Third Sunday of Lent
If we look again at this week’s Gospel of Jesus’s encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4:5-42), we can find aspects of love. Let us begin by imagining that we are also at Jacob’s well with Jesus as he asks the Samaritan woman for a drink of water. We are shocked. The Gospel says Jews used nothing in common with Samaritans (John 4:10). But in reaching out across cultural and gender barriers, Jesus is showing a magnanimous love that does not insist on its own way. Jesus went further in this outpouring of love, offering her ‘living water,’ precisely because he knew about her past. And the woman, undoubtedly at first shocked and irritated that Jesus, a Jew, had occupied her space, changed too in the dramatic encounter. She left behind her water jar (John 4:28) as she returned to her village to share how her encounter with Jesus changed her heart. It was a small gesture on her part, a sign that her heart, once irritated, was now filled with love. As this week unfolds, you might spend a few minutes each day reflecting on Jesus’ outpouring of love, his living water, and how it is available to you, right now. And think of the Samaritan woman, her life radically changed by encountering the Messiah, and her water jar, a small gesture of her love. What small gesture of love can you offer this week, to a person who irritates you?
Roger Sullivan
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Anniversaries This Weekend 8th March 2026
Borris-in-Ossory Mass Sunday 11.00 a.m.
Patrick, Mary, James and Michael Phelan,
Angela Cronan,
Ann Treacy,
Margaret Fitzpatrick,
George Hanrahan,
Christy O’ Brien
Knockaroo Mass Sunday 9.30 a.m
Dinny Kealy,
Timmy Fitzpatrick, Ballybrophy
Anniversaries Next Weekend 15th March 2026
Borris-in-Ossory Mass Sunday 11.00 a.m.
Richard Kelly,
Bridget and Michael Bowe
Killasmeestia Mass Sunday 9.30 a.m
Peter and Mary O’ Connor
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Many thanks for your Lenten Offering envelopes – If you forgot to send it in please do so during the week or bring it to Mass next weekend.
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St Mary’s Cathedral – FEBRUARY DRAW RESULTS
1st Prize €2000 Martina Kennedy, Ballyragget
2nd Prize €1000 John &Adrian Hayes, St Mary’s
3rd Prize €500Frances Connelly, St John’s
4th Prize €300 Mairead Devitt, Borris-in-Ossory
5th Prize €300Pat & Nellie Mooney, Clogh
6th Prize €200 Trish Byrne, St Mary’s
7th Prize €200 Peadar King, Borris-in-Ossory
8th Prize €100 Angela & John O’ Brien, Johnstown
9th Prize €100Tim&Geraldine Sherman, Lisdowney
10th Prize €100 Jim & Goretti Bradshaw, Callan
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Eucharistic Ministers Next Weekend 15th March
Borris-in-Ossory SUNDAY 11.00 a.m.
Pat Kelly,
Sr. Regina,
Noreen Hanrahan,
Margaret Bourke
Killasmeestia SUNDAY 9.30 a.m.
Eileen Healy
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Church Readers Next Weekend 15th March
Borris-in-Ossory Mass SUNDAY 11.00 a.m.
First Communion Mass
Killasmeestia Mass SUNDAY 9.30 a.m.
Gerry O’ Connor
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Baptised and Sent
Because of their participation in the teaching office, all the faithful, including those without a formal theological training, have an instinct for the truth. ‘God furnishes the totality of the faithful with an instinct of faith – sensus fidei – which helps them to discern what is truly of God’. Participating in the priestly office enables the full and active participation of all in the celebration of the liturgy of the Church where the whole assembly offers praise and thanks to the Living God. Participating in the kingly office empowers all the baptised to play an active part in the governance of the Church. Together, participation in the threefold messianic mission of Jesus Christ calls for a Spirit-filled community that listens, prays, meditates, dialogues, accompanies, discerns, decides and acts as all the baptised journey in Christ to God the Father. Even as the difference between the common priesthood of the baptised and the ministerial priesthood of the ordained is recognised, the essential equality of the one People of God is maintained. Ordained ministers are to serve the community of baptised disciples in its responsibility for the one mission of the Church, a mission that takes on new requirements in an ever-changing world. Also on www.synod.ie, see ‘Baptised and Sent in Lent’ – an accessible and easily led prayer resource for groups and families with the Sunday Gospels during Lent. Liam Bergin
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