The Ascension of the Lord

As schooldays near an end, and family closeness (and frustration!) beckons over a long (hot?) Summer today’s Gospel shows us an Ascension. Not the departure gate of an airport with the sounds of jets clawing their way skywards. This is the Mount of Olives, in east Jerusalem; which to this day has a tiny, unadorned chapel of the Ascension, compared to the large Basilica built over Calvary. That is as it should be. Because the Ascension is not an escape from the world but an affirmation of what He has done on the cross. Schooldays are not a bad parallel either for what takes place on Ascension Day. In every departure of a parent as they leave their offspring off – there is a goodbye but no real leave-taking. The farewell is only temporary. Years later, that same child may well find themselves leaving a now aged and infirm parent in the care of a nursing home. As hearts heave, both child and parent know that again, while there is a goodbye you have no real leave-taking. Same for Jesus on Ascension. We find ourselves in the new and frightening surroundings of this life, in a place where we are uncomfortable and often feel ill-equipped to carry on. And yet, we burn the tall paschal candle to indicate his closeness, we meet and recognise Him in the breaking of bread, the hearing of the word and hopefully in each other. Hear him bless you and whisper with love ‘goodbye, no one is leaving, I will send you the Holy Spirit’.

Pray the Rosary

May is the month dedicated to Mary. ‘The Church’s devotion to her is intrinsic to Christian worship’. Mary plays a significant part in the Easter story. A flowering plant or a vase of flowers could be put next to an image of the Blessed Virgin and each day a small prayer or recite the rosary in her honour during this month.

O Mary, conceived without sin
Pray for us who have recourse to thee.

Daily Readings

You can access the daily readings on the parish website:

In the bulletin two weeks ago, there was a letter from Bishop Walsh giving details of the progress of the Planning for the Future Campaign for Sick and Retired Priests, Faith Development, and the restoration of the Diocesan Cathedral.

Our parish pledged to give £78,631 to the campaign.  So far, we have contributed £54,948 along with £7,493 in gift aid making a total of £62,441.   Further donations since then have brought our parish contribution to £63,013.   This means that we are £4120 short of the target set for us of £67,133. 

If we reach our target, the parish will receive back 10% of it, in other words, £6,713 and if we exceed the target then we receive back 75% of the excess.  To help us reach the target, members of the parish finance committee will distribute Planning for the Future envelopes after all Masses this weekend for any parishioners who would like to make an additional contribution or to contribute for the first time.  Envelopes with donations can be put in the normal collections taken up at Mass. 

Monday 28th April ’08 – Friday 9th May ‘08

In June 2002, Citywide Enterprise Ltd in conjunction with the trustees of Milltown Cemetery, embarked on a maintenance project in Milltown Cemetery. Such was the success of the project that a dedicated company, Citywide Regeneration Project (CCR) Ltd, has been formed to continue the good work.

Now, in an effort to restore the tradition of respect for graves in Milltown Cemetery, CCR Ltd are proposing another intensive 2 week project to encourage the return of Leaseholders to the cemetery. Leaseholders and those who have loved ones interred in the cemetery are invited to come along during this time and tend to the graves for which they are responsible.

CCR Ltd will provide whatever backup assistance they can. Those who do not have grave plots in the cemetery but are interested in offering their services, should contact CCR Ltd 9061 3972

An invitation is extended to people from every denomination, church, community and family to join together to pray for our city, our community and our world.  On that day millions of people will be joining in united prayer.  

See parish website www.stolivers.org for further details.

The primary 4 children from our parish school will be celebrating the sacrament of First Communion on
Sunday 25th May at 2.30pm.

City Cemetery – Sunday 4th May at 3pm
Milltown - Sunday 11th May at 3pm
Hannahstown – Sunday 25th May
Rock/Tullyrusk – Sunday 1st June