Mass intentions for the week from 27th March 2021

Because of government Covid-19 pandemic restrictions, at the moment, we cannot have a congregation in the Churches for public worship. Instead, all Masses will be streamed online, at the times for the temporary schedule during the pandemic, except that Saturday evening Vigil Masses will be combined into one Mass at 7pm (9pm Easter Vigil on Easter Saturday night), and Sunday Masses will be combined into one Mass at 10.30am. If anybody prefers to change an anniversary or other booking in the context of this situation, that will be no problem.

St Joseph’s Church in Kinvara and St Colman’s Church in Ballinderreen remain open throughout each day for personal prayer. Please sanitise your hands on the way in and out, and maintain physical distancing if there is anybody else in the Church at the time.

Saturday 27th March, 7pm: Paddy Brady, Lakefield, Gort, Months Mind;

Mike and Mary Lynch, Ballybuck, anniversary.

Sunday 28th March, 10.30am: Michael Joe and Nora Mai Murphy, Keansella, anniversary;

Eileen Gallagher, 16th anniversary, and Suzie Gallagher, 20th anniversary, Achill and Cloughballymore House;

Tommy, Mary Ann, Martin, and Paddy Kelly, Cappaghmore, anniversary.

Tuesday 30th March, 7pm: People of Ballinderreen Parish.

Wednesday 31st March, 7pm: Mass.

Holy Thursday 1st April, 7pm: People of Kinvara Parish.

Good Friday 2nd April: No Mass. 12 noon: Stations of the Cross – video filmed around the parishes; 3pm: Celebration of the Lord’s Passion; 7pm: Stations of the Cross – live from Church.

Holy Saturday 3rd April (Easter Vigil), 9pm: Joe Keane, The Cottage, 5th anniversary.

Easter Sunday 4th April, 10.30am: Willie Kavanagh, Mountscribe, 1st anniversary, and his daughter Joan, 24th anniversary;

Eileen Moran, Cartron, 2nd anniversary;

Martin & Mary Linnane, Inishrue, anniversary;

Vincent & Mary Costello, Mulrook, anniversary.

 

Mass intentions for the week from 20th March 2021

Because of government Covid-19 pandemic restrictions, at the moment, we cannot have a congregation in the Churches for public worship. Instead, all Masses will be streamed online, at the times for the temporary schedule during the pandemic, except that Saturday evening Vigil Masses will be combined into one Mass at 7pm, and Sunday Masses will be combined into one Mass at 10.30am. If anybody prefers to change an anniversary or other booking in the context of this situation, that will be no problem.

St Joseph’s Church in Kinvara and St Colman’s Church in Ballinderreen remain open throughout each day for personal prayer. Please sanitise your hands on the way in and out, and maintain physical distancing if there is anybody else in the Church at the time.

Saturday 20th March, 7pm: Peter & Annie Deely and their daughters Christina and Margaret, Loughcurra, anniversary.

Sunday 21st March, 10.30am: Michael Hastings, Crushoa, Months Mind;

Seán Regan, Mulrook and Ballyfarnon, Co. Roscommon, 1st anniversary;

Mary Hanrahan, Tubber, 8th anniversary;

Michael & Marlyn Fordham, Ballinderreen, and the deceased members of the Fordham and Gilboy families, anniversary.

Tuesday 23rd March, 7pm: Patrick Casey, Craughwell, and deceased family members, anniversary.

Wednesday 24th March, 7pm: People of Ballinderreen Parish.

Thursday 25th March, 7pm: People of Kinvara Parish.

Friday 26th March, 7pm: Mass.

Saturday 27th March, 7pm: Paddy Brady, Lakefield, Gort, Months Mind;

Mike and Mary Lynch, Ballybuck, anniversary.

Sunday 28th March, 10.30am: Michael Joe and Nora Mai Murphy, Keansella, anniversary;

Eileen Gallagher, 16th anniversary, and Suzie Gallagher, 20th anniversary, Achill and Cloughballymore House.

