Due to Covid restrictions we will continue to upload Mass from the Parish on the YouTube channel at 10 am on Sunday.

Parishioners can go to the Parish website: www.sjparish.ie and scroll down to the bottom left- hand side of the screen.  Click into the YouTube channel.

This Sunday’s Mass will be offered for:

Declan Brennan (1^st Ann)

Seamus Kennedy

Paddy Matthews, Keenogue (4^th Ann)

Patsy Mahon (23^rd Ann)

Sunday, 21^st February – Next Weekend’s Mass will be offered for:

Imelda Mooney and deceased members of the Mooney Family

Lent

Lent is a time of springtime of the soul. Lent is a time for spiritual growth. Lent is a time of new beginnings, greater appreciation of people in our lives and great appreciation of the world’s resources that we are blessed with, food, warmth, shelter, clothing, schools, health care in comparison to many who live in poorer countries who have not these resources that we can take for granted.

Ash Wednesday

• Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are obligatory days of fasting and abstinence for Catholics. When fasting, a person is permitted to eat one full meal, as well as two smaller meals that together are not equal to a full meal.
• Mass for Ash Wednesday will be available on the YouTube channel at 10 am on Wednesday, 17^th
• Blessed ashes will be placed in individual envelopes and will be available to take from both Churches on Wednesday.

Trócaire

A limited number of Trócaire boxes and envelopes are available in both churches.

During Lent we are asked to support Trócaire’s campaign which benefits those living in Third world and poorer countries and help to provide them with the basic necessities of life that they need, and the provision of catechists, teachers, agricultural advisors, doctors, nurses that will help educate the world’s poorest in using better their own resources.  Please be as generous as you can in Trócaire’s collection this year.

Temperance Sunday

This Sunday is Temperance Sunday. Temperance is recommended for all of us in the use of food, alcohol, amount of time we give to Screen time.

Children on day of Confirmation are encouraged to take pledge to abstain from alcohol until 18 or 21 years and to abstain from dangerous drugs for life.

Prayer for Valentine’s Day

God of love, Your gratuitous love is the source of all goodness. As we give thanks for your loving fidelity, help us to remember the many ways we encounter your love in our relationships with others. May we show appreciation to our spouses, soulmates, and companions with whom we journey life’s path. May our love for one another deepen in generosity and wisdom. Grant us the humility to ask for forgiveness in times of hurt, and the generosity to offer pardon in return. Strengthen our bonds of fidelity to one another, and to those in need of our love. May the joy and hope that love provides transform and redeem us. We ask this in the name of Jesus, and through the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Today’s Gospel

People make a Difference Any story involving leprosy is a story of inclusiveness with Jesus. The people whom nobody wanted were deep in his heart. Jesus wanted to make his life better and, in this case, the man was cured. The news spread of this new religious man, a prophet maybe, but one who went where nobody else would go. Jesus sees into the heart and there he finds a home, because God his Father lives in each of us. His motivation is his deep relationship with all of us. He will cleanse any of the unacceptable sides of ourselves so that we see ourselves as image of God, forgiven and clean. Can we see others like that? Who would be those he would reach today like this? Maybe the people who want to change their lives from condemnation by self and others. We can name them often, and our society can be cruel on prisoners and their families, abusers of any sort, prostitutes, victims of aids and many others. He offers a way out of condemnation and that is often through the goodness and care of another. When we come to him, we meet his followers, and that also can make a difference. Recall someone who made a difference in your life at a bad time. Give thanks for it! Jesus, healer of souls, heal what keeps me from loving like you.

Apostolate of Adoration’s invitation. 

Holy week last year Kildare & Leighlin Adorers did a full week. 24hr day of perpetual Adoration. There are 45days from Ash Wednesdy to Good Friday. That is 1080 hrs. How would you feel about doing 1 hour of Adoration each day for the 45 days, and make this a National Adoration Crusade for this Lent.  This can be done from your own home, creating your own prayer space.

Google eucharisticadoration.ie/adoration and you will have live Adoration. Text your name and chosen hour to Fidelma 086-2603421 God bless.

Novena to Our Lady of Lourdes: Ever Immaculate Virgin,

Mother of Mercy, we call upon you as Health of the Sick, Refuge of Sinners, and Comfort of the Afflicted. You know my wants, my troubles, my sufferings. Deign to cast upon me a look of mercy. By appearing in the Grotto of Lourdes, you were pleased to make it a sanctuary whence you dispense your favors, and already many sufferers have obtained the cure of their infirmities, both spiritual and physical. I come, therefore, with the most unbounded confidence to implore your maternal intercession.  Obtain, O loving Mother, the granting of my requests (mention them here). Through gratitude for favors, I will endeavor to imitate your virtues that I may one day share your glory.

Envelopes

Thank you to all who continue to drop weekly envelopes to the church/parochial house.  Your support is very much appreciated.

• Cheques: If you prefer to send cheques – please make them payable to Stamullen Julianstown Parish.

• If you wish to contribute to the church by bank transfer, you can e-mail your request to the parish at secretary@sjparish.ie and we will contact you.
• Parishioners can also donate through the parish website sjparish.ie and click the Donate button.
• We would like to advise Parishioners, that should they wish to place envelopes in the Postbox at the Parish House, please be assured this box is monitored and overlooked by a security camera so it is very safe.

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 at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You, Amen.

COVID-19 Support Line for Older People

ALONE manage a national support line and additional supports for older people who have concerns or are facing difficulties relating to COVID-19. Professional staff are available to answer queries and give advice and reassurance where necessary. The support line is open seven days a week, 8am – 8pm, by calling 0818 222024.

Parish Office

The parish office remains closed.  You can contact Fr. Declan on 01-8412647.

Parishioners are also invited to e-mail requests or queries to the Parish Office:  secretary@sjparish.ie.  We are checking e-mails regularly and will respond as soon as possible.