Lent begins on Wednesday 14th March. It is a day of Fast and Abstinence, and while not a ‘Holy Day’, we are strongly encouraged to attend Mass, and receive the mark of the Ashes as a sign of our desire to turn back to God and during the holy season, develop a deeper relationship with him, through the three great ‘pillars’ of Lent – Prayer, Fasting and Almsgiving.
Lent is not about making us feel bad, or suffer needlessly, rather it is a time to deepen our awareness of our need for God, and to develop our relationship with him through the spiritual exercises we undertake.
Lent is often know for the time we ‘give up stuff’ (eg sweets, alcohol, social media), but it should also be a time when we ‘take on things’ like prayer, or charity work, or some kind of sacrifice which turns our hearts and minds outward towards others (& God), and away from being too self indulgent.
The Parish Pastoral Council – in conjunction with Monasterboice – is offering a number of things;
- Daily Mass – There will be Mass every day (with 30 mins Adoration after each Mass) in one of the Churches in the two parishes;
- Mondays 7am in The Nativity of Our Lady, Fieldstown and 8pm in St. Colmcille’s Togher
- Tuesdays 9.30am in The Immaculate Conception, Tenure
- Wednesdays 9.30am in The Nativity of Our Lady, Fieldstown
- Thursdays 10am in St. Borchill’s Dysart
- Fridays 10am in St. Finians Dillonstown, and 7pm in Immaculate Conception, Tenure.
- The Chosen – Sundays at 6pm in Drumshallon Forge.
This is a new ‘award winning’ crowd-funded series about the life of Jesus. It has been highly acclaimed, and each episode lasts about 50 minutes. We will watch the episodes of Season 2 together. You can see a trailer for that by clicking here; or download ‘The Chosen’ App, or search for ‘The Chosen’ on Youtube - Confessions every Saturday from 12noon – 1pm in one of the Churches in the two parishes on a rotating basis;
- 16th & week following – Immaculate Conception, TENURE;
- 23rd & week following- St. Colmcille’s, TOGHER;
- 1st & week following – Nativity of Our Lady, FIELDSTOWN;
- 8th & week following- St. Finian’s, DILLONSTOWN;
- 15th & week following – Immaculate Conception, TENURE;
- 22nd & week following- St. Borchill’s Church, DYSART
- Devotions (Adoration of The Blessed Sacrament & Benediction) every Sunday at 7.30pm in one of the Churches in the two parishes on a rotating basis; (see list above)
- Stations of The Cross every Wednesday at 7.30pm in one of the Churches in the two parishes on a rotating basis; (see list above).
Lent is a community pilgrimage of fasting, prayer, and giving alms. This pilgrimage brings us to the waters of Easter, where we will rededicate ourselves as Christ’s people. Refreshed by the waters of his grace, we are empowered to spread the message of God’s love in word and action.
Hopefully you will find something in all of the above which will help make your Lent this year special. God be with you.
Togher Parish 