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Welcome to the Rahan Parish Website. Click for a brief description of the Parish.
Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time February 5th 2012.
Jesus dealt with pressure by withdrawing from the crowd to the place of prayer. It is a great start to the day to groom ourselves for the tasks ahead in the mirror of prayer. We see that our day will be lived in a constant relationship with God. In these extroverted times, mass popularity and fame are regarded as highly desirable. But Jesus found that celebrity status hindered his mission. His church is not in the business of courting popularity, sailing with the winds of passing fashion or following opinion polls. Its call is to proclaim the truth, in season or not.
Here we recap once again the varies stages of the work on the Island Church latest project. A big thank you is due to all the volunteers who have helped by giving so generously of their time and to those from all parts of the parish who contributed towards the cost of the project.






Visit of Bishop Michael Smith:
Bishop Michael Smith will offer Mass in The Island Church at 6pm on Saturday 11th February. Thanks to each and every person who has worked so hard to bring the work on the sacristy, meeting room and toilets to completion. Bishop Smith will open the new Island Church Development at the end of Mass. Well done to members of the Building Committee and voluntary helpers and all those who contributed financially to the project. People from the whole parish and surrounding parishes are welcomed to this celebration on the evening of 11th February.
Parish Newsletter 5th Feb. 2012
Reflection on The Sunday Readings
Parish Newsletter 28th Jan. 2012
Parish Newsletter 22nd Jan. 2012
Parish Newsletter 15th Jan. 2012
Parish Newsletter 8th Jan. 2012
Parish Newsletter 1st Jan. 2012
Parish Newsletter 25th Dec. 2011
Parish Newsletter 18th Dec. 2011
Parish Newsletter 11th Dec. 2011
For Daily/Sunday Readings & Reflections
Fr Seamus Dunican Remembered on 2nd Anniversary of his death. Photo in Killina at Fr Seamus' grave are Fr Martin Carley, who succeeded Fr Seamus as P.P. of Rahan Parish, Michael Dunican, Fr Seamus' brother and U.N. Veterans from Post 27 Portlaoise: Joe McEvoy, Alberto Candies, Tony Flanagan, Jimmy Sheils and Michael Thompson.
Fr. Seamus Dunican was Army Chaplain in Gormanstown from the 1/10/1981 until 1/8/91. During that time he served 3 times in the Lebanon with the 54th, 59nd & 64 Irish Battalions. Fr. Seamus was member of the United Nations Veterans Association which has Posts around the country. He was also a member of Post 27 which is based in Portlaoise. Michael Thompson from this Post made the presentation (posthumous) on Sunday last to Fr. Seamus’ brother Michael Dunican. The medal which was presented is known as the United Nations Peacekeepers Medal which was introduced in 1989 it may be awarded to a member or former member of the Defence Forces or to a member or former member of the Chaplaincy Service.
Statement from Catholic Communications Office: Re celebration of the Sacraments, and the commercial costs facing families.
The primary focus of First Holy Communion is the reception of the Body of Christ by the child for the first time; and, on the continued growth of the spiritual life of the child.
The First Holy Communion and Confirmation ceremonies are important days - landmark days - and should be memorable, proud and happy occasions for the child, her/his parents, grandparents, sponsor, brothers, sisters, classmates and school.However all the pressure of trying to make these sacramental days special for the child can cause parents a lot of stress.
Bishops, priests and schools are very concerned about the cost issue facing parents with children for First Holy Communion and/or Confirmation and have discussed this matter in parishes.If the emphasis for sacramental preparation is placed on commercially related concerns, rather than on the spiritual significance of the sacrament, then it is not a good preparation for Catholic children.
Dates to keep in mind.
Do this in memory: We welcome the children their parents and teachers of the two primary schools of the parish for their “Do this in Memory” programme which takes place today at 10.30am in Killina and 12nooon in Mucklagh.
Saturday 11th Feb 2012: Official opening and Blessing of new Sacristy in The Island Church by Bishop Michael Smith.
Confirmation Enrolment Ceremony for Children in Class 6 in Mucklagh/Rahan who will be receiving this Sacrament of on the 6th May will take place at Masses, 10.30 Killina and 12.00 Mucklagh on Sunday 12th Feb. 2012, many thanks to their teachers and family members for their preparation and great support.
The date for the Celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation next year is on the 6th May 2012.
First Holy Communion in Killina will be on Saturday 12th May 2012.
First Holy Communion in Mucklagh will be on Saturday 19th May 2012.