Oldcastle & Moylagh Parish
6th Sunday of the Year Fr Ray Kelly P.P
11th/12th February 2017 049 8541142 The Diocese of Meath is now available on line www.dioceseofmeath.ie Parish Website oldcastleandmoylaghparish.com Church Services & Mass Intentions
Masses OLDCASTLE
Saturday (vigil) 7.00pm Frank O’Reilly Millbrook Rd, Sean Farrell Millbrook & grandson Sean, Frank & Sheila Gildea Cavan St, Michael O’Reilly Kilbride st Sunday 11.30am 1 Anniv Phil Lynch Millbrook, Anniv Paddy Callan Stoney Rd, Terence & Teresa Moore & daughter Bridie Fennor Monday Tuesday 10.00am Joe & Mona Kelly & daughter Regina McMahon & John Leahy Wednesday 7.00pm Monsignor John Hanley Millbrook Rd & Carnaross Thursday 10.00am Friday 7.00pm Joe Smith, Patrick & Margaret Tynan & decd family St Brigid’s Tce Saturday 7.00pm Jim Monaghan & decd family Knockback Sunday 11.30am Alice & Jack McGovern
MOYLAGH
Saturday (vigil) 5.45pm M/M Helena (Honey) Coyle Milltown, M/M Kathleen Govern & 1st Anniv for her husband Paddy Govern, Anniv Pat Gilligan & decd family Dromone Sunday 10.00am Saturday 5.45pm Jack Gilsenan & Jimmy Lynch Sunday 10.00am Kitty & Ger Lenihan, Barney & Rose Dolan Ballyfore
Eucharistic Monday/Thursday 9.20am/ In Oldcastle
Adoration 9.00pm Tuesday 1pm/ 2pm In Moylagh
Confessions On request in both Churches
Please note e-mail address [email protected] can be used for notices for Mass Bulletin Visit our new Parish Website at www.oldcastleandmoylaghparish.com
Altar Servers for Oldcastle Church W/End 11th/12th Feb Groups 1 & 2 – W/End 18th/19th Feb Groups 3 & 4.
Readers for February 2017 at St Brigid’s Church, Oldcastle. Brendan Brady 7.00pm Sat 4th, 18th, February 2017 Pauline Hetherton 7.00pm Sat 11th, 25th February 2017 Pat Gibney 11.30am Sun 5th, 19th February 2017 Michelle Costello-Smith 11.30am Sun 12th, 26th February 2017
St Vincent de Paul Confidential Helpline Phone 087 4191457 . VINCENT’S (St. Vincent de Paul) Shop – Opening Hours 11am to 1pm Thursday, Friday and Saturday and 2.00 pm to 4.30 pm on Thursday & Friday. We would be grateful for donations of good quality clean clothes.
Do this in Memory. This weekend we continue our Do this in Memory Programme for children and their parents who are preparing for First Holy Communion this year. We will welcome the children from Scoil Mhuire Moylagh on Saturday evening 11th Feb at our 5.45pm Mass and the children from Gilson NS on Saturday evening 11th Feb at 7.00pm Mass. I ask all parents to please bring your children along.
Parish Committee meeting on Monday 13th February at 8.00pm in Parish Centre. All members please attend.
Candlemass Offerings can be taken up at all Masses these weekends. It is one of the major offering days in order for you to support your priest. Please use special envelope in family box or any envelope with your name and address
Eucharistic Ministers Course will begin next Wednesday evening 15th February at 7.20pm in the Parish Centre. All new and existing Eucharistic ministers are welcome to attend. In thanksgiving for the gift of our faith, can you offer to give back some of your time to the Lord and your parish? Being a Eucharistic Minister is a privilege. Training will be given until people are comfortable in their role. You will be asked to minister Holy Communion once every 5 weeks. If you are not free, you can ask someone else to stand in for you. Please do support your parish in preparation for the World Meeting of Families. If you would like to become a Eucharistic Minister please contact Fr Ray 8541142 or Alacoque 8541294.
Oldcastle Juvenile Gaa are holding their 2017 Registration in the Show Hall on Friday 17th February from 7pm to 8pm, and also on Sunday 19th February at 9.45am. The cost is €10 for one child, or €20 for two or more children. Registration covers nursery (4 to 6 years old), U8, U10, U12 and U-14. For further information contact 087-9581756.
"Moylagh Community Centre is having a social dance on Saturday the 18th February. The band Country Storm will be providing the music. Dancing will be from 9.30pm - 12.30am. Admission is €10.00 and this includes light refreshments which will be served throughout the evening"
"Jiving classes are starting in Moylagh Community Centre on Thursday evenings at 8.30pm. So come along for some great dancing fun and exercise!"
Virginia and District Historical Society will host a lecture on "How landlords lost control of the land of Ireland and tenants became owners ", by John O' Donoghue, in the Riverfront Hotel, Virginia, on Thursday, February 16 at 8.30 pm. All are welcome.
Moylagh Dramatic Society would like to thank all who supported the recent production of 'Wake in the West'. Due to its phenomenal success, we are delighted to say we have been in a position to donate to some very worthwhile local charities. We have given 500 euro each, to Meath Specialist Palliative Care Service and Oldcastle Meals on Wheels. Signed, Paula Clarke, on behalf of Moylagh Dramatic Society.
Baby Massage Course in The Parish Hall Commencing Tuesday 28th Feb. 10am-11.30am. 5 week Course suitable from birth to pre- crawling. For Information/Bookings please contact: Una 087 2406713
Moylagh Historical Society AGM will be held Monday 13th Feb in Community Centre at 8pm. All welcome.
Oldcastle Active Retirement has re commenced in Parish Centre every Thursday 2.30pm – 4.30pm. All welcome
LET ME ENTERTAIN YOU!!! Do you want to be A VIP for the night, do you have what it takes? We are looking for Lip Sync contestants for Our "Let me entertain you fundraiser night, anyone, duet or group who are up for some great fun and think they have what it takes, please contact Peter on 087 0601562 or Colin 086 2564372, for more details, thank you.
SOSAD MEATH LENTEN SOUP AND WELLNESS DRIVE invites you to join with them in their Lenten Drive for Wellness. We ask you to help us by hosting a soup day/event in your home, place of work or in a community venue. Wellness materials with guidelines for healthier, happier and ways of coping during difficult times will be provided. A meeting supporting persons hosting a ‘soup event’ and providing the necessary information materials will be arranged before Lent begins. If interested and able text or call Sister Catherine Lee @ 085-133-0759 or email: [email protected]. Thank you.
Moylagh Community Centre & GAA Club Blotto. Congratulations to Jackpot Winners Julie-Marie & Leanne Gibney. Jackpot €1,000.00. Winning numbers 2,4,11,18. Next Draw in McCabe’s Monday 20th Feb . Blottos €2 or 3 for €5.
Singles Club if anyone is interested in joining a Senior Citizens Singles Club for social events, outings, cards, pool etc please contact Peter Stanley 087 9273714 after 6pm.
SOSAD MEATH: Suicide Awareness/Prevention & Bereavement Support. "You don't have to cope alone". Free confidential counselling service to people of all ages. Contact No. 24/7 on 046-9031855 / 083-3712622
Prayer to the Holy Family Jesus, Mary & Joseph, in you we contemplate the splendour of true love, to you we turn with trust. Holy family of Nazareth, grant that our families too may be places of communion and prayer, authentic schools of the Gospel and small domestic churches. Holy Family of Nazareth, may families never again experience violence, rejection and division, may all who have been hurt or scandalised find ready comfort and healing. Holy Family of Nazareth, make us once more mindful of the sacredness and inviolability of the family, and its beauty in God’s plan. Jesus, Mary and Joseph, graciously hear our prayer Amen. Copies of prayer below and are available in the Churches.
.Calendar of Events in the Parish for the Year 2017 First Confessions 2nd Class Scoil Mhuire, Moylagh in Moylagh Church on Tuesday 28th February, 2017 @ 7.30pm 2nd Class Gilson School in St Brigid’s Church, Oldcastle on Thursday 2nd March 2017 @ 7.00pm Confirmation Oldcastle/Moylagh St Brigid’s Church Oldcastle Friday 31st March 2017 @ 3.00pm First Holy Communion Moylagh Saturday 29th April 2017 @ 11am Oldcastle Saturday 13th May 2017 @ 11am Cemetery Mass & Blessing of the Graves Oldcastle Saturday 3rd June 2017 @ 7.00pm Moylagh Sunday 11th June 2017 @ 10.00am Loughcrew Sunday 2017 Mass of St Oliver Plunkett on Sunday 2nd July, 2017 @ 3.00pm
Line Dancing every Friday night in Masonic Hall Oldcastle 7.30pm – 10pm. Beginners welcome. Phone Anne 086 3169700.
Prayer For Depression From the Holy Spirit : Almighty and eternal Father, we ask you through the intersession of our Holy Mother and all the holy Apostles and Disciples who suffered terrible depression and confusion for three day, when they saw the body of their master Jesus dead in the tomb after seeing him working so many miracles, but on the third day they saw the Resurrection of Jesus all depression vanished and was replaced by a great glory. Heavenly Father, We ask you to look down on all those suffering from depression, to send your Holy Spirit to banish that cloud of depression especially for …… (name). We ask this through the resurrection of your beloved son Amen.
Spring Courses Put a Spring in your step, Ballinacree Community Centre are delighted to announce their upcoming Spring Courses commencing soon: A JOURNEY TO HOLISTIC WELLBEING starts Wednesday 15th February at 7 – 9pm costing €10 in total including refreshments. A mat, cushion & blanket will be required. This 6-week course is a hands-on journey through Human Aura, Chakras, Essential Breath, Mediation, Crystal Healing and Flower Essence Therapy bringing wholeness to mind, body and spirit. WRITING & EDITING is a hands on 6 week course starting Friday 24th February at 7 – 9pm costing €10 in total including refreshments. This course will introduce participants to strategies for developing a novel, and guidance on editing skills. All levels of writers welcome. Other courses on offer (Dates to be confirmed soon): Nutrition; Creative Sewing and Exploring Art & the Artist Within. For further information or to book a course, please contact Mary on 087-6566421 or Brigid on 086-1043352/049-8541449. Courses are funded by the LMETB.
Trocaire Boxes Can all Trócaire Boxes please be returned this week.
Candlemas Offerings Sincere thank you to all who have contributed so generously to the recent Candlemas Offerings for the support of your priest. I am very grateful for your generous offerings and support. Thank you
The Cup of Tea Trad Session in the Parish Centre Oldcastle continues every 2 weeks from 26th January (next session Thursday 9th February) on Thursday evenings between 8pm and 10pm. We play a tune, have a chat and a cup of tea. Musicians and non- musicians are welcome to the cup of tea session. Whether you play or not you are welcome to listen, chat and have a cup of tea. All welcome
"A Garden is a friend you can visit anytime" There has been several requests from parishioners to see the Parish Gardens presentation, so we are happy to announce that next Monday 30th of January at 8pm in the Parish hall there will be a final opportunity to see it. We are always looking for more ideas and this will be the last chance to give your input before the commencement of the project, all are welcome. Thank you to everyone who has helped so far.
In Memory Kindly remember in your prayers the repose of the soul of the Margaret Lennon Rudagh also Paddy Reilly Millbrook Rd who died recently. May they rest in peace.
We welcome into the Church James Gibney-Ward Moylagh and Dillon O’Reilly Patrickstown who were baptised recently in St Mary’s Church Moylagh
All the sick and housebound will be visited by the priest in Moylagh on Wednesday morning 1st February and in Oldcastle Thursday & Friday mornings 2nd & 3rd February
The Local Conference of the SVP would like to sincerely thank everyone who gave so generously to the annual Christmas Appeal. We are very grateful to every individual and all the organisations for donations which allow us to continue with our work, in very challenging times. Your generosity as always is greatly appreciated.
Weightwatchers Class every Wednesday in The Show Hall @ 6pm with Linda 086 3367193
Set Dancing Classes: Upstairs in Caffreys, 8pm every Monday, commencing on the 16th of January, €5 per class, come along and break a sweat, enjoy camaraderie, and learn new sets and steps, contact Ken on 0861708174.
Dublin World Meeting of Families 22 -26 August 2018 - In preparing for the World Meeting of Families in Ireland in August 2018, Pope Francis has invited families here in Ireland and across the world to reflect on the event theme, The Gospel of the Family, Joy to the World, by focusing particularly on his recent Apostolic Exhortation, The Joy of Love.
Yoga classes start back week starting the 16th Jan. Wednesdays in Parish Centre. Chair Yoga, Prenatal, Open Level Yoga. Thursday's- Open Level Yoga, Mum & Baby Yoga & Kids Yoga (3-5yr olds) Contact Dearbhla 0876879325 for more information.
There will be a blood donation clinic in the Gilson National School Oldcastle on Tuesday the 13th of December from 5:00pm to 8:30pm.
Pre- Baptism Course. Next pre baptism course Friday 3rd February at 7.25pm in St Oliver’s Parish Centre in Church grounds. It is important that you notify Fr Ray if you are going to attend the pre-baptism course, in order that the baptism team are present on that evening.
Masses & Feasts during the coming week Wednesday 1st February Feast of St Brigid Titular Saint of our Church. Thursday 2nd Feast of The Presentation of our Lord (Candlemas Day) Blessing of Candles during mass at 10am mass in Oldcastle Friday 3rd Feast of St Blaise. Mass in Moylagh at 10.00am and in Oldcastle at 7.00pm. Blessing of throats before and after both Masses
Congratulations to the Oldcastle U21 team on winning the county final. Well done to all concerned. Oldcastle GFC Christmas Bingo on Sunday 11th Dec at 3pm in Show Hall. Vouchers for Coal, Briquettes, Turkeys and numerous other prizes. All welcome
Recharge Yoga Think you are TOO young, old, inflexible, small, big or injured to do YOGA. Think again it is for EVERY body, and classes are designed to support your wellbeing, helping you to feel fantastic – body, mind & spirit. Classes Monday & Tuesday in Drumbaragh, Wednesday & Thursday in Oldcastle. Contact Dearbhla on 087 6879325 for more information.
Slimming World Oldcastle Do you want to learn how to enjoy so many fab new receipes, filling your appetite and NEVER going hungry all while loosing weight then come long to my fabulous, inspirational, friendly group in The Masonic Hall Oldcastle on Tuesday evening at 5.30pm and 7.30pm Its only 7 weeks to Christmas All your dreams CAN come true you just need to make that 1st brave step. I will be there to meet you Hannah 083 1707050
Hospice Homecare Rose Reilly would like to thank everyone for their generosity in supporting this great cause. A total of €1,835 was raised. Many thanks to all that contributed.
