Our Parish

The Parish of St. Nicholas.

Our church is a focal point for our community .

Fr. Damian Ryan is the school chaplain and he works closely with the Teaching Team in encouraging the children

towards a deeper understanding of their Faith. Some of the work undertaken in the school ties in closely with the

Christian Festivals. At present we are preparing for Advent and the senior classes will commence their Advent

services shortly. Fr. Daly is a regular and welcome visitor to all classes. Classes from Third Class up also

attend morning Mass in nearby St. Munchin's College once a month as a class. This year's Confirmation is set

to take place on the 5th of May and Communion will be on the 19th of May.

LENTEN SERVICES

Let us pray,

Lord and Father you have taught us to overcome our sins by prayer, fasting and works of mercy.

When we are discouraged by our weakness, give us the confidence to trust in your mercy and love.

A reading from the prophet Jeremiah

The word of the lord was addressed to me saying " Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you

Before you came to birth , I consecrated you. I have appointed you to be a prophet to the nations. "

I said "Ah Lord look, I do not know how to speak I am a child." But the Lord replied " Do not say " I am

a child", Go now to those to whom I send you. Do not be afraid of them for I am with you to protect you."

Responsorial psalm

Response: Go out to the whole world and tell the Good News.

O, praise the Lord all you nations, acclaim Him all you peoples.

Response: Go out to the whole world and tell the Good News.

Strong is his love for us, he is faithful forever.

Response: Go out to the whole world and tell the Good News.

A reading from the letter of St. Paul to the Philippians.

I want you to be happy, always happy in the Lord. I repeat , what I want is your happiness. Let your tolerance

be evident to everyone: the lord is very near. There is no need to worry, but if there is anything you need

pray for it with prayer and thanksgiving, and that peace of God which is so much greater than we can

understand will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.

Finally brothers and sisters, fill your minds with everything that is true, everything that is noble,

everything that is good and pure, everything thought worthy of praise. Keep doing all the things you

have learned from me and have been thought by me and have heard or seen that I do. Then the God

of peace will be with you.

This is the Word of the Lord.

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew .

Jesus made a tour through all the towns and villages, teaching in all their synagogues, proclaiming

the Good News of the Kingdom and curing all kinds of diseases and sickness. And when He saw the

crowds He felt sorry for them because they were harassed and dejected like sheep without a shepherd.

Then he said to his disciples "The harvest is rich but the labourers are few, so ask the lord of the

harvest to send the labourers to his harvest .

This is the Gospel of the Lord.

The Prayers of the Faithful

We pray with gratitude to God our Father for the life of St. Patrick who brought the faith

of Jesus Christ to the Irish people.