News for March 1st 2026

Notices for  March 1st, 2026

Services for March 8th 2026,  3rd Sunday of Lent

Morning Worship at:

9.30am                        St Paul’s Church, Collooney 

10.45am                     Holy Trinity Church, Ballisodare (with baptism)

Noon                             Emlaghfad Church, Ballymote

Collect for Today

Almighty God,

you show to those who are in error the light of your truth

that they may return to the way of righteousness:

Grant to all those who are admitted

into the fellowship of Christ’s religion,

that they may reject those things

that are contrary to their profession,

and follow all such things

as are agreeable to the same;

through our Lord Jesus Christ.

St David’s Day Prayer

Almighty God,

Who called your servant David

To be a faithful and wise steward of your mysteries

for the people of Wales

in your mercy, grant that,

following his purity of life and zeal for the gospel of Christ,

we may with him receive the crown of everlasting life;

through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,

who is alive and reigns with you.

In the unity of the Holy Spirit,

One God, now and for ever.

Lent Prayer

We are planning to look at prayer and pray over the Lenten period in our churches. We will meet in all our churches over Lent. We plan to be open from 10.00am and 11.00am on Fridays (just drop in, you don’t have to stay for the whole hour, the reflection should take around 30minutes) in the following locations. Further dates are:

March 6th, Ballymote; March 13th, Ballisodare, March 20th, Collooney and March 27th, Ballymote. A flyer is available and weekly sheets are presented each week.

Confirmation – Final Call

United Confirmation Service for the Sligo churches will take place on May 10th. Any children or adults seeking confirmation this year should ask Andrew for a form. The Bishop usually likes candidates to be in Secondary School at the time of confirmation. Preparation will take place after Easter this year and will most probably be done on Zoom. Please let Andrew know if this presents any difficulty.

Faith Re-ignited

Our Archdeaconry is planning to run several events for the churches in the period from Ascension to Pentecost 14-24 May. Each parish group is invited to put on one or two events or activities that will draw back those who have wandered away from church life. Please give this some thought and prayer and if anything comes to mind have a word with Andrew.

The Marthas

The Marthas are meeting again on Tuesday March 10th at the home of Mary Bourke from 7.15pm.

World Day of Prayer

Friday March 6th is the World Day of Prayer and a service will be held in Holy Trinity Church, Ballisodare at 8.00pm. All are welcome.

MU Event

St John’s MU have invited Ballisodare MU to their meeting on Wednesday 11th at 7.30pm to hear Jean and Mary share a tale of intrigue, deception and espionage.

Easter Children’s Event

There will be a planning event for an Easter children’s event on Tuesday, March 3rd at 7.30pm at Wendy Lyons’ house.

Church Youth Training Events

Jane Henderson from Church Army is delivering two training days, Wednesday March 25th and Thursday 26th March at the Church of Ireland Theological Institute on: Resources useful for Christian Unions or religion classes. Church Youth workers are welcome to attend. (Wednesday)

On Thursday she will run training in Faith Empowered. Faith Empowered seeks to train local lay leaders in Evangelism over 10 sessions designed to be spread out over a year. They would be ideal for a group of older Christian teenagers.

Prayer

Please remember in your prayers parishioners who are in hospital, or resident in our care homes.

Leaving a Gift for the Church in your Will

Legacy gifts or ‘gifts in will’ are an important source of income for churches, allowing us to make long-term plans. They are also a way of enabling you to continue to support the church after you’re gone.

By remembering us in your will, you can help ensure the church’s presence will continue to benefit many generations to come.

Further details on how to do this are on our website along with answers to some of the questions you may have. A paper version can be provided on request.

Irish Hospice Foundation

Bereavement Support Line available Mon-Fri, 10.00am-1.00pm 1800 80 70 77

Bank Transfers and Standing Orders

If you would like to make donations via bank transfer or by standing order please contact the Rector or the local treasurer who will provide appropriate details.

Church of Ireland parishes in Collooney, Ballymote and Ballisodare