| 7th
February - Feast of St Mel
The
feast of St. Mel takes place this coming Tuesday.
He is said to have been a Briton who came to
Ireland with Saint Patrick, his uncle, with
whom he worked until he was ordained in Ardagh.
He is one of the earliest Irish saints and gave
the religious veil to Saint Brigid. Perhaps
the fire at our Cathedral named after St Mel
will re-awakens our sense of being a people
with a faith tradition that stretches back through
so many generations to the 5th century. Let
us never cease to turn to our own Irish saints
with prayer and petition, especially our own
patron, St. Mel.
CATHEDRAL
RESTORATION PROGRESS - The Cathedral
Restoration Project remains a very comprehensive
and complex project. Thankfully it is progressing
well. We have just submitted a Planning Application
to Longford Town Council. You may have noticed
the site notices and advertisement in the Longford
Leader. This application applies primarily to
new roof, gutters, floors and associated works.
CATHEDRAL
RESTORATION RESERVE FUND - As the Cathedral
Restoration Project continues to develop it
is evident that we will have to carry some costs
which will fall outside our insurance claim.
While the fire was a great disaster, it is also
an opportunity to develop the building for the
future. Such improvements are known as enhancement
or betterment. Examples include – improved
toilet facilities, improved landscaping, provision
of lifts, etc.
We have
continued to receive generous donations from
the public throughout 2011. These funds are
held in the name of ‘Friends of St. Mel’s
Cathedral’ and overseen by the Parish
Finance Committee.
A
diocesan wide collection will be taken up this
weekend in aid of this fund. Thank
you for your generosity.
ARDAGH & CLONMACNOIS PILGRIMAGE
TO LOURDES 2012 – 27th May –
1st June 2012, five nights, fully inclusive
price €699. Places available, please contact
Joe Walsh Tours, 143 Lower Baggot St., D. 2.
Tele: 01 2410812 or 01 2410811. Pilgrimage Director:
Rt. Rev. Msgr. Bernard Noonan P.P., Moate, Co.
Westmeath, Tel: 090 6481180. Director Invalid
Section: V. Rev. Michael Scanlon P.P., Cloghan,
Co. Offaly: Tel: 090 6457122.
ANNUAL CHURCH GATE COLLECTION
for the Lourdes Assisted Pilgrims will take
place on Sat. 11th & Sun. 12th Feb 2012.
PASTORAL CARE: Please inform
us of anyone who needs the prayers and support
of the parish whether they are elderly, sick,
hospitalised or grieving. The Presbytery (043
3346465) may be called at any time for the Sacrament
of the Sick. Also, we will gladly bring the
Eucharist to those unable to attend Mass due
to sickness or infirmity.
BEREAVEMENT COURSE –
A six-week Bereavement Course begins in the
Family Centre on Wed. 22nd Feb. at 8.00 pm.
The course will be led by two trained and caring
facilitators. It will be of great help to anyone
who is experiencing the pain of bereavement.
If you know a relative, friend or neighbour
who would benefit from this course please encourage
them to come along. For booking & further
info contact Sr. Angela 043 3346827 or 087 2843034.
WORLD
DAY OF THE SICK IN LONGFORD PARISH – 10/11th
February
Since
1992, the Catholic Church has celebrated World
Day of the Sick on Feb. 11 — the day on
which the church commemorates the feast of Our
Lady of Lourdes —World Day of the Sick
has three consistent themes. First, it reminds
the faithful to pray intensely and sincerely
for those who are sick. Second, the celebration
invites Christians to reflect on and respond
to human suffering. And third, this day recognises
and honours all persons who work in health care
and serve as caregivers.
ALL-NIGHT VIGIL IN PREPARATION -
The Vigil will commence on Friday 10th February
at 8.00 pm in the College Chapel and concludes
with 8.00 am Mass on Saturday morning. We invite
you to spend some time in quiet prayer before
the Blessed Sacrament during the night to pray
for healing and consolation for yourself, loved
ones and others in the parish.
