| Castlemaine Parish Fourth Sunday of Lent 13th/14th March 2021 |
John 3:16 is probably the best loved verse in the Bible and it has been called “everybody’s text” and the “Gospel of the Gospels.” “For God so loved the world that He gave His only-begotten Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.” This is the summary of the Gospel message of salvation through Christ Jesus. This text is the very essence of the Gospel. It tells us that the God takes the initiative in all salvation because of His love for man. As St. Augustine puts it: “God loves each one of us as if there were only one of us to love. It is our God who brings us to greater belief in our daily struggles and temptations, and leads us to eternal life, thus demonstrating the depth of His love for us.
“The Hound of Heaven”
“The Hound of Heaven,” written by Francis Thompson, is one of the best- known religious poems in the English language. It describes the pursuit of the human soul by God. The poem tells the story of a human soul who tries to flee from God, as it thinks that it will lose its freedom in the company of God. This is the story of Thompson’s own life. As a boy, he intended to become a priest. But the laziness of his brilliant son prompted Thompson’s father to enrol young Francis in a medical school. There he became addicted to opium that almost wrecked his body and mind. He fled to a slum and started earning a living by shining shoes, selling matches, and holding horses.
In 1887 Francis sent some poems and an essay to Mr. Wilfrid Meynell, the editor of a Catholic literary magazine called Merry England. The editor recognized the genius behind these works and published them in April 1888. Then Meynell went in search of the poet. He arranged accommodation for Francis, introduced him to other poets and helped him to realize God’s love. How Francis tried to run away from God, how God “hunted” him, how Divine love caught up with him – these are the themes of his stirring poem, “The Hound of Heaven.” Once we realize, as did the poet Francis Thompson, and as do all the saints, that God, in His Infinite love for us, will pursue our souls to the ends of the earth and beyond, then we will try to return to that Love, allowing the Hound of Heaven to “catch” us. Today’s Gospel tells us about the breadth and depth and height of the Divine love of the Hound of Heaven for each one of us.
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Feedback from our new Church Camera System.
Thank you all for your feedback on our recently installed Camera System in all our Churches. We are glad that so many can be connected through this media and are able to join us for our Liturgies.
There have been some who are finding difficulty with receiving a continuous stream which has delayed and interrupted their viewing. Having checked all possible causes from the source of our WIFI provider and Camera provider and found nothing to contribute to this interruption; we again advise people to firstly, check their own broadband reception. Remembering that the more devices that are running at home can affect some or all broadcasts. Therefore, to reduce the risk of interference to your reception and viewing experience you should disable any other devices that are using your WIFI for the duration of the Liturgy you intend to watch. We will continue to monitor all systems and coupled with your continued feedback we hope that any issues that negatively impact your viewing can be addressed.
Fr. Danny
Fr. Danny Broderick 087 9061255
Parish Residence: 18 Ballyoughtragh Heights, Milltown
Rev. Conor Bradley 087 3664057
Parish Office: open Wed. & Fri 9:30-12:30 066-9767312
Email: castlemaine@dioceseofkerry.ie
Website: www.castlemaineparish.com
Safeguarding Children: Contact No (087) 6362780
| Masses & intentions online | ||
| Sat. Mar. 13th | 7:30 p.m. | Nora Evans, Ballyarkane Broadcast from Keel Church |
| Sun. Mar. 14th | 10:00 a.m. | Pat & Richard Scott, Ballynahinch Broadcast from Kiltallagh Church |
| Tue. Mar. 16th | 7:00 p.m. | Michael O’Brien, Ardcanaught Broadcast from Keel Church |
| Wed. Mar. 17th | 9:00 a.m. | Broadcast from Kiltallagh Church |
| Fri. Mar. 19th | 7:00 p.m. | Broadcast from Milltown Church |
| Sat. Mar. 20th | 7:30 p.m. | Nora Cournane, Tubber – 1st Anniversary Broadcast from Keel Church |
| Sun. Mar. 21st | 10:00 am | Aiden Kelliher, Ballyfinane Broadcast from Kiltallagh Church |
Reminder
All Masses will be celebrated without a congregation due to Covid-19 Government Restrictions.
All Masses will be streamed online via our new webcam system:
- Log into www.castlemaineparish.com
- Scroll down to the bottom of page to where it says Live Streams.
- Click St. Gobnait’s, Keel for Mass in Keel
- Click on ► to play
- Click St. Carthage’s for Mass in Kiltallagh
- Click on ► to play
Priest on duty this Sunday:
Fr. Danny Broderick (087) 9061255
Trócaire: Every year Trócaire asks for your help during Lent to fund lifesaving programmes around the world. Families like Awut and Ajak’s in South Sudan need your support now more than ever. Trócaire are appealing to you to continue your support this Lent. Resources, prayers and videos are available on www.trocaire.org and donations can be made to the Lent campaign in the following ways:
- By collecting a Trócaire box available from the porches of both Keel and Kiltallagh churches or from the Parish Office.
- Online at www.trocaire.org
- By phone: 1850 408 408 (ROI) or 0800 912 1200 (NI)
The contents of each and every Trócaire box, no matter how small, come together to make a significant difference. This virus knows no borders, but neither does our compassion. Thank you for your continued support.
Looking towards Easter
Why not join us for two webinars as we journey to Easter? On Thursday March 18th at 8.00pm, Dr Anne Francis will explore “Blessed is she who believed… (Luke 1:45) – reflections on Mary, a woman of faith. On Thurs. Mar. 25th@ 8.00pm, Fr Donal O’Connor will explore “There is a crack in everything, that’s how the light get in.” To register www.dioceseofkerry.ie
ALONE: manage a national support line and additional supports for older people who have concerns or are facing difficulties relating to COVID-19 (Coronavirus). 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 222 024.
Parish Envelopes: Please note that Spring Dues are now due.
Parish envelopes or Mass intentions can be dropped to the following places:
- Helena’s Local XL shop in Castlemaine, to a secure box
- Every Saturday at Keel Church between 3pm – 4.30pm
- Post Box outside the Parish Office situated at Milltown Church V93 X293
- Fr Danny’s house at 18 Ballyoughtragh Heights, Milltown
Thank you for your continued support.
“Little Way Sunday School“ is an online faith initiative geared towards children. Short videos explain the Sunday gospel, much like a small faith lesson, followed by a short reflection from a priest. Children are given a “mission task” for the week. The videos are very engaging and enjoyable and last between 6 and 9 minutes, to hold children’s attention. “Little Way Sunday School” is a fantastic resource for your family’s faith journey particularly if your children are preparing for the sacraments of Holy Communion, Confession or Confirmation and Easter celebrations. It is a wonderful resource for journeying through Advent towards Christmas and on through the year. Check them out on YouTube or Facebook.
Wishing all mothers, a Happy Mother’s Day