SMITH ACADEMY OF IRISH DANCING : PRESENT 'A CELEBRATION OF IRISH HISTORY' Please come and join us on Sunday 23rd October in the show hall Oldcastle at 3pm for our dance show. All proceeds going towards children representing school at the world Irish dance championships. All support would be greatly appreciated. Tickets: 10euro adults, 5euro oap, 3euro students, under 5 free. All enquiries to Louise smith (0863223223) or Shane smith (0868617662)
LOOKING TO RECHARGE, RELEASE STRESS & FIND BALANCE? YOGA AND MEDITATION Classes will continue for 6 more Wednesday evenings from 7pm in St Oliver Parish Centre in Church grounds. CONTACT: Dearbhla at Recharge Yoga - 0876879325 or rechargeyoga@gmail.
Oldcastle Active Retirement has resumed and continues every Thursday at 2.30pm in Parish Centre. All welcome.
Oldcastle Optician, Lynch's Pharmacy From Tuesday, 11th October the Oldcastle Optician will be attending Lynch's Pharmacy from 10.00am-1.00p.m. HSE medical cards and PRSI forms available. For appointment please contact 049-8541750.
Fundraising Bingo in aid of St. Oliver’s First Responders Group in Show Hall Oldcastle this Sunday 16th October at 3pm. All money raised from this event will go towards the setting up of the First Responders Scheme in the Oldcastle, Moylagh and Ballinacree area. Your support would be greatly appreciated.
Depression is an illness which can be fatal. We, as a society, need to talk about depression and suicide openly and honestly. We need to work together to help our neighbours and ourselves. By doing so we can save lives. Aware Support Groups bring together individuals who experience any form of depression and provide a confidential, safe and non-judgemental place where people feel accepted as they are. People who attend our groups find them to be a unique experience where they can talk openly about how they feel to those who have an understanding of depression. Aware Help line LoCall 1890303302 or visit www.aware.ie or email [email protected]. To make an appointment at Pieta House Phone 01-6010000.
Calendar of Events in the Parish for the Year 2017 First Confessions 2nd Class Scoil Mhuire, Moylagh in Moylagh Church on Tuesday 28th February, 2017 @ 7.30pm 2nd Class Gilson School in St Brigid’s Church, Oldcastle on Thursday 2nd March 2017 @ 7.00pm Confirmation Oldcastle/Moylagh St Brigid’s Church Oldcastle Friday 31st March 2017 @ 3.00pm First Holy Communion Moylagh Saturday 29th April 2017 @ 11am Oldcastle Saturday 13th May 2017 @ 11am Cemetery Mass & Blessing of the Graves Oldcastle Saturday 3rd June 2017 @ 7.00pm Moylagh Sunday 11th June 2017 @ 10.00am Loughcrew Sunday 2017 Mass of St Oliver Plunkett on Sunday 2nd June, 2017 @ 3.00pm
Celebrating the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy in Fore Deanery will take place in St Brigid's Church, Oldcastle on Saturday evening 24th September, 2016 at 6.00pm. Note for the gaining of the Indulgence, Confession is essential. Mass will be concelebrated at 7.30pm with Bishop Denis Nulty as chief concelebrant. He will share a homily on the theme of Mercy There will be no other vigil Mass on the Saturday evening in any of the Fore Deanery Parishes as listed above, therefore all the Mass intentions booked for the Vigil Masses in these parishes will be remembered at this Mass. Choirs from the various parishes will participate .Refreshments will be served afterwards in the Show Hall. Welcome to All and have a really joyful Jubilee celebration. The parishes of Castlepollard, Clonmellon, Collinstown, Coole, Delvin, Multyfarnham, Mountnugent, Oldcastle and Taughmon gather with their priests, to celebrate the Jubilee and to gain the Jubilee indulgence. We welcome all who gather at 6.00pm in Oldcastle Church. The following is the programme for the evening: Congregate at 5.45pm with opening ceremony at 6.00pm This will include a Penitential Preparation for the Sacrament of Reconciliation and Penance. There will be six confessors hearing confessions from 6.15pm to 7.15pm.
Do This In Memory Parents Committee Meeting will take place on Tuesday 27th September at 7.15pm in Parish Centre.
Hospice Homecare Rose Reilly would like to thank all who supported the Coffee Day last week. A total of money will be published later. Pilgrimage to Medjugorje Group Leader Ann Buchanan - Accompanied by Fr Ray Kelly – 12th / 19th October half board €649.00 per person. For information contact Ann Buchanan 085 8021382
Harvest Offerings Sincere thank you to all who have contributed so generously to the recent Harvest Offerings for the support of your priest. I am very grateful for your generous offerings and support. Thank you
Harvest Offerings will be taken up at all Masses this weekend. It is one of the major offering days in order for you to support your priest. Please use special envelope in family box or any envelope with your name and address on it
Hospice Homecare The Annual Hospice Coffee Morning takes place on Thursday 15th September in Rose Reilly’s Moylagh. House open all day. Call for a Cuppa and a chat. Your support would be greatly appreciated.
Cura Cares Crisis Pregnancy Support Services Contact 1850622626 or www.cura.ie curacares’cura.ie CURA – Unexpected pregnancy is hard to face. We’re here to listen and not to judge. CURA provides a range of supports and services to women dealing with unplanned pregnancy. We also provide counselling and support services for the baby’s father and other family members.
Grow Meetings are held every Tuesday evening at 7.30pm in the Catherine McAuley Centre Kells and are very helpful for anyone suffering from Depression, Anxiety, and Loneliness etc. Confidentiality and support assured. Contact Catherine 049 8542777.
The Annual Meals on Wheels Churchgate Collection Many thanks for your generous support. Pro-Life Churchgate Collection €274.30 was raised. Many thanks for your generous support
Meals on Wheels Churchgate collection weekend 27th/28th August. Your support as always is greatly appreciated.
Multiple Sclerosis Society Meath Branch Sincere thanks to all who contributed so generously to the recent Churchgate collection for this very worthy cause. The amount raised was Oldcastle €733.95 – Moylagh €260.00.
Oldcastle Adoration Committee - Dear Adorer, Thank you for your attendance in Adoration here in Oldcastle since its beginning, which was instated by the late Fr Eugene Conlon and the people of this parish, in the year 2000. Adoration continues to bring many graces to a parish, priests and families by adorer’s faithfulness to Jesus, spending time with him in the ‘Blessed Sacrament’. Today many adorers have passed away and the numbers have declined. The committee are asking new and current adorers to a meeting Wednesday 31st August at 7.30pm in Parish Centre to discuss and strengthen our Adoration here in Oldcastle. Looking forward to your attendance.
Accord Planning to get married. Book your Marriage Preparation Course with ACCORD @ 044 9348707 or www.accord.ie. Documents necessary for a couple intending to get married. 1. Baptismal Certificate: ( issued within six month of the date of marriage ) 2. Letters of Freedom: For all parishes lived in after sixteenth birthday for a period of six months or longer. 3. Civil Notification: At least 3 months’ notice to be given to the Registrar of Marriages. 4. Marriage Preparation Course: To be completed three months before wedding day. Further details from Accord in Mullingar at 044-9348707 5. Pre-nuptial Enquiry Form: completed in home parish at least 6 months before marriage 6. Six months’ notice: To be given to your Priest. Wedding Booking forms available from your local priest.
The Civil Registration Act 2004 requires all couples planning a marriage ceremony in Ireland to register their intent of marriage with the State at least three calendar months prior to their wedding date. This is currently done by setting up an appointment with a Civil Registration Service Registrar and attending together in person – currently, couples must telephone an office or call in person to set up an appointment. From the 12th November 2012, the Civil Registration Service is launching a new online appointment booking system. This new and additional access channel will allow couples to book notification of intention to marry appointments in any Civil Registration Service office around the country provided they have access to the internet. When booking their appointment couples will be informed of what they need to bring, how long their appointment will last, and this will all be done online. For couples where one or both parties are resident abroad, they should contact the office by telephone to book their appointment. To notify the Registrar of your intention to marry you may book a Marriage Notification appointment at www.crsappointments.ie For more information about this or any of our services you can also visit our website: www.civilregistrationservice.ie.
Offertory Procession. As you know a lovely practice at our week-end Masses is the participation of people in our offertory procession. It has also been traditional that members of the family of whom the mass is been offered for carries out this part of the liturgy. The offertory procession of bringing forward the bread and wine which represent in their unity the many grains and grapes of human diversity but also the collective experience of the entire congregation in terms of their work and their suffering and indeed every single reality that God has created. In order for this practice to continue, I would ask for some members of the family whose deceased loved one the Mass is for to please contact our sacristan Rolly / Rose in the sacristy either during the week before the Mass or just before the Mass in order that the gifts will be placed on the offertory table.
Oldcastle GFC Bingo every Wednesday night in the Show Hall Oldcastle at 8pm. Oldcastle GFC weekly blotto - Apart from winning the Jackpot you could be one of the 5 ‘Lucky Dip’ winners of € 50 each! Blotto tickets can be purchased on the Square on Saturday mornings or on line on Oldcastle GFC website
The Rite of Committal and Burial of Ashes of Dermot Crean will be held in Moylagh Cemetery at 12pm on Saturday 30th July. ..
Oldcastle Alzheimer's Day Care Centre The Alzheimer's Day Care Centre – run from the Health Centre in Oldcastle provides regular, safe and caring respite where clients suffering from Alzheimer's disease and varying forms of dementia can participate in stimulating and entertaining activities whilst under care from a trained and dedicated team. The Centre, which operates twice weekly on Monday and Wednesday, is run by the Alzheimer's Society of Ireland in conjunction with the HSE and has been open for 12 years. The Day Centre covers the villages of Ballinlough, Moylagh, Crossakiel, Crossdoney, Mountnugent, Ballinacree, Ballyjamesduff, Kilnaleck, Castlepollard, Clonmellon, Munterconnaught, Maghera and Virginia. It can presently accommodate 12 clients per day with a growing waiting list in addition to those already attending. Access to this service can be arranged via your doctor, public health nurse/manager at the Centre. With the growing number of people in our town needing to avail of such services, it would be hugely beneficial to see Oldcastle adopt a dementia aware community plan similar to other projects presently being adopted throughout Ireland. Lack of confidence in a dementia sufferer because of the difficulties they can experience getting around their community can lead to withdrawal and social isolation. Making our town dementia-aware would require planning and training amongst those willing to participate, from local businesses, schools and the general public. A dementia-aware community means that people living with dementia are supported to live a good quality of life.
Oldcastle GFC are hosting The Gerry Reilly U16 Tournament Sunday 3rd July in Millbrook Pitch 4.45pm Meath v Wicklow, 7.30pm Cavan v Louth. Your support as always is greatly appreciated.
Congratulations – Congratulations to Fr Conor McGee who was ordained to the priesthood in the Diocese of Meath by Bishop Michael Smith in Tullamore last weekend. We Pray for Fr Conor as he begins his priestly ministry and wish him well.
Calendar of Events in the Parish for the Year 2016
Fr Peter Gilsenan wishes to express his gratitude to all who wished him well and supported his Golden Jubilee Celebrations last Sunday. Special thanks to Oldcastle/Moylagh Parish Committee and to the Catering Team at the Show Hall. Thanks to Niall Caffrey for the beautiful carved wooden Chalice and to Ann Galligan and Fr Ray for the music at the Sunday mass.
The Catholic Grandparents Association wishes all Grandparents a very happy and holy feast day on 26th July – Feast of our Heavenly Patrons Sts Joachim and Anne parents of Mary, Grandparents of Jesus and
Mass on Saturday evening 11th June will be recorded by LMFM and will be broadcasted on Sunday morning 12th June at 9.00am
Oldcastle & Moylagh Cemetery Our cemeteries are looking very well at the moment and hopefully they will be looking great for our annual cemetery Mass & blessing of the graves in Moylagh on Sunday 12th June at 10.00am. Please keep up the good work and maintain your family plots for your loved ones in a fitting manner.
Pilgrimage to Holy Door in Navan for Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy Our parish has been invited to make a pilgrimage to the Holy Door in St Mary’s Church Navan. At 7.30pm pilgrims can make the ‘Path of Mercy’ in the Church to the Holy Door, and avail of the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation in confession. Mass will begin at 8.30pm, with refreshments available afterwards. Those travelling by car can park in the Church grounds (Trimgate Street entrance only) or on the Fairgreen. This pilgrimage fulfils the conditions for the Plenary Indulgence for the Jubilee Year. “Merciful Like the Father”. Enquiries to 046 9071774.
"Moylagh GAA Club will host a “REELING IN THE YEARS” as part of a social night we are currently planning. The idea is to show some of the history of the club over the years through videos, photographs, paper clippings, booklets, memorabilia etc., covering all club activities. If you have any videos, photos etc., please do contact us as we would very much appreciate getting them. We will NOT take your originals; instead we make a copy and use the copy. This can be done without the item leaving your home. While we are particularly looking for “older” items, recent ones are also very welcome. Please contact Gerry Gibney 087 – 9519294 or email [email protected] for further information or to submit an item."
We welcome into the Church Emmelyne Brody, The Murrens who was baptised in St Mary’s Church Moylagh
also Kathryn Cullen Moylagh who was baptised in St Marys Moylagh
Maintenance Fund (Building Fund) Envelopes. Our yearly cycle of new envelope boxes commence on Sunday 3rd April. . (Please note Easter Offering envelope is in the NEW BOX. Also note your envelope number will have changed. So please use the new envelope. We are grateful to the many people throughout the parish who helped to distribute the boxes during the week. If you are a new parishioner or did not get your family box, kindly tell the priests and we can get a new box to you. If you don’t live in the parish but come to Mass in Oldcastle on a regular basis and would like to support the priest and the Church, a box of envelopes can be made available to you upon your request to Fr Ray. Your generosity and support is always very much appreciated.
Summer time begins at 2.00am in the morning so don’t forget to put your clock forward one hour before you go to bed as all Masses tomorrow will be according to NEW TIME.
Irish Blood Transfusion Blood Donor Clinic is coming to the Gilson National School on Tuesday the 15th of March from 5pm to 8:30pm. Parish Tax Refund Covenant Scheme A sincere thank you to all of you who have contributed over €250 by way of the weekly parish maintenance envelope in the income tax year 2012. By now you will have been notified by way of a letter from me along with a form to be completed. The letter is your official receipt certificate for you to avail of tax credits it you are self-employed. . Those who are PAYE taxpayers should return the attached form completed to me immediately and I can submit it to the Revenue Commissioners who will pay a refund of tax direct to the Parish on your behalf. If you are an old aged pensioner and do not pay tax please let me know so I can up-date your parish records and then you will not receive a form to be completed in the future.