MASS WITH ANOINTING OF THE SICK -
The 10.00 am Mass on Saturday 11th February
will take place in the Cathedral Centre with
Anointing of the Sick taking place during the
Mass. We hope that people will make a special
effort to bring family members and neighbours
who would like to receive this sacrament for
reasons of ill-health or age and do not have
their own transport. Even if you will not be
receiving the sacrament of the sick please come
and join us as we pray for those who are ill
at this time.
SIX
TALKS ON THE EUCHARIST
Wednesdays
in Lent in the Pastoral Centre, St. Mel’s
College, Longford at 8.00 p.m.
Phyllis
Kilcoyne - Feb 29th ` Eucharist and
Care of the Earth
Peter
Burke - March 7th Eucharist and Participation
Aidan
Ryan - March 14th Eucharist and Sacred
Space
Moya
Hegarty - March 21st Eucharist and
Community
Anna
Burke - March 28th Eucharist in Mark’s
Gospel
Brendan
O’Sullivan - April 4th Eucharist
and the Cross
LONGFORD
PRAYER GROUP – our monthly Mass
takes place this Monday night, 6th Feb in St.
Joseph’s Hospital Chapel at 8.00pm. You
are most welcome to join us.
MEDITATION GROUP – Meet
each Tuesday evening from 7.15 to 8.00 pm. Entrance
through the front door of St. Mel’s College.
Beginners always welcome.
MRS QUIN’S CHARITY SHOP,
No. 6 & 7 Grafton Court, Longford (opening
hours 9.30 am to 5.30 am Mon. to Sat.) will
host a Book Sale/Coffee Morning on Fri. 22nd
Feb. from 10.30 a.m. to raise money in aid of
The National Council Of The Blind. All donations
of clothes, books, bric-a-brac, shoes etc.,
will be greatly appreciated. Contact Mary 086
1088735.
The
opportunity to give blood will arise at The
Longford Arms Hotel, on Tues, 8th, Wed. 9th
& Thurs. 10th Feb. 2012 from 4.30 pm –
8.00 pm. Please help us to help others.
CATHEDRAL
CIRCLE – 50 YEARS OLD! This year
the Cathedral Circle celebrates its Golden Jubilee.
Founded in 1962 it has made a significant contribution
to the parish and greatly helps us to meet our
running costs. We say a sincere thank you to
the Cathedral Circle committee and to all our
promoters and loyal customers each week. During
the coming springtime it is hoped to mark the
Golden Jubilee of the Cathedral Circle.
CATHEDRAL CIRCLE 2012 – RENEWAL
OF ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP €50.00
CHERNOBYL
CHILDREN APPEAL – A group of
Chernobyl children will be visiting Longford
for the month of July. If you would like to
host two of these children for either the first
or second two weeks of July please ring Joan
087 9428278, Rose 086 1976846, Joan 085 8372144
for further information.
TRIPLE P PARENTING PROGRAMME
– Two hour session on managing fighting
and aggression, tips on managing arguing/bickering,
sharing and taking turns, hurting others, and
more. Time: 10.00 am-12.00 noon on Tues 7th
of Feb. in the Longford Library. Free to parents
of children seven years of age and younger.
For more info or to book a place contact Fiona
on 086 3801163.
TEMPLEMICHAEL COLLEGE OF FURTHER EDUCATION
- Open Day on Wed. 8th Feb. 2012, 3.30 –
5.30 p.m. for a wide range of courses commencing
in September 2012. Applications welcome from
school leavers, mature students etc. Further
details 043-3345455.
We
welcomed the following children into our Christian
community:
Samuel
Pompa, Fee Court
Niall
Ganley, Whiterock
Georgia
Moore, Galway
Ava Sheahan,
Mullingar
Please
pray for our departed parishioners:
Philip
Briody, Knockmartin
Frank
McKiernan, Ardnacassa
PARISH WEBSITE –
please find photographs on www.longfordparish.com
All Confirmation and First Holy
Communion celebrations will take place at
the Cathedral Centre, St. Mel’s College.
The times, dates and locations of the Ceremony
of Light (6th Class) and First Confession
(2nd Class) for each school as well as the
above can be found on our parish website at
www.longfordparish.com/sacraments.htm
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