Parish Newsletter- 22nd September 2024

Adoration of the Blessed Eucharist
Monday & Friday – 5.00-6.00pm
Tuesday & Wednesday – after 7.30pm Mass to 9.00pm.
All are welcome!
Come to me all you who labour and are burdened. I will give you peace.

Anyone who Welcomes one of these Little Ones in My name Welcomes Me!
In last week’s Gospel we heard that mind-blowing message of hope that the first followers of Jesus heard – “that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed, and after three days rise again.” The question is, how much were our minds blown? Last week, in our Gospel, Jesus offered us a mind-blowing message of hope. If it slid past us or if we missed its implications for us, this week, Jesus offers us the same mind-blowing message of hope. If we miss it again this week, don’t worry, it will come again… and again… and again… until we are ready to truly understand it.
In many ways, our world is much the same as it was when Mark was writing. Each day we read and see the awful effects of war in so many parts of the planet. We watch the loss of so many innocent lives – in tiny, overcrowded boats; in already bombed-out buildings; in the misery and cold of poverty and homelessness; in our schools and shopping malls and theatres, where senseless massacres destroy the lives and happiness of so many people around the world. When Mark was writing, the world was small and local. People only saw and heard what was happening in their own small bubble. The sacking of Jerusalem and the destruction of their Temple was, for the Jewish people, the end of their world. Amid their confusion and suffering, Mark brings them a message of extraordinary hope and optimism. Not a naïve, simplistic hope but a real, deep, lasting hope which acknowledges suffering and pain and responds with a desire to change it. The Cross of Jesus was indeed horrific, unjust and senseless, and so too will be many of the crosses we bear. But we know that just as Jesus went through his Cross to his Resurrection from the dead, so our crosses, and those of our world, will lead to resurrection and new life. It was difficult for the people first hearing Mark’s Gospel to be people of Hope. It is difficult for us to be people of Hope. However, this overwhelming message of Hope is offered to us, just as it was offered to them. At the end of his Gospel, Mark tells of the Resurrection this way: The women entered the open tomb and saw a young man dressed in a white robe who said to them. “Don’t be alarmed! You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here.” He has risen! He is not here. Notice how simply, and with such certainty, Mark says it. And maybe this is where Jesus takes “a little child in his arms” and says to us, “Look! This is the Kingdom of God. Look at the trust a small child has in a person who loves them…just trust me…trust me … nothing else. I am with you always, even to the end of time.”

Meath Diocesan Spirituality Afternoon for Pioneers. Time: 2.00pm to 5.00pm. In the Franciscan Abbey, Multyfarnham, on Sunday 22nd of September.

Offaly Healthy Homes Project are launching our Lunch Club in your area on Wednesday 25th September from 12.30pm to 3.30pm in Scouts Hall, Clara. The Lunch club is open to all over 55 and provides a safe place for some good food where you can enjoy the company of friends and neighbours. For just €10 per person you will get to enjoy dinner and dessert, Tea/Coffee and some entertainment. Booking is essential; contact Shirley on (087) 217 5998 if you wish attend.

Helping the Christians in The Holy Land: A missionary group from Bethlehem will be visiting our Parish on the 28th and 29th of September to briefly talk about the Holy Land and to sell religious articles such as Crucifixes, Rosary Beads, Plaques and Nativity Cribs made out of olive wood in Bethlehem to help and support the poor Christians families. All support would be greatly appreciated.

Attention Young Adults (age 18-40): Would you like to strengthen your daily prayer life? Join Meath Samuel Group. Meet one Sunday per month, October to May at St. Mary’s in Navan for Talks, Holy Hour, Confessions, Mass and with a commitment to daily prayer. Led by the Franciscan Sisters of the Renewal. It’s free! Begins 6 October, register now at www.franciscansisterscfr.com/st-anthony

Collections for 14th/15th September:
Development Fund: €1,545; Plate: €680; Offerings: €200.
Thank You!

Season of Creation runs from 1st September to 4th October.
Theme; “To Hope and Act with Creation”.

++++++++