Parish Newsletter- 31st March 2024
| Mass times for the week ahead | MASS INTENTIONS |
| Saturday 30th March @7.30pm Clara EASTER VIGIL | Celebration of The Lord’s Resurrection |
| Sunday 31st March @10.00am Horseleap EASTER SUNDAY | Teedy Nally (Month’s Mind). Christy McGuinness. Joe Walsh |
| Sunday 31st March @11.30am Clara EASTER SUNDAY | Myrtle Kelly. Lennie, Joe & Jamie Dunican. Anne Berry. Stanislav Dubrowolski |
| Tuesday 2nd April @7.30pm Clara | St. Theodosia No Intention |
| Wednesday 3rd April @7.30pm Clara | St. Fara Kathleen(Month’s Mind). |
| Thursday 4th April @10.00am Clara | St. Isadore Olive, Micky Joe & Myra Slammon. Steve & Julia Coughlan. Mary Smith. Phyllis Kelly. |
| FIRST FRIDAY Friday 5th April @10.00am Clara | Mass for all on the Parish List of the Dead. |
| Saturday 6th April @10.00am Clara | No Intention |
| Saturday 6th April @7.00pm Clara | Michael White (Jnr.). Anne Naughton. Nancy McGee. William & Angela McCaffrey. |
| Sunday 7th April @10.00am Horseleap | Hugh & deceased of the Slevin Family. Mark Norris. Deceased of Horseleap/Streamstown ICA |
| Sunday 7th April @11.30am Clara | Michael, Teresa & John McCaffrey. Baby Lucy Mullen. Joe Cullen. Johnny & Teresa Hanamy. |
Adoration of the Blessed Eucharist
Come to me all you who labour and are burdened. I will give you peace
Monday & Friday – 5.00-6.00pm
Tuesday & Wednesday – after 7.30pm Mass to 9.00pm.
All are welcome!
Please pray for the souls of Hughie O’Brien, Aughamore; Davie McGrath, Raheen; and Hugh Donoghue, Coolnahiley: all recently deceased. R.I.P.
He Must Rise From The Dead…
Easter Sunday morning was a new beginning for the Apostles. Mary’s news that the tomb was empty, though not yet understood, was the first, tiny ray of light which would illuminate the Cross with new meaning, and begin a journey of hope, joy and new life which is the Resurrection. Our journey as Christians is exactly the same. We ‘take up our Cross’ each day to follow Jesus. The Cross is real for all of us and we cannot, and must not, try to avoid or deny it. Like the Apostles on Easter Sunday morning we too will struggle to understand its meaning and, at times, it will seem to crush us. But always Mary Magdalene dashes in and shouts, “The tomb is empty” Then begins our next, and biggest, journey which ends with each of us being able to say with full confidence, “I believe, I know, that on the third day he rose from the dead.” (The Apostle’s Creed). The question for each one of us then becomes, “how do I witness to the Resurrection in my life?” When Pope Francis wrote, “too many Christians look like they have just come back from a funeral”. We reflect frequently on the Cross and we talk of ‘bearing’ our crosses with courage and resilience, and so we should. But… how frequently do we reflect on the Resurrection in our lives? How do we ‘bear’ the Resurrection in our bodies each day? If we are to be Apostles for Christ in our world, Peter’s question is a very real one: How do I witness to the Resurrection each day? How many of us, when we really examine our conscience, think of the times and the ways, in our words and deeds, that we have failed to be witnesses to the Resurrection??
Daffodil Day in Clara: Thanks to all who helped and supported Daffodil Day. €3,435 was collected for this worthy cause.
Clara Musical Society present Sister Act, 9th to 13th April at 8.00pm nightly. (7.00pm Saturday show) in GAA Centre. Tickets €16 on Tuesday night, €20 all other nights. Family ticket €70. Bookings can be made on www.clarams.com
Devine Mercy Sunday 7th April: Devotions 3.00pm Holy Trinity Church, Castlejordan. R35 H954.
National Eucharistic Adoration Pilgrimage to Knock on Sunday 14th April. Full Bus details on www.eucharisticadoration.ie
OFFALY VOLUNTEER CENTRE – if you are interested in registering your voluntary organisation with us or becoming a volunteer for the many organisations in our community please contact us on: (083) 015 4669 anytime – or look us up on www.volunteeroffaly.ie
Dates for Your Diary!
Confirmation: Tuesday 9th April
First Holy Communion: Boys School, Clara – Sunday 5th May
Girls School, Clara – Sunday 19th May
Horseleap & Streamstown Schools – Sunday 26th May
Blessings of Graves in Clara & Horseleap – Sunday 2nd June.
Collections for 23rd/24th March:
Development Fund: €1,130; Plate: €810.
Thank You!
May the Joy and New Life of Christ’s Resurrection fill all our lives this Easter and deepen our Faith and Hope in God.
Wishing you all a Happy Easter!
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