Christmas dinner served to 500 homeless people at the Capuchin Day Centre

Christmas Dinner at the Capuchin Day Centre

 

Today saw the annual Christmas Dinner at the Capuchin Day Centre, Dublin 7.

 

Ann (Chef) and staff dish up traditional turkey and ham with all the trimmings or cous-cous and Stuffed tomatoes as a vegetatian option.

 

 

Sitting down to dinner and listening to the entertainment.

 

I'm getting advice about real beard growing!

 

Queueing outside. There are 3 or 4 sittings between 1.00 p.m. and 4.00 p.m.

 

 

Theresa Dolan, Br. Kevin, and myself.

Christmas Blessings....

Every blessing and good wish of this most precious time be with you and your families. 

Today we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Saviour into this world. A moment in which the God of all Creation stoops down to meet us where we are....what a mystery, what a blessing, what a joy. 

As we come together to celebrate let us remember those who have nobody to celebrate with, those who are separated from their loved ones, those who are sick, those who are dying, those who are losing hope, those in darkness of whatever kind. Let us hold them gently and kindly in our hearts as Christ holds each of us.

Peace to you on this most Holy of nights and always

Br Martin

A Day in the Life.....

...Come and join us for a 'Day in the Life' of a Capuchin Friar, vocation experience on Saturday 26th of January 2013 in our Raheny Friary.

This is an opportunity to spend some time reflecting on what God is calling you to do. An opportunity to meet and talk with the Friars. To join us for meals and prayer.

God called St Francis of Assisi to 'rebuild His Church' and he calls men to continue that work today as Capuchin Franciscan Friars. If you feel that you have heard this call and are not sure what to do next, then this experience is for you.

To book a place please contact our vocations Director Br Terence Harrington on 086 3230638 or at tharr@eircom.net.

If you would like to spend some time in one of our Friaries through the country, to experience what it's like to be a Capuchin Friary today, then you are most welcome to contact us.

Dublin Gospel Choir in Church St.

The Capuchins in Church St have had a long association with the Dublin Gospel Choir. They sing at the Evening Mass on the first and third Sundays in each month. It has been a tradition each year to hold a special Mass in prepraton for Christmas on the third Sunday of Advent. An important part of the liturgy is the special Blessing for Children. This year was no exception and the Gospel Choir gave a concert after they sang at the Mass. The concert was free but people were asked to make a contribution to Br. Kevin's Capuchin Day Centre for Homeless, Dublin 7. As you can see from the pictures, there was standing room only and we had to open the gallery to provide further seating.

Along with their usual Gospel and Soul music, they also played Christmas Carols and Hymns. It was a nice way to celebrate Gaudete (Rejoicing) Sunday and continue our Advent Preparations for Christmas.

 

 

 

Full Church for Mass

 

Br. Richard preaching at the Mass

The Final Hymn of the Mass

The Concert

Pictures from the Gallery

 

See www.dublingospelchoir.com

www.Facebook.com/DublinGospelChoir

Twitter @DubGC

 

From the Irish Franciscan website

Miriam and her producer Eileen Heron with the Poor Clares.

 

We invite you to listen to the Galway Poor Clares,

Sr Colette and  Sr Anthony,

talking with Miriam O'Callaghan

on the very popular radio programme, 'Miriam Meets'.

 

The programme goes out from 10-11am on RTE Radio 1

on Sunday, 16 December.

 

 

Since their book, Calm the Soul, became a best seller,

the Poor Clares in Galway have attracted a lot of media attention.

 

The sisters discussed what their response should be

and have agreed to cooperate with this interest.

 

They view it as a means of reaching many people

to renew their hope and deepen their faith in Christ.

 

 

Spread the word!

World Day of Prayer for Vocations (2013) is launched...

Pope Benedict has launched World Day of Prayer for Vocations with this message....

"Vocations as a sign of hope founded in faith" is the theme of the 50th World Day of Prayer for Vocations, to be held on 21st April 2013. This worldwide day of prayer was instituted to ask God to continue to send workers for his Church.

