ALTAR SOCIETY: Group ii is scheduled for the coming week. All members are requested to meet in the Church to prepare Altar for Easter on Tuesday 22nd March at 2 pm. The Altar Society would welcome DONATIONS of Daffodils on Wed. 23rd March. Daffodils can be left at St. Joseph’s Altar. Thank you.

GET INTO GOLF PROGRAMME: Roscommon Golf Club is participating in a National

Programme to introduce Ladies to the game of Golf. An information evening will be held in

Roscommon Golf Clubhouse on Wed. 30th March at 8 p.m. to outline the programme. All welcome.

Are you interested in a Career in the Care Sector?

If so, fully funded health care related training is now available for job seekers in the Longford and

surrounding areas. This training is being provided in conjunction with Family Carers’ Ireland and MBE

Skilllnet. This is an opportunity to undertake QQ1 Level 5 Healthcare Support Major Award leading to

employment in the care sector. Usual eligibility criteria apply, check with Michael@mbeskillnet.ie for

training enquiries or to book your place, contact mbracken@familycarers.ie or call 057 937 0221.

Easter Hop - In aid of Roscommon Community Sports Park will be held in the

Abbey Hotel on Easter Sunday Night March 27. Music by the Heebie Jeebies.

Dancing 10 till late. Tickets 090 66 26152 and from Abbey Hotel.

SOCIAL DANCE: On Friday night 25th March in Culleen Hall. Music by Shane Moore. Dancing

from 8—11 pm. Tea Served. Admission €10. Please support. All are welcome.

ROSCOMMON GARDEN CLUB - next meeting will be on Monday 21st March in the Abbey Hotel at 8 pm. Guest demonstrator is Dorothy Whelan and the theme is Easter.

RSG, Resource Centre, Derrane Will commence an Independent Living Skills Workshop

with various activities including basic cooking, games, gardening etc., every Thursday from

10am to 3pm starting March 24. Transport available on request. The programme has been kindly

supported by IPB Insurance. More info., call 090 66 25852 ext. 2 or phone or text 089 436 9497.

PARISH DRAW: Please remember to support our Parish weekly Draw. Buy a line on our Family Circle. Cards are placed in shops/outlets around the town. €2 per card.

SWING by Roscommon Arts Centre on Wednesday 30th March at 8 pm for the fantastic ‘SWING’, a heart warming comedy about dancing, music and being brave. Free swing dance taking place on the night at 6.30pm for anyone who purchases a ticket for the play. Book at Roscommon Arts Centre on 090 66 25824 / www.roscommonartscentre.ie

ORGAN DONOR AWARENESS WEEK: Will take place from Sat. 2nd—Sat. 9th April. The Roscommon Branch of the Irish Kidney Association is looking for Volunteers to sell forget-me-not flowers, emblems etc. in Roscommon Town on Friday 8th April. If you are willing to help, please contact Maura at 086 896 9670.

RAIDERS (BASKETBALL) YOUTH TEAM (boys 7—15 yrs.) training every Tuesday in the Kilbride Centre from 6—7 pm. For more info., please call 089 490 9687. CHURCH GATE COLLECTION: Spina Bifida & Hydrocephalus Ireland is holding its annual Church Gate collection at all Masses next weekend. Your support will be greatly appreciated.

Last Sunday’s Offertory Collection: €3,211.24

Family Circle: Receipts €338.00 - Prizes: €260.00 Thank You

00..

LENTEN REFLECTION.

This week each year Christians are drawn to Jerusalem,

if not in body, at least in mind.

They stand at the foot of the cross, beating their breasts,

and staring with pity at Jesus of Nazareth.

They listen with reverence as he prays for his killers:

‘Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do’.

But when the week is over they return to their homes

to resume their deep-rooted spites

and the burden of things they can’t forgive.

Let us not then weep for Jesus.

Let us weep for our own sins.

Then maybe, like Jesus, we will be able

to forgive others who sin against us.

HEAVENS REMEDY - JESUS HOLY FACE

A Holy Face of Jesus Banner will be on view at Supervalu / Tesco car park

from 12 noon - 1 pm on Good Friday 25th March. Everybody welcome to come

and get medal and Novena leaflet and participate in prayer to save our

country.

Hosanna to the Son of David, blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.

PARISH NEWSLETTER Sunday 20th March, 2016.

