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Fourth Sunday in Lent
FIRST READING
Isaiah
43:18-19.21-22.2415 March
2015
First Reading
2 Chronicles 36:14-16.19-23
All the heads of the priesthood, and the people too,
added infidelity to infidelity, copying all the shameful
practices of the nations and defiling the Temple that the
Lord had consecrated for himself in Jerusalem. The Lord,
the God of their ancestors, tirelessly sent them
messenger after messenger, since he wished to spare his
people and his house. But they ridiculed the messengers
of God, they despised his words, they laughed at his
prophets, until at last the wrath of the Lord rose so high
against his people that there was no further remedy. Their
enemies burned down the Temple of God, demolished
the walls of Jerusalem, set fire to all its palaces, and
destroyed everything of value in it. The survivors were
deported by Nebuchadnezzar to Babylon; they were to
serve him and his sons until the kingdom of Persia came
to power. This is how the word of the Lord was fulfilled
that he spoke through Jeremiah, ‘Until this land has
enjoyed its Sabbath rest, until seventy years have gone
by, it will keep Sabbath throughout the days of its
desolation.’ And in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia,
to fulfil the word of the Lord that was spoken through
Jeremiah, the Lord roused the spirit of Cyrus king of
Persia to issue a proclamation and to have it publicly
displayed throughout his kingdom: ‘Thus speaks Cyrus
king of Persia, “The Lord, the God of heaven, has given
me all the kingdoms of the earth; he has ordered me to
build him a Temple in Jerusalem, in Judah. Whoever
there is among you of all his people, may his God be with
him! Let him go up.”
Response: O let my tongue cleave to my mouth if I
remember you not!
Second Reading:
Ephesians 2:4-10
God loved us with so much love that he was generous
with his mercy: when we were dead through our sins, he
brought us to life with Christ – it is through grace that you
have been saved – and raised us up with him and gave
us a place with him in heaven, in Christ Jesus. This was
to show for all ages to come, through his goodness
towards us in Christ Jesus, how infinitely rich he is in
grace. Because it is by grace that you have been saved
through faith; not by anything of your own, but by a gift
from God; not by anything that you have done, so that
nobody can claim the credit. We are God’s work of art,
created in Christ Jesus to live the good life as from the
beginning he had meant us to live it.
Glory and praise to you, O Christ !
God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son;
everyone who believes in him has eternal life.
Glory and praise to you, O Christ !
Gospel:
John 3:14-21
God sent his Son into the world so that through him the
world might be saved. Jesus said to Nicodemus: ‘The
Son of Man must be lifted up as Moses lifted up the
serpent in the desert, so that everyone who believes may
have eternal life in him. Yes, God loved the world so
much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who
believes in him may not be lost but may have eternal life.
For God sent his Son into the world not to condemn the
world but so that through him the world might be saved.
No one who believes in him will be condemned;
but whoever refuses to believe is condemned already,
because he has refused to believe in the name of God’s
only Son. On these grounds is sentence pronounced:
that though the light has come into the world men have
shown they prefer darkness to the light because their
, 'How could a sinner produce signs like this?' And there was them.
deeds were evil. And indeed, everybody who does wrong
hates the light and avoids it………………………….
for fear his actions should be exposed;
but the man who lives by the truth
comes out into the light, .
St. Muredach’s Cathedral –Daily Masses
Baptisms: Nathan Figas, Chapel Court.
Bianka Aurora Browne, Rockwell.
Monday, 16 March
10 am: Mary McAndrew, Cloonagun, Breaffy
(Month’s Mind).
1.10 pm: Lunch time Mass.
The Cathedral Restoration Envelope Collection for last
weekend March 8 was €2381. Thank you for your
generosity and support.
7.30pm Vigil Mass for St. Patrick’s Day
Keep the sick of our parish community and those
worried about their health in your prayers.
Tuesday, 17 March St. Patrick’s Day (Holy Day)
Masses: 8.30am, 11am & 12.30pm
Wednesday, 18 March
10 am: Marie Molloy, Castle Rd. (Month’s Mind)
1.10 pm: Lunch time Mass.
Thursday, 19 March
10 am Mairead Granahan, The Commons/McDermott St.
(Month’s Mind)
1.10 pm Lunch time Mass.
Friday, 20 March
10 am Paddy & Veronica Kenny, Circular Rd.
