Parish Office: Mon - Fri 9am– 5pm
Tel: 6472088
Fax: 6476231
Email: stmarysparishathlone@eircom.net
Web: www.stmarysathlone.org
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
We see in the Gospel, friends of Jesus dealing with anxiety, sickness and death, part of the life experience for each and very person. Jesus' responses prefigure his resurrected response.
Martha and Mary in calling on Jesus to come to their aid are making a presumption on friendship. Of course their friend will come and of course he does. Yet Jesus' presence with them is even more life-giving than they could ever conceive or desire. Jesus gives Lazarus back his life, which is a marvel beyond all belief.
This marvel, this tremendous gift of life however, is but only a sign of what Jesus has to offer. Jesus is offering us something which is more powerful even than raising a body from the dead; he is offering life itself in the present moment (the fulfilment of the prophecy of Ezekiel). What we often fail to realise is that Jesus is offering a way to arise from the dead in the here and now.
The difficulties of life, the fears, anxieties and disappointments have a way of seemingly ever so subtly to rob us of life's vitality. We tend over time, to lose the joy, the energy and the deep abiding happiness of life. We think that this loss of the vitality of life is because of what is happening to us. Not so.
The truth is, that it is not all sickness, anxieties and death that take the joy of life away but rather our losing touch with the Spirit of Christ which constantly and forever dwells within us.
In the midst of all the things that tend to rob us of our lives, Jesus gives the gift of life, his friendship, the gift of his Spirit, the same Spirit that raised Lazarus from the dead.
This Spirit is not ours for the asking but ours for the accepting. This gift does not depend on how worthy we may be or we may think we may be. It is a gift, a gift already given to each of us. That is what is being asked of us today, to simply accept the Spirit of God within us, and there by to experience new life. To come like Lazarus away from all the falsely seems to bind us in death.
Dom. Michael Ryan, Abbot, Moone, Co. Kildare (Intercom April 2014)
OFFERTORY COLLECTION
Thank you for your contribution towards the Offertory Collection for Sunday 30th March which amounted to €3,878.00 & for Lenten Alms which amounted to €1,590.00
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RECENT DEATHS & DEATH NOTICES RECEIVED
Ben Murtagh, Cartrontroy
Michael Reilly, Garrycastle
Desmond Connolly, Clonbrusk West
Kathleen (Kitty) Power (nee Stevens), Sarsfield Square
Peggy McCracken (nee Conroy), England & late of St. Kieran's Tce
MONTHS MEMORY MASSES
Vera Keegan & Rita Menton 7:00 p.m. Our Lady Queen of Peace (Sat 12th)
John Joe Garvey 11:30 a.m. St. Mary's (Sun 13th)
NATIONAL PILGRIM PATHS DAY:
Will take place on Holy Saturday 19th April. Depart Clonbonny at 10 a.m. (16km) on foot across bog. To book seat on bus back to starting point or more information contact 087 2128842.
FRIARY PRAYER GROUP:
Invites you to one hour prayer for youth in the Adoration Chapel on this Sunday 6th April from 3:30-4:30 p.m.
OUR LADY'S BOWER PRAYER GROUP:
Rosary & Mass this coming Monday night 7th April starting at the earlier time of 7:45 p.m.
PRO-LIFE HOLY HOUR:
Guided holy hour for Pro Life concerns: Will take place on Saturday 12th April at 4 p.m. in the Chapel of Adoration, Castle Street.
SECULAR FRANCISCANS:
Monthly Mass & meeting will take place on Wednesday 9th April at 10 a.m. & 7:30 p.m. in the Friary.
PARISH BINGO:
Will take place in the Dean Crowe Theatre & St. Mary's Hall on Sunday 6th April starting at 8 p.m. Over €3,400 in prizes. €1,000 jackpot must be won on the night.
DO THIS IN MEMORY:
First Communion preparation continues next Sunday 13th April.
St. Mary's Church at 10 a.m. for the children & parents from St. Mary's NS, Clonbonny NS and Scoil na gCeithre Máistrí.
Queen of Peace Church at 10:30 a.m. for children & parents from Coosan NS, Cornamaddy NS & Athlone Mixed School.
ATHLONE MIDLANDS SAMARITANS ANNUAL CHURCH GATE COLLECTION:
Will take place on Saturday 12th & Sunday 13th April
The Samaritans are now available on the Free-to-call number 116 123 for anyone who is feeling lonely, despairing, suicidal or who needs to talk in confidence about something that is troubling them.
49TH FÉILE CEOIL NA SCOILEANNA:
Takes place in the Dean Crowe Theatre next week. The Féile commence on Monday 7th April at 7 p.m. & continues until Wednesday night. Matinee on Tuesday & Wednesday mornings at 10 a.m. All welcome.
