“My
God, my God, why have you forsaken me.”
The
highpoint of today’s Passion narrative
is Jesus’ cry “My God, my God,
why have you forsaken me?”. Many people
are scandalised by this call. Did Jesus feel
despair at his dying moments? We should, however,
take the words of Jesus for what they are.
They reveal that Jesus’ suffering on
Calvary is real. Jesus is a real man who undergoes
the bitter experience of how it is to be human.
While His cry is not a cry of despair, it
is a real cry of anguish and pain. Calvary
is a reflection of His humanity. Despite our
efforts to make life comfortable, this world
remains a valley of tears where suffering
and pain are normal fare. From the initial
repulsion, we may even come to see suffering
as a privilege, an opportunity given to us
by God to be closer to Him and to our neighbours.
Palm will be blessed on the sanctuary
at the start of each Mass.
Parishioners
can collect the palm outside the churches
after each Mass.
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 and will amend the arrangements if there
is need to do so.
SWINE
‘FLU – The Swine Flu
threat has eased considerably. We have been
advised by the HSE that there is no longer
any need to suspend the Sign of Peace at Mass
and the sharing of the Chalice with Eucharistic
Ministers.
STATION MASSES: 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 Mass has been booked:
Thurs. 15th April 8.00 p.m. Anna Devine Derryharrow
EASTER TRIDUUM - The celebration
of the Easter Triduum of the Passion and Resurrection
of Christ is the focal point and the climax
of the Church year. It begins with the Mass
of the Lord’s Supper, and continues
on Good Friday with the celebration of the
Lord’s Passion and reaches its climax
on Saturday night with the celebration of
the Easter Vigil.
EASTER DAWN MASS 5.45am EASTER SUNDAY
- Come and celebrate the first light
of Easter in the Famine Remembrance Grounds
(behind St. Joseph’s Care Centre), Dublin
Road. Please come prepared for bad weather.
This replaces the 8a.m. Mass in the Cathedral
BLESSING OF FOOD –
In keeping with the tradition of our Polish
Community, food will be blessed on Easter
Saturday at 12 noon in St. Mel’s College
Centre.
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.
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.
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 P.P. Moate, Co. Westmeath.
Tel: 090 6481180. Director Invalid Section:
Fr. Michael Scanlon P.P. Cloghan, Co. Offaly:
Tel: 090 6457122.
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.
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.
ST. MEL’S MUSICAL SOCIETY
production of Guys & Dolls on sale Backstage
Theatre 043 3347888 10am Tue 30th March –
eight performances from Fri 23rd April –
Sat.1st May.
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.
LONGFORD FAMILY LEARNING -
If you would like to start back in education
at a slow pace and gradually build up your
skills and meet new people, we are running
Cooking on a Budget, Child Development, Creative
Writing and Parenting programmes which are
starting soon. Further information phone:
Grainne 0894315996.
HOW LOVE REALLY WORKS –
Thurs. 8th April, 7.30 p.m. Longford Arms
Hotel. Entrance fee at the door €15.
A spring evening talk looking compassionately
at the hidden dynamics working in family entanglements
and showing a pathway to resolution. John
O'Donoghue once said '”Our hunger to
belong is the longing to bridge the gulf between
isolation and intimacy”. Speaker Barry
Foley B.A., M.I.I.T.D. All Welcome.
