St. Fintan’s Parish, Mountrath – Ballyfin

Sat. 8th – Sun. 9th Jan. 2022 – Feast of the Baptism of the Lord

Fr. P.J. Fitzgerald C.C. (087) 605 5783 Fr. Joe (087) 2411 594

Mountrath Parish Radio transmits on FM 104.5

www.ballyfinparish.ie – www.mountrathparish.ie – Email jmbrophy2@gmail.com

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Safeguarding Children Parish Representatives
Ballyfin Pari Triona O’Rourke and Peter Byrne
Mountrath Parish Caroline Moore and Pachelli Walsh
Diocesan Designated Liaison Person: Ms Kathleen Sherry
Deputy Diocesan Liaison Person: Ms Michelle Hughes, c/o Bishop’s House, Dublin Rd, Carlow Ph: 085 802 1633

For Anniversary Mass Remembrances see Parish Newsletters – Click link on Right.
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Month’s Mind Mass
Sun. 9th Jan. 11.30 am
Margaret (Madge) Kelly, Mountrath

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Paddy Quarney, Rushin, Mountrath. R.I.P.
We pray for Paddy who died peacefully at Regional Hosp., Portlaoise on Thurs. 30th Dec. Paddy’s Funeral Mass was celebrated in St.Edmund’s Church, Castletown on Sun. 2nd Jan. followed by burial in Mountrath Cemetery. We extend sympathy to Paddy’s brothers, sisters, niece Anrdrea Delaney, Shannon St. and family, all his nieces and nephews, extended family, relatives, neighbours and friends.
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Ann Fleming, The Swan, Wolfhill, R.I.P.
We extend sympathy to Sean Fleming and family, Castletown and to all the Fleming Family on the death of their sister, Ann, on Tues. 4th Jan. Ann’s Funeral Mass was celebrated in St. Mary’s Church, Wolfhill on Thurs. 6th Jan. followed by burial in Clogh Cemetery.
May Paddy and Ann rest in the peace of Christ.

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Ann Gilligan (Nee Thompson) Coolbanagher (Late of The Harrow) R.I.P.
We pray for Anne who died peacefully at Regional Hosp., Portlaoise on Sun. 26th Dec. Anne’s Funeral Mass was celebrated in St. Fintan’s Church, Ballyfin on Fri. 31st Dec. followed by burial in Ballyfin Cemetery. We extend sympathy her sons Martin, Michael and Desmond, and daughter Shirley and their families – grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews, extended family, relatives, neighbours and her many friends. May Anne rest in the peace of Christ.

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Peter Nolan, Killanure. R.I.P.
We pray for Peter who died peacefully at home on Tues. 28th Dec. Peter’s Funeral Mass was celebrated in St. Aidan’s Church, Killanure on Thurs. 29th Dec. followed by burial in Camross Cemetery. We extend sympathy to his wife, Nuala, and family, Ciara, Aoife and Cathal and their families, grandchildren, Emily, Mylee, Jay and Gene, sons-in-law, brothers, sisters, parents-in-law, Tim and Mary (Lowry), nephews, nieces, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, extended family, relatives, neighbours and his many dear friends in Mountrath. May Peter rest in the peace of Christ.

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We remember in our Prayers

People, their families and carers, who are ill – at home, in Hospital or in a Nursing Home at this time

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New Envelope Boxes (Ballyfin Parish)
Many thanks for your generous contributions to Parish Funds throughout the year. Your generousity is much appreciated. We rely totally on the Contributions made through the Envelopes and the Offertory Collection each week to run the Parish and keep the bills paid, so thank you for your contrubitions to Parish Funds each week over the past year.
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New Envelope Boxes for 2022 will be ready for distribution during the coming week.
A note to say that beginning this year, we have a new system of recording Parish contributions, made through the envelopes each week. With this new system, there will be just one slight difference – Each family receiving a Box of Envelopes will be allocated a different number than perhaps they have become used to over the years.
Once again, Sincere thanks to you for your Generous and Loyal support of Ballyfin Parish throughout the year.

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A Message from Pope Francis for the New Year
The Pandemic is Hard – But Focus on the Good.
He says – May we always embrace a positive attitude, “one that always sees, in the Church as well as in society, not the evil which divides us, but the good that unites us.”

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Ballyfin Parish Lotto

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Ballyfin Parish Lotto Wed. 5th Jan. 2022
Nos. Drawn 9 14 17 20
15 Match 3 Winners Rec. €67.00 each
Next Week’s Jackpot € 16,000 Sincere thanks to everyone involved in Ballyfin Parish Lotto – Organising Committee, Promoters, Shops and others who facilitate the sale of Lotto Tickets and most importantly, you, who purchase a Lotto ticket every week. We extend a very sincere “thank you” for your loyal support and your unending generoousity.

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Mountrath Parish Lotto – 6th Jan. 2022
Nos. Drawn 5 10 15 23
1 Jackpot Winner €16,000 – Teresa & Tommy Timmons Promoter Tony Cahill
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26 Match 3 Rec. €39 each

3 Mountrath Match 3 Winners
Aidan and Linda Moore – Promoter, Breda Conroy –
Vera Richardson. Promoter, Vera Richardson
Josie and Tommy Kirwan – Promoter, Heather Mortimer

Next Week’s Jackpot €10.000

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Apostolate of Santification begins Mon 3rd Jan. Intercession for Bishops and Priests, through Our Lady of Knock takes place each Monday night at 6.45pm in our parish church, St.Fintan’s Ballyfin. All are invited to join in the two hour session which consists of community prayer, reciting -The Divine Mercy Chaplet,meditations on The Holy Rosary and a chaplet offered for our Bishops and priests in the presence of The Blessed Sacrament. When we pray for our priests, Our Lady of Knock blesses us and our families abundantly. All most welcome!
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Postponed for now – Due to Covid.