Mass Intentions for the coming Week. & Holy Week arrangements

Sunday: 10:30 am Do This In Memory Mass

8:00 am 10:30 am

Monday: Michael Ward and deceased family Deceased of Finn family

Tuesday: Mabel & Dessie O’Dowd Margaret Graham

Wednesday: Margaret Ellen Connaughton Tom Holian & deceased family

Holy Thursday: 5 pm Children’s Mass:

8 pm Solemn Mass of the Last Supper

11 pm—12 midnight Holy Hour

Good Friday: 12 noon Stations of the Cross for children in Church

3 pm Ceremony of the Passion

4 - 9 pm Silent prayer & veneration of the Cross

8 pm Stations of the Cross followed by Confessions

Holy Saturday: 10:30 am Morning Prayer of the Church

2 - 4 pm Confessions

9:00 pm Easter Vigil Mass

Easter Sunday: Masses: 7:00 am Dawn Mass in Loughnaneanne Park

8:30am, 10:30 am & 12:15 pm.

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

May Feeley, Goff Street. Frank McCrann, Lower Walk, formerly Athleague. We offer sincere sympathy and the assurance of our prayers to their bereaved families and

friends.

COLLECTORS—EASTER ENVELOPES: Thanks to all who have already collected Easter envelopes,

there are still some to be collected. They are available in the Sacristy before/after all Masses

this week-end. We should appreciate if you would collect as soon as possible please.

Many thanks again to all of you for your assistance.

EASTER PENITENTIAL RITE: You are invited to join us for a communal celebration of the

Sacrament of Reconciliation on Tuesday 22nd March at 8 pm. Confessions also on Good

Friday after 8 pm Stations of the Cross and on Holy Saturday 2—4 pm.

PERMANENT ADORERS REQUIRED: We are URGENTLY looking for Permanent Adorers to cover the

following hours: Wednesdays 4 - 5 am , to share hour 10 - 11 pm on Thursday. If you would like to

help with any of these hours, please phone Parish Office on 090 66 26298 or contact any of the Clergy.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

BLESSED SACRAMENT CHAPEL—EASTER ARRANGEMENTS:

Please note Chapel will close for Easter holidays and general clean up from 11 am on

Wednesday 23rd March to 11 am on Wednesday 30th March.

Vita house Family Centre Offers a wide range of therapy and counseling services to individuals,

couples, children and families. We also offer a number of group programmes as well as education

and training. Roscommon Suicide Bereavement Liaison Service at Vita House is a free service funded

by the HSE National Office for suicide Prevention that provides 1:1 support and information to individuals and families grieving the death of a loved one by suicide. Roscommon Cancer Support: Provides support that will enhance recovery from cancer for individuals and for their families. We provide an ongoing range of complementary services which are available by appointment. We also have wellbeing courses and weekend workshops. For more information contact the office on 090 66 25898 or see www.vitahouse.org

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

homes over the next few weeks. We would especially like to have Masses in those areas where there have not been station Masses for some time. A cup of tea and biscuit is all that is expected.

Good Friday: Next Friday 25th March is a Day of Fast & Abstinence.

Communion Calls: The Priests of the Parish will attend to their house calls, as follows: Fr. Eugene McLoughlin and Monsignor Travers will visit on Wednesday 23rd March at the usual time. Fr. Irek will visit on Tuesday 22nd March. If there are any others who would like a call from the priest, please let us know before Tuesday. Phone Parish Office 090 66 26298. Holy Places Collection: Will be taken up on Good Friday. Please note special envelope in your Church Offering Box for this Collection.

MASS OF CHRISM: The annual Mass of Chrism will take place in the Cathedral of the Immaculate

Conception, Sligo on Wed. 23rd March at 7.30 pm. During the Mass Bishop Kevin will bless the

oils used in the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Orders and the Sick and the priests

of the Diocese will renew their commitment to the priestly ministry. The Mass of Chrism is an

important opportunity for all of us in the Diocese to gather and to celebrate our communion.

12:15 pm MASS ON EASTER SUNDAY - Even though the Easter Parade is timed to

start at 12 noon on Easter Sunday it will not have reached the area of the Church until

after the 12:15 pm Mass has started from Abbeytown.

TRÓCAIRE ENVELOPES / BOXES SHOULD BE RETURNED BY GOOD FRIDAY. THANK YOU.

PRACTICE FOR EASTER: There will be a short practice in the Church for all those

taking part in Good Friday & Holy Saturday ceremonies at 10:30 am sharp on Good

Friday morning.

COELIACS: Please note that during Holy Communion, all communicants are welcome to receive under both species. As from this week coeliacs who wish to receive from the Chalice can now do so by coming forward to the priest, indicating they are coeliac and the priest will provide the Chalice for them

DIOCESE OF ELPHIN—Vocations to the Priesthood.

If not You! Who? Vocations Discernment Weekend 8th-9th April, at Star of the Sea Retreat Centre, Mullaghmore, Sligo. This short workshop will be informal and informative for anyone who is considering diocesan priesthood. Copies of programme with Registration form in the Porch of the Church.

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