Parish Office: Mon - Fri 9am– 5pm
Tel: 6472088
Fax: 6476231
Email: stmarysparishathlone@eircom.net
Web: www.stmarysathlone.org
THE JOY OF THE GOSPEL (Evangelii Gaudium)
1. The joy of the gospel fills the hearts and lives of all who encounter Jesus. Those who accept his offer of salvation are set free from sin, sorrow, inner emptiness and loneliness. With Christ joy is constantly born anew. In this Exhortation I wish to encourage the Christian faithful to embark upon a new chapter of evangelization marked by this joy, while pointing out new paths for the Church's journey in years to come.
2. The great danger in today's world, pervaded as it is by consumerism, is the desolation and anguish born of a complacent yet covetous heart, the feverish pursuit of frivolous pleasures, and a blunted conscience. Whenever our interior life becomes caught up in its own interests and concerns, there is no longer room for others, no place for the poor. God's voice is no longer heard, the quiet joy of his love is no longer felt, and the desire to do good fades. This is a very real danger for believers too. Many fall prey to it, and end up resentful, angry and listless. That is no way to live a dignified and fulfilled life; it is not God's will for us, nor is it the life in the Spirit which has its source in the heart of the risen Christ.
3. I invite all Christians, everywhere, at this very moment, to a renewed personal encounter with Jesus Christ, or at least an openness to letting him encounter them; I ask all of you to do this unfailingly each day. No one should think that this invitation is not meant for him or her, since "no one is excluded from the joy brought by the Lord".[1] The Lord does not disappoint those who take this risk; whenever we take a step towards Jesus, we come to realize that he is already there, waiting for us with open arms. Now is the time to say to Jesus: "Lord, I have let myself be deceived; in a thousand ways I have shunned your love, yet here I am once more, to renew my covenant with you. I need you. Save me once again, Lord, take me once more into your redeeming embrace". How good it feels to come back to him whenever we are lost! Let me say this once more: God never tires of forgiving us; we are the ones who tire of seeking his mercy. Christ, who told us to forgive one another "seventy times seven" (Mt 18:22) has given us his example: he has forgiven us seventy times seven. Time and time again he bears us on his shoulders. No one can strip us of the dignity bestowed upon us by this boundless and unfailing love. With a tenderness which never disappoints, but is always capable of restoring our joy, he makes it possible for us to lift up our heads and to start anew. Let us not flee from the resurrection of Jesus, let us never give up, come what will. May nothing inspire more than his life, which impels us onwards!
Extract from Pope Francis' recent exhoratation
OFFERTORY COLLECTION
We thank you most sincerely for your contribution to the Offertory Collection for: Sunday December 22nd €4703.00 Christmas Day €7073.00 Sun 29th Dec €3884.00.
RECENT DEATHS & DEATH NOTICES RECEIVED
Ellen Devery-Allen, Cypress Gardens, Athlone.
James Worley, Clonliffe Road. (Father of Gerard Worley) Father of Gerry Worley Flynns Undertaker)
Michael Fagan, Mullingar. (Brother of Seamus Fagan, Moydrum)
Brigid Baker, Newbridge. (Mother of Carmel Hogan, Whitebeam Ave)
Peter Lynam, Assumption Road, Athlone.
MONTHS MEMORY MASS
Richard (Richie) Murray 11:30 a.m. Sun 12th Jan St. Mary's Church
CONGRATULATIONS ON THEIR WEDDING
Conor Farrell & Nadia Digan.
Gerard Lowry & Rachel Corry.
May they be blessed with a long and happy life together
We welcome into the Christian Community
Ada Joyce Flynn. Lilah Erin Harney. Stephen James Gaffey. Páidí Tomás Duignan. Isla Lily McEnroe. Margaret Corona Menton.
Who were baptised recently. Congratulations to their parents.
ANNIVERSARIES AT THIS TIME:
Louis Jennings. Mary O'Hanlon. Michael Heavey
SECULAR FRANCISCANS:
Monthly Mass & Meeting will take place on Wed 8th Jan at 10 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. in the Friary.
