20th March 2016 Vol 26 No 17 Palm Sunday Fr. Tom Little - 91-31559 Holy Week Ceremonies Fr Sean Hyland - 91-31212 Chrism Mass in Carlow Sr. Joan Pierse 91-42565 Cathedral Monday 21st March at Emergency Priest on Duty 7.30pm. 087 2588118 (Please note there will be NO 7pm Askea Parish Community Evening Mass in Askea Church on Monday 21st March.) Centre Phone 91-42565

087 1269709 Penitential Service in Holy Collections last week: Family Church, Askea during 7pm Development €1,623 Mass on Tuesday 22nd March. Offertory €1,572

Mass Times: Holy Thursday Mass of the Askea 9.30am Mon-Fri; Lord’s Supper at 7pm. Sat 7pm; Sun 9am, 10.30am Good Friday Ceremony in Holy & 12 Noon. Family Church, Askea at 3pm. Bennekerry Sun 11.30am; Good Friday Way of the Cross – Tinryland Tues 9.30am & reading Seven Last Words and Sunday 10am leaving Askea Church at 7.30pm to ************ process to Carlow Cathedral to join Deadline for items for those from other churches for an Newsletter is 5pm on ecumenical service. Wednesday by phone to Holy Saturday – Easter Vigil at 9142565 or email to 9pm in Holy Family Church, Askea. [email protected] Easter Sunday – Masses in Website: www.askeaparish.ie Holy Family Church, Askea at 9am, 10.30am and 12 Noon. Weekday Masses in Askea Church at 9.30am from Monday 28th March to Friday 1st April.

St Mary’s Parish, Bennekerry Sunday 20th March 2016 Palm Sunday Holy Week Ceremonies in Bennekerry Church

Chrism Mass in Carlow Cathedral Monday 21st March at 7.30pm. (Please note there will be NO 7pm Evening Mass in Askea Church on Monday 21st March.)

Penitential Service in Holy Family Church, Askea during 7pm Mass on Tuesday 22nd March.

Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord’s Supper at 7.30pm.

Good Friday Ceremony in Bennekerry at 5pm.

Good Friday Way of the Cross – reading Seven Last Words and leaving Askea Church at 7.30pm to process to Carlow Cathedral to join those from other churches for an ecumenical service.

Holy Saturday – Easter Vigil at 11pm in Bennekerry Church.

Easter Sunday – Masses in Bennekerry Church, Askea at 11.30am.

Weekday Masses in Askea Church at 9.30am from Monday 28th March to Friday 1st April. St Mary’s Parish, Bennekerry Fr Tom Little PP – Phone 059 9131559. Fr Seán Hyland CC 0599131212. Newsletter Items – 059 9143881. Deadline for News items: - 9pm Wednesdays Emergency Number for the Priest on Duty 087 2588118. Parish Office – 059 9142565 087 – 1269709. Website: www.askeaparish.ie; email: [email protected]

Sunday 20th March 2016 at 11.30am Anniversaries Jane Mullins, (née McCullough), Ballinabranna Frnak Archbold, Bennekerry Larry Dillon, Rutland Maura and Francis Dignan Bridget Nolan, Bullock Park Baby Terry Patrick Dowling McGrath, Burrin Rd

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK Convictions Be opened-minded, but don’t be afraid to draw the line when it comes to moral convictions. Knowing that you believe and sticking by it as a sign of strength, not weakness. Kildare & Leighlin Weekly Lotto Results For Wed 16th March 2016. Numbers drawn were 13, 20, 26 & 29. No Jackpot winner. 10 Match 3s win €100 each. Askea/Bennekerry had 3 Match3s. Next week’s Jackpot €14,000. Winner Promoter Grace Mulligan Joan Mulligan Sean Fennelly Una Hade Marian Heary Eveleen Lawlor Tickets €2 each – available from Askea Parish Centre. Please note the draw takes place on Wed at 4.30pm in Portlaoise. Tickets must be returned by 5pm each Tuesday to Askea Parish Centre.

