For Urgent sick calls - Please phone 042 937 8503

A THOUGHT FOR TODAY
Today’s Gospel reminds us that God is near. Jesus Christ has come into our world to reveal to us the nature of God’s love. While the life of the historical Jesus comes to an end, Christ has promised that he will not leave us on our own. The Spirit of God will remain to guide us, sustain us and direct us. There are challenges to belief in God in our modern lives. There is the shortage of time, there is the ever-present noise, there is the demand for efficiency, there are targets to be achieved and the economy drives much of human action and interaction. To dwell in God, to allow God to enter our hearts and our lives requires time, silence and perseverance. We cannot come to know the life of the Spirit if we have no time to connect with the life-giving Spirit. We need silence to allow God to speak to us in the quiet of our inner lives.

CONFESSIONS
Confessions in Mary Mother of Mercy Church this Friday 7.00pm - 7.45pm. Please note the slightly longer time for Confessions this month to allow parents who wish to bring children back to Confessions before they receive First Holy Communion on Sunday the 18th May. Confessions in St. Enda’s, Killanny each Saturday 12.00 - 1.00pm.

CONGRATULATIONS
Congratulations to Rory Thompson, Knock and Orna McDaniel, Magheracloone who were married in St. Patricks, Maghercloone recently. We wish them health and happiness in their life together.

ALTAR SERVERS
GROUP C Begins duty next weekend 3/4th May. Please check you list.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
Exam Mass: Friday, 16th May 8pm
First Communion: Sunday, 18th May 10.30am
Blessing of Graves: Sunday, 13th July

EUCHARISTIC ADORATION
Continues this week Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday. If you have an hour to spare please drop in and pray for Vocations to priesthood and religious life.

QUESTIONS PEOPLE ASK
Q. What is meant by calling the Holy Spirit the Advocate?
A. An Advocate literally means some body called to (ad-vocatus) ones aid. In the legal world the Advocate is called to plead ones case. In the writings of John, the term refers both to Jesus and the Holy Spirit: ‘If anyone does sin, we have our advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ, the upright. He is the sacrifice to expiate our sins’ (I John 2:1-2). But Jesus spoke of the coming of the Holy Spirit of truth…’(John 14:15). Advocate is a direct Latin translation of the Greek name, Paraclete. Fr Silvester O’Flynn OFM Cap. Email silvesteroflynn@gmail.com.

PREPARING FOR EXAMS - PRAYER SPONSOR
If you would like someone to pray for you as you prepare and sit your examination, please fill in your name on the invitation part of your Exam Prayer Card and return it to the basket in the Church porch this weekend. We will then invite prayer - sponsors to pick a person to pray for during this time.

EXAM MASS
Friday, 16th May at 8pm. Mary Mother of Mercy Church, Inniskeen.

LOUGH DERG
“Bringing you the gift of hope”
One day retreats: May 3, 4, 5, 6, 10, 11, 12, 13, 17, 19, 20, 24, 25, 26, 27
Cost €27. Includes boat fare and lunch. To Book Tel 071 9861518.

10 DAY PILGRIMAGE TO THE HOLY LAND
Direct flight from Belfast: 3rd - 12th September 2008
€1,125 p.p.s. For further information contact Ann Diamond 17 Derrygarve Road Castledawson BT 45 8HA Tel: 048 7946 8134 or Fr Peter McGuinness Castleross on 042 969 0013.

MEDJUGORJE YOUTH PILGRIMAGE
2nd - 9th August Spiritual Director Fr. Gabriel Kelly cc. Kinawley. For further information contact Ann McGovern 048 6774 8131.

YEAR OF VOCATION APRIL 2008 - MAY 2009
The following is the outline of events and themes for the Year of Vocation. More details on each of the events will be posted in due course.
April 2008:  The launch took place on Vocations Sunday - 13th April 2008 - in St. Macartan’s Cathedral, Monaghan.
May 2008:  The focus this month is on exam students.
June 2008:  The focus for the month of June is on marriage and parenthood as vocation.
July 2008:  A rally for World Youth Day.
August 2008:  The theme for August is pilgrimage.
September 2008:  Priesthood will be the focus for September.
October 2008:  The focus for October is mission.
November 2008:  This month’s focus will be on the single vocation.
December 2008:  The focus for December will be on a general reaching out to people.
January 2009:  The theme for this month will be service/witness.
February 2009:  The theme for February is two-fold - a focusing on religious life and a national day for marriage.
March 2009:  This month’s theme will be Lent and a link with Trócaire.
April 2009:  Lent and Easter - reaching out.
May 2009:  There will be a closing event for the Year of Vocation bringing together all of the various groups that we have focused on during the ‘Year’.

