Parish Newsletter- 21st July 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 souls of Ken Smollen, New Road; for Romaine Newman, Cluainn Abhainn; for Ger Bracken, The Green; and for Sean Heffernan, Kilcoursey: all recently deceased.  R.I.P.

They Were Like Sheep Without A Shepherd
The need to proclaim the ‘Kingdom of God’ has never been more urgent that it is today. St. Mark’s Gospel, with its urgency and immediacy, is very relevant to us and our world. All we need do is look at the chaos and sadness all around us to see it. St. Mark was talking to the Christians of his day. He is also talking to us, the Christians of our day, and his message is just as urgent, maybe more urgent today than it was when he wrote his Gospel. Preaching the Kingdom of God is a responsibility entrusted to us when we were baptised and confirmed. We can if we wish see it as a tedious, daunting responsibility to be undertaken with sorrowful faces and heavy sighs. But that would contradict the Kingdom we preach. The awesome truth is that we are invited to walk, with Jesus at our side, through the cities, towns, and villages of our world proclaiming, by the way we live, the Kingdom of God. How? Simple! By being a person who forgives; a person who is understanding and tolerant; a person who is gentle and patient; a person who works for peace in all situations; a person who searches for truth – real truth, a person with a deep and unwavering joy which is based on the Resurrection of Jesus from the dead; a joy so deep that it can be tearful and sorrowful without being lost. When the Gospel today tells us that Jesus “…began teaching them many things” these are the things he was teaching them.
Is preaching the Kingdom of God a responsibility? Yes, but it also offers us an opportunity to walk with Jesus. What a privilege that is!

Universal Synod Update: How to be a Missionary Synodal Church!
Check out the working document for the 2nd of the Universal Synods to be held in Rome in October at www.synod.ie. To read the submission of the Diocese of Meath, visit the Synod 2024 page on www.dioceseofmeath.ie. The questions that the document asks are: how to be a synodal Church in mission; how to engage in deep listening and dialogue; how to be co-responsible in the light of the dynamism of our personal and communal baptismal vocation; how to transform structures and processes so that all may participate and share the charisms that the Spirit pours out on each for the common good; how to exercise power and authority as service. Each of these questions is a service to the Church and has the possibility of healing the deepest wounds of our time.

Clara Town Centre launch A Summer Soiree: July 25th from 7.00pm-9.00pm at The Star. Ramble around the town centre first – 15 projects set to regenerate Clara. Music and refreshments also on the night.

Croagh Patrick/Reek Sunday falls on 28th July, when thousands of pilgrims are expected to scale Croagh Patrick to pray and participate in the Sacraments of Reconciliation & the Eucharist. Pope Francis has designated 2024 as a Year of Prayer, and this year’s theme is: ‘To pray for & honour grandparents and the elderly.’ Confessions; 7:30am – 2:00pm & Mass at 8.00am & 2.00pm on the summit.

Meath Diocese Pilgrimage to Knock together with The Fr. Willie Doyle SJ Pilgrimage will take place on Sunday 11th August. Mass at 3.00pm.

Collections for 13th/14th July:
Development Fund: €1,185; Plate: €565; Offerings: €975.
Thank You!

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