Open: Mon - Fri 9a.m. to 5p.m.
Tel: 6472088
Fax: 6476231
Email: stmarysparishathlone@eircom.net
Website: www.stmarysathlone.org
Lent – Our Spiritual Springtime!
Is it just a coincidence that the season of Lent happens to fall during the season of spring? I don’t think so!
The recent dry spell although cold has given us a chance to witness the magic of nature. The sight of Daffodils pushing their heads up through the cold soil and the sounds of young lambs in the fields remind us that spring is here. But most welcome of all is the stretch in the evenings and the welcome feel of the heat of the spring sun on our faces. But as welcome as the season of Spring is, the season of Lent may not receive the same degree of welcome.
But Lent is to the Christian what spring is to the farmer or the gardener. Lent is a time of new beginnings; time to prune and cast away all that is negative within us and a time to nurture new growth. The self sacrifice of giving up smoking or alcohol, sweets or chocolate that we make during Lent is our time of spiritual spring cleaning. The initiatives we undertake during Lent to attend daily Mass or volunteer our time and efforts to help others are our moments of new growth.
So as we journey through the holy season of Lent and edge our way ever closer to the festival that is Easter. Let us prepare for the new growth of Easter in the same way as the farmer and the gardener prepare their land and soil for the season of summer. Let us not get caught up in the times when we may have ‘broken’ Lent. Rather let us renew our commitment to embrace Lent as our time of preparation, our moment of new beginning, our opportunity of renewed growth.
So whether you have broken Lent or are struggling to stay focused, whether you never began it in the first place or feel it’s too late to start. Lent is not numbers of days but it is about seizing those opportunities to prune ourselves spiritually and to plant new seeds of goodness and decency. These humble seeds of kindness and goodness, if nourished properly have the capacity to bear much fruit making the world a better place because we are in it.
Enjoy your Lenten springtime and may the festival that is Easter be a celebration of God’s gift of new life and new beginning in your life.
OFFERTORY COLLECTION
We thank you most sincerely for your contribution to the Offertory Collection for Sunday 24th February which amounted to €4,533.00
RECENT DEATHS & DEATH NOTICES RECEIVED
Marie Keegan, Auburn, Dublin Rd
Catherine (Kitty) Crehan, The Park
Sean Flanagan, Auburn Heights
Mattie O’Brien, England & late of Ballykeeran
MONTHS MEMORY MASSES
Bridie (Bridget) Broderick 7:00 p.m. Queen of Peace (Sat 9th)
Eileen Farrell 11:30 am. St. Mary’s (Sun 10th)
We welcome into the Christian Community
Luke Michael Bane Rainah Berry Donncha Hughes
Who were baptised recently. Congratulations to their parents.
OUR LADY QUEEN OF PEACE 40TH ANNIVERSARY:
As part of our celebration we intend to have a Photographic Exhibition of photographs & memories relating to the church back through the years. We invite you to submit photographs & a short description of the occasion in an envelope. We ask that you include your name, address & phone number on the reverse to ensure their safe return. These can be submitted into Coosan Presbytery marked ‘Coosan Jubilee Exhibition’.
CUPPA & A CHAT:
Will be held after 9:30 a.m. Mass on Friday next 8th March in Clonmacnois Room, St. Mary’s Presbytery. All welcome.
LENTEN ALMS COLLECTION:
Will be taken up at all Masses next weekend 9th & 10th March.
DAY OF RECOLLECTION
on Saturday 9th March in Our Lady’s Bower Convent for those in ministry in our parish. Please inform Parish Office (96472088) if you plan to attend.
FIRST CONFESSIONS:
All ceremonies begin at 6 p.m.
Tuesday 5th March Coosan NS Our Lady Queen of Peace Church
Wednesday 6th March Scoil na gCeithre Máistrí St. Mary’s Church.
ATHLONE MUSICAL SOCIETY:
Presents ‘Oklahoma!’ from Saturday 2nd –Saturday 9th March at 8 p.m. nightly with a matinee performance on Sun 3rd at 4:30 p.m. in the Dean Crowe Theatre. Tickets €11-€19. For more details & booking contact 6492129 or www.deancrowetheatre.com
REN CLUB:
Winner for Sunday 24th February was ‘Mossy Lenon’ Pro: John Darnley.