In Memoriam We ask the Lord to grant eternal rest to:

Ann Hutton (née Geoghegan), John Sweeney Park William (Willie) Barron, Burrin Manor and we offer our sympathy and the support of our prayers to all who have suffered the loss of a loved one at this time.

Vocations Views – Palm Sunday: Surrender your life to God. You are promised eternal life. (Luke 22:14-23:1-49)

Trócaire Trócaire boxes may be handed in to the Church during Holy Week. Your support for the developing countries is very much appreciated.

Askea Senior Citizens News Summer Holidays 2016 Monday 9th May to Inishowen Gateway Hotel in Buncrana, Donegal. 5 days / 5 nights B/B/D and tours. Bookings have already started so there are only a certain number of places left. If you are interested contact Marian on 059 9143010. Rooms have to be booked and deposits paid by the end of March.

CHRISM MASS 2016 Don’t Forget! Chrism Mass 2016 You are warmly invited to join with Bishop Denis for the annual celebration of the Chrism Mass in the Cathedral, Carlow on Monday, March 21 at 7:30 followed by a cuppa in Carlow College. Please come early to be sure of a seat! Parking available in Carlow College; entrance opposite Court House on the Old Dublin Road. See kandle.ie for map.

Permanent Diaconate: Following on from the successful introduction of the first permanent deacons into our diocese, and recognizing the tremendous work which they have accomplished, Bishop Denis is again inviting men who feel a call to this ordained ministry to make application. If you would like to explore a call to Permanent Diaconate in the Diocese of Kildare & Leighlin please make contact with your Parish Priest who will forward your name and details to the Director for the Permanent Diaconate

Fairtrade Fortnight is upon us again. This year we celebrate 20 years of Fairtrade in Ireland. Please support the purchase of Fairtrade products in Carlow. Look out for Fairtrade bananas, coffee, tea, chocolate and Fairtrade other products. If Fairtrade is not available, ask for it!

Good Friday March 25th 2016.. Put it in your diary.. Paulies Bootcamp will be doing its Annual 24 Hour Bootcamp Challenge!! We will be distributing the money raised between... Shan Tynan a young girl who has cancer, Mental Health Carlow, Eist Cancer Support Centre Carlow

Graiguecullen Swimming Pool Children’s Swim Camp Week 1. Mon 21st to Fri 25th March 10am to 11am. Week 2. Mon 28th Mar to Fri 1st Apr 6pm to 7pm. €35 per child per week. Booking essential 059 9140330.

Solemn Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help in St Clare’s Church, Graiguecullen. 9 Monday Nights. 4th April to 30th May at 7.30pm. Rosary at 7.10pm. Singing will be led by Fr Liam Lawton accompanied by the Pooer Clare Community and Parish Choirs. Monday 4th April Guest Speaker: George Hook. Broadcaster, Journalist and rugby pundit.

Bennekerry Senior Citizens’ Easter Party on Sunday 3rd April in Palatine Clubhouse, Bennekerry. Meal at 7.30pm sharp. Music: Danny Webster. Contact Monica Mullins 087 9151650; Ann 087 9018753.

“Follow Me Up To Carlow” Concert Series Seven Oaks Hotel, Thurs 7th April @8pm. Special guests on the evening - the legendary Actress and Entertainer – TWINK, The Voice Of Carlow NICKY KEALY, as well as a host of other local artists. Tickets available from Seven Oaks Hotel or John Candy 087 2632324

Holy Family G.N.S. Easter Draw 2016 Results 1st Jessica Begley Bumper Easter Hamper 2nd Sacha Easter Hamper 3rd Adam & Kyle Corcoran Easter Hamper

Easter Art Camp 2015 WEEK 1: Monday March 21st to Thursday March 24th; WEEK 2: Tuesday March29th to Friday April 1st. 10am to 2pm -early drop off 9am. €10 per day. 4 - 12 year olds. St Fiacc's Hall Graiguecullen Contact Jean 086 8686783 www.muralmayhem.com [email protected]

Chorus Singing Classes in St Leo’s College. Very inclusive of all abilities and you don’t need to be able to read music. The Solas Library is the building at the back of the back car park in Leo’s. 1st class free as a taster so no harm in trying it out!

