GO OUT
INTO THE DEEP
The
disciples spent a fruitless night fishing
and catching nothing. Things change dramatically
when Jesus appears and invites them to try
again. Remember those who came to you and
encouraged you to try again when you felt
discouraged. Perhaps on some of these occasions
the results were beyond your expectations.
Today’s
Gospel story can serve as a reminder that
sometimes we are wasting our time if we try
to work on our own without the Lord’s
help. When have you found that your work or
life was more fruitful when you acknowledged
that you needed God’s help and you spoke
to God about your need?
Peter
is given the chance to be fully reconciled
with his Master after his denial during the
Passion. Remember those who have given you
an opportunity for reconciliation after you
had hurt them or let them down. What was it
like for you to be given this chance? To whom
have you offered the possibility of reconciliation?
Questions people ask
Q.
What do you think of people who are officially
signing themselves out of the Church?
A.
I feel sorry people who would deprive themselves
of the privilege of participating with Jesus
in the Eucharistic worship of the Father,
and turn their backs on the astounding invitation
to receive Jesus as the Bread of Life. The
Lord’s presence in the Eucharist is
not conditional on the holiness or sinfulness
of the priest at the altar. It is a divine
gift, not something of human making. The first
person to say count-me-out was Judas as he
left the Last Supper. The Gospel says that
he went into the dark. Father, forgive them
for they know not what they do.
THANK YOU –
Since we began Masses at St. Mel’s Cathedral
Centre, we have relied on a team drawn from
our Parish Committees to set up on Fridays
and to disassemble the venue on Sundays. We
say a very sincere thank you to each one of
you for your generosity of time and effort
and goodwill over recent weeks – it
was very much appreciated.
EASTER CEREMONIES
– Despite the fire at St. Mel’s
Cathedral and the difficulties it has brought
for our parish we had very beautiful ceremonies
for Holy Week. We say a sincere thank you
to all who assisted in any way in creating
such prayerful and memorable celebrations.
Our
thanks go to - the people from
the emergency services who performed the role
of the Apostles on Holy Thursday, all the
young people who took part in the Good Friday
Drama, their teachers and director Sr. Anna
Burke; young people involved in Stations of
the Cross, Choirs, Organist, Musicians, Sacristans,
Altar Society, Readers, Eucharistic Ministers,
Ushers, Servers, Pastoral Team members and
to the many people who play a supportive role
in the life of the parish. The contribution
of each one is gratefully acknowledged.
TROCAIRE
has expressed sincere thanks for
your generous support this year which will
allow the agency to continue its work with
the world’s poorest people. Please return
your Trocaire boxes if you have not already
done so.
CHILDREN’S
MASS – The parish will host
its second Children’s Mass at the 10.00am
Mass next Sunday 25th April in St. Mel’s
Cathedral Centre. Our first Children’s
Mass on the last Sunday in March was a great
success and the children coloured in religious
images and read a simple version of the Easter
Story. It is led by two teams of lay people,
many of whom have crèche and teaching
experience. Parents are invited to bring their
children to a room within the same building
where they engage in religious activities
suitable for their age. The children will
go out at the start of the Readings and come
back in at the Our Father. This is aimed at
children who are already in National School
and are in Junior Infants, Senior Infants,
1st class or 2nd class. So please just come
along to the 10am Mass at the Cathedral Centre
next Sunday if you would like your children
to take part.
MONTHLY HOLY HOUR –
will take place on Sat. 8th May at 8.30pm
in St. Mel’s College Chapel. Please
note change of date. This hour will be dedicated
to all families in our community and to remember
in a special way all our young people who
are preparing for exams at this time. Please
join us in prayer. This will be the last Holy
Hour until September. I would like to say
a very special word of thanks to each one
of you and all our young people who participated
in this Holy Hour, those involved in music,
candle procession, hospitality and welcome.
Thank you for your support and prayer - Fr.Brendan.
CHRISTIAN MEDITATION GROUP
continues to meet each Tuesday evening from
7.15 – 8.00pm. Their new venue is The
Prayer Room, St. Mel’s College (entrance
by the main front door of the College). “Come
Apart and Rest Awhile” – whether
you have experienced meditation before or
are just beginning, everyone is most welcome.
