ST. PATRICK’S CHURCH, BALLYHAUNIS PASTORAL MESSAGE from the Bishops of the Six and spiritual well-being of people of faith. The fundamental im- Dioceses of the Tuam Province 3rd March 2021 portance of Holy Week and Easter for all Christians, makes the PARISH NEWSLETTER 7th MARCH 2021 Dear Parishioners, brother Priests and Deacons, Religious and prohibition of public worship particularly painful. While, as Friends Christians, we are obliged to obey these regulations, we believe Parish Priest: Fr. Stephen Farragher, 094-9630006 / 087-9210305 Covid-19: A Year On that it is our responsibility as Church leaders to make the case for Email: [email protected] Parish Office: 094-9630006 Emergency numbers: This week we mark the first anniversary of the appearance of the change. We will continue to make fair and reasonable representa- Knock: 094-9388100 Covid-19 pandemic in Ireland. As we consider how this has tion and we encourage you to do likewise. PARISH WEBSITE: http://www.ballyhaunisparish.ie Fr. Feeney, Ballinlough: 094-9640155 touched our parish communities, particularly given the tragic loss Sacraments of First Communion and Confirmation PARISH RADIO: 105.2FM Newsletter on line: Parish website Fr. McGuinness, Bekan: 094-9313937 of so many lives, we wish to share some thoughts with you, the Web-cam: http://www.ballyhaunisparish.ie or www.mcnmedia.tv In so far as the Government plan currently offers no clarity about people of the six Dioceses of the Tuam Province. when we might expect to return to public Sacramental life, we Local Safeguarding Representative (LSR) Jacinta Flynn, (contact the parish office) Further to Climb find it difficult to have any confidence that the Sacraments of First Many of us will be familiar with the experience of arriving at Communion and Confirmation can be celebrated before the end of ANNIVERSARY MASSES 8th - 14th MARCH 2021 what we thought was the top of a mountain only to discover that the present school year. As of now, we have decided to defer the there is still further to climb. Sometimes the last bit can be the Sacrament of Confirmation for the 2021 class until the Autumn, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 10.00am. Saturday 7.30pm. hardest of all. We understand the experience of disappointment and we encourage our parishes to consider doing the same in rela- Nora, Michael & Judith Regan, Killinaugher and frustration that many people feel, at the news of an indefinite tion to First Communion. Should circumstances change for the Mariam McGoldrick, Abbey St. extension of lockdown. We are delighted, however, that children better, this decision can be revisited in each Diocese. In the Patrick & Elizabeth Devane & decd. Kilvine have the opportunity to return to school and we wish them and meantime, we encourage young people and their parents to contin- Jack, Sarah, John & Patrick Mangan, Roy, Doohoma their teachers every blessing. ue with their preparation. We have provided online resources to Anne Byrne, Main St. Until we are all “Ok” support what is being done through the Religious Education pro- John Byrne, Main St. grammes with the teachers in the schools. All of us appreciate the efforts and the sacrifices of those in our Brendan Quinn, Knox St. community who provide essential services. For many people, Continuing Pastoral and Sacramental Care Pam Loiacunu however, the continued high level of restriction poses practical Bearing all of the foregoing in mind, it is also important for us to Michael Murray, Doctor’s Road & decd. of the Murray Family, London and emotional challenges. We want to say very clearly that, in the do as much as we can within the current restrictions to provide Anthony Coyne, Leenane, & decd. of the Coyne & Gavin Families Christian vision of things, every person is essential and no person pastoral and sacramental care to our parishioners. Experience ***************************** is more important or necessary than any other. When we pray the teaches us that with suitable precautions, the individual celebra- MASSES: Sunday 10.00am Month’s Mind: Tom McCormack, Clare Court Stations of the Cross, we celebrate people like Veronica, who tion of the Sacrament of Reconciliation is possible, as is the sacra- Monday, Tuesday, wiped the face of Jesus, and Simon of Cyrene who shard with mental care of the sick. These, together with various other pasto- Wednesday, Friday 10.00am. 8th - 14th MARCH READERS Please use the lighters for lighting can- Him the burden of the cross. ral initiatives, can supplement the various online outreaches that dles as the hand sanitiser is highly flam- have proved so helpful and successful. Monday Serving the Common Good and Supporting Restrictions Martin Fitzmaurice mable. Saturday Evening Vigil: 7.30pm. As Church leaders, we have consistently supported the public Towards Easter 2021 Tuesday Mary Donnelly All weekday