What in this weeks newsletter?
- Reflections for the First Sunday in Lent
- Lenten Prayer
- Trocáire
- Recent deaths and anniversaries in our parish
- School Resources
Holy Cross Church Mass Times
Because of the re-imposition of the government restrictions, there will be no public masses in any of our churches until further notice.
The only exceptions are funerals and weddings, where there is only limited congregation allowed.
Masses will be streamed from Holy Cross church each week day at 10.00am, Sundays and Holy days at 10.30am.
Visit the parish website www.tramoreparish.ie Click on “Live Stream” on the homepage when the services are on.
For anyone who does not have access to online services:
Tramore Parish Radio Services are broadcast From Holy Cross Church, Tramore at 10.am from Monday to Sat and 10.30am on Sunday on your radio 105.4FM
The Church will be open for private prayer on Mon to Sat: 11.00am-4pm (except Thurs 11.00am -5pm)
Sunday: 11.30am-4pm.
———————————-
PRIEST ON DUTY
086-6004384
DO YOU WANT TO FAST THIS LENT?
IN THE WORDS OF POPE FRANCIS
Fast from hurting words and say kind words.
Fast from sadness and be filled with gratitude.
Fast from anger and be filled with patience.
Fast from pessimism and be filled with hope.
Fast from worries and trust in God.
Fast from complaints, contemplate simplicity.
Fast from pressures and be prayerful.
Fast from bitterness; fill your hearts with joy.
Fast from selfishness and be compassionate.
Fast from grudges and be reconciled.
Fast from word; be silent and listen.
School Resources
Sr. Antoinette Dilworth rsj has been busy preparing and sending out resources to schools during this difficult time and uncertainty for teachers and pupils. These resources are designed to help pupils pray and keep focused.
‘Grow in Love’ at a glance – February 2021 edition.
You may view these resources: www.waterfordlismore.ie
School Enrolments 2021
For information regarding school enrolments for September 2021for Holy Cross N.S., Glór na Mara and Gaelscoil Philib Barún please see school blogs.
Stations of the Cross Resource for prayer at home
Visit the diocesan website: www.waterfordlismore.ie
Trócaire campaign began on Wednesday 17th February.
“Here are my hands, hold them. Please don’t leave South Sudan alone. We need your prayers. We need your support. We need your love.” Fr. James Oyet Latansio, South Sudan Council of Churches.
Trócaire boxes are available in the church porches.
Please take home a Trócaire box for Lent and give it a prominent place somewhere in the home
Parish Office – Mass Bookings
Mass Booking for the months of April, May, June & July have not opened due to the lockdown.
No booking will take place until further notice and when the restrictions are lifted
Recent Deaths
Please remember those who died recently: Pat Hearne
We remember the months mind of Larry Hogan
We pray for Monsignor John Shine, Elizabeth Sheehan, Maurice Fitzgerald, James Burke, Nora Cowman, Bridget Roles, Christy Crowley whose anniversaries occur about this time.
Reflection for the First Sunday in Lent
Wilderness
On this first Sunday of Lent, we are invited to embrace the wilderness. The past year has given us experience of wilderness as our world battled a pandemic. Many people were afraid, isolated, alone, and uncertain of what the future would bring. Humanity was adrift in what seemed like a desert moment. However, wilderness can bring opportunity. It can be a time for deep reflection, where we take stock of what is most important to us, a chance to let go of things that are really not important and focus on where we are being called to be. During this past year, what opportunity did this wilderness offer you?
Lent is also a time where people give up something, focus on weight loss or getting fit, take on a course, try to better themselves in some way. And these can be good things, but Lent is so much more than that. It is a retreat time, a time to make room for something deeper. It is a spring-cleaning sort of time, an opportunity to ask, ‘what needs clearing out in my life so that I can make more room for God?’ ‘What changes am I being called to embrace?’ Without change we cannot grow, and things fast become stale in our lives. God is always urging us on because God knows just what possibilities there are for each of us. Lent offers us the opportunity to makes space for something new, to let go of that which is keeping us from living life to the full.
The Gospel today is short, Jesus is sent into the wilderness, into the desert, and we too are invited into a desert time. Deserts are interesting places which can allow us to reflect, give ourselves space. It is true that we might encounter our demons there, but we should not be afraid because as the Gospel tells us clearly today, this is a Spirit-led desert. God is with us. Let us try to embrace this wilderness. How we make use of this time determines what will be.
‘You have to leave the city of your comfort and go into the wilderness of your intuition. What you’ll discover will be wonderful. What you’ll discover will be yourself.’ (Alan Alda)
Jane Mellett