For Urgent sick calls - Please phone 042 937 8503

VOCATIONS SUNDAY
Today, on what is known as Good Shepard Sunday, or Vocations Sunday, we pray in a special way for vocations. Today also sees the start of the Year of Vocation, which runs until the next Vocations Sunday, 3 May 2009. During this year we will pray for all vocations: those who are married, those who are single and those living lives of celibacy and we ask for the grace to follow our own vocation.

ALTAR SERVERS
Group A Begins duty next weekend 19/20th April. Please check you list.

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.

CHILDREN'S LITURGY
A little reminder - Children's Liturgy will take place on Sunday, 20th April at 10.30am.

CONFIRMATION 2008
We extend our best wishes and congratulations to the 44 young people who received the Sacrament of Confirmation in Mary Mother of Mercy Church, Inniskeen on Wednesday. May the power of God’s Holy Spirit direct them in their lives. A special thank you to parents and teachers who prepared the young people for the Sacrament. We are most grateful to all who helped in the preparation and on the day, our sacristan Rossetta, Martha Group, helpers, Eucharistic Ministers, alter-servers and sponsors. We appreciate all those who were involved with the music, it added to the solemnity of the occasion. It was a lovely evening of celebration for all involved.

BAPTISMS
We welcome into the Parish Community  those recently baptised: Ben John Byrne, Tievadinna. Eimear Kate Hanratty, Drummond. Darragh Patrick Smyth, Mullagh. Sarah Beth Hanratty, Ballyrush. Next Parish Baptisms on Sunday, 4th May at 11.30am. Please book your baptism in good time.

DO THIS IN MEMORY PROGRAMME
At 10.30am Mass on this Sunday 13th April.

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

QUESTIONS PEOPLE ASK
Q. Every now and then I think I have a vocation from God to be a priest. What should I do about it?
A. Talk about it to a priest, preferably one who knows you, and pray to the Holy Spirit for guidance. Every diocese and religious order organises Vocation Days to help people to discern their calling. A vocation to priesthood is a grace given to an individual for the service of the church-community. Basic requirements of a genuine vocation to priesthood would include a desire to commit one’s life to God and the service of people, a sound faith, regular Mass attendance and prayer, the ability to co-operate with others and being willing to obey authority.

VOCATIONS SUNDAY- 13TH APRIL
A Para-liturgy in St. Macartan’s Cathedral, Monaghan: 4pm - 5pm.
Join us in Prayer and Reflection on our lives, faith, call and gifts.

A DAY OF PRAYER FOR VOCATIONS
Five things I can do as a Parishioner

1. OFFER FRIENDSHIP TO PRIESTS AND RELIGIOUS
Whether it be sharing a meal, taking a walk, or simply have a conversation after Mass, make an effort to share friendship with priests and religious. Healthy friendships will foster awareness, communication and respect for the lifestyle and needs of each person. Feelings of happiness and satisfaction will be the sure result!

2. SAY THANK YOU
We all know that it feels good to be thanked for a job well done. Say “thanks” to a priest or religious. It is encouraging for them to feel that the generosity of their lives is appreciated. This appreciation sheds a positive light on priestly and religious vocations. Your show of gratitude may lead to others to do the same.

3. EXTEND AN INVITATION
Many people claim that they were never invited to explore a vocation to the priesthood or religious life. Extend this invitation to a young person who you think might have a religious or priestly vocation. Your invitation could make a difference in someone’s life.

4. SERVE IN PARISH MINISTRY
In the Gospels Jesus directs each of us to a life of service. Your service in the activities of your parish will help create the life giving environment necessary for the nurturing of religious and priestly vocations. Let us fulfil this Gospel message by sharing our gifts.

5. PRAY
Of all the ways we can work toward the increase of vocations to priesthood and religious life, prayer is undoubtedly the most essential. Make a commitment to pray for this intention everyday. Also consider praying for a particular priest or religious in your parish.

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 week-end. 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.

TRIBUTE CONCERT
Tribute Concert to the late Gene Carroll on Friday 18th April at the Patrick Kavanagh Centre, Inniskeen. Doors open 8pm. Admission: €15/£10. This promises to be a great night’s entertainment with music, poetry, storytelling and craic in the company of Pat McGeeney, Michael Quinn, Margaret Heatley, Essence (Karen Lynch & Paul Redmond, Tony O’Callaghan, Sinead Mitchell, Mary McGrane, Peter Carragher and Local Comhaltas. Tickets available from the Patrick Kavanagh Centre- Tel/Fax: 042 9378560 and from local shops. Proceeds of this concert to the Hospice.

SENIOR CITIZENS PARTY
Sunday, 11th May, Community Centre.
Invitations will be distributed for the party by committee members during the coming weeks.

GRATTANS GOSSIP WEEK/ENDING SUNDAY, 13TH APRIL 2008

RESERVE FOOTBALL LEAGUE
Next up is a home game against Ballybay this Sunday evening 13th April 2008 in Grattan Park at 7pm. We then travel to Tyholland next Sunday 20th April to lock horns with the homesters at 7pm.

MINOR FOOTBALL LEAGUE
We travel to Threemilehouse to take on “The Sean’s” this coming Tuesday night 15th April 2008 at 7.15pm.

GRATTANS ÓIGE
Boys underage Football Training every Saturday Morning at 11am in Kednaminsha. All boys interested in playing please attend. Any queries contact Gemma Woods 087 1213888 or Mairead McGahon 085 7743265.

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 9686477 or email address briancourtney1@gmail.com for more details.

INNISKEEN PIONEER COUNCIL
Important meeting of Inniskeen Pioneer Council on Monday, 14th April after 8pm Mass.  All members please attend.

SOUTH MONAGHAN REGIONAL PIONEERS
Meeting of South Monaghan Regional Pioneers in Community Centre on Wednesday, April 16th at 8pm.  All Pioneers are welcome and there will be light refreshments.

BLACKSTAFF PARENTS ASSOCIATION
Are holding a cake sale Sunday, 20th April to raise funds for a defibelator for the school.

TIDY TOWNS BIG APRIL CLEAN UP
The committee are asking all house holders on all approach roads to the Village to get together and clean up the road verge’s along their property and ajoining road verge’s. Gloves and bags can be ‘Collected of Annmarie at Magee’s shop.

CARRICKMACROSS LANGUAGE SCHOOL
Host families required 27th June - 27th July. Excellent terms plus free draw for €1,000 for host families.  All families considered.  Phone: A. Agnew 087 9873431 or Ann Middleton 042 9661558, Mobile 086 8290905.

INNISKEEN HERITAGE GROUP
Will be beginning again for 2008. We will be meeting at the Patrick Kavanagh Centre at 6pm on Tuesday 15th. After meeting visit to the Museum. All welcome.

HOLY FAMILY SPECIAL SCHOOL, COOTEHILL
The Parents Association and the Holy Family Special School, Cootehill wish to thank you all for your great generosity and support in our recent annual church gate collection.

THE BIRCHES ALZHEIMER DAY CARE CENTRE
Are looking for volunteers to walk, jog or run in the Women Mini Marathon on the 2nd of June 08 on their behalf. For further information please contact Mary Gaughran at 042 9335672 or 086 8899197, 47 Mc Sceeney Street or Bernie Doherty at 042 9335897. Closing date 22nd April.

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 9378988, or email martintreanor@eircom.net. Please note change of e-mail address.