Family Mass update 5th March 2017

Posted on By gerry

First Sunday of Lent 2017

Gospel story; ‘Jesus in the Desert’ Matthew 4: 1-11

We had a very good start to Lent this year.  The children were well prepared from the practice on Thursday.  They all read clearly and with reverence. The choir were in fine voice and sang their hearts out. Susan spoke from the heart, giving her insights on Lent touching everyone in the congregation, while Orla’s Newsletter captured our aspirations for Lent. It was thoughtfully and beautifully presented. After Mass, children took an ‘act of love for Jesus’ and enthusiastically took on work with the Lenten calender.  All went home well nourished on the word of God and ready for the week ahead.

            Our prayer for this week is

Dear Jesus, Help us to be still and quiet this week

And to take time to listen to what God is saying to us.

Help us when we are tempted

to trust you that we will do the right thing

And grow in friendship with all. Amen.

Message from Pope Francis for World Mission Day 2016

Posted on By ballygallparish

In his Message for Mission Sunday, the Holy Father says the Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy invites us “to consider the missio ad gentes – the mission to the world – as a great, immense work of mercy, both spiritual and material.” World Mission Sunday, he continues, calls us “to ‘go out’ as missionary disciples, each generously offering talents, creativity, wisdom and experience in order to carry the message of God’s tenderness and compassion to the entire human family.” He reminds us that “By virtue of the missionary mandate, the Church cares for those who do not know the Gospel, because she wants everyone to be saved and to experience the Lord’s love.”

Pope Francis emphasizes the role of women in missionary work, noting the “considerable and growing presence of women in the missionary world” which he describes as “a significant sign of God’s maternal love.”

He speaks, too, of the importance of education, adding, “I hope, therefore, that the holy people of God will continue to exercise this maternal service of mercy, which helps those who do not yet know the Lord to encounter and love Him.”

His Holiness Pope Francis says, “All peoples and cultures have the right to receive the message of salvation which is God’s gift to every person.” Jesus’ command to preach the Gospel to all nations has not ceased, he concluded: “rather this command commits all of us, in the current landscape with all its challenges, to hear the call to a renewed missionary ‘impulse’.”.

Read Pope Francis’ full Message here