St. Joseph’s Church Carrickmacross
Deus Vobiscum...May God Be With You
Parish News
Young Leaders - Are you 15-17 years old? Do you like to have fun while developing new skills? Do you have the energy, enthusiasm, and personality to be a young leader? Clogher don Óige are running a Youth Leadership Programme in Carrickmacross Workhouse on Wednesday evenings from 7.30-9.30pm. The first week beginning on Wed 10th Mar is a taster evening that will allow you to find out more and decide if you would like to do the programme. Pizza and refreshments provided.
Bunscoil Lughaidh Naofa Enrolment If you wish to enrol your daughter in Bunscoil Lughaidh Naofa you are welcome to call to the school or ring 042-9661808.
Changeover of Eucharistic Ministers
We are looking for volunteers to become Ministers of the Eucharist. If anyone is willing to become one please put your name and contact number in the box in the Porch of the Church.
Baptisms in St. Joseph’s Church
The “Parish Baptismal Team” is in place for the last 10 years, and looks forward to meeting new parents. The “Parish Baptismal Team” facilitates the Communal celebration of Baptism – on the 1st Sunday of each month at 2pm and the 3rd Saturday at 4pm. At least 3 weeks notice is required. Baptisms in March will be celebrated on the 7th at 2pm and the 20th March at 4pm.
Stations of the Cross During Lent
Stations of the Cross on the Sunday evenings during Lent at 7pm.
Children’s Mass Next Children’s will take place TODAY Sun 7th March at 10.30am in St. Joseph’s. You and your family are most welcome.
Clogher don Óige Pilgrimage to Lourdes Are you aged 16-21yrs & interested in helping with the care of the sick during the pilgrimage? Three preparation days have been organised & are compulsory & must be attended in order to be accepted on the pilgrimage. The cost is €600 & closing dates for applications with €200 deposit is 12th Mar. For further information Tel 047-72784.
Engaged Encounter is designed for couples preparing for marriage & seeking to enrich communication in all aspects of their relationship. It fulfills diocesan requirements for marriage preparation. Next weekend will be 20-21st Mar in Dromantine Conference Centre, Newry. Booking essential before 8th Mar.
Kingscourt Parish trip to Oberammergau & Barvaria 25th Aug-1st Sept 7 nights ½ board visiting Munich & Marktl an Inn the birthplace of Pope Benedict & Salzburg & includes guided tours & tickets to a play & transfers. Some place stall remain on Pilgrimage to the Holy Land 22nd -30th Oct. Tel 9667314.
ACCORD Marriage/ Relationship Counselling is available to people with a marriage or relationship problem. We provides a caring and supportive environment to help you find a way through any difficulties you are experiencing in your relationship. You can contact us at 047-83359 10am – 2pm to make an appointment in confidence. Our counsellors see people in either Monaghan or Carrickmacross daytime or evening.
Church Duties for March
Collectors: Vigil: Tom Mc Dermott, Drummond Etra. Sean O’Hagan, Derryolam. 9am: Patrick Watters, Cloughvalley. Eddie Lee, Inver Park. Jim Halligan. 10.30am: Larry Mc Dermott, Dunogue. Paul Brady, Highfield. Peadar Lynch, Castleblayney Rd. 12noon: Tommie Swinburne, Ballybay Rd. Thomas Mc Gahon, Cloughvalley. Pat Conlon, Cloughvalley.
Weekday Readers:
Monday 10am: Teresa O’Hanlon
7.30pm: Alan Kent
Tuesday 10am: Kevin Farrell
Wednesday 10am: Noleen Keenan
7.30pm: Jim Cumiskey
Thursday 10am: Rosaleen Haworth
Friday 10am: Mai Cumiskey
Saturday 10am: Kathleen Murtagh
Sunday Readers:
9am: Peter Marquis
10.30am: Mai Cumiskey
12noon: Shauna Marron
A special Lenten fast
Give up harsh words: use generous ones.
Give up unhappiness: take up gratitude.
Give up anger: take up gentleness and patience. Give up pessimism: take up hope and optimism. Give up worrying: take up trust in God.