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Admissions/Enrolments to Ballyfin N.S. will open on January 13th 2022 until February 13th 2022. Forms will be available on the school website from January 13th 2022. Our school website is www.ballyfinns.ie Our Admission’s Notice will appear on the school website from January 6th 2022

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New Envelope Boxes for Mountrath Parish
Many thanks for your generous contributions to Parish Funds throughout the year. Your generousity is much appreciated. We rely totally on the Contributions made through the envelopes each week to run the Parish and keep the bills paid, so thank you for making your contrubitions to Parish Funds throught the Envelopes each week over the past year.
If you wish to continue to contribute to Parish Funds through the envelopes system, the new Envelope Boxes are now available to collect. (They are on the Tables at the back of the Church)
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If you know a friend who would like to receive a Box of Envelopes (but may feel uncomfortable stirring out during these Covid times) you might consider dropping them in a box. Your kind gesture would be much appreciated.

If you wish your contributions to Parish Funds to be recorded, just write your name and address on the first envelope you return to us and we will take it from there.
Receipts for all contrubutions to Parish Funds are always available. (Just Ask)

Once again, Sincere thanks for your generous support of Mountrath Parish throughout the year.

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Dates for Confirmation and 1st Holy Communion Celebrations in 2022.
We have made the following arrangements for the celebration of the Sacraments of Confirmation and 1st Holy Communion during 2022.
While putting these arrangements in place we are mindful that we are still very much in “Covid 19 Pandemic mode” – Once again the safety of our children and their families and indeed, the safety of everyone involved in the preparation and celebration of these sacraments has been (and must be) our priority and first consideration.
Ballyfin Parish
Confirmation – St. Fintan’s Church, Ballyfin. 2 Celebrations of Confirmation
Time of each Ceremony 11.00 am.
Sat. 26th March 2022 (Last Sat. in March) – Sat. 2nd April 2022 (First Sat. in April)
Celebration of 1st Holy Communion. 2 Ceremonies. Time of each Ceremony 2.00 pm
Sunday 22nd May 2022 Sunday 29th May 2022

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Mountrath Parish
Confirmation – St. Fintan’s Church, Mountrath. 2 Ceremonies.
Scoil Naomh Bríd. Wed. 16th March. Time 11.00 am
St. Fintan’s Boys Nat. Sch. Wed. 16th March 2.00 am

Celebration of 1st Holy Communion – 2 Ceremonies. Time of each Ceremony 2.00 pm
Sunday 8th May 2022 Sunday 15th May 2022

Where there are more than one in a family intending to receive the Sacraments next year (For example – one family member receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation and another member of family, receiving 1st Holy Communion) families are most welcome to combine these ceremonies and have these 2 Celebrations during one Ceremony of their choice. If a family prefers to bring their son or daughter to any of our Parish weekend Masses to receive either of the Sacraments, they are most welcome to do so. Just contact Fr. Joe.
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Once again, this year, despite all the odds, we managed to celebrate all our Sacraments with respect, dignity and meaning and in a timely way – all in a safe and secure environment for everyone. This in no small way was due to the cooperation and goodwill of everyone involved, Candidates for the Sacraments, parents and families of Candidates, Our teachers and schools staff, Sacramental coordinators and people who prepared our churches and kept them safe for us.
Once again, I wish to express sincere thanks to everyone involved in the celebration of Sacraments of 1st Penance, 1st Holy Communion and Confirmation this year – With your help, goodwill and cooperation, we can (and Please God, we will) do the same again next year. Fr. Joe

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Ballyfin Community Alert Seniors Alert Scheme
Personal monitored alarms offer security & peace of mind particularly during Winter season. If you are aged 65 or over and would like more information on applying for a government grant aided alarm,
Please contact Sheila on 086 1570145

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Ballyfin Ladies Football Club, whose junior team recently won the county championship want to celebrate this amazing achievement by hosting a Christmas Draw. Win a nights accommodation in Ballyfin Demense for two people in one of the deluxe rooms the prize also includes an a la carte meal and a full breakfast the following morning. Tickets are on sale for €10 each and can be bought by texting or calling Clare Brennan 087 7641184 or Clare Carroll 086 3584777 or contacting anyone on the Committee.
Thanks so much for your support

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A Prayer for Healthcare Workers and front-line workers.
Loving God, we place into your care
All our doctors, nurses and all hospital staff and healthcare workers.
Give them courage of heart
And strength of mind and body
Keep them safe from harm
May they know our deep gratitude
For all they are doing
To heal and care for those affected by The Coronavirus
God of all consolation,
May they know your protection and peace
Continue to bless them in these very challenging days
And bless their families. Amen.

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ACT OF SPIRITUAL COMMUNION
My Jesus, I believe that You
are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.
I love You above all things,
and I desire to receive You into my soul.
Since I cannot at this moment
receive You sacramentally,
come spiritually into my heart.
I embrace You and unite myself wholly to You.
Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen.
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Coronavirus Prayer
Almighty and eternal God, our refuge in every danger, to whom we turn in our distress; in faith we pray look with compassion on the afflicted, grant eternal rest to the dead, comfort to mourners, healing to the sick, peace to the dying, strength to healthcare workers, wisdom to our leaders and the courage to reach out to all in love, so that together we may give glory to your holy name. Amen.

John O’Donohue This is the time to be Slow,

This is the time to be slow,
Lie low to the wall,
Until the bitter weather passes.

Try as best you can, not to let
The wire brush of doubt,
Scrape from the heart,
All sense of yourself,
And your hesitant light.
If you remain generous,
Time will come good,
And you will find your feet
Again – On fresh pastures of promise,
Where the air will be kind
And blushed with beginning.