Masses Today

6.30: Tim Murray, (Anniv)
11.00 Teresa Tully, (Anniv)
6.30 Michael Mullins, (Anniv)

EVENTS THIS WEEK





AS I WAS SAYING...

Well, that was an interesting week! The whole question of Sunday parking in the city, and the implementation of an inflexible clamping practice has obviously struck a cord with a great many people. Journalists would not have taken up the issue if it were not an issue, if you know what I mean! And the fact that the issue was taken up by the national media suggests that the problem is not confined to Galway by any means.

Let's clear the decks from the outset. As is obvious from a solicitor's letter I received, the clamping people are not best pleased with the stance we have taken here. I would contend that the language used was colourful and robust rather than strong! There is no point in sending out anaemic nouns, verbs and adjectives to work energetically for you. The energy is not there. No one will pay a blind bit of notice to such rinsed language! And they are dead right.

However, that's a matter of style. Let's get to matters of substance. If the car of an old person attending Mass at the Augustinian Church is ever again clamped on a wet and miserable Sunday morning, the reaction from this little Newsletter will again be furious, intemperate, colourful, and sustained! From my point of view, it is irrelevant whether the car is parked in a disability bay or not. (The reason the car was parked in the disability bay is that there was a disability involved). And in the unlikely event of the Pope arriving on St. Augustine Street to apply the clamps, he too will be the recipient of an energetic, enraged outburst. In fact if this page remained silent while members of the congregation were being clamped, then we would be guilty of cowardice and indeed a dereliction of duty. Because the Pastor's duty to his flock doesn't end at the Church door.

Having said that, however, our problem ultimately lies with our elected representatives, the members of the City Council, rather than the clampers. The 'men in the front line', the clampers, function as mere 'Lightning Conductors' for the City Council. So ultimately our problem lies with the City Council. If the clampers appear to be inflexible in their implementing the rules, we must presume they are doing so at the behest of their paymasters. When the chips (or in this case, the clamps) are down, the buck stops with our elected representatives.

This of course is not a new problem. The problem was addressed here in this Newsletter more than once. If fact, over eighteen months ago, the Chairman of our Church Steering Committee wrote an 'official' letter of complaint to the City Council, appealing to them to do something about our parking problems here on Sunday morning. He explained there the disastrous effect that the practice of clamping parishioners' cars had on our Sunday congregations. All he got for his pains was an anodyne reply to the effect that 'the Traffic Department are looking into this matter!'

It is now up to everyone who has any influence with the City Council members to advocate the lifting of these parking restriction for Sunday morning. Such restrictions as absolutely unnecessary at that time. In fact they are counter-productive in that they alienate otherwise reasonable, moderate people.

-Dick Lyng.



Noel Hession

Dear Friends,

My internet connection has been very erratic since my return here after the recent break. So I was browsing through the 'Net' on Wednesday night last more in hope than in expectation. And then I happened on the news of the Table Quiz night. (It's a brilliant site now, by the way.) The Quiz was an astounding success! What a crowd! You must have done a major publicity push to get that many bums on seats. Well done and thanks very much indeed.

I must say I really enjoyed the photographs. I saw expressions of perplexion on the faces of people I never even thought got addled. Many thanks for the hard work and support. Be assured that it is very much appreciated.

Wishing one and all a very happy Christmas,
-Noel Hession

(Noel's new email address is nhession@mnb.satnet.net)



Move on Church Renovation

Over the last six weeks we have been actively seeking out an Architect to take on the Church Renovation. Our stated intention from the beginning was to engage a local Architect. The advantages of engaging a local figure are too obvious to state here.

However, when our Project Group examined the portfolios submitted, one individual seemed to fit our requirements precisely. He is a Dublin man, Richard Hurley, and he is perhaps Ireland's most experienced and prominent Church Architect.

His track-record is impressive indeed. He has been involved in Church architecture for over thirty years. He has successfully carried out work over the entire spectrum of liturgical projects: new churches, re-ordering of existing churches, seminaries, monastic buildings and cathedral projects. In all, he has been associated with over 100 Church projects.

He has received numerous awards for Church architecture: the R.I.A.I. Regional Award for the Cathedral in Cork; UK Civic Trust Award for sanctuary design and furnishings in St. Brigid's Church, Belfast; the R.I.A.I. Conservation Award for the Honan Chapel, University Church, Cork; Regional Award for his work on St. Mary's Oratory, St. Patrick's College, Maynooth. He current Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Sacred Art and Architecture to the Irish bishops.

We are very lucky to have this man on board. Our church is in safe hands. He will begin his preliminary work immediately. He estimates the entire project will take one year to complete.





Tree of Remembrance in Bohermore

A 'Tree of Remembrance' in the New Cemetery for the Christmas season. This tree will be placed immediately inside the gates in commemoration of our loved ones. All are welcome to bring along a red ribbon and attach it to the tree.





Seasonal Music

A local music ensemble called Cór na Mara have just launched their new CD 'Realt na Nollag' and they are extremely proud of same. Why not share in their pride by putting your money where their mouths are at the Priory Office!





ADVENT AND CHRISTMAS: 2002

ANNUAL MASS OF GIVING:
Sunday, December 15th at 11.00

ANNUAL CHILDREN'S MASS:
Sunday, December 22nd at 11.00

CONFESSIONS:
Friday 20th: 12.00-12.30; 4.30-5.30.
Saturday 21st: 11.30-12.30; 3.30-4.30; 7.00-7.30.
Monday 23rd: 11.30-12.30; 3.30-5.30; .
Tuesday 24th: 11.30-1.00; 3.00-4.00.

PENITENTIAL SERVICES:
Saturday, 21st at 5pm;
Monday, 23rd at 7.30pm
Tuesday, 24th at 4.30pm.

CHRISTMAS MASSES:
12.00 Midnight.
11.00am.

Thursday, (26th Dec.) to Wednesday (Jan. 1st) (Inclusive)
One Mass daily: 11.00am

Sunday, 29th:
Usual Sunday Programme
Normal Programme resumes on Thursday, January 2nd.




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