Open: Mon - Fri 9a.m. to 5p.m.
Tel: 6472088
Fax: 6476231
Email: stmarysparishathlone@eircom.net
Website: www.stmarysathlone.org
What would Ireland have been like had Saint Patrick not come here? A hypothetical question, you might say but a valid question nonetheless. The layers of history that have built up since the time of Patrick have compacted popular fables with historical facts. Our childhood recollections paint the image of Saint Patrick as the person who banished the snakes from our little country and left us the shamrock as a lasting symbol of our Christian faith.
Historians tell us that before the arrival of Patrick, we were a pagan people; a pagan people who worshipped pagan symbols like the sun. We are told that the young Patrick came to our isle not as a voluntary tourist but as a boy captured into slavery. It was against this bleak background of slavery and paganism that the voice of God stirred up something in the young Patrick. Why in God’s name did Patrick ever risk coming back to Ireland when he got the chance to escape in the first place?
Maybe Patrick had to finish the work God set out for him. But the young Patrick did return to our isle to complete the work God had called him to; the work of conversion. In a relatively short period of history, not alone had Patrick convinced the pagan Irish of the richness of the Christian faith but he stirred up a missionary zeal in us to go out and bring that faith to others. In a few short years, we had moved from being the pagan Irish to an evangelising Irish, anxious to spread the gospel message.
But the challenge for us now is not to look back on our history and reminisce on times past. The real challenge for us as twenty first century multicultural Irish is to look at our present and the kind of Ireland we will leave to generations as yet unborn. We are constantly being reminded of the economy that we will leave to our children and our grandchildren but surely we are more than just consumers and our land more than just an economy. The challenge for us like Patrick is to listen to the voice of God in our lives today and to make that voice and message alive in our lives.
Our challenge for us in the Ireland of today is no longer snakes or slavery but the challenge to keep alive a Christian faith that has been rocked by scandal and suspicion. It was against a bleak background of slavery and paganism that the young Patrick felt empowered to spread the gospel message. The background that lies behind us today is not without its’ own share of bleakness but surely that bleakness should not stop us rising to the challenge. We Irish are a resilient people who show what we’re made of in the face of challenge.
There are greater things that we can leave our children than an economy or a bank account. We can leave them a belief in a God that will see them through the bleakness of whatever background clouds their day. We can leave them a faith that will sustain them through snakes and slavery!
OFFERTORY COLLECTION
We thank you most sincerely for your contribution to the Offertory Collection for Sunday 10th March which amounted to €4,341.00
RECENT DEATHS & DEATH NOTICES RECEIVED
Nicholas Duffy, Bloomfield Drive
Bridie McMahon, Ennis (Sister of Francis O’Toole, Meehanquarter)
Bridie Hughes, Taughmaconnell
Bridget Sheil, Golden Island
Marie Carmody, Ashgrove, Cartrontroy
Mary Linnane-Mulchrone, Killogeenaghan, Fardrum
Una Byrne (nee O’Meara), Dublin & formerly of Connaught St
MONTHS MEMORY MASSES
William (Willie) Clarke — 7:00 p.m. Our Lady Queen of Peace (Sat 23rd)
Sean Fuery — 11:30 a.m. St. Mary’s (Sun 24th)
We welcome into the Christian Community
Francesco Michael Anthony Magliocco Ella Sarah Mary Curtin
Callum James Breen Maoliosa Lucia Green
Who were baptised recently. Congratulations to their parents.
ANNIVERSARIES AT THIS TIME:
Joseph Holohan
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’.
DO THIS IN MEMORY:
First Communion preparation continues next Sun 24th Mar.
St. Mary’s Church at 10 a.m. for children & parents from St. Mary’s NS, Clonbonny NS, Scoil na gCeithre Máistrí & Athlone Mixed School.
Queen of Peace Church at 10:30 a.m. for children & parents from Coosan NS & Cornamaddy NS.
PRAYER AROUND THE CROSS:
song and contemplation in the style of Taize.
GOOD FRIDAY 29th March in St. Mary’s Church 9 p.m.—10 p.m.
Students from our local Secondary schools and young people are invited to become involved through music, singing, reading, setting up the space or being the welcoming team.
Contact Anita 090 6473358 or Fr. Turlough at the Presbytery.
Rehearsal in St. Mary’s Hall on Thursday 21st March at 7 p.m. All are welcome.
KNIGHTS OF ST. COLUMBANUS - ATHLONE COUNCIL:
Annual Charity Fundraising Golf Competition will take place in Athlone Golf Club on Saturday 23rd & Sun 24th March. Timesheet 6492073.
