Parish Office: Mon - Fri 9am– 5pm
Tel: 6472088
Fax: 6476231
Email: stmarysparishathlone@eircom.net
Web: www.stmarysathlone.org
CHRIST IS THE LIGHT
The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord has a rich history and spirituality. The diary of the fourth century Spanish pilgrim Egeria gives witness to a feast day being celebrated in Jerusalem on February 15th, forty days after the January 6th feast of Christmas/Epiphany. This feast was in honor of the Lord's Presentation in the Temple which was done to fulfill the requirements of Jewish Law.
The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord did not appear in Rome until the last half of the seventh century. Since the Western Church celebrated the Birth of the Lord on December 25th, the Presentation of the Lord was celebrated on February 2nd, forty days later. At the beginning of the eighth century, Pope Sergius included a candlelight procession as a part of this celebration. By the end of the eighth century, the blessing and distribution of candles had also become a part of this feast day. It is from this practice that this feast day derives it popular name of Candlemas Day.
Until the liturgical reforms of the Second Vatican Council, the feast of the Presentation marked the end of the Christmas season. The Presentation still reminds us that the entire Christmas season, which now ends with the Solemnity of the Baptism of the Lord, is to proclaim that Christ our light has entered our world in order to save both Jew and Gentile from the darkness of sin and death. Isaiah's prophecy read on Christmas day has been fulfilled, "the people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shone."
By virtue of our Holy Baptism, we now share in this marvellous light. At Baptism the darkness of sin is expelled and we are filled with Divine Life, the light of Christ! In turn, we are to bring the light of Christ to our waiting world. As Jesus reminds us in the Gospel, we cannot place our light under a bushel basket. We have been illumined by Christ the true light and in turn we must illumine our world which still struggles to accept the light of Christ.
The feast of the Presentation reminds us of our Christian vocation. Just as the candles that we bless on the Feast of the Presentation and use in our prayer are consumed as they illumine our church and home, we, as baptized Christians, are called to be "consumed" as we give ourselves away in order to illumine our world with the light of Christ!
Fr. Stephen McKinley, ofm conv.
OFFERTORY COLLECTION
Thank you for your contribution towards the Offertory Collection for Sunday 26th January which amounted to €4,454.00.
RECENT DEATHS & DEATH NOTICES RECEIVED
Teresa Emerson, Railway View
Claire Gill, Ard-Ri, Bonavalley
Billy Skelly, formerly Friary Lane
Patrick (Gus) Carberry, St. Anne's Tce
Una Grehan, St. Anne's Tce
Philomena Dooley, (Mother of Helena Clarke, Arcadia Court)
MONTHS MEMORY MASSES
Brian Scanlon 7:00 p.m. Our Lady Queen of Peace (Sat 8th)
Richard Wheatley 11:30 a.m. St. Mary's (Sun 9th)
We welcome into the Christian Community
Tilly Marie Noone, Emma Kate Kelly, Dylan Patrick Oliver,
Who were baptised recently. Congratulations to their parents.
ANNIVERSARIES AT THIS TIME:
Vera McGovern.
ORDINATION DVD:
DVD's of the Bishop's Ordination in St. Mary's last October can be ordered through the parish office. The cost is €10.
ST. MEL'S CATHEDRAL COLLECTION:
Your box of envelopes contains a special yellow envelope for the Cathedral Restoration Fund. You should bring this envelope next weekend (8th & 9th Feb) & place it in the collection bag along with your normal weekly envelope at the offertory collection. The restoration fund for the Cathedral has been set up to cover extras & alterations which are not covered by insurance. Extra envelopes are available at the Church doors for those who do not use our parish envelopes.
FIRST FRIDAY: 7th February.
Confessions in both Church on Thursday 6th February after Mass. The sick will be visited.
ST. BLAISE: Monday 3rd February.
The blessing of St Blaise is a sign of our faith in God's protection and love for us and for the sick.
Blessing of throats after 9:30 a.m. mass in St. Mary's & 7 p.m. mass in Our Lady Queen of Peace.
REMEMBRANCE SERVICE:
For parents who have suffered a bereavement through the death of their children will take place on Monday 3rd February at 7:30 p.m. in Hospital Chapel, Portiuncula.
PADRE PIO DEVOTIONS:
Will take place during Adoration in St. Mary's Church from 6:45 p.m. on Wednesday 5th January.
ENROLMENT EVENING:
St. Joseph's College enrolment evening will take place on Tuesday 4th February from 7-9:30 p.m. Principal's Address at 7:30 p.m. & iPad demonstration at 8 p.m. For further information contact 6492383.
TABLE QUIZ:
In association with Summerhill Parents Association will take place on Wednesday 5th February in Athlone Springs Hotel at 8 p.m.