Give up complaining: value what you have. Give up stress: take up prayer.
Give up judging others: discover Jesus within them.
Give up sorrow and bitterness: fill your heart with joy.
Give up selfishness: take up compassion for others.
Give up being unforgiving: learn reconciliation. Give up words: fill yourself with silence,
and listen to others.
St. Joseph’s Friendship Group has been set up by the Pastoral Council. The main aim of this group is to offer a regular visit to people who are living alone or who are housebound. Contact Teresa number 0873117929 to arrange a visit.
Bereavement Support
The Parish is offering caring support to those who have been bereaved. A group of people are available to listen in complete confidence to those who are grieving. If you feel that you would like to talk with a member of this team please contact Fr. Michael at 9661231 or email michaeljordan@eircom.net.
Dates for your Diary
Confirmation
Will take place in St. Joseph’s Church on Sun 18th Apr 2010 at 3pm.
Dates for First Confessions
St. Joseph’s Boys School Mon 1st Mar 2010 at 8pm.
Bunscoil Lughaidh Naofa – Tue 2nd Mar 2010 at 8pm.
Scoil Rois – Wed 3rd Mar 2010 at 8pm.
Dates for First Communion
St. Joseph’s Boys School - Sat 1st May 2010 at 11am
Scoil Rois - Sat 15th May 2010 at 11am
Bunscoil Lughaidh Naofa - Sat 22nd May 2010 at 11am
A.A. Meetings every Thurs & Sun night at 8.30pm in St. Joseph’s Church Grounds (Door on laneway leading to the Holy Family Hall). Please note change of Venue
Diocese of Clogher Swine Flu Advice
The diocese of Clogher is monitoring and implementing advice from the Health Authorities concerning the H1N1 virus swine flu.
To access Swine Flu information on the HSE website, please visit:
http://www.hse.ie/eng/swineflu/
To access Swine Flu information on the Northern Ireland Government website please visit:
http://www.nidirect.gov.uk/index/health-and well-being/swine-flu.htm
Some parishes have taken the following steps:
1. Use of sanitizer with an alcohol base for the washing of hands by the celebrant and Eucharistic Ministers before and after the distribution of communion.
2. Allow for the option of a light bow of the head and an exchange of words to replace a handshake as a gesture for the sign of peace.
Samaritans Can you listen with an open mind and be non judgmental? You can help make a difference. The Samaritans are there for anyone who is experiencing crisis in their lives. There are lots of ways to help being a listener, fundraising, publicity or our outreach programme. (Training given). Tel 048 302 66366.
Prayer to the Holy Spirit
Come Holy Spirit,
fill the hearts of your faithful
And enkindle in them
the fire of your love.
Send forth your Spirit
and they shall be created.
And you shall renew
the face of the earth.
Come, Holy Spirit
Come, Holy Spirit, Creator come
from your bright heav'nly throne:
come take possession of our souls,
and make them all your own.
You who are called the Paraclete,
best gift of God above,
the living spring, the living fire,
sweet unction and true love.
You who are sev'nfold in your grace,
finger of God's right hand:
his promise, teaching little ones
to speak and understand.
O guide our minds with your blest light,
with love our hearts inflame;
and with your strength, which ne'er decays,
confirm our mortal frame.
