Author: STMP-OFFICE-Win7

Sacramental Dates for 2020
Holy Family & St Mary’s Parishes
Dates for your diary: Confirmations 2020:
St Paul’s & Marymount Holy Family: Sat March 7th 11:00am
St Mary’s Parish Primary School: Sat March 7th 3:00pm
First Holy Communion 2020
St Mary’s Parish Primary School: Sat 9th & 16th May 11:00am
St John’s Holy Family: Sat 16th May 12:30pm
Marymount Holy Family: Sat 9th May 12:30pm
First Confessions 2020
St Mary’s Parish Primary School Tues & Wed 11th & 12th February @ 7:30pm
St John’s Holy Family Tues 25th February @ 7:30pm
Marymount Holy Family Monday 24th February @ 7:30pm

Friday 2nd April in St Mary’s Church at 7:30pm
Fundraising Concert featuring the Drogheda Male Voice Choir, Amie Dyer and Drogheda Boys Choir. Compere is
Ms Alison Coymn. Admission €15.00. Tickets are now
available in the Parish Office and from choir members.

Irish National Pilgrimage to the 52nd International Eucharistic Congress, takes place in Budapest from 12th – 21st September 2020. A Eucharistic Congress is a gathering of people every four years which aims to promote an awareness of the central place of the Eucharist in the life and mission of the Catholic Church; to help improve our understanding and celebration of the liturgy and to draw attention to the social dimension of the Eucharist. Be part of this unique event and re-live the atmosphere of the recent International Eucharistic Congress and World Meeting of Families held in Ireland, Cost: From €1,050 per person sharing. For more information see www.catholicbishops.ie To book https://www.joewalshtours.ie/holidays/pilgrimages-international-eucharistic-congress

Vocations Information Day April 5th St Mary's Church, Navan::
The Diocese will hold a vocations information day on Palm Sunday in St. Mary's Church, Navan. If you have been considering the priesthood this is an opportunity for you to find out more about what priesthood entails, about seminary studies; and a chance to explore God's call to priesthood in a deeper way. The event begins at 1pm with the Mass from Palm Sunday in the Parish Church. For more information contact Fr Shane Crombie frshane@gmail.com
Pilgrimage to San Giovanni Rotondo & Assisi
24th - 30th June, 2020:
Seven days from Dublin €945 per person sharing.
For further details please contact
Group Organiser: Ann-Marie on 086 089 2788 see poster at back of church or contact Marian Pilgrimages 01.8788159. Spiritual Director is Fr. Phil Gaffney
An Evening of Music with Amie Dyer & Friends:
Will take place in St. Mary’s Church, James Street on Thursday 2nd April at 7:30pm. Featuring Soprano
Breffni Fitzpatrick, Drogheda Male Voice Choir, Taidgh Murphy & Holy Family Youth Choir.
Compare: Alison Comyn. Tickets €20 are available from Holy Family Parish Office, St. Mary’s Parish Office and the Augustinian Mass Shop.
Sacramental Gifts:
We have a small selection of gifts for First Holy Communion ranging in price from €1.00 to €10.00 available to purchase in the Parish Office. These include book markers, prayer cards and pens. Please feel free to call in any weekday between 9am - 1pm & 2pm - 5pm.

St Mary’s Parish, Drogheda
Sunday 12th April, 2020
Easter Day of the Lord’s Resurrection

Fr Phil Gaffney PP St Mary’s Parish Centre
Fr Ciprian Solomon CC 24 James Street
St Mary’s Presbytery ( 9834587( 9838347
Dublin Road ( 9834958 www.stmarysdrogheda.ie
Hospital Visitation: is not possible at the moment, however please
continue to inform Fr Phil or Fr Ciprian if a relative is ill or in hospital.

