Jesus said to the scribes and Pharisees, ‘If there is one of you who has not sinned,

let him be the first to throw a stone at her.’

PARISH NEWSLETTER

7th April 2019

HAS NO ONE CONDEMNED YOU?

The Gospel today is dramatic and intense. Loaded questions are directed at Jesus “as a test.” Jesus

says very little. He waits and he writes. After a long silence he offers us all a challenging statement:

“IF THERE IS ONE OF YOU WHO HAS NOT SINNED, BE THE FIRST TO THROW A

STONE AT HER.” Who is without sin? Most of us are very able in keeping knowledge of our sins

to ourselves. We tend to be in denial about our sins and failings, while pointing out other’s failings

and faults. All of us are in need of God’s mercy and as a parish, we will celebrate our Penitential

Rite and realise that Jesus is not into stone throwing. In the Gospel the accusers move away,

‘leaving Jesus alone with the woman.’ It is a striking encounter, as St. Augustine writes, between

human misery and God’s mercy.

In Latin, ‘mercy’ is translated as ‘MISERICORDIA’. This is two words combined. The Latin

‘MISERIAE’ meaning ‘misery’ and the Latin ‘COR’ meaning ‘heart’ that gives us the Latin word

for ‘mercy.’ It is the very nature of God’s mercy that his heart extends into our misery as

compassion. For far too long, a harsh, judgmental and rigorist trait dominated our Church and

distorted the experience of Confession for many people as a real, genuine sign of encounter with

our loving God of mercy.

The logic of Jesus is so different from ours. In the face of sin, failure and faults, he does not

demolish with a harsh, fundamentalist condemnation, but neither does he offer a vague, facile

tolerance. He invites repentance and radical change in all our lives through healing, forgiveness and

renewal. If you get the chance, look at the eight wooden carvings on the Confessional doors here in

our church. They express themes of God’s mercy. The exquisite carvings remind us of these

assuring words: “I HAVE CARVED YOU ON THE PALM OF MY HAND. I WILL NEVER

FORGET MY OWN” (Isaiah 49: 14-16).

May the Gospel words of Jesus echo in our hearts:

“NEITHER DO I CONDEMN YOU.”

John Cullen

MONDAY 8 am Susan O’ Hanrahan

10 am John, Susan & Goretti Gillick

TUESDAY 8 am Morning Mass

10 am Thomas & Ellen Curley

WEDNESDAY

8 am John & Ann Nerney

10 am Paddy Earley

THURSDAY 8 am Morning Mass

10 am Anne, Olive & Billy Haugh

FRIDAY 8 am Patrick Nolan

10 am Helen Harrington

SATURDAY 10 am Philomena Shannon

7 pm Baby Jack Hannon (Month’s Mind)

SUNDAY 12:15 pm Theresa Irvine (Nee Leyden) (Month’s Mind)

Mass Intentions for the coming week:

RECENT DEATHS: Please pray for the happy repose of the souls of: -

Mary (Maidie) Ryder, England sister of Frankie Lannon, Racecourse Road.

Matthew Gleeson, London brother of Jimmy Gleeson, Racecourse Road.

We offer sincere sympathy and the assurance of our prayers to their bereaved

families and friends.

FEATURE A WEEK IN OUR CHURCH

The floor Mosaics in the Sanctuary (the area around the altar). (Cont.)

On the floor in the passages between the Sanctuary and the two side chapels, we find the figures of

the four mysterious creatures seen in the vision of St. John.

The first creature, representing St. Mark, is like a lion. The second, representing St. Luke, is a living

creature like a calf. The third living creature having the face, as it were, of a man represents

St. Matthew, and finally, the fourth living creature is like an eagle flying and represents St. John.

MASS OF CHRISM: The annual Mass of Chrism will take place in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Sligo on Wednesday 17th April at 7.30 pm. During the Mass Bishop Kevin will bless the oils used in the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Orders and the Sick and the priests of the Diocese will renew their commitment to the priestly ministry. The Mass of Chrism is an important opportunity for all of us in the Diocese to gather and to celebrate our communion with the Lord and with one another.

STATION MASS:

Padraig & Aideen Gannon, Racecourse Road Saturday 13th April @ 11 a.m.

We also remember Tony Kearney, Annie & Tom Mongan & deceased of the Mongan Family

whose anniversaries occur around this time.

ROSARY: During the month of April fifteen decades of the Most Holy Rosary will be

recited on Wednesday mornings at 8.50 am for the Pope's Intention. Pope Francis’s Intention. Universal - Workers in War Zones. For doctors and their humanitarian collaborators in war zones, who risk their lives to save the lives of others.

GOOD FRIDAY NATIONAL HOLY FACE PUBLIC PRAYER VIGIL - at Tesco car park, Roscommon on Good Friday 19th April at 12 noon - 1 pm to make reparation to the Holy Face of Jesus & for protection of life, faith & family in Ireland. All welcome. For further information contact 086 1990450.

