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

The Season of Creation
September 1st to the Feast of
St. Francis of Assisi on
​ October 4th

​The Season of Creation has a special significance for the Catholic Church since Pope Francis established September 1st as an annual “World Day for Prayer” for the care of creation.  The Season of Creation is celebrated throughout the Christian world from September 1st to the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi on October 4th.
 
The initiatives of Patriarch Bartholomew, of Constantinople, of Pope Francis – especially in his encyclical ‘Laudato Si’: On Care for our Common Home and of the World Council of Churches in Geneva have enabled the emergence of the Season of Creation as a global ecumenical event, inviting prayer and action from 5.5 billion Christians.  This year the global season began with an ecumenical prayer service in Assisi last weekend.
 
Copies of Pope Francis’ message, for this year’s Season of Creation with its particular focus on the gift of water, are available at the back of the church.  There, too, you’ll find a list of possible actions, suggested by the Catechetics Commission of the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference and the Prayer of Pope Francis that closed his encyclical on our duty of care for Creation.  In prayer, in education and in action let’s mark this global Season of Creation.

World Meeting of Families 2018

Official Family Prayer for
World Meeting of Families 2018​

​God, our Father,
We are brothers and sisters in Jesus your Son,
One family, in the Spirit of your love.
Bless us with the joy of love.
Make us patient and kind,
gentle and generous,
welcoming to those in need.
Help us to live your forgiveness and peace.
Protect all families with your loving care,
Especially those for whom we now pray:
(We pause and remember family members
and others by name.)
Increase our faith,
Strengthen our hope,
Keep us safe in your love,
Make us always grateful for the gift of life that we share.
This we ask, through Christ our Lord, Amen.
Mary, mother and guide, pray for us.
Saint Joseph, father and protector, pray for us.
Saints Joachim and Anne, pray for us.
Saints Louis and Zélie Martin, pray for us.

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
​New members are always welcome in our Choirs and this would be a good time for anyone who likes singing (you don’t have to be able to read music) to join. Choir membership involves a practice one Monday night per month and half an hour before 12 o’clock Mass on Sundays. New members welcome for both choirs. (children over 7 years).

Changes to Bus Routes

​The National Transportation Authority and Dublin Bus will hold a public information session in the Ballsbridge Hotel, Pembroke Road on Tuesday 11th September from 3.00 to 7.00pm.  The current proposal from the NTA is to put the No. 1 Bus out on the Beach Road leaving no service to Sandymount Village or to our Church.  The discontinuation of the No. 47 bus will mean no direct service to St. Vincent’s Hospital or UCD.
For more information about the Network Redesign visit:

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

Explorers

The Explorers are an inter-church scripture reading group. All are welcome. Bring your bible. Our first session will be held on Monday, 17th September at 7.30 - 9 p.m. in the Community Room of the Mount Tabor Day Centre next to Christ Church on Sandymount Green. For the first four sessions we shall focus on 'The Letter of St Paul to the Galations'. Our guide will be Professor Seamus O'Connell (Maynooth). Bring a friend. 

The Magnificat Group

​The Magnificat Group will resume their weekly Scripture / Prayer meetings on Monday 9th September from 3.30 - 4.30pm at the Franciscan Convent, 34 Gilford Road.  A big welcome to all persons interested in Gospel sharing. 

Parish Council​-New Members
Our Parish Pastoral Council has several members who will be completing their 3 Year Term and we are seeking new members to replace them.  The commitment of the Council members to the Parish community, and the community at large, is inspiring.  Perhaps you would like to consider giving your time and talent for the enrichment and betterment of our Parish community.   
All parishioners over the age of 18 years are eligible for election. We would welcome your prayerful consideration of the possibility that yourself or someone you know might be willing to serve the Parish on a three year term with the Parish Pastoral Council.  We meet once a month.  Nomination forms need to be submitted to the Parish office by November 5th.  The forms are available at the back of the Church and can also be downloaded here: 

Garda Vetting

As we begin September and the holiday season comes to a close we invite any members of the different teams serving the community as Readers, Eucharistic Ministers, Collectors, Catechists or Choir members over 18 years, to avail of a Garda Vetting form in the Parish office or Sacristy, if they haven’t already done so.  This applies to every volunteer who has not been vetted within the past 3 years.  Diocesan policy asks us as volunteers, staff and priests to be Garda Vetted every three years.

Sacramental Preparation
We thank the parents from St. Matthew’s School who came to the meeting in relation to Registration for pre-sacrament classes last Tuesday.  Organising these classes hinges on our establishing clear numbers in each class.  So far only 3 students registered for 5th class and it raises the question whether or not it calls for a special teacher, with so few coming forward.  If other parents besides those already registered intend their children to celebrate the sacraments in 2019 or 2020 we’d ask them to contact us urgently.
Parents whose children attend other schools but live in our parish and would like their children to celebrate the sacraments in our parish are asked to contact us in the Parish office.

Legion of Mary
Annual Knock Pilgrimage, Sunday, September, 30th. 
Coach departs from Star of the Sea Church at 8.30 a.m.
 Cost : €35 Adults, €10 Children, includes morning Coffee & evening meal. 
Contact : Anne 087 8374837 or call into bookshop on Saturday from 5:30 p.m.

​The Patrician meeting resumes on Thursday, 20th September at 8pm in the Parish meeting room, Star of the Sea church.  Topic for discussion : 'Knock apparition-it's significance'. All welcome- refreshments served.

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:

Seeking a Catechist

​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 re-opens for dinner on Tuesday 11th Sept. at 1.00pm.  Chair Exercises start at 11.45am and Tuesday afternoon Bridge at 2.30pm.  All welcome.

​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.

​Have you ever been to the Centre? Just on the corner of Newbridge Ave. Please know you’re welcome and transport can be arranged. Lunch is served on Mon, Tues, Wed and Fri at 12noon.

If you would like to make yourself available as a volunteer on an occasional basis, please contact Phyllis 087 6225471 or Claire 087 2368548. ​
IRIS CHARLES CENTRE MAP