​​Welcome to St. Mary's Star of the Sea, Sandymount
A warm welcome to the website of St Mary’s, Star of the Sea Parish, Sandymount. 
Our parish was constituted in 1851 to meet the needs of a growing population in Sandymount – Irishtown. The foundation stone of a new church was laid in that year and in August 1853 the church was officially opened. Designed by J.J. McCarthy, of the Pugin neo-Gothic school, Star of the Sea has served the people well in Sandymount and Irishtown over the years and they in turn have looked after it in its beauty and prayerful atmosphere. 
The gatherings for the liturgy are creative of a community in touch with God and with each other. 
We hope you’ll find our website interesting and helpful. Don’t hesitate to contact us if we can be of any further assistance to you. 
Yours sincerely,
Fr. John Mc Donagh P.P

Parish Pastoral Council

​The Parish Pastoral Council will meet on Monday, 9th September,  at 7.30pm in the Parish Meeting rooms.

Sandymount Matero Friendship Programme

​Small change collection boxes can be returned to the Matero collectors at the church next weekend, 14th / 15th September.

Well Deserved 

​Many of our parishioners over the years have merited a ‘well done’ accolade.  We are in debt to all who voluntarily commit themselves to serve the parish community in a host of different ways.
 
When Paddy Kavanagh reluctantly, and with doctor’s direction, reached a time to ‘step back,’ it brought to a close a service which Paddy had given over a span of seventy years.  Apart from a short time spent outside his parish, Paddy was altar server, church collector, assistant sacristan and latterly assisted at every Baptism in the parish.  Anxious to mark his long years of service the pastoral council decided to petition the Benemerenti Medal for him.
 
Bob Harewood has been our wonderful sacristan since the death of a great servant of the parish, Margaret O’Doherty, nine years ago but over many years, like Paddy, he has been consistently present to help, counting and banking Sunday collections and ready to stand in whenever and wherever there was a need.  We greatly appreciate Bob’s great commitment to the parish in a totally voluntary capacity with kindly cheerful disposition.  We readily sought that he also should be honoured with the Benemerenti Medal. 
 
It’s a Pontifical medal requested by the Archbishop on behalf of each recipient and a limited number are awarded yearly.  We are delighted that both Bob and Paddy have been honoured and were presented with Benemerenti Medals at the end of the 12 o’clock Mass on Sunday, 9th June.  

Baptism Certificate Request​

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Under our GDPR Policy a request for Baptism certs must be accompanied by a completed form either by the adult person requesting his or her own Baptism cert or by the parent requesting a son or daughter’s Baptism certificate.  Parents of children preparing for First Communion and for Confirmation will accordingly need to complete that form when seeking , as is required, their child’s certification of Baptism.  This applies to every parish in the Diocese.

Our Parish Choirs
​First rehearsal for the children’s choir is on Monday 9th September at 6.00pm.  New members very welcome.
The same welcome will be there for new members in the adult choir.  They practice for a half hour before Sunday Mass and for an hour once a month, usually on the first Monday of the month.  However this month it will be on the 9th at 7.00pm.

Parish Pastoral Council AGM Minutes 2018

Mass and Confession Times:

Sunday
Vigil: 6.00 p.m (Saturday)
9:00 a.m. Mass
10.30 a.m    Family Mass
12.00 noon  Choir Mass  (Choir away during July and August)
Weekday
7.30 a.m.
Mass
10.00 a.m.
Mass
Saturdays:
10.00 a.m.: Mass
(6.00 p.m. Sunday Vigil) : Mass
First Fridays:
7.30 a.m. Mass
10.00 a.m. Mass
Confessions
Saturdays:
After 10.00 a.m Mass
And at 5.30 p.m 
Open Hours:
Weekdays: 7:15am to 5:30pm
Saturday:  9:15am to 7:00pm
Sunday: 8:45am to 7:00pm
Sacrament of Marriage:
Please contact the Parish Office at 668-3316.
Click on the blue buttons below for more information

