Clonmacnois Parish

February 21st 2021

First Sunday of Lent

Fr. Tom Cox (Adm) Tel. 090 9674125/  0868319500 

Email: clonmacnoiseparish@gmail.com

     WEB  shannonbridge.blogspot.ie

FACEBOOK https://fb.me/saintciarans

 

ALL MASSES ONLINE—LEVEL 5
Sat. 20th Feb. 7pm. Vigil 1st Sun. of Lent
Anniv Moira Macklin 16/2/2007
Sun. 21st Feb 10:30am 1st Sun. of Lent James Harrington anniv & Dec’d  family
ADORATION Shannonbridge 12-6p.m.
 
Mon Feb. 22nd  10am Mass Chair of St Peter This ancient feast relates to an early Roman custom at this time of the year of remembering the ancestors of the family. The feast celebrates St Peter as Bishop of Rome, head of the diocese.
Tues Feb. 23rd 10am Mass St Polycarp He was bishop Smyrna, present day Turkey. Born around the year 69, he was a disciple of St John the Apostle.
Wed Feb 24th 10am Mass
Thurs Feb 25th 10am Mass
Fri Feb 26th 10am Mass
Sat. 27th Feb. 7pm. Vigil 2nd Sun. of Lent
Sun. 28th Feb 10:30am 2nd Sun. of Lent
Michael & Mary Kelly & family Members. & Mary Droll (Died in New York, sister of Michael Kelly)
ADORATION Shannonbridge 12-6p.m.
****** 
RECENT DEATHS Eddie Clouder (Rathcline) cousin of Marian Daly
OFFERTORY Feb. 14th  €550.80 Thank you for returning Shrove Dues Envelopes for Priests Income
 
. CHURCH COLLECTIONS We deeply appreciate your support during this difficult time. .Name of Account Clonmacnois Parochial Account.
BIC-BOFIIE2DXXX    
IBAN-IE90BOFI90368011629381
Lent & Trócaire This year, due to the Covid-19 restrictions I am asking parishioners to collect their Trócaire packet (which contains the Trócaire Box) from the back of the Church as there is no other means of distribution. Also please take one for your neighbour(s) who are not out and about. Thank you.
SHANNONBRIDGE GAA  Lotto Results 15th Feb 2021  5-11-21-27. No Jackpot Winner, Four  match three.  Next weeks jackpot €8,200!
 FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT
‘The Spirit drove Jesus into the wilderness’
The word Lent means springtime. It is the season of lengthening days, new life, new hope, new beginnings. The Latin root of the word is ‘lente’, which suggests the call to slow down, proceed slowly, gently, carefully. In the first three centuries of the Christian era, the followers of Christ prepared for Easter by praying and fasting for three days. In some places, this was extended to the entire week before Easter. By the fourth century Lent had developed to its’ current length of forty days to replicate the time Jesus spent in the wilderness in preparation for His public ministry. The Wilderness is a barren strip, thirty-five miles by fifteen between Jerusalem and the Dead Sea. In that bleak place, He couldn’t have been more alone. He is confronted by Satan, but emerges victorious from the struggle. Nobody witnessed the dramatic event, so He must have reported it often to His friends. The episode raises the curtain on the Lenten drama and invites us once more to enter the quiet place where deepening and re-evaluation take place.
 ‘Solitude is the audience chamber of God’.
 LENT 2021  from Knock
TUESDAY NIGHTS Our Tuesday Scripture reflections series continues on Tuesday, February 23rd at 8pm. Young students from St. Louis’ Community School, Kiltimagh, Co. Mayo will reflect on how this piece of Scripture speaks to them in their daily lives. The reflection will be streamed on our website www.knockshrine.ie at 8pm.
‘Living the Christian Faith - Lenten Conversations’. Knock Shrine, Thursdays of Lent at 8.30pm, chaired by Fr. Eamonn Conway, DD, Professor of Theology at Mary Immaculate College. Topic for Thursday 25th February: ‘Living Christian Faith as Young Adults’. A group of young Irish adults, for whom Christian Faith is of great importance, will discuss the strength it gives them and how we can better communicate the joy of the Gospel today. www.knockshrine.ie/watch-live or on Facebook @knockshrine.
 