Maintenance Fund. ( Building Fund ) Envelopes. Our yearly cycle of envelopes began Sunday April 7th. Also note your envelope number will have changed. So please use the new envelopes. To all those who contribute so generously to either of the collections a big Thank you. And to all who give their time to distribute them. Thank You
Maintenance Fund. ( Building Fund ) Envelopes. Our yearly cycle of envelopes began Sunday April 6th 2014. Also note your envelope number will have changed. So please use the new envelopes. The new envelopes will be delivered to your homes over the next week or so.To all those who contribute so generously to either of the collections a big Thank you. And to all who give their time to distribute them. Thank You Standing Order Forms Many people have approached me regarding the possibility of contributing to the Church Maintenance Fund (Weekly Envelopes) by way of standing order on a weekly, monthly or other basis. These forms are now available at the doors of the Church should you wish to avail of them.
Tax Refund for Parish This Year Oldcastle parish benefited to the amount of €3,975.88 (a decrease of €1,100.00 on previous year) from the Revenue Commissioners as a result of donations of €250.00 or more made by 33 individuals in the tax year 2011 under the above scheme.. We thank those most sincerely who contributed so generously to the parish during the Income Tax Year 2011, especially those who were able to keep their annual contribution above €250.00 despite recessionary times. Thank You.
Oldcastle Apostolic Society wish to thank most sincerely everyone in Oldcastle & Moylagh for their generous support of the Annual Collection for the Missions. Members meeting on Friday 14th November at 7.30pm in Parish Centre. .
Oldcastle Carers' Support Group - are you providing care for a relative, friend or neighbour? Would you be interested in joining a support group? If so, what time of day would suit you best - morning, afternoon or evening? If you are interested please contact the Community Resource Office on Cogan Street.
The Rite of Committal and Burial of Ashes of Paddy Reidy late of Summerbank will be held in Oldcastle Cemetery at 11am on Saturday 12th September. The Rite of Committal and Burial of Ashes of David Lynch late of Church St will be held immediately after in Oldcastle Cemetery at 11.20am on Saturday 12th September
Oldcastle Parish Choir practice resumes on Tues 15th September at 8.30pm. New members welcome.
THE CORNER SHOP NEWSAGENTS THE SQUARE, OLDCASTLE
BACK TO SCHOOL & OFFICE SUPPLIES, GIFTS FOR ALL OCCASSIONS, JEWELLERY, TOYS, CARDS FOR ALL OCCASSIONS INCLUDING HALLMARK, DVD’S & CD’S INCLUDING FR RAY KELLYS ALBUMS.
SOSAD Ireland has recruited a team of wonderful volunteers and formed new bereavement support teams in Drogheda and the other communities where SOSAD is based. All these volunteers have been trained in suicide bereavement support since February this year and are now working towards the launch of this new and invaluable community service. These new community based suicide bereavement support teams are a crucial part of “Connecting for Life”, the new National Strategy to Reduce Suicide 2015-2020 and will be a great source of help and support to any family, friends or group bereaved by suicide. The next stage in this process is to have a public information session to let interested people know about the project and recruit people affected by suicide for the new advisory panel. This new panel will be made up of people from the community who have been bereaved by suicide and would like the opportunity to do something to help others. The meeting in Drogheda will take place in the Holy Family Community Centre in Ballsgrove on Monday 31st August at 7.30pm and anyone with an interest in finding out more about this team, or about the work SOSAD does in the community, is invited to join us. If you would like any further information you can call SOSAD on 041 9802854 and ask for Elaine or Rosemary or you can e mail them on [email protected] or look at www.sosadireland.ie
CURA – Post Abortion Counselling. If someone has had an abortion and needs to talk about it CURA can help at 17 Jocelyn Street, Dundalk. Open: - Mon, Tues & Thurs 2.00pm – 4.00pm. No appointment needed – Drop In. Wed 7.00pm – 9.00pm by appointment or Phone 042 9337533 or 1850 622 626.
CCTV Cameras are now fully operational in the inside of Church, around Church grounds and carpark, Parochial House and Parish Centre
Annual Collection for Apostolic Work Society will take place this W/End 4th/5th October at Oldcastle and Moylagh Churches. Your usual wonderful generosity will be much appreciated for the missions.
Le Cheile Music & Arts Festival 2015 Cinema Club Stage Friday night July 31st: Ham Sandwich Sat night Aug 1st: Damien Dempsey Sun night Aug 2nd: Ash Mon night Aug 3rd: Big Generator, all with support before and night club after. Plus More than 50 acts on 5 stages Also Arts and entertainment at The Co Club, Creans, Fincourt, Farrelly’s, Witch's Hill, The Masonic Hall, and Loughcrew Megalithic Centre. Sunday is Family day with events in Witch's hill and Train rides around the streets of the town. For further details watch out for promotion posters and flyers or check us out on www.leCheile.com.
Rev Robert McGivney (28) will be ordained to the priesthood this Sunday, 28th June 2015 in St Mary’s Church, Navan by Most Reverend Michael Smith, Bishop of Meath. Robert is a native of Navan, Co. Meath, the son of Mr Gerry McGivney, a retired teacher and well-known local GAA Referee, and the late Mrs June McGivney. Mrs June McGivney passed away in October 2014. He is the middle of two brothers, Joseph (29) and Shane (24).After finishing his secondary education in St. Patrick’s Classical School, Navan, Robert completed a 4 year degree in Mathematics in Trinity College, Dublin. He began his seminary studies and formal discernment process in 2009 and has just qualified in his studies of Theology from St Patrick’s College, Maynooth. During his studies, Robert took the opportunity to work with the Daughters of Charity in Calcutta in the summer 2012 which he described as a “life changing experience”. Along with that he has worked in parishes in the United States and undertook an intensive chaplaincy ministry course in Wisconsin in 2013. He was ordained a deacon last year in Maynooth College, and has assisted in many parishes of the diocese, particularly in Navan and Dunboyne.
Parking at front of Church. The parking in front of Church and around has always been reserved for elderly people and people who have difficulty in mobility. However, this does not seem to be the case anymore as more and more people seem to want to get as close to the church door as is possible. Some cars just seem to be abandoned as people rush in to church sometimes late. As a result of this problem it has become increasingly dangerous and in the event of an emergency no ambulance would be able to get near the Church. It is also noted that some of the granite kerbing put in place over the last couple of years is being hit and knocked out of place especially around the front door of the parochial house where there should be no parking whatsoever. There is a perfectly good car park at the side of the Church, usually half empty during mass times so please I encourage you to use it.
Cemetery Collections Oldcastle € 2,109.32 Moylagh €2,236.37
Oldcastle Cemetery You may have noticed by now that we have recently re-surfaced the main pathway into our cemetery along with kerbing each side. This work while in the planning for a long time has now been completed except for the small pathways left and right of the big tree which will complete the work for the moment. I want to thank Sean Dolan and his team for doing an excellent job, it really does look beautiful. The cost of such work is in the region of €30,000.00. I would like to make an appeal for people to give a little more over the next few months to offset this work. Presently, only about 30% of people who receive parish maintenance envelopes make any effort to contribute to the up-keep of the Church, I appeal particularly to the 70% who use church facilities all the times yet do not contribute. New Boxes of envelopes will be distributed over the coming weeks as they are due from the first Sunday of April. Thank you
Nepal Earthquake If any parishioners wish to make donations towards this appeal Bishop Smith can ensure that 100% of the donations will go directly to the people in Nepal as he has close connections with Bishop Simick, Bishop of Nepal. Donations can be sent to the Bishop through Fr Ray. According to Bishop Simick ‘The biggest challenge now is the time factor. All of us have to rush to reach out to the victims. It’s already too late. If this is the state of affairs in the capital, you can imagine the suffering of the people in the remote areas’. ‘Affected people will die a slow death unless relief work is stepped up and well-coordinated. This is a moment of test for the Church in Nepal to coordinate the relief and make use of the relief and disaster management expertise of the entire Church for the people of Nepal’.
All the sick and housebound will be visited by the priest in Moylagh on Wednesday morning 2nd December and in Oldcastle on Thursday and Friday mornings 3rd/4th December.
Penance
Summer time begins at 2.00am in the morning so don’t forget to put your clock forward one hour before you go to bed as all Masses tomorrow will be according to NEW TIME.
Oldcastle GFC Blotto returns on Friday 23rd January in Crean’s Bar. Jackpot €7,100.00. Sincere thanks to all who continue to support the blotto. Apart from winning the Jackpot you could be one of the 5 ‘Lucky Dip’ winners of € 50 each! Blotto tickets can be purchased on the Square on Saturday mornings or on line on Oldcastle GFC website.
Oldcastle Radio Link Masses can now be picked up at F M 108. Sorry for this inconvenience.
Safeguarding Children The Safeguarding Children policy and procedures document for the Diocese of Meath was first published in March 2010. In accordance with guidance from the National Board for Safeguarding Children, which requires that policy and procedures be reviewed periodically, I requested the Diocesan Safeguarding Children Committee to conduct a review. The review was a comprehensive and positive effort. I am pleased that our safeguarding measures are updated in light of new documentation from the NBSC since 2010, the revised Children First Guidance (DCYA 2011), relevant existing and pending legislation, and from experience gained by implementing this policy over the past two years. The report of the HSE audit of safeguarding in the Diocese of Meath was also a valuable source in the review process. A number of changes to our practices have been adopted arising from the review. These are incorporated into training and information sessions for clergy, parish safeguarding representatives and volunteers. In addition, suggestions made through the online and parish consultations have been considered and agreed by the Diocesan Safeguarding Children Committee and will be circulated in a forthcoming newsletter. Visit the Safeguarding Children website Most Reverend Michael Smith, Bishop of Meath.
For Your Concern It has been brought to my attention that following Cemetery Mass which was held on Saturday 31st May, ten window boxes of flowers were removed and taken away by somebody other than the family of the burial plot concerned. What a despicable act ?
Parish Collection Parish weekend collections will no longer be printed in the parish bulletin. A lot of Parochial Houses and Churches have been targeted by thieves in our Diocese, and printing collections in our parish bulletins advertises that money is sometimes available until lodged in bank. Following a talk by Sgt Dean Kerins, Meath Crime Prevention officer to all our priests of the Diocese, it was advised to us not to print collection amounts in parish newsletters. However, upon request by our parishioners collection amounts can be made available.
Last Weekend Parish Collections
Offertory Plate St Patrick’s Day Maintenance Fund Oldcastle €636.00 € 500.00 €758.00 Moylagh € 352.00 €292.00 €429.00
Appeal for return of CHY3 Forms. Those who have contributed over €250.00 will by now have received a letter from me and a CHY3 Enduring Certificate form to be completed. There are still approx. 40 forms not returned. If they are not returned, the parish will lose out on some of your tax not been returned to the parish and revenue will hold on to it. Please complete the form by filling in your P P S number and by signing and dating the form. Thank You.
Thanks to people like yourselves, the parish can benefit from the Tax rebate Scheme available to Charities. As your contribution exceeded €250.00 you can help the Parish through this scheme and we hope that you will consider doing so. a) If you are paying tax either as a P A Y E worker or as a Self-employed worker, by completing the CHY3 Enduring Form the parish will benefit.
Choirs
Parish Choir The next rehearsal will be on Thursday evening 28th November at 7.30pm in the Church. A fantastic number of people turned up at our first rehearsal. Indeed many more are welcome to come along. We appeal too, especially for some Male singers. Please help to bring back our choir because having it AND OUR FOLK GROUP would add so much to our Parish Liturgical Celebrations.
Parish Choir practice on Tuesday at 7.30pm. All members please attend.
Folk Choir Practice Wednesdays at 6.3 0pm. New members welcome.
An Hour of Adoration Because of the link between Faith and Eucharist one of the celebrations planned for the Year of Faith is an Hour of Eucharistic Adoration, presided over by Pope Francis, in St Peter's Basilica on the afternoon of June 2nd from 5 pm - 7 pm (Rome time - which is one hour ahead of us). Pope Francis has asked that a similar hour of Adoration be organised in every Cathedral in the world at the same time and also in all parish Churches. I would ask that this Hour of Adoration be organised in every parish Church in the Diocese, and if possible, in every Church in the parish, especially those Churches with weekly periods of Adoration. The format of the hour is a matter for each parish but should include periods of silent prayer, ending with Benediction, at least in the parish Church. Parishioners should be strongly encouraged to take part, praying in solidarity with Pope Francis. The particular intentions of Pope Francis for this prayer initiative will be sent out later. Adoration in Oldcastle from 5pm – 6pm Sunday June 2nd. If you would like to leave a petition please leave in box at altar rails.
Irish Cancer Society Annual Churchgate Collection weekend 25th/26th May. The Irish Cancer Society is dedicated to ensuring people with cancer and their families can receive the emotional care and practical support they need to help them through one of the most difficult times they may have to face. Our Cancer Information Service (Freephone 1800200700) responds to nearly 10,000 enquiries per year from people worried about cancer. We have a team of nurses delivering the highest standards of care to cancer patients, every day, all over Ireland free of charge and we provide community based programs advising on cancer prevention, early detection, diagnosis, treatment and follow-on care. We can also provide financial assistance for the care of terminally ill cancer patients, so if you are aware of anyone who may need help, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
SUNDAY MESSAGE SPONSORSHIP THANK YOU
GREAT NEWS! PLANNING PERMISSION GRANTED FOR TENNIS COURTS Things are moving apace in our efforts to secure funding for the construction of brand new tennis facilities in Oldcastle. For this reason and as part of the application process, it is now that we have to commence the actual formation of a new club – Oldcastle Tennis Club. A meeting will be held Wednesday 28th November at 8pm in Tommy Farrellys to inaugurate the new club. The club will function with an interim committee until it is formally constituted at the first AGM to be held shortly afterwards. Please attend the meeting: (1) To judge the level of interest in the project. This project is a major infrastructure investment for Oldcastle but it won’t happen without your support. (2) An opportunity for you to be put in the picture as to how the project is progressing and to ask questions. (3) To discuss the proposed constitution. (4) To elect an interim committee. For more info contact Nigel Freeman 086-3522106 and Concepta Smith 086-2231374.
Selection of Cards Mass Sympathy Cards, Get Well Mass Bouquet Cards, Birthday Mass Bouquet and Mass Intention Cards are available in Sacristy of Church before and after Masses @ €1 each.
Medjugorje Holy Hour. For those of us who have been to Medjugorje, I think one of the highlights of the week is always the evening of the special holy hour adoration around the Blessed Sacrament led by one of the Franciscan Priests. He leads with special reflections intertwined with music and song and finally a procession of the Blessed Sacrament among the people. On Monday evenings after 7.00pm Mass we hope to try and capture that special occasion in our church in Oldcastle for one hour during the season of Lent. We will place a petition box on the Altar Rails for people to put their petitions in and we will read many of them out as prayers of intercession during the holy hour. (Please do not put any names on the petitions)
Oldcastle Church Folk Choir practice every Thursday at 7pm in the New Parish Centre. And then live performance at Mass Saturdays or Sundays.
