Dear Parishioners,
The Easter celebrations end with the great solemnity of Pentecost when Christians recall the descent of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles (Acts 2:1-11) who were “cocooned” in one room awaiting the gift that Jesus had promised to send them. We place all our hope in the power of the Spirit at this time of pandemic that each of us and our family members may have good health. Over all these, we must welcome the gifts of the Holy Spirit who comes to help us in our weakness and helps us to pray. (Romans 8:22-27). This is a time to rely on the Spirit who builds up the people of God. A very happy Pentecost to you all notwithstanding the present danger from the pandemic.
Our great loss as a parish community is the inability to celebrate Mass publicly in the Church. This arises from the government-imposed restrictions on public gatherings. The restrictions are in place for our individual well-being as well as for our common good. We, as a nation, are giving a good example to our neighbours and to others in the rest of Europe, in actively co-operating in upholding conscientiously the restrictions, disagreeable as they may be to most people like ourselves.
I thank you for your financial contributions towards the upkeep of the Holy Family Parish and the Archdiocese of Dublin. Presently the Church and the parish office will remain closed to the public for the time being. When the crisis abates these services will be reinstated gradually, please God.
So far, you have contributed €5,800 towards Easter dues 2020. Both Christmas and Easter Dues together with the Common Fund (first collection), go towards the remuneration and upkeep of the priests in ministry as well as the support of the disabled, sick and retired priests. Since 9th March 2020, there have been no collections in the Church. This has resulted in a shortfall in the funds for the support of the clergy requiring a cut of 25% in their remuneration.
The income of the retired priests has been likewise cut.
Without the weekly collections, both the Common Fund and the Share Fund are heading for collapse because of lack of income. Share (second collection) contributes towards maintenance of the ancillary and administrative services of the Archdiocese.
Unless these services are subsidised from other funds, they cannot be sustained. I am grateful for your continued support of the parish through your contributions (weekly envelopes, standing orders, on-line donations etc) towards the Voluntary Family Offering (V.F.O.). This fund is retained in the parish main working account and keeps the wages of the parish employees, sacristans, secretary, caretaker paid and pays the ongoing expenses: heat, light, insurance, general maintenance, repairs etc.
I would like to thank all of you who have involved yourselves in the life of the parish in different ways. Some of you do so publicly while others may prefer to remain quietly “behind the scenes” dedicated to the enhancement of the Holy Family Parish Community. It could not successfully continue without your active support.
The draft statement of Financial Account for the year 2019 has been completed and submitted to the Dublin Archdiocese Audit Unit and their approval is awaited.
Kindly place your donation in the envelope provided and drop it into the letter box of house number 2 in the Church grounds. You might like to use the “Donate button” on the parish website (www.holyfamilyparish.ie) to contribute of the Common Fund and Share.
It is hoped to answer inquiries by telephone and email from 11.00 am to 12 noon Monday to Friday with effect from Tuesday 9th June 2020, (phone 01-2845299 / admin@holyfamilyparish.ie).
Let us look forward to the re-opening of the Churches and parish services towards the end of July, circumstances permitting. Thank you for your help and may God bless you all and keep you and your families in good health.
Yours sincerely
Fr. Michael O’Connor, Adm.