SAINT MARY’S PARISH BULLETIN

Year of the Priest
One of the many awe inspiring actions performed by the Bishop at the ordination of a priest is the Traditio Instrumentorum, the handing over of the symbols of office to the newly ordained .  The paten with the bread and the chalice containing the wine are the symbols of everything the priest is called to do and to be.  The words spoken at that moment are both a comfort and a challenge for the one who is to exercise this office in and for the Church: “Accept the gifts of the people to be offered to God.  Be conscious of what you are doing.  Be as holy as the actions you perform.  Model your life after the mystery of the Lord’s cross.”
(Bishop George Stack, Auxiliary Bishop of Westminster.)

Pope Benedict will make five Apostolic Visits this year to various parts of Europe.  In April he travels to Malta; in May to Portugal; Cyprus in June; Britain in September; and Spain in November, where the Holy Father will visit Barcelona and Santiago de Compostela.

Morning Prayer:  Morning Prayer of the Church is celebrated from Monday to Friday during Lent in St. Mary’s Church at 7:50am.  All are encouraged to join in this daily moment of prayer.

Stations of the Cross:  “The stations trace the way of Jesus, who by his holy Cross has redeemed the world”
(Catechism of the Catholic Church #2669).  Leaflets have
been left in the churches to assist parishioners in making this prayer this prayer during Lent.

Scripture talks:  Fr. Declan Hurley will give his final talk on the important biblical texts of Holy Week (the story of the Passover and the accounts of the Passion and Death of Our Lord).  Deepening our understanding of these texts will help us to enter more fully into the celebration of the saving mystery of Christ’s Death and Resurrection. Tuesday in St. Anne’s Chapel at 8pm.  Texts of talks available on parish website.

This Lent, as we journey towards Easter, Trócaire invites us as a parish community to walk with a little girl called Domitille in Rwanda.  She and her family face hunger each day.  The presence of a Trócaire box in our homes this Lent calls us to engage at a deep level with the reality of world hunger.  It is a scandal that although the world is not short of food, so many of our brothers and sisters go hungry.  Trócaire boxes are available in the churches.  Please take one.

During the 11am Mass today, the Candidates who are preparing to receive the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist at the Easter Vigil will be formally enrolled for these Sacraments.  Please remember them in your prayers as they approach such an important milestone on their faith journey.

Children’s Mass today at 12noon.

Reborn through water and the Holy Spirit:
Conan Oliver & Derinn Kate McDonnell, Kilcarn Court; Megan Norah James, Balreask Manor; Holly Christina Hogan, Waters Lane, Commons Road; Steven James Kerrigan, Abbey Grove; Conor Edward Fitzpatrick, Tara Glen Park; Doireann Aine Conlon, Old Balreask Woods; Martin Joseph Reilly, Academy Square; Andrea Margarita Nikonova, Athlumney Village; Jamie Brian Halpin, St. Oliver’s Cottages; Ažuolas Ēamonn Pranckus, Tailteann Crescent; Jake James Lynch Sheridan, Moathill Manor; Harry Andrew McGuirke, Clonmagadden Fort; William Valentine McCann, The Paddocks; Isabelle Amy Stringer, Commons Lane; Callum Dylan Kennedy, Dunloe Drive; Ryan John Kavanagh Gavin, Tailteann Grove; Lilie Anne Hirtes, Blackcastle Demesne.

Eucharistic Adoration: Members of the Apostolate of Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration will distribute invitation leaflets after all Masses this week.  Please take one and consider committing yourself to one hour per week in adoration and prayer.

Adorers needed for 2 – 3pm on Wednesday and Friday afternoons.  Ring 087-9334132 between 4.30pm and 7pm.

Accord Marriage Preparation Workshops take place in Navan in April, May and June.  See church notice boards for details.  Workshops take place on Fridays from 7.30pm–10pm and Saturdays 10am–5.30pm.  Book online at www.accord.ie  Early booking advisable.

An Tobar: Wednesdays of Lent: Discover the Healing Power of the Word of God every Wednesday at 7.30pm.

