4th
Sunday of Lent
Sunday,
14th March 2010
Among his many talents, Jesus was a superb story-teller.
It would be difficult to identify His best story,
but today’s would rank near the top. It’s
the parable of the Prodigal Son.
The central figure is an attentive father, who is
a very good man – perhaps too good, when it
comes to catering to the whims of his two ungracious
sons with their radically opposing view of life. He
is generous, permissive and forgiving to the younger,
and self-effacing, patient and consoling to the elder.
Although the one is prodigal and the other paranoid,
the caring father is understanding and supportive
to both. Many applications can be and have been made
of this time-honored story, but in its current mid-Lent
context, it invites us to confidently approach our
forgiving Heavenly Father, who understands and loves
us dearly.
We may be like the younger brother, dissatisfied with
home life, carefree and irresponsible. He wasn’t
a bad kid – just restless and adventurous. He
did, however, insult his father grievously by asking
for his share of the inheritance – which customarily
was divided up only after the father’s death.
Perhaps he didn’t intend the insult, but asking
for his portion of the estate was like telling his
dad to drop dead. The father, no doubt shattered by
this impulsive brashness, still gave him the money.
Are we not like the insulting prodigal sometimes –
insensitively sinful toward God and others, while
considering ourselves clever and cool? Often those
we offend suffer in silence – like Jesus on
the cross. Lent calls us to a deeper appreciation
of others by looking beyond our own selfish attitudes.
Maybe we identify more closely with the older brother
– being withdrawn, unpopular, bitter and afraid
to mix with others. Perhaps, like him, we find security
in excessive devotion to duty and saving our money.
We may be critical of civil and church leaders and
mistrusting of people in general; thinking that those
who act friendly are only trying to take advantage
of us. Lent in this case invites us to open up, communicate
and share with our brothers and sisters, realising
that they love us for our own sakes and that the Father
loves us even more.
Whether prodigal or paranoid or whatever, we need
not feel rejected. Although our sins have told Jesus
to drop dead – which He did, but not for long
– He still invites us to return home any time
we’re ready. There’s more to life than
we find in the pig pen. The Father offers us a robe,
a ring and a roast dinner, with family and friends
around His table. Come on home!
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
SACRED SONG FOR LENT takes place
at 8pm on Tuesday 23rd March at the Pastoral Centre
at St. Mel’s College. This is an hour of music,
slides and reflection – a donation of five euro
for projects in developing countries is suggested.
All are most welcome to come along.
NIGHT PRAYER VIGIL - Clonmacnois,
Cluain Chiarain Prayer Centre on Fri. 19th Mar. Mass
at 10pm, Adoration follows, finishes at 3.10am. All
welcome. Info: Dave 085-7746763
CHRISTIAN MEDITATION GROUP continues
to meet each Tuesday evening from 7.15 – 8.00pm.
New venue from 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.
MASS TIMES
Monday 15th March – Sunday 21st March 2010
Mon
15 March
8am, 10am, 7.30pm St. Mel’s College Chapel
Tues
16 March
8am ,10 am St. Mel’s College Chapel
St.
Patrick’s Day
7.30pm Vigil St. Mel’s Cathedral Centre
Wed
17 March
8am St. Mel’s College Chapel
10am, 11.30am, 1pm St. Mel’s Cathedral Centre
Thurs
18 March
8am, 10am, 7.30pm St. Mel’s College Chapel
Fri
19 March
8am, 10am, 7.30pm St. Mel’s College Chapel
Sat
20 March
8am, 10am, St. Mel’s College Chapel
Sun
21 March
7.30pm Vigil St. Mel’s Cathedral Centre
8am St. Mel’s College Chapel
10am, 11.30pm, 1pm St. Mel’s Cathedral 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.
PALM SUNDAY, 28th MARCH – Palm
will be blessed on the sanctuary at the start of each
Mass. Parishioners can collect the palm outside the
churches after each Mass. Anyone wishing to donate
palm can do so by contacting the Sacristan.
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 Masses
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:
Thurs
25th March 8.00 p.m. Beatrice McDermott Dublin
Road South
Tues
23rd March 8.00 p.m. Breege O’Donnell
7 Laurel Avenue
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.
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
needed.
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. Dunnes Stores have
generously offered Console Sat 20th March for National
Bag Pack Day. Volunteers are 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
ARDAGH & CLONMACNOIS PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES
2010
27 May –
1 June, five nights, fully inclusive price €715.
Places available, please contact Joe Walsh Tours,
143 Lr. Baggot Street, Dublin 2. Tele 01 2410812,
2410811. Pilgrimage Director: Rt. Rev. Msgr. Bernard
Noonan, P.P., Moate, Co. West Meath. Tele: 090 6481180.
Director Invalid Section: V. Rev. Michael Scanlon
P.P., Cloghan, Co. Offaly: Tele 090 6457122.
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
GROW COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH MOVEMENT
meets every Tuesday evening at 7.30 pm in the Family
Centre. Further information: 087 8225797.
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 are on our website. 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.
LONGFORD
TOWN F.C. CAR BOOT SALE - Longford Town Supporters'
Club will be holding a Car Boot Sale this St Patrick's
Day at Flancare Park: 11am-3pm. The first three charity
stands registered are free. Your support would be
very much appreciated as all funds raised go to the
running of the local Longford Town FC.
LONGFORD FAMILY LEARNING, VEC, LONGFORD
- Longford Family Learning are running a ‘Cookery
on a Budget’ programme and a computer course
for adults in McEoin Community House. For further
information phone: Grainne 0894315996.
LONGFORD TOASTMASTERS – Visitors
welcome, no obligation to join on Thurs. 18 March.
Longford Arms Hotel 8.20pm. Contact John 086 8346559
or Eddy 085 1456832
