ANNIVERSARIES

Baby Jack Byrne, Mass this Sunday at 11am.

Jody Doyle, Mass next Saturday.

John Foley & Tommy Carroll, Mass next Sunday at 9am.

Eileen Murphy, Mass next Sunday at 11am.

Please also pray for the repose of the soul of Lar Fitzharris, Ballycullane, who died during the week and was buried today, Saturday. And for Betty Sutton who is to be buried tomorrow, Sunday.

May they all rest in the peace of Christ. Amen.

ALTAR SOCIETY

This Week: (2) Margaret Bates, Anna O'Regan & Diane O'Hara.

Next Week: (3) Anne O'Connor, Mamie Murphy, Peggy Colfer & Jacqueline O'Grady.

EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS

This Week: (2) Dora Kent, Ann French & Margaret Colfer.

Next Week: (1) Martin Kennedy, Diane O'Hara & Margaret Colfer.

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK

The gospel tells us that Jesus went into a lonely place to pray. The lonely place enabled him to keep focused. But above all, it was during these hours of solitude that he maintained and fostered the most important thing in his life - his relationship with the Father. Here lies the secret of his successful ministry. The most beneficial prayer of all is just to be in the presence of God, without saying or doing anything. Just to sit in his presence, as one might sit by a fire. Most people get their sense of self-worth from doing. Their value as persons depends on their usefulness. They don't know how to cope with idleness and stillness. The result is that their lives can be shallow and superficial. On the other hand, when we immerse ourselves in the quiet and stillness of God's presence, our projects lose their power over us and we experience our true worth, which consists not in doing but in being. The most important way to love God is simply to be in his presence, just taking care of God himself. A lot of people tend to equate love of God with social action. Of course prayer can become a selfish thing. It can be a cop-out and an escape. But so too can work. Work can be a cop-out from prayer, from seeking God. And without prayer it can easily become totally self-directed, self-propelled, rather than inspired by God. We can lose ourselves in work. But we can also find ourselves in work. This is why we need a lonely place in our lives. We need to learn from the example of Jesus how to combine action and contemplation. Going away is not escaping, but leads to re-engagement. There is a time to give and a time to receive. For a healthy life we need to take care of both.

REFLECTION

(A lonely place)

Jesus often went off to a lonely place to pray. Yet the same Jesus who prayed in lonely places said, 'When you pray, go into your room, and pray to your Father in secret.' This means that the lonely place is not necessarily a place far away, or that by 'room' he means four walls that separate us physically from others. The room is the room of our innermost heart. This room is with us at all times. We should make it a place to which we can go to find rest and spiritual recovery when the world is too much with us. Then we will discover that the inner room is not empty after all, but is occupied by the God of love who dwells in us all.

PRAYER FOR THE WEEK

Merciful God, help us to learn from your son, who shows us your compassion in the face of human suffering, and how to combine action and contemplation. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

CAMROSS PASSION PLAY,

On Saturday 10th March 2012, in O'Reilly Theatre, Wexford Opera House.

As part of the 50th International Eucharistic Congress, which takes place next June, the Camross Passion Play will be performed in Wexford Opera House on Saturday 10th March 2012.  Early booking advisable - phone (053)9122144 - Wexford Opera House -

www.wexfordoperahouse.ie/

The Play is based on the world famous Oberammergau script and Camross first performed it in 2000 and then 2005. The group travelled to Oberammergau in 2010 to see the performance in the little German town where the Passion Play is world famous and performed only once every 10 years. The Play depicts the suffering, death and resurrection of Our Lord and is the greatest story ever told.

DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES 2012

The 44th Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes will take place this year from 17-22 May.  This is a time and opportunity when the whole Diocese - whether at home or in Lourdes, join as a family in prayer for all their special intentions and thanksgivings. Due to "current times" this year's Pilgrimage has to be a smaller one all round.  

The number of Invalid places will be less and Hospitality too. Early booking (end of February) is essential in all areas of  the Pilgrimage…..Invalid, Hospitality, General Pilgrim. Invalid booking forms will be in all Parishes this coming weekend.

Please contact O'Leary's Travel Ltd, 3 Main Street, Enniscorthy, Co Wexford Tel 053-9233178.

LOURDES RETREAT

The Annual Lourdes Retreat will be held in St. John of God Retreat Centre, Ballyvaloo  Sunday, 5th February - contact Breda, 087 6737601. Mass for Deceased Members of Hospitality and medal ceremony will be celebrated on Friday, 24th Feb. in Clonard.

OUR LADY OF LOURDES

(Feastday - Saturday)

EUCHARISTIC CONGREESS PRAYER

Lord Jesus, You were sent by the Father to gather together those who are scattered. You came among us, doing good and bringing healing, announcing the word of salvation and giving the bread which lasts forever. Be our companion on life's pilgrim way. May your Holy Spirit inflame our hearts, enliven our hope and open our minds, so that together with our brothers and sisters in faith we may recognise you in the scriptures and in the breaking of bread. May your Holy Spirit transform us into one body and lead us to walk humbly on the earth, in justice and love, as witnesses of our resurrection. In communion with Mary, whom you gave to us as our Mother at the foot of the cross, through you may all praise, honour and blessing be to the Father in the Holy Spirit and in the church, now and forever. Amen.

COCKLESHELL GALLERY

We're delighted to say that our 2012 Visual Arts Programme will commence on Sunday 19th February at 3pm, with ClassArt 2012. This exhibition will show the works carried out by the night-time art students of 2011 in Duncannon and Ramsgrange, under the guidance of dedicated tutors Eileen Cloney and  Catherine Power. The exhibition will be officially launched by Visual Artist Danny Brennan. With prices starting from €60, this is a fantastic time to support local artists and get that special gift for Mothers Day (18th March). Admission is free and everyone is invited.

We are now taking names for our

Dance and Drama Workshop

which will run from Tuesday 10th April  'til Friday 13^th from 11am to 2pm, each day. €45 per participant, or €40 each if two or more participate from same family.  Tutors: Hanrahan School of Arts. This event is for 5 to 13 year olds.  Please express an interest by     replying to; cockleshellartscentre@eircom.net

KAVANAGH SCHOOL OF MUSIC

Nóra Kavanagh (M.A., B.A. Mus, ALCM, TTCT) School of Music is now offering music tuition in the Duncannon area. Tuition is available on a variety of instruments including; Tin whistle & Traditional Irish Flute. All ages & grades catered for. Pupils are trained to a high standard of musicianship including all-Ireland/Diploma/London College of Music/Junior & Leaving Cert. practical levels. Enrolments & enquires to (087) 414 8116.

RAMSGRANGE ACTIVE RETIREMENT

Friday mornings;

Line Dancing - 10.30am to 11.30am at St. Louis Day Care Centre, Ramsgrange cost €5.

Monday 6th February 

Monthly Meeting

2pm at St. Louis Day Care Centre, Ramsgrange. New Members welcome. Come along and meet old friends and new.

Friday 17th February;

Annual Dinner Dance in Brandon House Hotel, New Ross. Music by Jim Barnwell. Tickets €25. Contact Kelly 051-593836. For more info call Julie at 051-388209.

WISE WORDS

1. Do what you can, with what you've got, wherever you are!

2. Common sense is what tells us that the earth is flat and the sun goes around it!

3. Everyone has talent at 25. The difficulty is to have it at 50!