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

St. Joseph’s Church, Glenmornan

(we will rotate the church images each week)

Sunday, 15th November 2009

33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time.

Jesus said to his disciples: 'Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away'. Every now and again someone spreads the rumour of the end of the world. So far it hasn't taken place! We have something far more important than the end of the world to make our preoccupation, namely the wonderful presence of Christ with us and in us and around us. As followers of Jesus we have a great responsibility to the world we live in to show him powerfully in the way we live as his people in spite of all the scandals and all the upheaval in the Church today. We do this by the joy of God's presence and love shining out through us. And we do it by the quality of life we develop in our homes and in our parish community, a quality that is characterised by kindness, gentleness, care, enthusiasm, peace, hope, forgiveness.

Fr. Johnny Doherty, C.Ss.R.

Sunday 15th November 2009

33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time.

First Reading Daniel 12: 1-3
A prophecy about the final Judgement.

Second Reading Hebrews 10: 11-14.18
Christ has offered one single sacrifice for sins and taken his place at the right hand of God.

Gospel Mark 13: 24-32
The coming of Christ in glory.

Watchful Waiting

As the world becomes faster, we seem paradoxically to spend more time waiting. The queue is a symbol of our times. We think of the frustrations experienced by those who wait in high-powered cars in traffic jams, or for that last flight after waiting interminably at airports. We queue in surgeries, at bus-stops, in shops, everywhere. Our life is punctuated with many periods of waiting.

Some wait with great impatience, others pass the time reading or doodling. Waiting can also have a joyful dimension. A child anticipates Christmas, parents await a birth, engaged couples anticipate marriage.
How should a Christian wait for the coming of the Lord?
Carefully, just as you would when carrying out tasks of great responsibility. There will be a final reckoning, so no cooking of books will be permitted.
Actively, grasping each day, moment and occasion. Keep on working until the end.

With Confidence – in the one who is there waiting for us.
Fear only arises from the uncertainty of the day. But knowing who holds the future [God] is what’s more important. We can echo the words of the late Pope John XXIII. In his final illness he said; ‘My bags are packed – I am ready.’ Unlike a frustrated airline traveller, for a Christian, life has a destination and a purpose – it is not a terminus.

Last week’s Collection amounted to £1,337.00. Many thanks.

Priests’ Retirement Collection
This collection will be taken up after the Communion at all Masses next weekend. Please use the envelope in your box of envelopes.

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

Questions People Ask
Q. In what sense to the souls in purgatory suffer? Or is it a place of suffering?

A. First let me say how blessed and happy they are as they are assured of their eternal salvation. They are so close to God that they would not come back to this life for any reason. Their heightened awareness of God’s love brings the pain of knowing how imperfect has been their own response. It is a suffering of the spirit, a suffering of desire, a suffering of impatience until all selfishness is purged out so that the soul might be totally open to love and glory.
Fr. Silvester O’Flynn OFM Cap

Mass for Deceased Young People
A Mass will be celebrated for all the deceased young people of the diocese in Holy Family Church, Ballymagroarty, Derry today [Sunday 15th November] at 3.00pm. It will be an opportunity for the family and friends of those who have lost young loved ones to come together in a spirit of prayer and consolation.

Carmelite Retreat Centre, Termonbacca

A Mass for the Sick with Eucharistic Blessing will take place in Termonbacca on Tuesday 17th November at 8.00pm. All are welcome to attend.

Alzheimer’s Support Group

The next meeting will be on Wednesday 18th November at 7.30pm in Melmount Manor Care Home, 1 Orchard Road, Strabane. Guest speaker will be Ruby Sutherland [RNID – Sensory Support Service]. Everyone is welcome.

Strabane Family History Society

Members are asked to please note the next meeting of the Strabane Family History Society will take place in Strabane Community Library on Thursday
19th November at 7.30pm. Mr Roddy Hegarty will be the speaker for the evening. New members are always most welcome.

Strabane District Policing Partnership

A meeting will take place on Thursday
19th November 2009 at 7.30pm in Sion Mills Community Centre, 2 Garden Road, Sion Mills. This meeting is open to all members of the public. Information can be obtained in alternative formats including large print, braille, audio cassette and computer disc, Telephone [028] 71381333.

Reflection

Preserve me God, I take refuge in you.
My happiness lies in you alone.
You are my portion and my cup, you yourself are my prize.
I keep you ever in my sight, even at night you direct my heart.
With you at my right hand, I shall stand firm.
And so my heart rejoices, my soul is glad.
For you will not leave my soul among the dead,
nor let your beloved know decay.
You will show me the path of life,
the fullness of joy in your presence,
at your right hand happiness for ever.