Adoration Committee will hold a meeting Friday 1st July after 7pm Mass in ‘St Oliver’s Parish Centre’ regarding up and coming events for the promotion of Adoration. All are welcome.
To make an appointment at PIETA House call 01 6010000 also Aware Helpline 0890 303302.
Amen Support Group Meetings have recommenced on a Tuesday Evening from 7.30pm – 9.30pm. The Group Meetings are a support for men who suffer domestic violence or are going through separation. The meetings will cover issues of Stress, Anxiety, Anger, Grief, Anxiety and New Beginnings. Please call 046 9023718 for further information.
Palm Crosse from the Indian Missions You are welcome to take home one of these blessed crosses, if you wish to take one home for your neighbour or someone sick or housebound at home, please do so.
"Console" (which offers support to families affected by suicide) asked me to let you know that a seminar entitled “Suicide in Ireland – Supporting Our Students” will take place at The Clarion Hotel, Liffey Valley, Dublin. The notice says that "the seminar is aimed at those tasked with supporting adolescents and children through crisis times. Increasingly, professionals in the education sector are called upon to respond to students who are struggling with self-harming behaviour".
Ministry of Readers in the Church We are currently inviting people to put their name forward as readers at week-end masses in St Brigid’s Church. If you would like to be a reader, please contact me as soon as possible. Over the next few weeks I would like more names to be added to our present list. A full list will then be distributed to all our readers. In the event of someone not being available to read I would ask them to get a replacement for that particular Mass. Below you will find those who will read at week-end masses for the month of October.
Letter from Bishop Michael Smith re Sale of Pre-Signed Mass Cards. The practice of having Mass offered for a deceased person is a praiseworthy tradition in this country. It is a practice that manifests the centrality of the Eucharist in our faith. It fulfils the scriptural invitation to pray for the dead as well as extending prayerful support to those grieving the death of a loved one. Unfortunately in recent times individuals and companies have exploited this traditional act of support by offering pre-signed Mass cards for sale in shops and commercial outlets. The impression given is that these are genuine Mass cards and that Masses will be offered. The evidence suggests otherwise. It is claimed that the priests who sign these cards live in third world countries and appreciate the support this involvement offers to them and other priests. An investigation was carried out some time ago into the priests whose names were on the cards. Not all the names could be deciphered or traced. With the co-operation of the Church in the countries where the priests identified were alleged to minister it was found that some were deceased while others were no longer priests in good standing in the Church. In recent months there has been a major increase in such cards being offered for sale. To take one example: some are being sold in the name of Rev. Joseph O’Carroll. In fact Rev. Joseph O’Carroll was Mgr. Jose Carolo, an Italian priest who worked in the Diocese of Quito in Ecuador, South America. Mgr. Carolo died two years ago. One assumes his name was changed to give the cards greater appeal in Ireland. These cards have no spiritual value. They abuse the Eucharist and trade on the faith and goodwill of people. It is a commercial operation with profit as its motive. Those who engage and facilitate this practice, including the shops that offer them for sale, seriously abuse the Eucharist and its scared character. To give such cards to those mourning the death of a loved one is not only a meaningless act, it is also an insult to the memory of the deceased and to those who grieve over their passing. +Michael Smith October 2008.
Preparing for Marriage
Note: - Change of Mass time on Thursday next
Child Protection Policy. The revised child protection policy and procedures for the Diocese of Meath have been published, following consultation with the HSE and the National Board for Safeguarding Children. It describes what is expected at parish level to ensure that children are kept safe while taking part in Church activities and how volunteers can be supported. It also outlines the diocesan structures for responding to concerns and complaints. The document is being distributed to parishes at the moment and it is available on the new diocesan child protection website www.meathsafeguarding.ie, which went live on Friday 21 May.
The Sunday Message always welcomes any local notices particularly concerning local sport, health, fundraising issues or forthcoming events and will be published if received at the Parochial House, Oldcastle before Thursday mid-day at the latest.
Anger Issues? Everyone knows what anger is. But how do you express it without hurting others or hurting yourself? Learn to temper your anger NOW. 087 2408667 for details.
Are you concerned about someone’s drinking? Al-Anon is a support group for family members and friends.
Depression by its very nature creates a sense of loneliness and isolation, yet if you are depressed you are not alone. Aware Support Groups bring together individuals who experience any form of depression and provide a confidential, safe and non-judgemental place where people feel accepted as they are. People who attend our groups find them to be a unique experience where they can talk openly about how they feel to those who have an understanding of depression. Venue Catherine McCauley Centre Kells held 1st & 3rd Wednesday of each month at 8.00pm. Phone 049 8541264.
Can you spend one hour or less per week with Jesus? We urgently need some generous people to put their name forward for to spend one hour or less in the presence of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament between 9.20am and 9.00pm on Monday’s and Thursday’s at Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. We all need prayer in our lives. Why not try it?
Oldcastle Credit Union Presents. See you at the CU Factor. Singing competition for 11-14 & 15 -19 year olds. Individual or group entries. (max 4 per group). Entry Fee, €2.00 per application. Winners from each category go forward to heats. Show Hall Oldcastle, Friday Sept. 25th @ 7.30pm. Entry forms from schools or Credit Union. Please contact Credit Union for further details. (049) 8541372.
Amen: Support Service for Male Victims of Domestic Abuse. Weekly support group meeting in St. Anne’s Resource Centre, Navan. 8pm – 10pm. Contact 046 90 23718 for further information.
Good Morning Positive Age is a free service rolling out across the whole of Co Meath and surrounding areas from their new office at the Gilson Centre, Oldcastle. This is an extremely valuable service for the older people in our community. The Good Morning Project offers a daily Good Morning call to clients at a time and day of the client’s choosing. The Good Morning Project is staffed by volunteers on a rotational basis. All information is private and confidential and covered by the Data Protection Act. For further information please ring Carmel Hughes on 049 8550898 or call at the Gilson Centre for a chat.
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in your Home. If you are sick or housebound and are not able to attend Mass or attend regular adoration of the Blessed Sacrament at the Church we can arrange for you to have adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in your own home with the help of our Ministers of the Eucharist. Perhaps a Minister of the Eucharist would let you know about this and arrange accordingly. This Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament can be a once only event or happen on a more regular basis according to your wishes and the availability of the Eucharistic Minister.
Trocaire Boxes Can all Trocaire boxes please be returned as soon as possible. If you haven’t contributed to Trocaire during the Lenten period, maybe now would be a good opportunity to do so if possible as monies will go towards helping the people of Nepal on the recent earth quake there and loss of lives..
March
Happy Mother’s Day to all Mothers in the parish
One of Gods greatest gifts He saw fit to give was a Mother’s love in this life we live. It comes perfectely wrapped this gift we’ve been given in tears of concern and hugs for ribbon. The gift is open by the children she raises and is filled with laughter, encouragement and praises. This gift grows more precious as time goes by for a Mother’s love shall never die
Daffodil Day takes place this year on Friday 11th March. Once again we are appealing for volunteers to help out with this great cause. So if you have any spare time on the day, even a half hour, all help will be greatly appreciated. Please call Rose Reilly 086 3425806 or Catherine Tully 086 2542544 for further information. Thank you in advance!
Lent, Easter & Holy Week
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LENT - Ash Wednesday Note Mass at 10.00am & 7pm in Moylagh and 11.30am & 7.00pm in Oldcastle The Gospel for Ash Wednesday gives us our Lenten Programme. The receiving of ashes is its outward sign. The Ashes which are placed on our foreheads are made from the palm branches used last year on Palm Sunday. They remind us that the glory of heaven will be reached only by a life marked with love of God and love of neighbour. Such love arises only when we remember our own need for forgiveness and God’s gift of that forgiveness in and through Christ. Such love is only possible when we put others before ourselves. Family life is a great school of love. The daily routines of family and friendship demand selflessness. Others have to come first. The daily practice of this love can transform a home into a holy place. During the Season of Lent we are encouraged to take on a life of Prayer, Fasting and Almsgiving.
LENT - Prayer. Lent is a call to deeper reflection on faith, sustained by prayer. Opportunities are available for people to join in prayer over the days of Lent. Why not commit yourself to daily Mass or on a few days of the week. As the Gospel of this week-end reminds us “Man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God “Eucharistic Adoration is another great way of personal communication with Our God. Why not spend 1 hour with him once a week during the Season of Lent. Fasting Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are still days of fasting and abstinence. However, it would be good to challenge yourself to go beyond these formal obligations. Young people should be encouraged to take part in the 24 hour Trocaire fasts that are organised in many areas. Almsgiving Trocaire Boxes are available now in the Church. Please take home. The focus of this year’s Trocaire Lenten campaign is on joining the fight for justice. Even a small donation can make such a difference to the lives of many in 3rd World Countries. “ A little bit of mercy makes the world less cold and more just” Pope Francis
Pioneer Association Many people abstain from alcohol and take the SHORT-TERM PLEDGE for the duration of Lent. Make your Lenten Pledge by visiting www.pioneerassociation.ie and joining on line.
Stations of the Cross During the Season of Lent will be held every Friday evening at 6.30pm before the 7.00pm Mass in St Brigid’s Church, Oldcastle. There will also be an evening Mass in Oldcastle on Monday evenings at 7.00pm during the season of Lent.
LENT - Ash Wednesday Note Mass at 10.00am & 7pm in Moylagh and 11.30am & 7.00pm in Oldcastle
Feast of St Blaise. Blessing of throats will take place after all Mass in both Churches.( see times above )
Monday 1st February Feast of St Brigid (2nd patron saint of Ireland and titular saint of our Church) Mass at 7pm Oldcastle Tuesday 2nd February Feast of the Presentation of the Lord. Blessing of Candles and Mass at 10.00am in Oldcastle. Wednesday 3rd February Mass for Feast of St Blaise in Moylagh at 7.00pm and Oldcastle at 7.00pm (Blessing of throats before and after Masses
The Mass of Chrism will take place on Wednesday 23rd March at 7pm in the Cathedral of Christ the King Mullingar. This is a special moment in the life of the Church when the Priests of the Diocese gather with their Bishop in an act of communion and fraternity. During the Mass, the priests publicly renew their dedication to Christ in the Priesthood and the Holy Oils that will be used in the administering of the Sacraments for the coming year are blessed. For many years now, parents and other members of the immediate families of our priests, immediate family members of those from the parish who are in consecrated life priests, Religious Sisters and Brothers and all Ministers of Holy Communion, Readers, Sacristans and all others involved in the ministry of the Church are invited to attend. As in previous years all are invited to refreshments in the Parish Community Centre in Cathedral grounds after the ceremony.
Good Friday is a day of Fast and Abstinence. The Church asks all the faithful to refrain from eating meat. Adults are restricted to one full meal and two snacks
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Confessions available in Moylagh Church for a half an hour before Vigil Mass during the Season of Lent
Holy Week in Oldcastle & Moylagh Confessions:- Reconciliation Service on Tuesday 22nd March at 8.00pm in Oldcastle. A number of priests will be available. Also Thursday (after Mass of the Lord’s Supper) Good Friday (after Stations of Cross) Oldcastle Moylagh Holy Thursday:- Mass of the Lord’s Supper at 8.30pm 7.00pm concluding with procession to the Altar of Repose. Adoration will conclude at 12 midnight preceded by night prayer at 11.30pm. Note there will be no Adoration in the morning time or afternoon in Oldcastle. Good Friday:- Stations of the Cross 3.00pm Celebration of the Lord’s Passion, Veneration of the Cross and Holy Communion Service at 8.30pm. 7.00pm Holy Saturday:- Easter Vigil 9.00pm. 7.00pm Blessing of fire, announcement of Easter, Mass of Resurrection. Easter Sunday Masses 11.30am 10.00am
Visit our Easter Garden in Oldcastle & Moylagh Church. The Easter Garden represents the world, a world created and charged with the grandeur of God. Flowing Water represents Life, Growth, Healing, Cleansing and Renewal, during Lent we listen to the refreshing words “Come to the water you who are thirsty………. Water of life cleanse and refresh us. The Path represents the journey of our lives. The Stones represent the Obstacles, Hardships, and Blocks in our lives. Lent & Easter is about rolling away the stones, and smoothing out the Pathway to the Lord. Plants remind us that life is not all doom and gloom, but has life and colour in it also.. Prayer Sun, moon & stars, the light of God; Trees, flowers & foliage, the colour of God; Rocks, mountains & stones, the faithfulness of God; Water, ice and snow, the wellspring of God; God is close to us, around us, within us, between us, In the ordinary of nature in the ordinary of love In the ordinary of contemplation is God The Garden awaits you! Come!
Sincere Thank You to all who sponsored the Sunday message throughout the year
The Sunday Message always welcomes any local notices particularly concerning local sport, health or fundraising issues, or forthcoming events and will be published if received at the parochial House, Oldcastle before Thursday midday at the latest. As the front of the bulletin is in colour it means that it is more expensive to purchase and produce. Our weekly cost of producing this bulletin is working out at €80.00. It is hoped that our local businesses, industries etc in the town and surrounding areas will sponsor this bulletin. In turn we can advertise your business with your company logo. Your support would be greatly appreciated.
Mass Offerings and Mass Cards: Bishop Smith has issued a statement on Mass offerings, saying that they are a way in which the faithful can be drawn into closer participation in the life of the Church, and are also a contribution towards the upkeep of priests. It is important, however, to avoid the danger of bad practice or scandal. In particular, the practice of having pre-signed Mass cards in the name of unknown priests sold in shops or through the Internet is open to abuse. There is no guarantee that the Mass will be celebrated or, if it is celebrated, that the Mass offering will be passed on to the priest who celebrates the Mass. Those producing such cards, and the shops involved in their sale are involved in a practice that seriously undermines respect for the Mass and the Eucharist. The Bishop asks that parishioners be alerted to this abuse. He also encourages printers and traders to make alternative cards available, which people can sign them, ideally indicating their willingness to undertake some specific act of prayer, such as attending Mass and receiving Holy Communion for a specific intention.
Priests offering on it.
Easter Offerings will be taken up at all Masses during the weekend and following. It is one of the major offering days in order for you to support your priest. Please use special envelope in family box or any envelope with your name and address on it.
The Annual Sacristan Collection will take place this weekend 17th/18th May in both churches.
Parish Committee Meeting in Parish Centre this Monday evening at 8.30pm. All members please attend
Thank You from our Sacristans Rolly and Rose to all who contributed to the recent Annual Sacristans Collection.
Easter Offerings will be taken up at all Masses over these weekends. It is one of the major offering days in order for you to support your priest. Please use special envelope in family box or any envelope with your name and address on it.