Legion of Mary – Knock Pilgrimage
Sunday 29th September 2019     
       

​Bus departs from Star of the Sea Church, Sandymount at 8.15 am
Cost: Including morning coffee& evening meal
Adults = €40,  Children = €20 (under 8 free)
Contact:  Anne: 087 8374837 or 01 2838178

Scripture / Prayer Group

​The Franciscan Sisters Scripture / Prayer Group meetings will resume on Monday, 9th September from 3.30 – 4.30pm.  Using the Sunday Scriptures, the group meets to read, reflect and pray.  A warm welcome awaits those wishing to join with them in experiencing “the Joy of the Gospel”.
Venue:  Franciscan Convent, 34 Gilford Road.
Tel: 01 2691923.

Sacramental Preparation

Families whose children may not be attending a Catholic school, who live in the parish and wish that a child is prepared for First Communion, First Reconciliation and Confirmation are reminded that they should register their intention two years in advance of sacramental celebration.  For children attending non-faith schools, they should contact their parish of residence.  During September parents wishing that a child participate in our parish programme of preparation should contact the Parish office.  Classes for children attending St. Matthew’s school will resume in coming weeks, after registration.

Church Notice Board

​Details of two new courses beginning in October are on the Church Notice Board:
Faith for Life – Deepening the connection between Faith and Life is a course run over four weekends to help you discover new ways to live out your faith in the reality of today’s world through relationships in family, parish, workplace, and the events of daily life.  The course costs €200 and places are limited.  For further information- Tel: 01-8373732 ext 247/239 or  email: evangelisation@dublindiocese.ie.
 
Active8 – 8 sessions over 8 months 8 new ways of sharing Good News, in Holy Cross Diocesan Centre on 2nd Oct, 6th Nov, 15th Jan, 12th Feb, 11th Mar, 1st April, 6th May, 10th June all at 7.30-9.30pm.  For those who are 30-55 years old who want to grow in skills of sharing faith.  Price €80 and places are limited.  Contact: mary.dent@dublindiocese.ie

General Data Protection Regulation
​The new European Data Protection law, the General Data Protection Regulation (“GDPR”), is being introduced on 25th May 2018.  This new law applies to any organisation, including our parish that manages and processes people’s personal information.  We are now working on ways of ensuring that what we do with your information is compliant with this new law.  It is a work in progress and over the next few months we will keep you informed through the parish website and in the newsletter as policies are put in place.  Click on the Button below to view the Parish Data Privacy Notice:
​There may be a Primary School Teacher in our community who would like to be involved in the classes for children attending St Matthew's School and preparing for First Penance, First Communion and Confirmation. Classes are held on Thursdays, from around 3.45 to 5.15. If so, please contact the Parish Office or Fr John.

A Jesuit Publication for your home

​Why not have a look at one issue.  You might find it’s like a spiritual “Readers Digest”.  There’s something for everyone: chatty articles, accessible theology, out-loud thinking on spiritual questions and serious issues, comforting news, art appreciation, a kid’s page (with puzzles and jokes) gardening hints, seasonal recipes and a challenging crossword.  

The Iris Charles Centre

The Centre will re-open on Tuesday next, 3rd September.  Dinners will be served at 1.00pm.
Chair exercise will continue from 11.45 to 12.45pm.
Afternoon Bridge will also resume on Tuesday at 2.30pm.
New members are always welcome – with or without a Bridge partner.  If you would like to make yourself available as a volunteer on an occasional basis, please contact Phyllis 087-6225471 or Claire 087-2368548.

​​The Iris Charles Centre is one of our local gems with a dedicated group of people running it. Senior Citizens can meet and enjoy a great lunch or participate in a range of organised activities. The Centre also hosts a Bridge evening every Thursday beginning at 7:00pm for both experienced and novice players.  All are welcome.
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IRIS CHARLES CENTRE MAP