3rd Sunday of Lent

Sunday, 7th March 2010

LENT IS A TIME TO LEARN TO TRAVEL LIGHT

We are presented with a parable about a Fig Tree which no longer bears fruit. We are like the fig trees and the fruits represent the gifts that we have from the Holy Spirit and God. This weeks Gospel reminds us of the responsibility that we have during the time of Lent. This responsibility involves giving time and making space. We need to “unclutter” our mind, body and heart, in order to create a pathway to our inner self. It is here that we bear the fruits of God such as love, patience, forgiveness, ministry to others, self-control and compassion.

Let us observe Lent in a positive light instead of being concerned about the things we have given up. We need the space and time to see that our relationship with God regularly needs revitalisation. What is it in your spirit that needs to return to life like the fig tree?

GOSPEL OF LUKE – Sr Anna Burke & Fr Padraig Kelliher conclude their look at the Gospel of Luke at the Diocesan Pastoral Centre, St. Mel’s College next Monday 8th March at 8.00pm. Please feel free to come along.

LONGFORD PRAYER GROUP meet this Monday at 8.00 pm in St. Joseph’s Hospital. All are welcome to come along as we pray for family, friends and all the people of our community.

GROW COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH MOVEMENT meets every Tuesday evening at 7.30 pm in the Family Centre. Further info: 087 8225797.

CRY OF THE EARTH – The Bishops’ Conference issued a Pastoral Reflection “The Cry of the Earth” urging us to respond to the distress of our planet. A series of talks is being held at the Diocesan Pastoral Centre, St. Mel’s College. The final speaker is Hugh Hanley on Tue. 9th March at 8.00 pm. All are welcome.

STATION MASSES: The time has now come to have the Spring Station Masses in our Parish. It’s a lovely tradition to host a Station Mass in your home and to pray and share hospitality with neighbours and friends. If you would like to volunteer, the priest of your area would be delighted to hear from you. The following Station Masses have been booked:

Fri. 12th March 8.00 p.m. Alan Kenny Viewmount

Fri. 12th March 8.00 p.m. Declan & Elizabeth Yorke Clonterm

CHRISTIAN MEDITATION GROUP continues to meet each Tuesday evening from 7.15 – 8.00pm. New venue from this Tuesday 9th March: The Prayer Room, St. Mel’s College (entrance front door of College). “Come Apart and Rest Awhile” – whether you have experienced meditation before or are just beginning everyone is most welcome.

 

CONSOLE support the Suicide Bereaved as well as those people who are suicidal. Console, along with the 3T’s, have launched a 24 hour Suicide Prevention Helpline entitled 1Life on 1800 247 100: this compliments Console’s existing Postvention Service. Dunnes Stores have generously offered Console Sat. 20th March for National Bag Pack Day. Volunteers urgently needed at local level. If you could volunteer alone or as part of a group please contact Ciaran Tighe on 01 6102638 or email ciaran@console.ie.

 

TRÓCAIRE would like to thank everyone for their huge generosity to the Haiti appeal. Donations from the Irish public have surpassed all expectations - ROI: €3,486,815 and NI: Stg £979,643. Thanks to this support Trócaire will help thousands of Haitians rebuild their lives.

Also this Lent Trócaire reminds us that, while earthquakes and natural disasters attract global attention, there are millions of people around the world who will go to bed hungry tonight. During Lent over 600,000 children will die from hunger and disease. The number of people killed in the Haitian earthquake is less than half that number. This hunger crisis is taking place away from the TV cameras and global attention, in small, rural villages all over the developing world. Please support Trócaire’s Lenten campaign this year.

Mass Arrangements

We appreciate your patience and ask that you continue to help us by observing the following points when parking at St. Mel’s Cathedral Centre:

Car Parking - A short term policy has been put in place which is as follows:

Inevitably there may be teething problems in these arrangements and we would appreciate your patience. We would encourage as many as possible to park outside of the college grounds and make their way to the college on foot. The walk down the avenue is very beautiful!

Mon 8 to Fri 12 March 8am, 10am, 7.30pm St. Mel’s College Chapel

Sat 13 March 8am, 10am, St. Mel’s College Chapel

7.30pm Vigil, St. Mel’s College Sports Centre

Sun 14 March 8am St. Mel’s College Chapel

10am, 11.30pm, 1pm St. Mel’s College Sports Centre

*There is also Mass every day, except Saturdays, at 11am in St. Joseph’s Hospital Chapel.

Confessions on Saturdays 10.30am - 1pm and 6.30 - 7.30pm at St. Mel’s College Chapel.

No Smoking Regulations – Please note that because St. Mel’s College Chapel and Sports Centre are on School grounds it is illegal to smoke in the area. We would ask all parishioners to observe this rule out of courtesy to the College staff and students.

 

AFTER MASS CUP OF TEA - The Parish hosts a Friday morning cup of tea in the Pastoral Centre at St. Mel’s College on each Friday morning. We are always pleased to see people come along and share a cuppa and a chat after morning mass. St. Mel’s College have kindly offered all Mass goers an invitation to the John Gerety Hall after 10am Mass for tea or coffee each day.

 

LONGFORD BRANCH OF CHILDREN OF CHERNOBYL are currently recruiting families to host children during the month of July. For more information please contact Joan at 043 3345021 or 085 8372144. AGM on Mon. 8th March at 8pm in the Family Centre, All welcome

 

CHURCH GATE COLLECTIONS - Many charities and community groups benefit from the tradition of holding Church Gate collections. Strictly speaking such collections do not fall within the remit of the Church since they involve receiving a permit from the Garda for a Street collection. Obviously since our relocation to St. Mel’s College circumstances have changed and the question arises as to where Church Gate collectors should be located.

Clearly there is a balance to be found between the needs of the collectors and the freedom of people to enter Church without feeling obliged or embarrassed into supporting any particular collection.

We have decided on a trial basis to nominate two collection points within the grounds of the college. These positions are adjacent to the end of the new footpath and at the basketball area of the college. We will mark these places clearly in the near future and ask all collectors to collect at these positions only.

While we are happy to facilitate the collections it is important that mass goers have a free choice as to whether they wish to contribute or not. We will review this policy on an ongoing basis into the future and will amend the arrangements if there is need to do so.

PARISH WEBSITE - WWW.LONGFORDPARISH.COM – More photos taken recently by Tiernan Dolan from inside the Cathedral itself and from our new Cathedral Centre at St. Mel’s College. Please click on the “Images after the fire” gallery which can be found at the bottom of the parish website homepage. Also check out the News Updates for the latest parish info.

 

ACCORD Marriage Care Service is seeking graduate counsellors to train as Marriage/Relationship Counsellors. If you are warm, genuine, flexible and willing to support and carry out our vision and mission you are welcome to apply. Applications must be submitted by 31st March 2010. Information is available at www.accord.ie/ Joining Accord/Becoming a Counsellor. Longford Centre: Mon – Fri 11.30 -13.30 @ 043 3347222.

THE NAVAN SWING BAND are appearing at the Longford Arms Hotel on Sat. 13th March at 10.30pm. Adm. €15.00. Proceeds in aid of Scoil Mhuire Secondary School. All welcome

 

 

We welcomed the following children into our Christian Community:

Sophie Maguire, Farnagh

Amy Nevin, The Quays

Please pray for our departed parishioners:

Sheila O’Brien (nee McNerney) formerly Templemichael Tce.
who died in U.K.

Colm Foudy, St. Mary’s Terrace