GRATTANS GOSSIP

SENIOR FOOTBALL LEAGUE
We are away to Latton on this coming Wednesday 30th April 2008 at 7pm. Then we have Clontibret at home in Grattan Park this coming Saturday evening 3rd May 08 at 7pm

RESERVE FOOTBALL LEAGUE
We play host to Killeevan this evening Sunday 27th April 08 in Grattan Park at 7pm.

SENIOR HURLING LEAGUE
Next Thursday evening May 1st 08 we entertain Castleblayney in Grattan Park at 7.15pm.

STEWARDS
Please take note of the date and times of the above home fixtures and please attend an hour before the throw in for each game it’s no good coming when the game is about to start.

COMHGAIRDHEAS
Congratulations and well done to Pauric Dowdall & Kevin Boylan our two representatives on and indeed the rest of the Monaghan Senior Hurling panel who won the NHL Division 4 final in a thrilling match that went to extra time against South Down recently.

ITEMS OF CLOTHING
People have left items of clothing behind them in our new Changing Room Pavilion. Owners can claim what’s theirs by contacting Mary Tavey or Paddy Dowdall. If these items are not claimed within a fortnight we will give them to charity where someone might get some value out of them.

FUND RAISING NIGHT
In aid of Carrick Cancer next Saturday, 3rd May  in Social Centre Inniskeen. Music by Mickey the Butcher. Lots of home made goodies & big raffle on the night. Any donations can be made to the following organisers: Bernie Smith, Mary Woods, Catherine Dooley & Rita Callan.

MONAGHAN MACRA
Are hosting a “Superstar Talent Show” in the Hillgrove Hotel Monaghan on Friday, 16th May commencing at 8.30pm. Competitors must perform a song by a well known superstar or group and will be backed up by music. Entrants will be judged on both appearance and performance. This is a great way to promote Monaghan Macra across the whole county and in order to do so we need sponsorship. It is the perfect opportunity for any businesses in the area to gain nationwide publicity. All sponsors will be listed in the programme booklet for the night with two main sponsors having adverts on the stage backdrop. This promises to be a good night of entertainment not to be missed. If you would be interested in supporting this event along with a colourful advertisement for the booklet you can contact Brian Courtney County Secretary on 087 968 6477 or email address briancourtney1@gmail.com for more details.

UPCOMING TOURS
Balmoral Show May 16th, Wicklow & Avoca June 21st  All Day Trips €60.00 per person, evening meal included. Short Break to London & The Chelsea Flower Show May 21st - 25th, Tour of Northern Ireland June 9th -13th. Contact 042 937 8188 for more information.

INNISKEEN PICK 4 LOTTO
Jackpot now €8,500! Lotto benefits ladies G.A.A., Blackstaff Parents Association, Development Group and the Patrick Kavanagh Centre. Why not try your luck and walk away with the top prize!

PARISH SCHOOLS ENROLMENT
On-going at both Blackstaff and Inniskeen N.S. Pupils who are 4yrs of age on or before 30th September are eligible for enrolment. Contact numbers: Blackstaff N.S.: 042 937 8337; Inniskeen N.S.: 042 937 8256.

ALZHEIMERS TEA DAY
Will be held in Castleross Community Centre on this Sunday, 27th April from 2pm - 5pm. Your support would be appreciated.

TIDY TOWNS
The above committee would like to thank all those who took part in our April clean up. There was over 100 bags of rubbish collected along the road verge’s in the village. Many thanks again to all a great job done.

ST MICHEALS LITTLE SCOLARS
In Donaghmoyne are holding a variety show. The show takes place on Friday, 20th of June. We are looking for you to join our list of stars. If you want to join the fun come along Monday evening the 28th of April at 6pm - 8pm. It is being held in St. Micheals Hall in Donaghmoyne. Telephone 042 969 2720 with any queries.

SENIOR CITIZENS PARTY
This party takes place on Sunday, 11th May from 3-6pm. A dinner will be served to all attending. It is important to let us know if you are attending or not. Music is provided. Ring Mary at 937 8475 to let us know your decision. If you have not received your invitation let us know.

COLLEGE GRANTS
Application forms are now available from either: Co. Monaghan VEC, Market Street, Monaghan (047 30888 / email: educ@monaghanvec.ie) or Monaghan County Council, The Glen, Monaghan (047 30550 / email: lbrannigan@monaghancoco.ie).

DRUMCATTON 200
Meeting on Monday 28th April at 9pm. All members are requested to attend.

MESSAGES FOR NEWSLETTER
Must be in by Wednesday night. You can leave messages in Post Box at Fr. Martin’s house, by fax at 042 937 8988, or email martintreanor@eircom.net. Please note change of email address.