A WORD IN YOUR EAR
Two weeks ago I made some suggestions at Mass how we might live a better Lent. Some people have asked me for those and particularly the story that went with the suggestion that we might be “encouragers and stitchers”. The idea was that at home, at work or at school we might give the encouraging word, the encouraging deed at least once a week. For example, make the Wednesdays of Lent your encouragement day. The story goes as follows: A man remembers when he was sitting in an antique window seat that his wife Helen had treasured through the years. A heavy storm was in progress and he sat staring at the rain pelting down on dead autumn leaves: He writes:
The gloomy look of the garden seemed to match the mood of hopelessness that had come over me. Problems at work had made me fearful of the future. Basic questions that surface with the coming of middle age had made me fearful of life itself. I started to light my pipe and accidentally spilled some hot ash which burned a hole right in the middle of the window seat cover. Seeing what had happened, Helen calmly threaded a needle and stitched a beautiful flower over the charred spot. When I looked at the finished work, I realised what a striking symbol it was. I had married a repairer of broken spirits, a healer of wounds, a harbinger of hope in times of darkness and despair.
So, on Wednesdays of Lent (or whatever day suits you) at least, be a repairer of broken spirits, a healer of wounds, a harbinger of hope. Pick up what drops on the floor. Speak an encouraging word for every put-down remark. Give a pat for every shove. Be a Stitcher!!
Fr. Martin
LEARNING ABOUT THE MASS WITH KATH AND QUMEN
THE LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST – WE BRING OUR GIFTS
During this part of the Mass we move from the ambo to the altar. We have heard the Word of God and now we come to share in the Bread of Life at the altar. The first part of the Liturgy of the Eucharist is about preparing the gifts that we bring to the altar. The most important
gifts that we bring are the bread and wine. The bread is placed on something which looks like a plate. We call this a paten. The wine is in a glass jug. These gifts are placed on the altar. One of the first gifts that you will notice being prepared is the gift of money. You will see
people moving through the church with a basket or a bag for the collection. Everyone is asked to put some money into the basket or bag. This money helps to pay for all the things that are done in the parish, including helping those who may not have enough for themselves.
Coláiste Cois Siuire
Parents Association will hold its annual Fashion Show on Friday, March 23 at 8pm in the Parish Hall. Your support would be greatly appreciated, as we hope to raise money to develop the recreational facilities and equipment. Tickets available at the school office. Tel: 895112. A limited number are available on the night. Standard tickets €10, Concession tickets €5.
Franciscan Brothers
The Franciscan Brothers were founded in Mountbellew, Galway in the early 1800’s. They were founded to work with the rural poor in Ireland. Their primary work involved religious and secular education and agriculture. They are well remembered for their work during the Great Famine. Presently they have missions in Kenya and Uganda where they are involved in education, sustainable agriculture and rural development, food security and famine help.
Franciscan Brothers Mission Appeal in Mooncoin Church March 17/18.
Silver Circle – Week 18
€200: Emma Purcell, Polerone. €100: Linda O’Toole, Mooncoin Heights. €50: Alice Kelly, Convent View. €20: Seamus Dobbyn, Comeragh View. Anne Walsh, Dournane Rd. Tom Delahunty, Barnacole. John Joe Kinsella, Dournane. Liam Power, Clogga. Matt Gannon, Grange. Theresa Dermody, Ballincur. Anna Winters, Main St. Wattie Foran, Ardera. Tom Deedy, Carrigeen. Ellen Crowley, Riverquarter. Ita Coffey, Portlaw. Michael O’Hanlon, Dournane. Breda Delahunty, Portnahully. Orla Brennan, Ashgrove. Eddie Ryan, Ballygorey. Pat Bagnall, Ashgrove. Bridget Dunphy, Kilmacow. Jimmy Walsh, Rathkieran. Tony Walsh, Carrigeen.
Masses during the week
Tuesday - Friday: 9.30am
St. Patrick’s Day
Kilnaspic: Fri 16: 8pm
Carrigeen: 10am
Mooncoin: 11.15am
Masses as normal for Saturday night & Sunday morning
This week a new security system is being installed in our churches. This system includes an alarm and security cameras. Hopefully this will help prevent any possible break-in and the cameras will also help us meet our obligations arising from Diocesan and Parish Safeguarding Children policies. I want to thank the Mooncoin Parish Hall Committee for making a significant donation of €2000 to each of the three churches to help pay for the new system.
S.V.P.
Monthly collection next weekend March 17/18
Bible Study Group
Meeting on March 14, 8pm – 9pm in the Nagle Chapel. All welcome. Contact Sr. Mary 895114
Adoration for the blessed sacrament will take place each Sunday for the duration of Lent from 3 - 4pm in Kilnaspic Church.
Kilnaspic Church key is available in the Sacristy after Mass on Saturday, or contact Katherine Hogan on 087 2831005 or 895132.
MOONCOIN
READERS: Mar 17/24 (6.30pm) Sr. Mary Lenehan, Roisin Crowley.
Mar 18/25 (11.15am) Nellie Phelan, Martina Maloney.
CARRIGEEN
MINISTERS: Mar 17 (10am) Bill & Peggy Healy.
Mar 18 (10am) Eileen Williams, Declan Walsh.
READERS: Mar 17 (10am) Pat & Teresa O’Neill.
Mar 18 (10am) Mary Fewer, Michael Fewer Ward.
ALTAR SOCIETY: Mar 16 Margaret Kenny, Margaret Phelan (B).
KILNASPIC
MINISTER: Mar 17 - Mary Frisby
READER: Mar 17 - Padraigh Kirwin.
CLEANERS: Mar 16/24 - A. Quinn, K. Hogan.
ALTAR SERVERS: Mar 17 - Ciaran & Eimear Quilty.
ANNIVERSARIES
Nicholas Dunne, Skelpstown.
Walter O’Keeffe, Polerone.
John Croke, Chapel St.
Johnny Walsh, Dournane Road.
John Keane, Ballytarsney.
Essie Murphy, Grange
Hilary Delahunty, Grange
Eamonn Corcoran, Clooneen.
Oscar Pheasey, Waterford City.
May they Rest in Peace.
