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PARISHES OF PORTARLINGTON & EMO PRIESTS PHONE NUMBERS

Very Rev. Thomas Dooley P.P. Tel: (057) 8643004 Rev. Pat Hughes C.C., Tel: (057) 8646517Very Rev. Michael Noonan P.E. Tel: (057) 8623431 Very Rev. Jack Walsh P.E. Tel: (057) 8626401

PARISH OFFICE Telephone: 057 8643004 - Email: portarlingtonparishoffice@eircom.net / Parish Office Hours: 9.30am – 1.30pm Monday– Friday

Anniversary Masses, Baptisms and Weddings can be booked by contacting the Parish Office during opening hours.

DIOCESAN WEBSITE www.kandle.ie SAMARITANS 1850 60 90 90 or 0902 73133 ST. VINCENT DE PAUL 087 7640557 AWARE Lo-call Helpline 1890 303 302 MENTAL HEALTH ASSOC. 083 3476291 / 087 6966133 PHOENIX 1850 20 30 40

MASS TIMES St. Michael’s Church, Portarlington

10am Daily Mass (Mon. – Fri.) 6.15pm (Vigil – Saturday), 9am & 12.15pm Sunday

St. John’s Church, Killenard10.30am Sunday

MASS TIMES St. Paul’s Church, Emo 7.3 0pm (Vigil – Saturday),

11am SundaySacred Heart Church, Rath

9am Sunday

Sunday 9th March 2014 First Sunday of Lent Ordinary Time (A) ANNIVERSARIES - PORTARLINGTON

Mon. 10th 10am James & May CarberryTues. 11th 10am ---Wed. 12th 10am Steve & Nellie Allen, Main St., & dec. members of the Allen & Moran Families Thurs. 13th 10am ---Fri. 14th 10am Bridie Quinn, Bishopswood Rd.

Saturday 8 th March – 6.15pm Michael Mooney, Main Street (M.M.)

James Grehan, Shanderry (M.M.)Alexander Karpov, Spa St. & Latvia

Paul O’Haire, Treascon, Billy Whelan, Marian Hill, Thomas Kennedy, Gracefield, (60th Anniv.),

Yseult Joannet (2nd Anniv.)Sunday 9 th March – 12.15pm

Josie Finlay, Station Road (1st Anniv.)Michael O’Neill, St. Brigid’s Sq. & Son, Barry O’Neill, William McEvoy, St. Joseph’s Tce., Tom Fitzgerald, Avondale, Betty Sheedy,

Clondoolusk, Sasha Karpov, Spa Street & LatviaSaturday 15 th March – 6.15pm

Donie McDermott, Garryhinch, James, Mary & Thomas Barnes, Hugh, Annie & Mary O’Leary,

Bridie McEvoy, St. Joseph’s Tce., Fergus Geoghegan, Crowe Lane, Nancy Delaney,

Bracklone St., Sheila & Jimmy Mulhall, Bishopswood, Dotie Allen, Bishopswood,

Michael Keogh, St. Patrick’s Tce., Catherine Malone, Clonsast

Sunday 16 th March – 12.15pm John Kelly, St. Michael’s Pk., Bridie Quinn,

Bishopswood Rd., Annmarie Garry, Cloneyquinn & dec. members of the Garry Family, Joe Keegan, Cloneyhurke, Kathleen McGrath, Thomas, John, Oswald & Anne McGrath,

Closeland

ANNIVERSARIES - KILLENARDSunday 9 th March – 10.30am

Josie & Stephen Kiernan, Rathleash, Marie Ryan, Tierhogar, Gretta Fitzmaurice, Killenard,

Sean Keogh, RathleashSunday 16 th March – 10.30am

Bridie Murray, Ballycarroll, Bridget & William Coleman, Closelands

ANNIVERSARIES - EMOSaturday 8 th March – 7.30pm Mary Flynn, Hand Rd, Morette

Christy Booth, MoretteBridget Gleeson, Morette

Clement Lynch, England & formerly StraboeSunday 9 th March – 11am

Teresa Blanche (1st Anniv.) & Joseph Blanche, Portlaoise

Saturday 15 th March – 7.30pm Attracta Kelly, Ballybrittas (9th Anniv.)

