Third Sunday of Lent

Sat 6^th                    6:00 pm Maud & James Hamilton (M)

Sun 7^th                   10:00 am              Tommy & John Stenson & dec’d family (M)

Mon 8^th 10:00 am              St John of God, St Senan (bishop)

Mary Kate O’Donnell (2^nd Anniv.),

& Patrick & Mary Jane O’Donnell (M)

Tues 9^th 10:00 am              St Frances of Rome (religious)

Sr Enda (Mary) O’Donnell, Months Mind (M)

Wed 10^th               10:00 am              Christy & Agnes O’Loughlin &

their daughter Bridie (M)

Thurs 11^th             10:00 am              St Aengus (bishop & abbot)

Private Intention (M)

Fri          12^th         10:00 am              Bridget Gannon (M)

Sat 13^th 10:00 am              Vinny Healy, Months Mind (M)

Fourth Sunday of Lent

Sat 13^th                  6:00 pm Patrick & Agnes Moran, son Paul

& Sr Maria Christopher Berreen (M)

Sun 14^th                 10:00 am              Sonny Henry (M)

Readers of the Word

Saturday 13^th March 6pm …. (M)

Sunday 14^th March 10am: …… (M)

1^st Reading 2 Chron 36:14-23. Psalm Ps 136.

2^nd Reading Eph 2:4-10. Gospel Jn 3:14-21.

3^rd Sunday of Lent 7^th March: Focus: Eliminate what distracts us from God. – The first of God’s commandments – that he alone is God & we shall not have other gods or idols – reaches beyond simply ‘not offering sacrifices to pagan deities.’ Rather, it includes avoiding anything that we ‘rank above’ God or that prevents us from worshipping him. The importance of this commandment is seen in the way Jesus reacts against those who have made commerce – selling animals & changing money – their gods, their idols.

4^th Sunday of Lent 14^th March. “For God sent his Son into the world not to condemn the world, but so that through him the world might be saved.”(John 3: 17). Are you being invited to share the mission of Jesus as a priest or in the consecrated life? Speak to your Diocesan Vocations Director, or email the National Vocations Office: email:  info@vocations.ie

Priesthood in Achonry Diocese – It is worth saying “yes” to God: Six residential weekends in Mullaghmore over the coming months for men who are exploring a call to priesthood. For more info contact Vocations Director, Fr Paul Kivlehan, 094-9860011, or 087- 3683535, E-mail pkivlehan@achonrydiocese.org  

Lenten Prayers: There are some on-line resources for praying at home during Lent. Prepared by Elphin & Clonfert Dioceses. They are on our diocesan site at https://achonrydiocese.org/lent2021/

TRÓCAIRE LENTEN CAMPAIGN 2021

“Here are my hands, hold them. Please don’t leave South Sudan alone. We need your prayers. We need your support. We need your love.” This year Trócaire’s Lenten Campaign brings us to South Sudan, where we learn about the suffering of people who have lost their homes & loved ones to war, & how they are rebuilding their lives through love, friendship, & solidarity. Meet Awut & Ajak. Awut, they are survivors. They survived a war, but each day remains a battle: a battle to earn money; a battle to grow food; a battle to pay for their children’s school; a battle to survive & thrive. These women lost their homes & loved ones to the conflict in South Sudan. They fled their villages with nothing but the clothes on their back, trekking through miles of dangerous bush land with no food or water for themselves or their children. Awut arrived in the community of Malek frightened but was welcomed with loving arms by her new neighbours. Sometime later, Ajak returned to Malek after having been away with her husband who was a soldier. Here, in this remarkable community, people whose lives were brought together by pain & suffering are starting new lives based on love, friendship, & kindness. Every day remains a struggle for Awut & Ajak & their families. They struggle to earn money, grow food, & attend school. Life continues to be full of challenges & obstacles for these amazing women, but they face these challenges together, with dignity & solidarity.

Each year since 1973, Trócaire has turned the compassion of the Irish people into life-changing support for some of the world’s poorest people. By supporting Trócaire’s Lenten Campaign we can hold the hand of the people of South Sudan. Our fundraising can make a real difference to the lives of the people most in need. Please collect a Trócaire box in the church for your Lenten contribution to help these poor unfortunate people.

Offertory boxes for 2021 are available at the church door or in the sacristy, or by contacting Fr Peter if you are not on the list & would like to support the church in this parish.

David’s Fundraiser for Achonry NS

Hello Everyone, My name is David Keenan & I am asking for your support to help raise funds for our local national school, Achonry NS. Firstly I would like to share my personal story & don't worry I won't take up too much of your time. Anyone who knows me is aware that over the years I had gained a fair amount of timber as they might say which is a nice way of saying my weight had gotten out of control. I suppose I felt the task of losing weight was so huge I had in fact given up & accepted that a life of ill health & unhappiness was ahead of me. 
My family had over the years skirted around the edges expressing their concern because people never want to be unkind. However last summer I hit a new low when I found I was unable to walk from my front door to the gate without crippling back pain & breathlessness. All gloves were off then. My family staged an intervention all be it in a very kind & gentle one but an intervention nonetheless.

