| Castlemaine Parish Feast of the Assumption of Mary Mother of God 14th/15th August 2021 |
The Taj Mahal:
The Taj Mahal has been described as a “love song in marble.” Completed in 1645, the magnificent marble mausoleum was built by Shah Jahan, India’s Mogul emperor, in memory of his favourite wife, Mumtaz Mahal (= “the chosen one of the palace”). Her maiden name was Princess Arjumand. Shah Jahan loved her deeply, calling her his “Taj Mahal,” meaning “The Pearl of the Palace.” But Princess Mumtaz Mahal died giving birth to their fourteenth child, and the emperor was inconsolable.
So, he summoned a great architect from Persia to build the Taj Mahal, telling him that it must be “the one perfect memorial in the world.” Seventeen years were needed to build this enchanting edifice of gleaming white marble embroidered with flashing jewels. It is an enduring monument to love that still inspires tourists, artists, and writers from all over the world.
This beautiful love story gives us some idea of how much God must have loved Mary, the mother of Jesus. Today’s feast of her Assumption into Heaven is proof of this. By raising her from the dead and taking her into Heaven – body and soul – God demonstrated His undying love for Mary. Like Shah Jahan, God could not bear the death of His beloved. However, God could do what no Indian emperor could do – raise His beloved from the dead and restore her to life even more beautiful than before. Moreover, God didn’t have to build a Taj Mahal to memorialize Mary. Her glorified body is itself a magnificent temple of the Holy Spirit.
| Fr. Danny Broderick (087) 9061255 Parish Residence: 18 Ballyoughtragh Heights, Milltown Parish Office: Wed. & Fri. 9:30-12:30 066-9767312 Email: castlemaineparish@dioceseofkerry.ie Website: www.castlemaineparish.com Safeguarding Children: Contact No (087) 6362780 Baptisms: Welcome into our Christian community Declan John Cahillane, Ardcanaught Luke Jeremiah Daly, Farnes | |||
| Masses & Intentions | |||
| Sat. Aug. 14th | Keel | 7.30 p.m. | |
| Sun. Aug. 15th | Kiltallagh | 10:00 a.m. | Dan Griffin, Cloughlea, Castlemaine |
| Tue. Aug. 17th | Keel | 10:00 a.m. | |
| Thurs Aug. 19th | Keel | 7.30 p.m. | |
| Sat. Aug. 21st | Keel | 7:30 p.m. | Tony Carey, Gortaleen & London 1st Anniversary |
| Sun. Aug.22nd | Kiltallagh | 10:00 a.m. | Siún Curley |
Reminder
Masses will be streamed live online vis our 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 arrow to play
- Click St. Cathage’s for Mass in Kiltallagh
- Click on arrow to play
Priest on Duty: Fr. Fergal Ryan 087 2408540
St. Patrick’s College, Maynooth: Are you looking for an introduction to Theology, a qualification that allows you to teach Religious Education or a start on your journey to a master’s degree in theology or Pastoral Ministry. Find out more at maynoothcollege.ie/courses/higher-diploma-in-theological-studies or 01 7083964
Accord Catholic Marriage Care Service CLG: is currently recruiting volunteers to train as marriage preparation programme facilitators.
Accord is seeking registration of interest from those who have a positive attitude towards marriage in the Catholic Church and the enthusiasm to be part of a team supporting couples who are preparing for the Sacrament of Marriage. Successful applicants will receive professional training and will be part of a team delivering marriage preparation programmes locally in accordance with best practice. Accord has two centres, Tralee and Killarney, in the diocese of Kerry. Contact Aisling 01 505 3112 or email info@accord.ie.
The closing date for receipt of registration of interest forms to be included in Selections for this year is Friday 27 Aug. Additional info www.accord.ie
Siamsa Tíre: Auditions for children aged between 7 and 12 years, will be held at Siamsa Tíre on Friday and Saturday 20th/21st August auditions must be booked in advance on 066 7123055.
Readers/Altar Society: We hope to welcome back our Readers and Altar Society to the church in September. Anyone wishing to help out please give your name and contact number into the Parish Office.
Celebration of Light 2021: Recovery Haven would like to invite you all to join them live on their Facebook page for their virtual Celebration of Light on August 19th at 8pm. If you would like to purchase candles to light them in your homes during the ceremony, you can purchase them in No.5 Haig Haigs Terrace, Tralee or Supervalu Killorglin, Listowel & Castleisland.
The Irish Catholic: is available for sale in the church and Parish Office.
| Eucharistic Ministers |
| Keel Aug. 14th Elizabeth Ryle O’Connor & Patrick Flynn Kiltallagh Aug.15th Fergus Culloty & Colm Lynch Keel Aug. 21st David Flahive & William Evans Kiltallagh Aug. 22nd Eileen Lovett & Mike Carroll |
| Ushers |
| Keel Aug. 14th Owen McCarthy & Mary Nagle Kiltallagh Aug. 15th Caroline Lynch & Claire O’Connor Keel Aug. 21st Orla Nolan & Marie O’Brien Kiltallagh Aug. 22nd Eileen Lovett & Michael Harris |
| Sanitisers |
| Keel Aug. 14th Mary Bartley & Deirdre O’Shea Kiltallagh Aug. 15th Caroline Lynch & Claire O’Connor Keel Aug. 21st Marie O’Brien & Eileen Prendiville Kiltallagh Aug. 22nd Aileen Griffin & Hannelore Harris |
Pastoral Message
Covid-19: parish finances, Communions, Confirmations and Church congregations.
The diocese has carried out a small survey of the returns for parish collections in the 6 months January to June 2021. In the first 6 months of this year, at all Masses it has been either a case of no congregations or congregations limited to small numbers. On average collections have reached 50% of what they were pre Covid-19. This is a good achievement.
Some parishes are under greater financial pressure than others. Over the whole of 2021 I encourage everyone to seek to contribute the same amount as in a full year pre Covid.
A sincere thank you to every parish for the level of payments to the offertory collections during the pandemic. It is a great comfort to everyone that so many have been so loyal to parish collections.
It is sad that so many people have been deprived of the opportunity to gather for weekend Mass over the past 18 months. Not everyone has found it a positive experience praying on their own and joining in Mass via the internet. Hopefully, it will not be long until the restrictions are lifted, and all are free to gather to offer the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass in thanksgiving. Together we will pray again the words, “Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation, through your goodness we have this bread to offer, it will become for us the Bread of Life.”
Hopefully before long it will be possible to safely celebrate First Communions and Confirmations. The postponement has been very frustrating. It is important that in the weeks ahead, the families and children involved are faithful to prayer in the home and regular participation in Mass in the parish, to be spiritually prepared for these sacraments.
Thank you to one and all for your contribution to the life of your parish over the past 18 months. May the pandemic have led to many of us appreciating our local parish community even more. Continue to look out for and support one another in the community and let us pray for one another.
Our Lady health of the sick, pray for us.
+ Ray Browne
10 August 2021