Tom Delaney, New InnSunday 16 th March – 11am

John Davis, Old Pound

ANNIVERSARIES - RATHSunday 9 th March – 9am

Alan Burke, Ballybrittas, (25th Anniv.)Tom Fitzgerald, Bellgrove, John Corcoran, Ballybrittas

BAPTISMSWe welcome into our Christian Community

through Baptism:PORTARLINGTON PARISH

Maisie Grace Ryan, Crann NuaRóisin Mary McCoubrey, Gracefield

Olivia Keane, Cushina RoadDorothy Helen Mary Hughes, Killenard

Samuel Terry McElwee, KillenardEMO PARISH

Annie Ellen Lynch, Morette Tyler Leo O’Connor-Kilpatrick, Cahir NagCapall

Three Pillars of LentPrayer Fasting

Almsgiving

THE PURPOSE OF PENANCEPenance is a word we associate with Lent. It’s worthwhile remembering that penance is not

about enduring some form of hardship for hardship sake. It is directed towards growth,

towards refocusing our life towards God. It is to do with bringing about an inner change

in ourselves.Some suggestions of forms of Penance

- Abstaining from meat or some other food.- Abstaining from alcoholic drink or smoking.- Making a special effort to participate in

Mass.- Visiting the Blessed Sacrament.- Making the Stations of the Cross.- Fasting from all food for a longer period

than usual & perhaps giving what is saved to the needy.

- Helping the poor, sick, old or lonely.MASSES FOR LENT

Rath: 10am each day (or as otherwise announced)

Killenard: Friday evenings 7.30pmEmo: Tues. & Wed. mornings 9.15am

MINISTRY DAY FOR EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS & READERS

Saturday 29th March at Mount St. Anne’s, Killenard from 10am – 4pm. This day of

reflection during the season of Lent is offered by Faith Development Services for all those

involved in ministry in our diocese & will be led by Ned Prendergast. Booking is essential as

numbers are limited to 100. You can book your place by emailing fds@kandle.ie or phone

Christine on 059-9164084. The cost of the day including a light lunch is €5.

LECTORSPortarlington

Sat.15th March 6.15pm Ailish RidgewaySun. 16th 9am Liam Kinsella

Sun. 16th 12.15pm Ciaran DunneKillenard

Sun. 16th march 10.30am Joyce Power Emo

Sat. 15th March 7.30pm Ellen DunneSun. 16th March 11am Tara Hanneffy

RathSun. 16th march 9am Mena Connell

EUCHARISTIC MINISTERSPortarlington Sat. /Sun. 15th / 16th Team DKillenard Sun. 16th – Team D

The focus of this year’s Trocaire Lenten

campaign is on the global water crisis and on how Trocaire is working with communities to help them gain access to clean water. The campaign features East Africa, in particular

families in Malawi & the community of Kanyera. Trocaire boxes available at the

Church Porch.

P.T.A.A.Make a leap of faith. Take the Short-Term

Pledge and abstain from alcohol for the duration of Lent. Join online:

www.pioneerassociation.ie or 01-8749464.

EASTER STATIONSThe Easter Station for the support of the Priests of the Parish will be taken up as a second collection at all Masses in Emo & Portarlington Parishes next weekend. An

envelope for this purpose is in your envelope boxes or there is a special envelope available

in the Church porches.

FIRST PENANCE

First Penance will take place as follows:-Presentation Primary School &

Cloneyhurke NSMon. 10th March at 7.30pm in St. Michael’s Church

St. Patrick’s Boys NSTues. 11th March at 7.30pm in St. Michael’s Church

Scoil Naomh Eoin, KillenardWed. 12th March at 7.30pm in St. Michael’s Church

St. Paul’s N.S., EmoThurs. 13th March at 7pm in St. Paul’s Church, Emo

Sacred Heart N.S., RathThurs. 13th March at 8.15pm in Sacred Heart

Church, Rath

DANCINGDancing continues every Monday night in the

Gandon Inn, Emo. Music in the coming weeks:March 10th Black Lace / March 17th J & S Sound.

Come along for a great night out. Adm. €5. MOUNT ST. ANNE’S RETREAT & CONFERENCE

CENTRE, KILLENARDFamily Nature Day with Ms Katy Egan, on Wed.

23rd April (during the Easter Holidays) from 10.30am-1pm 6-12 year olds.  Enjoy a morning exploring the woods around Mount St. Anne’s. 

Take part in our scavenger hunt, learn about the plants and animals in Ireland's native woodland,

shelter building, wild foods and campfires.  Children must be accompanied by an adult. 

Please bring packed lunch & a drink.  This event is all outdoors so dress for the weather. 