GALWAY TO  ATHLONE CYCLEWAY
There are only 8 days left to make submissions to get the greenway to Shannonbridge!!
Please take the time to fill in A form & circulate to all your friends & family! I  cant’ publish the link (it’s long!) in print but will send to anyone! Text/Call Shannonbridge Action Group members or myself at 086 8319500. Thanks. More at
 
Galway to Athlone Cycleway Home
 
A JOURNEY THROUGH LENT. Westport Alpha team invite you to join them on Zoom for a journey through Lent this year. The series continues  on Wednesday evening at 8.00 p. m on 24th February and each successive Wed. eve. to 24th March.
The series of presentations are on the theme of conversion. The evenings offer a fresh look at faith by reflecting on the lives of six Biblical characters. The series of six evenings surround the lives of the blind Bartimaeus; the rich young man; the call of Matthew, Jonah, the Woman at the Well; story of the Maji. Admission is free. No biblical experience is necessary. Zoom Meeting ID: 822 8770 5307 Passcode: 444555
Mobile Foot Health Practitioner Service - House Calls Available Daytime and Evening. Contact Maura at 086-8053671 to arrange an appt.                                                  
 1st READING A reading from the book of Genesis      9:8-15
God spoke to Noah and his sons, ‘See, I establish my Covenant with you, and with your descendants after you; also with every living creature to be found with you, birds, cattle and every wild beast with you: everything that came out of the ark, everything that lives on the earth. I establish my Covenant with you: no thing of flesh shall be swept away again by the waters of the flood. There shall be no flood to destroy the earth again.’
God said, ‘Here is the sign of the Covenant I make between myself and you and every living creature with you for all generations: I set my bow in the clouds and it shall be a sign of the Covenant between me and the earth. When I gather the clouds over the earth and the bow appears in the clouds, I will recall the Covenant between myself and you and every living creature of every kind. And so the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all things of flesh.’
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God
Responsorial Psalm         Ps 24
Response Your ways, Lord, are faithfulness and love for those who keep your covenant.
1. Lord, make me know your ways./Lord, teach me your paths./Make me walk in your truth, and teach me:/for you are God my saviour.                     Response
2. Remember your mercy, Lord, and the love you have shown from of old./ In your love remember me, because of your goodness, O Lord.         Response
3. The Lord is good and upright. /He shows the path to those who stray,/he guides the humble in the right path; / he teaches his way to the poor.               Response
SECOND READING
A reading from the 1st letter of St Peter        3:18.22 Christ himself, innocent though he was, died once for sins, died for the guilty, to lead us to God. In the body he was put to death, in the spirit he was raised to life, and, in the spirit, he went to preach to the spirits in prison. Now it was long ago, when Noah was still building that ark which saved only a small group of eight people ‘by water’, and when God was still waiting patiently, that these spirits refused to believe.
That water is a type of the baptism which saves you now, and which is not the washing off of physical dirt but a pledge made to God from a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has entered heaven and is at God’s right hand, now that he has made the angels of the Dominations and Powers his subjects.
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God
Gospel acclamation            Mt 4:4
Praise to you, O Christ, King of eternal glory! Man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God. Praise to you O Christ…..
GOSPEL A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark      1:12-15 Glory to you, O Lord
The Spirit drove Jesus out into the wilderness and he remained there for forty days,Jesus and choice and was tempted by Satan. He was with the wild beasts, and the angels looked after him.
After John had been arrested, Jesus went into Galilee. There he proclaimed the Good News from God. ‘The time has come’ he said ‘and the kingdom of God is close at hand.
Repent, and believe the Good News.
 
