Parish Newsletter- 12th January 2025

Mass times for the week ahead | MASS INTENTIONS |
---|---|
Saturday 11th January @7.00pm Clara | Frank, Kathleen & Francis Newman. |
Sunday 12th January @10.00am Horseleap | Bernard & Bridget Keegan. |
Sunday 12th January @11.30am Clara | Margaret Cunningham (Month’s Mind). Michael O’Meara. Prim Digan. Eddie Mitchell. |
Tuesday 14th January @7.30pm Clara | No Intention. |
Wednesday 15th January @7.30pm Clara | St. Ita Anne & Paul Hynes |
Thursday 16th January @10.00am Clara | St. Fursa No Intention |
Friday 17th January @10.00am Clara | St. Anthony of Egypt No Intention. |
Saturday 18th January @10.00am Clara | No Intention. |
Saturday 18th January @7.00pm Clara | Sean & Trudy Cushen. Michael Quinn |
Sunday 19th January @10.00am Horseleap | Willie Maxwell (Month’s Mind). Wilma, Josephine & Patrick Colgan. Willie & Cecelia Lynam. |
Sunday 19th January @11.30am Clara | Brian & Jenny Finlay. Brendan Egan. Everleigh Gaughran. |
Adoration of the Blessed Eucharist
Monday & Friday – 5.00-6.00pm
Tuesday & Wednesday – after 7.30pm Mass to 9.00pm.
All are welcome!
Come and find peace in the Lord.
Please pray for the soul of Michael O’Meara, The Green: recently deceased. R.I.P.
I am Baptizing you with water, but one mightier than I is coming…
In today’s Gospel, the baptism of Jesus was an extraordinary religious experience for him. The people were searching, and John pointed them in the direction of Jesus. The Baptism of Jesus was a very special moment for him that affirmed him in his identity as Son of God and in his mission. The Baptism of Jesus marks a transition point in his life, and the start of his public ministry. This experience of Jesus occurred when he was at prayer. Something happened that was a major step forward for Jesus in coming to know that he was the beloved Son of God. We all have events in our lives that are milestones along the road of discovering who we are. ‘You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.’ It is easy to lament the growing secularisation in the world today, but the Spirit of God who spoke loudly to the world in the Christ-event is active today. How can we be open to the new things the Spirit is saying to the church today? John gives an example of humility as a person confident in his own role but not seeking to claim to be more than he is. He acknowledges that Jesus is greater. There is a freedom in being able to acknowledge the gifts of others without losing a sense of one’s own giftedness.
The feast of the Baptism of the Lord shows Jesus’ dedication to the mission of saving humanity and reminds us of our own responsibility to live according to our baptismal calling.
The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity takes place from 18th-25th January.
Lord Jesus, who prayed that we might all be one, we pray to you for the unity of Christians, according to your will, according to your means.
May your Spirit enable us to experience the suffering caused by division,
to see our sin and to hope beyond all hope. Amen.
Local Writer’s Course for all levels starting on 14th January 2025. 6-week in-person course from 8.00pm to 10.00pm. Write Poems & Stories. Refreshments served each week. Phone Martin at (087) 600 7100.
The Offaly Camino Canal Way Walk and Mass from Fiona Pender Memorial at 9.00am along the Canal to Croghan Hill on St. Brigid’s Bank Holiday ,Saturday 1st of February. All welcome in any capacity or distance to join us at Holy Mass on Croghan Hill @2.30pm. Looking for people to help raise funds for Self Help Africa. Info and sponsor cards from Laz Molloy on (086) 677 8807; Ricey Scully (086) 815 3047; Nora Kavanagh on (087) 994 5964; Ronan Scully on (087) 618 9094. www.selfhelpafrica.org or email
Collections 4th/5th January: Development Fund: €1,205; Plate: €455; Offerings: €405.
Thank You Very Much!
++++++++