.
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The other deserving recipient of this award is Nuala O'Toole. Nuala has been a faithful servant of this
parish since its foundation and has been involved in various ministries and on various active committees
over the years. Equally happy with a "Martha" or a ""Mary" role, whatever she undertakes gets done. She
has always been an enthusiastic, positive, dedicated and inspirational and above all a faithful figure. She is
pictured with our parish priest, Fr. Peter O'Reilly.
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Gárda Vetting Blitz
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"V-V" Day for Gárda Vetting of Volunteers: After all Masses on the weekend of 29th/30th April our safeguarding representatives were present in the room at the back of the church to help parish volunteers check whether they need to be Gárda vetted/re-vetted and if they did, to give them the vetting forms and information page necessary for this. Parish volunteers who needed to be Gárda vetted were invited to return the completed forms and other necessary documents either after 6.00.p.m. Mass on Saturday, 6th April or after 12.00.p.m. Mass on Sunday 7th April, with our safeguarding representatives present to assist them, and to have them copied and signed off by Fr. Peter. Those who were unable to avail of this facility will need to return the completed forms and other relevant documents to Fr. Peter as soon as possible.
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Events for Lent
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Stations of the Cross - Each Wednesday of Lent, after 10.00.a.m. Mass we had the traditional Stations
of the Cross in the church. While we all "fall short of the glory of God," Jesus, who never sinned, was still
prepared to endure huge suffering in atonement for our failings. The Stations describe that suffering.
They indicate just how much God loves us and by meditating on them they helped us to realise this.
Being aware of this can change lives for the better. Sincere thanks to those who led us so wonderfully
in the Stations each Wednesday.
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Lenten Reflection ("Lectio Divina") - There was a Lenten service with quiet prayer time and some shared scripture readings and reflections on Monday nights during Lent. This took place in the meeting room behind the altar in the church, from 8.00.p.m. to 9.00.p.m. each Monday. Lectio Divina is a simple easy spiritual exercise for a group where we (a) read, listen to and reflect on a text from God's Word in scripture (b) perhaps share with the group whatever strikes us from the text but even if we do not be inspired by what strikes others (c) consider what the text meant for Jesus' disciples and listeners 2,000 years ago and (d) consider how it might apply to our lives today. We hope those who attended each week found it beneficial. We think they did.
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Charismatic Renewal Golden Jubilee'
Golden Jubilee of Catholic Charismatic Renewal - 2017 is the Golden Jubilee of Catholic
Charismatic Renewal. Many people’s lives have been touched in a very positive way by Catholic
Charismatic Renewal. To mark this fact, we here in the Parish of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Firhouse,
hosted ‘An Evening of Praise and Thanksgiving’ on Friday, 17th February, beginning at 7.30 pm, ending
with the Celebration of Mass. This event was organised by the Dublin Diocesan Service Committee for
Catholic Charismatic Renewal in Ireland. All were invited to partake, to come along and bring a friend.
It was indeed a night to give God thanks and praise.
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"Yes to Life"
Yes to Life visits Firhouse - On Monday evening 20th February two representatives of
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"Walk into The Light"
ARE YOU CARRYING HEAVY BURDENS? Do you sometimes struggle to cope with daily life?
On Sunday evening, 18th December at 7.30.pm. Firhouse Parish hosted a special family event.
Parents may worry about many things like work/the lack of it, mortgages/the cost of living, relatives/friends who
are ill, their children and what they may face in the world today, choices made that may have worked out badly . . .
Teenagers and children may have real challenges in school, in relationships with family and peers, with the 
constant bad news from TV, the negative side of social media, what the future holds etc. Such things can wear
us down, no matter what our age and can even lead to poor health, especially if we feel unable to share them
with someone who cares. But we are not alone . . . Did you know that a burden that seems like a boulder
to you is not even a pebble to God and that you could leave all your burdens with the Lord. Jesus himself said:
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn
from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my
burden is light.” (Mt 11:28-30).
Each family in the parish was invited to do the following: Find a pebble to symbolise all the burdens you or your
family are carrying. Over a bite to eat, call to mind quietly (or, if it suits, discuss together as a family) the
burdens or worries each one has. Use the pebble to represent these and choose one person to carry it. Wrap
up well and set out walking together if possible, as a family, carrying the pebble to our parish church, which was
welcoming, warm and bright on that winter’s night. Those who came then had the opportunity to rest a while in
quietness before the Lord, to lay before Him all your burdens and ask for His help. After some quiet time, some
reflections and some gentle songs one person was invited from each family to place their symbolic stone in a
basket at the foot of the cross. People were free to leave after this but were invited to stay a while with the Lord
if they wished.
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Evening of Prayer
On Thursday 1st December at 7.30 p.m. we hosted an Evening of Prayer based on the Evening Prayer Programme at the Marian Shrine of Medjugorje. There was a time of praying the Rosary, Celebration of Mass, Eucharistic Adoration including Prayer for Healing and Blessing with the Blessed Sacrament. Some of the Official Guides in Medjugorje were with us and there was a talk from them about the Marian Shrine of Medjugorje.
