Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Sat 7^th                    8:00 pm Owen McGuinness (M)

Sun 8^th                   10:00 am                      People of Community (M)

Mon 9^th                  St Nathy (Achonry Diocese), St Teresa Benedict)

                                                10:00 am              Michael & Bridget Gannon (M)

Tues 10^th               St Lawrence (deacon & martyr)

10:00 am        Special Intention (M)

Wed 11^th               St Clare (Founder of the Poor Clares))

10:00 am        Private Intention (M)

Thurs 12^th             St Attracta (Achonry Diocese)

10:00 am        Private Intention (M)

Fri          13^th         Ss Pontian (pope) & Hippolytus (martyrs)

10:00 am        Private Intention (M)

Sat 14^th                  St Maximilian Kolbe (priest & martyrs)

10:00 am        Private Intention (M)

The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary  

Sat 14^th                  8:00 pm Private Intention (M)

Sun 15^th                 10:00 am                      People of Community (M)

Readers of the Word

Saturday 7^th August 8 pm …. (M)

Sunday 8^th Aug 10am: …… (M)

1^st Reading Apoc 11:19, 12:1-6. Psalm Ps 44.

2^nd Reading 1 Cor 15:20-26. Gospel Lk 1:39-56.

19^th Sunday in Ordinary Time 8^th August: Focus: God gives us bread to inspire & sustain us. – Today’s readings give much encouragement for those times when we feel like giving up on ourselves or on God. Whether our murmuring is negative self-talk or sarcastic memes on social media, consider taking a break from negativity. Get up, take & eat the bread of life, & live in Christ’s love.

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  

GOLDEN JUBILEE: Congratulations & best wishes to Mary & Jackie Scanlon, Mullinabreena South, who celebrated the Golden Jubilee of their marriage last weekend.    

We wish them many more years of health & happiness.

A Note from Bishop Paul

First Holy Communion and Confirmation

As you may be aware, the Government has reissued its guidance on First Holy Communion and Confirmation, advising that they "should not take place at this time". This is advice, not regulation. Our Confirmations are not due to begin until mid-September, so we may have more clarity at that stage. As I understand, parishes have postponed First Holy Communions until the Autumn also.  We are very much in a "wait and see" situation.  However, I am aware that parishes need to plan these occasions and will celebrate them in a responsible and safe manner with limited numbers, consistent with public health regulations.  As we get closer to the Autumn when these Sacraments will be celebrated we cannot be held responsible for the family celebrations that take place after the ceremonies, this has to come down to the personal responsibility of the families involved. We will continue to monitor the situation over the coming few weeks.

Marriage: The Government has decided that couples may now have up to 100 guests at a marriage ceremony from 5^th August.  While this will be a welcome development for the couples, no explanation has been offered as to how this can be done, while maintaining a physical distance of 2 metres in the Church. Please be conscious that the number of guests that you can welcome at a marriage ceremony will still depend on the number of places you can safely offer in your Church and this should be notified to couples.

Funerals: The number of people at a funeral remains at 50. 

Baptisms: To date parishes have been celebrating baptisms with minimum numbers present in the church. This seems to be working well for priests and people.  I suggest that we should continue with minimum numbers for the time being.

AMRI - Parish Promotions Programme

This year the Missionary Sisters of St. Peter Claver will be visiting our diocese on Mission Appeal. Further news to follow in the Autumn.

Kind regards,     +Paul.

Cemetery Masses

This time of year is a time when Cemetery Masses take place. The Bishop has discouraged them this year. I will bless the graves & say the prayers privately or Mass, however, you will be able to join in on Facebook.

First Holy Communion

The provisional date for First Holy Communion is set for Saturday 25^th Sept. Hopefully all will be able to proceed according to plan.

Finally

The latest news concerning the Delta variant is somewhat discouraging, but the go-ahead to use the various vaccines on all age groups should speed up the process of vaccination & help in the race against this virus. Please try to follow the advice given by Dr Tony Holohan & those qualified in the field of contagious diseases. Do not follow the advice of those who are breaking the simple rules & are causing the continued spread of the virus. The brutal reality of flaunting the recommendations means more infections, more long-covid, & more ruined lives. Thanks to those who are abiding by the rules & for the various efforts you are making. It is wearisome but worth it.

Congrats to Conor Johnston & Eoghan Scanlon, members of the Sligo Team who won the Connaught Junior Title on Friday bridging a 53 year gap.

Covid 19: The number of deaths worldwide is now over 4,300,000. That’s 73,000 deaths last week. Republic of Ireland deaths 5,035. That’s 9 deaths in Ireland last week. The number of positive cases in Ireland is now 310,000, so 1 in every 16.2 has tested positive.

Sligo Community Games: will not be taking place this year. Looking forward to seeing you in 2022, stay safe.

Achonry Farmers Market: The Farmers Market continues every Saturday from 10am to 1pm in Nace O'Dowd Park. Thank you to the large number of volunteers who make this happen. We are appealing to members of the community to support the market to ensure its continued success. Drop in for a cup of tea/coffee & meet the locals in this friendly environment. The market has a new & unused stall & if anyone has any items for the stall please drop them in to the market. Thank you.

Maya Jean Gormalley and the Gavin Glynn Foundation

In recent weeks David and Lorraine Gormalley have experienced any parent's worst nightmare with the confirmation of a brain tumor diagnosis for their beautiful eight year old daughter Maya Jean. Maya Jean is currently undergoing treatment in Germany with support from the Gavin Glynn foundation.

We have set up a gofundme page to raise funds for the Gavin Glynn foundation which is supporting the Gormalley family with relocation to Essen Germany for Maya Jeans cancer treatment. All funds raised will go directly to the Gavin Glynn Foundation.  Thank you for the amazing financial support received so far.

Contact Joann Hosey at 087 9394499 for more information.

Thank you for your support. 

"A world at prayer is a world at peace"