Summer Offerings will be taken up at all Masses this weekend and following. It is one of the major offering days in order for you to support your priest. Please use special envelope in family box or any envelope with your name and address on it.
Summer Offerings Sincere thank you to all who have contributed so generously to the recent Summer Offerings for the support of your priest. I am very grateful for your generous offerings and support. Thank you. Fr Ray.
.Parish Choir is finished for the summer season and will re commence in September. Thanks to all for your commitment and beautiful singing during the year. All singers and new members will be very welcome in September.
A planning meeting of the First Holy Communion Committee will be held in the Parochial House on Wednesday 23rd October at 7.30pm.
Parish Meetings
Liturgy Committee Meeting Thursday 21st March at 7.30pm in Parochial House. All members please attend.
Oldcastle/ Moylagh Branch of St Joseph’s Young Priests Society
A meeting of St Joseph’s Young Priests Society will be held in Parochial House Tuesday 13th April at 7.30pm. new members welcome.
Eucharistic Ministers Short meeting in Church on Wednesday next 28th May @ 7.45pm after evening mass.
Liturgy Meeting will be held in the Parochial House this Tuesday evening 20th Nov at 8pm. All members please attend. New members welcome.
Liturgy Group Meeting in Parochial House on Tuesday 27th March at 7.45pm. All members please attend in order to arrange Holy Week ceremonies.
.Oldcastle Apostolic Society resumes their monthly meetings in the St. Vincent de Paul Hall on Wed 2nd May at 8 pm. New members would be most welcome. The work of the society is to help the missions especially local connected missionaries both materially and financially. Contact Mary at 8541829.
Oldcastle Apostolic Society meeting will be held in St Vincent de Paul hall on Thursday 3rd June at 8.00pm. New members welcome.
Adoration Meeting on Wed 22nd September 2010 at 7.30pm after Mass. All members please attend. New members welcome.
Oldcastle Apostolic Society Meeting in Parish Centre on Wednesday 23rd May at 7.30pm. New members very welcome to attend Clock Change
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Deaths
Baptism Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults ( RCIA ) The RCIA is a liturgical and catechetical process designed to help adults who are not Catholic but who wish to join the Christian family in the Catholic Church by becoming Catholics. Becoming a Catholic is not just a matter of learning and accepting a number of beliefs. It is a process of growth or conversion. It involves a personal growth as well as growing into a particular Catholic Community or parish. If you are interested in becoming a Catholic, please contact Fr Ray or Fr Eugene and we can take it from there.
Cemetery
We extend a warm welcome to everyone who have come to Oldcastle this weekend for our Annual Cemetery Mass & Blessing of graves in the cemetery. Each year this celebration is held on the Saturday evening of the June Bank Holiday weekend. I know many of you have travelled a great distance to attend. Substantial preparations have taken place in the Cemetery and it really looks well.
Oldcastle Cemetery As you enter Oldcastle Cemetery and as you exit it the sign NO DUMPING is very clearly displayed. On entering very visibly seen written on the big tree is the sign NO DUMPING, however as you go behind the tree this sign obviously means nothing to some people. For there dumped at the base of the tree are plastic flowers in a cardboard box, a black plastic sack with Christmas wreaths, several withered plants taken out of their containers ( containers probably brought home ) and much more. So your local cemetery is now been turned into a landfill site. Strange how we can remember our departed loved ones so fondly at Christmas and place flowers and Christmas wreaths on their resting place and then after Christmas insult them and desecrate their final resting place and the resting place of all who are buried there by turning it into a “landfill site “. How sad! Loughcrew Cemetery. It is hoped to have a major clean up of the old cemetery in Loughcrew in preparation for our annual mass at the end of June. We are hoping to get a committee together and as many volunteers as is possible to go out there for an hour or two per week over the coming weeks. So if you have a spare shovel, rake, hedge clippers, strimmers etc. contact Peter Galligan at 8541875.
Oldcastle Cemetery. Congratulations and well done to everyone who has worked so hard in cleaning up family plots at our cemetery. It looks absolutely beautiful so well done to everyone. As you see we now can accommodate parking for up to 60 cars at the end of our cemetery giving priority to those who need it most. We also have put in underground piping to take away any excess water or flooding. Some new pats have also been installed with the creation of a base for celebrating our annual mass. You will also notice that all the old llandi trees have been removed and a laurel hedge sowed right around the lower part of the cemetery. It is hoped to rotavate and sow new lawns in the lower part next week. It is also hoped to construct a high cross at the rear of the cemetery and build a fixed altar on the new platform. The total cost so far spent on the work is over €30.000, so I would ask you to be as generous as you possibly can at our gate collection. Thank You
Moylagh Cemetery. Congratulations and well done to everyone who has worked so hard in cleaning up family plots at our cemetery. It looks absolutely beautiful so well done to everyone. To our Readers, Eucharistic Ministers, Collectors, Choirs, Altar Servers and Sacristans and FAS members for all their help. To all of you who turned out in such great numbers and for keeping your family plots so beautifully, a fitting tribute to all your loved one’s resting place. And to your generosity in contributing so generously to the cemetery collections. Well done everyone. Please keep up the good work by making sure there is no dumping of withered wreaths or flowers, please bring them home with you.
Confirmation
Ceremony of Enrolment for Confirmation The first of four ceremonies for children preparing for the Sacrament of Confirmation next March will take place this week-end. The boys and girls from 6th Class in Gilson N.S. will take part in a Ceremony of Enrolment on Saturday 12th November at the vigil Mass at 7.00pm and for 6th Class Scoil Mhuire Moylagh on Sunday 13th November at 10.00am Mass in Moylagh Church. We welcome their parents and families who will gather for this special celebration in their lives.
Confirmation Renewal of Baptismal Promises The second of four ceremonies for children preparing for the Sacrament of Confirmation will take place this week-end. The boys and girls from 6th Class in Scoil Mhuire Moylagh will take part on Sunday morning 18th Dec at 10.00am mass in Moylagh Church and the 6th Class Gilson N.S .on Sunday morning 18th Dec at 11.30am in Oldcastle Church. We welcome their parents and families who will gather for this special celebration in their lives.
Confirmation Ceremony of Light The third of four ceremonies for children preparing for the Sacrament of Confirmation will take place this week-end.. The boys and girls from 6th Class in Scoil Mhuire Moylagh will take part on Sunday morning 29th January at 10.00am in Moylagh Church and the 6th Class Gilson N.S .on Saturday evening 28th January at 7.00pm Mass in Oldcastle Church. We welcome their parents and families who will gather for this special celebration in their lives. Parents please bring a candle.
Parents Prayer Today we give you thanks for the gift of our children, the unique creation of God. We give you thanks for the joy they bring into our lives. Lord help us to nourish the life of God in them, to give them an authentic experience of Christian faith, Christian living and prayer. Make our homes loving homes and faith-filled homes. Amen
Child’s Prayer Lord, we thank you for the faith that our parents have shared with us, and for bringing us this far on our journey in faith. Make us responsible in treasuring the gift we have received. Amen. While passing the Lighted Candle Parents We pass this light of to you now to keep it alive and let it shine in your lives. Amen
Children. I accept this light and will try my best to keep it burning brightly in my life
Ceremony of Commitment for Confirmation – The 4th and last of four ceremonies for children preparing for the Sacrament of Confirmation next April will take place this week-end. We will welcome the boys and girls from 6th class Scoil Mhuire in Moylagh Church on Saturday evening March 12th at 5.45pm and 6th class Gilson N.S.in Oldcastle Church on Sunday morning March 13th at 11.30am We welcome their parents and families who will gather for this special celebration in their lives.
Sacrament of Confirmation. We will welcome Bishop Michael Smith next Friday to confer the Sacrament of Confirmation on 6th class pupils from Gilson N.S. Oldcastle and Scoil Mhuire Moylagh at 3pm in Oldcastle Church. They have a busy week ahead starting with a Retreat Day on Monday and rehearsals on Wednesday/ Thursday. We wish them God’s blessing and happiness on their special day along with their families.
On Friday we welcomed Bishop Michael Smith where he conferred the Sacrament of Confirmation on the boys and girls from 6th Class in Gilson Primary School, Oldcastle & Scoil Mhuire, Moylagh. I can only hope they had a wonderful day and I want to thank all those involved in making the day such a special one. To our teachers, altar servers, sacristan Rolly, choir, and the Community Employment Team for all their hard work in getting the Church grounds in order and looking beautiful. To the Parents Association of the school for providing a refreshing cup of tea afterwards. The boys and girls themselves for working so hard throughout the year preparing for the beautiful liturgy and finally to all their parents. Well done everyone.
Gilson N.S. Enrolment Enrolment forms for those wishing to attend Gilson N.S. in September 2015 are now available at school office. Closing date for return of enrolment forms is 25th March.
The School Parents Association for providing refreshments in the school after the ceremony. The choir who sang beautiful, the altar servers who were on cue right through the ceremony and practiced very hard. To the teachers in Moylagh and Gilson N.S. schools for their dedication and commitment to the children.
Holy Communion
First Holy Communion Preparation
First Confessions Congratulations to the boys and girls from 2nd Class in both primary schools on receiving the Sacrament of 1st Confessions during the week. We now look forward to their big day in May.
All children who are receiving their First Holy Communion in May and their parents are expected to attend meetings regarding First Holy Communion in the Gilson National School at 7.30pm on Wednesday 9th April.
First Holy Communion Preparation The Parish-based preparation programme Do This In Memory for all Parents of children preparing for First Penance and First Eucharist this year will operate in the parish. In order to introduce this programme to parents of children preparing for First Holy Communion, a Special Meeting will be held in St Oliver Parish Centre, (located in the Church Grounds) Oldcastle on Tuesday 27th September at 7.15pm. Your attendance at this meeting is essential if you wish to have your child receive the sacrament of First Penance and First Eucharist.
The Do this in Memory programme for the boys and girls of 2nd Class will commence this week end 1st/2nd October for Gilson N.S. on Saturday evening 1st Oct at 7.00pm Mass and Scoil Mhuire Moylagh Sunday 2nd Oct at 10.00am Mass in Moylagh. I ask all parents to please bring your children along.
The Do this in Memory programme for the boys and girls of 2nd Class will continue this week end for Scoil Mhuire Moylagh on Sunday morning 10th April at 10.00am Mass and for Gilson N.S on Sunday morning 10th April at 11.30am Mass in Oldcastle. I ask all parents to please bring your children along.
First Holy Communion. Congratulations to the boys and girls from 2nd class in Scoil Mhuire Moylagh who received their First Holy Communion on Saturday. We thank God for them and wish them well and hope they had a wonderful day. We thank their teachers and parents for making the day so special for them.
First Holy Communion. Congratulations to the boys and girls from 2nd class in Gilson N.S. who received their First Holy Communion on Saturday. We thank God for them and wish them well and hope they had a wonderful day. We thank their teachers and parents for making the day so special for them.
Vocations Sunday 13th April is Vocations Sunday The Harvest is rich but the Labourers are few. Ask the Lord of the Harvest to send Labourers. Our Church’s Vocation Crisis is reaching catastrophic levels. 160 priests died last year and 9 were ordained. Currently serving we have 4,752 priests in Ireland; this is expected to drop to 1,500 by 2028. 228 nuns died last year while only two women took final vows. The average age of our priests is 61, the figure for female religious is thought to be comparative. In our Dioceses we have 105 priests in active ministry and 15 retired. We have six students studying for the priesthood. The Harvest is rich but the Labourers are few. Please Ask the Lord of the Harvest to send Labourers.
Vocations Sunday Collection There will be a second collection after Holy Communion at all masses this weekend.
A Prayer for Vocations O Jesus, send labourers into your fields, which are awaiting holy apostles, saintly priests, heroic missionaries and dedicated sisters and brothers. Enkindle in the hearts of men and women the spark of a vocation. Grant that Christian families may desire to give your Church helpers in the work of tomorrow. Amen
Marriage
February
Lent
Saturday 10th February As Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes falls on Sunday, we will celebrate in on Saturday 10th February with a Special Mass and Anointing of the Sick at 12.00pm midday. All those who are sick or housebound are most welcome to attend and we would ask your families to assist in getting you to the Church. We can also organise drivers for those who have no transport, just contact Fr Ray at the Parochial House. We look forward to seeing you there. MARCH
Coeliac Condition If you have a celiac condition we have made provision with altar bread suitable for coeliacs. Please call to the sacristy before Mass to advise the Priest on the Mass.
Easter Visitation of the sick - All the sick and housebound will be visited by Fr Ray in Moylagh on Tuesday morning 26th March and in Oldcastle on Wednesday morning 27th March
May / June
As our schools close for the long Summer Holidays, Gilson Primary school bids farewell to two of its long serving teachers. Margaret Givney and Mary Cooney have given 70 years of service between them to Gilson Primary. They will indeed be sadly missed and we wish them many, many happy years of good health, happiness and peace as they retire from teaching and embark on the next stage of life’s journey. A presentation was made to them at our end of year school mass last week on behalf of the Staff and Board of Management. Thank you also to the Staff & Board of Management of Gilson Primary for the presentation made to me also at that mass in celebrating my 25 years in Priesthood.
A massive Thank You to all those that helped in any way with our recent 50 mile challenge. We raised a phenomenal €90,311 for the Irish Cancer Society and Larcc. Without your help our now annual event would not be such a success. So keep June 11th 2016 free for next year’s walk "Get training ". Thanks again.
Exams & Graduation Mass
Schools
Exam Time Best of luck to all the boys and girls who are sitting their Junior & Leaving Certificate Examinations which start next Wednesday. Please keep them in your prayers during these days and why not attend mass on Tuesday morning 7th June which will be offered up for all our young people sitting exams. You, by attending can offer this your Mass for them and light a candle for them.
Best of luck to all the pupils and staff of St Oliver Post Primary as they begin their summer holidays. Hope the sun keeps shining for the next few months for you all. ENJOY
Novena Prayer to the Sacred Heart Thursday 26th May – Friday 3rd June. Novena leaflet available in sacristy.
Lord Jesus, you have said, ‘Ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find, knock and it shall be opened onto you’. I come to you in faith and trust, in love and hope. Let me know your closeness to me and your care of me and for all who are dear to me. My intention for this Novena is dear to me and I know that what is important to me is important to you. Hear my prayer (mention your intention) grant what I ask, and may I always trust that in all that happens in life, you will be close to me as my friend, guide and saviour. And so, Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you.
