First Sunday of Lent
The story of sirens in Greek mythology describes the negative and positive ways of fighting temptations. The Sirens are creatures with the heads of beautiful women and the bodies of attractive birds. They lived on an island (Sirenum scopuli – a group of three small rocky islands). With the irresistible charm of their song, they lured mariners to their destruction on the rocks surrounding their island They sang so sweetly that all who sailed near their home in the sea were fascinated and drawn to the shore only to be destroyed. When Odysseus, the hero of the Odyssey, passed that enchanted spot he escaped the temptation from sirens by ordering himself to be tied to the mast and ordering his sailor comrades to put wax in their ears, so that they might not hear the luring and bewitching strains. But King Tharsius chose a better and positive way of conquering Sirens’ temptations. He took the great Greek singer and lyrist Orpheus along with him. Orpheus took out his lyre and sang a song so clear and ringing that it drowned the sound of those lovely, fatal voices of the Sirens. Today’s readings advise us that the best way to break the charm of this world’s alluring voices during Lent is not trying to shut out the music by plugging our ears, but to have our hearts and lives filled with the sweeter music of prayer, penance, the word of God, self-control, and acts of charity. Then temptations will have no power over us. Fr Antony Kadavil
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Anniversaries This Weekend 22nd February 2026
Borris-in-Ossory Sunday Mass 11.00 a.m.
Des Standish,
Paddy and Hannah Delaney,
Sean Bergin, Killasmeestia
Knockaroo Sunday Mass 9.30 a.m.
Tim, Sadie and Breda Delaney,
also remembering Paddy Delaney
Anniversaries Next Weekend 1st March 2026
Borris-in-Ossory Sunday Mass 11.00 a.m.
Liam Drennan (Mass 11.00 a.m. Borris-in-Ossory)
Killasmeestia Sunday Mass 9.30 a.m.
Tom Delaney, The Glebe, Donaghmore and all the Sheil family
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Lenten Offerings
LENTEN Station Offering Envelopes due back today. One of the six collections for the financial upkeep of the Priest.
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First Friday
Friday 6th March is First Friday Evening Mass at 7.30 p.m. No Morning Mass
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Vincent de Paul Collection
St. Vincent de Paul Collection next weekend 1st March
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Social Services Party
The Annual Social Services party for Senior Citizens will take place in St. Joseph’s National School, Borris in Ossory next Sunday 1st March from 12.30 p.m. to 5.00 p.m. All are welcome.
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Pilgrimage to Lourdes
Ossory Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes from the 25th May 2026 for 5 nights Direct return flights from Cork to Lourdes. Airport transfers. Full religious programme. For information and bookings please contact Joe Walsh Tours 01 2410800 or email info@joewalshtours.ie
Assisted pilgrims contact Fr. O’ Connor 087 2517766.
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Eucharistic Ministers Next Weekend 1st March
Borris-in-Ossory SUNDAY 11.00 a.m.
Marie Kelly,
Kay Dowling,
Gail Maher,
Elizabeth Kilmartin
Killasmeestia SUNDAY 9.30 a.m.
Bernie Wall
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Church Readers Next Weekend 1st March
Borris-in-Ossory SUNDAY 11.00 a.m.
Eileen Daly
Killasmeestia SUNDAY 9.30 a.m.
Frank Wall
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Thought for the Day
Charity is not optional but a requirement of true worship. St John Chrysostom vehemently denounced excessive wealth connected with indifference for the poor. ‘It is very cold, and the poor man lies in rags, dying, freezing, shivering, with an appearance and clothing that should move you. You often adorn an unfeeling corpse, which no longer understands honor, with many varied and gilded garments. Yet you despise the one who feels pain, who is torn apart, tortured, tormented by hunger and cold.’ This profound sense of social justice leads him to affirm that ‘not giving to the poor is stealing from them, defrauding them of their lives, because what we have belongs to them.’ Pope Leo XIV
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