Announcements Archive
21 August 2024
Medjugorje Day Firhouse 2024 (on the feast of the Assumption, August 15th)
In the church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Firhouse, we had a wonderful day of prayer, modelled on the timetable for pilgrims in Medjugorje, with morning Holy Mass, Rosary for Healing and Peace, reflective and insightful Stations of the Cross, Divine Mercy Chaplet, various testimonies, homilies and interviews by video, an afternoon of Eucharistic Adoration with prayers and music, 15 Decades of the Holy Rosary, evening Holy Mass and Holy Hour with prayers and music. There was prayerful participation by many people throughout this grace-filled day.
If you would like to see/hear any of the testimonies, homilies and interviews shared on the day just click on the following links to do so:
The Carmelite Sisters – Unveiling of Commemorative Plaque
The unveiling of a plaque commemorating and celebrating the presence of the Carmelite Sisters for 190 years in Firhouse took place on Sunday, 28 July 2024, in the Church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.
Please visit our Parish History page which gives a short history of the parish and further information about the Carmelite Order and the Monastery. There are images and short pieces about the nuns which you might find interesting, and these give an overview of the unique contribution by the Carmelite Order to the Parish of Firhouse over the years.
The nuns were very much an integral part of the community of Firhouse and the unveiling of the Commemorative Plaque is a token of our gratitude to them.
SAFEGUARDING DAY 2024
Safeguarding Day 2024. Homily of Archbishop Dermot Farrell. Please click here
5 March 2024
Pope Francis appoints Fr Donal Roche as Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Dublin
On, Tuesday, March 5, 2024, the Holy Father Pope Francis appointed Fr Donal Roche, a priest of the Archdiocese of Dublin, as Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Dublin. Please click here for an overview of the life and ministry of Fr Roche as well as the statements of Archbishop Farrell and Fr Roche.
SAFEGUARDING SUNDAY
Sunday, September 24th 2023, is Diocesan Safeguarding Sunday.
This year we mark the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the Child Safeguarding & Protection Service.
Please view the short video.
19 November 2022
Legion of Mary Centenary Closing Mass, 19 November 2022
November 2022
Firhouse Bethany Bereavement Support Group
On Friday 11th November (the month when we especially remember our loved ones who have gone to their eternal reward as well as All Saints and All Souls) we had a wonderful prayer service of remembrance for bereaved families of those whose funeral services took place in our church this year as well as other bereaved families. A mix of prayer, scripture readings, a “three candles ceremony” representing grief but also courage and love, reflections that offer hope and the symbolic lighting of over 50 small candles, one for each of those being remembered, combined in a beautiful, consoling and uplifting service from which all those in attendance could
benefit.
Thank you to the Bethany Bereavement Support Group for this and to our hospitality group for a cuppa and opportunity for a chat afterwards.
2 October 2022
Coastal Rosary for Faith and Life in Ireland
On Sunday October 9th, the annual Coastal Rosary will take place at 2.30pm. Join thousands of people from around Ireland to pray the Rosary for Life and Faith at our coasts, grottos, rivers, churches, and other suitable places.
Simply sign up a Rosary location at www.coastalrosaryireland.ie or text your location to 087 278 6552
Radio program on Frank Duff
This RTE Radio program on Frank Duff is an extraordinarily detailed account by his contemporaries of his personal early life and the founding of the Legion of Mary 100 years ago this year!
25 September 2022
Parish Choir – New Members
New members are not only welcome, but also needed as we move gradually back to normality.
Talk to Ray after 11.30 Mass, or at 087 9195012 or leave your name and number in the Parish Office.
2 October 2022
Building Hope
Archbishop Farrell has responded to the building hope feedback earlier this year you can view this document by using the link below or on the Dublin Diocese Website: www.dublindiocese.ie
19 September 2021
Season of Creation
The Season of Creation has a special significance for the Catholic Church, particularly since Pope Francis established 1st September as an annual World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation. The Season of Creation or Creation Time, is marked throughout the Christian world from 1st September to 4th October (Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi) and celebrates the joy of creation as well as encouraging awareness-raising initiatives to protect the natural environment.
This year for the Season or Creation Catholics are urged to sign the “Healthy Planet Healthy People” petition in order to put pressure on world leaders to take the urgent and bold actions we need to Restore our Common Home as we approach the upcoming UN conferences in the Autumn, COP15 (on Biodiversity, due to take place in China) and COP26 (on climate change, Glasgow). You can sign this petition online by going to www.thecatholicpetition.org/. Please also talk to your family, friends and any groups that you may have dealings with to get as many others to sign this petition as possible.
At a more local level we would like to identify a network of individuals or local groups who have an interest in protecting and restoring our Common Home. If you would like to be part of this, please send an email to bohparishnews@gmail.com, putting ‘Laudato Si Network’ in the Subject line.
October 2022
A Parish Funeral Ministry Team
The celebration of funerals in our churches during Covid lockdowns was affected in many ways. Restricted numbers, social distancing and the uncertainty about the various public health recommendations took their toll on the quality of our celebrations, who could be present and inevitably the participation of Funeral Teams.
It is time to look now at beginning a Funeral Ministry Team in our Parish.
