|
HOLY
WEEK
Our
Holy Week Retreat will be conducted by Fr. Charles
Cross CP on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday each Morning at 10a.m. Mass
and each evening at 8p.m. No Mass in the evening. On Tuesday night we will
have our Penitential Service with an opportunity for individual confession.
HOLY
THURSDAY
Confessions
in the morning from 11a.m. to 12noon.
5p.m.
Children’s Mass with Presentation of First Holy Communion Children.
7.30p.m.
Mass of the Lord’s Supper followed by Adoration at the Altar of
Repose until midnight.
11.30p.m.
“Watch and Pray” Vigil at the Altar of Repose.
GOOD
FRIDAY
12noon
Children’s Stations of the Cross
3p.m.
Solemn Passion Ceremony
7.30p.m.
Stations of the Cross
Good
Friday is a Day of Fast and Abstinence
HOLY
SATURDAY
Confessions
in the morning from 11a.m. to 12noon and
afternoon from 5p.m. to 6p.m.
9p.m.
Easter Vigil Ceremony of the Resurrection.
EASTER
SUNDAY
Masses
at 9a.m. and 11.30a.m.
WATCH AND PRAY
As Jesus
entered the Garden of Gethsemane he asked his disciples to ‘watch and
pray’. While he endured his agony the three disciples fell asleep. We
began the season of Lent with the same invitation. Each of us have through
our spiritual exercises and efforts tried to keep watch with the Lord during
this holy season. We now come to the most important week in the Christian
Calendar as we begin the journey of Holy Wee. Christians of all traditions
are united in professing the Death and Resurrection of Christ. It is this
proclamation that gives meaning in the face of death. How much time am I
willing to give to Christ during this ‘Holy Week’?
While we are busy preparing
for the feast of Easter there are those in our world struggling to find God
and others content in ignoring Him. Wherever you may find yourself at
present we extend a warm hand of welcome to join us at St. Jospeh’s in our
Holy Week and Easter Celebrations. Easter is a time when Christ is certainly
alive in the numbers who make the effort to profess their faith. It is in
itself a living testimony to the Risen Christ. The week ahead contains the
days we call the ‘Three Great Days’.
Holy
Thursday
On this day we begin the
Easter Triduum and celebrate the mysteries of our Faith. On this day in the
Upper Room at the Last Supper Christ ordained his First Priests and
instituted the Eucharist at the First Mass. Down the centuries of time we
continue to celebrate the mass and receive Christ in the Eucharist by
responding to his words- ‘Do this in memory of me’.
Good
Friday
In commemorating the Lord’s
Passion we mark the hour at which when darkness covered the land on the
first Good Friday, Christ the only Son of God died to save mankind. Good
Friday is a day of Fast and Abstinence.
Easter
Night
On Holy Saturday night we join
with fellow Christians in proclaiming Christ’s triumphant victory over sin
and death in His Glorious Resurrection. Christ is not merely a figure in a
book or a hero of the past. He is a living presence today. Christ is not
just a memory to be studied but someone to be met and lived with every day.
Christ is a model for life and a living presence who helps us live.
Remember
during Holy Week that God does not ask for our ability or inability but
rather for our availability.
FLOWERS
FOR THE ALTAR
If
you would like to contribute towards flowers for the Altar at Easter a box
is provided at the pillar.
EASTER
DUES
Easter
Dues are an offering towards the support of the priests of the parish. You
are invited at this time to contribute. Envelopes are available through the
Church and at the doors and should be returned at your convenience.
CHURCH
CLEANERS
Church
cleaners this week are Group F.
FAST
AND ABSTINENCE
Good
Friday is to be observed as a Day of Fast and Abstinence. Fasting means that
the amount of food we eat is considerably reduced. Abstinence means that we
give up a particular kind of food or drink or form of amusement. Those over eighteen
are bound by the law of fasting until the beginning of their sixtieth
year, while all over fourteen
are bound by the law of abstinence. Fasting is a very ancient religious
tradition.
EUCHARISTIC
MINISTERS
Eight
parishioners will be commissioned as Eucharistic Ministers on Holy Thursday.
Thanks to all who have been involved in this Ministry over the years. A
special thanks to those who for personal reasons and time served are now
retiring. Those serving longer than 6 years will not be re-commissioned or
included in the next rota. All other Ministers are asked to attend the 7.30p.m.
Mass on Holy Thursday when you will be re-commissioned. A new
rota for all will be available for the beginning of May. Those required for
the Holy Week Ceremonies including the Easter Vigil will be contacted in
advance.
HOLY
WEEK CEREMONIES
Those
who are involved in the Ceremonies of Holy Week as Readers or as Eucharistic
Ministers are asked to call to the sacristy fifteen minutes before each
ceremony. This will facilitate arrangements in the event of absences or
changes. Altar Servers must also be in attendance 15 minutes beforehand.
Your co-operation will be appreciated.
COMMUNION
TO THE HOUSEBOUND
Those
who bring Holy Communion to the housebound and nursing homes are encouraged
to do so after one of the Masses on Holy Thursday and again if possible
Easter Sunday. Holy Communion may not be brought on Good Friday or Holy
Saturday.
HAPPY
BIRTHDAY
To
Rachel Swan who was 6 years old recently.
Love from Mammy, Daddy, and brother Thomas
HONOURING
SAINT TERESA
As
already announced we are organising a group to travel to St. Michael’s
Church, Gorey during the visit of St. Teresa’s Relics. Our visit will be
on Wednesday 18th April from 8p.m. to 9p.m.
This hour will be a time of private prayer and will be followed by Evening
Prayer. If sufficient people are interested a bus will be arranged. Children
accompanied by adults are also welcome. Those interested should leave their
names at the Sacristy or drop a note in my door before Easter Sunday.
IN
MEMORY
In
loving memory of Mary Doyle, Seabank,
1st Anniversary on 3rd April.
Will those who think of her today, a little prayer to Jesus say.
With loving memory from her family and friends.
ANNIVERSARY
REMEMBRANCE
First
Anniversary Remembrance of Darren Hempenstall
for whom Mass will be offered on Monday evening 9th April at 6.30p.m.
Fondly
remembered by all who shared your short life.
GET
WELL
Our
Prayers and Good Wishes are sent to all who are sick at this time. You will
have a special remembrance in the prayers and ceremonies of Holy Week.
TEMPLERAINEY
ICA
Templerainey
ICA wish to thank all who supported their Coffee Morning in aid of Daffodil
Day. A total of £562 was raised.
EASTER
DUTY
Remember
that you must fulfil your Easter Duty by receiving Confession and Holy
Communion between Ash Wednesday and Trinity Sunday.
RECEIVING
HOLY COMMUNION
As
we approach Holy Thursday when we commemorate the institution of the
Eucharist it is an appropriate time to reflect on the following points
- To
receive Holy Communion worthily we must be ‘in communion’ with our
Church. This means that our lifestyle or sinfulness does not put us
apart or outside. This means that we live according to the Church’s
teachings and not our own.
- Other
than the sick we are still bound by the law of fast. This means that we
must not eat, chew, or drink other than water for at least one hour from
the time of receiving Communion.
- We
can receive Holy Communion more than once a day. That is if we
participate fully in the Mass. In other words communion should not be
received if you only drop in at the end of Mass. If we miss Mass through
our own fault we should not receive Communion until we have received
Confession.
|