A paragraph taken from the Pope's message for the 50th World Day of Prayer for Vocations  ... 

"Just as he did during his earthly existence, so today the risen Jesus walks along the streets of our life and sees us immersed in our activities, with all our desires and our needs. 

In the midst of our everyday circumstances he continues to speak to us; he calls us to live our life with him, for only he is capable of satisfying our thirst for hope. He lives now among the community of disciples that is the Church, and still today calls people to follow him. 

The call can come at any moment. Today too, Jesus continues to say, "Come, follow me" (Mk 10:21). Accepting his invitation means no longer choosing our own path. Following him means immersing our own will in the will of Jesus, truly giving him priority, giving him pride of place in every area of our lives: in the family, at work, in our personal interests, in ourselves. 

It means handing over our very lives to Him, living in profound intimacy with Him, entering through Him into communion with the Father in the Holy Spirit, and consequently with our brothers and sisters".

For the full message, click the following link; http://www.priestlyvocations.com/uploads/3/5/9/6/3596791/vocazioni_inglese_corretto.pdf

Isn't this lovely ....

                                                   Just take a look (only 54 secs.)
                                                      St. Francis would approve.

                                     
                                                         

Carol Service in Dublin City

The Annual Carol Service and Collection for the Capuchin Day Centre for Homeless took place on Saturday, December 8th 2012. A great tradition, so many Day Centre Volunteers, Friends, An Garda Siochána Community Policing, and Capuchin Friars join forces to help the homeless.

Three Choirs led the songs and Christmas Carols over the whole day from 9.00 a.m until 6.00 p.m. at the GPO in O'Connell St, Dublin and despite so many challenges people have to face, people once again were extraordinarily generous (watch this space for the final total contributed)

Br. Kevin and his staff and volunteers provide breakfasts for 200 people daily and dinner for up to 600 people, Mondays through Saturdays. On Wednesdays there are take-away groceries given out containing essentials such as cereals, perishables, fresh meats, bread, cheese and butter. There are counselling services and medical services available at the centre as well as shower and fresh clothes facilities. See www.homeless.ie for more...

Starting Early...

Crowds of shoppers passing the GPO

Later, Br. Kevin meets some collectors/volunteers who did trojan work

Br. Kevin leading the singing...

A selection of the Church Street Choir and friends

Wonderful spirit of volunteering among our young people

"So here it is...Merry Christmas..."

Br. Kevin, Anthony (Capuchin Postulant), and Br. Bryan at the GPO

 

Blessing of Crib at our Food Centre for the homeless

Brian Dunphy of "The High Kings" singing at the blessing of the Crib at the Capuchin Food Centre for the homeless in Church Street. With him is Br. Kevin and Fr. Bryan Shortall. Yesterday we distributed over 1,700 food parcels to those in need.

Vigil for Life

 

 

 

 

Some of the friars joined thousands of people from all over the country outside Dáil Eireann in a candlelight 'Vigil for Life' on Tuesday evening Decemcer 4th.

Welcome to our Advent Blog!!!

Today we celebrate the first Sunday of Advent. Advent is a time of anticipation, a time of waiting in readiness for the celebration of the birth of our Lord. 

Advent is a time of reflection, a time to hit the pause button for a while and look back on the past year.

As the Sunday's of Advent pass the light from the Advent wreath will grow brighter and brighter as we approach Christmas.

It is also a busy time for many as they prepare to celebrate with family and friends. It can be a very difficult time for others who may have lost friends or family members through the year and prepare to spend Christmas with an empty chair at the table. For those with no home it can be a time of isolation and fear.

But in darkness the Advent light shines brightly. This light is the light of Christ who has come into this word, a light, as St John tells us that no darkness can quench. 

This Advent maybe a time for us to be bearers of that light to others who may have a lot of darkness in their lives..to open our hearts to those less fortunate than we are...remembering that what we do to the least of our Brothers and Sisters we do to Christ. So as St Francis said' Hold back nothing for yourself from the One who gave everything for you'.

A blessed Advent

Br Martin