Many people through the Diocese have responded to an invitation to contribute to parish life in a new way by being part of a Parish Funeral Ministry Team. The Diocese will offer training for new members of Parish Funeral Ministry Teams in the coming months. Venues will be announced nearer the dates with hybrid possibilities (face to face and zoom) and the way to book places and the ‘New Funeral Team Members’ Training dates are: 28 Sept, 19 Oct and 23 Nov 2022.
This programme is only for new members and is a continuation of diocesan formation work over the years, and if you are interested, please let Fr Peter know as soon as possible through the Parish Office.
June 2022
“From Darkness into Light”
As Covid restrictions eased the dawn walk “From Darkness into Light” resumed in Firhouse in June. Those stalwarts taking part walked around the parish and were treated to the lively tune of the dawn chorus on a beautiful morning. All funds raised were donated to Pieta House. Well done to Ita and all involved.
A short prayer for anyone really struggling
“O Lord, I can’t. You can. Please . . .”
4 October 2022
The Letter Film – A Message for Our Earth
Trócaire works with parishes and communities across the island of Ireland to educate, inspire and motivate people to take action for global justice.
“Faced as we are with global environmental deterioration, I wish to address every person living on this planet.” (Pope Francis, Laudato Si’, 3)
On October 4th 2022, a Laudato Si’ movie, The Letter – A Message for our Earth, was launched in Rome. In just three weeks it had 8 million views on YouTube! The Letter, produced by the Laudato Si’ Movement, together with the Oscar and BAFTA-winning team Off the Fence, is a film-documentary which follows 5 courageous changemakers from different parts of our world as they tell their stories and bring hope to the global conversation to care more deeply for our common home. This is a movie which explores the brutal situation our world is in right now as we try to address the climate and biodiversity crises, and how ordinary people are doing what they can to make a difference.
Millions of people around the world have already watched The Letter online and we need you to help us arrange community screenings around Ireland and begin the conversation where you are.
May 2022
Beautiful Statue of Our Blessed Lady Finds a Home
The Monday Rosary began 1st Monday in Advent, 2013 in the Carmelite Convent in Firhouse, to pray for vocations, and for the faith of our young people, particularly our children and grandchildren. This Rosary was prayed in the Convent chapel at 6.00.pm. every Monday evening. When, sadly, the Convent closed in 2017 due to lack of vocations, the Rosary transferred to the parish church. It has been prayed there every Monday since then apart from the evening of Storm Denis and the Covid lockdown when it continued by Zoom.
A beautiful statue of our Blessed Lady was given to the Monday Rosary prayer group by the Carmelite Sisters when the convent was closing. Every Monday evening this statue is present during the 6.00.pm. Rosary, when we continue to pray for vocations and for the faith of our young people.
To protect this precious statue of our Blessed Lady from damage during its regular use, a special cabinet has been made of fine wood to house it by parishioner, Pat Joe McKiernan, with help from some friends.
Fr. Peter blessed this special cabinet at the end of Mass on Monday, 23rd May, 2022. It was used to house and display the Statue of Our Blessed Lady at the Monday evening Rosary for the first time that evening.
With Fr. Peter, we hope that the newly housed statue will continue to inspire prayer from the heart, seeking our Blessed Lady’s intercession for our various needs for many, many Mondays to come.
12 September 2021
12 September 2021
Archbishop Farrell’s Pastoral Letter: The Cry of the Earth – The Cry of the Poor
At this time every person on our planet is confronted with two interconnected crises: the coronavirus pandemic and the ecological crisis. Both define our age. Both require urgent action. But it is the reality of climate change that is ‘humanity’s defining challenge.’ Over the coming decades, the havoc of the pandemic will pale when compared to that of climate change.
To respond to the climate crisis, and to mark the Season of Creation – which began on September 1st and continues until the Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi on October 4th – Archbishop Farrell has published a pastoral letter, The Cry of the Earth – The Cry of the Poor: the Climate Catastrophe – Creation’s Urgent Call for Change. This pastoral is an invitation to all people – those in the Church and those beyond – to reflect on the climate crisis in new ways, so that the baptised may live the life of faith more vibrantly, and everyone may respond more actively to the serious situation in which the world finds itself.
The pastoral letter is available online, as well as in hardcopy on the tables in the Church.
25 July 2021
Radio Maria Ireland
Thank God and sincere thanks also to our many listeners and supporters as RADIO MARIA IRELAND continues to grow. As an Irish-run Catholic Talk-Radio Station we enjoy commercial free broadcasting – Prayer, Catechesis, Uplifting music, Talks, Interviews and Testimonies – do join our growing faith family!
Why not drop a line to our Priest Director, Fr. Eamonn McCarthy, or send in your prayer or song requests to us at Radio Maria Ireland, St. Anthony’s Business Park, Ballymount Road, Dublin 22.
9 May 2021
Year of St Joseph
A series of ‘New World of Mary’ Conferences are organised during lockdown by the young adult group, within the Legion of Mary.
The series have become popular for the interesting talks given by both clerics and layfolk, now available on YouTube.
One to be recommended in the ‘Year of St. Joseph’, is an interesting insight into this beloved but silent father figure: ‘Blessed Be St Joseph, Her Most Chaste Spouse.
2020
Plenary Indulgence
The Holy Father Pope Francis presided over an extraordinary global celebration (Statio orbis) of prayer on 27 March 2020..
The Holy Father’s address is called URBI ET ORBI. It is very unusual for this to happen. URBI ET ORBI normally only happens at Easter and Christmas. More information.