“To one he gave five talents, to another two, to a third one; each in proportion to

his ability.”

PARISH NEWSLETTER

19th November 2017.

Kindle in us the fire of your love

Every year the editors of the Oxford Dictionary update the text with new entries.

“Audist” is one of the latest entries, meaning one who considers themselves to be a

good listener. A word I came across recently is “smooring.” It refers to stirring a fire

in a way that will keep the embers glowing until morning. But this is not a new word!

Its origin is from the Irish word, ‘Smáladh’ that is part of a Celtic poem / prayer:

“I smoor the fire this night / As the Son of Mary would smoor it. / The compassion of

God be on my fire / The compassion of God, on all my household.” The words of the

poem / prayer evoke a desire to protect and love those in our care and those who depend

on us for the most basic needs of life. The Celtic tradition had mindfulness of God’s

pervasive present in the symbol of fire, possibly going back to St. Patrick, when he lit

the Paschal Fire on the Hill of Tara in defiance, against the orders of the pagan king.

With central heating just a flick of a switch away from us or controlled by an APP on

our mobile phones, there is no ‘smooring’ of the open hearth today! However there is

plenty to ‘smoor’ in our hearts: the fires of compassion, empathy, understanding,

welcome, forgiveness, patience and respect are under constant threat of growing cold

through careless indifference. Today’s Gospel invites us ‘to be faithful in small

things’, like kindling a kindness of genuine love and acceptance in our hearts, that at

times grows cold with apathy and sarcasm. How easy it is to freeze people out, with a

withering look, a harsh word, a frosty silence. May our dependence on and awareness

of God’s mercy be the ‘smooring’ we need to keep the embers of the Gospel way of

mercy and compassion alive in our hearts.

“I save this fire, as noble Christ saves; Mary on the top of the house and Brigid in its

centre; The eight strongest angels in heaven Preserving this house and keeping its

people safe.” …..See: Celtic prayers and reflections by Jenny Chide.

John Cullen

Mass Intentions for this week-end & the coming Week.

Saturday: 7:00 pm Vigil Mass

Sunday: 10:30 am 12:15 pm

Tom Mongan (Month’s Mind) Tom Roughneen (Month’s Mind)

8:00 am 10:30 am

Monday: Holy Souls Mary Kenny

Tuesday: Elizabeth Gillooly Thomas Murren & deceased of

Murren & McGarry families

Wednesday: Holy Souls John & Catherine Carr

Thursday Rogie Brown & deceased family James Flanagan

Friday: Holy Souls Lena & James Igoe and deceased

family & Helen O’Sullivan

9:30 am 7:00 pm Saturday: Vincent Kyne Mary Wilson (1st Anniversary)

Sunday: 10:30 am Margaret Patricia Crosbie (1st Anniversary)

12:15 pm Mary Teresa Finnegan (1st Anniversary)

We also remember Nora & William Siggins, Michael McNiff, William Nally, Winnie King & Brendan

Kelly whose anniversaries occur around this time.

RECENT DEATHS: Please pray for the happy repose of the souls of

Louis George, Dromore, Omagh, Co. Tyrone, father of Marie George Stewart, Court Avenue:

Angela McHugh, Park View, Lisnamult: Jimmy O’Kelly, Galway Road. We offer sincere

sympathy and the assurance of our prayers to their bereaved families and friends.

Encounter with the Living God Seminar: Do you know Jesus in a personal way? Do you experience

the presence of the Holy Spirit in your life? Do you know what is at the heart of our Christian Faith? Discover a true personal encounter with the living God. This seminar for evangelization is modelled on the early Christian catechumenate along with modern methods of evangelization. Venue: Alexian Brothers, Knock. Dates: Friday 1st at 7p.m until Sunday 3rd December 12p.m Mass. Speaker: Fr. John Egan. Booking

Essential: eileenboden55@gmail.com

Church Calendar, 2018: Is being prepared for next year. If there are any voluntary Groups or

Organisations who would like to be included or change their existing contact details, please

phone Parish Office as soon as possible. Tel: 090 66 26298.

AUTUMN STATIONS: We would welcome invitations from families to have station Masses in their homes over the

next few weeks. We would especially like to have Masses in those areas where there have not been station Masses for

some time. Again we would like to emphasise that a cup of tea/biscuit is all that is expected. To book a station, please

phone Parish Office on 090 66 26298 or contact any of the Clergy.

ROSARY FOR HOLY SOULS WILL BE RECITED IN ST. COMAN’S CEMETERY EACH

SUNDAY DURING THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER @ 4 PM. All welcome!

On Wednesdays at 8 pm in the Parochial House, Cloverhill.

Contact 090 66 26275.

PERMANENT ADORERS URGENTLY REQUIRED: For the Blessed Sacrament Chapel to

cover Mondays 1 - 2 am, Wednesdays 4 - 5 am & Saturdays 8 - 9 am. As we have been looking

for some time for Adorers for above hours, you might please consider doing one hour per week in

the Blessed Sacrament Chapel. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated, please phone Parish

Office on 090 66 26298 or contact any of the Clergy.

MASS: For deceased members of staff of ESB Lanesborough will be held in ESB Sports and Social Clubhouse on Wednesday 22nd November @ 8 p.m.

