A Chara,
This year we are marking something very special in the 90th and 70th Anniversaries of the opening of the Churches of Christ the King in Cabra and The Most Precious  Blood in Cabra West. In our celebrations we will be honoring the memories of the people, families, priests and religious who have lived, worked and prayed here over those years and looking to sow good seeds for the future.

In the early years of the twentieth century the city centre was filled with overcrowded houses where several generations of a family lived together. In a report compiled for Archbishop Byrne for the establishment of the new Parish of Cabra it said “We have to thank the kindly activities of our City Fathers who within recent years have done so much for the relief of many congested portons of our city. May they continue this good work until every slum and tenement have been cleared and all our population are properly and suitably housed.” (Fr. J.J. Flood 1932)
And so Cabra was born, extending quickly into Cabra West.

Over the years these Parishes have been known for a strong sense of community spirit, where people looked out for each other and helped one another. That spirit is very much alive today. It is an area that has a rich sporting tradition and has been called “the home of Irish soccer.” It continues to have thriving sports clubs
and our GAA Club Naomh Fionnbarra is at the centre of the community.

The two Parishes have been at the heart of the lives of the families here. It is here that baptisms, holy communions, confirmation, weddings, ordinations and religious professions have taken place. It is from here that so many have gone home to God. The spirit of our Parishes has been built on the gospel values of the greatest commandment, to love God and to love our neighbour. In looking back at all the people who have been involved in the Parishes in so many different ways we have a great foundation to build on.

In this year of marking the 70th and 90th anniversaries of the opening of our Churches we are very aware of the changing times that we are in and the challenges that we face as parishes. Throughout the year there will be several different projects which will build up our parishioners, reach out to all families in the area and respond in our way to the climate crisis that we are living in.

Earlier in the year we began a bio-diversity project which saw the planting of fruit trees and native hedging in the grounds of Christ the King. Later in the year we will plant wildflowers at the railings in Precious Blood as well as sowing crocus bulbs and native hedging at the back of the Church.

A visitation outreach will take place from the 16th September to the 7th October, during which every home in the Parish will be visited and this book given as a gift. From the 7th to the 15th October we will have our Parish Retreat and details of this will be given with this book.

On the 24th September Archbishop Farrell will celebrate the 11:30am Mass in Most Precious Blood and will commission our NET Ministries team who will be reaching out to the young people of our Parishes.

Today we face changes as we have begun a time of renewal in the Archdiocese of Dublin. The celebration of our 90th and 70th Anniversaries is not about looking backwards, it is about reaching out to all the people who live in this area. It is offering the hand of friendship and welcome. It is offering the message of Jesus Christ by our actions and our words.

As we move forward changes will happen. The two Parishes are now served by one team of priests, deacon and parish sister. The Pastoral Councils are working closely with each other and parish groups are being formed together. In our partnership we are also beginning to plan and work with Navan Road and Phibsboro so that together we can create a living faith community to carry us forward.

In the vision for renewal Archbishop Farrell says “While creating opportunities for parishes to collaborate and share in parish partnerships, we are also focusing on strengthening the ability of parishes, rooted in their own communiFes, to be effecFve agents of accompaniment and pastoral care into the future.”

This year there is a lot to celebrate and a lot to do as we respond to the signs of the Fmes. We pray that it will be a Fme of grace as we share in the mission of
Jesus Christ in our Fme in this place. With every blessing on you and your family.
Fr. Paul Thornton, P.P.