Prayer For Times of Recession
God, we thank you for the gift of your presence--
Christ who is your Word made flesh;
Christ who is the wisdom of God and the power of God. We need your wisdom especially in these troubled times. In the midst of turmoil and uncertainty, as financial institutions crumble,
and the very economic and social fabric of our lives is shaken, Many of us are gripped by anxieties and fears. With the clouds of recession over us, and worsening prospects ahead. But surely, God, we as your children do not look to the horizon, desperately waiting for an economic saviour to emerge. Financial kingdoms, economic empires may come and go, but throughout, God, you remain our stronghold and refuge. Those who know your name will put their trust in you. For you, O God, will not abandon those who seek you. Right now, God, we seek your wisdom to guide us where the way is confusing. We have no better guide than you. We pray for the countless numbers affected by the housing and credit market collapse not only in the Ireland, but with ripple effects felt worldwide. We pray for those who are made homeless, who are retrenched, whose life savings and finances have been wiped out. We pray for those who have come to the end of their rope. God, be merciful to all who have fallen by the wayside. We remember and lift up our friends, loved ones, relatives, Colleagues, business partners, and ourselves. Especially help the weak and vulnerable, the elderly, the pensioners,
the retirees, and the widows--that they will have ready access to social aid and not be encumbered by red tape. Restore hope to those who have lost their livelihood and homes. Grant peace and healing to families and couples whose relationships have been strained. We pray for those who do not know you and have no one to turn to, the many who have been driven to despair and even suicide. Lord, in these troubled times, we pray for strength and resilience. Cause your church, the Body of Christ, to be a beacon of light and hope. Make us ready to stand alongside those who are weighted down by the
pressure of living. Enable us to bring your compassionate presence through the sharing of each other's burdens.
Christ, you are the light which darkness cannot overcome. Indeed, darkness is not dark to you; for the night is as bright as day. Christ, be the light which dispels our darkness and restore order to our inner chaos. Deliver us from the darkness of our self-centered ways; from greed, envy and ignorance; From unrestrained passions; From the darkness of despair, futility and despondency. Christ, the wisdom of God in our moments of anxiety and insecurity, You are the voice of faith who proclaims, "Peace, be still." In a culture of greed and mistrust, fill us with hope. Despite the pain of loss and failure, let hope enable us to see God in all situations and events. You are a God who is in control, a God of all possibilities, a God of new beginnings. You are the voice of reason, who summons us back to sanity. You remind us of our kingdom priorities; although we are in the world, we are to transcend the ways of the world. Help us to live wisely, with moderation and prudence, to exercise discernment and sound judgment, and conduct ourselves in a manner worthy of our calling.
God, enable us by your wisdom to keep things in perspective. For, God, you are bigger than the problems we face each day. We remember your mercy and faithfulness. Through your counsel and encouragement, You have enabled us to overcome the many setbacks and adversities of life.
We continue now, to trust in your goodness and provision. For you are a God who hears, answers, and acts on our behalf, out of the abundance of your eternal love. We trust you in your grace and mercy to sustain us. Amen.
Help and Support
ACCORD - Relationship Counselling. If you and/or your partner need to talk through your difficulties an appointment can be made with an Accord Counsellor in either Monaghan or Carrickmacross Tel Anne or Majella at Accord 047- 83359 Mon - Fri. between 10am - 2pm.A.A. Meetings every Thurs & Sun night at 8.30pm in St. Louis Convent (Farney St entrance)
Al-Anon Meetings every Friday night at 8.30pm in St. Louis Convent. (Farney St entrance)
Aware Support Group Helpline 1890 303 302.
Coping with Grief – 2nd Monday of each month at 7.30pm in the Scout Hall, Castleblayney. Tel 9746615.
Natural Family Planning
www.naturalfamilyplanning.ie
M.A.B.S. Money Advice & Budgeting Service Free confidential advice Confidential Freephone-1800 474247.
MACIL Centre (Monaghan Access Centre for Independent Living) 10am-1pm Mon – Fri in the Catholic Hall (downstairs).
Tearmann – Domestic Violence Services 047- 72311 / 72749.
Move 01-8472219 / 6231542
Womens Aid Helpline 1800 341 900.
The Samaritans Tel:1850 609090/041-9843888
Rainbows: supporting children who have lost a parent through death or separation. Tel: 9663361/9663069
Parentline: supporting parents who are under stress. Tel: 07 8733500
Childline: supporting children who are under stress. Tel: 1800 666666
Cruse: supporting those affected by another’s suicide. Tel: 049 4372999
Crime Victim Helpline Are you a victim of crime? We offer support & information. Tel 1850 211 407 for this confidential service.
Childline: supporting children who are under stress. Tel: 1800 666666
Cruse: supporting those affected by another’s suicide. Tel: 049 4372999