Weekly Bulletin 14th March 2021

Today is the Fourth Sunday of Lent: The last sentence in today’s second reading is a powerful one. It reads: “We are God’s work of art, created in in Christ Jesus to live the good life as from the beginning he had meant us to live it” (Ephesians 2:10) Imagine you – yes, plain ordinary you – are God’s masterpiece!! When God made you, God threw away the blueprint because there will never be in the world another you! We are called to live out of the awareness of that reality – that we are beloved children of God! Many however are pained or hurt by what life throws at them. Some live out of that pain and hurt constantly in their lives. Unfortunately, they begin merely to survive, instead of living out of their giftedness that God bestowed on them.  Pain, hurt, and wounded memories cut into the bones of their being and as a result they are blinded to all that is good within them. Many end up living lives of “quiet desperation”, instead of living life to the full. (John 10:10).  It is said that many young people do not read the Scriptures but they will read the faces and lives of those who try to teach them the Scriptures. If the teacher is one of those who does not know his/her own worth in the eyes of God then that message will come across to their students. Pope Paul V1 wrote a marvellous encyclical called “Evangelisation to the Nations” on December 8 1975 and in it he said: “Modern man listens more willingly to witnesses than to teachers, and if he does listen to teachers, it is because they are witnesses” Every person is enriched by God’s Spirit. Each person is responsible for developing his/her gift or talent. People are unable to discover their gifts alone. People need people to help them in the identifying of their gifts. It interesting to note at the story of the Visitation, Mary hears Elizabeth’s words identifying her gift of faith. Elizabeth said “Yes, blessed is she who believed that the promise made to her by the Lord would be fulfilled” (Luke 1:45).  Mary responds to Elizabeth’s outburst with the great song of the Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55).  It is important to note that no one person possesses all the gifts.   Children have heroes, (superman, batman etc)….but we are weak human vulnerable human beings always relying on the grace of God to help us be the person we are called to be. Our gifts are always there for others. They are to be used to build up and encourage the Christian community. Some may appreciate our gifts and others may be nonplussed by our talents. There is an old saying – “If you want to be everybody’s cup of tea, you will end up a right mug!”  Enjoy the unique person that you are! You are God’s work of art! 

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Thanks for all the donations sent in to us by various means during our Novena. We do appreciate the good positive feedback that we have received concerning our nine days of prayers. Thank you for joining with us by web-cam. We need God’s grace and help in abundance during these troubled times. We will continue to pray for each other. A word of appreciation and thanks also to all who have used the DONATE button on our website – your generosity is remarkable. 

Mother’s Day: On this Sunday we remember to pray for all mothers. “Mothers are the strongest antidote to the spread of selfish individualism. A world without mothers would be inhumane, because mothers always know how to give witness – even in the worst of times – to tenderness, dedication and moral strength.” (Pope Francis)

St. Patrick’s Day: Tuesday 16th March at 7pm Vigil Mass of St. Patrick and on Wednesday 17^th March Mass at 10:30am and 7pm via our webcam.   Note: There will be no 12noon Mass.   Due to the Bank Holiday the office will be closed.

The Church will be open during the week from 9:30 am to 4:00 pm for you to visit for personal prayer. Please wear a mask and be aware of the rules on socially distancing!

Our Shop: If you wish to contact us as regards purchasing cards please ring us during office hours (9:30 am – 4:00 pm) or visit our web-site www.thegraan.com and we will try our best to facilitate you.

A DIOCESAN WAY OF THE CROSS ONLINE: Filming is now underway for this special moment of prayer led by Bishop Larry Duffy and people from communities of faith across the 7 Pastoral Areas of the Diocese of Clogher on Friday 26 March at 7.30pm on www.clogherdiocese.ie and on the Diocese of Clogher Facebook page.

ALONE Coronavirus Helpline for older people – 0818 22024, 8am to 8pm daily. Visit www.alone.ie

Age NI Advice Service: For advice & information call freephone 0808 808 7575.Email: advice@ageni.org