I joined Bodyslims in September 2020.  It is an online weight loss program & I can honestly say it has changed my life. It has not been easy but I am proud to say that from not being able to walk to the gate last summer to being able to walk 5k at this stage has been a huge personal achievement. However I want to complete a full 10k walk by Easter & this is why I am writing to you for your help. I don't think there is a person among us who hasn't realised over the last few months how important our school is to our families & our community & currently the school is in need of funding to ensure our children have all the resources they need as they return to the classroom. I am asking for your support in the form of sponsoring me in completing a 10k walk Easter weekend 2021. Your sponsorship will not only help me stay motivated but more importantly it will help the school & the children.
Many thanks for your time, David Keenan.

The go fund me link is https://gofund.me/da55cd44

Covid 19: The number of deaths worldwide is now over 2,597,000 & Republic of Ireland deaths at 4,405. That’s 127,000 deaths two weeks. The number of deaths in Ireland two weeks 304. The total number of positive cases in Ireland is 222,169 so 1 in every 22.6 has now tested positive in Ireland.

Priory Institute online theology course: As registrations for our spring semester are closing next Tuesday 9 February; studying theology online, see the 20 minute film https://youtu.be/RlTTrHeeqp8    This film is used at the Open Day & it gives a good indication about what it's like to study with us here at Priory Institute.

Daily Mass, Catholic devotions & programs on SKY 588, Virgin Media 815 or Online at www.ewtn.ie

Enrolment forms for Achonry NS September 2021 are available on the school website www.achonryns.ie under Information for Parents, or please email the school info@achonryns.ie to arrange for one to be sent in the post.

LENT: A TIME FOR PRAYER, FASTING & ALMSGIVING

2021 CONSERVATION GRANTS PROGRAMME

The Irish Georgian Society, through the support of its members in IGS London, is inviting applications for its 2021 Conservation Grants Programme which is open to support buildings of significant architectural merit. Funding totalling €30,000 is available with priority given to older buildings on the basis of rarity & potential fragility relating to age. The Irish Georgian Society's Conservation Grants Programme is generously funded by IGS London. Over the last 7 years, the Society has supported over 30 significant conservation projects from around the country, that have included works to country houses & castles, thatched cottages & historic townhouses, architectural follies, & churches.
Closing date for application is 5^th March 2021. For details see igsconservationgrants@gmail.com

Bealach Nua: We are a recovery oriented family peer support service which offers families/friends of people with mental health challenges an opportunity to engage with  family peer  supporters through individual, group work, wellness days & information evenings. For further information or to access the service please call 094 9049392 or Fran 086 0450835/Noel 087 9749288

Knock Shrine faith discussions during Lent: The Shrine will host a new series of online discussions to help engage Christians during Lent, under the title 'Living Christian Faith - Lenten Conversations'. What nurtures our faith & what challenges it today? Where do we find hope & joy in our lives?

How can our faith build mental strength, wellbeing & resilience?

How has the Covid pandemic impacted upon our faith? 

These are just some of the questions that will be explored over the 6 weeks of Lent during a new series of online discussions on the topic of 'Living Christian Faith'. Faith Renewal at Knock Shrine is all about reaching out to people. This will open a conversation on contemporary issues of faith & church life. Chaired by Father Eamonn Conway DD, Priest in Tuam diocese & Professor of Theology at Mary Immaculate College, the conversations will explore a different theme each week & guest speakers will discuss some of the important questions we all face in living out our faith. This will be streamed online via the Knock Shrine website offering people from all over the world the opportunity to engage in relevant topics & to hear from a range of people, from those in public life such as Baroness Nuala O'Loan & Senator Ronan Mullen to groups of young teachers & members of the clergy. Thursday 18 February 'Living Christian Faith in the Family’Saint John Paul spoke about how the future of humanity passes by way of the family. Patrick & Linda Treacy, who have four children & run a centre for domestic spirituality called Integritas from their home, will speak about the joys & challenges of living Christian Faith as a family today.

St Angela’s College, Sligo: Inviting applications for the following course beginning Autumn 2021. Part-Time Certificate in Religious Education (Primary) with Online Delivery. The course is open to: Qualified primary school teachers; Qualified post-primary school teachers who wish to transfer to primary school teaching. Parents, sacramental preparation teams & parish catechists who have a specific interest in the area of primary religious education may also apply. Closing date for Applications is Friday 14^th May 2021. This date may be extended. 

For further information & application forms contact Mary Kearns, Senior Administrator, School of Education, St. Angela’s College, Lough Gill, Sligo. Email mkearns@stangelas.nuigalway.ie or visit Website: www.stangelas.nuigalway.ie

Learning Internet Skills: Now more than ever it is important to have Internet skills & to keep in touch with family & friends so Age Action is offering 5 hours of free remote tutoring by phone / video call to help older people use their smartphone, computer, tablet or ipad. The programme called Getting Started KIT takes place in your own home at a time that suits you & includes a free guide. For more info call 091527831 or e-mail gettiingstartedgalway@ageaction.ie.

If you are an older person and would like someone to talk to, particularly since Covid-19, consider phoning SeniorLine.​ We are Ireland's national confidential service for older people. We are open every day 10am-10pm.​ We are older people too, trained to listen & support.​ Contact​ Freefone 1800 80 45 91

COVID-19 Support Line for Older People: ALONE manage a national support line & additional supports for older people who have concerns or are facing difficulties relating to COVID-19. Professional staff are available to answer queries & give advice & reassurance where necessary. The support line is open seven days a week, 8am - 8pm, by calling 0818 222 024.

Take care, wash your hands, keep physical distance, & wear a mask if you are going out. Stay safe.