While he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was moved with pity. He

ran to the boy, clasped him in his arms and kissed him tenderly.’

PARISH NEWSLETTER

31st March 2019

OUR FORGIVING, RECONCILING, LOVING GOD………

Some of the phrases from the Prodigal Son story have enriched our vocabulary, but not always our

mentality! This Gospel story shows another way of looking at ourselves, others and God. It is a

story about a young son, eager (greedy?) for his inheritance and how ‘he came to his senses’. Lent

is really about coming to our senses.

I HAVE SINNED AGAINST YOU: When we are farthest from God, lost in a strange and foreign

world, hungry and empty, homeless and poor, weary of wandering, weak and worn, God runs a

pathway through our hearts, opening arms in an embrace that brings new beginnings. To want a

different kind of life. To have the motivation and the determination to change. To repent is to be

graced with forgiveness. “That I have greatly sinned, in my thoughts and in my words, in what I

have done and in what I have failed to do” are the familiar words of the Confiteor that echo the

Prodigal Son’s words.

When we are tempted to deny God’s grace to others, we despise when we cry out: ‘Unfair,

Unworthy’ that another sinner has such a share. ‘THE ELDER SON WAS ANGRY AND

REFUSED TO GO IN.’ God searches for us in our smouldering pride and seething anger,

pleading with and longing for us to come inside to share the joyful mood of the celebration party.

‘MY SON YOU ARE WITH ME ALWAYS AND ALL I HAVE IS YOURS’ reminds us that

God’s love is inclusive and all-embracing. It includes us all, as represented by the two brothers in

today’s story, the solid rock and the wild rover!

Hope is our God whose welcome brings music, new sandals, robes and rings. Lavish grace is the

table set for the feast, offered to all, without distinction. Our altars are the tables of welcome,

blessing, forgiveness and hospitality. Love is forgiving when we stray and love is affirming when

we stay. “THERE IS MORE REJOICING IN HEAVEN OVER ONE REPENTANT

SINNER.” We can create the music of rejoicing in heaven by singing on earth the ever new song of

God’s love in our hearts.

John Cullen

MONDAY 8 am Morning Mass

10 am Michael, Linda, Myles & Gerry Jameson

TUESDAY 8 am Morning Mass

10 am Martin & Elizabeth Beirne

WEDNESDAY

8 am Morning Mass

10 am Bridie Kelly

THURSDAY 8 am Morning Mass

10 am Pat Patterson, Kathleen & Owen Patterson &

deceased family

FRIDAY 8 am Morning Mass

10 am Sean Cooney

SATURDAY 10 am Patsy, George & Maureen Kelly

Hannah & Francie Hannon

Eileen & Seamus Duke 7 pm Peggy Conway (1st Anniversary) & James Conway

SUNDAY 10:30 am Joan Kenny (1st Anniversary)

12:15 pm Jacinta Divilly (Month’s Mind)

Mass Intentions for the coming week:

We also remember Bridget & Martin Mongan. Martin, Bradley & Winnie

Mongan whose anniversaries occur around this time.

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RECENT DEATHS: Please pray for the happy repose of the souls of: -

Pat Guckian,, Essex Lawn. Eileen McMurdoch (Nee Salmon), formerly of Castle

Street, sister of Peggy Igoe, Stonepark. Bridie Mitchell, Ballinasloe, Aunt of

Maureen Johnson, Celtic Ave. We offer sincere sympathy and the assurance of our

prayers to their bereaved families and friends.

FEATURE A WEEK IN OUR CHURCH

The floor Mosaics in the Sanctuary (the area around the altar). (to be continued next week).

Inside the altar rails are seven oval mosaic floor panels representing the seven Sacraments.

The Ark of Noah and the rainbow are emblems of Baptism. The Brazen Laver and Mirror

are symbols of Penance. The Dove, symbol of the Holy Spirit, stands for Confirmation.