Scripture readings for Saint Patrick’s Day Mass

The Mass on St Patrick’s Day, 17th March 2021 will be celebrated at 10.30am, online only. Mass will be celebrated as Gaeilge, except for the homily, which will be in English. For those who would like to follow the readings in English, here are the readings in English, if you wish to print them out or follow them on your device while they are being read:

First Reading 

Ecclesiasticus 39:6-10

A reading from the Book of Ecclesiasticus

If it is the will of the great Lord,

he will be filled with the spirit of understanding,

he will shower forth words of wisdom,

and in prayer give thanks to the Lord.

He will grow upright in purpose and learning,

he will ponder the Lord’s hidden mysteries.

He will display the instruction he has received,

taking his pride in the Law of the Lord’s covenant.

Many will praise his understanding,

and it will never be forgotten.

His memory will not disappear,

generation after generation his name will live.

Nations will proclaim his wisdom,

the assembly will celebrate his praises.

The word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God

 

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 116 (117)

R/ Go out to the whole world and proclaim the Good News.

O praise the Lord, all you nations,

acclaim him all you peoples!

R/

Strong is his love for us;

he is faithful for ever.

R/

 

Second reading

2 Timothy 4:1-8

A reading from the Second Letter of Paul to Timothy

Before God and before Christ Jesus who is to be judge of the living and the dead, I put this duty to you, in the name of his Appearing and of his kingdom: proclaim the message and, welcome or unwelcome, insist on it. Refute falsehood, correct error, call to obedience – but do all with patience and with the intention of teaching. The time is sure to come when, far from being content with sound teaching, people will be avid for the latest novelty and collect themselves a whole series of teachers according to their own tastes; and then, instead of listening to the truth, they will turn to myths. Be careful always to choose the right course; be brave under trials; make the preaching of the Good News your life’s work, in thoroughgoing service.

As for me, my life is already being poured away as a libation, and the time has come for me to be gone. I have fought the good fight to the end; I have run the race to the finish; I have kept the faith; all there is to come now is the crown of righteousness reserved for me, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give to me on that Day; and not only to me but to all those who have longed for his Appearing.

The word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

Gospel Acclamation                                                                                        

Praise and honour to you, Lord Jesus!

Go, make disciples of all nations, says the Lord.

Look, I will be with you always, to the end of the world.

Praise and honour to you, Lord Jesus!

Gospel

Matthew 13:24-32

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew

Glory to you, O Lord.

Jesus put another parable before the crowds: ‘The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field. While everybody was asleep his enemy came, sowed darnel all among the wheat, and made off. When the new wheat sprouted and ripened, the darnel appeared as well. The owner’s servants went to him and said, “Sir, was it not good seed that you sowed in your field? If so, where does the darnel come from?” “Some enemy has done this” he answered. And the servants said, “Do you want us to go and weed it out?” But he said, “No, because when you weed out the darnel you might pull up the wheat with it. Let them both grow till the harvest; and at harvest time I shall say to the reapers: First collect the darnel and tie it in bundles to be burnt, then gather the wheat into my barn.”’

He put another parable before them: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed which a man took and sowed in his field. It is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it has grown it is the biggest shrub of all and becomes a tree so that the birds of the air come and shelter in its branches.’

The Gospel of the Lord.

Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ.

St Patrick’s Day 2021

Mass for St Patrick’s Day will be online only, at 10.30am on Wednesday 17th March 2021. (No evening Mass that day.) The Mass will be celebrated as Gaeilge, with the homily in English. The English version of the readings will be posted on the Facebook page and website for those who would like to read them in English during the Mass.

Mass intentions for the week from 13th March 2021

Because of government Covid-19 pandemic restrictions, at the moment, we cannot have a congregation in the Churches for public worship. Instead, all Masses will be streamed online, at the times for the temporary schedule during the pandemic, except that Saturday evening Vigil Masses will be combined into one Mass at 7pm, and Sunday Masses will be combined into one Mass at 10.30am. If anybody prefers to change an anniversary or other booking in the context of this situation, that will be no problem.

St Joseph’s Church in Kinvara and St Colman’s Church in Ballinderreen remain open throughout each day for personal prayer. Please sanitise your hands on the way in and out, and maintain physical distancing if there is anybody else in the Church at the time.

