Jesus, tired by the journey, sat down by the well.

There came a Samaritan woman to draw water.

PARISH NEWSLETTER

Sunday 19th MARCH, 2017.

LENT A JOURNEY TOGETHER: WEEK THREE Lent invites us to pause and recognise the deeper reality of our lives. As we

are guided by God’s word, we are inspired to live more freely, more joyfully

and more abundantly. Lent is a sacred time to be aware of the divine presence

that is close to us.

1. REFLECT “The love of God has been poured into our hearts……

Everytime we meet people with special needs, they unmask our own

impatience, irritations, jealousies and they help us to be genuine and honest

with one another.

2. GIVE THANKS: Name the people that you thank God for in your life.

3. PRAY FOR LIGHT: God from God, light from light…….

4. ACCEPT GOD’S LOVE: Where do you see the Spirit and presence of

God? I think of the 130 Irish soldiers serving in the Golan Heights, led for the

first time ever by a Roscommon woman, a Ballinlough native, Lt. Co. Mary

Carroll. In her words: “We do our job in the service of peace, in war torn

regions, so that the world may be a better place, at least for some people.”

5. ANYTHING WRONG? Do you feel the sadness of a bruised friendship?

6. WHAT NOW? Hope in God. Hold firm. Take heart. Hope in the Lord.

PRAYER: May your unfailing compassion protect your Church. We call

upon your loving kindness and trust in your mercy.

QUOTATION: Morris West, in his 1981 story called ’The Clowns of God’

has a poignant scene, where people ask Jesus for a sign to heal a girl in their

community. Jesus replies: “I couldn’t do it, but I gave this child a gift that I

denied all of you—eternal innocence. To you she may look imperfect, but to

me she is flawless, like a bud unopened. She is necessary to you. She will

evoke the kindness that will keep you human. Treasure her as my sign to

you.”

John Cullen.

Mass Intentions for this week-end & the coming Week. 10:30 am

Sunday: ‘Do This In Memory’ Mass for First Holy Communicants

8:00 am 10:30 am

Monday: Hannah & Francie Hannon Peggy Cassidy & deceased family

Tuesday: Mike Ward & deceased family Henry, Maisie & Joe McDermott

Wednesday: Morning Mass Jim & John Connaughton & deceased family

Thursday Morning Mass Tom Holian & deceased family

Friday: Morning Mass Deceased of Dolan & Armstrong families

7:00 pm (Note time )

Saturday: No Morning Mass Marty Kelly (1st Anniversary)

11 a.m. Confirmation Ceremony. and his parents Tom & Teresa Kelly

RECENT DEATHS: Please pray for the happy repose of the souls of -

Philip Connolly, Rahara, newphew of Una Doyle, Ardsallagh and Margaret

Connolly, Abbey Street: Brian Rooney, Lisnagirra, Athleague, brother-in-law of

Mary Casey, Ashbrook: Kevin Hoare, grandson of Margaret Hoare, Henry Street.

We offer sincere sympathy and the assurance of our prayers to their bereaved families.

MASS TIME CHANGE: Please note on Saturday next 25th March there will be

NO MORNING MASS AT 9.30 a.m. due to Confirmation Ceremony at 11am.

ADORERS URGENTLY REQUIRED: For the Blessed Sacrament Chapel to cover

Mondays 3 - 4 pm, Saturdays 11 am - 12 noon & share hour 10pm—11 pm on Sundays.

If you can help with any of these hours, please phone Parish Office on 090 66 26298 or

contact any of the Clergy. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

100th Anniversary of Our Lady of Fatima: A Pilgrim Statue of Our Lady of Fatima was blessed by Pope

Francis on 11th January. It was crowned by Archbishop Eamon Martin on 3rd March in Armagh and

from there it is travelling around Ireland. It will be in Ss. Peter & Paul’s Church, Athlone in the Diocese

of Elphin on Tuesday 21st March arriving at 6 pm for public veneration and confessions. Holy Mass

commences at 7 pm. Consecration of the Homes and Families to the Immaculate Heart of Mary and the

Sacred Heart of Jesus and enrolment in the brown scapular will take place at the end of Mass for those

who wish to do so. This will be followed by Holy Hour.