The Chalice and the Host are the signs of the Blessed Eucharist. The Cruets of Holy oils

signify the Sacrament of the Sick. The book of the Gospels, with the Chalice and Stole, are

the mystic symbols of Holy Orders and finally, the Ring and Clasped Hands symbolise

Marriage.

CONFIRMATION: Congratulations to the 83 young people who celebrated

Confirmation last weekend. A special word of thanks to the teachers from all the schools

for preparing the children for the Ceremony. Also thanks to the teachers and children

from St. Coman’s Wood Primary School involved in the Choir.

MOTHER’S DAY

This day owes its origin to the phrase Mother Church. On the Fourth Sunday of Lent,

every year, on what we call ‘Laetare or Rejoicing Sunday’, the Church celebrates her

motherhood, as a mother of many nations and many peoples. This is the time of year when

adults who are preparing for baptism come to new life in the womb of the Church as a

universal mother. The Church is not an impersonal institution. Like any good mother, the

Church serves her children with life, with faith, with love and with God’s mercy. In the

English tradition this day became known as ‘Mothering Sunday’. We call it Mother’s Day.

While commercial excess has hijacked Mother’s Day, we say ‘thank you’ and salute all

mothers today for the record of service and sacrifice to their families and the community.

May the recognition and celebration that is their due, be genuine, sincere and a source of

love and blessing. John Cullen

ROSCOMMON FOR LIFE MEETING In Hannon’s Hotel, Roscommon on Thursday 4th April at 8 pm. A

destructive abortion campaign necessitates help and healing for mothers and babies. Meet the people who provide help and healthcare pre and post abortion and hear how they can help. Meet Emma O’Connell of Gianna Care and Bernadette Goulding of Rachel’s Vineyard. Also Ronan Mullen and Dr. John Monaghan. All welcome.

MEDJUGORJE MASS: Monthly Mass for Peace will be held in St. Coman’s Club on Tuesday 2nd April. Rosary will be recited at 8 pm, followed by Holy Mass. Refreshments served afterwards. All are welcome!

SPRING STATIONS: We would welcome invitations from families to have station Masses in their

homes. We would especially like to have Masses in those areas where there have not been

station Masses for some time. Again, we would like to emphasise that a cup of tea and biscuit

is all that is expected. To book a station, please phone Parish Office on 090 66 26298 or

contact any of the Clergy.

HOME OF THE MOTHER ADULT FORMATION: Saturdays at the Sisters’ house. We start at 4 pm with the Rosary and then have a Formation meeting from 5-6pm. All welcome to learn more about the faith and

spiritual life. Also a reminder that we continue with children’s Catechism classes most Saturdays from 11—12.30. Please call Sr. Ruth 090 66 25897, Knockaire, Galway Rd. for any of above. LIVINIG LENT. We will hold one-hour discussion meetings on Thursdays at 5.45 pm in St. Coman’s Club. 4th April - Benefits of meditating on the Passion : 11th April - How to live Holy Week. Please come and feel free to join us afterwards for the weekly Holy Hour at 7 pm in Adoration Chapel.

GALILEE CENTRE, BOYLE: Communicating with God: Lenten faith formation series. Tuesdays -

2nd & 9th April 10:30am—12 noon, led by Ian Neylon and Anne Francis. Donation €10 per person or couple or

€40 for the five sessions. Come to any or all. NO NEED TO BOOK.

ALLIANCE OF THE TWO HEARTS FAMILY LENTEN RETREAT: - Two Hearts Retreat on 13th & 14th April, in the Glenroyal Hotel, Maynooth, Spiritual Director Fr. Edgardo Arellano (Fr. Bing). Theme: “Be reconciled with God. Behold now is the acceptable time” (2 Cor 6:2) For further information contact Marian on 086 806 8259. Very reasonable

accommodation - See poster in Church Porch with more phone numbers and details.

Grandparents’ Association—Roscommon Branch: Meeting in St. Coman’s Club on next

Tuesday 2nd April @ 10.30 am. New members very welcome.