Saturday 13th March, 7pm: Dr Vivian Greene, Kinvara, anniversary;

John Joe Ryder, Cahercon, anniversary.

Sunday 14th March, 10.30am: Martha Neylon, Traught and Oranmore, Months Mind;

Teresa Linnane, Funshin, Months Mind;

Margaret & Michael Hynes and their daughter Mary Kinnane, Mulrook, anniversary;

Anna Quinn, Ballinderreen, anniversary;

Bridget Fogarty, Ballinderreen, 3rd anniversary, and Julia & James Flaherty, Ballinderreen, anniversary.

Tuesday 16th March, 7pm: Mrs Gerry Greene, Kinvara, anniversary.

St Patrick’s Day, Wednesday 17th March, 10.30am: People of Ballinderreen Parish.

Thursday 18th March, 7pm: People of Kinvara Parish

Feast of Saint Joseph, Friday 19th March, 7pm: Nora Keane, Aughinish and the deceased members of her family, anniversary.

Saturday 20th March, 7pm: Peter & Annie Deely and their daughters Christina and Margaret, Loughcurra, anniversary.

Sunday 21st March, 10.30am: Michael Hastings, Crushoa, Months Mind;

Seán Regan, Mulrook and Ballyfarnon, Co. Roscommon, 1st anniversary;

Mary Hanrahan, Tubber, 8th anniversary;

Michael & Marlyn Fordham, Ballinderreen, and the deceased members of the Fordham and Gilboy families, anniversary.

 

Support Options

Sharing this information on supports available, at the request of Gort Resource Centre. The lockdown situation brings up various pressures for people, so it is good to know what is available.

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Mass intentions for the week from 6th March 2021

Because of government Covid-19 pandemic restrictions, at the moment, we cannot have a congregation in the Churches for public worship. Instead, all Masses will be streamed online, at the times for the temporary schedule during the pandemic, except that Saturday evening Vigil Masses will be combined into one Mass at 7pm, and Sunday Masses will be combined into one Mass at 10.30am. If anybody prefers to change an anniversary or other booking in the context of this situation, that will be no problem.

St Joseph’s Church in Kinvara and St Colman’s Church in Ballinderreen remain open throughout each day for personal prayer. Please sanitise your hands on the way in and out, and maintain physical distancing if there is anybody else in the Church at the time.

Saturday 6th March, 7pm: Vincent Keane, Cartron, anniversary;

Angela Callanan, Convent Park, anniversary;

Michael and Margaret McCormack, Parkroe, anniversary;

Michael Lyons, Toureen, anniversary.

Sunday 7th March, 10.30am: Michael Organ, Toureen, Months Mind;

Patrick Linnane, Clough Road, anniversary;

P.J. & Kathleen Larkin, Aran, anniversary;

Bertie Helebert, Clough, anniversary;

Michael Barry, Cartron, anniversary.

Tuesday 9th March, 7pm: Special Intention.

Wednesday 10th March, 7pm: People of Ballinderreen Parish.

Thursday 11th March, 7pm: Pádraig & Bridget Diviney, Raheen, Gort, anniversary.

Friday 12th March, 7pm: People of Kinvara Parish.

Saturday 13th March, 7pm: Dr Vivian Greene, Kinvara, anniversary;

John Joe Ryder, Cahercon, anniversary.

Sunday 14th March, 10.30am: Martha Neylon, Traught and Oranmore, Months Mind;

Margaret & Michael Hynes and their daughter Mary Kinnane, Mulrook, anniversary;

Anna Quinn, Ballinderreen, anniversary.

Pastoral Message from the Bishops of the West of Ireland

Here is the pastoral message issued on 3rd March 2021 by the Bishops of the West of Ireland about the current Covid-19 pandemic situation:

Dear Parishioners, brother Priests and Deacons, Religious and Friends

Covid-19: A Year On
This week we mark the first anniversary of the appearance of the Covid-19 pandemic in Ireland. As we consider how this has touched our parish communities, particularly given the tragic loss of so many lives, we wish to share some thoughts with you, the people of the six Dioceses of the Tuam Province.