The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

Clonmacnois Parish

February 14th 2021

Day of Prayer for Temperance

Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Fr. Tom Cox (Adm) Tel. 090 9674125/  0868319500 

Email: clonmacnoiseparish@gmail.com

     WEB  shannonbridge.blogspot.ie

FACEBOOK https://fb.me/saintciarans

 

ALL MASSES ONLINE—LEVEL 5
Saturday 13th February 7p.m. Joan Farrelly (Months Memory)
Sunday 14th February 10:30a.m. Mass Joe (25/12/76)  & Kathleen Mahon (16/2/76) & Gregg
Mon 15th Feb 10am Mass Emma Martin 39th Anniv. (Mass of the Angels)
Tues 16th Feb 10am Mass & 8p.m. Stations of the Cross/ Ash Wed Vigil Service
Wed 17th Feb 10am MassAsh Wed
Day of Fast & Abstinence
Thurs 18th Feb 10am Mass
Fri 19th Feb 10am  Mass Worldwide Day of Prayer for Survivors & Victims of Sexual Abuse
Sat. 20th Feb. 7pm. Vigil 1st Sun. of Lent
Sun. 21st Feb 10:30am 1st Sun. of Lent
ADORATION Shannonbridge 12-6p.m.
****** 
OFFERTORY Feb. 7th  €762
. CHURCH COLLECTIONS via …
Moran’s Shop  OR Presbytery Letterbox
-Clonfanlough Box Sunday 10:30-12:15 at pier  OR Bank Transfer  There is the option of Electronic Transfer  which some have chosen to use. I just leave the details below and a request that you put your name or box number in the reference section. Instructions below.Name of Account Clonmacnois Parochial Account.
BIC-BOFIIE2DXXX    
IBAN-IE90BOFI90368011629381
 
Some consider a temporary
FATHER MATTHEWS’ PRAYER
Apostle of Temperance Father Mathew (1790-1856) was a Capuchin friar from Tipperary whose 19thcentury crusade against the abuse of alcohol gained him the title of “Apostle of Temperance”. Father Mathew’s call to sobriety has relevance to modern Ireland. The cost to
the nation by way of, human suffering, abstention from work, criminality and social upheaval is inestimable. Compassionate  Lord and Saviour, you inspired the Capuchin Friar Theobald Mathew to show your compassionate face to those addicted and burdened by the abuse of alcohol or addicted behaviour, and to promote temperance. May we today, continue to serve our brothers and sisters with love and joy, And to foster balance, and moderation in our life styles with the help of God. So, we pray, “here goes in the name of God.” Amen
 
SIXTH  SUNDAY OF THE YEAR
‘Jesus stretched out His hand and touched him’
A recent television documentary on the heroic men and women who are working on the front line in our hospitals in the battle against Covid-19 revealed in a striking way that compassion costs. It always does. In today’s Gospel Jesus reaches out in tender compassion to touch a leper. In doing what He did, He was crossing a significant boundary and breaking every law, taboo and convention of His day. The leper was the most miserable outcast in  Jewish society. He/she had to live away from the community, wear a bell and cry out, ‘Unclean, unclean’. To touch a leper made oneself unclean. The judgement of Jesus does not follow society’s standards, however. He understood how it felt to be rejected, to feel unwanted, to find no room at the inn and so, an untouchable one is touched, an outsider is brought in, an excluded one is made to feel welcome, a suffering human being is healed in body and spirit. No life, however broken or rejected is beyond God’s reach. Today, as in every generation, there are ‘untouchables’ in our world, people on the edge, the least, the lost, the last. The leper represents those whom society considers to be flawed. Our challenge is to do as Jesus did; to notice and be courageous enough to step out to bring inclusion where there is exclusion so that no brother or sister has to carry the cross alone. Jesus’ ministry of compassion cost Him. It will cost us too.
 