ROSCOMMON ATHLONE REGIONAL PTAA dinner dance will be held in the

Abbey Hotel on Sunday 7th April @ 5:30 pm. For more information contact Ann on 087 1202606.

ALTAR SOCIETY: Group iv is scheduled for the coming week.

LENTEN TRÓCAIRE ENVELOPES: For use during Lent are available in the Porch of the Church. Please take one and use it as a family during Lent. More info, see trocaire.org

ARK OF DIVINE MERCY: Will host First Saturday in honour of our Blessed Lady in St. Ronan’s Parish Church, Taughmaconnell on Sat. 6th April starting at 2 pm with a short Procession, Rosary, Chaplet of Divine Mercy. Concluding with Holy Mass. Celebrant Fr. Thady Doyle (Curates Diary). Details from Kathleen O’Connor or Paul Woods on 087 782 8283 or arkofdivinemercy@gmail.com

Healthy Greener You. Learn how and why small changes ordinary people can make in our

everyday routines can help ourselves, nature and our world be healthier and happier. Course

in Roscommon (venue to be confirmed) Tuesday 2nd April evenings and runs for six Tuesday

mornings. There is no charge. Please contact RWN on 094 96 21690 text Nora 086 809 9154

or email nfahy@rwn.ie for more info.

CAR BOOT SALE - aid of Roscommon SPCA (Society of Prevention Cruelty to Animals) . Saturday 6th April at Casey’s / Supermac’s, Athlone Rd, Roscommon.

Work Matters at the Library Event—CV Writing & Interview Techniques. Presented by Aoife Moloney, Career Coach. Tuesday 16/04/19 6.30—7.30 pm at Roscommon County Library. Free-of-charge and booking required. Tel: 090 66 37277

Arthritis Ireland will be running a six week course for people with arthritis and/or similar

conditions including Osteoporosis, Fibromyalgia, chronic back pain, Polymyalgia

Rheumatica, Lupus, Raynauds disease, Scleroderma who want to learn self-

management skills and techniques to live healthily with their condition. Venue: Roscommon Library. Start: Thursday 4th April all sessions 3.30pm -6pm.

Fee: €32 (for medical card holders €24) for all 6 sessions. Booking online: https://

www.eventbrite.ie/e/living-well-with-arthritis-course-mullingar-tickets-42530623239

or call 01 6470206 to book over the phone.

GRETEB are hosting an APPRENTICESHIP INFORMATION EVENING ON

Wednesday 3rd April at 6 pm at Áras on Chontae, Roscommon. This Apprenticeship

Information Evening is open to all, particularly students their parents and guardians.

New Term of Physio Pilates starting Thursday 11th April in Quad Youth Centre

Roscommon @ 9:30am. Suitable for beginners to improvers.

TABLE QUIZ FUNDRAISER: Will take place on Friday 5th April in Cuisle

Holiday Centre, Donamon at 9pm. This event is in aid of Áine Farrell, Ballinaheglish,

travelling to South India in June with the UCD Volunteers Overseas Society. Áine is a third

year Physiotherapy student and will be volunteering on a physiotherapy project for 4 weeks in

an orphanage for children with disabilities and from underprivileged backgrounds. The cost is

€40 for a team of 4, or €10 per person. If you have any questions, you can contact Áine by

email aine.farrell.97@gmail.com or ph 087 2780 2290.

ROSCOMMON HERITAGE GROUP Will hold their AGM on Tuesday 16th April at 8.30pm in

Gleeson’s Townhouse, The Square. All welcome. For enquiries, please contact Theresa Murray, Secretary on 087 755 4393 or email: theresacathyhelenmurray@gmail.com

ROSCOMMON TOWN ICA GUILD - next meeting in Hannon's Hotel on 2nd April at

8 pm. If you are interested in joining this active group please contact 087 4637758 for further

information.

Sunday’s Offertory Collection: €3,279.00 Thank You