ATHLONE ANIMAL WELFARE:
Are holding a bowling night to raise much needed funds for our TNR & Public Assistance programs. Event will take place on Saturday 12th April at 8 p.m. in Athlone Leisure Centre. Teams of 4 cost €40 for a game.
ATHLONE WOMEN'S NETWORK:
Are hosting an Indoor Market & Jumble Sale on Sunday 13th April in St. Mary's Hall from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Wide range of stands are taking part in the event, raffle also taking place. For further information contact 6494555.
BEST WISHES:
To Jay Boland (Creggan) in the quest on 'The Voice of Ireland' at 6:30 pm. On RTE 1 this Sunday night.
REN-CLUB:
Winner for Sunday 30th March was 'Two Sean's'. Promoter was William Walsh.
COMMUNITY ALERT/NEIGHBOUR WATCH:
Westmeath Gardai are holding their Community Alert/Neighbour Watch AGM on 16th April in Mullingar. One committee member from each group is asked to attend. If you committee has not received an invitation to this event please contact 044 9384061.
KNIGHTS OF ST. COLUMBANUS:
Athlone Council meeting will take place on Wednesday 9th April at 8 p.m. in St. Ciaran's House.
MIDLAND SIMON SHOP:
Donations urgently needed. Donations of unwanted gifts, clothes, shoes, handbags, bedlinen, & household items. The Midland Simon Community works with people who are experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness in your community. Please contact 6476577.
VIEWS SOUGHT ON THE FUTURE OF RTE ATHLONE TRANSMITTER AT MOYDRUM:
A public meeting to discuss possible tourism & other uses for RTÉ Athlone Transmitter site at Moydrum is being convened by the Athlone Marconi Centre Heritage Group. This meeting will take place in the Sheraton Hotel on Wednesday 9th April at 8 p.m.
COLÁISTE GAEILGE ÁTHA LUAIN:
Now enrolling for: Specialist tuition days during Easter break for Leaving & Junior Certs students to improve their Irish. Irish language summer course 'Gaeltacht Experience' for primary & secondary school pupils. Or drop into our Tae/Caife Le Gaeilge on Fridays 10-11:30 a.m. in St. Ciaran's House to improve your spoken Irish in a pleasant environment. For more details contact 6455578/085 8074471.
DEAN CROWE THEATRE:
Shannon Dance Academy presents an evening of dance on Saturday 12th & Sunday 13th April. Spotlight Youth Theatre presents Disney 'Beauty & The Beast' on Tuesday 15th & Wednesday 16th April in the Dean Crowe Theatre. For booking contact 6492129 or www.deancrowetheatre.com
MUSIC EXTRAVAGANZA:
Will be held on Tuesday 15th April in the Shamrock Lodge Hotel. All proceeds going to Summerhill Autism Unit, Athlone. Music on the night by Sean Slattery & the connections, Jimmy Buckley, Robert Mizzell, Mike Denver & many more. Tickets can be purchased at hotel reception now or on the night. Tickets €15.
EXHIBITION:
The outstanding Brazilian artist Rosina de Franceschi is going to exhibit in AIT from 7th-11th April. Exhibit opens on Monday 7th April - Fountain area - main canteen.
MASS TIMES & ANNIVERSARIES
Monday 7th - Sunday 13th April
ST. MARY'S
Mon 9:30 Thomas O'Rourke
1:05 Michael Farragher
Tue 9:30 Tom & Roseanne Flanagan
1:05 Dermot Kilduff
Wed 9:30 Dec'd Presentation Sisters, Relatives & Friends
1:05 Katie, Eddie Snr & Jnr, Joan & James O'Connor & Dec'd members of the O'Connor Family
Thurs 9:30 Bill, Jenny & Frank Somers & John & Jane McKenna
1:05 Padraig Newell
Fri 9:30 James & Mary Keenan
1:05 Shared Mass:
Dec'd members of the Gorman Family
Sat 9:30 Kathleen Quinn (nee Lynch)
Sun 10:00 Christine Casey
11:30 John Joe Garvey (Months Memory)
12:45 Eamon Donnelly & Eileen Donnelly (nee McFarland)
6:00 James & Kathleen Mulligan & Dec'd members of the Mulligan Family,
Laurence O'Connell & Dec'd members of the O'Connell Family
QUEEN OF PEACE
Mon 7:00 Vera Rattigan
Tue 7:00 Paddy Connor
Wed 7:00 Jim McCormack
Thurs 7:00 David Dunning
Fri 7:00 Shared Mass:
Frank & Nuala Larkin, Kathleen Morley & Rita Behan
Ian, Patrick, Kay & Madeline Geraghty
Maura Frawley
Mary & Gus Tighe & Phil Hazledine
Dec'd members of the McCormack & Costello Families
Sat 7:00 Vera Keegan & Rita Menton (Months Memory)
Sun 10:30 Mass for the people of the Parish
12:00 Thomas Foley & Martina Donnelly