Dear Parishioners and all those who logged into our Parish,

greetings and the blessing and peace of God be upon you.

A What’s App has recommended lighting a candle at 7.30pm and saying a prayer – something we can all do, and at the same time.

The Parish Bulletin is available via the Parish website.

The celebration of Mass took place at 7pm on Saturday 4th April – Parishioners and others joined via the webcam.

Once again, I would like to share some thoughts with you. Intercom, a Catholic Pastoral and Liturgical Resource magazine that I receive monthly gives a thought on the readings:

 

First Reading: from the prophet Isaiah 50:4-7.

The striking characteristic of God’s faithful servant is that he does not resist evil, but nor is he cowed or diverted by it. He does not meet anger with anger, or hatred with hatred, but remains faithful in the face of opposition.

Responsorial Psalm: 21 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?

Second Reading: from St Paul’s letter to the Philippians 2:6-11

The Lord Jesus, in his passion, followed a U-shaped path: from equality with God, he descended all the way to death on a cross. From that lowest possible point, he returned to glory, a glory that every creature will acclaim.

 

Gospel: according to Matthew 26:14 – 27:66

Matthew’s telling of the story of Jesus’ Passion begins with a betrayal and ends with the sealing of a tomb. These are the moments that bookend God’s mighty works in his Son.

 

My few words:

At the beginning of Mass:

We gather again – at a distance – to celebrate the Eucharist and to begin the most important week in the Christian calendar- Holy Week leading on to Easter.

As we begin let us bring before God ourselves and our loved ones asking God for whatever we need to get through these days.

 

Blessing of palms…

Palms will be available to be collected, if you are passing, at the front door of my house after Mass this evening and tomorrow, Sunday.

 

After the Gospel:

The words of Isaiah that we will hear on Good Friday set the scene for the events of the life of Jesus during these days we call Holy Week:

‘And yet ours were the sufferings he bore, ours the sorrows he carried. …Yet he was pierced through for our faults, crushed for our sins….We had all gone astray like sheep, each taking his/her own way, and the Lord burdened him with the sins of all of us….While he was bearing the faults of many and praying all the time for sinners.’ (see Isaiah 52:13-53:12).

Sr Frances is an English religious sister living in South Armagh where I was Parish Priest for a short while. I visited her. She was, amongst other things, an artist and she showed me some of her work. She had a Cross painted with the sufferings and the sorrows of the world – the scourge of war; the holocaust; violence against women and children; sexual abuse; abortion; drugs; rage; anger; intolerance; famine; drought – if she was painting now she’d add for 2020 climate change; the raging fires of Australia; and the Coronavirus pandemic.

On the Cross Christ carried all the sufferings and the sorrows of the world. And then I noticed a blank piece of wood on the Cross, no paint, no image. And in my sarcastic manner I said – ‘Sister, you missed a bit!’ – ‘Oh no’, she said, ‘that’s for your sins! Jesus carried them too!’

It was a humbling lesson – in our/my concern for the sins of the world we/I can easily forget our/my own contribution to sin.

Lent has for many of us taken a back seat these past few weeks – not surprising. So, let’s focus on this last week of Lent and focus on ourselves and our sins and selfishness. We are still a work in progress to be a good Christian – so what must we work at this week? To help us we can tune into the ceremonies of Holy Week – Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Vigil. See the Parish website for the bulletin so get times and also other resources to help us at home.

Giving up sweets for Lent was, and still is a great thing and the prize at the end was an Easter Egg – they are still available, I’m sure, and acceptable nowadays. My niece, Ciara, sent me a black and white image during the week. I was to look at it for 30seconds and then look at the ceiling. I did that and the image on the ceiling was that of Jesus. Ciara had sent the image on a family What’s App page and as I was the first to reply with the right answer, I asked what my prize was. Her answer was – referring to the image I saw – that was the prize – Jesus. And that is the real prize at Easter – to know Jesus Christ, truly risen and alive, and that my life, with less sin, reflects him.

So let us use this last week of Lent to try to be more like Jesus in thought, word and deed.

 

At the end of Mass:

‘We are one day closer to everything being back to normal’

That’s a good thought to wake up to each morning – I thank my nephew Mickey for that!

Continue to do what we are doing – stay at home!

Some advice worth repeating:

Don’t watch too much news. That can overwhelm us.

Keep in touch with family and friends and neighbours.

 

We need balance –

in eating/drinking

with work

at play

with television/other devices

with outdoor activity – get some fresh air – thank God the weather is kind

in praying

with handwashing

I want to do something to help others at this time.

 

BALLYGAWLEY COMMUNITY INITIATIVE & ERRIGAL CIARAN GAC.

Due to Covid19 some of us have been advised to STAY AT HOME.

IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU STAY AT HOME TO PROTECT YOURSELF.

This included the elderly and vulnerable people.

If you fall into this category and need items to be picked up from the PHARMACY SHOP POST OFFICE

We can help you to access these items without leaving your home.

We also have some foodbank reserves for distribution for any families/individuals that may be struggling at this time.

If you know of anyone else that may need our help, please pass the numbers below to them.

If you need support or assistance, please phone:

Sharon McAleer: 07712471212

Carmen Hamill: 07591208418

Kelly Marie McRory: 07821080127

This initiative is working well and those who need it are using it and there are many who have volunteered to help – don’t be afraid to ask for help or volunteer.

 

Some good news

Three new babies born recently into our Parish – welcome Babies – congratulations to parents and families – we look forward to welcoming you formally with Baptism.

 

Keep safe and well and keep your