CAKE SALE:
On St. Patrick’s Day after 10:30 a.m. & 12 Mass in Our Lady Queen of Peace. Proceeds to help EIL Volunteer working with disadvantaged women in Chang Mai.
OUR LADY QUEEN OF PEACE CHURCH JUBILEE:
Meeting of all those interested in taking part in planning the 40th anniversary will take place on Wednesday 20th March at 7:30 p.m. in the sacristy. All are welcome.
REN-CLUB:
Winner for Sunday 10th March was ‘James & Catherina Greene’. Promoter was John Darnley.
PLAY:
Jean Farrell’s ‘The Six Mary’s’ being presented at Shamrock Lodge Hotel on Wednesday 20th March at 8 p.m. Proceeds in aid of Athlone Soroptimists Club. Tickets €10 available on the night.
ATHLONE BRANCH IRISH GUIDE DOGS FOR THE BLIND:
AGM will take place on Wednesday 20th March at 8 p.m. in The Bounty.
New members welcome.
REDUCE BURGLARIES:
Calling all residents/N/W groups. Please contact Sgt. John Connolly, Crime Prevention Officer 044 9384000 if you wish him to attend your meetings & give advice on home security. This is a free service.
RUAH:
Youth Prayer Meeting. Elation Ministries, a group of young people committed to spreading the Good News through worship & song, invite you to Ruah on Friday 22nd March from 8-9:30 p.m. It will consist of Prayer through music, time of silence, and a reflection on scripture from Deacon Frank McGuinness, Elphin Diocesan Youth Director. All are welcome to attend this time of prayer in the Chapel of Adoration, Castle Street. For more information contact 087 9404299 or check out www.elationministries.com
SOUTH WESTMEATH ADULT LEARNING PROGRAMMES:
If you have time to spare and are interested in helping others, train as an adult literacy tutor. No qualifications necessary as training is provided. Next course starting in April 2013 in Athlone. For more information contact 6492188.
PRAYER FOR LIFE:
40 hours of Prayer for Life will take place in the Adoration Chapel commencing on Saturday 23rd March at 4 p.m. until 8 a.m. on Monday 24th March. Volunteers needed for 1 hour of their choice. Contact 6492278 for more information.
ST. PATRICK’S DAY EVENTS:
Parade starts at 2:30 p.m. from Golden Island. Music, entertainment & buskers throughout the parade. Children’s magic show - Civic Square 3:15-4:15 p.m. Bouncing castle - Civic Square from 2-4 p.m. All children’s entertainment free of Charge. Parade will be lead by the Athlone Army Band & Midland Vintage Cars.
PEOPLE OF THE YEAR AWARDS:
An ideal opportunity to recognise voluntary contributions of people in our community. You can nominate anyone who you think should be recognised for their contribution to our community. Closing dates for nominations is Thursday 21st March. The nomination can be done online at www.westmeathindependent.ie/peopleoftheyear.
MASS TIMES & ANNIVERSARIES
Monday 18th - Sunday 24th March
ST. MARY’S
Mon
9:30 Freddie Malone
1:05 James & Mary Durr & Dec’d members of the Durr Family
Tue
9:30 Mary Dowling
1:05 John & Jimmy Greene
Wed
9:30 Dec’d Presentation Sisters, Relatives & Friends
1:05 Dec’d members of the Bannon & Griffin Families
Thurs
9:30 Ingrid Flanagan
1:05 Mary & Christy O’Connor
Fri
9:30 William Anthony McKenna
1:05 Shared Mass:
Michael McCormack
Sat
9:30 John & Margaret Verdon
Sun
10:00 John Greene
11:30 Sean Fuery (Months Memory)
12:45 Mai Lynch & Thomas Murphy
6:00 Bill Turner
OUR LADY QUEEN OF PEACE
Mon
7:00 Harry & Claire Trout
Tue
7:00 John & Mary Farrell & Dec’d members of the Farrell Family
Wed
7:00 Jack & Nan Walsh
Thurs
7:00 Noel & Nuala Reid
Fri
7:00 Shared Mass:
Colin Barrett
James & Kathleen Conway
Michael Byrne
Christopher & Ann Roche
Olive Small
Michael & Annie Rushe & Dec’d members of the Rushe Family
Alex Hoyer
Sat
7:00 William (Willie) Clarke (Months Memory)
Sun
10:30 Mass for the people of the Parish
12:00 Geraldine Nott
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.