Newsletter
4 March 2001

First Sunday of Lent

 
 

Contents Page

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Prayers for the Novena of Grace will be recited at Masses until 12th March
10 SHAMEFUL FACTS ON SLAVERY

  1. According to Anti-Slavery International there are at least 27 million slaves in the world today.

  2. Bonded labour or debt bondage is the most widely used method of enslaving people. There are at least 20 million bonded labourers in the world.

  3. During the 400 year long Atlantic slave trade 13 million slaves were taken from Africa.

  4. In 1850 an average agricultural slave in Alabama sold for $1,000 around $40,000 in today’s money. A child in India can be sold into bondage for as little as £30 today.

  5. Slavery was abolished in Brazil in 1888, in Burma in 1929 and in Mauritania in 1980. Slavery exists in all three countries today.

  6. Despite the fact that slavery is illegal many governments are unwilling to enforce the law or to ensure that those who profit from slavery are punished.

  7. Up to 2 million women and girls worldwide are victims of a growing trade in forced labour within the sex industry.

  8. In Burma up to 800,000 people a day are forced to work in hard labour by the military regime.

  9. In Sierra Leone children as young as 7 are captured by the army and trained as soldiers.

  10. In 1998 the Pastoral Land Commission in Brazil estimated that there were over 100,000 slaves working on large rural estates.

        PILGRIMAGES 2001

Please note that all places on our Pilgrimage to Fatima in October have now been Fully Booked. There is now a waiting list pending cancellation or the availability of extra places. Don’t say you weren’t warned! Places on our Pilgrimage to Lourdes in August are now limited and should be booked with a deposit as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. Only a deposit will secure a place. Those who may have requested single rooms on either pilgrimage are reminded that these cannot be guaranteed and will only be available nearer the time if at all.

         I.H.C.P.T.


Please support the Irish Handicapped Children’s Pilgrimage Trust. This voluntary group bring children to Lourdes at Easter each year and must fundraise to meet the cost of fares for handicapped children while adults pay their own. Monster Second-Hand Book Fair on next Saturday and Sunday 10th & 11th March from 2 to 5p.m. in The Old Girl Guide Hall, Esmonde Street, Gorey. Books, Comics and Magazines some over 100 years old. No book over £5 and most under £1. Please Support.

  GOOD LUCK

  We wish all our students ‘Good Luck’ in their mock exams going on at   
  present or coming up. Relax a bit, they’re only the mocks. Lets hope 
  the remainder of your school year will not be as interrupted as the first 
  half.

       RADIO SYSTEM

By now all radio receivers requested are up and running. Unfortunately there are a couple of outlying areas unable to receive but this may be made possible. About 30 homes are now ‘listening in’ to all Church Masses and Services. Our housebound will now be able to participate in our spiritual exercises during Lent. Sincere thanks for the generous sponsorship of receivers and donations towards the cost of the system. Receivers can still be obtained at any time at £30 each.

I.C.A TEMPLERAINEY

Templerainey ICA March meeting on Wednesday 7th March at 8p.m. in the Methodist Church Hall, Ferrybank. Joe Tully from the Camera Club will attend to give advice on how to take that ‘Perfect Picture’. New Members Welcome.

LENTEN EXERCISES THIS WEEK

Tuesday 7.30p.m. - The Rosary will be recited
                  Thursday 7.30p.m. - Mass
                  Friday 7.30p.m. - Stations of the Cross
                  Saturday 11a.m. - Mass

PRAYER SERVICE

During this First Week of Lent we might reflect on the Temptations of Jesus. Jesus as we know spent 40 days in the desert and during his time there was tempted by the devil. It is on this that the season of Lent claims its origins. The relevant Gospel passage is Matthew 4:1-11. You might like to look it up in your Bible or New Testament.

REFLECTION

Because we are all human we can at times be tempted by wrong doing. To this we must try to say no! We try to resist but we do not always succeed. Jesus is our example to follow – He said No.

Lord, you know my heart and how I so often and easily fall into temptation. Help me during Lent to recognise that which makes me fall and to fight against it. Give me the strength and courage to say No.

PRAYERS

As we celebrate Lent we join in prayer with other families in our community. Through our common prayer for and with each other may we all come closer to Christ. Lord Hear Us.

When we are tempted by wrong doing may Jesus be our example and strength in saying No. Lord Hear Us.

May we all persevere in our commitments during Lent. If we fall may we try again. Lord Hear Us.

For our own family needs and intentions at this time. Lord Hear Us.

Together we pray – Our Father and Hail Mary or Decade of the Rosary.

RESOLUTION FOR THE WEEK

To resist temptation, to support others in doing so and to say Sorry.

       LENT EXTRAS

 

While Lent is a time of ‘cutting out’ certain things it is also a time of ‘extras’, spiritual that is. Yes our daily Morning Mass at 9.30a.m. is an ideal extra for some but not for all. Unfortunately it would not be practical to promise an evening Mass right through Lent but there will be ‘extra’ liturgies on certain evenings as announced each weekend. So why not use these or even just ‘one’ each week. On the other hand you could visit the Church in your own time for private prayer or to make the Stations of the Cross. Parents are asked to visit also with their children and accustom them to something spiritual for Lent. Many families I know will have family prayer which is indeed praiseworthy. A simple Prayer Service will be given each week in this Newsletter. During Lent the Tuesday night Rosary at 7.30p.m. which is recited by a small group of people right through the year will be broadcast on our radio system so that those at home can join in.

 

CHURCH CLEANERS

Church Cleaners this week are Group A.

IN REMEMBRANCE

Our Masses next weekend 10th/11th March will be offered in remembrance of-

Saturday 7p.m. - Pat Murphy Anniv.

Sunday 9a.m. - Harry & Patrick Nolan Anniv.

Sunday 11.30a.m. - Sadie Doyle & Paddy Murphy Anniv.

MONTH’S MIND REMEMBRANCE

The Month’s Mind Remembrance Mass for the late Kathleen Kavanagh will be offered on next Saturday 10th March at 11a.m.

SPIRITUAL READING

Why not pick up some spiritual reading or prayer booklet from the book stands to help you make the journey of Lent. Only a small price to pay!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

To Chloe Hudson who will celebrate her ‘double digit’ 10th Birthday on 7th March. Love from Dad, Mam & James

TEM
       NOVENA OF GRACE

Prayers for the Novena of Grace in honour of St. Francis Xavier will be offered at our Masses from 4th to 12th March. Leaflets will be available at the door.

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