Second Sunday of Lent

Sat 12^th                  8:00 pm Patrick & Agnes Moran, son Paul

& Sr Maria Christopher Berreen (M)

Sun 13^th                 10:00 am              Frank & Celia Healy, & Sally Bissett (A)                                       12:00 pm              Confirmation (M)

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

Tues 15^th               10:00 am              Private Intention (M)

Wed 16^th               10:00 am              Private Intention (A)

Saint Patrick’s Day

                                8:00 pm People of the Community

                                                               First Holy Communion Enrolment Ceremony

Thurs 17^th             10:00 am              Private Intention (M)

Fri          18^th         St Cyril of Jerusalem (bishop)

10:00 am        Private Intention (A)

12:30 pm        Wedding (M)

Sat 19^th                  St Joseph husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary

11:00 am            Johnny, Kathleen & Pete Johnston (M)

Third Sunday of Lent

Sat 19^th                  8:00 pm Josie & Johnny Mullen (M)

Sun 20^th                 10:00 am              James, Mary Kate, &

Mary Josephine Judge (A)                                  

Readers of the Word

Saturday 19^th March 8pm: .….. (M)

Sunday 20^th March 10am: …… (A)

1^st Reading Ex 3:1-8, 13-15. Psalm Ps 102.

2^nd Reading 1 Cor 10:1-6, 10-12. Gospel Lk 13:1-9.

2^nd Sunday of Lent 13^th March: Focus: The Lord is my light & my salvation. whom should I fear? The psalmist writes that his heart speaks of him, & his eyes look for him. The Lord is his helper who awaits him in the land of the living where he shall see his bounty. This psalm of praise complements each of our readings today: in the promise to Abraham, the words of Saint Paul, & the shining vision of Christ's glorified body. All of these Scriptures witness to the Good News we have been given, that the Lord is indeed our refuge & we have nothing to fear.

Priesthood in Achonry Diocese – It is worth saying “yes” to God: For more information contact Achonry Diocesan Vocations Director, Fr Paul Kivlehan 094-9860011, or 087- 3683535, E-mail pkivlehan@achonrydiocese.org  

Pope Francis: Sunday 13^th March is the anniversary of the election in 2013 of Pope Francis as Supreme Pastor of the Church.

SACRAMENTS

Wed 16^th (Vigil Mass for Saint Patrick’s Day) March 8pm: Enrolment Ceremony for First Holy Communion Pupils.

Saturday 2^nd April 11:30am, First Holy Communion.

Eucharistic Ministers, Readers, Mass Servers

It is hoped to have those serving in various Ministries back on a rota from the beginning of April. Mass servers will have to get ready in the body of the church as no parents got Garda Vetted to supervise them in the Sacristy before & after Mass.

Covid 19: The number of deaths worldwide is now at 6,067,269. Republic of Ireland deaths 6,611. That’s 84 deaths in Ireland last week. The number of positive cases in Ireland is 1,350,826 so 1 in every 3.7 has now tested positive.

NEW ROOF FOR MULLINABREENA CHURCH

Work will begin in March/April on the roof costing €214,500. This is a big undertaking, but necessary. If you are in a position to help, please know that your support is welcome. This can be done in the following ways:

1. By a once off gift contribution.
2. By a little extra in the weekly offertory.
3. By a monthly, quarterly or half yearly contribution.
4. By cash or cheque.
5. By transfer to Mullinabreena Church A/c (details below).
6. Or in any way that is convenient to you.

The intention is not to burden you but, insofar as you can help, it would be appreciated. Thank you for your ongoing support & generosity. God bless you all. If you want to contribute direct the Bank details are: Mullinabreena Church IBAN: IE20 BOFI 9054 9111 7571 99   -   BIC: BOFIIE2D. Thanks to those who have already responded to this appeal.

