PRIESTS OF THE PARISH
Rev John Doherty PP Tel: 028 7188 2274
Rev Paul Farren Tel: 028 7188 3247

Sunday, 6th September 2009

23rd Sunday of the Year

God does all things well

“He (Jesus) makes the deaf hear and the dumb speak.” In the Gospels we can hear a real sense of awe among the people who witnessed the miracles of Jesus. It wasn’t just for the fact that he cured people but also it was because of the wonderful gentleness and compassion that he showed towards those who were suffering. That same power and those same qualities of his love are there for us today. They are given to us to transform the quality of life in our homes and community. We will know that we have been touched by him this week if we let our ears be opened to hear the needs of those in our homes and community and respond to them. Equally we will know his touch if we let our tongues be loosened to speak to one another words of love, of praise, of comfort, of encouragement.

Fr. Johnny Doherty, C.Ss.R.

Sunday 6th September, 2009

23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

First Reading Isaiah 35: 4-7
The ears of the deaf will be unsealed and the tongues of the dumb sing for joy.

Second Reading James 2: 1-5
It was those who are poor according to the world that God chose.

Gospel Mark 7: 31-37
Jesus opens the ears of the deaf man.

Lord Hear Us

‘Lord hear us. Lord graciously hear us’. For most people these are automatic responses to the Prayer of the Faithful at Mass. Many minds slip to more earthy and earthly matters. When you think about it, in these prayers you’re asking God to hear us.

It’s hard to get a good listener. As communication improves, loneliness increases. People live isolated lives, cut off from each other, feeling cut off from God. Privacy can become a prison, while the generous can fear that reaching out may be rejected or misunderstood. We can be deaf to each other’s deepest yearning. Deafness can lead to dumbness.

Hearing and speech are closely linked. Christians must hear the word of God right before they can speak it correctly. At births, comparisons are made between the child’s features and that of older family members. Granny’s mouth, his father’s nose, his mother’s eyes. It’s not just the physical features we inherit. Values, too and perspectives are absorbed and resurface through the generations; Fianna Fail and Fine Gael, Orange and Green, Settled and Traveller. Different mindsets and approaches.

Into that comes Jesus today with ‘’Ephphatha’ - Be opened. No wonder that it has been pronounced at every baptism. Be opened. Open to the Father who so loved the world that he sent his only Son to save us. He made the Word flesh – our challenge is to make the Word fresh.

Collection
Last week’s collection amounted to £1,196.00. Many thanks.

The Sick and Housebound
The sick and housebound will be attended on Tuesday morning and afternoon.

First Anniversary Mass
The 7.00pm Vigil Mass on Saturday
12th September will be offer for the late Bob Devereux, Grangewood, on the occasion of the first anniversary of his death.

Pilgrimage to Knock in honour of
Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal
Saturday 12th September 2009. Bus leaving Abercorn Square at 8.00am sharp! Fare £12stg or €15euro. Please bring a packed lunch for the journey. For further details and booking please contact mary Hegarty,
15 Patrick Street Telephone [028] 71882886.

This Week’s Calendar
Tuesday 8th – Our Lady’s Birthday is celebrated today.
Wednesday 9th – St. Ciarán. Like the Lord, he was known as the son of a carpenter. Ciarán was Abbot of Clonmacnois and died there.
Also Blessed Fredrcik Ozanam, who founded the Society of St. Vincent de Paul in 1813.
Friday 11th – Fifth anniversary of the New York tragedy.
Saturday 12th – St. Ailbe, founder of the monastery at Emly [Co. Tipperary].

Reflection
The gift of hearing is a precious gift.
But it is only with the heart that we can hear rightly.
The cry of a needy person may reach our ears,
but unless it reaches our heart
we will not feel the person’s pain,
and it is unlikely that we will respond.
And the gift of speech is a precious gift.
But again it is only with the heart that we can speak rightly.
For our words to ring true, they must come from the heart.
If they come only from the lips,
they will have a hollow sound and will have little effect.
They will be like a wind that ruffles the surface of the water
but leaves the depths untouched.
But words that come from the heart, enter the heart.

Engaged Encounter
The next Engaged Encounter weekend taking place in the Thornhill Centre, Derry will be on 12th – 13th September. This is a non-residential, two-day weekend for engaged couples and we have some places remaining. Accommodation can be arranged through direct contact with the centre [028] 71351233.

For the Harvest
Blessed are you, Lord our God,
Creator of heaven and earth
and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ:
we praise you for your glory
and thank you for your goodness to us.
We praise you for your generous gifts
and for bringing fruitful results to our labours.
As we rejoice in your kindness,
we pray also for those who are in need.
Open our hearts to them,
and teach us to be as generous to others
as you are to us.
Gracious and bounteous God,
help us all the follow Jesus our Lord
and so bear eternal fruit for you.