Entrance Hymn: Praise to the Lord

Ministers of Word and Eucharist

Are invited to a meeting at the parish centre in Frankfield on Tuesday, 11^th March. The meeting for Ministers of the Eucharist is from 7-8 pm. The Ministers of the Word meet from 8-9 pm. It is very important that you avail of these meetings which are organised for our family of parishes.

Forgiveness as a Focus for Lent

Last Sunday’s newsletter carried a reflection on Lent with the focus on Prayer, Penance and Charity. Today we add another branch to the tree: forgiveness. This consists of forgiveness of people who have hurt or offended us. It also involves seeking forgiveness from God for our sins.

          Forgiveness does not come naturally to human beings. It’s usually the last thing we want to do. We prefer to hold on to the grudge and the hurt. We can only forgive with the grace of the Holy Spirit. So forgiveness won’t come quickly or easily. We need to pray to the Spirit for the grace to forgive. When this happens we will experience great freedom within us. Holding a grudge is a form of imprisonment. Forgiveness is liberation.

Does God forgive?

          We can seek forgiveness from God anytime we wish. Just turn to him and admit our faults and ask his forgiveness. At the start of every Mass there is a penitential rite. We confess our sins at the beginning of Mass. And then there is the sacramental experience of forgiveness in the Sacrament of Penance. This sacrament is more about the future than the past. We mention aspects of our lives in Confession to invoke God’s forgiveness and healing. What is important to remember is that this sacrament showers on us the grace of the Holy Spirit without which we could not grow in virtue. With this grace we are no longer on our own in the face of temptation. So let us consider on this, the first Sunday of Lent, when and where we will go to the sacrament of penance this Lent. We offer the sacrament after the 6.00 pm Mass every Saturday night. Later on in Lent we will have three priests available for the sacrament after each of the Masses on a particular weekend.

Parish Assembly meets on Monday evening, 10^th March, at 8.00 pm

St Patrick’s Day/ La le Padraig

We are approaching the feast of St Patrick. We will celebrate it here with Masses at 10.00 and 12.00 on Monday, 17^th March. This is a celebration of the coming of Christianity to Ireland in the fifth century. It is celebrated not just by Christians but by all who value Ireland worldwide. It is of course our national holiday.

Safeguarding Directive

A reminder that access to the sacristy at weekend Masses is on the right hand side of the sanctuary as you face the altar.

is moving in this place;
he comes to cleanse and heal, to minister his grace.
No work too hard for him, in faith receive from him.
Be Still, for the power of the Lord is moving in this place.