Easter Eggstravaganza in Delta Sensory Gardens, Strawhall, Carlow on Saturday 26th March, 2016 from 12pm to 5pm. Everybody is welcome to join in the fun and raise much needed funds for the DELTA Centre in the process. Everything raised will go to the Delta Centre for day and residential services for adults with intellectual disabilities. They provide a vital service.

Peace Concert in Knock Basilica Mayo International Choral Festival is hosting a Peace Concert with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra, in Knock Basilica on Saturday, May 14th. This Peace Concert will commemorate the 1916 Rising and World War One. The RTÉ Concert Orchestra will be conducted by David Brophy. The orchestra will perform with a 120 member choir and soloists Anne Marie Gibbons and Owen Gilhooly. For information and tickets, visit www.mayochoral.com.

PAN CELTIC FESTIVAL 2016: Carlow is gearing up for the International Pan Celtic Festival over the Easter holidays! Prepare to welcome thousands of visitors to the town from 29th March- 3rd April. Full programme onwww.panceltic.ie. Join on facebook and follow on twitter @PanCelticCarlow. Invite everybody to Follow us up to Carlow for the International Pan Celtic Festival 2016!

The Eist Cancer Support Centre will launch our Help Us Climb this Mountain fundraiser on Thursday 24th March at 6 pm at the EIST Centre, Mill Lane, Carlow. The event will be launched by RTE’s Kathryn Thomas on the night. All are welcome. We would be delighted with your support.

No Dawn Mass this year on Mt due to circumstances beyond the control of the parish, hope to be able to hold the mass again in 2017.

25th March - "Corner Boys" by John MacKenna - a powerful play that exposes the light and dark sides of Irish life in the sixties – the carnivals; the sodalities; the shenanigans, the humour, the tragedy – a story of life and love in another time and yet a time that’s still alive in Irish memory. VISUAL Centre, Carlow 8 p.m. Adm. €16/€14

Sponsored Carlow and District Vintage Tractor, car and bike run in aid of Carlow Day Care Centre, Brownshill Road, Askea on Sunday 24th April 2016 at 1.30pm sharp. Registration at the above Centre. (No registration fee). For Sponsor cards and further details contact Michael 086 1789211 or 059 9135977 or Liam 087 6240640. Refreshments and Raffle at the Centre following run. Prizes galore including Sellers’ Prize 50 / Driver’s Prize 50 euro.

Table Quiz Friends of St Fiacc’s House Table Quiz on Thursday 31st March in Seven Oaks Hotel at 9pm. Table of Four 20.

An Irish Experience in association with Pan Celtic. Enjoy an evening of fun. Learn to play bodhran, dance, sing and make scones on Wednesday 30th March from 2.30pm to 4.30pm at Bolton School of Music, Killeshin, Carlow. 10 euro per person. Book in advance 086 3629516. The Bennekerry Parents’ Association wish to thank everyone who generously supported our recent Easter Draw which took place on 15th March. Results: Winner Promoter 1st Prize: Brian Reynolds Supervalue 2nd Prize Eddie Keenan Sarah Keenan 3rd Prize Ronan Gallagher Supervalue 4th Prize Kathleen Tobin Erin Tobin 5th Prize Scott McDonnell Children’s prizes went to Hannah O’Dwyer; Sasha Sheehan and Jayden Carr. Teacher’s prize: Niamh The Bennekerry Parents’ Association would like to thank all the parents who volunteered in selling tickets and organizing this raffle. We wish everyone a very Happy Easter.

