Response to Pope Benedict’s Letter to the People of Ireland
The first anniversary of the publication of the Pastoral Letter of Pope Benedict XVI to the Catholics of Ireland occurs on 19th March. To mark this event the Irish bishops wish to bring the following three important initiatives to the attention of the faithful: the publication of their pastoral response Towards Healing and Renewal; the new Catholic counselling and support service for survivors of abuse; and, the progress of listening and consultation exercises which have been taking place.
To mark this anniversary the bishops have published the pastoral response Towards Healing and Renewal. This outlines different undertakings that the bishops are making on the journey emphasised by the survivors of abuse. These steps include:
prayer for the survivors of abuse, including a commitment on the part of bishops to dedicate each First Friday to prayer and fasting in reparation for abuse and the failure to address it adequately;
a commitment to listening with sensitivity and care to the experiences of those who suffered abuse;
spiritual support to survivors of abuse who wish to avail themselves of it, including the opportunity for spiritual direction;
an ongoing commitment to creating a safer future for children in the Church in accordance with Safeguarding Children;
a review of Dioceses, Religious Congregations and Societies by the National Board for Safeguarding Children; and
ongoing financial support for the work of safeguarding and care.
Towards Healing and Renewal also includes ways in which parish communities can play their part in assisting the process of healing for survivors of abuse.
In February 2011 bishops, the Conference of Religious of Ireland and the Irish Missionary Union launched a new Catholic counselling and support service. This counselling service, which continues the important work of Faoiseamh, supports survivors of abuse in a professional and caring environment by providing a wide range of services, including Helpline and face-to-face Counselling. Healing Meetings, Group Work, Practical Workshops and a Social Worker/Bridging service designed to link survivors of abuse to other services relevant to their needs, such as the health, local authority, educational and social welfare services.
Over the last year, and prompted by Pope Benedict’s Pastoral Letter, listening and consultation exercises have been taking place in dioceses. These are continuing and are an important step on the journey of healing and renewal for the Church in Ireland.
Copies of the Bishops’ Pastoral are available in Church this weekend.
Questions People Ask
Q. The transfiguration was an occasion of great light, but what is the significance of the cloud? Was it to foretell the future suffering of Jesus?
A. You are on the right track in associating the cloud with the darkness of suffering. It was a bright cloud, showing that God was the light and voice behind that darkness. The people of the Exodus were led by a flame at night and a cloud by day. In the journey of faith we receive enough light to carry us through the dark times, but the cloud indicates that our limited human minds cannot fully grasp the gloriously bright reality of God. Fr Silvester O’Flynn OFM Cap
Bishop Freeman’s Pastoral Letter
Bishop Séamus Freeman has written a Pastoral Letter to the people of the Diocese of Ossory. Copies of the Letter are available at the doors of the church this weekend. Please take a copy to every household.
Pilgrimage to Lourdes 2011
The annual Ossory Diocesan Pilgrimage to the shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes takes place from 22nd to 27th May 2011. Booking is now ongoing. Telephone Eleanor on 051 880 414 between 10.30am and 2.30pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. This year’s fare is €720 which includes airport transfers.
Searching for a Way Forward
Our Church is sinful and broken – have we embraced this reality fully? What does this reality say about us? What impact does it, or should it have on us? Surely there must be hope but what is it? Why not join us for two evenings as we explore these and other questions. The evenings are presented by Ossory Adult Faith Development and were postponed because of the bad weather in December.
Deciding to Stay? Looking for a renewed vision of Church! Speaker: Ann Daly. St. Patrick’s Parish Centre on Thursday, 24th March at 8.00pm.
“The people who have walked in darkness have seen a great light”: our search for that light today. Speaker: Fr. Dan Bollard. St. Patrick’s Parish Centre on Thursday, 31st March at 8.00pm. All are welcome.
Lenten Pilgrimage
Journey and Pilgrimage are special parts of our faith tradition. This Lent Ossory Adult Faith Development is offering two pilgrimages. We invite you to join us.
The first: for all members of Parish Pastoral Councils, those involved in parishes and anyone else who would like to join us for the afternoon, will take place as a walk by the river Barrow from St. Mullins to Graiguenamanagh with Evening Prayer in the beautiful Duiske Abbey. Departing St Kieran’s College at 2.30pm on Sunday 27th March a bus will take us to St. Mullins and later collect us in Graiguenamanagh before returning us to St Kieran’s by about 6.30/7.00pm. A nominal payment of €5 to help towards the cost of the bus is suggested but not necessary.
The second: for all those in the 20s, 30s, 40s or above, will take place on Slievenamon on Sunday 3rd April. Departing (2.30pm) from the Cross at the at the base of Slievenamon the group will walk to the summit taking the opportunity to reflect on the scenery and the world we look upon.
Please indicate your interest by contacting Ossory Adult Faith Development 775 3624, email afd@ossory.ie or text 086 609 7483.
Pray for our Deceased Friends
Recently Deceased: Tony McEvoy, Shellumsrath. Fr. Philip O’Brien, Hexham & Newcastle, Requiem Mass at 2.00pm on Sunday in Callan Parish Church. Judith Murphy, 30 Shandon Park. Fintan Dooley, Shinrone, Co Offaly. Nancy Jordan, Thurles. Margaret Fahey, England.
