St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Glasthule.

Introduction: Today’s gospel, presenting Jesus’ inaugural speech in the synagogue of Nazareth and outlining his theology of total liberation, marks a great moment of Jewish history. The scripture readings for today focus our attention on the importance and liberating power of the Word of God as "sacramental," making God present in our midst. The readings challenge us to listen to the Word, accept it into our hearts, then put it into practice as we live out our lives, liberating ourselves and others from all types of bondages.

Thank you for your offerings last Sunday. Would you believe ? 1200 copper coins were counted ! bringing the totals as follows : Priests €1,419  and Share €900.

The much acclaimed “Catholicism” DVD series will begin at Presentation Brothers, Glasthule, 7.30pm, Tuesday Feb.5th.
DVD lasts 45 minutes followed by refreshments. A great way to mark the Year of Faith and meet new people! See  http://www.presentationbrothers.org/ or contact Brother Andrew at 086-1522160 for more details.

Irish Therapy Dogs
There will be a Coffee Morning and a Cake Sale in The Pastoral Centre in aid of Irish Therapy Dogs today. Your support, especially with Donations of cakes, will be most welcome.

ACCORD, the diocesan agency for marriage and the family makes its annual appeal at all Masses next Sunday 2/3 Feb.
ACCORD needs your support in preparing couples for marriage, in counselling for couples and individuals who are experiencing difficulties and organising relationship and sexuality programmes in schools.

Three LENTEN Talks have been arranged for the season of Lent, Owen Harris on February 14th., Monsignor Dan O‘Connor Feb. 21st. and on Feb. 28th we expect a speaker from one of the organisations helping people contemplating ending their life.

Who Should You Listen To?:
An old fable tells about an elderly man who was travelling with a boy and a donkey. As they walked through a village, the man was leading the donkey and the boy was walking behind. The townspeople said the old man was a fool for not riding, so to please them he climbed up on the animal's back. When they came to the next village, the people said the old man was cruel to let the child walk while he enjoyed the ride. So, to please them, he got off and set the boy on the animal's back and continued on his way. In the third village, people accused the child of being lazy for making the old man walk, and the suggestion was made that they both ride. So the man climbed on and they set off again. In the fourth village, the townspeople were indignant at the cruelty to the donkey because he was made to carry two people. The frustrated man was last seen carrying the donkey down the road !! A most reassuring phrase I listened to during the week: “It's okay not to be okay and it's okay to ask for help” 

Honouring the memory of Fr. Peter Lemass
Twenty five years after his death in 1988, Fr. Peter Lemass will be especially remembered by his friends of the Jesus Caritas Fraternities, both priests and lay members, in a special Mass that will be celebrated on Friday next 25th January at 7.30 pm at Marianella Pastoral Centre, 75 Orwell Road, Rathgar, Dublin 6. We will recall his role in establishing the Jesus Caritas Fraternity in Ireland and what it has meant for us today. All are welcome to join us for the Mass and a chat afterwards.

Recently Deceased: Your prayers are requested for the repose of the soul of Dympna O'Hagan whose funeral took place here in St Joseph's during the week. May she rest in peace.