Visit Seven Churches!
The Church is the people who are members of the body of Christ. Church buildings are where we gather (“congregate”) as a united people to celebrate what God has done for us in Jesus Christ.
There is an ancient tradition of visiting seven churches on Holy Thursday. It may have originated from a 4th century Christian tradition of a pilgrimage to about 40 different churches around Rome during Lent. (See http://www.romanpilgrimage.com/)
In Holy Week 2020, because of the Coronavirus pandemic, we are asked to remain at home out of care and love for our neighbours, as is happening in most parts of the world. For this reason, we do not gather as a congregation as we normally would.
Instead, you may like to visit seven churches in the neighbourhood of the Parish of the Ascension of the Lord in Balally, by going to their websites and spending some time at each, praying for the people of each parish.
Where were you baptised?
Since Holy Week and Easter are a time for celebrating the new Christian life which Jesus offers and which we began at Baptism, you might like to begin with a visit on-line to the church where you yourself were baptised, wherever in the world it may be: an internet search may help you find the website.
Then, in whatever order you wish, spend a little time with the Seven Churches which follow. The website is given, and the web address for their live webcam.
Or choose any churches which have significance for you.
Church of the Ascension of the Lord, Balally:
www.balallyparish.ie/
https://www.churchservices.tv/balally
St. Mary’s, Sandyford:
www.sandyfordparish.org
http://www.churchservices.tv/sandyford/
Holy Cross Church, Dundrum:
www.dundrumparish.com
https://www.dundrumparish.com/webcam/
St John the Evangelist, Ballinteer:
www.ballinteerparish.ie
https://www.mcnmedia.tv/camera/st-john-the-evangelist-church-ballinteer
St Laurence O’Toole, Kilmacud:
www.kilmacudparish.com
Kilmacud parish works with Mount Merrion parish, which has a webcam:
https://www.mountmerrionparish.ie/webcam/
Church of the Divine Word, Marley Grange.
http://www.marleygrangeparish.ie/our-parish/web-cam/
Church of our Lady of Perpetual Succour, Foxrock:
https://foxrockparishchallenges.com/home/webcam/
Chuch of the Guardian Angels, Blackrock:
https://www.mcnmedia.tv/cameras/church-of-the-guardian-angels-blackrock-dublin