1.10pm Lunch time Mass
Saturday, 21 March
10 am Tom Tighe, Marian Crescent (Month’s Mind)
St. Patrick’s Church- Daily Masses
Monday, 16 March
8 am
Eileen & Eddie Harney, Connolly St.
Phyllis Caffrey, Garden St.
8 pm Vigil: Breege Preston, Arbuckle Row.
Tuesday 17 March St. Patrick’s Day (Holy Day)
Masses: 10 am & 12 Noon
Wednesday 18 March
8 am
Intention.
9.30 am John Ginnelly, 100 Barnadearg
May & Jimmy Cunningham, St. Patrick’s Tce.
Thursday 19 March
8 am
Intention
9.30 a.m. John & Nora Higgins, Ferran Tce./Collooney
Friday
8 a.m.
9.30 am
20 March
Intention
R.J. & Julia McElwee, Howley Tce.;
Brian McElwee, Bohernasup.
Saturday 21 March
9.30 am Michael John, Ellen, Tony & Gerry Holmes,
Gurteens.
Weekend Mass & Confession Times
. St. Muredach’s Cathedral
Vigil Mass 7.30 pm. Sunday: 8.30am,11 am & 12.30 pm
Confessions: Sat. 12noon -1pm & 6.30pm – 7.15pm
St. Patrick’s Church
Vigil Mass: Saturday 8 pm, Sunday: 10 am & 12 Noon
Confessions: Saturday 7.30 pm to 7.50pm
‘Come Follow me’ Guided Scripture Meditation
Every Wednesday throughout Lent
From 7pm-8pm in St. Patrick’s Church. All welcome
Keeping Children Safe The diocese of Killala is fully
committed to keeping children safe. If you have any
concerns around their safety in any circumstance please
tel. your Local Safeguarding Representative
Sr. Maureen Tel.087-7955726 Rockwell, Ballina or the
Diocesan confidential number: 087-1003554
Priest on Duty: 087-2586015
St. Patrick’s Day Mass at 12 Noon in St. Patrick’s Church
on Tuesday March 17 will be ‘as Gaeilge’.
Youth 2000 Castlebar prayer meeting Friday at 8pm in the
Monastery, Chapel St Age 16 - 35. Tel. 087 7765811.
St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Tuesday March 17 at 4 pm
coming from Mercy Rd.
Tea Chest or Trunk needed for storage of Christmas Crib
figures for St Patrick’s Church. If you can help, please
telephone Jane 0868517302 or Nuala 0877544247.
Mother’s Day March 15 : To mark the occasion there will
be a special time of prayer with music, reflections and
readings held in the HUB Centre at Knock Shrine on March
15 at 3pm. Space limited so booking is essential. Tel.
Family Life Centre 094-9388100 to book your place. All
welcome.
Society of St. Vincent de Paul Ballina Area are recruiting
volunteers. Induction Training Day on Sat. March 28 from
10am - 4.00pm in the Old Boys School, Chapel Road,
Foxford. Tel. Serena Matthews 091-563233 ext.4
Conradh na Gaeilge Bailiúchún Náisiúnta Lá le Pádraig
Beidh Tóraíocht Taisce (Treasure Hunt) le shiúil, De Luain,
16 Márta ag tosnú at 2.i.m. ag Dillon Tce. €3 an duine. Bigí
linn.
Ballina Community Sports Centre is currently
compiling a Directory of Leisure Activities available in
the town and surrounding area. This information will be
available both in the Centre and on our website. If you or
your group/club/activity would like to be included in the
directory please e-mail your details to bslc@eircom.net .
Adoration & Reconciliation in St. Muredach’s Cathedral
on Friday next March 20 from 8pm to 11pm.
‘God is rich in Mercy’ (Eph 2: 4) Why not take this
opportunity in a prayerful atmosphere to go to confessions
so you can truly celebrate Easter? Pope Francis says:
Confession helps people feel shame for the wrong they
have done and embraces them with God’s love so that they
know they are forgiven and can go out strengthened in the
battle to avoid sin in the future.
Confession is an encounter with Jesus whose “mercy
motivates us to do better.”
Killala Achonry Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes 23
August – 28 August led Bishop. John Fleming ( Killala)
and Bishop Brendan Kelly ( Achonry) with Spiritual
Directors : Fr. Tom Doherty, Ballina tel. 096-71365 & Fr.