 ASH WEDNESDAY PRAYER  Dearest Lord, help me to honour this day with the ashes on my forehead. They help me remember where I have come from and where I am going. May I acknowledge to you my sins & my deep need for your loving forgiveness & grace. I pray that this Lenten season will make me so much more aware of how much I need your healing in my life. I know how much you love me. It’s hard for me to feel it sometimes, but I know your love is always with me. Help me to use your love as a way to persevere in my Lenten intentions. I am weak, but I know with your help, I can use these small sacrifices in my life to draw closer to you
 LIVING THE CHRISTIAN FAITH- Lenten Conversations’. Knock Shrine, Thursdays of Lent, chaired by Fr. Eamonn Conway, DD, Professor of Theology at Mary Immaculate College. Topic for Thursday 18th February: ‘Living Christian Faith in the Family’.
www.knockshrine.ie/watch-live or on
Facebook @knockshrine.
SHANNONBRIDGE GAA  Lotto Results 8th Feb 2021  9-11-14-29. Two match three and no jackpot winner  Next weeks jackpot is a whopping €8,000!
Mobile Foot Health Practitioner Service - House Calls Available Daytime and Evening. Contact Maura at 086-8053671 to arrange an appointment.                                                  CLONMACNOIS NS ENROLMENT  2021/2022-we are now enrolling for September 2021.To request an enrolment form please email the school at  clonmacnoisns.ias@eircom.net with your details  
LENTEN THOUGHT: What to give up for Lent 2021 ? May Grumbling, Irritability, Cynicism, Apathy, Hostility and Negativity among other things we might consider giving up. There is room for taking up during Lent - Kindness, Encouragement, Graciousness, Patience, Tenderness, Selflessness-ah! There is so much we could take up that could make a real difference, lengthen our days & shorten the Lent.( Fr. Vincent Sherlock)
LENT TEXTS If you would like a  daily thought sent to you by text message. A little prompt on your phone to pause each day during this Lenten Journey. Text your number to me 086 8319500 to sign up. I formed a Bulletin Mailing List last March in early Pandemic & if anyone wants to be added or deleted let me know!! No hassle!
 ASH WEDNESDAY This coming week begins the Holy time of Lent on Ash Wednesday. Sadly there will be no public Mass or distribution of Ashes this year—another “Lenten Sacrifice” in this year of many sacrifices. It could be true to say we are all “doing Lent” since last St. Patrick’s Day. The Liturgy Committee for the Diocese have prepared a Lenten Pack  “Our Journey through Lent” for people to take home with them from Ash Wednesday. We ask you to place the ashes contained in a container and add some water (some recommend oil) before placing them with a sign of the cross on your forehead. Packets of ashes are limited so we ask you to take only one packet per household. 
Pack to include:
1 A small envelope with Blessed Ashes from the morning Mass on Ash Wednesday. On the Envelope will be printed a short ritual for the home.   2. A folded leaflet, with the Stations of the Cross, using images and short text   3. A Postcard with the Breastplate of St. Patrick, people would be invited to send this to neighbours in Nursing Homes, or Isolating at  home.  4. A ‘Journeying Through Lent’ Sheet: This would mention the elements of Lent, and give suggestions for prayer.  5. A card with prayers for Children preparing for the sacraments this year.   6. These would be placed in white envelopes, label on the outside: 'Our Journey Through Lent' These packs will be available from Ash Wednesday.
We always associate Lent with the Trocaire Box. Please take home your Trocaire box with your Lenten Pack also.
I hope to also provide a printable sheet for Lectio Divina (means  Prayerful Reading) for the Sundays of Lent
Prayer for Lent
Loving God, as the season of Lent unfolds, you call us to return again and again. As you invite us to reflect on your love made visible in the person of Jesus, align our lives more closely with you through prayer, fasting and generous giving. Bless our desire to accompany Jesus’ suffering here and now in the crucified people of our world. With your grace, may we live Lent fully and move with transformed hearts into the abundant life of Easter morning. Amen.
Prayer on St. Valentine’s Day
 Loving Father, I pray for an open heart and mind, so that I may recognise and be grateful for all the love in my life. I pray that I might find a new sense of wholeness, joy and peace in your love. Remove all obstacles so that I may grow in love throughout my life. Give me the grace to trust in your loving plan for me, so that whatever my circumstances over the course of my life, I may know that I am not alone, that I am loved by You, my Loving Father, who is full of tenderness, mercy and compassion. Amen.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 Clonmacnois Parish

February 7th 2021

Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Fr. Tom Cox (Adm) Tel. 090 9674125/  0868319500 

Email: clonmacnoiseparish@gmail.com

     WEB  shannonbridge.blogspot.ie

FACEBOOK https://fb.me/saintciarans

(image taken by Marian McManus, used with permission)

