Saturday 28th March 8pm: …… (M)
Readers of the Word
Sunday 29th March 10am: …… (A)
1st Reading Ex 37:12-14. Psalm Ps 129.
2nd Reading Rm 8:8-11. Gospel Jn 11:1-45.
4th Sunday of Lent 22nd March: Focus: The Lord of all gives sight to the blind. – Jesus’ power & claims divide those who encounter him. He is the long-awaited one, & he heals all wounds, even giving sight to the blind. We can trust that Jesus can heal all the wounds of our lives, giving us sight to see & alight to follow in darkness of sin.
Weekend Masses will continue as usual. Monday to Friday Masses in Mullinabreena Church only. You may attend but you are asked to abide by the HSE & Government guidelines.
WEEKEND MASSES: 7th – 29th March
Saturday 8pm: Mullinabreena. Sunday 10am: Achonry.
SYMPATHY: We remember in our prayers at this time: Rose Mitton nee Marren, (aunt of Lorraine Feely, Tubbertelly).
May the Souls of the faithful departed rest in peace.
We are dispensing with the presentation of candle, prayer leaflets & chalice until end of current pandemic crisis.
ADORATION on Tuesdays is also suspended for the time being.
'Care for one another during the Coronavirus pandemic'
Government leaders & WHO officials in the past week have advised with growing urgency the need to limit public gatherings in order to limit person-to-person transmission of the virus that has infected more than 260,000 people worldwide, with more than 11,000 deaths. Over 90,000 people have recovered from the virus.
Sunday (obligation to attend lifted) & weekday Masses will be celebrated & people may attend once HSE & Government rules are adhered to & Mass intentions will be honoured. Funerals Masses will be able to continue but restricted to family or small numbers where reasonable personal / social distancing will have to be followed.
Churches will remain open during the day for people to visit & pray. Eucharistic adoration cancelled until the pandemic is eradicated.
All of us need to do our part to slow the spread of this disease. Like you, we are monitoring coronavirus developments & look forward to continuing our lives on a more normal basis.
While things may look & feel different during these uncertain times, I want to be very clear that the Catholic Church is not closing down. It is not disappearing & it will not abandon you. Time & again as our history has proven, the Church has risen to meet great challenges & provide a beacon of hope & light. God is always by our side. He never abandons us. I invite you to join me in prayerful solidarity for the intentions of the sick, suffering, & their caregivers as well as government & health officials.
With God’s grace & blessing, we will navigate the difficult waters of this challenge as a united human family, for after all is said & done, we are people of hope!
We have had our first penance & Confirmation already & hopefully things will have settled for First Holy Communion in May. Updates on the liturgies spanning Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday will be forthcoming.
People of this parish & all Catholics are invited to pray at home & review the Scripture readings for daily & Sunday Mass (readings can be found on line), & follow the Mass on TV or livestreamed from various parishes locally. Also pray the rosary each night at 9pm & other families will be praying at the same time. (The family that prays together, stays together. A world at prayer is a world at peace). Everybody take great care. God Bless you.
It may be possible for some parishes to facilitate attendance at Mass while observing the health authority's limit of 100 people.
Father Paul Dempsey, Bishop-elect of the Diocese of Achonry has issued the following statement: “It is with regret that we have had to postpone my Episcopal Ordination which was planned for Sunday 19th April. I requested the postponement in light of the pandemic. I have asked that the ceremony be rescheduled until sometime in the Summer. This decision has been difficult but it would not have been appropriate to proceed with the ordination at this time.
The decision has been made in consultation with His Excellency Archbishop Jude Thaddeus Okola & the Diocese of Achonry. I am grateful to Archbishop Okolo & to the priests, religious & faithful of the Diocese of Achonry for their patience & understanding as we deal with the unprecedented consequences of Covid-19 in our country & in our world. I am grateful to Bishop Denis Nulty, Bishop of Kildare & Leighlin, who has asked me to continue for the moment as parish priest in Newbridge Parish. I ask for your prayers at this time for all those affected by the coronavirus pandemic.”
Fr Dermot Meehan is Diocesan Administrator & will continues in that role up to the moment Bishop-Elect Dempsey is ordained.
Radio Maria Ireland (on Saorview, Channel 210)
Daily Mass will be aired at 10am each day from our studio chapel, including Sundays
Lenten events at Glenstal Abbey: All events are cancelled until 1 April. Please note, the Masses & Lenten talks are available via the live webcam https://www.churchservices.tv/glenstal.
25 Drive in St Nathy’s Hall Fridays 8:30pm: Cancelled ‘til further notice
25 Drive in Moylough Cancelled due to pandemic.
25 Drive in Cloonacool C. Centre Cancelled due to pandemic.
Banada Bingo: Cancelled on advice from the HSE.
COVID-19 Support Line for Older People: ALONE has launched a support line for older people who have concerns or are facing difficulties relating to the outbreak of COVID-19. Professional staff are available to answer queries & give advice & reassurance where necessary. The support line is open Monday to Friday, 8am-8pm, 0818 222 024. Hours may be extended to meet the demand.
To reduce the risk of spreading the Coronovirus, the Mill Community Café in Cloonacool is closing for the next 3 weeks, until April 1st.
Carrowmore School: Donations towards the refurbishment work on Carrowmore School can now be given in to the parochial house. Any donation must be in an envelope clearly marked for the Carrowmore School Fund. Or donate through the Go Fund Me page or into the bank account Achonry Mullinabreena Community Enhancement BIC BOFIIE2D & IBAN IE88BOFI90549138522058
The Government is now operating a Business Support Call Centre to advice on the government supports available to businesses and enterprises. Phone 01 631 2002.