HOME OF THE MOTHER ADULT FORMATION: Saturdays at the Sisters’ house. We start at 4 pm with the Rosary and then have a Formation meeting from 5-6pm. All welcome to learn more about the faith and

spiritual life. Also a reminder that we continue with children’s Catechism classes most Saturdays from 11—12.30. Please call Sr. Ruth 090 66 25897, Knockaire, Galway Rd. for any of above. LIVINIG LENT. We will hold one-hour discussion meetings on Thursdays at 5.45 pm in St. Coman’s Club. 4th April - Benefits of meditating on the Passion : 11th April - How to live Holy Week. Please come and feel free to join us afterwards for the weekly Holy Hour at 7 pm in Adoration Chapel.

ALLIANCE OF THE TWO HEARTS FAMILY LENTEN RETREAT: - Two Hearts Retreat on 13th & 14th April, in the Glenroyal Hotel, Maynooth, Spiritual Director Fr. Edgardo Arellano (Fr. Bing). Theme: “Be reconciled with God. Behold now is the acceptable time” (2 Cor 6:2) For further information contact Marian on 086 806 8259. Very reasonable accommodation - See poster in Church Porch with more phone numbers and details.

Lough Derg Pilgrimage Season opens Saturday 4th May 2019. Three Day Pilgrimage June, July & August - you can begin your pilgrimage on any day from Friday 31st May until Tuesday 13th August. There are numerous One Day Retreats during May, August & September. Detailed information from Lough Derg Office, contact 071 9861518 / www.loughderg.org

ROSCOMMON ATHLONE REGIONAL PTAA dinner dance will be held in the

Abbey Hotel on Sunday 7th April @ 5:30 pm. For more information contact Ann on 087 1202606.

A Mass for Healing will take place at Our Lady Star of the Sea Prayer Centre, Curraghboy, Athlone on Friday, 12th April commencing at 8 p.m. with Celebrant Fr. John Walsh. Contact 086 4054489

EASTER ENVELOPES - are now ready for distribution and are available in

the Sacristy before/after all Masses this weekend or from the Parish

Office during the week. Please collect by Friday 12th April at the latest.

Many thanks to all who help in the distribution of envelopes.

PERMANENT ADORER REQUIRED: For the Blessed Sacrament Chapel to cover the

following hour Friday 3 - 4 pm. Please phone 086 1990450 if you can help.

Month's Mind: Mary McNamara , c/o Sacred Heart Hospital Month's Mind will be celebrated on Tuesday 16th April @ 11 am in the Sacred Heart Hospital Chapel.

ANNUAL PASSION PLAY - on Tuesday 16th April in Ballintubber Abbey. Bus leaving Church car park at 6:30 pm. Admission free. Contact 086 3861954 for further details. All welcome.

ALTAR SOCIETY: Group v is scheduled for the coming week.

PLEASE NOTE: There will be a spring clean on the 12th April at 3pm in

preparation for the Easter celebrations. All altar society members are asked to

attend.

LENTEN TRÓCAIRE ENVELOPES: For use during Lent are available in the Porch of the Church. Please take one and use it as a family during Lent. More info, see trocaire.org

SPRING STATIONS: We would welcome invitations from families to have station Masses in

their homes. We would especially like to have Masses in those areas where there have

not been station Masses for some time. Again, we would like to emphasise that a cup of

tea and biscuit is all that is expected. To book a station, please phone Parish Office on

090 66 26298 or contact any of the Clergy.

Work Matters at the Library Event—CV Writing & Interview Techniques. Presented by Aoife Moloney, Career Coach. Tuesday 16/04/19 6.30—7.30 pm at Roscommon County Library. Free-of-charge and booking required. Tel: 090 66 37277

New Term of Physio Pilates starting Thursday 11th April in Quad Youth Centre

Roscommon @ 9:30am. Suitable for beginners to improvers.

ROSCOMMON HERITAGE GROUP Will hold their AGM on Tuesday 16th April at 8.30pm in

Gleeson’s Townhouse, The Square. All welcome. For enquiries, please contact Theresa Murray, Secretary on 087 755 4393 or email: theresacathyhelenmurray@gmail.com

LISNAMULT MONTHLY DRAW - starting in May in aid of the new building project.

Thank you to all who have supported the draw during the last year.

Roscommon Local Forum meets on Monday 8th of April from 6 - 8pm at Regairi Recovery College adjacent to hospital. For further information please contact Colette Tuohy on 087 4148743 or colette.tuohy1@hse.ie

Grinds: Maths, Business, Accounting, LCVP & Ag.Science. Contact: 087-6222147

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Lent is passing quickly. We just have one week before HOLY WEEK. It is an ideal

time for all of us to review and re-evaluate the pattern of our lives. The constant

callers to all of our lives are the sets of twins: chaos and confusion as well as

distraction and demoralisation. We have strong attachments to them in the

upheaval and downfall of our baffled existence. Pope John XXIII is a canonised saint.

We have a picture of him in our Church. Here is a lovely quote from his diary:

“Consult not your fears, but your hopes and your dreams.

Think not about your frustrations but about your own potential.

Look with confidence to a new day called tomorrow.”

John Cullen

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Sunday’s Offertory Collection: €3,495.40

Family Circle (25/03/19) : Receipts: €232.00 Prizes: €200 Thank You