Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Parish Phone Nos. (021) 4871180.
Emergency No: 087 0956190
Monsignor Kevin O’Callaghan: (021) 7336053
Parish Centre/Sacristy: (021) 4289768
Ring for bookings: Baptisms & Marriages etc
WEEKEND MASSES
Ovens:
Vigil: 7.30pm.
Sunday: 11.30am.
Farran:
Vigil: 6pm. Sunday: 9.30am.
MASSES THIS WEEK
Ovens:
9.30am: Mon Weds & Friday (1st Friday)
Confessions before 9.30am Mass.
Farran:
9.30am: Tuesday & Thursday.
CONFESSIONS
Saturdays in Ovens, 11am to 11.30am.
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION & CONFIRMATION DATES
2022
Ovens:
Confirmation: Friday, 13th May
First Holy Communion: 21st May
Farran:
First Holy Communion: 7th May
PRAYING THE PSALMS
PSALM 115
Not to us Lord, not to us,
But to Your name give the glory,
For the sake of Your love and Your truth.
In detachment we are free from small-mindedness.
In awareness, we take possession of ourselves.
In letting go, we live with ambiguity.
In living with questions, we wait for answers.
LÁ FHÉILE NAOMH BRÍD
This Tuesday, 1st February, is the Feast of St. Brigid, Naomh Bríd, Muire na nGael.
One significant feature about her was her generosity, especially when it came to serving the poor. “If I had the power to give away the whole of Leinster, I would willingly give it to God’s poor”. This is also signified by the simplicity of the St. Brigid’s Cross, made from the simplicity of rushes.
PRAYER TO ST. BRIGID
You were a woman of peace. You brought harmony where there was conflict. You brought light to the darkness. You brought hope to the downcast. May the mantle of your peace cover those who are troubled and anxious and may peace be firmly rooted in our hearts and in our world. Inspire us to act justly and to reverence all God has made. Brigid you were a voice for the wounded and the weary. Strengthen what is weak within us. Calm us into a quietness that heals and listens. May we grow each day into greater wholeness in mind,, body and spirit. Amen.
CANDLEMAS DAY
This Wednesday, 2nd February, we celebrate Candlemas Day. It occurs 40 days after Christmas Day. This feast is also known as the Feast of the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple & the Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
During Mass candles will be blessed by the Priest for use during the year in the Church & in the homes of the faithful.
Candles may be handed into either Farran or Ovens Church before Wednesday. They will be blessed at Mass on Wednesday morning.
Feast of St. Blaise
This Thursday, 3rd February, we celebrate the Feast of St. Blaise. He is the patron saint of those who suffer from sore throats.
On this Feast Day over the years we would have had the Blessing of Throats. Unfortunately, this year once again it will not be possible to go to each person individually to bless their throat. However, the Blessing of throats will be given, from the altar, at the end of the 9.30am Mass in Farran on Thurs morning.
ÁR DTEANGA FÉIN
“Anois teacht an Earraigh
beidh an lá dul chun shineadh
Is tar éis Lá Fhéile Bríde
Ardaigh mé mo sheol”.
Antoine Ó Raifteirí
Now that Spring is here, the day will grow longer
And after St. Brigid’s Day, I will set sail”.
MEDJUGORJE PILGRIMAGE
7 night pilgrimage to Medjugorje.
Departure on 25th May to Mostar Airport.
30 minute bus drive to Medjugorje.
Group Leader: Gerald Madden, Timoleague.
Spiritual Director: Fr. Paddy Hickey.
If a deposit is paid before 1st February, you will get €50 off.
For further information ring Gerald on: 086 3666514.
MASS CONTRIBUTIONS
Sincere thanks to all parishioners for their generous donations, in the now various forms using “Easypay” Online, Direct Debits, and, of course, the Cash and Envelope Systems, as well as envelopes returned from neighbouring churches.
It is normal practice at this time of year to inform parishioners of the donations towards church expenses. Because of the Covid sequence of Mass restrictions, a monthly analysis does not give credit to the generous contributions made at various times through the various systems. Instead, the total annual donations is a better picture of the generosity of the parishioners.
2019 €76,362
2020 €55,701
2021 €68,709
The new year has started with a more normal approach to church activity, and with God’s help, we hope it continues. The online facility in both churches is greatly appreciated by parishioners ‘at home and abroad’, for all the ceremonies they cannot attend in person.
Again thanks to all our parishioners for their generosity, it is truly greatly appreciated.
CRITICISM
CONSTRUCTIVE/DESTRUCTIVE
There are two brands of criticism: constructive & destructive.
The same words may be used in giving both, but it is the tone of voice, rising from the well within us, that makes them helpful or hurtful.
Constructive criticism is like scaffolding:
It supports us as we build better and higher or mend what has been damaged.
Destructive criticism can undermine us: it robs our confidence, blunts our ambitions, it cramps would-be champs.
Lord Jesus, you know that criticism can crucify us as surely as hammer and nails.
Deliver us from the “hurler on the ditch” who finds fault with everything and everybody but never lifts a hand to help.
Teach us to think before we speak, to encourage good efforts, to high-light what is positive and to co-operate in correcting what is faulty.
Amen.
ANNIVERSARIES 5TH/6TH FEBRUARY
Ovens:
7.30pm: Ann O’Mahony, Grange (1st Anniversary)
11.30am: Humphrey O’Callaghan, Kilcrea (1st Anniversary)
Farran:
6pm: Denis Cronin, Grange & Dripsey Cross (1st Anniversary)
9.30am: Margaret McCarthy, Aglish (1st Anniversary)
May they Rest in Peace.
RECENTLY DECEASED
Gerard Deasy, Aherlamore
May he Rest in Peace.
RECENT BAPTISMS
Gracie May Smith Twomey, Farran
Chloe Gráinne & Aaron Liam Dillon, Grange Manor
Éabha Grace Donnellan, Dublin
We congratulate them and their parents & we welcome them to the Parish Family.