Pappan's People

Today the Church begins the holy season of Lent, in preparation for the great feast of Easter. Prayer, repentance, charitable giving, and self-denial: these are the tools given us to open our hearts to God’s grace. Lent is not so much a miserable time as an golden opportunity to redirect our hearts and lives to God. “Now is the acceptable time; now is the day of salvation!”

The church will gather tonight in St Canice’s Finglas at 8 p.m. We will listen to the Word of God. We will ask forgiveness for our sins. And at the Lord’s Table we will be fed with the Bread of Life and the Wine of Heaven. Jesus says, “Come unto me, all you who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will refresh you.”

On the Sunday before Lent we read the story of the Transfiguration – this year Matthew’s account of that vision of Jesus in glory given to Peter, James, and John. Despite the awe and fearfulness of the occasion, Peter confessed “It is good to be here”. In our hymns we will acknowledge “how awesome is the sight, our radiant King of light”, and pray to be changed by his light and love: “As we gaze on your kingly presence, may our faces display your likeness; ever changing from glory to glory, mirrored here may our lives tell your story: shine on me!”

The Eucharist will be celebrated in Santry at 10, in Glasnevin at 11.15, and in Finglas at 12.30.

This Sunday (25th January) there will be three services in the parish: Santry 10, Glasnevin 11.15, Finglas 12.30. Our readings will focus on the Conversion of St Paul, whose mission to the non-Jewish world is an appropriate theme for the Epiphany season, the enlightening of the Gentile world. Founder and pastor of so many of the early churches, Paul is a good companion during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, with his insistence on faith, hope, and love as the most excellent way.

This Sunday there are two only services in the parish: 10.00 in Santry and 12.30 in Finglas. We send our best wishes to Stella Obe, who is celebrating 20 years as a Diocesan Lay Reader. We have been greatly blessed by her ministry and wish her many more years of service.

Our Gospel today tells of John the Baptist’s testimony to Jesus as Lamb of God, and of the first disciples who take up Jesus’ invitation to “Come and See”.

It is also the beginning of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, and we pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ in all their diversity, praying that we may live together in love and unity as members of the one Body of Christ.

Tomorrow (5th January) is the first Sunday of the New Year; it also marks 25 years of our three parishes being joined together in a Group. We hope to make this year an occasion of thanksgiving, revival and encouragement.

We are trying out a new service schedule, which may take a little while to get used to. I have set out the pattern below.

1st Sunday: Santry 10 HC,        Glasnevin 11.30 HC

2nd Sunday: Finglas 11.30 All-age

3rd Sunday: Santry 10 HC,       Glasnevin 11.30 HC

4th Sunday: Santry 10 MP,       Finglas 11.30 HC

5th Sunday: Glasnevin 11.30 HC

So Tomorrow we meet in Santry and Glasnevin to celebrate the Epiphany, and the visit of the Wise Men to the Christ-Child.