Months Mind: Philomena Somers (Sat 6.15)
Anniversaries: Chris Kenny (Sun 7.00), Kathleen Grace & Anastasia Fitzpatrick (Sun 9.30), Bridie Carroll (Sun 10.00), Pat Delahunty (Sun 10.30), Pat Mullins (Sun 11.00) Michael McInerney (Sun 12.00), Andy Henderson (Sun 12.30), Des Cullen (Fri 10.30), Billy Wallace (Sat 9.30), Johanna, Philip & John Larkin, Mary Hickey, Patrick Brennan, Padraig Costello, William Meehan, Lou McCarthy, Tommy Long, Michael & Mary Conway, Mary Hickey, Fintan Dooley, Patrick Brennan, Ted Cornally, Joan & Jim Shortall, Benny Grogan, Tom McGrath, Michael Drennan, Eamon O’Neill, Bessie Buckley, The Mulvin & Stafford Families, Tom Kehoe, Mai McCann.
Intentions for next weekend: Paddy Tomney (Sat 6.15), Oliver Kelly (Sat 7.00), Mary Lawler (Sun 9.30), Margaret Dunne (Sun 11.00), Jane, Henry & Paddy Glynn (Sun 12.00), Ursula Maher (Months Mind 12.30).
Lenten Masses
Don’t forget we have an extra Lenten Mass at St. Fiacre’s Church at 6.15pm on weekdays.
Trócaire Fast Boxes
Please take a Trócaire Box home with you today and remember the world’s poor this Lent. For more information visit www.trocaire.org/lent or call 1850 408 408.
Children’s Liturgy Group
The Children’s Sunday 10.30am Mass continues during Lent. All children are welcome especially new comers! Participation by parents will be required and we would particularly welcome new ideas, new songs, even new musicians! Practice will take place in St Fiacre’s Church on Wednesday next at around 6.40pm (after the 6.15pm Mass). Please come along.
Weekly Envelope Collection
Last week’s envelope collection: €1,832.00. The new envelope packs are being prepared for distribution at the moment. Please advise the parish office if you didn’t receive envelopes last year and would like to contribute. Thanks.
Lenten Stations
This collection towards the incomes of the priests and bishop is due to be taken up this weekend. Please use the envelope in your contribution pack or any envelope marked “Stations”. Thanks for your generous support.
Seniors’ Housing
A house has become vacant at St. Fiacre’s Gardens. Application forms at the Parish Office.
Loughboy Library
Free Chess Lessons for Teenagers will commence this Friday at 6.30pm.
Dublin writer Hugh Fitzgerald Ryan will meet with readers and writers at the library on Thursday at 2pm - all are welcome.
A new Traveller Culture Collection has been added to our stock - these lovely colourful storybooks are suited to children of all ages.
St. Vincent De Paul Collection
The monthly collection for the local conference of the Society of St. Vincent De Paul will be taken up at all Masses this weekend. Please support this worthy cause. Thank you.
Bible Study
Sr. De Lourdes Sheridan continues a bible study in the Parish Centre on Tuesdays. The theme is “Women in the Scriptures”. Time: 10.00am to 12.15pm including a cup of tea. Cost: €5.00. All are welcome.
Surviving your Adolescents
The Shane & Jim O’Neill Spring School continues next Tuesday, 22nd March at 8.00pm, with a presentation by Dr. Fergus Heffernan.
Adolescents don’t have to drive you crazy, Living with a teenage is no picnic. There are times when you must bite your tongue as they push towards independence or if you sense there is trouble - there are times when you must take charges. The evening will give you a step by step approach that will help end the hassles and offer concrete solutions. Village Business Centre, Patrick Street. Booking 087 927 7479 (essential). Cost €10.
Seize the Moment
‘Thanks for coming’. ‘Thanks for having me’. ‘It’s great to see you’. ‘Welcome home’. Life is full of little opportunities to acknowledge the importance of the presence of other people. Moments like these cause us to pause and do something that can be a rare occurrence in our busy lives – appreciate others at the very time we are in their presence. Often we appreciate the presence of others most when we haven’t had ‘quality’ or ‘one-on-one’ time with them for a while. When Jesus brings Peter, James and John up the mountain, Peter realises that he is in the midst of a great moment. Not only are these three ‘inner circle’ disciples getting some alone time with their friend and teacher, but all the signs point to a greater presence in Jesus – his face shines like the sun, his clothes become brilliant white, Moses and Elijah appear. Overcome with the enormity of the occasion, Peter exclaims ‘Lord, it is wonderful for us to be here’. Many belief systems, and happily also many writers on Christian spirituality, have emphasised the value of living in the present moment and being fully aware of it. Fr Ronald Ronheiser writes: ‘Too often we are not present to the beauty, love, and grace that brim within the ordinary moments of our lives… The secret to prayer is not to try to make God present, but to make ourselves present to God.’ Peter recognised the importance of this moment in the presence of God. How often can we say the same? Triona Doherty
Looking for a career in Elder/Child care?
FETAC Level 5 Courses running in March/April:
Care of the Older person
Occupational First Aid
Both modules will be held in Carlow from 10.00am to 4.00pm.
Contact 059 91 42208 or visit www.visiontraining.ie to book
Platform FETAC Training Programme
Are you in receipt of an Unemployment Payment? FREE PLACES on Platform FETAC Training programme in Career Development, IT and Communications begins on 14th March in Bagenalstown Family Resource Centre. For further details contact Aislinn at Vision Training 059 9142208.
