Parish Newsletter- 23rd June 2024

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 soul of Donie Scally, Horseleap & for Walter Mee, Terenure; both recently deceased.  R.I.P.

Even The Wind and the Sea Obey Him!
The central and most obvious image used In today’s Gospel is that of ‘the storm’. St. Mark describes it, the storm they found themselves in was devastating. St. Mark describes how the storm came suddenly and without warning, plunging them almost instantly into a fight for survival. It is clear that the Apostles truly do fear losing their lives in this storm, and all the while Jesus, it seems, sleeps comfortably ‘on a cushion’. The tiny detail of the ‘cushion’ nicely contrasts the frantic activity of the apostles with the peaceful sleep of Jesus. ‘Storms’ are, of course, often used as analogies for life. Whether they come suddenly or gradually build, when they strike they leave us helpless, totally at the mercy of wind and rain. This storm happens ‘in the evening’, when light is fading or even gone. It is the time when, for us, the storms of life are at their worst. We toss and turn in bed as our troubles seem to multiply through the still watches of the night. Likewise, the storm takes the Apostles by surprise, striking without warning.
For us, isn’t it the same? One moment we are doing fine and the next the bottom falls out of our world. One phone call, and we find ourselves in the middle of a storm. One doctor’s visit, and we are in a storm. One conversation and we are in a storm. Therefore, “Who is this man, that even the wind and waves obey him?” began a crucial, internal journey for the apostles. As they came to know Jesus; to meet him as a friend and companion, their faith in him and their trust in him took root and grew so that when a later storm came, their ‘storm theology’ was no longer fear and doubt and they willingly died for him. The same is true for us. As we come to know the person of Jesus as our friend and companion, especially when storms overtake us, our faith and trust will grow. Hopefully, we will never be asked to die for our faith, but we will truly be better witnesses to the Resurrection and we will radiate hope and confidence to a world that badly needs both at this time. The Apostles answered for themselves the question “Who is this man?” and they discovered within themselves “a peace that the world could not give them”. That peace also awaits us.

And when they got into the Boat, the wind suddenly ceased. Those in the boat worshipped him, saying –
‘Truly You are the Son of God.‘

3-Day Residential Retreats led by Fr. Prince Clarence S.J. 23rd– 25th July, 30th July – 1st August, 6th- 8th August at the De La Salle Retreat Centre, Castletown, Co. Laois. €195 per person and per retreat. Information from Margaret (087) 231 2066 or Oonagh (086) 173 6181, email: or Facebook: ruachministry7

Are you a childminder or thinking about becoming a childminder in Offaly? Contact Offaly County Childcare Committee at / (085) 170 3772 for information about; the new childminding act, operating a child-minding business, training, grants and funding available to childminders.

Retreat for Young Adults (18-40 yrs) St. Columban’s Dalgan Park, Navan Saturday 6th July 10.00am to 5.30pm. Mass, talks, adoration, confession, spiritual direction if desired. Cost: €20. Contact; Sr Úna (090) 648 166, email;

Collections for 15th/16th June:
Development Fund: €1,340; Plate: €710; Offerings: €20.
Thank You!

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