Mallow Heritage Centre

Holy Communion for those with a
Coeliac Condition

Holy Communion under the form of low-gluten consecrated hosts and consecrated wine which has no particle of a host in it will be available at one distribution point at each weekend Mass in both Mallow Churches.
That distribution point will be at the front of the altar.

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A TIME FOR SOWING

Lent is an ancient word for Spring. It is a time for clearing the ground and sowing the seed so that God’s harvest can come to fruition. Lent is six weeks of preparation for Easter. Without preparation Easter will have little meaning for us. It is a time for giving direction to our lives.

Lent is a time for listening. “Faith comes from hearing the message” (Rom. 10:17)  It is a time of listening to the Word of God and trying to reflect on it. Faith needs to grow, to reflect, to ask questions. Lent is a time of personal evaluation and of personal conversion. It includes self-control, prayer, effort to put Christ’s message into practice in everyday living.

Historically, Lent was a time of preparation for Baptism on Easter Eve. Christians are baptised into the Risen Christ and live by Resurrection Life. That is why Christians can live forever with God in heaven. We still like to have a candidate for Baptism at the Easter Vigil, to let us all realise the resurrection destiny of our Christian lives.

Those of us who are already baptised try to rediscover our baptismal vocation during Lent. It is a process, that is why we have six weeks to make our journey. Then at Easter we renew our baptismal vows, together with all those stepping forward in Christian commitment around the globe.

Nothing leads to rediscovering God as much as listening to or reading the Word of God.  During Lent the Church weaves a rich tapestry of that Word in the Readings at weekday Mass.  When you hear that Word during this Lent reflect upon it . Sit in quietness and allow God to speak to your heart.

May this season of Lent in the parish of Mallow be an inspiration and renewal for all who seek Him with a sincere heart.

DOING SOMETHING FOR LENT

Last week I included the invitation from the Pioneer Movement to exercise self control or even abstinence from alcohol during Lent to help those who are addicted. “Some demons can only be cast out by prayer and fasting “(Mark 9)

There are many things we can do during Lent either to re-discover self control in our lives or to grow in love for others. The Trocaire Box is a specifically Irish outreach of care to the needy of the world.. Five children starve to death every minute, according to a Save the Children report published recently. Our  contribution to the hungry of the world makes an enormous difference and Trocaire is one of many wonderful organisations that channel the goodness of people to where it is most needed. The knowledge that somebody cares is as important as the relief given. The fasts of the rich are the feasts of the poor.

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