and weekend Masses, and the health restrictions on the grounds that they serve the common God’s love for us is revealed in the life, death and resurrection of Sunday: 10.00am. daily rosary at 9.00pm continue to be Wednesday Tommy Caulfield good. The state has a particular responsibility for the common Jesus, who shared our human condition, with all its joys and sor- broadcast on parish radio 105.2FM and good and, on that basis, the Church teaches that Catholics must rows. As his disciples today, we can have confidence in his prom- CONFESSIONS: Friday Christina Concannon streamed on the parish webcam: https:// obey the law unless it is manifestly unjust or immoral. That does ise to be with us always, even to the end of time. During this sea- Before Saturday Vigil Mass www.mcnmedia.tv/camera/st-patricks- Saturday 7.30pm. James Reidy not mean that we cannon or should not speak out when we believe son of Lent, He walks the way of the cross with us and we journey church-ballyhaunis that something seems unfair or could be done better. We have in hope toward the joy of sharing in his Resurrection which, one EUCHARISTIC Sunday 10.00am. Anne Durkan The 10 o’clock Mass on Wednesday morn- consistently made representations, not only for the timely reopen- way or another, we will celebrate together at Easter. ADORATION ings is being broadcast on Mid West Radio. ing of the public pastoral life of the Church, but also for better Friday: 10.30am. - 1.00pm. Recently Deceased Sincerely in Christ, We remember in our prayers WEEKLY ENVELOPES: Sincere thanks to all who protection for elderly residents in nursing home, for equity in the Michael Neary (Archbishop of Tuam), John Flemin (Bishop of BAPTISMS Kevin Finn, Nottingham, UK & are returning their weekly contributions either by delivery of critical care in our hospitals and for a fair distribution Killala), Michael Duignan (Bishop of Clonfert), Brendan Kelly Saturdays & Sundays 11.00am. formerly Pattenspark envelope or by direct debit. Envelopes can be of vaccines both in our own society and in the wider world. (Bishop of Galway), Paul Dempsey (Bishop of Achonry). Minimum of two weeks’ dropped in the letter box of the Parochial House. If Difficulties with “Covid-19 Resilience and Recovery 2021: The you wish to set up a direct debit, the account details are as follows: Ballyhaunis Parish ****************************************************************** notice required. Contact the Path Ahead” FAITH RENEWAL EVENTS Online www.knockshrine.ie/ Church. BIC: ULSB IE 2D IBAN: IE69 ULSB 9852 7005 5200 31 We recognise the need for prudence and caution at the present parish office, 094-9630006, for ‘Living Christian Faith’ - Lenten Conversations updates due to ongoing Covid- CHY3 TAX CERTIFICATES: Thanks to all who have returned their CHY3 certificates time, in the light of the terrible loss of life in January and Febru- Thursday 11th March: ‘Living Christian Faith in Public Life’ ary, and we accept absolutely that now is not the time for a major to date. If you received a certificate and have not yet completed and returned it, we would Baroness Nuala O’Loan, Senator Ronan Mullen discuss their own 19 restrictions. reopening of society. We have carefully considered the five stage ask you, please, to do so using the enclosed stamped self-addressed envelope or drop it in faith, how it informs their public service and the challenges peo- plan “Covid-19 Resilience and Recovery 2021: The Path Ahead”, the letterbox of the Parochial House at your earliest convenience. ple of faith encounter in the public sphere today. published by the Government last week. There are two things in Join Fr. Eamonn Conway and guests online each Thursday even- LENT: Trócaire packs containing the Trócaire box and information on this year’s Lenten this plan which we find very difficult to support. ing at 8.30pm. To watch, simply log on to campaign are available in the church porch. Please take one home and make a contribution One is the fact that at level 5, all funerals are still limited to 10 www.knockshrine.ie/watch-live Full programme details are avail- to help those suffering hunger and injustice in many parts of the world. This year’s cam- people. We believe that a modest increase to 25 would, without able at www.knockshrine.ie/news paign focuses on South Sudan and we learn more about the suffering of people who have compromising safety, bring much consolation to grieving BALLYHAUNIS COMMUNITY COUNCIL AGM will be lost their homes and loved ones to war, and how they are rebuilding their lives through love, families. held on Monday 29th March at 8.00pm. via Zoom. For further friendship and solidarity Our second concern is that public worship is still excluded even details please contact 087-9777899 or 087-6982473. Email: bally- PRAYER GUIDE FOR THE SEASON OF LENT – A booklet produced by and circulat- at level 3.