PARISH
WEBSITE - WWW.LONGFORDPARISH.COM
There
are links on our parish website www.longfordparish.com
to many of the programmes on TV and Radio
which have featured St. Mel’s Cathedral
and the Cathedral Centre, such as the item
on the RTE Nationwide programme from last
March. There is also a copy on the homepage
of the presentation on the fire at the Cathedral
given by Danny Donohoe of OSG Chartered Loss
Adjustors to representatives from all the
parish pastoral councils and the priests of
the diocese at St. Mel’s College on
Saturday 10 April last.
LONGFORD PRAYER GROUP meet
this Monday at 8.00pm in St. Joseph’s
Hospital. All are welcome to come along as
we pray for family, friends and all the people
of our community.
THE THRIFT SHOP (SVP) is appealing
for good quality items in saleable condition
– ladies, gent’s and children’s
clothes, domestic goods, shoes, unwanted gifts,
small pieces of furniture, books, bric-a-brac
etc. The Thrift Shop is run by volunteers
at a minimum cost and depends on donations
for all its stock. It is worthy of your support
at all times. Everything will be gratefully
accepted. Location: 18 Dublin Street, Longford.
Open: Mon – Fri 10.30am – 5.30pm
and Sat. 10.30am – 3.30pm.
THE CARERS’ ASSOCIATION
- are providing courses relevant for Family
Carers e.g. Manual/Patient Handling, Stress
Management, Practical Home Care Skills, Personal
Development. For further information please
call 044 9347922.
ARDAGH
& CLONMACNOIS PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES 2010
from 27 May – 1 June, five nights, fully
inclusive price €715. Places available,
please contact Joe Walsh Tours, 143 Lr. Baggot
Street, Dublin 2. Tel: 01 2410812 / 2410811.
Pilgrimage Director: Msgr. Bernard Noonan
P.P. Moate, Co. Westmeath. Tel: 090 6481180.
Director Invalid Section: Fr. Michael Scanlon
P.P., Cloghan, Co. Offaly: Tel: 090 6457122.
NATIONAL CLEAN UP DAY – Longford
Tidy Town welcomes volunteers to meet at Market
Square on Thurs. 22nd April at 6.00pm sharp
to help with hedge trimming, sweeping and
general tidy up around Longford Town. Please
bring a sweeping brush, shovel or shears.
Any queries please contact Tommy 087 7739339.
COUNTY LONGFORD CITIZENS INFORMATION
SERVICE is launching a new Freefone
Information line exclusively for the over
60’s on 29th March 2010, which will
be available between the hours of 10am and
1pm every Monday. The number is 1800 60 2
100.
BIODANZA 'Dance of Life'.
If
you enjoy inspirational music from around
the world and feel a need to experience the
dance within your heart then don't miss this
block of 6 Sessions beginning again in The
Northside Resource Centre, Forthill Rd. on
Wednesday the 21st April from 7.30pm sharp
- 9.00pm. Pre-registration required. Theme
for Six Sessions: "Dancing your Life's
Journey with Grace, Freedom & Ease".
Contact Betty: 0877441114 or Catherine: 0879983056/
071 9138515.
LONGFORD FRIENDS OF THE CHILDREN OF
CHERNOBYL are looking for families
to host visiting children for two weeks during
the month of July. For further information
please call Joan at 043 3345021 or 085 8372144.
LONGFORD COMMUNITY RESOURCES LIMITED
– The Social Inclusion Network in conjunction
with Declan Sheerin Electrical Services is
organizing a demonstration workshop on ‘Using
Storage Heaters’ on Tues. 20th April
in 93 McEoin Park Community House, Wed 28th
April in Family Centre, St. Mel’s Rd
(behind St. Mel’s Cathedral) and Thurs.
29th April in 59 Springlawn Community House.
All workshops will begin at 7.00pm. Refreshments
will be served. Further information from Felicia
Barrins 097 9478650.
PRAYER BEFORE MAKING IMPORTANT DECISIONS
Lord
Jesus, throughout your life on earth you had
to make important decisions. Some of them
frightened even you. Yet you humbly submitted
to the will of your Father and each decision
brought you and all of creation nearer to
him. Now I have a big decision to make. I
need your wishes and your courage so that
I too may make the right choice. Be with me
Lord and guide my heart and mind so that whatever
I decide to do will create for me an opportunity
to grow closer to you, my Saviour, who with
the Father and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns
for ever and ever. Amen
