Parish Newsletter- 22nd March 2026
| Mass times for the week ahead | MASS INTENTIONS |
|---|---|
| Saturday 21st March @7.00pm Clara | Mon, Jimmy, & Joseph Shanley. Charles & Mary Maloney. Patricia Hall. Tommy & Ann Redmond. Irene Duffy. |
| Sunday 22nd March @10.00am Horseleap | Lawrence Galvin. |
| Sunday 22nd March @11.30am Clara | Bridie Coady. Johnny & Myrtle Kelly. Gabriel Creagh. George, Annie, Rose & Tom Digan. Eamonn Kenny. |
| Tuesday 24th March @10.00am Horseleap | St. Macartan. St. Oscar Romero. |
| Tuesday 24th March @7.30pm Clara | Eamonn McRedmond & deceased of McRedmond & Keaney families. |
| Wednesday 25th March @7.30pm Clara | The Annunciation of the Lord. Hugh O’Brien. |
| Thursday 26th March @10.00am Clara | Tom, Mary Alice & deceased of Maloney family. |
| Thursday 26th March @7.30pm Clara | Sacrament of God’s Forgiveness during 7.30pm Mass |
| Friday 27th March @10.00am Clara | No Intention. |
| Saturday 28th March @10.00am Clara | No Intention. |
| Saturday 28th March @7.00pm Clara | Deceased of McCaffrey family. Anne Naughton. Nancy McGee. Frank Malone. Davey McGrath. Gerry & deceased of Rock family. Dan & Margaret Mahon. Joe, Lenny & Jamie Dunican. |
| PALM SUNDAY Sunday 29th March @10.00am Horseleap | No Intention. |
| PALM SUNDAY Sunday 29th March @11.30am Clara | Michael, Theresa & John McCaffrey. Baby Lucy Mullen. Anne Berry. Paddy, Anne & deceased of Egan family |
Adoration of the Blessed Eucharist
CLARA: Monday & Friday – 5.00pm-6.00pm
CLARA: Wednesday – after 7.30pm Mass to 9.00pm.
All are welcome!
Come and find peace in the Lord.
Please pray for Alex Fox, Streamstown/Portugal, recently deceased. R.I.P.
I am the resurrection and the life.
In today’s Gospel, we meet Jesus as he comes to the climax of his life. John shows us some of the turmoil, uncertainty and very real danger Jesus now faces. His delay in reaching Bethany, his very real and public grief, the ongoing criticism he faces even in a time of personal mourning and pain, the disappointment of Martha and Mary that he had not come as quickly as he could; all of these point to a man who is increasingly isolated and alone; a tired and emotional man, struggling to deal with the pain and grief of losing a friend; yet, a man aware of the Father ‘who sent him’ and prepared, difficult though he knows it will be, to fulfil his mission with dignity and calmness. The raising of Lazarus from the dead is the last ‘sign’ of Jesus before he enters Jerusalem and is overtaken by political intrigue, social expectations, and religious jealousy. When Jesus “calls with a loud voice, ‘Lazarus, come out’“ he is, for the last public time, pointing to an incredible and magnificent reality; that he was “sent by the Father”; that he is the God who loves us so much that he came among us in human form; and that his only prayer is “that they may believe that you sent me”. Even facing into a week of betrayal, arrest, injustice, torture and death his prayer is for us. He accepts his suffering and death just so that we may come to know the God who walks among us. Let us pray, in turn, that this Easter we may look at the person of Jesus and believe!
Amen.
Collections 14th/15th March – Development Fund: €1,270; Plate: €675; Offerings: €70.
Thank You Very Much!
For less than the cost of a cup of coffee, you can support our parish with a quick and simple donation, by simply clicking the button below:
Dates for Your Diary!
First Holy Communion:
Boys School, Clara: Sunday 3rd May.
Girls School, Clara: Sunday 10th May.
Horseleap & Streamstown Schools: Sunday 17th May.
Blessings of Graves in Clara & Horseleap: Sunday 31st May.
Triduum of Masses for Lent: 24th, 25th & 26th March @ 7.30pm.
The Sacrament of Reconciliation – during 7.30pm Mass on 26th March.
Carmelite Church: Wednesdays in Lent: reconciliation service Wednesday 25th March @8.00pm.
Accord, the catholic Marriage Care Service, is currently recruiting volunteers to train as marriage preparation programme facilitators to support couples preparing for the sacrament of marriage. Successful applicants will receive free professional training during seven in person workshops at venues around the country and will be part of a team delivering marriage preparation programmes in your local area. Closing date for application forms is Friday 29th May. Contact Aisling on (01) 505 3112 or by email to
Lent 2026 – St. Brigid’s Parish, Clara & Horseleap
‘SEVEN LAST WORDS’
Triduum of Masses for Lent: 24th, 25th & 26th March @7.30pm.
The Sacrament of Reconciliation –during 7.30pm Mass on 26th March.
Horseleap: Mass every Tuesday morning @10.00am during Lent.
For More inspiring reflections & resources for Lent and Easter check out:
Stations of the Cross: www.dioceseofmeath.ie/pastoral-resources-1
Guide to Holy Week: www.dioceseofmeath.ie/lenten-resources-2026
Blessing of the Home with Easter Water: www.dioceseofmeath.ie
On this 5th Sunday of Lent, we think about death, new life, and our hope in God. We are reminded that God always offers us mercy and new beginnings. We are called to turn away from sin and trust in God’s love. Lent is the time to prepare our hearts for Easter. The readings show that Jesus brings life where there is death, hope where there is sin, and peace where there is fear. Lent is a time to let go of our old and selfish ways and follow the way of Christ more fully!
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Image: The Raising of Lazarus by Eduard von Gebhardt
