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

Sunday, July 18th 2010

The 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Jesus, our friend

“Martha, Martha,” Jesus said “you worry and fret about so many things, and yet few are needed, indeed only one.” The level of stress and anxiety is very high for so many people in today’s world. Today Jesus wants us, as his followers, to look at this and do something about it. It’s about setting priorities. One very important priority for all of us is our health of body, mind and spirit. It takes time to care for ourselves properly but it is time well spent. Another priority that is vital is our close relationships of marriage and family. How easily those get put to one side because of all the other things and people in our lives. We are called to put them right now. The only way to do this is by giving our loved ones time and attention. And a third priority is the kingdom of God, which is a kingdom of peace, joy, love, wonderment, caring for the poor and needy. If we are taking care of all these, everything else will fall into place.

Fr. Johnny Doherty, C.Ss.R.

Sunday 18th July 2010

16th Sunday in Ordinary Time

First Reading: Genesis 18: 1-10
Lord, do not pass your servant by.

Second Reading: Colossians 1: 24-28
I became the servant of the Church when God made me responsible for delivering God’s message to you.

Gospel: Luke 10: 38-42
It is Mary who has chosen the better part; it is not to be taken from her.

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

Holy God, We Praise Thy Name

Holy God we praise thy name.
Lord of all we bow before thee.
All on earth thy sceptre own.
All in heaven above adore thee.
Endless is thy vast domain.
Everlasting is thy reign.

Recessional Hymn

When Creation Was Begun

1. When creation was begun,
God had chosen you to be
mother of his blessed Son,
Holy Mary full of grace.
Ave, Ave, Ave Maria.

2. When creation was restored,
You were there beside the Lord
Whom you cherished and adored
Holy Mary, full of grace.
Ave, Ave, Ave Maria.

Friendship

As we go through life, it’s important to have friends. Jesus had friends in Bethany – Martha, Mary and Lazarus. He loved them and they loved him. He knew he could rely on them, and they knew they could rely on him.

And so, when other doors were being closed against him, he went to their door, and there he found an oasis of hospitality and peace. And when Lazarus died, the sisters turned to him, and found comfort, hope and strength.

We all need friends, people with whom we can be completely ourselves, and therefore totally at peace. Whenever friendly paths meet, the whole world becomes like home.

Last week’s Collection was £1,391.00. Many thanks.

Questions People Ask

Q. What am I to do with a chain letter I received, asking me to copy and pass on a prayer to nine or eighty-one other people?

A. Burn it immediately. This is a form of spiritual blackmail, playing on the deep-seated fear that people will suffer all sorts of bad luck if they break the chain. This superstitious fear of God goes against the kind of God revealed in the kindness and compassion of Jesus Christ.

Why not write back to the sender and say that you already have the Our Father – and this is the perfect prayer.

Q. As a busy housewife I always feel sorry for Martha who did all the work while her sister enjoyed the Lord’s company. Somebody has to do the work. Isn’t this my vocation?

A. Vocation is the right word for your life and work. Always remember that Martha is venerated as a saint with her own feast on July 29th. There are times when sitting with the Lord in prayer or study is the better part but there are other times when doing your job is what the Lord wants. Best of all is to get the right balance between work and prayer.

Fr. Silvester O’Flynn OFM Cap

The Big Knit 2010

A fundraiser organised by Innocent Drinks partnering Age NI [new charity combining Age Concern NI and Help the Aged]. The organisation needs people from across NI to knit small woolly hats to place on top of Innocent Smooothie bottles. These will be sold in Sainsburys and Boots stores during winter 2010. For every hat knitted, 5p will go to Age NI. Simple knitting patterns and instructions are available from Dorothy McConkey on [028] 9024 5729 or email Dorothy.mcconkey@ageni.org

Reflection

Lord, I place myself in your presence.
After the strain and turmoil of the day
I rest quietly here, as a little boat,
which has been tossed by the waves
and buffeted by the wind,
rests secure in a sheltered harbour.
Here my projects lose their power over me.
A healing process begins.
My fragmented self is reassembled,
and I am made whole again.
In your presence, I experience my true worth,
which consists not in doing but in being.
I surrender myself into your hands.
I am at peace.