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"The Gift" - A Life in the Spirit Course completed
A 7 week course to help people encounter the Holy Spirit and experience the power of God in their lives.
This course ended on Monday evening 21st November in Scoil Treasa - opposite the Church.
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Sad News
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At Mass on Monday 14th November Fr. Peter announced the sad news of the sudden death in Kenya of Fr. Martin Murnaghan. Fr. Martin retired from parish work in Sandymount this autumn and came to live in Firhouse. From here he went to Kenya just a few weeks later to undertake six month of active ministry. He hoped to do this each year God gave him the health and the energy. He was not in active ministry in Firhouse but he helped out when he could for the few weeks he was with us and in that time his gentle demeanour and winning smile endeared him to us. We were looking forward to his return in April. While he hoped to complete six months in Kenya and then return to Ireland, clearly the Lord had another plan and called him home, not to Ireland but to Heaven itself. We offer our condolences to Fr. Martin's family on their loss and to the people of Sandymount, his last parish, in their sadness. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.
'Fr. Martin's funeral took place on Monday 21st November at 12.00. noon in St. Mary's Church, Haddington Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4.
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Christmas Shoebox Appeal
Giving a little joy and love to a needy child this Christmas? Many parishioners supported
the annual Team Hope Christmas Shoebox gift appeal. In Africa and Eastern Europe, Team Hope make
it happen for hundreds of thousands of poor children each year, many in families struggling on less than
€1 a day. Our shoebox gifts show God’s care for them – and bring a ray of hope . . . with lots of excitement
and laughter. Thank you to Jackie and Ann and the volunteers who helped make this happen.
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Bethany Bereavement Mass
A Mass of Remembrance took place at 6.00.p.m. on Saturday November 5th for all those whose funerals took place in our parish during the past year. Deceased family members and friends were also remembered. Conversation over a cup of tea afterwards offered a chance to share experience and to express solidarity with the bereaved. Thank you to our Hospitality Committee for this.
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Pilgrimage to Knock an Inspirational Experience
The national Legion of Mary pilgrimage to Knock took place on Sunday 25th September. As always,
people who are not members of the Legion were welcome. Some who travelled were inspired by their
travelling companions as well as by the visit to Knock itself. Thank you to our local Legionaries who organised
this in our parish. When you read the item below about what the Legion has done for our parish on the
weekend of 3rd and 4th September you may even like to consider joining the Legion. For further information
about the Legion and what its members do, please contact: Annette 087 2364047 Bridie 4524825 or Ray 4518495.
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Parish Outreach Home Visitation
What an amazing blessing! On Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th September about 20 of our parishioners 
were joined by about 50 members of the Legion of Mary from all over Dublin and as far away as Drogheda,
Co. Meath and south of Arklow in Co. Wexford, and set out to visit as many homes as possible to meet and
talk with householders and give them a welcome/information pack from the parish.
The pack included a beautiful bookmark that has on it two prayers, parish contact details and two
inspiring pictures as well as details of phone apps for bible study and daily bible quotes. In addition
the pack includes a page about getting to know Jesus better, details of two upcoming faith renewal
courses provided locally and a page outlining parish services (and inviting help).
With the Legion of Mary's help we delivered the welcome/information/invitation pack to over 2,400 homes
and spoke with up to 1000 people. We hope this outreach will help many people reconnect with their
faith, reconnect with God and perhaps with our parish where they would be most welcome to avail of our
services or join in our work or both.
We are immensely grateful to the Legion of Mary volunteers who came to help us "walk the walk" as well
as "talk the talk" over the weekend. We are also grateful to our own parishioners who volunteered to do
this work, to our own Parish Hospitality & Catering group who fed all the volunteers throughout the
weekend and gave them the energy to continue, to the Principal of Scoil Treasa, who allowed us to
use the school as a base for the whole operation and to Fr. Peter and the rota of volunteers who
maintained continuous Eucharistic adoration in the church throughout Saturday in support of our work on the streets.
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Can You Help?
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'Copper Collection
"Take care of the pennies (or cents) and the pounds (or Euro) will take care of themselves." 
To help Parish Finances painlessly why not bring loose copper coins that are gathering (and gathering dust)
in your home to the Parish Office or Sacristy for our Copper Coin Collection any time. Thank you.
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Church Gardens/Courtyards
A helping hand or green fingers? Could you help clean tidy and, if you have even slightly
green fingers, help restore the four church gardens/courtyards to their original Four Seasons themes.
You would be very welcome to join us on Mondays after 10.00.a.m. Mass.
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Care of the Church 
"Many hands make light work." Could you spare an hour on Tuesday mornings after 10.00.a.m. Mass
to join our volunteers (shown on the right celebrating Mary's birthday) who hoover and shine and generally take
care of the church? We are very grateful to them for their efficience, reliability, commitment and good humour.
If you would like to join them all you need to do is show up and get busy. You will be made very welcome.
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