ATHLONE FLOWER & GARDEN CLUB:
Meeting will take place on Tuesday 5th March at 8 p.m. in The Bounty. Theme ‘Getting Ready for Spring’. By Laura Shaw.
I.C.A:
Federation meeting will take place on Monday next 4th March in the Prince of Wales Hotel at 7:30 p.m. Our National President Liz Wall will attend to mark our 60th anniversary. All past members are invited to attend.
PRAYER FOR YOUTH:
Friary Prayer Group invites you to one hour of Intercessory Prayer for Youth on this Sunday 3rd March in the Chapel of Adoration, Castle St from 3:30-4:30 p.m.
ATHLONE BRANCH WIDOWS ASSOCIATION:
Monthly meeting in the Shamrock Lodge Hotel on Tuesday 5th March at 8 p.m. New members always welcome.
BALLYMAHON RD COMMUNITY GAMES:
Anyone interested in competing in community games gymnastics please contact 086 0643647.
ATHLONE AGRI-SHOW:
Committee meeting in the Fatted Calf, Glasson on Monday 4th March at 9 p.m. New members & ideas always welcome.
ATHLONE PIPE BAND:
Recruiting taking place for new members both pipers & drummers from April. Please contact our Facebook page or e-mail: athlonepipeband@gmail.com if interested. Annual fundraising night out in Shamrock Lodge Hotel on St. Patrick’s night 17th March. Music by the Kaye Twins. Tickets €5.
DR. STEVEN’S RESOURCE CENTRE:
Is now taking names for the following courses: Basic Computers, Intermediate Computers, Benefit 3 Free Computer Course, Receptionist Skills Course. Places are limited contact 6473001 for more information.
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 5th March at 8 p.m. in the Shamrock Lodge Hotel. Contact 087 9593917. Guest speaker.
PARISH BINGO:
There will be no bingo this Sunday night 3rd March in the Dean Crowe Theatre due to the production of ‘Oklahoma!’ taking place. Bingo as usual in St. Mary’s Hall at 8 p.m.
COOSAN/BEECHPARK COMMUNITY GAMES:
Basketball training begins on Sunday 10th March in the Marist gym at 12 noon. All girls & boys u11 & u13 are welcome. Also if you are interested in training for u10 gaelic football will commence on Saturday 9th March at 4:30 p.m. in Coosan NS. U12 boys soccer please contact 087 9007911.
EUCHARISTIC ADORATION REGIONAL GATHERING:
A gathering in Ferbane Church on this Sunday 3rd March at 3 p.m. for those involved in Eucharistic Adoration. This is part of the new diocesan structure that wants to support adorers in their ministry. For more information contact 087 9972259.
ATHLONE ARTS GROUP:
AGM will take place on Wednesday 6th March at 8:30 p.m. in Abbey Road Studio upstairs. New members welcome.
MASS TIMES & ANNIVERSARIES
Monday 4th - Sunday 10th March
ST. MARY’S
Mon 9:30 Ann & Ken Fairman
1:05 Daniel, Mary & Tom Hynes
Tue 9:30 John Ring
1:05 Tom & Maureen Egan & Dec’d members of the Egan Family
Wed 9:30 Paddy & Brid Finnegan
1:05 William Connell
Thurs 9:30 Joan & Michael Walsh
1:05 Chrissie & Michael Flynn
Fri 9:30 Bernard & Roseanne Boland
1:05 Shared Mass:
Patrick Henry & Mary Miley
Mattie O’Brien
Sat 9;30 Alice West
Sun 10:00 Christina McCormack
11:30 Eileen Farrell (Months Memory)
12:45 Joe & Nan Sharkey
6:00 Edward Farrell
QUEEN OF PEACE
Mon 7:00 Eileen Collins
Tue 7:00 John Joe & Bridie Sweeney
Wed 7:00 Michael & Rachel Lyons
Thurs 7:00 Lena (Helena) Donnelly
Fri 7:00 Shared Mass:
John, May & Marie O’Brien
William, Elizabeth & Pascal Curley
Frank & Patricia Judge, Michael Francis & Mary Dooley
Thaigh Lynch & Jimmy Welsh
Patrick St. John
Tess Gavin
Sat 7:00 Bridie (Bridget) Broderick
Sun 10:30 Mass for the people of the Parish
12:00 Muriel & Gilbert Barrington
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.