CALENDAR Monday 21st:Monday in Holy Week-St Enda is considered to be one of the late vocations (athleach) of Ireland. His sister, Faenche, a nun, set his thoughts on a religious vocation. He made a small foundation in Cell Aine, Co. Louth and after studies in Scotland under Minian, made several foundations in the Boyne Valley. On Faenche’s urging he went to Aran. He died probably in 520 and is considered as one of the early models of ascetic monasticism in Ireland Tuesday 22nd:-Tuesday in Holy Week Wednesday 23rd:- Wednesday in Holy Week: Thursday 24th:- -Holy Thursday Friday 25th :-Good Friday Saturday 26th:-Holy Saturday

St Patrick

Oh Patrick, Oh Patrick. Just a boy of 16. Sold into slavery. Into Ireland you would come and answer God’s call. To come to Ireland to be a slave was not your plan at all. And in a dream, that you would see you would flee from this land across the foam to a land you call your home. And prepare your life to serve a people not your own. With God you would return and with His power you would preach a message Of hope and Peace in the cross of Calvery And give your vision to let me see how he died for them upon a tree To build your churches both small and great and face the heathen and the druid you would do To rid the land of its snakes and plant the shamrock in our hearts We now would know the mystery of the hidden things Three person in one God Father, Son and Holy Spirit Yes I will bow the knee in this message Patrick brought to me.

Gerald Moore, 43 Springfield Park, Burrin Road, Carlow

Holy Week As Jesus left his mother there, And entered into the Great Holy Week, Mary had a very sorrowful heart And sadly questioned her son.

“Oh Jesus, my beloved son, What will you be on this holy Sunday?” “On this Sunday I will be a king. People will spread out palm branches and clothes.”

“Oh Jesus, my beloved son, What will you be on this holy Monday?” “On Monday I will be a wandering man, Unable to find a quiet place to meditate.”

“Oh Jesus, my beloved son, What will you be on this holy Tuesday?” “On Tuesday I will be a prophet to the world, Proclaiming how heaven and earth shall pass away.”

“Oh Jesus, my beloved son, What will you be on this holy Wednesday?” “On Wednesday I will be poor and lowly, Sold for merely thirty pieces of silver.”

“Oh Jesus, my beloved son, What will you be on this holy Thursday?” “On Thursday I will be a dining hall, The very Easter Lamb of the Passover supper.”

“Oh Jesus, my beloved son, What will you be on this holy Friday?” “Oh mother, my very own dear mother, Could this Friday be hidden from thee?”

“On Friday, my dearest mother, I will then be nailed to the cross With three nails that go through hands and feet. But don’t despair, the end will be sweet.”

“Oh Jesus, my beloved son, What will you be on this holy Saturday?” “On Saturday I will be a grain of corn, That from this earth again will be born.”

“And on Sunday, REJOICE, my mother dear, Then I will be raised from the dead. I will carry the cross like a banner in hand. Then you will see me again in a glorified state.”

Dare To Be When a new day begins, dare to smile gratefully. When there is darkness, dare to be the first to shine a light. When there is injustice, dare to be the first to condemn it. When something seems difficult, dare to do it anyway. When life seems to beat you down, dare to fight back. When there seems to be no hope, dare to find some. When you’re feeling tired, dare to keep going. When times are tough, dare to be tougher. When love hurts you, dare to love again. When someone is hurting, dare to help them heal. When another is lost, dare to help them find the way. When a friend falls, dare to be the first to extend a hand. When you cross paths with another, dare to make them smile. When you feel great, dare to help someone else feel great too. When the day has ended, dare to feel as you've done your best. Dare to be the best you can – At all times, Dare to Be! Dr. Steve Maraboli

A Blessing God be in my head, and in my understanding; God be in mine eyes, and in my looking; God be in my mouth, and in my speaking; God be in my heart, and in my thinking; God be at mine end, and at my departing. Prayer for Every Day

"FREEDOM " Freedom is a breath of air, Pine-scented, or salty like the sea; Freedom is a field new-plowed... Furrows of democracy! . Freedom is a forest, Trees tall and straight as men. Freedom is a printing press... The power of the pen! . Freedom is a country church, A cathedral's stately spire; Freedom is a spirit That can set the soul on fire! . Freedom is man's birthright, A sacred, living rampart; The pulse-beat of humanity... The throb of a nation's heart! . Clara Smith Reber