ROSARY: During the month of November fifteen decades of the Rosary will be recited on

Wednesday mornings at 9.20 am for the Pope's Intention. Pope's Intention: Christians in Asia. That

Christians in Asia, bearing witness to the Gospel in word and deed, may promote dialogue. peace and

mutual understanding especially with those of other religions

Roscommon Branch of Apostolic Workers – Elphin Diocese. The branch would like to remind all that their Annual Display takes place at all weekend Masses on

this Sat 18th / Sun 19th November. On display at the Church entrance will be numerous items of

religious goods together with a price list of the items. November is a special month when we

remember our loved ones who have died and this is a wonderful opportunity to recognise their lives

by selecting a sacred vessel and having it inscribed with their name, show it to friends and finally

send it to a missionary so that they will be remembered in the sacrifice of the Mass or other prayers.

Also there are other items to select to commemorate a special occasion such as an anniversary or a

retirement. Please sponsor an item as a gift in thanksgiving for blessings received and prayers

answered. Members will be in attendance to assist and offer advice. God will repay your generosity,

as sacred vessels are urgently needed on the Missions .

ADVENT GROUPS: There will be a Meeting for Facilitators of these Groups on

Tuesday next 21st November @ 7 pm in St. Coman’s Club. Welcome!

An Evening of Prayer and Healing with Eddie Stones of Clonfert will take place at the Divine

Word Missionary Church, Donamon, Co. Roscommon on Friday 24th November at 7 pm sharp. Also a

first class relic of St. Faustina of the Divine Mercy will be on display. All are welcome.

Team Hope Shoebox Appeal is a great opportunity to give a Christmas Shoebox gift to a child

struggling in poverty or with the effects of conflict in Eastern Europe or Africa. A shoebox filled with goodies

bring hope, lots of joy and excited laughter. To fill a shoebox put in an item like copy/colouring book with pencils/

crayons. Toothpaste/toothbrush, hair brush or hair bands etc. A toy like a ball, small game, musical instruments. A

hat/scarf. Finally some sweets. If you are not in a position to do a shoebox perhaps you could give some of the

above items or maybe you have some cuddly toys in good condition. Contact Jean at 086 3399430.

ROSCOMMON CANCER SUPPORT: Next Meeting for anyone whose life has been affected by

cancer in some way (past or present) will take place on Monday 27th November @ 7 pm in Vita

House, Abbey Street.

CREATIVE MINDFULNESS CLASSES FOR CHILDREN / ADULTS With Psychologist Louise

Shanagher every Monday at Sensory Me, Goff St., Roscommon. For more details, please

contact Fíona or Louise on 085 735 4662.

ALTAR SOCIETY: Group iv is scheduled for the coming week.

THE KINGDOM OF THE DIVINE WILL: An introduction to the servant of God Luisa

Piccarreta and living in the Divine Will on 4th December 12 midday—6 pm in Hannon’s Hotel,

Athlone Road, Roscommon. An afternoon of talks by International speaker Tony Hickey, followed by

Mass at 3 pm. Donation €10. All welcome. For more information contact 087 235 6576.

ROSCOMMON DRAMA GROUP Takes to the stage next Thursday 23rd, Friday 24th and

Saturday 25th November performing 3 one-act plays each night. We looking forward

to seeing you and thank you for your continued support.

BIRDWATCH—LAST MEETING CANCELLED RE-ARRANGED FOR THURSDAY 30TH NOV. HANNON’S HOTEL.

The Friendship Circle: - Everyone is welcome along to The Friendship Circle in The Core, Roscommon

Town (corner of Church St. & Abbey St.) for games, food, music and craic every Sunday from 4—6 pm.

KNIT & BAKE SALE: On Friday 24th November 10:30 am—2 pm in The Melting Pot

Community Space (opposite Melting Pot Shop). Handmade Christmas decorations and raffle. All proceeds to ‘Niamh’s Journey.’ RHS HOME CARE: Recruiting new Healthcare Assistants in Roscommon area. Applicants must have the required Fetac/QQI level 5 (two modules completed care skills and care of the older person). Please email CV to jobs@rhshomecare.ie or call Aoife on 090 66 25988.

DEMENTIA INFORMATION EVENING: In the Clayton Hotel (previously Clarion Hotel),

Sligo Town on Thursday 30th November at 8 pm. Home Instead Senior Care, in partnership

with the Alzheimer Society of Ireland and Callan Tansey Solicitors, invites you to a free

information evening for anyone directly or indirectly affected by Dementia / Alzheimers.

You will be able to listen to a number of speakers, ask questions or chat one to one with any

of the panel.. This is a Free Event, but it is advisable to RSVP by 28th November to 071

931 7051. Refreshments will be served on the night.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ A NOVEMBER PRAYER:

As we journey through the days of November, we pray and we remember all those who have died and

those who are grieving the death of someone close and dear to them. Let us ask God for the grace to

treasure and cherish the gift of life and love that blesses us every day. We pray for all our loved ones,

knowing that they are not absent from our lives, but forever present to us in a newer and closer bond.

(Please call their names as part of this prayer…) We pray for those who died and did not have a last

word, a final hug and a loving embrace with us. We believe that we will meet again in the plan of God,

who has a kind purpose for each one of us. For those who are on a journey of grief: May they know

the comforting and healing presence of the Lord, who drew close to Martha and Mary in their tears,

sadness and loss. For all who are lonely and for those afraid of the future: May we be aware, that all of

us, living and dead are now in God's presence - who shares with us a lavish love that is full of promise

and peace. (John Cullen)

Last Sunday’s Offertory Collection: €3,233.55

Family Circle: €259.00 Prizes: €200.00 Thank You