Oldcastle & Moylagh Cemetery Mass Thank You’s Sincere thanks to all who helped in any way in having Mass and blessing of the graves in Oldcastle & Moylagh cemetery. Without naming anyone a sincere thank you, but especially to our Community Employment Team (F A S) team who keep the cemetery so well trimmed and neat throughout the year but this year I felt really pulled out all the stops to have our cemeteries looking so neatly manicured. To our Readers, Eucharistic Ministers, Collectors, Deirdre & Choir Girls in Moylagh and Ann Galligan in Oldcastle, Altar Servers and Sacristans for all their help. To our Parish Committee who gathered to organise everything, Thank You to all. Michael Callery for the great sound in ensuring we were heard so clearly on the day and finally to all of you who turned out in such great numbers and for keeping your family plots so beautifully, a fitting tribute to all your loved one’s resting place. And to your generosity in contributing so generously to the cemetery collections. Well done everyone. Please keep up the good work by making sure there is no dumping of withered wreaths or flowers, please bring them home with you
Gilson NS is currently accepting applications for enrolment of pupils for the 2016-2017 school year. Closing date for enrolment is March 16th. Enrolment forms are available from school office
Graduation/ End of Year School Masses. The annual graduation / end of year primary schools Masses will take place for Gilson N.S. on Tuesday 21st June at 10.00am and for Scoil Mhuire Moylagh on Friday 24th June at 10.00am. All parents, families and parishioners are welcome to attend.
"He never looks for praises, He's never one to boast, He just goes on quietly working, for those he loves the most. His dreams are seldom spoken, His wants are very few and most of the time his worries will go unspoken too. He's there... A firm foundation through all our storms of life, a sturdy hand to hold on to in times of stress and strife. A true friend we can turn to, when times are good or bad. One of our greatest blessings, the man that we call Dad."
Best of luck to all the pupils and staff of Gilson N.S and Scoil Mhuire Moylagh, as they begin their summer holidays. Hope the sun keeps shining for the next few months for you all. ENJOY.
July - Loughcrew Mass
Loughcrew Sunday 2016 Mass of St Oliver Plunkett on Sunday 26th June, 2016 @ 3.00pm.
The Loughcrew Mass of St Oliver Plunkett Mass of St Oliver Plunkett Sunday 26th June, 2016 @ 3.00pm Bishop Smith will once again be the main celebrant at our annual Mass of St Oliver Plunkett. Mass will be offered as an Anniversary Mass for Fr. Eugene Conlan and Frank Govern, Ballineal.. 2nd Class First Communicants from both schools will take part in the St Oliver Mass. We hope you will join us on the day and that St Oliver will keep the rain away.
The Loughcrew Mass of St Oliver Plunkett was a great success and thanks to St Oliver & the Good Lord for the rain to stop during the Mass. Sincere thanks to Bishop Michael Smith and to all our visiting concelebrants and especially to Frs Oliver Skelly and Martin Halpin on celebrating their 25 Years, Silver Jubilee in Priesthood. Also Fr Peter Gilsenan celebrating 50 years Golden Jubilee in priesthood. Fr Mark English was the guest preacher who gave us such a well thought out and refreshing homily. Special word of thanks to Emily Naper & George her manager whose property we use year after year and who are so helpful and gracious at all times. To Michael Callery for the superb sound system. To all the Loughcrew committee including collectors, stewards for their help. To our liturgy committee, To the Meath Diocesan choir under the direction of Jimmy Walsh with Organist Jane Lynch. To all our young people in the Diocese who are travelling to Krakow for the World Youth Day with Pope Francis some of whom participated in our liturgy today and to the boys and girls from our First Holy Communion Classes and the Do this in memory parents committee for organising the offertory procession. Finally, a big thank you to all of you for being there. May the good Lord continue to bless you .
77th Oldcastle Agricultural Show will take place in Gilson Park on Sunday 17th July. Events include Fashion Show, Food Village, Cookery Demonstration by Chef Adrian, Live Music, Craft Village, Tug o War, Sheep Shearing, Free children’s entertainment.
Moylagh JFK 50 mile walk Committee A very proud committee, would like to thank everyone who supported the Moylagh JFK 50 Mile Challenge 2016. Raising over €100k is a massive achievement and without your help and kind donations this event would not be as successful as it is. Thank you all so much!!
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Loughcrew Sunday 2015 Mass of St Oliver Plunkett on Sunday 5th July, 2015 @ 3.00pm
Mass of Commemoration will take place on Friday 22nd July at 8pm on site in Crossdrum where skeletal remains, vestments and Chalice were found in 1750. Mass will be celebrated by newly ordained Fr Declan Gibson, Order of Holy Eucharist and Fr Philip O’Connor P.P. Mountnugent / Ballinacree. WEATHER PERMITTING. Entrance to site from Quarry Hill. Alternative venue prepared if weather not in our favour. Everyone Welcome.
AUGUST
Congratulations to all the Leaving Cert Students as they received their results this week. Hope you all got the points that you wanted. And even if you didn’t, don’t be too disappointed. There are still huge opportunities out there to achieve your dreams. After all exam results would be a poor criteria in judging anybody. Remember you are and always will be a beautiful, talented, gifted person with the possibility of greatness. So give yourself a pat on the back and thank God for who you are and the beautiful gift that you are.
Gilson N.S. re-opens on Thursday 1st September 2016 Scoil Mhuire, Moylagh re-opens on Friday 26th August, 2016
St Oliver Post Primary School, Oldcastle re-opens as follows:-
Thursday 25th Aug 1st Years from 9.00am to 12,30pm. Friday 26th Aug – 1st, 2nd, 5th & Transition Year students from 9.00am to 12.30pm Monday 29th Aug School as normal for all students 9.00am – 3.30pm.
NB Buses will not run 25th/26th Aug. You are requested to bring and collect your son/daughter on these days. School buses will run as normal from Monday 29th August
September
Oldcastle Apostolic Society Annual House collection to be taken up during September. Communion and Wedding dresses needed for the Missions
PRAYER FOR GRANDPARENTS This Universal Prayer for Grandparents was composed by His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI in 2008 and it is in honour and gratitude to grandparents for all they have done for us down through the ages particularly in the Transmission of the Faith. We hope it brings you, your family and your friends many graces and blessings.
Lord Jesus, you were born of the Virgin Mary, the daughter of Saints Joachim and Anne. Look with love on grandparents the world over. Protect them! They are a source of enrichment for families, for the Church and for all of society. Support them! As they grow older, may they continue to be for their families’ strong pillars of Gospel faith, guardian of noble domestic ideals, living treasuries of sound religious traditions. Make them teachers of wisdom and courage that they may pass on to future generations the fruits of their mature human and spiritual experience. Lord Jesus, help families and society to value the presence and roles of grandparents. May they never be ignored or excluded, but always encounter respect and love. Help them to live serenely and to feel welcomed in all the years of life which you give them. Mary, Mother of all the living, keep grandparents constantly in your care, accompany them on their earthly pilgrimage, and by your prayers, grant that all families may one day be reunited in our heavenly homeland, where you await all humanity for the great embrace of life without end. Amen
October
October is the traditional month of Mission. There is a special focus on Mission Sunday which is the one day set aside each year for Catholics worldwide to recommit themselves to the Church’s missionary activity through prayer and sacrifice. Supporting the Mission Sunday collection is a fine Irish tradition and I would appeal to the people in the parish to support this year’s collection next week-end 22nd/23rd October. Your contributions are much needed and will be used by missionaries and the 1,100 Mission Dioceses to meet the spiritual and human needs of communities in some of the world’s poorest countries. I would also urge them to express their missionary spirit at home by being generous, compassionate and kind to strangers in our midst.
October Month of the Holy Rosary October has always been traditionally the month of the Holy Rosary. By reciting the rosary we remember and meditate on the life of Christ, and we entrust ourselves in a special way to the maternal care of the Blessed Virgin, and as such she continually wants to mother us and be our intercessor to our Lord on our behalf.
Mission Sunday Collection The people of Meath diocese are asked to support the Mission Sunday Collection which will take place as a second collection at all Masses this week-end 22nd/23rd October.
The Apostolic Society wish to thank all who contributed so generously to the Annual Collection. Cash donations were given to Missionary Priests and Sisters together with Mass Kits, Silverware, Vestments and Religious goods at the Annual Diocesan Display in Mullingar on Mission Sunday. Holy Mass will be offered for all benefactors.
DAY FOR LIFE Sunday 7th October 2012. ‘Every Human life is beautiful, every human life is precious’ Choose Life: Prayer for the Child in the Womb
Choose Life : Prayer for the child in the womb
Lord Jesus, you are the source and lover of life. Reawaken in us respect for every human life. Help us to see in each child the marvelous work of our Creator. Open our hearts to welcome every child as a unique and wonderful gift. Guide the work of doctors, nurses and midwives. May the life of a mother and her baby in the womb be equally cherished and respected. Help those who make our laws to uphold the uniqueness and sacredness of every human life, from the first moment of conception to natural death. Give us wisdom and generosity to build a society that cares for all. Together with Mary, your Mother, in whose womb you took on our human nature, help us to choose life in every decision we take. We ask this in the joyful hope of eternal life with you, and in the communion of the Blessed Trinity. Amen. Our Lady of Knock, pray for us. All the Saints of Ireland, pray for us.
Pro-Life Information Meeting in St Anne’s Resource Centre in grounds of St Marys Church Navan at 7.30pm Friday 23rd October to discuss the protection of life and the importance of the 8th Amendment.
A Message from Bishops on Day for Life 2015 “How great a lie ...to make people think that lives affected by grave illness are not worth living!” Pope Francis. Kathleen, a much-loved grandmother, collapsed at home one Saturday morning and was rushed to hospital. Early signs pointed towards a stroke. The doctors talked about the next twenty-four hours being critical; it seemed like Kathleen might not even survive. The priest was called and Kathleen received the anointing of the sick. Doctors were talking about brain damage and whether interventions might be possible. Suddenly the family was faced with big questions. What would Kathleen want and how could the Church help guide any decisions? How do we accept death when it comes and cherish life while we can? There have been remarkable medical and technological advances so that the chronically ill can receive life-saving treatments. We can be truly thankful for such advances. And yet at some time or other we will all die. These same advances have led to more complex decision-making about appropriate treatment. At the end of life, there are two thoughts which can help guide us all: The first is that we love life. Every person is loved by God and every life is a precious gift never to be destroyed or neglected. It is wrong to hasten or bring about death. God will call us in his good time. The second is that we accept death. This means there is no obligation to pursue medical treatment when it no longer has any effect or, indeed, harms the patient, or where the risks or burdens of the treatment outweigh the likely benefits. We need to prepare to face life-threatening crises. Ideally these difficult and important decisions need to be faced with others – our spouse, our siblings, our extended family members. The family, after all, should be the privileged place where mutual support and understanding occurs. Sometimes difficult decisions need to be made and the views of family and experts are needed. But in such situations these two questions can guide us: “is this decision loving life?” and “is this decision accepting the inevitability of death?” Depending on the situation we should seek ways to answer yes to both, as life itself is a gift from God, and death but the gateway to new life with Him.
Winter time begins at 2.00am on Sunday morning so don’t forget to put your clock back one hour before you go to bed on Saturday night as all Masses on Sunday will be according to OLD TIME. `
November
On Wednesday 2nd November Feast of the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed all Masses in the parish are offered up for our deceased loved ones.
List of the Dead Envelopes The Church in its pilgrim members, from the very earliest days of the Christian religion, has always honoured with great respect the memory of the dead, and because it is a holy and a wholesome thought to pray for our loved one’s departed. After all remembering them in prayer is the only gift we can give them now. We do that by offering up Mass on the 1st Friday of every month. By submitting your departed loved one’s names on a list, they are included and remembered in a special way at that Mass. List of the Dead Envelopes are available in the Church. Please return them as soon as possible to be included in these Masses
Throughout November the names of all our loved ones from our List of the Dead lie before our Altar intermixed with flowers and candles. In a symbolic way, the living community gather around the Dead and commends them to the mercy and love of God. The temporary Shrine is also a reminder to us of the Communion of Saints – that the Dead are still in Communion with us in Christ and that inevitably each one of us will follow the same path that they have taken. In this, our Parish Community is seeking to fulfil its obligation of praying for its loved ones, after all remembering them in prayer is the only gift we can give them now and we are also following an ancient trend of humanity and a common practice in many religions and cultures. Praying for the dead is an early Christian tradition that is provided for in present-day Liturgy and recommended as a private practice. Honouring and praying for the dead is important for us who pray in so far as it extends our consciousness of life to include life after death. This is a life work. The average teenager is immortal. Mortality encroaches as we encounter sickness and death among family and friends. Every funeral we attend is quietly pushing out the boundaries of life to include death. When our nearest and dearest departs, death becomes more imminent but often more welcoming also. Our November prayers should also include the bereaved. Their suffering may be much greater than that of the dear departed and they need the support of our prayers. They also need on-going support from family, friends and neighbours, not in a suffocating manner which gives them little time to grieve but in a discreet and supportive way.
AGM - Oldcastle Credit Union AGM will take place on Tuesday 6th December at 7.30 sharp. Tea and hot food for all who attend. Free draw for members only. CU there.
. List of the Dead. A sincere thank you to all those who submitted the list of the dead of their departed loved ones over the last couple of weeks and for their generous offerings. They will be remembered on the first Friday of every month as Mass will be offered for the happy repose of their souls. The greatest gift you can give them now is if you could be present at this Mass to remember them yourself and to join with the rest of the community in praying for them.
November Offerings will be taken up at all Masses this weekend and following. It is one of the major offering days in order for you to support your priest. Please use special envelope in family box or any envelope with your name and address on it.
In November , We remember...Take the Short -Term Pledge for the month of November for deceased family and friends who have gone before us marked with the Sign of Faith. Join online at http://www.pioneerassociation.ie/ or contact local centre. Any Pioneer from Oldcastle Centre who feels that they are entitled to a silver or gold pin should contact 087 9419493 or 097 0984302
Mass of Remembrance Our annual mass of remembrance for all those who died in the parish in the last year will take place in Moylagh Church on Thursday 24th November at 7.00pm and in Oldcastle on Friday 25th November at 7.00pm. Mass of Remembrance Our annual mass of remembrance for all those who died in the parish in the last year will take place in Moylagh Church on Thursday 24th November at 7.00pm. The mass will be offered up for all those who died in that end of the parish since the mass last year. They are William McDermott, Paddy Govern, Paddy Murphy, James Connell, Rose Snow, Noel Mahon, Dermott Crean, Brendan Farrelly and Kathleen Kibble. The mass in Oldcastle will be held on Friday 25th November at 7.00pm will be offered up for all those who died in the Oldcastle side of the parish since the mass last year. They are Liam McNamara, Maureen Lynch, Bernie Simons, Sylvia Farrelly, Patsy Smith, Eddie Fitzgerald, Mary Hussey, Declan McMahon, Phil Lynch, James P Gibney, Mary Tuite, Ricky Death, Michael Reidy, John Smith, Maggie Reilly, Mary Collins, Benny Monaghan, Tommy Curran and Brian Earl. People are invited to take along a photograph of their deceased loved one and place it on the Altar rails during the Mass. Remembrance Tree In St Brigid’s & St Mary’s When the leaves have fallen to the ground their absence leaves a stark void and the tree appears bare and lifeless. When our loved one dies, they leave a painful void in our hearts and our lives. In our grief all may seem lost. The starkness of the bare tree reflects the pain, emptiness and loss that many in our midst experience at this time. The name of our loved ones who have died over the past year rests among the bare branches of our Remembrance Tree. They have gone before us but they are not forgotten. The names of those whom we have inscribed on our parish List of the Dead rest among the fallen leaves beneath the tree. Within the tree the promise of new growth is hidden from view, the dormant buds on every branch are already preparing to emerge and begin the new cycle of life as the long winter turns to spring.
