Funding boost for Lough Ree Access for All

Lough Ree Access for All CLG, a licenced passenger boat service based locally for people with disabilities on the island of Ireland or in the UK, was recently announced by Rethink Ireland as being among the high-impact social enterprises to be awarded funding under the Social Enterprise Development Fund, now in its sixth year.

Lough Ree Access For All is a social enterprise which was set up in 2020. The group provides accessible boat trips, recreation and key supports to people with disabilities from all over the country. The Access project focuses on delivering the positive effects of waterways travel by enhancing the physical and mental health of passengers who access the boats independently by way of a revolutionary new ‘roll-on-roll-off’ design, akin to a small car ferry where the bow lowers to allow easy access.

Ranging from community services and affordable counselling to sustainability education providers, eight social enterprises responsible for responding to urgent needs in communities and tackling some of the country’s most pertinent societal barriers have been awarded funding. All awardee social enterprises will receive a combination of cash grants and business supports, including a cash injection

Gospel Reflection

Sunday, July 23

God is always teaching His people, as we hear in today’s First Reading. And what does He want us to know? That He has care for all of us; that though He is a God of justice, even those who defy and disbelieve Him may hope for His mercy if they turn to Him in repentance.

This divine teaching continues in the three parables that Jesus tells in the Gospel today. Each describes the emergence of the kingdom of God from the seeds sown by His works and preaching. The kingdom’s growth is hidden like the working of yeast in bread; it’s improbable, unexpected, as in the way the tall mustard tree grows from the smallest of seeds. Again, this week’s readings sound a note of questioning: Why does God permit the evil to grow alongside the good? Why does He permit some to reject the Word of His kingdom?

Because, as we sing in today’s Psalm, God is slow to anger and abounding in kindness. He is just, Jesus assures us – evildoers and those who cause others to sin will be thrown into the fiery furnace at the end of the age. But by His patience God is teaching us that above all He desires repentance and the gathering of all nations to worship Him and to glorify His name.

Even though we don’t know how to pray as we ought, the Spirit will intercede for us, Paul promises in today’s Epistle. But first, we must turn and call upon Him. We must commit ourselves to letting the good seed of His Word bear fruit in our lives. So, we should not be deceived or lose heart when we see weeds among the wheat – truth and holiness mixed with error, injustice, and sin.

For now, He makes His sun rise on the good and the bad (see Matthew 5:45). But the harvest draws near. Let’s work so that we might be numbered among the righteous children – who will shine like the sun in the kingdom of the Father.

-Scott Hahn PhD, salvationhistory.com (courtesy of Sacred Heart Church, Roscommon)

of €22,500 each and access to a non-financial support package worth €7,500, aimed at assisting each awardee in further expanding their organisations and supporting people that are most in need.

The sixth year of the fund focused on start-up and next-stage social enterprises, as well as the continuation of a business course across every Local Authority region in Ireland. To date, the Fund has supported social enterprises in every county in Ireland, helping them to deliver services to over 400,000 people, provide 500 people with access to employment and to mobilise 16,600 volunteers.

Driver tests positive for cocaine

A motorist was arrested by Gardaí in Roscommon town last week after testing positive for cocaine.

The arrest came about after a car was spotted driving erratically. Gardaí subsequently stopped the car and arrested the driver. It was also discovered that the car had no insurance.

Kilcroan Cemetery Mass

Mass will be celebrated at Kilcroan Cemetery on Sunday, August 13th at 3 pm. On Cemetery Sunday a collection will take place, which the committee hopes will be generously supported.

Mass at Oran Well

There will be Mass at Oran Well on Sunday, July 30th (Garland Sunday) at 10 am. Please note that there will be no Mass in Clooneycolgan or Ballinaheglish on that morning.

The following Friday night, July 28th, Castlecoote Lodge will celebrate 10 years of Irish trad sessions hosted by the Leyden family. Monthly trad sessions have attracted musicians, singers, and entertainers from counties Roscommon, Galway and Longford as well as further afield and there are lasting memories of many wonderful trad sessions. So come along and join the celebrations and continue the party on July 28th!