TRÓCAIRE This Lent Trócaire is asking people to remember those in the developing world who are living in poverty. Each Monday in Lent, Deacon Damien Kearns will share his experience of visiting Honduras with Trócaire. These reflections will be posted weekly on www.elphindiocese.ie Trócaire envelopes available in Porch of Church for family use during Lent.

Pilgrimage to Medjugorje From Knock on the 7th June (day flight). Please contact group leader Marita

Con-Cannon on 098 64017 / 089 414 6331.

Mass Intentions for this week-end & the coming Week. 10:30 am

Sunday: ‘Do This In Memory’ Mass for First Holy Communicants

8:00 am 10:30 am

Monday: Hannah & Francie Hannon Peggy Cassidy & deceased family

Tuesday: Mike Ward & deceased family Henry, Maisie & Joe McDermott

Wednesday: Morning Mass Jim & John Connaughton & deceased family

Thursday Morning Mass Tom Holian & deceased family

Friday: Morning Mass Deceased of Dolan & Armstrong families

7:00 pm (Note time )

Saturday: No Morning Mass Marty Kelly (1st Anniversary)

11 a.m. Confirmation Ceremony. and his parents Tom & Teresa Kelly

ST. COMAN’S CLUB - ‘NO DUMPING PLEASE’: Please DO NOT leave bags of clothes or any other items in St. Coman’s Club. There are shops in town where you can donate unwanted clothes etc. Also there are clothes banks/recycling units located in the business car parks for this purpose.

ACCORD, ELPHIN Is currently recruiting marriage care facilitators to help with Pre-Marriage Courses in the diocese. Full training provided. Course takes place in Sligo, Boyle and Roscommon. Further information from the Accord Office in Sligo. Ph: 071 91 45641.

Spring Stations: We would welcome invitations from families to have station Masses in their homes. We would especially like to have Masses in those areas where there have not been station Masses for some time. Again, we would like to emphasise that a cup of tea and biscuit is all that is expected. To book a station, please phone Parish Office 090 66 26298 or contact any of the Clergy.

BIBLE STUDY GROUP - Meeting every Monday evening at 8 pm in St. Coman’s Club. The Bible is a story to be read. God speaks through the Prophets (O.T.) and especially through His Son in the New Testament. It is a story of Love, particularly the story of the Death and Resurrection of Jesus and through the power of the Holy Spirit God’s Love continues in the Church to-day. It is worth hearing and sharing. All welcome to attend.

Most Holy Rosary. The 15 Mysteries of the Most Holy Rosary will be recited on Wednesday

mornings, commencing at 9.20 am for the month of March. Prayer intention: That persecuted

Christians may be supported by the prayers and material help of the whole Church.

RECENT BAPTISM: We welcome into the Christian family:

Conor Concannon

Interested in becoming a Permanent Deacon in the Diocese of Elphin? The Diocese of Elphin is now accepting applications from married and single men who may feel called to ministry as Permanent Deacons. The four year part-time training programme will begin in Autumn 2017. Fur further info. or a conversation around the topic, please contact the Director of the Permanent Diaconate by email to mgduignan@gmail.com or visit www.elphindiocese under the “Vocations” Section. The next intake of candidates will be in 2021.

LENTEN RETREAT—Galilee Community: All are invited to a Lenten Retreat on Saturday 25th March at 10:30 am at the Galilee Community (outside Boyle on N4). Theme: Mary’s Faith gave her courage to remain with her Son on the Journey to Calvary. Presenter: Fr. Jim

Noonan OCD. Lunch included. Cost of day €25 per person. Ph: 071 96 64101.

PIONEER NATIONAL BALL: 21st Pioneer National Ball takes place on Sat. 8th April in The Sheraton Hotel, Athlone after 6.30 pm Mass in St. Mary’s Church,

Athlone. Tickets €30. Guest Speaker: Jim Bolger. Music by Nite Fever. Contact

Brenda Lynch 087 618 9411 or Dermot Fagan 085 720 1646.

ART EXHIBITION : By Pauline Donohoe, “Landscapes of the West of Ireland” will be launched on Friday 24th March at 7:30 pm in The Core, Church Street, Roscommon. Continues on Saturday 25th March 11 am—5 pm. Each painting sold will mean a contribution to the Western Alzheimers’ Association. All welcome.

