“What are you giving up for Lent?” is a question we are all familiar with. Most of us have one or two ready answers to this question. Instead if you are asked “What are you taking up for Lent?” the response is more likely to be less certain if there is any response at all.

Well now you can do both! Below are some suggestions worth pondering on. If you put even one of them into practice during Lent you will have done something good and worthwhile on your journey to becoming a more Christ-like person.

Give up harsh words:
        Use generous ones.
Give up unhappiness:
        Take up gratitude.
Give up anger:
        Take up gentleness and patience.
Give up pessimism:
        Take up hope and optimism.
Give up worrying:
        Take up trust in God.
Give up complaining:
        Value what you have.
Give up stress:
         Take up prayer.
Give up judging others:
        Discover Jesus within them.
Give up sorrow and bitterness:
        Fill your heart with joy.
Give up selfishness:
        Take up compassion for others.
Give up being unforgiving:
        Learn reconciliation.
Give up words:
        Fill yourself with silence and listen to others.

Baptism
Welcome to Sam Rennicks, Isabelle Redmond baptised recently in our parish.

First Confessions
Tuesday 9th at 7.30 p.m. Pupils from St. Catherine's N.S.
Wednesday 10th at 7.30 p.m. Pupils from St. Brendan's N.S.

Liturgy Group
Meeting on Monday 8th March at 7.30 p.m. in the Church.

Lenten Garden
The Lenten Garden is located beside the Tabernacle and is a space for reflection during our Lenten Journey. The stones represent a barren place in some aspect of our lives. Lent is a time for taking stock and for changing anything in our lives that is keeping us from developing our loving relationship with God. You are invited to add a stone to the garden as we journey through Calvary to Easter Sunday.

Parish Pilgrimage to Lourdes
2nd September for 5 nights. €699 all inclusive full board in Hotel Solitude. Application forms in the church or from any member of the committee.

Daffodil Day - Friday 26th March
Daffodil emblems will be available throughout Rush.
Coffee morning in Mill Bank theatre from 9 a.m. All welcome.
Sunday 14th March - Sponsored walk commencing at Rush Sailing Club, at 3 p.m. Refreshments and novelties for all afterwards.

Living Links (Suicide Awareness)
Information Meeting on Monday 8th March at 7.30 p.m. St. Colmcille's Girls National School Swords. If you are interested in becoming a Living Links Volunteer (in supporting those who are concerned, bereaved, worried about suicide) please contact Sara on 8020484 or email smcintyre@fingalleaderpartnership.ie Website: www.livinglinks.ie

St. Joseph's School
St. Joseph's annual Spanish Exchange students and teachers arrive from El Prat on Monday 8th. Wonderful activities are arranged such as a trip to town, a song school and a trip to the Seamus Ennis Centre. The Irish students and their teachers will make the return trip to Spain on 19th April.
St. Joseph's talent show Friday 12th March 7 - 8.30 p.m. Students, parents, guardians all welcome. Entrance is free with a raffle on the night.

Shave or dye fundraising for cancer
Aoife De Faoite, Sophie Weldon and Laura Weldon would like to thank all their friends, family, neighbours, Principal and Teachers of Rush National School who helped them raise €575 for The Irish Cancer Society.

GROW
A special thank you to parishioners who generously contributed to the recent church gate collection, raising €485 for the organisation. GROW is a mental health organisation which helps people who have suffered or are suffering from mental health problems. Members are helped to recover from all forms of mental breakdown or indeed, to prevent such happening.

Art Exhibition
Blank canvas exhibition taking place during March, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. daily (Ex- Monday's) in Ardgillan Castle. Admission free.

Bulletin
Items for the parish bulletin may be emailed to rushparish@dublindiocese.ie or left in the letter box in the Church porch. Deadline is 12 noon on Friday. Include a name and contact number. Anonymous items are not accepted.