PRIESTS OF THE PARISH

Rev Michael Porter PP Tel: 028 7188 2274

Sunday, 31st October 2010

31st Sunday in Ordinary Time

They all complained when they saw what was happening. “He (Jesus) has gone to stay at a sinner’s house,” they said. One of the lovely features of the Gospels is that Jesus had no problem with what we would call sinners. He didn’t condone what they did but he had great compassion for them. The other side of that feature was that he had a lot of difficulty with good people. And he still has! He found it almost impossible to break through to them with the Good News of God’s unconditional love for every person because, if they were God, they would not be like that. So, as we struggle to live out our faith through the various relationships of our lives we need to be ready for failure and be gentle with ourselves. But we also need to be very gentle with one another and become a source of encouragement for one another rather than putting one another down through criticism.

Fr. Johnny Doherty, C.Ss.R.

First Reading: Wisdom 11: 22 – 12: 2
You are merciful too all because you love all that exists.

Second Reading: 2 Thessalonians 1: 11-22
By his power – fulfill all your desires for goodness.

Gospel: Luke 19: 1-10
Catch a glimpse of Jesus.

An Enthusiastic Welcome

Zacchaeus may be one of the most attractive people in the New Testament. But he was not always very loveable. He was a tax collector, enriching himself and the Romans at the expense of his own fellow-Jews. No wonder then that the other Jews were scandalised when the Lord went to dine at Zacchaeus’ house. Luke says that everyone murmured.

They were right. Zacchaeus was a sinner, a bad one. But when Jesus met him, Zacchaeus looked at him and at himself – and changed. The really loveable thing about him was his enthusiasm for meeting the Lord. A little man, a “runt”, he sprinted past the crowd that surrounded Jesus and climbed a tree so that he could see. What a picture – this rich, influential world-ling perched on a tree limb!

The Lord was wonderful with him and he responded beautifully. Zacchaeus became the Lord’s host. He said goodbye to sin and extortion and promised to pay back four times over whatever he had extorted.

Lord, have you seen Zacchaeus in our church? Did we run to see you and to be with you? Do you hear us saying to you at the moment of sacramental union: “Lord, whatever wrong I have done I will correct at no matter what cost to me?” Lord, you have made each one of us your host; you are our guest. We pray to you, Lord: Give us a heart complete in your service. Make us forget embarrassment in opening ourselves to you. Bring us that simplicity of Zacchaeus so that our past sins and their profits will no longer keep us from you. Make each one of us into a real Zacchaeus.

Last week’s Collection was £866.00. Many thanks.

Mission Collection

Last week’s collection for the Missions was £935.00.
On behalf of the missionaries, many thanks.

Feast of All Saints
Monday 1st November, is the Feast of
All Saints, a holyday of obligation. Masses are as follows:

St. Joseph’s, Glenmornan: 9.30am

Sacred Heart Church: 11.30am

St. Mary’s, Cloughcor: 6.00pm

Commemoration of all the Faithful Departed
Tuesday 2nd November is the Feast of
All Souls. Masses as follows:

St. Joseph’s, Glenmornan: 9.30am

Sacred Heart Church: 11.30am

St. Mary’s, Cloughcor: 6.00pm

Services for the Dead
Services for the Dead will take place as follows:

Sunday 7th November:
Sacred Heart Church at 3.00pm

Sunday 14th November:
St. Mary’s Church, Cloughcor at 3.00pm

Sunday 21st November:
St. Joseph’s Church, Glenmornan at 3.00pm

Padre Pio Devotions
Padre Pio devotions will take place in the Immaculate Conception Church, Strabane on Wednesday 3rd November with the Rosary at 6.45pm followed by Mass at 7.00pm.

Carmelite Retreat Centre, Termonbacca
The monthly devotions, in honour of Our Lady, will take place in the Carmelite Retreat Centre on Tuesday 2nd November starting with confessions at 7.30pm followed by the Rosary and Mass, finishing around 10.00pm. All are welcome to attend.

The next Pioneer Meeting will take place tomorrow [Monday] at 8.00pm, followed directly by a meeting of the St. Vincent de Paul Society.

Alcoholics Anonymous
Alcoholic Anonymous – Tyrone Area are holding a public information meeting on Wednesday 10th November at 8.30pm in the Community Hall, Main Street, Sion Mills.

Diabetic Association Meeting
Meeting on Wednesday 3rd November at 8.00pm in Mulvey House, Bridge Street, Strabane. Guest speaker will be
Jennie McGiven [Belfast]. All welcome.

Age NI Christmas Concert 2010
This year’s concert is hosted by George Jones and features performances from country legends Philomena Begley, Susan McCann and The Nathan Carter Band! Age NI is proud to host the event, in association with M&S, on Thursday
2nd December 2010 at 7.30pm in the Ulster Hall, Belfast. Tickets Price £20. To book your ticket please telephone [028] 90334455, or book online at www.ulsterhall.co.uk or purchase at selected Xtra Vision Stores across NI.

Private Prayer After Communion

Lord, I thank you for the gift of faith handed on to me. I thank you that, centuries ago, you sent missionaries to bring knowledge of your name, and understanding of your love. It was your free gift to me and to my people, as always.

Lord, there are still many parts of the world where people have only an imperfect knowledge of you and of your love for them.

May there always be missionaries willing to bring your message. May there be young people willing to work for the underprivileged, thus showing their own love of God. May there be religious to inspire by their dedication. May there be priests to preach effectively. Amen.

Reflection – Prayer

I am neither a man of letters nor of science,
but I humbly claim to be a man of prayer.
It is prayer that has saved my life.
Without it I would have lost my reason long ago.
If I did not lose my peace of soul,
in the midst of my many trials,
it is because of the peace
that came to me through prayer.
One can live several days without food,
but not without prayer.
Prayer is the key to each morning,
and the lock of each evening.
It is a sacred alliance between God and us.
Let everyone try this experience, and they will find
that daily prayer will add something new to their lives,
something which cannot be found elsewhere.

[Mahatma Gandhi]