FOR PARISHES OF ARDFINNAN, BALLYBACON, GRANGE & NEWCASTLE, FOURMILEWATER
Weekly Mass Times This Week
Saturday Newcastle- Our Lady of the Assumption – Easter Vigil 6.30pm
Saturday Ardfinnan- Holy Family -Easter Vigil 9pm
Sunday Fourmilewater– Our Lady & St. Laurence – 9am
Sunday Grange– St. Nicholas – 10.30am
Sunday Ballybacon- St. Mary’s – 12pm
Monday Newcastle- Our Lady of the Assumption – NO MASS
Tuesday Ardfinnan- Holy Family – NO MASS
Wednesday Fourmilewater– Our Lady & St. Laurence – 10am
Thursday Newcastle- Our Lady of the Assumption – 10am
Friday Ardfinnan- Holy Family – 9:30am
EXPOSITION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT
This takes place in our parishes on:
Tuesday’s 10-11am in Ardfinnan
Friday’s 2.30-3.30 in Newcastle
Everyone is welcome to come and spend some time in quiet prayer and adoration.
THANK YOU
Many thanks for your contributions last week for the upkeep of our parishes and churches:
Ardfinnan/Ballybacon/Grange: €885
Newcastle / Fourmilewater: €696
CCTV CAMERAS / LIVESTREAM
Please note that for the protection and security of everyone CCTV cameras are in operation in our churches. All of our Masses are Live streamed in Ardfinnan and are at other times broadcast from Newcastle , Fourmilewater, Ballybacon and Grange on Churchservices.tv and Facebook Live pages.
BAPTISMS
Please contact Paddy in the Parish Office on 052-746 4408 or Fr Michael in Newcastle / Fourmilewater for those who wish to book baptisms in the coming months.
AN EASTER MESSAGE
For the last two years, we were unable to celebrate our Easter faith publicly, as we kept ourselves and one another safe during the pandemic. Thankfully, with the successful vaccine which causes less illness, and with many of us still taking the necessary precautions, we are able to return to a near normal way since before March 2020. I have to say how happy I am to be working with you all in our two parishes across the five churches, four schools and the High School, and take this opportunity to thank so many of you who through your own baptism, assist and help our parish communities in so many ministries and work to keep our parishes open and alive!
I wish Fr Bernard Frawley well and look forward to his return to us in May, and to thank him for his support to me and the parishes, and to my brother priests who assist when needed. Obviously it can be a challenge, that is why I will be making direct appeals in the coming months for many others to assist as Eucharistic Ministers, readers and play an active role in our parish councils, as quite simply, the days of the priest “doing it all” is thankfully, long over!
A sincere thanks to our sacristans, Freda, Theresa, Brendan and Tony who care and open our churches daily – to Paddy in Ardfinnan and to our parish councils and finance councils who guide me and discuss the day to day pastoral and administrational running of our churches. To our 45 Altar Servers and their families who have started recently; our choirs, who we welcome back gradually after lockdown, and to our prayer groups, collectors, counters, and so many helpers who add to the life of our parishes. Thank you so much for your support.
I wish you and all of your families and peaceful and blessed Easter, as we continue to pray for peace in Ukraine, and remember those who have gone to their eternal reward in this last year.
“Alleluia! Christ is truly risen! Alleluia!”
God bless, and keep safe!
Fr Michael.
ARDFINNAN N.S.
It’s that time of year again when we in the School hold our Spring ‘clothes and more’ collection. It’s an important fundraiser, one that we rely on everyone’s support for it to be successful. We would be very grateful for yours!
Please help by dropping a bag or more to the School between 11.00a.m. and 1.00p.m. on Saturday April 30th. Details of what is accepted by the company are on a poster in the porch. We will also be pleased to accept bags during the days before the above. These can be left in over the front wall at a time suitable to you.
Please spread the word to friends and relatives!
The more that hear about this event the more successful it will be.
Many thanks in advance.
Ardfinnan N.S. Finance Committee.
P.S. Thanks for previous support. The funds earned were invested in playground markings/games in the inner yard mainly.
VOLUNTEER REQUEST – St Vincent De Paul
Following a record number of calls for help in 2021 the Society of St Vincent de Paul (SVP) has launched a national campaign seeking volunteers. The Mid-West region is also reaching out to people locally to encourage people to come forward and join SVP.
During 2021 a total of just over 191,000 calls for help were made to the Society throughout the country. This is 12% up on the number of calls in 2020 and the highest on record for the Society.
The national campaign for volunteers will primarily focus on over 900 Visiting Conferences (Branches) throughout the country. But volunteers are also being sought to help in shops and social housing as well.
The recruitment campaign theme is ‘You know who you are – But we don’t’ To apply to become an SVP volunteer. Visit: www.svp.ie/volunteer or call 01 884 8246
God bless, and keep safe!
Fr. Michael