5th
Sunday of Lent
Sunday,
21st March 2010
DARK DAYS
On a recurring
basis the first item on the main evening news deals
with some scandal or crisis in the Catholic Church
in Ireland. This St. Patrick’s Day the evening
news was headlined by the homily of Cardinal Sean
Brady at Armagh Cathedral that day. In it he stated:
“Looking back I am ashamed that I have not always
upheld the values that I profess and believe in.”
The idea of a church inquiry into a criminal matter
back in 1975 that was devoid of the involvement of
state authorities at any stage, involving oaths of
silence made by children for whatever reason and resulting
in measures that would not stop Fr Brendan Smyth abusing
in subsequent years, have left people inside and outside
the Church cold, angry and dejected.
The archbishop of Dublin reasoned that “there’ll
be no healing until we fully address the past.”
And the Christian story that endures from Jesus to
people like Mother Teresa of Calcutta is forever one
of truth, compassion and love for all. Today’s
Gospel where Jesus protects the woman about to be
stoned confirms how he always knelt down alongside
those who were being victimised to shield them and
robustly confronted those who would abuse others.
This must be our guiding light in these dark days.
SACRED SONG FOR LENT takes place
at 8.00pm this 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.
UPDATE ON CATHEDRAL PROJECT - We
have just published a special Newsletter to update
people on the Cathedral Restoration Project. They
are available at the porches of the Churches - please
take one home. We hope you find this to be a useful
an informative update on the current situation.
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.
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. The positions
have been marked by a yellow box on the ground. We
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.
MASS
TIMES
Monday 22nd March – Sunday 28th March
2010
Mon 22nd – Fri 26th March
8am, 10am, 7.30
pm St. Mel’s College Chapel
Sat.
27th March
8am, 10am St.
Mel’s College Chapel
Sun
28th March
7.30pm Vigil
St. Mel’s Cathedral Centre
8am St. Mel’s College Chapel
10am, 11.30am, 1pm St. Mel’s Cathedral Centre
*There is also Mass every day, except Saturdays,
at 11.00am in St. Joseph’s Hospital Chapel.
Confessions
on Saturdays 10.30am – 1.00pm 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.
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.
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 PP, Moate, Co. Westmeath. Tel:
090 6481180. Director Invalid Section: Fr. Michael
Scanlon PP, Cloghan, Co. Offaly: Tel: 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.
GROW COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH MOVEMENT in
recess until September 2010. 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.
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 to 1pm
every Monday. The number is 1800 60 2 100 (Sixty to
One Hundred).
THE
CARERS ASSOCIATION - are providing courses
relevant for Family Carers e.g. Manual/Patient Handling,
Stress Management, Practical Home Care Skills, Personal
Development. The Assoc. is also holding a sponsored
walk on Good Friday, 2nd Apr. to raise funds for much
need supports and services. For further information
please call 044 9347922.
LENTEN
LUNCH – The annual Lenten Lunch for
St. Christopher’s and Longford Hospice Homecare
takes place this Thursday 25th March in the Longford
Arms Hotel from 12.30pm – 2.30pm. You are warmly
invited to drop in for some appetising refreshments
in aid of these worthy causes.
LONGFORD
IFA – Public Meeting this Tues. 23
Mar at 8.30pm sharp in Longford Slashers GAA Club
to deal with all farming issues. Guest Speaker: Mr.
John Bryan, newly appointed IFA President. All farm
families welcome.
