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

World Meeting of Families 2018

The three day international conference on Family Life will be held just down the road from us at the RDS between August 22nd and August 24th. It is a significant historic event and important to Ireland.

The events need more volunteers. All parishes have been asked to announce the need for volunteers and host families for international visitors. Given our proximity to the RDS it is particularly appreciated when host families in Sandymount emerge. We thank those in our parish who have already committed to opening their doors in welcome.

​Schedule of events:
21st August: National Opening of WMOF2018. Simultaneously across Ireland every diocese will hold an opening ceremony. The Dublin Diocese will celebrate at the RDS AT 7pm. Alternatively parishes  or parish clusters are asked to hold an evening prayer ceremony, preferably with a social event included.
22nd to 24th: 3 Day Congress at the RDS. Each Day will reflect on the theme chosen by Pope Francis: ’The Gospel of the Family: Joy for the World’. It will include keynote speakers, workshops, talks, testimonies and discussions; an engaging programme for young people as well as fun activities for children. There will be a daily celebration of the Eucharist, prayerful activities, exhibitions, cultural events and musical performances.
25th August. Each parish is encouraged to schedule a morning Mass. There will also be a morning Mass at the RDS at 9.30am. The Pope arrives at Dublin Airport at 10.30am. His arrival and subsequent travels will be televised.
At 6.30pm a Festival of Families will take place at Croke Park-A reflective concert style event. Pope Francis is to arrive at 7.30pm. It is estimated that while the event is free, only about 30,000 tickets will be issued. Anyone who registers for the 3-day congress will automatically receive a ticket. So places otherwise are not assured.
Sunday 26th WMOF2018 will close with a Solemn Eucharistic Celebration with Pope Francis in the Phoenix Park at 3pm. Gates open in the morning. Tickets are free. Anyone registering for the 3day congress will automatically receive a ticket. Others will have opportunity to seek tickets on line at a later date. No more than 600,000 will be allowed into the Phoenix Park that day.
​To register for a ticket for the Mass in the Phoenix Park on August 26th please go to www.worldmeeting2018.ie and follow the instructions.
 
We will re-schedule Mass times in the Parish that weekend when we become more aware of the time implications in getting to the Phoenix Park.

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.

Church Flower Volunteers Needed
​
We are looking for volunteers to help with the flowers in the church.  You would be working in a group and would only have to volunteer for one month – two or three times in the year.
 
ABSOLUTELY NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY

Pope Francis’ Visit

​We rejoice  in the confirmation that Pope Francis will visit Dublin in August for the World Meeting of Families (WMOF).  He personally chose Ireland to host this event and we look forward to welcoming him.  His visit will be over two days and will see him attend a Festival of Families in Croke Park on Saturday August 25th and then lead the Final Mass on Sunday August 26th in the Phoenix Park.  There will be no charge for either of these events although tickets for the Croke Park event will be limited and will only be released at a later date, along with tickets for the Final Mass.
On Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of that week a Pastoral Congress will be held just down the road from us at the RDS.  If you’d like to attend all or part of this Congress, you may register through the website www.worldmeeting2018.ie.  Places for the Congress are limited but will guarantee a ticket for the Festival of Families and for the Final Mass led by Pope Francis.  Registering for the Congress will give assurance of your ticket for the Croke Park Festival of Families.  The Phoenix Part should hold all who come. 
Meanwhile you’ll find details at the back of the Church on how to become a volunteer at this significant event and on how to be a host family, offering the welcome of your home to people coming from around the world.  Window and car bumper stickers made available on St. Patrick’s Day are available also at the back of the church.

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

Dublin Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes
​If any of our parishioners who are ill or infirm would like to travel as invalid pilgrims with the Dublin    Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes, we would be happy to facilitate their doing so. The Pilgrimage takes place from September 7th to September 12th 2018. Application forms are available from the Parish office or from the Lourdes Pilgrimage Office, Holy Cross College, Clonliffe Road.  The invalids travelling with the Pilgrimage will be accommodated in the Accueil Notre Dame which is a residence close to the Grotto. To meet the requirements of the Medical Bureau in Lourdes a form, available in the Parish office, must be completed.

Centering Prayer – Summer Meeting in the Parish​
A centering prayer group will be meeting in the parish group room for 6 weeks every Tuesday 11.am to 12 noon from May 15th 2018. 
If you are interested in joining this group or finding out more about Centering Prayer – you are most welcome to join this group for these few weeks.
 Centering Prayer is a method of quietness and contemplation in the tradition of Christian contemplation developed (among others) by Fr. Thomas Keating, a Cistercian monk.  Contemplative Outreach is the spiritual network that supports Centering Prayer and more information is available on their website:  www.contemplativeoutreach.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:

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 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