The Synoday pathway: Pope Francis has invited us all to reflect on what it means to be a member of the Church today. He sees us as a pilgrim people making our way through the world, following the person of Jesus Christ. We are the Pilgrim People of God or a synodal people, that is on a journey together. The Pope is asking us to reflect on what that experience is like: how are we finding the journey? Do we find support as we go? Where is that support found & how could it be improved? Are there people being left behind & how might we reach out to them? You might think about these questions during the week. You will find a form in the church, where there are some questions which you might answer & return them to the parish office. You will also find the form & more information on the diocesan website: https://achonrydiocese.org/ 

The Russian Invasion of Ukraine

In a statement by the Russian Embassy after its gates were damaged last week, it condemned what it described as ‘A criminal act of insanity directed against a peaceful diplomatic mission’. And then went on to say ‘The incident is a cause of extreme concern. We believe that no people of sound mind could support such senseless and barbaric action’.

How can the Russian Embassy make such statement about the ramming of its gates while at the same time support Putin’s flattening of cities, causing mayhem & murder of civilians & a humanitarian disaster that has left many homeless & millions of refugees? The Ambassador needs to look again at the actions of Putin before he says what is senseless & barbaric. The Ambassador should be sent home for supporting the war machine that is Russia.

Charitable outreach including a national collection

Already millions of people have been forced to flee their homes as refugees. It is a source of inspiration that people all over Ireland are responding with customary generosity to support humanitarian efforts in this crisis. Many parish communities have already established links with charitable projects to support refugees & those remaining in Ukraine. Recognising these urgent needs, the bishops are asking that a special collection be taken up at all Masses on the weekend of Sunday 27^th March. People are also invited to support the charitable initiatives of Aid to the Church in Need, the Jesuit Refugee Service, & Trócaire.  Trócaire is currently responding to the crisis through its partners Caritas Ukraine & Caritas Poland which have a strong presence in the region & can use resources strategically to the greatest effect. If you have not already made a contribution to any of the Ukraine appeals you can put your donation into the offertory box at the church door on 26^th/27^th.   

The bishops stated, "This invasion & aggression reminds us of the fragility of peace, even in Europe, a place that has experienced peace for much of the past seven decades.  It is we as the people of Europe, together with the wider world, who must shape history at this crucial moment in time. The inspiration that informed the foundation of the various European institutions & organisations after World War II was peace & the development of economic, social & cultural ties. There is a crying need for the renewal of the 'soul of Europe' which must be based on the spiritual sources & roots which inspired those post-war developments."

Prayer for the People of Ukraine

Loving God, We pray for the people of Ukraine,

For all those suffering or afraid, that you will be close to them and protect them. We pray for world leaders, for compassion, strength and wisdom to guide their choices.

We pray for the world; that in this moment of crisis,

we may reach out in solidarity to our brothers and sisters in need.

May we walk in your ways so that peace and justice become a reality for the people of Ukraine and for all the world. Amen.

Our Lady, Queen of Peace, pray for us!

Our Lady of Kyiv, pray for us!

Trócaire Boxes are available at the church door. Please support.

In 2012 the Loyola Institute, Trinity College Dublin, situated in the School of Religion, Theology, and Peace Studies, began its academic mission of teaching and research in theology in the Catholic Christian tradition. This year marks the tenth year of this project. 

To celebrate this, and also to mark the retirement of the Founding Director, Prof. Cornelius Casey, we will host a Festival of Theology, with the theme 'Theology and the University.'

The Festival will open at 6pm on Thursday 19th May 2022 with a Public Lecture by the inaugural Director, Prof. Cornelius Casey, entitled 'Theology in a Conversation about Hope'. The need for hope in our world is very evident in the times we are living through. The lecture will be followed by a reception.

For further details of the other lectures in this festival, and details of how to register, please consult the Conference webpage https://www.tcd.ie/loyola-institute/conferences/festivaloftheology_homepage.php

An important part of the work of the Loyola Institute is the fostering of future generations of theologians. To this end on Friday 20th May there is an opportunity for postgraduate students and early career scholars to present their work. Attached find the Call for Papers with a deadline for submission of April 1^st, 2022.

