Parish of Castlebar Church of the Holy Rosary, Castlebar; St Aloysius's, Breaffy; St. Patrick's, Ballyheane Sunday Newsletter The Baptism of the Lord 13^thJanuary 2002
'Thought for Sunday' Notices Mass Intentions Altar Society Eucharistic Ministers Rest in Peace Lay Readers Previous Newsletters	Baptism: Uncomfortable Waters It seems to be increasingly inevitable around First Communion time, in Irish parishes at least, that the issue of baptism is raised for some seven or eight-year-old who ‘slipped the net’ at infancy. Debate is raised, columns are written, tempers heat up - and somewhere truth gets lost. What is baptism about? When asked the simple question: ‘What do you ask of God’s Church for N.’ - what do parents understand by the response ‘Baptism’? Are parishes that insist on thorough preparation just being ‘fussy’ or getting in a few sliding tackles on non-practising parents? Baptism is as much about what God does for us as the reverse. It’s been called the door of the church. It brings about the forgiveness of sins, all the more relevant with growing numbers for adult baptism. Baptism ends distance from God. It commences grace or the work of God within the newly baptised. From now on, ‘This is my beloved, on whom my favour rests’ (Gospel) applies to the baptised as well. Still, the response of faith is important. No relationship lasts without regular contact. In prayer and practice, attitude and action - little things mean a lot. Baptism is more than a sentimental pause at the dawn of life. It’s far greater than an entrance-visa - it’s a work permit. Fr. Tom Cox	Email the Presbytery Priest on Call: Fr. Pat Farragher Tel. (094) 21844
	NOTICES Bequest to Parish Recently the parish has received a bequest of £30,000 from a very generous donor now deceased. The bequest is very welcome and is much appreciated. In future during the month of November we will have an annual Mass for all the benefactors of the parish living and dead. Devotions at 5p.m. today Sunday in the Parish Church. Reposition of the Blessed Sacrament 14^th - 19^th January Mon. - B. Gallagher Tues. - C. Gibbons Wed. - P. Murphy Thurs. - Ml. Gormley Fri. - Mary King Sat. - M. Loftus STATION NEIGHBOURHOOD MASSES Station Neighbourhood Masses are now being held in different parts of the parish. Everyone is welcome to the Mass, not just a representative from each house. So please remember the rule of tea and biscuits, it keeps everything simple and is no strain on anyone. Those intending on hosting the Neighbourhood Mass, please give their names to their area priest. Bingo Don’t forget Bingo every Tuesday night in the Welcome Inn at 8.45p.m. Great prizes. Prayer Group Mass in the Social Service Centre on Wednesday at 8p.m. All are welcome. Breaffy Ladies G.A.A. annual general meeting on Sunday January 20^th at 7.30p.m. in Breaffy Community Centre. All are welcome. The Social Service Mini Bingo Group thank all who donated prizes towards their Christmas party. Bingo resumes on Monday 14^th January at 2p.m. My Church helps me to keep a sky in my life and to look up, to keep my hand in God’s and hold on to him, to see the eternal values above the material, to lift life above self to service for Christ, to see the good in others and praise it, to keep sweet and to keep busy for him, to have a seeing eye, a feeling heart, a helping hand, to test the motive of life and choose the best, to do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly. (Anonymous). Marriages If you are planning your wedding please give your area priest at least three months notice.
	MASS INTENTIONS PARISH CHURCH Monday, 14^th January: 8 - Brendan Ryan, Ellison Street. 9.30 - Bob Roberts, Derrycoosh. (1^st Ann.) 10 - Jordan family, Kilmaine. Tuesday, 15^th January: 8 - Pierce Fox, Dublin & Michael Curtin, Clare. 10 - Tom Roache & dec. members of family, Rocklands. Wednesday, 16^th January: 8 - Mary Corrigan, Castlehill Park. 10 - John & Teresa Joyce, Richard Street. Thursday, 17^th January: 8 - Fionan Walshe, Salthill & Snugboro. 10 - John Jennings, Railway Tce. & dec. members of Jennings family. Friday, 18^th January: 8 - Tom Chambers & dec. members of family, Crillaune, Ross. 10 - Charlie & May Hayes, New Antrim Street. Saturday, 19^th January: 8 - Joe Marrinan, Turlough Road. 9.30 - Edward McDonnell, Rathbawn Drive. (M.M.) 10 - Michael Lavelle, Knocknaskibbole. 10.30 - Brendan Forkan, Patrician Park. (M.M.) BALLYHEANE CHURCH Saturday, 19^th January: 8.00p.m.- John & Mary Joyce, Maghera. Sunday, 20^th January: 10.30a.m.- Thomas, Mary & Margaret King, Knockmoyleen.
	ALTAR SOCIETY: 19^th January Mary Dunne Peggy Lee Noreen Groonell Julie Prendergast
	EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS: Sun. 20^th - 3^rd Sun.
	REST IN PEACE: We commend into your hands Lord, the souls of Bridget Cawley, Dooncastle, Westport, mother of Mary Cunningham, Breaffy Road; John McDermott, Lakeshore Dr.; Ena O’Donnell, Dublin, daughter of Catherine Redmond, sister of Andy & Vinnie Redmond, McHale Rd., Joe & Jeff Redmond, Springfield & Aiden Redmond, Westport; Kevin McCrossan, Derry, brother of Caroline Clarke, Tawnycullawee; Bea Niland, Rock Square; Fr. Sean Nolan, Achill; Martin Duggan, Lodge Road, Westport, nephew of Ann Mugan, Cloonkeen; Emily Devaney, Lahardane, mother of Ann Doyle, Kilkenny, Breaffy Road. John Murray, Borradruma.
	LAY READERS: 2^nd Sun. in ord. time Parish Church 11.15:Brendan Mullins 12.30:Padraig Glynn Breaffy 10.00: Amanda Mulderrig, Fiona Jennings 11.30: Marie Tuohy St. Mary’s 11.30: Regina McGarrigle DAILY READERS Mon. - Joan Hanley Tues. - Mary Fox Wed. - Rita Walsh Thurs. - Carmel Reynolds Fri. - Ita Sarsfield Sat. - Jo Kearney
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