EVENING CLASS PROGRAMME:
Enrolment night will take place Monday 3rd February at Athlone Community College from 7-8 p.m.
ATHLONE AGRI-SHOW:
Committee meeting in the Fatted Calf, Glasson on Thursday 6th February at 9 p.m. New members & ideas welcome.
COFFEE MORNING:
On Friday 7th February from 10:30-1 p.m. in the Prince of Wales Hotel. Proceeds in aid of Athlone Special Olympics.
SCOIL NA gCEITHRE MÁISTRÍ:
Athlone's All Irish Primary School, will hold an open meeting for parents who are interested in enrolling their children in the Junior Infant Class of Sept 2014 on Wednesday 5th February at 8 p.m. in the school. Please contact the school at 6465794, email: oifig4maistri@gmail.com or school blog ceithremistri.scoilnet.ie/blog for details.
CLONBONNY NS:
Open day is on Saturday 8th February from 10-12 noon. All welcome. Pupils may enrol at the school at anytime. Contact 6474656.
TABLE QUIZ:
In association with St. Hilda's & St. Mary's Youth Ministry will be held in the Prince Hotel on Wednesday 5th February at 8 p.m. Raffle & spot prizes on the night. Table of 4 €40.
LIP READING CLASSES:
For people who have a hearing problem commencing on Tuesday 11th February from 3-5 p.m. in IWA Resource Centre, Clonbrusk, Coosan Rd. Tuition is free. Contact 6470044 before 5 p.m. on Mon 10th.
BREAST CANCER:
Have you been touched by Breast cancer? Would you like to meet for a chat? You are most welcome to join us on Tuesday 4th Feb at 8 p.m. in the Shamrock Lodge Hotel. Contact 087 9593917.
COOSAN/BEECHPARK COMMUNITY GAMES:
Basketball u11 & u13 practice begins in the Marist Hall at 12 on next Sun, Chess u12 & u16 practice begins in Coosan NS on Monday evenings 6-7 p.m. followed by Draughts u10, 12, & 14. We are also looking for players interested in Quiz u14, Culture Corner u14 & indoor football u10 &u13. If you are interested contact any committee member.
ATHLONE MENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION:
AGM will take place on Tuesday 4th February at 8 p.m. in the Radisson Hotel.
ART CLASSES:
Adult Classes starting on Monday 3rd February from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Children Classes starting on Monday 3rd February from 4-5:30 p.m. 6-12 year olds boys & girls.
Also adult art & craft workshops held on 2nd Sunday of the month for 2014. For more information contact 086 3934603
OUR LADY'S BOWER:
Present 'Fame, The Musical' in the Dean Crowe Theatre on Wednesday 12th, Thursday 13th & Friday 14th February at 8 p.m. Tickets €10 from box office 6492129.
ATHLONE BRANCH OF WIDOWS ASSOCIATION:
Meeting will take place on Wednesday 5th February at 8 p.m. in the Shamrock Lodge Hotel. New members welcome.
TABLE QUIZ:
In aid of Southern Gales Juvenile Hurling Club will take place on Wednesday 5th February at 9 p.m. in Athlone GAA Club. Table of 4 €40.
MASS TIMES & ANNIVERSARIES
Monday 3rd - Sunday 9th February
ST. MARY'S
Mon 9:30 Paddy Flynn
Tue 9:30 Mary Kate Flynn
Wed 9:30 Nuala, Eoin, Brendan & Eoin Roe O'Neill
7:30 Lena & James Lennon
Thurs 9:30 John Greene
7:30 John & Bridget Marsh
Fri 9:30 Thomas Dunning
7:30 Shared Mass:
1. James & David Dolan
2. David Allen
3. Emmett, Maurice & Kathleen Egan
4. Imelda Joyce
5. Edward Keegan
Sat 9:30 John & Thomas Dunne
Sun 10:00 Mass for the people of the Parish
11:30 Richard Wheatley (Months Memory)
12:45 Sean Fuery
6:00 Bridget Broderick
QUEEN OF PEACE
Mon 7:00 Martin King
Tue 7:00 James & Annie Roughneen
Wed 7:00 Jim & Paddy Caffrey
Thurs 7:00 Martin Reilly
Fri 7:00 Shared Mass:
1. Máire Uí Ghógáin
2. Vincent Lennon
3. Tony Cunniffe
4. John Henson
5. Christy O'Meara
6. Oliver & Bernadette Pigott
7. Dec'd members of the McCarthy, Malone & McCormack Families
Sat 7:00 Brian Scanlon (Months Memory)
Sun 10:30 Dessie Bartley & Dec'd members of the Bartley & Conroy Families
12:00 - - - - - - -
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.