Parent and Baby/Toddler Group

This group is back meeting in Tubbercurry FRC on Monday mornings from 10.30am-12.30pm.New families always welcome. Feel free to contact us with any queries.

Tubbercurry Men’s Shed @ Banada

The men’s shed have been very busy since returning this year. The group are participating in art classes, gardening, and recently tried spinning wool on a spinning wheel. They have many plans for the coming year. Anyone interested in coming along to see what it is all about is welcome. The shed is open Wednesday evenings from 7.00pm. For further information or contact details contact the FRC on 0719186926.

Weekly Social Walking Group

Our Social walking group meet each week at the FRC at 11.45am. The groups goes for a sociable walk followed by a warm cuppa. New walkers always welcome.

Social Prescribing for Health & Wellbeing

This service is open to anyone looking to find out what activities, groups and support are available to them locally, or for those that want to make improvements to their mental health and wellbeing. This service is open to all adults and is especially useful for those new to an area, recently retired, those isolated and lonely or those with poor mental health. Contact Loretta to find out more or make an appointment on 0834036985.

Telephone: 071 918 6926 / 0864092724

Website: www.tubbercurryfrc.com

Facebook: tubbercurryfrc

www.sligoleitrimdirectory.ie

http://www.facebook.com/SligoLeitrimParentHub/

A MESSAGE FROM BISHOP PAUL DEMPSEY

As a Church & a people, we must continue to reach out to those who are affected by emigration. We remember & pray for all Irish people overseas; those who are recently departed & those who left our shores many years ago. We remember the families they have left behind & pray they will find strength & comfort as they cope with the pain of separation. We also think of those who have travelled from foreign lands to begin new lives in Ireland & pray
that they receive the same welcome that we would wish for our own emigrants far from home.

Since 1957, the Irish Episcopal Council for Emigrants (IECE) has been responding to the needs of Irish emigrants around the world. It continues to do so through the work of its pastoral centres in the United States & the UK, which provide myriad services to the most vulnerable members of the Irish emigrant community. It also does so by providing grants to other like-minded organisations that provide targeted & specialist support to discrete categories of vulnerable emigrants – from the aged & lonely to those with addiction & mental health problems.

I wish to thank all those who generously support the collection for emigrants each year. This funding allows us to offer essential support to those organisations providing pastoral, practical outreach to the most marginalised & vulnerable groups of Irish people, many of whom are living lives of quiet desperation.

Paul Dempsey, Bishop of Achonry

Chair of the Irish Episcopal Council for Emigrants

ALONE: Would you be willing to provide companionship to an older person locally? ALONE are seeking volunteers in your area. Full training and support provided. If interested please contact Karen on karen.byrne@alone.ie or on 086 0576401

Achonry Farmers Market: Every Saturday from 10am to 1pm in Nace O'Dowd Park. We look forward to a great year ahead with lots of variety & new ideas, & prices to suit everyone.

The Café at the Hub is now open on Saturdays & Sundays from 10am to 2pm. Call Noel 087 2502471 if you would like to offer your services.

Book Sale/Swap: AMCE are holding a book sale/swap at the Achonry Market every Saturday. Book sale/swap will also be held in Carrowmore School Eircode F56EF63 every Sunday from 2pm-4pm. If these times don't suit please contact Brid 0866081926 or Margaret 0872875458 to arrange a time.

“The Family that Prays together stays together”

A Prayer for the Synodal Pathway

Lord of all hopefulness, as we embark on this journey together,
may we listen & discern & be guided by the Holy Spirit,

who constantly breathes new life into our world, our hearts,

our families, homes & parishes.

May renewal & reform, fresh hope & healing come for all people of God in Ireland.
By virtue of our baptism may we each play our part in transforming the church
through a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit

which is your gift & promise, upon our land.

Grant us the encouragement we need to bring faith, hope & love in abundance to meet the challenges before us & to fulfil the Church's mission of proclaiming to the world,

God's love & salvation in Jesus Christ.

A Mhuire Mháthair, mother of the Church,

guard & guide us on our pilgrim way. Amen.