LOST:
Blue cut glass Rosary Beads in Queen of Peace Church, Coosan on Christmas Eve night. Sentimental value. If found please leave into Coosan Presbytery or phone 086 0784945
THANKS:
To all who supported the Bazaar in Our Lady's Bower. €15,500 raised for "Rachel's Wish to Walk"
FRIARY PRAYER GROUP:
Intercessory Prayer for Youth on Sun 5th Jan in the Chapel of Adoration, Castle Street from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. All welcome.
FEAST OF THE EPIPHANY
Monday 6th January is a Holy Day of Obligation
MASS TIMES
St. Mary's: 10.00, 11:30, 12:45 & 6.00 p.m.
Queen of Peace: 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. (note - no 12 noon Mass)
Friary: 7:30 a.m., 9:30 a.m. & 11 a.m.
ATHLONE GARDEN & FLOWER CLUB:
Annual Christmas Dinner in the Sheraton Hotel on Mon Jan 6th at 7 p.m. sharp. Tickets €30. Contact 086 8585767.
DEAN CROWE THEATRE:
Presents "Jack & The Beanstalk" Thur & Fri 9th & 10th Jan at 8 p.m. Sat 11th Jan at 2:30 and 8 p.m. Sun 12th Jan at 2:30 p.m. Tickets available on line www.deancrowetheatre.com
Get Ready.ie:
will hold Garda Entry Preparation training at the following venues.
Oranmore Lodge Hotel, Galway Jan 18th. Clarion Hotel Sligo Jan 25th. Silversprings Hotel Cork Feb 1st. Bewleys Airport Hotel, Dublin Feb 8th.
Further info visit www.Getready.ie
LOUGH REE LIFEBOAT TABLE QUIZ:
The Bounty Thur 9th Jan at 8 p.m. Tables €40 each. Please support.
THANK YOU
We take this opportunity to thank all those who assisted in the preparation of our Churches for Christmas. The colour and decoration and, of course, the Cribs, were a fitting expression of our celebration of the birth of Jesus.
Our thanks is also due to those who assisted in our Christmas liturgies, in particular to those who were responsible for music and singing. We very much appreciate the efforts of all those who gave of their time and energy.
As we come to the end of another year, we extend thanks to all who have contributed to the life and ministry of our parish during the past year. We are very fortunate to have so many generous people who help in many different areas. The most visible are the ministries that are exercised in the liturgy in our Churches but there are many others less noticeable from the cleaning and maintenance of our Churches and the management of our monetary affairs, to the pastoral care that is given by people in a whole host of organisations and societies. Our thanks too, to the members of the Parish Pastoral Council for their guidance and encouragement during the year.
We wish all of you a Happy New Year and pray that 2014 will bring you God's blessing and protection.
MASS TIMES & ANNIVERSARIES
Monday 6th to Sunday 12th January 2014
ST. MARY'S
Mon 10:00 Mass for people of the parish
11:30 Sean & Agnes Clyne
12:45 Left free for a Funeral Mass
6:00 John Marsh
Tue 9:30 Bernard Shanley
Wed 9:30 Dec'd Presentation Sisters, Relatives and Friends
7:30 John Egan Snr, John Egan Jnr & Eamon Egan
Thurs 9:30 Michael Hynes & Dec'd members of the Hynes Family
7:30 Bernard Malone
Fri 9:30 - - -
7:30 Shared Mass:
1. Thomas & Eileen Gacquin 2 Ned Fletcher
3 Maura Casey
4 Dec'd members of the Heavey Family, Patrick Boylan & Mary
Ann McCarville.
Sat 9:30 Louis Trout
Sun 10:00 Mass for people of the parish
11:30 Richard (Richie) Murray (Months Memory)
12:45 Nancy Lennon
6:00 Eileen, Bernard & Gerard Thornton
QUEEN OF PEACE
Mon 10:30 Reserved for Funeral Mass
7:00 Tony Reilly
Tue 7:00 Julia O'Connell
Wed 7:00 Edana Duffy
Thurs 7:00 Denise Caulfield O'Neill
Fri 7:00 Shared Mass:
Ann Regan
Sat 7:00 Reserved for Months Memory
Sun 10:30 Keith Joyce
12:00 Michael (Miley) O'Neill
FRIARY
Weekdays: 8.00 and 10.00 a.m.
Tuesday's: 10 a.m. & 7:30 p.m. (St. Anthony's Novena)
Sundays: 7:30 p.m., (Sat. Vigil) 7:30; 9:30 and 11:00 a.m.