Further to Climb
Many of us will be familiar with the experience of arriving at what we thought was the top of a mountain only to discover that there is still further to climb. Sometimes the last bit can be the hardest of all. We understand the experience of disappointment and frustration that many people feel, at the news of an indefinite extension of lockdown. We are delighted, however, that children have the opportunity to return to school and we wish them and their teachers every blessing.

Until we are all “Ok”
All of us appreciate the efforts and the sacrifices of those in our community who provide essential services. For many people, however, the continued high level of restriction poses practical and emotional challenges. We want to say very clearly that, in the Christian vision of things, every person is essential and no person is more important or necessary than any other. When we pray the Stations of the Cross, we celebrate people like Veronica, who wiped the face of Jesus and Simon of Cyrene who shared with Him the burden of the cross. None of us can say “I’m ok” until we are all “ok”.

Serving the Common Good and Supporting Restrictions
As Church leaders, we have consistently supported the public health restrictions on the grounds that they serve the common good. The state has a particular responsibility for the common good and, on that basis, the Church teaches that Catholics must obey the law unless it is manifestly unjust or immoral. That does not mean that we cannot or should not speak out when we believe that something seems unfair or could be done better. We have consistently made representations, not only for the timely reopening of the public pastoral life of the Church, but also for better protection for elderly residents in nursing homes, for equity in the delivery of critical care in our hospitals and for a fair distribution of vaccines both in our own society and in the wider world.

Difficulties with “Covid-19 Resilience and Recovery 2021: The Path Ahead”
We recognise the need for prudence and caution at the present time, in the light of the terrible loss of life in January and February, and we accept absolutely that now is not the time for a major reopening of society. We have carefully considered the five stage plan “Covid-19 Resilience and Recovery 2021: The Path Ahead”, published by the Government last week.

There are two things in this plan which we find very difficult to support.

One of those is the fact that at level 5, all funerals are still limited to 10 people. We believe that a modest increase to 25 would, without compromising safety, bring much consolation to grieving families.

Our second concern is that public worship is still excluded even at level 3. This would suggest that we may not have the opportunity to celebrate Mass together for months to come. It ignores the important contribution of communal worship to the mental and spiritual well-being of people of faith. The fundamental importance of Holy Week and Easter for all Christians, makes the prohibition of public worship particularly painful. While, as Christians, we are obliged to obey these regulations, we believe that it is our responsibility as Church leaders to make the case for change. We will continue to make fair and reasonable representation and we encourage you to do likewise. 

Sacraments of First Communion and Confirmation
In so far as the Government plan currently offers no clarity about when we might expect to return to public Sacramental life, we find it difficult to have any confidence that the Sacraments of First Communion and Confirmation can be celebrated before the end of the present school year. As of now, we have decided to defer the Sacrament of Confirmation for the 2021 class until the Autumn, and we encourage our parishes to consider doing the same in relation to First Holy Communion. Should the circumstances change for the better, this decision can be revisited in each diocese.  In the meantime, we encourage young people and their parents to continue with their preparation. We have provided online resources to support what is being done through the Religious Education programme with the teachers in the schools.

Continuing Pastoral and Sacramental Care
Bearing all of the foregoing in mind, it is also important for us to do as much as we can within the current restrictions to provide pastoral and sacramental care to our parishioners.  Experience teaches us that with suitable precautions, the individual celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation is possible, as is the sacramental care of the sick. These, together with various other pastoral initiatives, can supplement the various online outreaches that have proved so helpful and successful.

Towards Easter 2021
God’s love for us is revealed in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, who shared our human condition, with all its joys and sorrows. As his disciples today, we can have confidence in his promise to be with us always, even to the end of time. During this season of Lent, He walks the way of the cross with us and we journey in hope towards the joy of sharing in his Resurrection which, one way or another, we will celebrate together at Easter.

Sincerely in Christ,

+Michael Neary (Archbishop of Tuam)

+Brendan Kelly (Bishop of Galway)

+John Fleming (Bishop of Killala)

+Kevin Doran (Bishop of Elphin)

+Michael Duignan (Bishop of Clonfert)

+Paul Dempsey (Bishop of Achonry)