Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28
Outreach To Those in Need
St. Vincent de Paul
The St. Vincent de Paul in Ashbourne was founded by our first parish priest, Fr. Martin Burke, in 1983. Our parish supports the work of this lay charitable organisation by helping it with its fundraising activity. Our parish allows the St. Enda Conference to place billboards on our church railings on the days prior to Christmas, and we facilitate the return of people’s financial donations through the church. We also encourage people to support the charity by donating goods and shopping in the local SVP shop in Unit 6 of Killegland House on Killegland Street.
On September 27th, each year, our parish celebrates the feast of St. Vincent de Paul and draws attention to outreach to the less well-off. The Saint Vincent de Paul organisation has a strong tradition of helping local families and individuals in economic need with food, fuel and education costs. It works off the premise that what is fundraised locally is spent on local needs.
Trócaire
Trócaire was founded by the Irish bishops in 1973 to give financial aid to those in need in the developing world. It has helped many communities in Africa, Asia and the Middle East.
Every Lent, Ashbourne Parish collects for the organisation by distributing Trócaire boxes, holding a collection on Holy Thursday and highlighting the work of Trócaire.
Trócaire ambassadors work in our parish, highlighting the charity’s outreach. When there is a particular international aid appeal, we help Trócaire and the Irish Church respond to the situation.
Bereavement Support
Our parish seeks always to support the bereaved and those hurt by the loss of a loved one. Masses in Ashbourne and Donaghmore Churches throughout the year are offered for the deceased.
Our weekly vigil mass on a Saturday evening is offered for all those whose anniversaries occur at that time. At this weekly Shared Intention Mass prayers are offered both for the bereaved and the deceased and a member of the bereaved family carry forward a lit candle to the altar. The candle is a reminder of the eternal light of Christ and our journey towards God.
Ashbourne Parish also organises an annual November Mass on the Vigil of Feast of Christ the King for those who have died over the past year. At this Mass prayers are offered for those who grieve, and words of comfort given.
Our priests meet those struggling with loss and they help organise professional counselling for those who wish to take this step.
Aid to the Christians in the Holyland
Our parishes support our fellow Christians, sometimes called the ‘living stones’, in the Holy Land. Every Good Friday, a collection is taken up and forwarded through diocesan channels to the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem. Local members of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem also support this pastoral outreach.