 
FIFTH SUNDAY OF THE YEAR
Dag Hammarskjold, the second and youngest ever Secretary General of the United Nations once suggested that people should ‘speak only out of silence, act only out of stillness’. The recently deceased and legendary golf commentator, Peter Alliss, expressed the same sentiment when commenting on his own inimitable style: ‘I only speak when I feel I can improve on the silence’. These thought-provoking words are perfectly in tune with the life and ministry of Jesus. Prayer and reflection in the quiet space preceded all the significant moments of His journey. He prayed before embarking on His public ministry, as part of His daily routine, at His Baptism, before choosing the twelve apostles, before and after performing miracles, at the Transfiguration, during His agony on the cross. His entire mission was animated by prayer and reflection. In today’s Gospel extract, we find Him in that quiet space. He has just completed a hectic day of preaching and ministering to the sick and now as He faces a new day He retires to the solitude to get in tune with the Father. We find in Him that precious balance between action and reflection. That balance should be our goal too. The greatest malady in our world today is a loss of soul. We are not so much experiencing a clash between belief and non-belief, but rather between thinking and non-thinking! We should learn from the Master. The body is the child of the soul and when body and soul are in harmony happiness is the natural result.
 
Prayer to Our Lady of Lourdes
Feast – 11th February World Day of Prayer for the Sick
O Holy Virgin, in the midst of your days of glory, do not forget the sorrows of this earth. Cast a merciful glance upon those who are suffering, struggling against difficulties, with their lips constantly pressed against life’s bitter cup. Have pity on those who love each other and are separated. Have pity on our rebellious hearts. Have pity on our weak faith. Have pity on those we love. Have pity on those who weep, on those who pray, on those who fear. Grant hope and peace to all. Amen.
…Next Sunday is a Day of Prayer for Temperance, which is always the Sunday before Ash Wednesday the beginning of Lent. Temperance relates to all addictions—drink, drugs, gambling etc. and all the issues that springs from their abuse.
Ash Wednesday: Reminder that this year our Lenten Journey begins on Wednesday 17th February
ALL MASSES ONLINE—LEVEL 5
Sat 6th Feb  7:00p.m. Edel Anderson
Sunday 7th February (St. Mel’s Day)
10:30a.m.  Anniv Padraig Devery (Clonlyon)
Monday 8th February 10am (Special Intention) St. Jerome Emiliani & Josephine Bakhita
Tuesday 9th February 10am
Wednesday 10th February 10am St. Scholastica Peoples Intention
Thursday 11th February 10am O.L. of Lourdes World Day of the Sick
Friday 12th February 10am
Saturday 13th February 7p.m. Joan Farrelly (Months Memory)
Sunday 14th February 10:30a.m.  Joe (25/12/76)  & Kathleen Mahon (16/2/76) & Gregg
RECENT  DEATHS  Michael Wrenn (Ferbane) brother in law of Ann Corbett OFFERTORY Jan 31st  €707
. CHURCH COLLECTIONS via …
Moran’s Shop I am indebted to Fergal & Linda Moran of Moran’s Gala shop & Post Office who continue to offer a drop in facility.
-Presbytery Letterbox
-Clonfanlough Box Sunday 10:30-12:15 at pier
Bank Transfer  There is the option of Electronic Transfer  which some have chosen to use. I just leave the details below and a request that you put your name or box number in the reference section. Instructions below.Name of Account Clonmacnois Parochial Account.
BIC-BOFIIE2DXXX    
IBAN-IE90BOFI90368011629381
Special Celebrations this Week
 …Monday is International Day of Prayer and Awareness against Human Trafficking. Each year, around 2.5 million people are victims of trafficking. It has become one of the most lucrative illegal activities in the world today.
…This Sunday, February 7th is the feast of St. Mel, Co-Patron (along with St. Ciaran) Saint of our Diocese of Ardagh & Clonmacnois
 …Thursday is the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes and is World Day of prayer for the sick. The Covid-19 has made us all more aware of the fragile grip we have on health and life. We pray today for all who are sick from Covid-19 and all other ill health issues.
 
 SEEKING OLD PHOTOGRAPHS -  Brosna Press are seeking old black and white photographs for inclusion in a forthcoming book of photographs from the early 1900s up to the 1960s. The photo can be of any subject, depicting life in West Offaly from the turn of the century onwards. Photographs will be carefully scanned and promptly returned to their owner.  If you have access to a scanner you can upload your photo at brosnapress.ie. All photographs to be supplied with captions. We are particularly interested in photos from Shannonbridge, Clonfanlough and Clonmacnoise. Call 090 6454327 Email diarmuid@brosnapress.ie  for more information.
 