John Moloney, Kilkelly..
Details for Pilgrimage Section: Tel. Michael Walkin @
086- 6080763
Invalid Section: Mrs Mary Loftus- 096-31462.
Youth Section: Fr. Tom Doherty 096-71365
Fully inclusive price €709.
Deposit €200 (non refundable). Valid Passport & European
Health Insurance Card required.
Emergency Numbers
Useful Numbers
Women’s Refuge Service 094 90 25409
Organ Donation 1890 543639
Rape Crisis Centre 1800 234 900
Citizens Information Centre 076 1075990
Bookshop in the Pastoral Centre.
Open 9 am to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday
A good selection of religious items and gifts ideas available
for First Holy Communion and Confirmation.
Ballina Athletic Club annual 5k on Sunday March 15
starting at the Ballina Soccer Club, Belleek at
12noon. Registration from 10.30 am onwards. Entry Fee :
€10, U-18’s €2, and fully dressed Leprechauns €5, so
dress up and come to Ballina for St Patrick’s Weekend
Festival. Tel. Ann Egan -087 4186895. Refreshments
afterwards.
Haven Community Childcare Centre enrolling for ECCE
free pre-school year 2015/2016 . Tel. 20444.
Culleens N.S. Table Quiz Thurs. 26 Mar. at 8.30 p.m. in the
Merry Monk Please support tables €20.
Irish Cancer Society Coffee morning on Friday March 20 in
Ballina Manor Hotel beside the Ridgepool from 11 am to 3
pm. Please support.
Scoil Iosa now enrolling boys & girls for Sept.2015. Tel.
Principal at 70532.
Castleconnor Drama Group present “When your number’s
up” for one night only in Ballina Arts Centre on Thursday
March 19 at 8pm
Ardnaree Community Playgroup: Enrolment / Information
night in the playgroup on Wednesday March 18 from 8pm 9.30pm. Personal callers only.
Ballina Stephenites commence training and registration on
Sunday, March 22 at 11:30 a.m. for boys and girls aged 4 to
6 years old. . The Camp will run from the March 30 – April 3
from 10.30 am - 2 pm Cost €35. Children from U6-U12 also
welcome. Tel. Eanna 086-8616423 after 3pm.
Mass for Fire Brigade Staff (present, retired and deceased
members) on Friday March 20 at 7.30 pm in Ballina Fire
Station.
Ballina Tidy Towns Association in conjunction with Ballina
Chamber of Commerce and supported by Ballina Town
Council are holding amajor Clean up on Friday April 3 from
12noon until 1pm. Volunteers needed to clean all approach
roads to Ballina and town centre. Also a major clean up of
Belleek Woods. Schools, clubs and residents needed.
Retailers, business owners and publicans are asked to clean
up outside their premises and Street. Tel. Peter Jordan 0868691329/ Ballina Chamber of Commerce 096-72800
Steve Dunford will lead the French re-enactors to the War
Memorial in the Green Park, Kilmoremoy at 2 p.m. on St.
Patrick’s Day before they join the parade at 4.30pm joined by
Ms. Cecile Dejardain from Athis Mons. Wreathe will be laid at
the monument in memory of Stephen Kennedy, Ballina.
Junior members of the Bofield Ceili Band are holding a
session in Ballina Manor Hotel after the St Patricks day
parade on Tuesday. All are welcome to join them.
The Fr. Peyton Centre Holy Cross Family Ministries are
having a Mass with reflection on the lives of Bro. Andre-the
Healer of Montreal- and St Joseph on Saturday March 21 at
12.00pm. Light Lunch. Video on the Life of Father Peyton.
Tel. 45374/Gerry Flannery 087-6422313.
Phoenix players Tubbercurry present their comedy ‘Play
On’ by Rick Abbott in the Arts Centre on Saturday March 21
at 8pm.
Gardai 999
Priest 087 2586015
Cura 094 24866
Samaritans 1850 60 90 90
Aids Helpline 091 566266
Fire Brigade 999
Gardai 096 20560
Childline 1800 666 666
St. Vincent de Paul 72905
Ballina Hospital 21166
Westdoc 1850 365 000
Accord 21478
MABS 076-1072660
Grow 094 9026417