Newsletter
11 February 2001

Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Contents Page

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POPE’S MESSAGE FOR WORLD DAY OF THE SICK

I would like to address you, dear sick people and generous 
health care professionals. This World Day of the Sick is taking 
place shortly after the conclusion of the Jubilee Year. It is 
therefore a renewed invitation to contemplate the face of 
Christ, who became Man 2,000 years ago to redeem man. 
Dear brothers and sisters, proclaim and bear witness to the 
Gospel of life and hope with generous dedication. Proclaim 
that Christ ins the comfort of all who are in distress or difficulty; 
he is the strength of those experiencing moments of fatigue 
and vulnerability, he is the support of those who 
work zealously to assure better living and health conditions 
for everyone.

I entrust you to Mary, Mother of the Church, to whom as I 
recalled at the beginning, the Cathedral of Sydney, the spiritual 
centre of the Ninth World Day of the Sick is dedicated.
May Our Lady of Consolation make her motherly protection 
felt by all her suffering children; may she help you bear witness 
before the world to the tenderness of God and make you 
living icons of her Son. With these wishes I impart a special 
Apostolic Blessing to you and to all your loved ones. 

Pope John Paul II (extract)

BLESSING OF COMMITMENT

As we celebrate St. Valentine’s Day during the week it is an occasion for married couples to ask God’s Blessing on their commitment to each other. The following may be helpful in doing so.

We pray to the God of promise and expectation
To bless our commitments whatever point they are at,
Whether we are assured or still exploring.

God our Creator, in Jesus Christ you have bound yourself
To humanity in a bond that cannot be broken. 
From earliest times your people called you
‘Rock’ and ‘Stronghold’ and ‘Mighty Fortress’ as they learned
to appreciate your absolute loyalty and dependability.
In Jesus’ heart of love you have given the world
The enduring statement that you are everlasting, faithful love.

In all the power of who you are,
Bless us both on our journey of commitment. 
Bless us with the gifts that will enhance our enjoyment of the journey,
The gift of listening, the gift of putting the other first,
The gift of self-knowledge,
The gift of reliability and faithfulness.

As you bless us may we both experience
In our hearts and in our lives even a shadow or a hint 
Of the unspeakable, incomparable mystery of love that you are.
As you bless us, we bless you for all that you mean to us.

Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

THE MIRACLE OF MARRIAGE

Marriage is the union of two people in love,
And love is sheer magic for it’s woven of
Gossamer dreams enchantingly real
That people in love are privileged to feel.

But the ‘exquisite ecstasy’ that captures the heart
Of two people in love is just a small part
Of the beauty and wonder and miracles of
The growth and fulfilment and evolvement of love.

For only long years of living together
And sharing and caring in all kinds of weather
Both pleasure and pain, the glad and the sad,
Teardrops and laughter, the good and the bad,
Can add new dimensions and lift love above
The rapturous ecstasies of ‘falling in love’.

For ecstasy passes but it is replaced
By something much greater that cannot be defaced,
For what was ‘in part’ has now ‘become whole’
For on the ‘wings of the flesh’, love entered the soul.

Helen Steiner Rice

RADIO LINK

CALLING ALL OUR SENIOR PARISHIONERS

Our evening will begin with Mass at 7.30p.m. in the hall and followed by 
Supper and entertainment. If you require transport just let me know 32153.

TEMPLERAINEY ICA

CHRISTMAS DUES

Sincere thanks to all who contributed Christmas Dues Offerings. These offerings go towards the income of priests and are much appreciated. Acknowledgements have been issued.

HAPPY 21st BIRTHDAY

To Frank Cullen , 4 Park Terrace on 12th February

OPEN NIGHT

St. Kevin’s Christian Brothers School will hold its OPEN NIGHT on this Tuesday 13th February from 7 to 9p.m. Parents/Guardians, Pupils and teachers are invited to come and view the school and meet the teachers. 

TEMPLERAINEY YOUTH FUN

Committee Meeting on this Tuesday night 13th February at 8p.m in the prefab.

THOUGHTS FOR THE WEEK

Honesty pays, but not enough to suit some people.

Do what you can with what you have, where you are.

A child’s life is like a piece of paper on which every passerby leaves a mark.

Better to do something imperfectly than to do nothing flawlessly.

The heart has a way of talking the mind into whatever it wants.

Our actions are the best witnesses of our thoughts.

Christ is not valued at all unless he is valued above all.

Why not let Jesus take over your life, he can do far more with it than you can.

PRAYERS AND SYMPATHY

Our Prayers and Sympathy are extended to the family of the late Kathleen Kavanagh, Johnstown North who died recently. May she rest in peace.

CHURCH CLEANERS

Church Cleaners this week are Group E.

IN REMEMBRANCE

Our Masses next weekend 17th/18th February will be offered in remembrance of-

Saturday 7p.m. -  George Mates Anniv.

Sunday 9a.m. - John Byrne Months Mind.

Sunday 11.30a.m. - Michael Kavanagh Anniv.

THANKS

Sincere thanks to all who contributed to the recent 
Irish Wheelchair Association collection which 
amounted to £300.12p. A letter was received from 
the Association. Your donation will assist in 
supporting national services which include: 
Day Activity Centres, Wheelchair Loan Service,
Respite Care, Sports Training, Motoring Advice 
and Tuition Service, Adapted Transport, 
Personal Assistance, Independent Living 
Services, and many other facilities for those 
who are wheelchair bound.

ACCORD

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