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

St May's Church Cloughcor.

(we will rotate the church images each week)

Sunday, 8th November 2009

32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time.

Christian Trust

Jesus said to his disciples: "This poor widow has put more in than all who have contributed to the treasury". Today we judge the importance of things by how much they cost. And we also judge the importance of people by how wealthy they are. Jesus gives us a different way of judging, namely by how generous a person is. Generosity is one of the best signs of how free people are within themselves because the greatest freedom is to love with our whole hearts. So many things block that freedom in us, particularly our need to protect our possessions and to increase them. In the person of the poor widow, Jesus gives us the example of complete freedom. This week we are invited to practise this freedom in our homes and in our community by giving time and attention to one another. We are also asked to give to those in need in our world. How free are you to be generous?

Fr. Johnny Doherty, C.Ss.R.

Sunday, 8th November 2009

32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time.

First Reading 1 Kings 17; 10-16
In the middle of a famine, a poor widow shares the last of her food with the prophet Elijah and far from losing by so doing, she is enriched.

Second Reading Hebrews 9: 24-28
Through his death Christ has taken our sins upon himself and has opened for us the door to salvation.

Gospel Mark 12: 38-44
In the eyes of others the offering of the widow was the least, but in the eyes of Christ it was the greatest.

Lord, Open Our Hearts

We continue to pray and reflect on love. Today’s readings focus on one aspect of love – generosity. Not just off the top of the bankroll, but generosity that carries the mark of wholehearted love.

To illustrate that the Lord measures the size of a gift by the size of the giving heart, the Gospel tells the story of the widow’s offering. Her few pennies represent all she has. She held nothing back, but gave with all her heart. This is complete generosity.

The widow who welcomes Elijah is just as prodigal. She seems even poorer than the widow at the temple: all she has is a little oil and flour. We have to use our imagination to realise the leap of faith she made when she heeded Elijah’s request.

Lord, you would not strip us of security. You never ask more than we can give. The one thing you ask is that our hearts be generous, loving and open to your suggestions. For our generosity to others opens our hearts to the abundance of your gifts, and you will never be outdone in generosity. Lord, open our hearts!

Last week’s Collection amounted to £1,308.00.

Many thanks.

Mission Collection
The recent collection for the Propagation of the Faith was £1,487.00.
On behalf of the missionaries, many thanks.

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

Month’s Mind Mass
The Month’s Mind Mass for the late Joe McNulty, Crockan Road will be said in St. Joseph’s Church, Glenmornan on Friday next at 7.30pm.

First Anniversary Mass
The Vigil Mass on Saturday 14th November will be said for the late
Fr. John O’Doherty on the occasion of the first anniversary of his death.

Mass for Deceased Teachers
The Mass for the deceased teachers of the diocese this year will be celebrated in St Eugene’s Cathedral, Derry on Wednesday 11th November at 7.30pm. All welcome.

First Holy Communion/Confirmation
A meeting for parents of children who will receive First Holy Communion and Confirmation in the coming year will take place in the Sacred Heart Church on Thursday 12th November at 7.30pm. It is hoped that all parents will be able to attend.

The following are asked to assist as collectors and church cleaners during the month of November:

SACRED HEART CHURCH:
Collectors:
Saturday 7.00pm:-
Manus McLaughlin, Lawrence Doherty Snr and Tony McDaid.
Sunday 11.30am:-
Denis Hegarty.

Cleaners: Team F.

ST. MARY’S CHURCH, CLOUGHCOR:
Collectors:
Brendan Conway.

Altar Society & Cleaners:
Martina McCauley.

ST. JOSEPH’S CHURCH, GLENMORNAN:
Collectors:
Patsy McGonigle.

Altar Society:
Rosemary Devine.

Our thanks are due to all who served the parish in any way during the month of October.

Owen Roe O’Neill’s G.A.C.
Please see poster on the nonticeboard at back of church for club notes.

Diocesan Mass for Church Choirs/Musicians
Bishop Séamus Hegarty would be delighted if all who are involved in music in their parish could attend a Mass of Dedication in St. Eugene’s Cathedral, Derry on the Feast of St. Cecelia, Sunday 22nd November at 7.30pm.
Members of parish choirs/folk group who would be willing to be present should give their names to their director by next weekend at the latest.

Reflection
You give but little when you give of your possessions.
It is when you give of yourself that you truly give.
There are those who give little of the much which they have,
and they give it for recognition,
and their hidden desire makes their gifts unwholesome.
And there are those who have little and give it all.
These are the believers in life and the bounty of life,
and their coffer is never empty.