Dear friends, good evening!
This evening I have the chance to enter your homes in a different way than usual. If you allow me, I would like to have a conversation with you for a few moments, in this time of difficulty and of suffering. I can imagine you with your families, living an unusual life to avoid contagion. I am thinking of the liveliness of children and young people, who cannot go out, attend school, live their lives. I have in my heart all the families, especially those who have a loved one who is sick or who have unfortunately experienced mourning due to the coronavirus or other causes. These days I often think about people who are alone, and for whom it is more difficult to face these moments. Above all I think of the elderly, who are very dear to me.
I cannot forget those who are sick with coronavirus, people who are in hospital. I am aware of the generosity of those who put themselves at risk for the treatment of this pandemic or to guarantee the essential services to society. So many heroes, every day, at every hour! I also remember how many are in financial straits and are worried about work and the future. A thought also goes out to prison inmates, whose pain is compounded by fear of the epidemic, for themselves and their loved ones; I think of the homeless, who do not have a home to protect them.
It is a difficult time for everyone. For many, very difficult. The Pope knows this and, with these words, he wants to tell everyone of his closeness and affection. Let us try, if we can, to make the best use of this time: let us be generous; let us help those in need in our neighbourhood; let us look out for the loneliest people, perhaps by telephone or social networks; let us pray to the Lord for those who are in difficulty in Italy and in the world. Even if we are isolated, thought and spirit can go far with the creativity of love. This is what we need today: the creativity of love.
We will celebrate Holy Week in a truly unusual way, which manifests and sums up the message of the Gospel, that of God’s boundless love. And in the silence of our cities, the Easter Gospel will resound. The Apostle Paul says: “And He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for Him Who died for them and was raised again” (2 Cor 5:15). In the risen Jesus, life conquered death. This Paschal faith nourishes our hope. I would like to share it with you this evening. It is the hope of a better time, in which we can be better, finally freed from evil and from this pandemic. It is a hope: hope does not disappoint; it is not an illusion, it is a hope. Beside each other, in love and patience, we can prepare a better time in these days. Thank you for allowing me into your homes. Make a gesture of tenderness towards those who suffer, towards children, and towards the elderly. Tell them that the Pope is close and pray, that the Lord will soon deliver us all from evil. And you, pray for me. Have a good dinner.
See you soon!
Mass will be celebrated privately each day at 10:00am and will be available via webcam. You can join us by going online to our website live stream. The Church will be open each day from 11.00am to 4.00pm so that people can call in to say a prayer or light a candle. Adoration in the main Church Monday to Friday 11:00am to 12:00noon (as long as we are allowed). Copies of the parish bulletin will be available in the Church.
The Parish Office will be closed until further notice. For queries please phone 041.9834958.

Mass Intentions for week beginning Sunday 12th April, 2020
will be celebrated in the Private Masses celebrated by the Priests at 10:00am each day
Easter Sunday 12th 10:00 am Biridie Mullen Month’s Memory; Noeleen Smith; Rosaleen Brunton
Easter Monday 13th 10:00am
Tuesday 14th 10:00am
Wednesday 15th 10:00am
Thursday 16th 10:00am
Friday 17th 10:00am
Saturday 18th 10:00am Joe Kenny First Anniversary
Sunday 19th 10:00am Stephen Mc Kenna First Anniversary; Patrick Campbell

‘‘While Masses are suspended, the voice of prayer should not be silent.’’
Bishop Tom Deenihan
Act of Spiritual Communion
My Jesus, I believe that you are present in the
Most Holy Sacrament.
I love you above all things,
and I desire to receive you into my soul.
Since I cannot at this moment
receive you sacramentally,
come at least spiritually into my heart.
I embrace you as if you were already there
and unite myself wholly to you.
Never permit me to be separated from you.
(Pause for silent prayer)
O Sacrament Most Holy, O Sacrament Divine, all praise and thanksgiving be every moment thine! X3
Mass will be celebrated privately each day at 10:00am and will be available via webcam. You can join us by going online to our website live stream. The Church will be open each day from 11.00am to 4.00pm so that people can call in to say a prayer or light a candle. Adoration in the main Church Monday to Friday 11:00am to 12:00noon (as long as we are allowed). Copies of the parish bulletin will be available in the Church.
The Parish Office will be closed until further notice. For queries please phone 041.9834958.
COVID-19 Support Line for Older People ALONE has launched a national support line and additional supports for older people who have concerns or are facing difficulties relating to the outbreak of COVID-19 (Coronavirus). Professional staff are available to answer queries and give advice and reassurance where necessary. The support line is open Monday to Friday, 8am-8pm, by calling 0818 222 024. Hours may be extended to meet the demand.
Third Age Ireland is a national organisation who take care of the elderly. SeniorLine is one of their programmes and could be very helpful to you at this time. SeniorLine has been the national, confidential listening service for older people, run by trained older volunteers since 1998. This peer-to-peer helpline for older people receives in excess of 10,000 calls per year. If you are feeling worried, stressed or isolated at this very unnerving time, please feel free to ring this FREEPHONE service anytime between 10am and 10pm on any day of the week on 1800 80 45 91.

