Parish Newsletter- 21st June 2026
| Mass times for the week ahead | MASS INTENTIONS |
|---|---|
| Saturday 20th June @7.00pm Clara | No Intention. |
| Sunday 21st June @10.00am Horseleap | J.J., Mary & Brendan Kelly. Tommy, Mary & Kathleen Watts. Gerard, John & Kathleen Daly. John, Lily & Maura Casey. |
| Sunday 21st June @11.30am Clara | Mary Sammon (Month’s Mind). P.J. Bridget & Peter Walsh. |
| Tuesday 23rd June @7.30pm Clara | Nora McMahon. Elizabeth & deceased of Scully family. Annie, Henry & deceased of Dunne family. |
| Wednesday 24th June @7.30pm Clara | Birth of St. John the Baptist Phil Bastic. |
| Thursday 25th June @10.00am Clara | No Intention |
| Friday 26th June @10.00am Clara | No Intention. |
| Saturday 27th June @10.00am Clara | St. Cyril of Alexandria No Intention. |
| Saturday 27th June @7.00pm Clara | Patrick, Sarah & deceased of Dunne family. Gerry Beggelton. William, Susan & deceased of Dignam family. |
| Sunday 28th June @10.00am Horseleap | Eamonn McGuinness. |
| Sunday 28th June @11.30am Clara | Thomas & Rickey Cornally. Tom & deceased of Fleming family. Martin, Kay & deceased of O’Keeffe family. |
Adoration of the Blessed Eucharist
CLARA: Monday & Friday – 5.00pm-6.00pm
CLARA: Tuesday & Wednesday – after 7.30pm Mass to 9.00pm.
HORSELEAP: Tuesday– 7.00pm-8.00pm
All are welcome!
Come and find peace in the Lord.
Do not be afraid of those who kill the body.
In his last years, as a healer and preacher of the Kingdom of God, Jesus taught a message of forgiveness and mercy. The God he spoke of was a God who loved us unconditionally and who wanted nothing other than our happiness. Yet he watched, helpless, as powerful enemies twisted his words against him. On the night of his arrest, when he knew the end had come, he experienced a moment of deep personal fear. The Gospels tell us that his fear was so great that ‘his sweat seemed like drops of blood.’ What a powerful image of fear that is! When Jesus says “do not be afraid”, it is right that we sit up straight, listen to what he says, and try to understand why he says it. He is not quoting from a text book or referring to a distant, forgotten theory. He is speaking from personal experience and that is something always worth listening to. He is speaking from unspeakable personal suffering; suffering he bore with incredible dignity and courage right up to the moment of his death, his final prayer being, not for himself, but for those who executed him, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” So, why would a man who lived in a land governed by fear, and who experienced fear at the deepest level of his being say to his followers, “do not be afraid.” We might even ask, how can a man who has lived with fear all his life say “do not be afraid” and expect us to believe him? The answer Jesus offers us is simple, stark and straightforward – his Resurrection from the Dead. It is because of Easter Sunday morning, and only because of Easter Sunday morning, that we can listen to Jesus and believe him when he says to us, “Do not be afraid.” In this way the Cross – the sign of Jesus’ failure, became the sign of his victory. Once death is conquered there is nothing more to fear. A Kingdom where death has been defeated must be an eternal Kingdom, a Kingdom that no human power can overcome. Yes, there will be times of fear for all of us, and death is as real for us as it was for Jesus. In this Gospel, Jesus does not say that the sparrows will not fall from the sky; he says that God’s care for them is greater than that. They will ‘fall from the sky’ and die, but in the Resurrection of Jesus, in the Kingdom of God, death has been defeated, the Reign of God on earth has begun, and the final coming of God’s Kingdom will happen. That we can be certain about!!
Collections 13th/14th June – Development Fund: €1,450; Plate: €575; Easter Offerings: €10.
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:
Please join us for Eucharistic Adoration after the evening Masses. Stay 5 or 10mins. You decide how long you want to stay. Your presence will be most welcomed. Eucharistic Adoration on Monday and Friday at 5.00pm also.
The Peter’s Pence Collection will be taken at all Masses this weekend.
This year’s ‘Day for Life’ today, Sunday 21st June, reflects on the wonder of human life from the moment of conception. The theme for 2026 is ‘The Wonder of the Child in the Womb.’ Every year Day for Life falls on Father’s Day and we wish fathers a blessed day. We remember with gratitude the loving care and direction our parents gave to us, whether they are still with us or have gone to the Lord.
Finding God in Nature and Culture, Saturday 27th June, Kildare Town. Join us for a day of talks, music, storytelling, prayer, and pilgrimage exploring and how we encounter God through nature, culture, and place. Speakers include Paul Vander Klay, Heather Pollington, and Fr. Conor McDonough. For tickets see www.eventbrite.ie/e/finding-god-in-nature-and-culture-tickets-1988447493982
St Oliver Plunkett Annual Mass takes place on Sunday 28th June in Loughcrew Gardens at 3.00 pm.
Meath Diocesan Pilgrimage to Knock, Sunday 9th August.
Meath Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes September 2026, led by Bishop Deenihan, 8th September. For further inquiries phone Joe Walsh tours (01) 241 0800 or visit www.joewalshtours.ie.
Image details: the sanctuary of SS. Peter & Paul’s Church, Horseleap. Copyright: St. Brigid’s Parish, Clara & Horseleap
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