Parish Office: Mon - Fri 9am– 5pm
Tel: 6472088
Fax: 6476231
Email: stmarysparishathlone@eircom.net
Web: www.stmarysathlone.org
VOCATIONS SUNDAY
Dear Parishioners,
Today is Vocations Sunday when we pray for vocations to the priesthood and Religious Life.
One of the most urgent issues facing the Diocese of Ardagh and Clonmacnois is the declining number of priests. At the moment each parish has at least one priest, unfortunately this will change due to the ongoing decline.
Currently there are 57 priests in ministry in the forty-one parishes of the Diocese. Over the next five years 12 priests will reach retirement age (seventy-five) and only one priest will be ordained. During the following five years an additional 10 priests will reach retirement age. So over a decade 22 priests now in ministry in parishes will retire - there are very few replacements. The Diocese has two students studying for the priesthood: one in his second last year and one is in first year, so the outlook for the short to medium term is one of a dramatic decline in the number of priests.
I write this letter to draw your attention to the matter because it will impact on all parishes and on the workload of priests.
During the few months I have been in the Diocese I have met many parishioners who have spoken highly of their priests. There is a great sense of working together in parishes: Readers, Ministers of the Eucharist, Choirs, Committees and groups all contributing to making our Sunday liturgies and our parish life more welcoming and more engaging.
Over the next year a process will take place to engage parishioners and clergy in planning for the future of the Diocese. As part of the preparation for such planning I hope to meet with Parish Pastoral Councils and listen to their views as I believe they play a key role in the Diocese.
We continue to pray that more will consider the priesthood as a way to live their lives in the service of Jesus Christ and of his Good News and that they will answer God's call with our encouragement and our support.
Francis Duffy,
Bishop of Ardagh and Clonmacnois.
OFFERTORY COLLECTION
Thank you for your contribution towards the Offertory Collection for Sunday 4th May which amounted to €4,316.00.
RECENT DEATHS & DEATH NOTICES RECEIVED
Walter Darling, Kent (Brother of Eugene Darling, Clonbonny)
Tony O'Brien, late of Railway View & England (Brother of Frank O'Brien, Sarsfield Sq)
Gary Roche, Dublin (Brother in law of Paddy Martin, Retreat Heights)
Vera Cotter (nee Martin), Celbridge & late of Clonbonny
MONTHS MEMORY MASSES
Desmond Connolly 7:00 p.m. Our Lady Queen of Peace (Sat 17th)
Maureen Doolan 11:30 a.m. St. Mary's (Sun 18th)
We welcome into the Christian Community
Manuel Miranda
Dorian Czajka
Who were baptised recently. Congratulations to their parents.
CONGRATULATIONS ON THEIR WEDDING
Kim Ward & Edward McCormack
May they be blessed with a long and happy life together
AVAILABLE:
Two more places have become available for the Pilgrimage to Poland from 2nd-9th June. Price: €830 sharing or €930 single room. If you or someone you know would like to go on this pilgrimage please contact St. Mary's Parish Office at 6472088 as soon as possible.
ANNIVERSARIES AT THIS TIME:
Angela Dunning
YOUTH PILGRIMAGE TO MEDJUGORIE:
30th July for 7 nights half board. A week of fun, friendship, music & prayer. Contact anita.allenym@gmail.com or phone 6473358.
DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES:
Bus to Airport (Knock). Cost €20. It will be necessary to know the flight number & departure time before booking the bus. Once you have received your tickets (which will be in the next week or so) please contact St. Mary's Presbytery 6472088. Please note that this bus is only available to those travelling from Knock Airport to Lourdes.
CLONBONNY AREA MASS:
Will take place on Tuesday 20th May at 7:30 p.m. in Clonbonny National School. All welcome.
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION:
Saturday 17th May in Our Lady Queen of Peace Church for children from Scoil na gCeithre Maistrí at 11 a.m.
Saturday 17th May in St. Mary's Church for children from St. Mary's National School at 11 a.m.