Advent/ Christmas & New Year
December
Advent is a season of preparation before Christmas. The word “Advent “means coming and refers to the coming of Jesus. The season emphasizes a threefold coming: his coming in the flesh at Bethlehem, in grace through word and sacrament, and in glory at the day of judgement. Many people go to great lengths to prepare for Christmas, yet fail to appreciate the true meaning of that season. Advent, if properly observed, can change all that, helping you to realise more fully what the coming of Christ can mean for you. Advent begins four Sundays before Christmas and lasts until Christmas Eve. The lessons read in Church each Sunday of this season picture some of the people and events that are significant in the heritage of Jesus.
Advent Wreath & Jesse Tree Our Church is decorated with The Jesse Tree and the Advent Wreath. The point of the Jesse Tree is to express in symbols over the weeks of Advent the history of God’s relationship with the world from Creation to the present day. The Advent Wreath has been used traditionally in Europe since the 16th Century. The wreath is the shape of a circle symbolising the never- ending love of God- no beginning and no end. The evergreens on the wreath remind us that God is eternal and that we will have eternal life. The wreath contains five candles representing Christ the light of the world. The three purple candles represent penance- sorrow for sins. The red/pink candle represents joy, and love, and the white candle which is lit on Christmas night represents the birth of Christ. A new candle is lit each week as the celebration of the birth of Christ comes closer.
Concert of Carols in Oldcastle on Sunday 21st December at 7.00pm
The Kasikeu Appeal The annual raffle in support of the children in Kasikeu, Kenya, will take place in Owen Traynor's bar on Saturday, 10th December. This is the 10th year of the appeal and it has been of tremendous importance to the people there who are unspeakably poor. All support on the night is most welcome. A passage from Sr. Maria's Christmas letter goes, ".. working in this area of Kasikeu, we have so far managed our work in Kasikeu because of your generous support you always give us to give these needy families and we really thank you and appreciate your acts of mercy". If any sponsor wishes to send Christmas correspondence to his/her child, the address is c/o Little Sisters of St. Francis, PO Box 136-90132, Sultan Hamud, Kenya, East Africa.
Thursday December 8th Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. A Holy Day of obligation. See Mass times above
All the sick and housebound will be visited by the priest in Moylagh Wednesday & Thursday mornings 30thNovember & 1st December and in Oldcastle Friday morning 2nd December.
A New Year’s Prayer
May God make your year a happy one! Not by shielding you from all sorrows and pain, But by strengthening you to bear it, as it comes; Not by making your path easy, But by making you sturdy to travel any path; Not by taking hardship from you. But by taking fear from your heart; Not by granting you unbroken sunshine, But by keeping your face bright, even in shadows; Not by making your life always pleasant, But by showing you when people and their cause need you most, and by making you anxious to be there to help. God’s love, peace hope and joy to you for the year ahead. From Fr Ray
Oldcastle Apostolic Society: “Sometimes our light goes out, but is blown again into instant flame by an encounter with another human being. Each of us owes the deepest thanks to those who have rekindled this inner light.” — Albert Schweitzer. Many thanks for your continued support of our missionaries. Your generosity and encouragement is much appreciated. God bless each of you. Happy Christmas and a healthy New Year!
1st Friday of the Month - the sick and housebound will NOT be visited by the priest in January as Christmas visitation was only last week
Congratulations to Mary Ellen Craughan and Sean Martin also Ellen Flynn and Michael Vesey on the occasion of their recent weddings. We wish them a long life of health and happiness.
Christmas Offerings are most welcome at all masses this weekend. It is one of the major offering days in order for you to support your priest. Please use special envelope in family box or any envelope with your name and address on it.
Result of the OLDCASTLE GFC ANNUAL SUPER DRAW that took place on St Stephen’s Night in Caffrey’s Bar. Winners: 1st Prize (Dacia Sandero or €10,000) - Claire Lynch, Millbrook, Oldcastle. 2nd Prize (€1,000) - Stephen Tierney, Fennor, Oldcastle. 10 Prizes of €100 each: Padraig Fox, Fore, Elizabeth Galligan, Boolies, Erin Finnegan, Cluain Loinn, Keith Greene, Mountnugent, Brendan Clancy, Dublin, Grace Farrelly, c/o Craughans, Millbrook Road, Adrian Tuite, Carnaross, Eunan Timmins, Moate, Orla O’Brien, Knockbrack, Derek & Sinead Gorman, Granard A BIG THANKS from the club to all that supported the draw in any way. Athbhliain faoi shéan is faoi mhaise díobh go léir – Wishing everybody a very Happy New Year
Thank You Thank You to all our readers, Eucharistic ministers & collectors who are so faithful to their ministry throughout the year but particularly over the Christmas period. To our liturgy committee who organise readers, offertories etc, thank you. To our Community Employment Team for all their help in keeping our Church Grounds in both Churches and the Cemeteries looking so well. To Gabrielle & Frank Tighe for the beautiful floral arrangements and setting up the beautiful Advent Wreath. To all who contributed so generously for flowers throughout the year. To our Loughcrew Committee for all the help in preparing and setting up for our Annual Mass of St Oliver. And in Moylagh to all the ladies and gentlemen, who clean the church, arrange the lovely floral arrangements, put up the Christmas tree and crib. To our Altar Servers for all their help throughout the year and especially over the Christmas period. Thank you to Ann Galligan, for her help when called upon to sing. And in Moylagh to Paula & Deirdre and their choir. Thank You. To Ollie Burns for his dedication in constructing our beautiful crib. To Rolly & Rosy in the Sacristy of both Church’s for their dedication and work. & Peter Monaghan for all his help when called upon throughout the year. Finally to all of you for your support to the parish throughout the year, I wish you all a very Happy New Year
Diocesan Calendar 2017 will be on sale costing €5 each. All proceeds go to support vocations to the priesthood.
MCN MEDIA.TV All our Masses in Oldcastle Church are being LIVE STREAMED in the WORLD WIDE WEB – that means that anyone in the world can now tune into our Masses, Funerals, Weddings etc. Just Google mcnmedia.tv. and select Oldcastle Parish. Please inform your families living abroad.
Christmas Schedule in Oldcastle Parish Christmas Mass Times in Oldcastle Saturday Christmas Eve evening Vigil Masses 6.00pm & 9.00pm (Vigil Mass) Sunday Christmas Day Mass at 11.30am Christmas Mass Times in Moylagh Saturday Christmas Eve evening Vigil Mass at 7.30pm Sunday Christmas Day Mass at 10.00am
This Christmas ….. Let’s Give a Little Jesus, a thoughtful word or deed, An act of generosity for someone who’s in need. Let’s Give a Little Jesus, to everyone we meet The shopkeeper or the server, the person on the street. Let’s Give a Little Jesus, that’s what really counts Nor what’s spent or bought, for whom, in what amounts. Let’s Give a Little Jesus to everyone, large or small… For Jesus, the Messiah, is the Greatest Gift of All
May the spirit of Christmas bring you peace
the gladness of Christmas give you hope
the warmth of Christmas grant you love
From Fr Ray
Oldcastle GFC Annual Car Draw on St Stephens Night in Caffrey’s Bar. 1st Prize Renault Clio or €10,000, 2nd Prize €1,000.00, 10 prizes of €100. Tickets €20 or 3 for €50. Oldcastle GFC Bingo every Wed night in Show Hall. Jackpot €2,000.00. Wishing all our members and supporters a very Happy Christmas and New Year.
Annual Concert of Carols Sunday 18th December at 7.30pm Reconciliation Service/ Confessions, St Brigid’s Church Tuesday 20th December at 8.00pm
St Brigid's Athletic Club have Beech and Oak firewood for sale. €5 per bag. Can be delivered. Contact Gerard 086 2499886 or Laurence 086 8127884
Christmas Visitation of the Sick - the sick and housebound will be visited by the priest on Tuesday morning 20th Dec in Moylagh and Wednesday morning 21st Dec in Oldcastle.
The Annual Ecumenical Blessing and Unveiling of Oldcastle Town Crib and Carol Singing on Saturday 17th December at 4pm on the Square. Everyone welcome.
Concert of Carols. Our annual concert of carols will take place on Sunday evening 18th December at 7.30pm. The concert will feature much local talent. Admission on the night is €10 and all proceeds will go towards the local Oldcastle St Vincent de Paul. Your support as always would be greatly appreciated.
St Vincent de Paul Annual Weekend Appeal A door to door collection will take place Friday 9th Dec. The Annual Church Door Collection will take place on Sat/Sun 10th/11th Dec at all masses in Oldcastle & Moylagh Churches. Your generosity would be very much appreciated as all monies collected will be used to help in our local area over Christmas.
Christmas Offerings Sincere thank you to all who have contributed so generously to the recent Christmas Offerings for the support of your priest. I am very grateful for your generous offerings and support. Thank you.
Concert of Carols A big thank you to all who supported our Concert of Carols on Sunday night last. A special thanks to all who performed on the night. €750.00 was raised on the night and will go to our local St Vincent de Paul.
Concert of Carols. Thank you to all who took part in our Annual Concert of Carols last Sunday evening, to all of you who supported the night and gave generously. We raised €610 all of which will go to our local St Vincent de Paul for the support of local people.
Christmas Offerings Sincere thank you to all who have contributed so generously to the recent Christmas Offerings for the support of your priest. I am very grateful for your generous offerings and support. Thank you. Fr Ray.
New Year Prayer With the first Light of sun GOD BLESS YOU When the long day is done GOD BLESS YOU In your smile and your tears GOD BLESS YOU Through each day of your years GOD BLESS YOU
Christmas Mass Bouquet Cards are available in the sacristy of both Churches and in Parochial House.
May the spirit of Christmas bring you peace
the gladness of Christmas give you hope
the warmth of Christmas grant you love From Fr Ray
'Oldcastle Community Christmas Orchestra raised a total of €344.72 on Christmas Eve for the local St Vincent de Paul playing popular Christmas melodies. They would like to thank all those people who generously donated as well as Caddens’ SuperValu, Taggarts Londis, Philip Lynch’s Pharmacy, Tommy Farrellys and Creans Bar. Thank you and Happy New Year!
Happy Christmas to All from THE CORNER SHOP NEWSAGENTS THE SQUARE, OLDCASTLE GIFTS FOR ALL OCCASSIONS, JEWELLERY, TOYS, CARDS FOR ALL OCCASSIONS INCLUDING HALLMARK, DVD’S & CD’S INCLUDING FR RAY KELLYS MOST RECENT CHRISTMAS ALBUM
Reconciliation/ Confession Service in Oldcastle on Tuesday 22nd December at 8.00pm
May the forgiving spirit of Him to whom we dedicate this season prevail again on earth. May hunger disappear and terrorists cease their senseless acts. May people live in freedom, worshiping as they see fit, loving others. May the sanctity of the home be ever preserved. May peace, everlasting peace, reign supreme."
New Year Prayer As I live each day, may I do my part To make one difference, to touch one heart And through each day may it be my goal To encourage one mind and inspire one soul
If you look for Me at Christmas You won’t need a special star I’m no longer just in Bethlehem, I’m right there where you are. You may not be aware of Me amid the celebrations, You’ll have to look beyond the stores and all the decorations. But if you take a moment from your list of things to do, and listen to your heart, You’ll find I’m waiting there for you. You’re the one I want to be with, you’re the reason that I came And you’ll find Me in the stillness as I’m whispering your name. Love Jesus
Christmas Eve Carols on RTE 1 Don’t forget to watch ‘Carols from the Castle’ in Kilkenny at 6.30pm on Christmas Eve on R.T.E.1 and when you re stuffed with turkey you can watch it again on Christmas Day on R.T.E. 2 at 2.55pm. It features a well-known Parish Priest from Oldcastle. Hope you enjoy.
This Christmas ….. Let’s Give a Little Jesus, a thoughtful word or deed, An act of generosity for someone who’s in need. Let’s Give a Little Jesus, to everyone we meet The shopkeeper or the server, the person on the street. Let’s Give a Little Jesus, that’s what really counts Nor what’s spent or bought, for whom, in what amounts. Let’s Give a Little Jesus to everyone, large or small… For Jesus, the Messiah, is the Greatest Gift of All
Come and Have the Count Down with Us - Oldcastle Chamber of Commerce Once again The Ringing in of the New Year will take place at Midnight 31st January on The Square with Church Bells ringing and Comhaltas playing.
Choir Practice continues every Tuesday evening at 8.30pm in Parish Centre.
Christmas Eve Carols on RTE 1 & Late Late Show Next week I will be recording a Christmas Carol/ Song at Kilkenny Castle for the RTE 1 Christmas Eve Concert from the Castle. On Friday 5th December I will be making a return appearance on the Late Late Show singing my new wedding song Together Forever and launching my new album Where I Belong.
Please check bulletin for week day Mass times as there may be some changes in coming weeks
Oldcastle and Moylagh Community Christmas Orchestra a Group of local musicians will perform some popular Christmas melodies on the square at the Crib, Supervalu, Londis and Lynch’s Pharmacy on Christmas Eve from 3-4pm. All funds raised from this will go to the Local St Vincent de Paul… All Welcome
Oldcastle Adoration Committee invitation from Jesus Each diocesan group and each parish adoration group as well as adorers are encouraged to make a special effort to do an hour of adoration on the 8th December, asking our Heavenly Father through the intersession of our Lady to guide and protect our Apostolate of Adoration as well as all adorers, committees and our families. Oldcastle Adoration Committee are inviting you to a special night Wed 8th Dec Feast of the Immaculate Conception. After 7pm Mass there will be a Holy Hour filled with silence, praise and song. You can bring all your thoughts, prayer and petitions to Jesus in his true presence to the altar. We will consecrate our parish and families to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
Christmas Offerings Sincere thank you to all who have contributed so generously to the recent Christmas Offerings for the support of your priest. I am very grateful for your generous offerings and support. Thank you.