Places limited. Cost: €5 for 1 adult and 1 child or €10 for a family

+

Meditation Every Tuesday from 8-9pm+

Series of 4 talks taking place in April and May.  Guest speakers include Bishop Denis Nulty,

Johnny Murtagh (Champion Jockey), Alice Leahy (Director of TRUST) and Mary Kennedy (RTE

Broadcaster).Contact Catherine on 057-8626153 for further

details.

MATHS AND PHYSICS GRINDSUniversity Maths & Physics Student available for one to one Project Maths or Physics grinds for

Leaving Cert or Junior Cert – All Levels. Reasonable rates – Contact Ciaran 086-3787658.

PIANO LESSONS / GRINDSExperienced & highly qualified piano teacher

available for students of all levels – Beginners welcome. Music grinds for Leaving Cert students

also available. Ph: 085-7393927

CHEMISTRY GRINDSLeaving Cert Chemistry Grinds available from

experienced, highly qualified teacher. Contact 085-7583586

PORTARLINGTON FOLK CHOIRSincere thanks to everyone who contributed to

our Church Gate Collection last weekend.

PORTARLINGTON LAWN TENNIS CLUBAGM will be held on Thurs. 13TH March at 8.30pm

in the clubhouse. All Senior members, Student members & parents/guardians of Junior members

invited to attend. Coaching with Tony Lok resumes shortly. Phone 087-1231135

ST. PATRICK’S DAY COMMITTEEThe Portarlington St. Patrick’s Day committee

would like to thank everyone who donated to their flag days recently. Thanks to all who helped with the collection, and to McLoughlin’s Supervalu for the use of their premises. For further details on

this year’s parade please contact the PCDA/LOVE PORT office in the Catholic Club Main St. Please call in or phone 085-8568801.

COMPUTER TRAININGComputer Training one to one from beginners to advanced.  All ages catered for. Email, Internet,

Skype, Booking tickets, Holidays, Shopping, Windows 8, IPads, Tablets, Kindle, Memory

Sticks, Music, Photos, Facebook, Word, Excel Phone 086-3034540

EASTER REVISION COURSES 2014Midlands Institute of Education - Leaving & Junior

Cert. April 21st – April 25th. For booking phone 057 8621042 or 086-0567271.

TOWN LINKTown link service from Portlaoise to Tullamore via Portarlington. Please note that the times for this service will change from 18th March. Phone 057

86 24416

RATH LADIES CLUBMeeting on Monday next, 10th March at 8.30pm

in The Fisherman’s. All welcome.SOLEMN NOVENA MONASTEREVINST. PETER & PAULS CHURCH

Rosary 7.10pm. Theme: “My Faith Story” 12th March Dermot Weld / 19th March Orla

O’Sullivan / 26th March Brenda O’Brien / 2nd April Elma Walsh / 9th April Archbishop Charles J.

Brown.

EMO-RATH PARISH LOTTO 3.3.14No Winner – Numbers 12,17,19,20,

€25 to each of the following: Martin Whelan, c/o Parish Office, Chris Bergin, Morette, c/o Emo Shop, Mary Nerney. c/o Emo Shop, Carmel

O’Rourke, c/o Parish Office, Michael Kinsella Jnr, Courtwood,

Next week’s Jackpot €15,000

PORTARLINGTON CHRISTMAS TREE AGMTakes place in the Anvil Inn on Friday the 14th

March at 9.30pm. All are welcome & we are always looking for new members if anyone is

interested. Sincere thanks to everyone for their continued support as it wouldn’t be possible

without your donations"

LEA CASTLE CONSERVATION PROJECTBriefing Meeting on Lea Castle Conservation

Project will take place on Tues. next, 11th March at 8pm in Portarlington Community CentreThe purpose of the meeting is to inform the

public about the exciting new development with the offer of grant aid from the Heritage Council for the conservation report for Lea Castle.  All

welcome

EMO FIELD COMMITTEE AGMEmo Field Committee will hold their AGM on Tues. 11TH March commencing 8pm in the

Community Centre. We would ask that all the elected representatives for the different

groups in the community would please attend.

AR NOIGE PLAYSCHOOL ENROLMENTAr nOige Playschool now enrolling for Sept. 2014. Contact Ann at 087-6270988 for an

Application Form.