A prayer for those who died…
Margaret (Peggy) Caffrey (née McEvoy), Wheaton Hall
Deirdre Faulkner (née Rooney), Wheaton Hall
Liam Halpin, Slane and late of John St., Drogheda
Jim Mc Cullen, Gormanston
Joan McEvoy (née Fox) Frances Street
Patsy Rice, Ballsgrove. May they rest in peace.
May they rest in peace

Supporting Our Parish:
Parishioners can leave their envelopes or a donation to the parish in the boxes at the back of the church. Any contribution will be greatly appreciated.
Many thanks
Keep safe

St Mary’s Parish - Confirmation Programme 2019/20
Confirmation Meeting for parents in St Mary’s Church on Tuesday 8th October @ 7:00pm
Confirmation Preparation Masses will be at the 10:30am & 12 noon Masses on the following Sundays:- Sunday 10th November 2019, Sunday 1st December, 2019,
Sunday 19th January 2020 & Sunday 16th February 2020
Le Chéile Confirmation will be organised by Fr Denis McNeilis, PP Laytown.
Gaelscoil An Bhradáin Feasa Confirmation will take place in St Mary’s Parish. Dates to be advised by Fr Denis McNelis, PP Laytown. Parishioners from St Mary’s Parish are welcome to join us here for the preparation Masses.
ReplyForward

Extract from Saint Patrick’s Breastplate
Christ with me,
Christ before me,
Christ behind me,
Christ in me,
Christ beneath me,
Christ above me,
Christ on my right,
Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down,
Christ when I sit down,
Christ when I arise,
Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.

Worried about the Coronavirus? Pray to St. Sebastian, as Catholics have been doing for centuries
St. Sebastian is considered the protector against the plague, a nasty contagious illness that wiped out millions of lives in Europe during the Middle Ages.
In recent weeks, the outbreak of the Coronavirus disease has led millions of people around the world to worry about their health. For centuries, Catholics have been counting on an early Christian martyr to protect them from infectious disease.
St. Sebastian is considered the protector against the plague, a nasty contagious illness that wiped out millions of lives in Europe during the Middle Ages. It was during the 7th century in particular that believers started to address their prayers toward St. Sebastian during a violent outbreak of plague in Pavia, in northern Italy. Known for the suffering he endured during his death, St. Sebastian was killed around 288 during Roman emperor Diocletian‘s persecution of Christians. His death has inspired countless artists over the centuries.
Third Sunday of Lent
During Lent, even as we fast and do penance, we are challenged to rediscover the person of Jesus from whom we draw life, the only life that ultimately matters. Therefore, we need to pray to God asking that Jesus, the living water, may strengthen us in our weaknesses. If only we could drink once again with pure hearts from the fountain of life, hearts that have been renewed by a true spirit of repentance and reconciliation. When we respond to the loving presence of the God in our lives, we learn to love and respect other people. Like most people, the Samaritan woman whom Jesus met at the well was seeking life and the truth. Yet she was unknowingly speaking to the Life and the Truth. Jesus offered to make a real difference in her life while she listened attentively to his words. We can make a real difference to others and ourselves by listening attentively to the word of God, the true fountain of life, and by living according to its message of hope and life.
Therefore, let our prayer for today and always be: God our Father, we draw our life from you. You are the fountain of life. Your word is living water without which we die. Enable us, through the death and resurrection of your Son and through the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, to grow in love and understanding. Accompany us on our journey through life, so that we may go with confidence into your world as a new creation — one body drawing life from the one fountain of life — so that the world may believe. Fr John Littleton

COVID-19 Support Line for Older People ALONE has launched a national support line and additional supports for older people who have concerns or are facing difficulties relating to the outbreak of COVID-19 (Coronavirus). Professional staff are available to answer queries and give advice and reassurance where necessary. The support line is open Monday to Friday, 8am-8pm, by calling 0818 222 024. Hours may be extended to meet the demand.
Third Age Ireland is a national organisation who take care of the elderly. SeniorLine is one of their programmes and could be very helpful to you at this time. SeniorLine has been the national, confidential listening service for older people, run by trained older volunteers since 1998. This peer-to-peer helpline for older people receives in excess of 10,000 calls per year. If you are feeling worried, stressed or isolated at this very unnerving time, please feel free to ring this FREEPHONE service anytime between 10am and 10pm on any day of the week on 1800 80 45 91.

COVID-19 Support Line for Older People ALONE has launched a national support line and additional supports for older people who have concerns or are facing difficulties relating to the outbreak of COVID-19 (Coronavirus). Professional staff are available to answer queries and give advice and reassurance where necessary. The support line is open Monday to Friday, 8am-8pm, by calling 0818 222 024. Hours may be extended to meet the demand.