Aspire to the Future
Preserving the Dream for Future Generations

   “ You see things; and you say, ‘why?’  But I dream things that never were; and say, ‘why not?’” These words are attributed to George Bernard Shaw, but they capture something that is deep within each person. Dreams are the driving force, which pushes us upward and forward. As far back as 1822 a small group of Catholics had a dream for Phibsboro.

They saw many thousands of people living in misery and squalor. Their homes were of mud-huts and the incidence of disease and crime was rampant, concern in the neighbourhood grew regarding the educational needs of the children. Within four years, schools were built on the present site of St Peters Church. These were opened in September 1826 for Sunday Catechism classes. The following year, a schoolmaster was engaged and a day school began for boys and girls and within a few months’ 230 boys and 160 girls were on the rolls.

Efforts were then made by the Committee, following the establishment of the schools, to get a priest to take charge of the work. The Rev. W. Young and the Rev. W. Carroll were persuaded to take up the work and were the first two priests at St. Peter's. They converted the upper storey of the school building into a Chapel. On Trinity Sunday 1827, Mass was celebrated on the present site for the first time.

In 1838 the Archbishop of Dublin and the Parish Priest of St. Paul's, Arran Quay, both expressed a wish that the newly formed Vincentian Community who themselves were fulfilling the dream of St Vincent De Paul should establish themselves in Phibsboro.

Since that time in history there have been many developments to the church and schools and each generation has played its part in adding their dream to the one which went before. The early years saw the Vincentians establish themselves through parish missions and the School for the Deaf in Cabra. In recent years we as a community have responded to the needs of the Elderly (St. Peter’s Club), the Homeless (Phibsboro Aid), the Nigerian Missions (Nigerian Mission Committee). We have also responded to the Travellers (Parish of the Travelling People), Refugees and Asylum Seekers through the work of the Vincentian Refugee Centre.

This weekend 8^th of July 2001 we are celebrating the achievement of our response to the challenge of protecting former dreams for future generations. Four years ago we faced the task of funding the major repairs to the roof of the church at a cost of £250,000. You responded magnificently to that challenge. I would like to take this opportunity to say well done on your achievement and thank you for your generosity and commitment. I would also like to praise you for the community spirit demonstrated over the last four years. Thanks to you the dream goes on and further generations will be able to make their contribution to the evolving mission of St. Peter’s, Phibsboro.

Sincerely
Sean Farrell, CM. Parish Priest.