PERSONAL EMPLOYMENT PATHWAYThis programme (PEP) is a support service being provided by the National Learning

Network group across County Laois. It is a FREE job skills programme which will support people with disabilities, helping them develop

personally and giving them the tools necessary to engage in economic activity in their local

communities. If you are interested in participating or for further information please call

Jim Nelson on 057 86 1263 / 086 1708823, email pep@nln.ie or go to www.nln.ie/pep.

REACHING OUT TOGETHERIreland Reaching out & Ancestry.com will hold free information seminar in Portlaoise Parish

Centre on April 9th at 8pm. The seminar supported by Laois Partnership Company will

explore how to use Ancestry.com and also discuss reverse genealogy techniques. You can reserve a place –  roadshow@irelandxo.com or

call 091 842013.

ST. CONLETH’SSenior Training – Fri. 8pm & Sun. morning

8.30am in O’Dempsey’s, U.14 Thurs. 6-7pm Astro Turf Port. Leisure Centre & Sat. 10am McCann Park, U.12 commencing 15th March

10am McCann Park, U.8 at 10am commencing 15th March in O’Dempsey’s. Thanks to all who took part in our Bridge night & our sponsors.

Best wishes to Mick Luttrell & Mary Bolger-Hinds taking part in Laois Strictly Come Dancing.

Check our Facebook page for more up-dates.

PORTARLINGTON LOURDES COMMITTEEPilgrimage to Lourdes 2014

Portarlington & Emo Parishes will be travelling together to Lourdes 7th – 14th

August - 7 nights full board in Hotel Solitude. Fare €789 - Deposit secures seat. Fare

may be paid by installments. Contact Marie Corcoran 087-7589896 or Vera Treacy 087-

9311813 or Tony Byrne 086-1225833.

THANK YOU

The Parents Council of Presentation Primary School thank all who contributed to their

Annual Church Gate Collection held recently. Your generosity and continued support is very

much appreciated.

SUAIMHNEAS PRESENTSMindfulness through Lent - Facilitated by

John DohertySat. 22nd March 11am-4pm. Monday

Evenings March 24th, 31st & April 7th 7.30pm - 9.30pm; Sat. 12th April 11am -4pm

Introduction to Mindfulness MeditationThurs. April 3rd & 10th 7.30pm-9.30pm

Introduction to Mindfulness MeditationThurs. May 1st & 8th 7.30 - 9.30pm

Sacred Stillness Course - Facilitated by John Doherty

Starts 24th May - Wednesdays: June 04th, 11th, 18th, July 02nd, 09th 16th Sat. July 26th.For further details contact Anne or Mai at

057-8626541 - Booking Essential

CHILDMINDERS AVAILABLEExperienced reliable child-minder available to mind child or children in minder’s own home.

Garda vetted / trained first aider / FETAC Child Development Trained / references

available. Portarlington / Emo area. Phone 086-1637828.

Experienced reliable child-minder available. Crèche trained / Garda vetted / References. Would mind child /children in minder’s own

home. Portarlington area. Car owner. Phone 087-2727241

EMO YOUTH CLUBEmo Youth Club - Fundraising Table Quiz Night on Friday 4th April at 9pm in the Gate

House. €10 per person/Tables of 4. Raffle & spot prizes on the night / Light refreshments

served. All very welcome.

ST. PAUL’S LGFA CLUBTraining continuing each week for U14 &

U16. First round of Féile for U14’s 8th March. Congratulations to the U16 & U14 girls who have made it on to the U16 Laois, U13 &

U14 Laois panels. Training for U6, U8, U10 & U12 will commence shortly. Sponsored Walk

(which goes towards your registration) will take place on the 6th April. Sponsorship Cards

available next week.

PORTARLINGTON GAALotto results Week 9.

No Jackpot winner. Numbers 2,3,5,8. Next Jackpot €4,000

Membership for 2014 Open Reg. nights Mon. 10th March 7-8pm & Thurs. 13th March from 7-8pm. Family €60,

Adult €40 or Child €25. Contact Janet Bennett (Reg.), Niall Slevin (Treasurer) or Adrainne McCarthy (Sec.). Further info. Phone 086

2712121 or portarlingtongaaclub@gmail.comIndoor skills training

In the GAA Centre on Wed. 5-6pm for U10-U12 & U6-U8 on Friday’s at 4-5pm

Good Friday 5 Card Draw Poker Classic. Entry fee €25-Buy In €5-Top up €10.Details & tickets from Joe Whelan or Cam McGettrick.Thank You - Sincere thanks to all those that supported Portarlington GAA and CLG Laois by buying an All County Ticket this year. We

wish them all the best in the draws.