OUR LADY'S BOWER:
To mark the closure of the boarding school, past pupils (boarding & day) & former teachers are invited to visit Our Lady's Bower on Saturday 24th May from 12-6 p.m. or Sunday 25th May from 12-4 p.m. Mass will be celebrated on Saturday evening 24th May at 6 p.m. RSVP: Our Lady's Bower or olbreunion@gmail.com
SECULAR FRANCISCANS:
Monthly Mass & meeting will take place on Wednesday 14th May at 10 a.m. & 7:30 p.m. in the Friary.
WIDOWS ASSOCIATION:
Meeting of Athlone Widows Association will take place on Wednesday 14th May at 8 p.m. in the Shamrock Lodge Hotel. New members welcome.
KNIGHTS OF ST. COLUMBANUS - ATHLONE COUNCIL:
Meeting will take place on Wednesday 14th May at 8 p.m. in St. Ciaran's House.
NIGHT PRAYER VIGIL:
Will take place in Cluain Chiarain Prayer Centre, Clonmacnois on Friday 16th May. Mass at 10 p.m. Adoration & prayers follow. Finishes at 3:10 a.m. All welcome. Contact 085 7746763.
BUS TO KNOCK:
Will leave from St. Mary's National School, Fair Green on Saturday 31st May at 8:30 a.m. sharp. Devotions begin at 10 a.m. Fare €10. Contact 087 2131163 or 087 2857295 to book a seat.
ART CLASSES:
Adults: Mondays 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Classes are friendly & relaxed. Children: Mondays 4-5:30 p.m. 6-12 years boys & girls. Also adult stained glass workshop 11th May & mosaic 8th June. For more information contact 086 3934603.
ACCORD:
'I'm so tired of the arguments...' If you are experiencing relationship difficulties then let Accord professionally accredited relationship counsellors help you overcome them, by contacting us at Athlone Accord at 6475491.
PARISH BINGO:
A special bingo will be held on this Sunday 11th May in the Dean Crowe Theatre & St. Mary's Hall. €1,000 jackpot must be won. Over €3,400 in prizes.
COOSAN/BEECHPARK ATHLECTICS:
Are holding their Athletics competition in the AIT outdoor track on next Friday 16th May at 6 p.m. All ages from u8 to u16 catered for as well including Puck Fada competitions. All welcome. Come early to register.
ST. THERESE OF LISIEUX:
Relics & mass of healing of the sick will take place in the Carmelite Church, Moate on Friday 16th May at 7:15 p.m.
ALZHEIMERS NATIONAL TEA DAY:
Will take place on Wednesday 14th May at 2:30 p.m. in Sonas Nursing Home, Cloghanboy. Cake sale & raffle on the day.
CREATIVE WRITING WORKSHOPS FOR CHILDREN:
6 week workshops on Saturdays from 17th May in Venue 4, Bastion Street from 12:30-2:30 p.m. (8-12 year olds). Cost €85. For more information and booking contact 086 3623971.
MASS TIMES & ANNIVERSARIES
Monday 12th - Sunday 18th May
ST. MARY'S
Mon 9:30 Mary Costello
Tue 9:30 Robert & Bridget Marsh
Wed 9:30 Maureen & Martina O'Brien
7:30 Cyril Francis
Thurs 9:30 Bernard, May & Noel Gahan
7:30 Angela Dunning
Fri 9:30 William & Brigid Earley & Rose Anne Gaffney
7:30 Shared Mass:
Peggy & Ann Duffy
John Sharkey
Colm Heavey
Dec'd members of the Galvin & Feary Families
Mary Francis
William Anthony McKenna
Sat 9:30 Brendan Barnes
Sun 10:00 Mass for the people of the Parish
11:30 Maureen Doolan
12:45 Jack & Eileen Egan
6:00 Dec'd members of the O'Brien Family
QUEEN OF PEACE
Mon 7:00 Molly Dolan
Tue 7:00 Jimmy Somers
Wed 7:00 Martin Scally
Thurs 7:00 Claire & Darren O'Donnell
Fri 7:00 Shared Mass:
1. Basil Moran 2. Bill Kelly
3. Tom Dully 4. Bob & Patsy Purse (nee Rattigan)
5. Michael & William McCormack & Dec'd members of the McCormack Family
6. Tom & Bridie Fahey 7. Donal Kerins
Sat 7:00 Desmond Connolly (Months Memory)
Sun 10:30 Miley & Kate O'Neill
12:00 John Fitzpatrick
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.