PRAYER TO ST. MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL

(Recited at the end of the Rosary in the church before Mass)

St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in our hour of need; be our safeguard against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God restrain him, we humbly pray: and do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host, by the power of God cast Satan down to hell, and all wicked spirits who wander through the world for the ruin of souls. Amen.

ANNIVERSARIES

Anastasia Knox, Mass this Saturday.

Alice Jones, Mass Tuesday evening.

Sonny and Kathleen Culleton, Mass Wednesday at 10am.

Kathleen and Nicky O’Connor, Mass next Saturday.

Mary Butler, Mass next Sunday at 9am.

Please also pray for the repose of the soul of Edward Joyce, whose anniversary occurs about this time.

May they all rest in peace. Amen.

ALTAR SOCIETY

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

Next Week: (4) Ann Wallace, Bernadette Byrne, Ciss Wallace & Catherine Ennis.

EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS

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

Next Week: (3) Peter Hanley, Diane O'Hara & Margaret Colfer.

EVENING OF PRAYER

The Diocesan Clergy Choir in communion with the Sisters of Adoration would like to invite you to join them for the singing of Evening Prayer on Sunday, 14th March at 5pm in Bride St. Church, Wexford.  The prayer is principally for an increase in vocations, and has been organised by the Ferns Vocations Team.

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK 

The story in today’s gospel is told in so many different ways in our own lives, in our growing up and coming to terms with the joys and struggles of life as we find it. We can detect traces of both brothers in our makeup. There are shades of the younger one in the wildness of rebellious youth, which wants to grab all and try everything that is forbidden. Like the unforgiving older brother who was harsh and revelled in resentment we harbour hatreds, cling to grudges and nurse grievances. In our mean–spiritedness it is easy to become judgemental, lack compassion and forget that a heart without mercy is a heart without love. The father in the story is the picture of God, all the time watching, waiting and reaching out in love to his erring children with extraordinary warm hearted forgiveness. There are no words to describe God’s goodness and how his presence gives courage and dignity to broken lives. The parable challenges us to act like the Father and let people see in our own lives something of what God is like.

PRAYER FOR THE WEEK

Lord God, you reveal your power most of all in your forgiveness and compassion. Fill us with your grace so that we may walk with joy in the way of your commandments. We make this prayer through Christ our Lord. Amen.

ENVELOPES

The envelope contributions, which go towards the upkeep of the Church, for last weekend were €333 for which I thank you.

MASS TIMES

Mass times for St. Patrick’s Day are as follows; Vigil, Tuesday, 7pm and Wednesday, 10am (one Mass).

ST PATRICK

Patron of Ireland

Feastday - Wednesday

Born in Roman Britain in the early 5th century, Patrick was taken captive at 16 years of age and brought by pirates as a slave to the Braid Valley in the glens of Antrim. He worked as a shepherd around Sliabh Mis (Mt. Slemish) near the present-day town of Ballymena.

His captivity brought him to his senses, in terms of his spiritual life, according to his own account, known as The Confessio:

". . . I was at that time about sixteen years of age. I did not, indeed, know the true God; and I was taken into captivity in Ireland with many thousands of people, according to our deserts, for quite drawn away from God, we did not keep his precepts, nor were we obedient to our priests who used to remind us of our salvation. And the Lord brought down on us the fury of his being and scattered us among many nations, even to the ends of the earth, where I, in my smallness, am now to be found among foreigners.

And there the Lord opened my mind to an awareness of my unbelief, in order that, even so late, I might remember my transgressions and turn with all my heart to the Lord my God, who had regard for my insignificance and pitied my youth and ignorance. And he watched over me before I knew him, and before I learned sense or even distinguished between good and evil, and he protected me, and consoled me as a father would his son. . ."

After six years he escaped back to Britain, but he heard God's call to return to convert the Irish. After studies for the priesthood in France, he returned as Bishop c.432 and commenced the remarkable conversion of the Irish. He died in 491.

ST JOSEPH

Husband of the Blessed Virgin

Feastday - Friday

The Bible pays Joseph the highest compliment: he was a "just" man, which means he was a man who was completely open to all that God wanted to do for him.

The main feast of St Joseph is on this date - 19th March. It was believed his death occurred on this day. The feast was fixed in the 15th century and was extended to the whole Church by Pope Gregory XV in 1621. On December 8th 1870, Pope Pius IX ordered that this feast be celebrated throughout the Church. Holy Church also dedicates to St. Joseph the entire month of March. In addition, by custom, Wednesday of each week is dedicated to St. Joseph.

The lineage of Mary's husband as the legal father of Jesus is traced in Matthew's gospel (1:18-25). Matthew sketches the confusion, humiliation and misery experienced by Joseph when he recognizes that Mary is with child.

This just man was simply, joyfully, and wholeheartedly obedient to God; in marrying Mary, in naming Jesus, in shepherding the precious pair to Egypt, in bringing them to Nazareth and in years of quiet faith and courage.

PRAYER TO ST JOSEPH

To you, O Blessed Joseph, we have recourse in our tribulations, and while imploring the aid of your most holy Spouse, we confidently invoke your patronage also. By that love which united you to the Immaculate Virgin, Mother of God, and by the fatherly affection with which you did embrace the Infant Jesus, we humbly beseech you graciously to regard the inheritance which Jesus Christ purchased with His Blood and to help us in our necessities, by your powerful intercession.

Protect, O most provident Guardian of the Holy Family, the chosen children of Jesus Christ; ward off from us, O most loving father, all taint of error and corruption; graciously assist us from Heaven, O most powerful protector, in our struggle with the powers of darkness; and as you did once rescue the Child Jesus from imminent peril to His life, so now defend the Holy Church of God from the snares of her enemies and from all adversity.

Shield each one of us with your unceasing patronage that, imitating your example and supported by your aid, we may be enabled to live a good life, die a holy death, and secure everlasting happiness in Heaven. Amen.

LOURDES DANCE AND DRAW

Thanks to all who supported our fundraiser Draw and Dinner Dance for The Assisted Pilgrim section of the Ferns Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes in May. It was a very successful night. Thanks to all the Sponsors for their 22 lovely prizes and the Printers. To all who bought tickets for this worthy cause and all the sellers, To The Ferrycarrig Hotel for a wonderful meal and their help on the night. To Theresa and the Stars for the lively music, making it so enjoyable for all.

COCKLESHELL GALLERY

Friday night March 12th saw the first range of exhibitions launched for 2010 at the Cockleshell Gallery. The exhibitions include shows by Imelda Crosbie-Harvey from Bannow, Co. Wexford, Peter Hodnett ,Copper Sculptor, Barbara O'Meara from Greystones, Co Wicklow, and Joe Ryan from Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin. The local artists are Eileen Cloney, Anne. B. Colfer, Ethna Horan and Catherine Power.

We are now taking names for our Easter Art and Craft Workshop from the 6th to 9th of April and our Digital Photography Workshop, on 10th and 17th of April. Early bookings essential in all cases. Tel 051-389990.

TABLE QUIZ

There will be a Table Quiz in aid of Duncannon Sand Sculpting Festival in the Strand Tavern on 16^th March (Tuesday Night). Come along and bring a friend.

MURPHY . . .

Scorcher Murphy was selling his house, and put the matter in an agent's hands. The agent wrote up a sales blurb for the house that made wonderful reading. After he read it, Murphy turned to the agent and asked, "Have I got all ye say there?" The agent said, "Certainly ye have...why d'ye ask?" Murphy replied , "Cancel the sale...'tis too good to part with."