St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Glasthule.

The Season of Lent commences next Wednesday better known as  Ash Wednesday. It is then that we begin our spiritual journey towards the celebration of Easter. In the past it was a penitential time when extra prayers were said, people observed the exercises of fast and abstinence and special care was given to the poor. To day the Church invites us to fast and abstain on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, to unite our small sacrifices with the work of TROCAIRE and to undertake some good work among God’s people. It’s a time for each of us to journey into the desert of our own hearts.

If you would like to translate your Lenten Sacrifice into practical expression of support for the poorest countries of the world, please pick up a TROCAIRE box at the door of the Church. Many thanks.

Our thanks to you for your gift of
€1,518  for priests and €2,020  for ACCORD.

Ash Wednesday:
Morning Mass at 10am. and Evening Mass at 7.30pm. Ashes will be blessed and distributed at both Masses.

A Prayer for Lent:
Lord Jesus as I begin the desert journey of Lent, give me strength and courage. Lead me through these days of prayer and penance in such a way that I may worthily come to the celebration of your saving death and glorious resurrection. Stay with me in time of temptation. Do not allow me to give way to greed but lead me to generous service.

Three LENTEN Talks will be held in St Joseph's Church for the season of Lent,

• Eoghan Harris (Postponed )
• Monsignor Dan O‘Connor February 21st. and
• on February 28th. A speaker from Pieta House will speak on the pain of Suicide.

The Annual Mass for Past Pupils of St. Mary's Dominican Convent Dun Laoghaire will be held on Sunday 17th February in the Primary School Hall Convent Rd. at 3pm. All are welcome.

Persons with a Coeliac Condition are welcome to receive the Eucharist from the Chalice at any Mass in Glasthule. You are invited to come forward with the Eucharistic Ministers and to stand beside them indicating that you wish to receive from the Chalice. We also have coeliac hosts available. Please check in the sacristy before Mass.

Catching fish from the shop: A man had spent a fruitless day fishing. He didn't want to go home empty-handed. He decided to stop at a local fish market.  "I'd like three good sized fish," he said to the man behind the counter. "But before you wrap them, toss them to me, one by one." The clerk looked puzzled at his request, "Sir? That's a strange thing to ask." Smiling the man said, "This way I'll be able to tell my wife truthfully that I caught them.

The Finance Committee  wishes to thank the families of the parish who have loyally and generously supported St. Joseph’s Church over the years. Our community is deeply indebted to you. Some families who contributed to the Stained Glass Windows in the past may wish to continue that support and can do so by arranging this in the parish office.

Parish Funding Appeal
We would like to acknowledge, with thanks those of you who have responded to our recent request to complete and return contribution forms to us. We appeal once again to those who have not done so and ask that you make a special effort to complete a return before the end of the present month.  We appreciate that it is a difficult time for all of us but we are confident that we can succeed in significantly reducing the debt with the help of all. We thank you for your continuing support. The Finance Committee

Adoration
You are invited to a guided hour of adoration which will take place in the Church next Tuesday 12th February at 7.00pm. Followed by Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament. The intention for this hour is to pray to God “that abortion will never be legalised in Ireland”. The adoration is being held following a request by the Bishops' Conference in Ireland and in support of the Pro Life movement against abortion. We must continue to pray in the confidence that “nothing is impossible to God”.

Comhrá
Irish Conversation Class held in Parish Centre 15th February 11-12pm.