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

Sunday, 8th August 2010

The 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Jesus said to his disciples: “Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Alcoholics Anonymous have given the world very many insights into human nature. One of those is that “we cannot so much think our way into a new way of behaving as behaving our way into a new way of thinking”. We can have all the best thoughts in the world but they are useless unless our lives correspond. People who are married have to live as if their marriage is the most important thing in their lives and it will become that. Parents have to spend time in treasuring their children so that they feel special. And people of faith have to live out their faith in action in the community or the faith becomes just an empty thing. The challenge of the Gospel today and for this week is to get our priorities straight so that Christ may be known in our world.

Fr. Johnny Doherty, C.Ss.R.

Sunday, 8th August 2010

19th Sunday in Ordinary Time

First Reading: Wisdom 18: 6-9
By the same act with which you took vengeance on our foes you made us glorious by calling us to you..

Second Reading: Hebrews 11: 1-2.8-19
Abraham looked forward to a city founded, designed and built by God.

Gospel: Luke 12: 32-48
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘There is no need to be afraid, little flock, for it has pleased your Father to give you the kingdom’.

Our Choirs Fall Silent

Our three parish choirs will now be taking a well-earned break for the summer. As we thank them for their music ministry during the year, we ask the members of our congregation to kindly join in the singing of the hymns printed below.

Entrance Hymn

Christ Be Beside Me

Christ be beside me,
Christ be before me,
Christ be behind me,
King of my heart.
Christ be within me,
Christ be below me,
Christ be above me,
Never to part.

Christ on my right hand,
Christ on my left hand,
Christ all around me,
Shield in the strife.
Christ in my sleeping,
Christ in my sitting,
Christ in my rising,
Light of my life.

Recessional Hymn

As I Kneel Before You

As I kneel before you,
as I bow my head in prayer,
Take this day, make it yours,
and fill me with your love.
Ave Maria, gratia plena, Dominus tecum, benedicta tu.

All I have I give you,
every dream and wish are yours,
Mother of Christ, mother of mine,
present them to my Lord.
Ave Maria, gratia plena, Dominus tecum, benedicta tu.

Reflection

Lord, I’ve no idea where I’m going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself. And the fact that I think I’m doing your will, doesn’t mean that I’m actually doing it. But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you, and I hope that I have this desire. Though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death, I will not fear, for you are with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.

Last week’s Collection was £1,825.00.

Many thanks.

This Week’s Calendar

Monday 9th – St. Teresa Benedict of the Cross [Edith Stein], was born in 1891 into a Jewish family at Breslaw in Poland. She became a Catholic in 1922 and later a Carmelite nun. Both Jewish and Catholic, she fled to Holland during the Nazi persecution, but was captured and sent to Auschwitz, where she died in the gas chambers on the 9th August 1942. She was declared patron of Europe in the year 2000.

Tuesday 10th – St. Lawrence, deacon and Martyr [d. 258]. He was one of the seven deacons of the Roman Church, who died a cruel death in the year 258 by burning on a gridiron.

Wednesday 11th – St. Clare of Assisi [1193-1253]. She followed the Franciscan way of life and founded the Poor Clare Order of nuns. She is patron of television.

Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Next Sunday, 15th August, is the feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Masses will be at the usual Sunday times.

Youth 2000 Summer Festival

12th – 15th August in Clonmacnois, County Offaly for 16yr to 35yr olds. Come along for a fantastic weekend filled with many new experiences. Free transport and several pick-up points. Telephone National Office 016753690 or for more details check out www.youth2000.ie

Valuing a Gift

Today’s Gospel speaks about our humdrum lives, speaks to us to remind us that our humdrum lives are much more than just that. The Lord’s gift to us encompasses so much. It can take the kind of day we had yesterday or the day before and transform it by touching it with his presence and his love. Our lives at home and at work are not only our lives; they also belong to him. He wants to be a part of them now, just as he will be a part of them for eternity.

It is strange how we can so easily live our lives ignoring Jesus. It is not that we don’t want him; we do. But remembering how much we planned for our last vacation and how the thought of it brightened the weeks before it, we can sometimes wonder why the thought of being with the Lord forever does not brighten our days while we wait.

For some people he still is important. He fills their days, and they do want him, even at some danger to themselves. People gather for secret Eucharists in more than one modern atheistic country because the Lord means more to them than even their own lives.

We love you, Lord, and we want you. Help us, we ask you, to want you more deeply than we do so now, and more consistently and persistently. You are our treasure; make us value you at your true worth. Don’t allow us to remain blind to you today or ever.

"The 4th National Grandparents' Pilgrimage will take place to the The Shrine of Our Lady of Knock, on Sunday 12th September. Anointing of the Sick at 2pm, Pilgrimage Mass at 3pm, followed by Eucharistic Adoration. Special guest singers: Michael English, Dana and Chloe Coyle. For further information, visit website www.catholicgrandparentsassociation.com or telephone 0035398 24877. Also, see details on poster on church notice board."

A Prayer to Jesus
Voice of Jesus, call us when we stray.
Eyes of Jesus, look upon us when we need encouragement.
Face of Jesus, smile upon us when we need reassurance.
Hands of Jesus, anoint us when we grow weary.
Arms of Jesus, lift us up when we stumble.
Body of Jesus, feed us when we grow hungry.
Heart of Jesus, help us to love one another as you have loved us.