Mary, the Lord is with you
Mary
You are our companion
Along the way
And the inspiration
Of our faith journey.
 
Welcome into our hearts
And homes today.
Your openness, faith and trust
Touches our hearts to welcome
The gift of the Spirit,
As promised by your Son, Jesus.
 
As disciples of gospel service,
We desire to change.
We look to you as a friend and companion
In living our vocation and of following Christ,
And with the joy, sensitivity and love
You brought to Jesus during
His Bethlehem and Nazareth days.
 
When we contemplate
you as a woman filled with faith,
Your spirit of intuition and initiative,
Inspires us to be Good News
In our church and world.
 
In trust we pray with you:
My soul glorifies the Lord.
The Almighty has done great things.
With you Mary
We go to the Father,
In union with Jesus
Ina Spirit of Love.
Amen.
John Cullen
 
 Prayer to Our Lady of Lourdes
Feast – 11th February World Day of Prayer for the Sick
O Holy Virgin, in the midst of your days of glory, do not forget the sorrows of this earth. Cast a merciful glance upon those who are suffering, struggling against difficulties, with their lips constantly pressed against life’s bitter cup. Have pity on those who love each other and are separated. Have pity on our rebellious hearts. Have pity on our weak faith. Have pity on those we love. Have pity on those who weep, on those who pray, on those who fear. Grant hope and peace to all. Amen.
…Next Sunday is a Day of Prayer for Temperance, which is always the Sunday before Ash Wednesday the beginning of Lent. Temperance relates to all addictions—drink, drugs, gambling etc. and all the issues that springs from their abuse.
Ash Wednesday: Reminder that this year our Lenten Journey begins on Wednesday 17th February
 
SHANNONBRIDGE GAA  Lotto Results 1st Feb 2021  11-15-25-31  One match three and no jackpot winner  Next weeks jackpot is a whopping €7,800!
 
Mobile Foot Health Practitioner Service - House Calls Available Daytime and Evening. Contact Maura at 086-8053671 to arrange an appointment.
PTAA - TEMPERANCE SUNDAY falls this year on Valentine’s Day, 14th Feb. Parents with young children could make another pledge of love & give up alcohol for the 6 weeks of Lent.
 
CLONMACNOIS NS ENROLMENT  2021/2022-we are now enrolling for September 2021.To request an enrolment form please email the school at clonmacnoisns.ias@eircom.net with your details.
 
 World Day of Prayer for the Sick. February 11th ..Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes.    This year we celebrate the Day of Prayer for the Sick with people all over the World, a World still struggling to come to terms with Covid 19 pandemic. Never was this Day of Prayer more urgently needed. Nobody is immune to catching it or passing it on to a more vulnerable family member or friend. Hand washing, mask wearing and social distance has become second nature to us. But for us who are believers there is another urgent requirement , a need to pray with great hope, deep faith and much love. We are asked to encircle the world with the light of our prayer together during the coming nine days as we pray the Novena to Our Lady of Lourdes.

Novena: Mary, Our Lady of Lourdes, you appeared at the grotto of Massabielle to Bernadette, a simple shepherdess. You brought her the radiant light of your smile, the gentle, resplendent brightness of your presence. Day by day, you built a relationship with her, where you gazed at her gently as one person talking to another. We, too, come before you in our poverty, and we humbly pray to you. May those who doubt discover the joy of trust. May those who despair sense your discreet presence. Mary, Our Lady of Lourdes, you revealed your name to Bernadette by simply saying “I am the Immaculate Conception”. May we discover the joy of a forgiveness that never falters. Instil in us the desire for a rediscovered innocence and a joyful holiness. Help the blinded sinner. You who gave birth to the Saviour of the world, look tenderly on our beautiful but tragic world. Open in us the path of hope, Guide us to the One who is the Living Source, Jesus, your Son, who teaches us to call God Father. (Decade of the Rosary)

During the pandemic, we have observed the dedication and generosity of health care professionals, and many other frontline workers. They have treated, comforted and served many sick, elderly and vulnerable people in our communities. Reflect for a few moments in silence on what we have learned from the dedication and commitment of frontline workers in healthcare and in the wider community and the hope that they bring to us for the future of society