Online Lenten Reflections each Wednesday at www.dioceseofmeath.ie/lent

Community Notices

Red Cross Friendship Club Meeting today at 3pm in Community Centre.

Navan Floral Art Club: Talk on Gardening on Wednesday in the Ardboyne Hotel at 8pm.

Navan Library hosts author Sarah Webb on Thursday at 11.30am.  Advice on writing and getting published.    More details from Sharon at 046-9021134.

Back to Education Initiative Co. Meath VEC has a number of places : Home Repairs and Maintenance Skills course; Gardening Course; Courses are free to early school leavers, unemployed people on Job seeker payments and people with medical cards or those who have a social welfare payment.  Contact Imelda 046-9068284.

Dowdstown House: Days of Prayer on Wednesday or Thursday from 10.30 – 4pm. Tel: 046-9021407.

Meath Local Sports Partnership Activity Fest for Older Adults in Navan on Tuesday.  Contact 046-9067337.

Navan Guides, Ladybirds and Brownies from 5 upwards.  Contact Anne Hyland on 087-9660255.

Higher Diploma in Theological Studies; Master’s Degree in Pastoral Studies: Contact Admissions Office, Pontifical University, St. Patrick’s College, Maynooth. Tel: 01-7084772; email: theology.office@may.ie

MDL Annual Car Draw: four monthly draws for a car.  For details contact 087-2856318 or 086-4070681.

Liturgical Notices

SATURDAY: Month’s Mind for Chris Casey, Balreask Old at 6pm in St. Mary’s this Saturday, 6th March.
First Anniversary for Delia Callaghan, St. Mary’s Park at 7pm in St. Oliver’s this Saturday, 6th March.
SUNDAY: Third Sunday of Lent (Year C)
Month’s Mind for Peter Blake, Parnell Park at 10am in St. Oliver’s this Sunday, 7th March.
Month’s Mind for Eileen Conlon, Claremont Est at 11am in St. Mary’s this Sunday, 7th March.
Month’s Mind for Frank Dunne, Scapemanus at 1pm in St. Mary’s this Sunday, 7th March.
SATURDAY: First Anniversary for Joseph Kett, Balreask, Trim Road at 6pm in St. Mary’s next Saturday, 13th March.
Month’s Mind for Caroline Keenan, Dunmoe at 7pm in St. Oliver’s next Saturday, 13th March.
SUNDAY: Month’s Mind for Elizabeth McNamee, Silverlawn at 10am in St. Oliver’s next Sunday, 14th March.
First Anniversary for Marie Clarke, Abbeygrove at 11am in St. Mary’s next Sunday, 14th March.
First Anniversary for Joe Clarke, Simonstown at 12noon in St. Oliver’s next Sunday, 14th March.
First Anniversary for Sylvester Keaveney, Abbeylands Crescent at 1pm in St. Mary’s next Sunday, 14th March.

ANNIVERSARY MASSES: Patrick Mullen, Richard Power, Bridget Bird, Toomes Family, Mirinda Cahill, Claire Smyth, Elizabeth Dowdall, Gerard Reilly, Jarleth Carrig, Patricia Sherwin, Bridie Reilly, Delia, Christy & Dermot  Callaghan, Mary Moore, Anne Gerrard, Aodh O’Ruairc, James Gibney, Joseph & Bridget Fitzpatrick, Jackie Carroll (2), Ciaran Harte, Patrick Ratty, Elizabeth Marry (2), Jack Sherlock, Jane Ratty, Frank Tierney, Anne Gerrard, Gerard Reilly, Jane Stringer, Seamus Collins.

MASSES: Tommy & Tom Dowdall, Catherine Reilly, James Reilly, Teresa & Jimmy Ratty, Delia Callaghan, req of Residents of St. Mary’s Park (6), Nan Clynch & May McGuinness, May O’Brien, Marion & John Aughey, Mary Rogers nee Mahon & Michael Mahon, Laurence & Julia Smyth, Sheehy Family, Mallon Family, Anthony & Pat Rogers, Michael & Ann Clarke.

Thank You: A Special Word of thanks to everybody who contributed to the Church Collections.

COLLECTIONS OFFERTORY: €5045           CANDLESMAS OFFERING: €2799