St Vincent de Paul Annual Churchgate Collection will take place in Oldcastle and Moylagh at all Masses 8th/9th Dec also Door to Door Collection will take place on Friday 7th December. Please give as generously as you can to this very needy collection.
Oldcastle Community Orchestra raised €315.52 on Christmas Eve when they played on the Square, in Supervalu and Londis. Many thanks to all who contributed. The money raised will go to local St Vincent de Paul. They will do this again next year on Christmas eve.
10 Christmas Commandments ...... Anonymous
"The following item appeared in a church newsletter and contains some good advice that will help us keep selfishness in check this Christmas. Anyone keeping these commandments is sure to have a blessed Christmas.
1. You shall not leave ‘Christ’ out of Christmas, making it ‘Xmas.’ To some, ‘X’ is unknown. 2. You shall prepare your soul for Christmas. Spend not so much on gifts that your soul is forgotten. 3. You shall not let Santa Claus replace Christ, thus robbing the day of its spiritual reality. 4. You shall not burden the shop girl, the postman/ woman, and the merchant with complaints and demands. 5. You shall give yourself with your gift. This will increase its value a hundred fold, and the one who receives it shall treasure it forever. 6. You shall not value gifts received by their cost. Even the least expensive may signify love, and that is more priceless than silver and gold. 7. You shall not neglect the needy. Share your blessings with many who will go hungry and cold if you are generous. 8. You shall not neglect your church. Its services highlight the true meaning of the season. 9. You shall be as a little child. Not until you become in spirit as a little one are you ready to enter into the kingdom of Heaven. 10. You shall give your heart to Christ. Let Him be at the top of your Christmas list.
There was a man who worked for the Post Office whose job was to process all the mail that had illegible addresses. One day, a letter came addressed in a shaky handwriting to God with no actual address. He thought he should open it to see what it was about.
The letter read: Dear God, I am an 83 year old widow, living on a very small pension. Yesterday someone stole my purse. It had £100 in it, which was all the money I had until my next pension payment. Next Sunday is Christmas, and I had invited two of my friends over for dinner. Without that money, I have nothing to buy food with, have no family to turn to, and you are my only hope... Can you please help me? Sincerely, Edna
The postal worker was touched. He showed the letter to all the other workers. Each one dug into his or her wallet and came up with a few pounds. By the time he made the rounds, he had collected £96, which they put into an envelope and sent to the woman. The rest of the day, all the workers felt a warm glow thinking of Edna and the dinner she would be able to share with her friends. Christmas came and went. A few days later, another letter came from the same old lady to God. All the workers gathered around while the letter was opened. It read: Dear God, How can I ever thank you enough for what you did for me? Because of your gift of love, I was able to fix a glorious dinner for my friends. We had a very nice day and I told my friends of your wonderful gift.
Sincerely Edna
PS: By the way, there was £4 missing. I think it was those b...... at the Post Office.
Pilgrimages
Pilgrimage to Knock Diocesan Pilgrimage to Knock on Sunday Aug 10th, 2003. The ceremonies begin in Knock with the Anointing of the Sick at 2.30pm.
Vocations
Vocations Sunday Our Diocese Meath has students studying for the priesthood, three in Maynooth and three in Rome. Two of those Reverends Tony Gonoude, Tullamore & James Crofton, Dunboyne will be ordained to the priesthood later this year.
Special Masses Day of the Prayer for Temperance. This weekend we focus on Day of Prayer for Temperance. It is a day when we remember especially all those who are suffering because of addictive practices of Alcohol or Drugs. We consciously bring them to mind during our Mass. We pray that the power of Jesus’ resurrection may touch their lives and raise them up.
Aware helps to defeat Depression. Feeling at your lowest ebb ???????? Need a listening ear. Don’t suffer alone. A.W.A.R.E. Venue Catherine Mc Cauley Centre. Kells Date:- 1st & 3rd Wednesday of every month at 8.00pm. Tel: - 046 9031193
Mass of Remembrance. The St Loman’s Hospital catchment area covers Westmeath, Longford and Meath and there are over 1,300 people buried in the St Loman’s Hospital Cemetery as well as many people who died at St Loman’s and are buried elsewhere. It would not be possible to identify all the relatives and write individually to each. So a Special mass of Remembrance will be held on Wednesday 7th February, 2007 at 2.30pm in St Loman’s Hospital Chapel, Mullingar in memory of deceased patients
Tax & Maintenance Envelopes
Thank You. Last week-end was one of the most memorable week-ends of my life, as so many of you came together to celebrate with me and my family 25 years in Priesthood. I cannot express how much it meant to me. Thank you to the Jubilee Committee who for the last few months have been planning this great event. I want to thank also the Altar Society and Nuffie for the beautiful floral arrangements. The boys and girls from all three of our parish schools along with their teachers and principals Martin O’Reilly, Miriam McCabe and Mark Carey for providing entertainment in the Show Hall, and also Pauline Hetherton and Mairin O’Reilly for the wonderful posters in the Church. I love them, and am going to keep them. To John Mc Donnell and John Steward for all the print work in booklets and book markers. To all the entertainers from all the schools and particularly all in Ceoltas and Louise Smith Dancing School and the new “ Boy Band “ who joined me on stage with a rendition of New York, New York.. I also look forward to seeing the vast amount of photographs taken by Paddy Traynor and Flash Paul Connors and also the video footage. The combination of choirs on the day at the Mass of thanksgiving was beautiful, to Rosie, Paula, Deirdre & Ann Galligan and all in the choirs Thank You. To our readers and Eucharistic ministers at the Mass thank you. To my faithful Altar Servers and Roly in the Sacristy and all the Ushers thank you. To Bishop Michael Smith and the visiting priests along with our Church of Ireland guests thank you for joining in the celebrations. To our Community Employment workers for keeping the Church and Church Grounds so well, our parking attendants and the G A A committee for use of their fantastic newly decorated Show Hall. To Michael Callery for the great sound System and to Seamus Connolly for catering for so many with refreshments on the night. A special thank you to Niall Caffrey for the beautiful Elm Wood carving of Bowl and stand. And indeed to all who generously donated in the Jubilee Envelopes that were made available in both Churches, thank you. I hope I have not left anyone out but if I have, I’ll include you next week. Thank you all. Fr Ray
National Concert Hall Hallelujah It was such an enjoyable time for me to entertain in my first ever appearance in the National Concert Hall on Sunday night last. A BIG thank you to all who made the night so memorable for me. To all the people who travelled privately and on the bus from Oldcastle to be there, thank you so much for the support and Esther for organising everything on that end. I saw Paul Connors taking loads of photos and video work and has much of it up on Facebook, thank you Paul for all the PR work. To the boys in the band James, Andrew, Davey and Brendan for their beautiful sound and to Adrian Garry for all his help in bringing everything together. It was so delightful to see all the young chamber choir from St Oliver Post Primary School under the direction of Dara McSweeney, their harmonies were just spectacular, thank you Dara. To my niece Tara Kelly for taking to the boards after many years and for sharing her beautiful voice thanks Ta. I think my special guest Maria Butterly was absolutely wonderful, she is such a gifted singer and songwriter, hope we can do it again Maria. A special thank you to all my family and friends who support me throughout the last few years and especially to my special pals from USA, Germany, Switzerland, Hungary, Poland and UK who traveled over for this event, thank you for your friendship. I now look forward to heading to the Opera House in Cork on December 5th.
Thank You to all the Choirs and those who turned up last Thursday evening For the recording of some choruses for my forthcoming album. A special thank you to Oldcastle G AA for the use of the Show Hall and all the ladies who provided refreshments also. A big thank you also to An Garda Siochana for closing the road off for a short period of time during the actual recording (for fear of any vibration from any big lorries or traffic passing). And to all the stewards in the Church thank you. We look forward to hearing the finished album in a few months’ time. Thank you also to Christian & David from Austria who have been working with me over the last few weeks recording the album at the Parochial House. Fr Ray.
Hallelujah Concert Come and hear the over 30 million YouTube Star and OUR P.P. Fr Ray Kelly + Hosts of Local Artists singing in the Oldcastle G.F.C Community Show Hall on Friday, 2nd May at 8.30 pm. All proceeds go to Oldcastle GFC Community Show Hall. Tickets €15 each can be purchased in Show Hall after Saturday evening and Sunday Mass and in various other outlets and on the night of the concert. Your support as always greatly appreciated.
Random Images for bulletin An Obituary printed in the London Times...... Interesting and sadly rather true. 'Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was, since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape. He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as: Knowing when to come in out of the rain; why the early bird gets the worm; Life isn't always fair; and maybe it was my fault. Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you can earn) and reliable strategies (adults, not children, are in charge). His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a 6-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouth wash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition. Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly children. It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer sun lotion or an Aspirin to a student; but could not inform parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion. Common Sense lost the will to live as the churches became businesses; and criminals received better treatment than their victims. Common Sense took a beating when you couldn't defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar could sue you for assault. Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement. Common Sense was preceded in death by his parents Truth and Trust , His wife Discretion, His son Reason, His Daughter Responsibility, He is survived by his 4 stepbrothers; I Know My Rights, I Want It Now; Someone Else Is To Blame; I'm A Victim . Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone. If you still remember him, pass this on. If not, join the majority and do nothing.
"I WISH YOU ENOUGH"
Recently, I overheard a mother and daughter in their last moments together at the airport as the daughter's departure had been announced. Standing near the security gate, they hugged and the mother said: "I love you and I wish you enough."
The daughter replied, "Mom, our life together has been more than enough. Your love is all I ever needed. I wish you enough, too, Mom." They kissed and the daughter left. The mother walked over to the window where I sat. Standing there, I could see she wanted and needed to cry. I tried not to intrude on her privacy but she welcomed me in by asking, "Did you ever say good-bye to someone knowing it would be forever?" "Yes, I have," I replied. "Forgive me for asking but why is this a forever good-bye?"
"I am old and she lives so far away. I have challenges ahead and the reality is the next trip back will be for my funeral," she said.
When you were saying good-bye, I heard you say, "I wish you enough." May I ask what that means?"
She began to smile. "That's a wish that has been handed down from other generations. My parents used to say it to everyone." She paused a moment and looked up as if trying to remember it in detail and she smiled even more.
"When we said 'I wish you enough' we were wanting the other person to have a life filled with just enough good things to sustain them". Then turning toward me, she shared the following, reciting it from memory, "I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright. I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun more.
I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive. I wish you enough pain so that the smallest joys in life appear much bigger.
I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting. I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.
I wish you enough hellos to get you through the final good-bye."
They say it takes a minute to find a special person. An hour to appreciate them.
A day to love them. And an entire life to forget them”.
An Obituary printed in the London Times...... Interesting and sadly rather true. 'Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was, since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape. He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as: Knowing when to come in out of the rain; why the early bird gets the worm; Life isn't always fair; and maybe it was my fault. Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you can earn) and reliable strategies (adults, not children, are in charge). His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a 6-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouth wash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition. Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly children. It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer sun lotion or an Aspirin to a student; but could not inform parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion. Common Sense lost the will to live as the churches became businesses; and criminals received better treatment than their victims. Common Sense took a beating when you couldn't defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar could sue you for assault. Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement. Common Sense was preceded in death by his parents Truth and Trust , His wife Discretion, His son Reason, His Daughter Responsibility, He is survived by his 4 stepbrothers; I Know My Rights, I Want It Now; Someone Else Is To Blame; I'm A Victim . Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone. If you still remember him, pass this on. If not, join the majority and do nothing.
Changes in Church
The elderly priest, speaking to the younger priest, said, "You had a good idea to replace the first four pews with plush bucket theatre seats. It worked like a charm. The front of the church always fills first now." The young priest nodded, and the old priest continued, "And you told me adding a little more beat to the music would bring young people back to church, so I supported you when you brought in that rock-n-roll gospel choir. Now our services are consistently packed to the balcony."
"Thank you, Father," answered the young priest. "I am pleased that you are open to the new ideas of youth."
"All of these ideas have been well and good," said the elderly priest, "But I'm afraid you've gone too far with the drive-thru confessional."
"But, Father," protested the young priest, "my confessions and the donations have nearly doubled since I began that!"
"Yes," replied the elderly priest, "and I appreciate that... But the flashing neon sign, 'Toot n Tell or Go to Hell' cannot stay on the church roof."
The Clergyman’s Problem If his sermon is too long…”He sends us to sleep.” If it is too short… “He hasn’t bothered” If he raises his voice… “He is shouting.” If he speaks normally… “You can’t understand a thing” If he’s away…” He’s always on holiday.” If he’s around … “He never goes away.” If he’s out visiting… “He’s never at home.” If he’s in the house… “He never visits his parishioners” If he talks finance… “He’s always talking about money.” If he organises a bazaar “He wears people out” If he doesn’t… “The parish is dead.” If he takes his time with people…”He goes on and on.” If he’s brief…”He never listens.” If he redecorates the Church… “He’s spending too much money.” If he doesn’t… “He’s letting things go.” If he’s young… “He lacks experience.” If he’s old… “He ought to retire.” And if he dies? Well, of course nobody could ever take his place.
Why Worry?
Perhaps the best attitude of all is the ‘Why Worry ‘riddle followed, they say, by the more irresponsible of us Irishmen. It goes something like this.
There are only two things to worry about: whether you are well or whether you are sick.
If you’re well, there’s nothing to worry about If you’re sick, there are only two things to worry about, whether you’ll get better or whether you’ll die.
If you get better, you have nothing to worry about. And if you’re going to die, you have only two things to worry about; Whether you go to Heaven or whether you go to hell.
If you go to Heaven, you have nothing to worry about.
And if you go to Hell, you’ll meet so many of your friends there, you’ll feel very much at home, so why worry?
Once upon a time the Lord God went out on patrol of Heaven just to make sure that it was still a city that worked. Everything was fine, the hedges trimmed, the grass cut, the fountains clean, the gold and silver and ivory polished. (Great F A S team there) The Mall was neat and tidy too. (Of course they have a Mall in heaven. Where else would they put the teenagers! ) He stopped by to listen to the angel choirs sing and they were in great form. Then on one of the side streets he encountered people who had no business being in heaven at all, at all. Some of them should have been serving longer sentences in Purgatory. Others would not get out until the day before the Last Judgement. Still others would make it into heaven only on very special appeal. So He went out to complain to St Peter. “ You’ve let me down again “ he said “ and yourself with the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven “ “ I have not “ said St Peter. “ Well how did they get in? “I didn’t let them in “said St Peter. “ Well who did? “asked Our Lord “You wont like it “replied St Peter. “ I have a right to know how they got in “. “ Well, I turned them down and didn’t they go around to the back door and didn’t your mother let them in! “Pray to Our Lady unceasingly that she will “sneak us in the back door “too!