Sunday, 16th November 2008

33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time.

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

Trust in Christ

Jesus said to his disciples: "You have been faithful in small things, I will trust you with greater." Fidelity in every area of life is one of the most important elements for happiness in human life. It is only when we know that we can fully trust others that we are at peace. This is the virtue that Jesus holds up for our prayer and concern this week. It is especially important in the relationship of husband and wife and it is there that we can all learn what it means. Fidelity in marriage means more than simply staying together. It also means working at making life together wonderful and enjoyable. This is also true for the relationships within family life. Being faithful to one another means being willing to accept the differences and to love each one as she/he is. And in the parish we show our fidelity by taking an active part in its life.

Fr. Johnny Doherty, C.Ss.R.

Not Ours Alone to Keep

Often during this year we have prayed that the Lord might make us what he wants us to be. But today’s readings make us reflect that he can do only so much for us. He can offer us every gift he has, but if we keep our face turned away and our hands closed, he can do no more. We have a terrifying power to say no to him, and sometimes we are foolish enough to exercise it.

Most of us do try to open our eyes to see the Lord, to open our hands to receive his gifts. Even here, though, we must be alert of what the readings say today. After we become aware of the gift he has given us, we must remember that he expects us to do something with it. We must not clutch his gift to our breast as if the treasure was meant for us alone. It was indeed meant for us – but not for us alone. The Scriptures tell us that if we clutch it to ourselves or bury it in the ground, we have ever chance in the world of losing it.

Lord, you expect a return on the investment you have made in us. You have left the completion of your work in our hands. Don’t let us be lazy, Sunday-morning-only Catholics, obligations-only Catholics, avoidance-of-sin Catholics. Don’t allow us to clutch your gift to ourselves and offer it to no one else. Lord, help us to be generous in sharing with others what we have received ourselves. Help us to see that giving does not make us poor. It opens up your treasure to us even more!

Last week’s Collection was £1,466.00. Many thanks.

Retired Priests’ Collection

A second collection to help provide for the needs of retired priests will be taken up at all Masses next weekend. Please use the appropriate envelope in your box of envelopes.

Sick and Housebound

The sick and infirm will be attended on the morning and afternoon of Tuesday
18th November 2008.

Reflection

I have not the fine audacity of men
Who have mastered the pen
Or the purse.
The complexes of many slaves are in my verse.
When I straighten my shoulders to look at the world boldly
I see talent coldly
Damning me to stooped attrition.
Mine was a beggar’s’ mission.
To dreams of beauty I should have been born blind.
I should have been content to walk behind
Watching the reflection of God’s delight:
A second-hand teller of the story
A second-hand glory.
It was not right
That my mind should have echoed life’s overtones
That I should have seen a flower
Petalled in mighty power.

[From the Complete Poems of Patrick Kavanagh, 1984, Goldsmith Press].

A Note to All Parish Savers!

As the parish savings cheques are due out in a few weeks time, we would like to remind all savers that cheques can no longer be cashed over the counter. It is essential that all savers have their own bank, building society, credit union or post office account in which to lodge their cheques. Please ensure that the name you have given your promoter is the official name that your account is held under.

The Bible – a Best-seller!

Few people realise that at every Mass they dip into a best-seller, but it’s true when it comes to the Bible. There are no books that have touched the hearts and lives of people so dramatically as the 72 books which compose the Bible. Written down from oral tradition over a period of 1,100 years and translated into 1,685 languages, the small fragments of its manuscripts are among the most valuable documents in the world. An illustrated copy of the Gospels – the Book of Kells – is regarded as the most beautiful book ever written.

Irish monasteries always held the Word of God in reverence. One expression of this was the establishment in each monastery of a scriptorium or writing-room in which monks, who were skilled calligraphers, spent their days. One legend tells of a dispute that arose in a monastery. When the Abbot of a distant foundation heard of this bickering, he held aloft the bible in the direction of the monastery thereby ending the squabble.

With books, High Crosses and stained-glass windows, the Word of God was proclaimed to all people, regardless of whether they could read or have access to books. Why not learn more about it yourself?

Your Gospel is truth, Son of God,
It is light, guide and strength to the weak.
Eternal Lord, give us the grace
always to be obedient to your will and your guidance.