Coffee Morning in aid of Pieta House,Thursday 23rd March , 9.30am to 3pm at the Youthreach Centre Lisnamult.

Thank You

ALTAR SOCIETY: Group iv is scheduled for the coming week.

HAIR CUTTING PONYTAIL & HAIR SHAVE on the 1st April in the Hollytree, Abbey Street. Ponytail donated to Rapunzel. All funds raised through sponsorship and Raffle on the night will go to the Irish Cancer Society and Roscommon Pallative Care. Your support is greatly appreciated.

APPEAL FOR FRESH DAFFODILS FOR DAFFODIL DAY 2017 Friday 24th March is

Daffodil Day. As fresh Daffodils contributes greatly to the success of Daffodil Day in

Roscommon Town ,the volunteers/local organisers of Daffodil Day in Roscommon Town are

appealing to the public to donate fresh daffodils again this year. Volunteers will be available

to receive daffodils on Thursday the 23rd March, at the Daffodil Day Depot in Harrison Centre,

Roscommon, Shop Unit beside Spirit Clothing Shop, 10.30 am to 6.30 pm. We appeal again for

volunteers to join with us on Daffodil Day for street selling. Phone : CallSave 1850 60 60 60.

ROSCOMMON ACTIVE RETIREMENT GROUP - Invite you to join them on a 5 day trip to

Clonakilty, West Cork. From Monday 24th - Friday 28th April. B & B, evening meal, 3 day trip for

€275 pp sharing. For further information please phone 086 8435562 or 086 1925411.

Roscommon Lions Club : Is organising a Charity Walk Fundraiser (5km/10km) for the

Construction of Safe Centres for Syrian Children refugees in Lebanon & for other charities

on Sunday 9th April (Palm Sunday) at 2pm from Hannon’s Hotel. Your support for this family charity

walk would be greatly appreciated, €10 for an individual /€20 for a family.

RHS HOME CARE. Is a non commercial Home Care Provider bringing professional home care services

to those who need assistance to remain living in their own homes. Now recruiting new Healthcare Assistants in this area. Potential applicants must have the required Fetac/QQI level 5 (two modules completed care skills and care of the older person). Email your CV to jobs@rhshomecare.ie or call Aoife on 090 66 25988.

RAY OF SUNSHINE FOUNDATION: Are you a tradesperson aged between 20—68 yrs? If so, The

Ray of Sunshine Foundation is seeking your help. They will travel to Kenya in January, 2018 to

build a Rescue Home for boys. This home will change lives forever. Duration of stay 11 days.

Cost €3,000 which covers flights, accommodation, insurance and all the materials for the build.

Visit rayofsunshine.ie or contact Olive 087 699 4599 for more info. See www.rayofsunshine.ie

CASTLE RESTAURANT IN CUISLE, DONAMON Will be open for Sunday lunch on Mother’s Day, Sunday 26th March. For reservations, please ph. Cuisle on 090 66 62277. The Castle Restaurant is also taking reservations for Communion & Confirmation.

LISNAMULT RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION Will be collecting in your area in the coming

weeks as we commence a new year for the monthly draw. Profits are used for development of

grounds/pitches and other facilities in Lisnamult and used by the wider Roscommon community.

Draw takes place monthly in Hyde Centre. Two €100 prizes, one €50 and three €25 prizes each

month. Draw costs €20 for the year. We are most grateful to all of our supporters.

TRACTOR RUN: Michael Naughton & Maura Quigley who are taking part in St. Dominic’s Strictly Come Dancing are organising a Tractor Run on this Sunday 19th March leaving Roscommon Mart at 12 noon. Registration 11 am—11.45 am. Entry Fee €20; raffle and refreshments afterwards. Your support would be much appreciated.

A FUN WAY TO GET FIT - Abbey BNS Parents' Association, Teachers & Pupils in association

with Roscommon Sports' Partnership invite members of the public, parents and children to join our

training sessions 'From Roscommon Town to Disneyland, Paris' (1,261 km) starting Tues 28th

March @7pm from Abbey grounds. Getting fit for our annual 5km fun run/walk which takes place

this year on Sun., 21st May. Inquiries to 090 66 25100

Last Sunday’s Offertory Collection: €3,522.24

Family Circle: €358.00 Prizes: €200.00 Thank You