Today is the Fourth Sunday of Easter. Today is also “Good Shepherd Sunday”. It is also “Vocation Sunday.” Today we pray particularly for vocations to the priesthood and the religious life. Today marks the 60th Anniversary of World Day of Prayer for Vocations. There is a crisis now in priestly vocations, and this crisis is linked to the deeper crises of faith. Beginning today the Irish Bishops have declared a “Year of Vocation for Diocesan Priesthood” The theme of the year’s prayer for vocations to the diocesan priesthood is – “Take the Risk for Christ.” While appreciating all vocations, the Church focuses our attention this day on vocations to the ordained ministries (priesthood and diaconate) and to the religious life (both contemplative and apostolic). Pope Francis in his message for Vocation Sunday 2023 states:
Within the Church, all of us are servants, in accordance with the variety of our vocations, charisms and ministries. Our common vocation to give ourselves in love develops and finds concrete expression in the life of lay men and women, devoted to raising a family as a small domestic church and working as a leaven of the Gospel to renew the different sectors of society; in the testimony of consecrated women and men who are completely committed to God for the sake of their brothers and sisters as a prophetic sign of the kingdom of God; in ordained ministers – deacons, priests and bishops – placed at the service of preaching, prayer and fostering the communion of the holy People of God. Only in relation with all the others, does any particular vocation in the Church fully disclose its true nature and richness. Viewed in this light, the Church is a vocational “symphony”, with every vocation united yet distinct, in harmony and joined together in “going forth” to radiate throughout the world the new life of the kingdom of God.
Please remember the Passionists today in a special way. At present in Saint Patrick’s Province (Ireland, Britain, Sweden Paris), our next priestly ordination is scheduled for 2024. We also have one Passionist novice and one postulant and there are a number of young men who are considering joining our community. Please pray for them as they discern God’s call in their lives. A Passionist Vocation Retreat will be held in the Passionist Monastery, Tobar Mhuire, Co. Down beginning on the evening of Friday 2 June and ending with lunch on Sunday 4 June for young men interested in knowing more about life as a priest or brother in the Passionist Community. Please pray for vocations to the priesthood and religious life. If you are interested in being a Passionist priest or brother, speak with any member of the community here at the Graan or get in touch with our Vocation Director Father Paul Francis C.P. Telephone (00353)14992000 (mobile 07812789839) or email: passionistvocations@gmail.com
Feasts for the Week: Tuesday: St. Athanasius (295-373) Bishop and doctor of the Church. Several times sent into exile for proclaiming the true faith about Christ’s divinity and humanity. 0 St. Philip and St. James – Apostles. Philip was formerly a disciple of John the Baptist, he was born near Bethsaida at the Lake of Galilee. St. James ruled the Church of Jerusalem and was martyred in the year 62 AD.
Thanks for the collection last week. It came to £2080. We appreciate your generosity in these difficult financial times. A word of thanks also to our Ushers, Readers, Singers and Ministers of the Eucharist who help in our weekend liturgies.
Bank Holiday Monday: Mass will be at 11am. There will be no 7pm Mass.
The shop will be open until 4pm.
Exposition: Continues each Friday from 10am – 2pm.
Shop: Open Bank Holiday Monday until 4pm. Tues to Sat – 9.30 – 7pm. Sun 9.30pm – 4pm.
Guild Mass Cards: Our selection includes Deceased, Get Well, Wedding, Birthday, Anniversaries etc @ £2.
Sunday & Monday no duty. Confessions: Tues to Fri 2pm – 5pm. Sat 5pm – 6pm. Mass: Tues – Fri @ 7pm. Tues – Brian. Wed –Victor. Thurs – Charles. Fri – Anthony. Sat – Anthony.
Gluten-Free Hosts: If you are Coeliac and you wish to receive communion please come up to the altar and stand beside the Eucharistic Minsters where you will receive the gluten-free host.
May Rosary will take place at Our Lady’s Grotto each evening in May at 6.30pm. All are welcome to join.
May’s Church Cleaning Group will meet on Wednesday next the 3rd of May.
Recently Deceased
Bertie Foley, Dungannon
Jane L Lynott, Sligo
Fr Ian Kalumba CP, Botswana
Anniversaries
John & Elizabeth Maguire, Lehinch, Newtownbutler & their son Art & daughter Alice, Newtownbutler
& the Maguire and Conroy families, Newtownbutler
Tommy Mc Kenna, Mc Crea Park, Clogher
Theresa Mc Cobb, Derry
Barney & Annie Hamilton & the Hamilton family, Ederney
Kathleen Ferguson & Janie Green, Garrison
Francie & Lily Slevin, Killyvilly, Enniskillen
Mary & Henry Mc Goldrick, Omagh
Jimmy Mc Kiernan, Newtownbutler
Gerard Mc Gurk, Cookstown
Helen Duffin, Belfast
Mickey Harkin, Mountdrum, Lisbellaw
Emily Kerrigan, Enniskillen & Mullaghdun
Michael Keown & the Keown & Keoghan families, Mullaghdun
John, Elizabeth & Johnny Carrigan & the Carrigan family, Moneygashel, Blackion & London
Mary & Paddy Regan, Moneygashel, Blacklion
Eddie Todd & the Todd family, Lisnaskea
