Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

Sunday, 17th January 2010

SECOND READING 1 Corintians 12:4-11

There is a variety of gifts but always the same Spirit; there are all sorts of service to be done, but always to the same Lord; working in all sorts of different ways in different people, it is the same God who is working in all of them.

FIRE AT ST.MEL’S

Christmas Day 2009 will never be forgotten by the people of Longford and the diocese of Ardagh and Clonmacnois. We have all been deeply shocked and numbed by the disastrous fire that engulfed our beloved St. Mel’s Cathedral in the early hours of that morning. As we stood in the streets on that cold morning there was a great outpouring of community grief and loss.

Alongside that great loss was a wonderful sense of togetherness, support and care. That is something that we at the Presbytery are deeply grateful for and is something that has given us strength and energy at this difficult time. Last week the Garda confirmed that the cause of the fire was accidental. We have yet to receive any further details.

All the early indications are that the main structure that we’ve known and loved all our lives is safe. The current work is about safeguarding the property, ensuring that it is safe to enter and salvaging whatever of artistic value remains after the fire.

There were two very prestigious stained glass windows from the Harry Clarke studios in the Cathedral. While these were damaged in the fire we have been assured that they are repairable. Furthermore, because of a comprehensive restoration of the stained glass windows in the mid 1990’s Abbey Stained Glass have full templates of all the stained glass windows and assure us that it will be possible to replicate all of them.

Works are ongoing at St. Mel’s College Chapel and Sports hall to enable us to transfer our Masses there. Daily Mass begins in the College Chapel on Monday January 25th while the Sunday mass facilities will take a little longer to organise.

We are very grateful for all of the cooperation we have received from the Principal and staff in making the parish community welcome at St. Mel’s.

We will update you on further developments through the Newsletter, announcements at Mass, local media and our new website www.longfordparish.com

A great amount of voluntary effort is being put into these arrangements by members of the Parish Pastoral Council, Temperance Hall committee and Finance committee and many other people. We are most grateful to all who are assisting in so many ways.

Through these difficult days for our parish we have been sustained by the constant support of our parishioners and have been greatly touched by so many expressions of sympathy and support. Thank you one and all.

 

LONGFORD PRAYER GROUP – continues this Monday evening at 8.00 p.m. in St. Joseph’s Hospital. All are most welcome to this time of prayer and song.

 

GOOD NEWS! – MONTHLY HOLY HOUR will take place on Saturday 30th Jan and will be held in St. Mel’s College Chapel. This invitation is for families and especially the young people of our community to join us for this special time of prayer.

 

CHURCH UNITY SERVICE

will take place at 8.00 p.m.

on this Thursday, 21 January in St. John’s Church of Ireland

Homily to be given by : Bishop Tony Farquhar
Auxiliary Bishop in the Catholic Diocese of Down & Connor, Belfast

Theme: ‘You are witnesses of these things.’

These are some of the final words of Christ to his disciples before his ascension (Luke 24:48). He tells them that they are witnesses of his resurrection. We too are witnesses in our own way and are called to be missionaries, by our words and actions, of Christ’s victory over death. We warmly encourage you to make the effort to come and join with our fellow Christians in prayer at St. John’s in Church Street this Thursday evening.

 

 

PARISH WEBSITE – Please check our website www.longfordparish.com for further details on all that’s happening in our parish and updates on the work of the Friends of St. Mel’s Cathedral

 

 

At the start of this New Year we would like to sincerely thank everyone who supported Trocaire over Christmas. The challenges we face are still tough but there are many stories of hope. Thousands of individuals, families and communities will receive the Christmas Global Gifts you bought which will help them support themselves and provide for their children. Your help is truly appreciated, so on behalf of everyone Trocaire works with around the world, we thank you once more and wish you a peaceful 2010. Justin Kilcullen, Director of Trocaire.

 

LONGFORD FAMILY LEARNING VEC LONGFORD ‘Cookery on a Budget’ starting in Jan. Further information telephone Grainne 043 3345609.

 

BIODANZA – The Dance of Life.

Come and connect with you own natural dance of Aliveness and be amazed. By dancing your own unique dance you will unleash you own healing potential and energy of aliveness. Six Special Biodanza Sessions begin again in The Longford Arms Hotel on Thurs. 4th Feb. 7.30 sharp – 9.00 p.m. Pre-registration required by 22nd Jan in order to participate in these sessions. Cost of six sessions is €45 if paid by 22nd Jan or €50 if paid on 4th Feb. Contact Kathleen 086 3194662 or Catherine 071 9138515/08799.

 

CATHEDRAL CIRCLE

The time has come once more to renew Annual Membership of the Cathedral Circle. Membership ensures a place in the weekly draw for the coming year. Annual membership is now €50. We are grateful to all who support our weekly draw in any way and we say a particular thank you to all our promoters.

 

We pray for those whose funerals took place during the week ending

Sunday 17th January, 2009

Maureen Mahon, Isle of Man and formerly Newtown, Ballymacormack