Parish News for Sunday 5th August 2007

18th Sunday in Ordinary Time

PRIESTS OF THE PARISH
Very Rev Michael Canny Adm
Rev David O'Kane CC
Rev Gerard Mongan CC

Vol. 34 No. 31

Do you want to see?

We often feel that if people have success, wealth, good work, good families, it is a sign that they are blessed by God, while failure, broken relationships and bad health are a sign of something wrong, something bad, in their lives.

A Christian doctor told me once that he was present at the birth of his daughter, and when he saw that she had a disability, his immediate reaction was, “What have I done to God that he should send me a catastrophe like this?”. Is that the vision of Jesus? No. This is why he answers the disciples’ question:

“Neither this man nor his parents sinned;
he was born blind so that God’s works might be revealed in him.”

People with disabilities are like everybody else. Each person is unique and important, whatever their culture, religion, abilities or disabilities. Each one has been created by God and for God. Each of us has a vulnerable heart and yearns to love and be loved and valued. Each one has a mission. Each of us is born so that God’s work may be accomplished in us.

People with disabilities may have many disadvantages when it comes to capacities of knowledge and power, but in respect to the heart and the things of love, many have an advantage. They need help and cry out for presence and friendship. In a mysterious way, they seem to open up to the God of Love and the love of God. By contrast, those who are seeking influence, acclaim and wealth for themselves often seem closed to God in their self-sufficiency.

Jesus reveals that this man born blind was made for love. Paul, in his letter to the Corinthians, was deeply conscious that people with disabilities were chosen by God:

God has chosen the foolish of the world to shame the so-called wise;
God has chosen what is weak in the world to shame the strong;
God has chosen what is low and despised, people who are nobodies,
in order to reduce to “nobodies” those who are “somebody”,
so that no one might boast in the presence of God. 1 Cor 1:27-29

That does not mean that those who are strong, clever, or well adapted to society are not precious and chosen by God! However, they must discover - and maybe the weak and the “foolish” can help them to do this - how weakness can draw us to God. Frequently it is only when those who are powerful experience failure, sickness, weakness or loneliness that they discover they are not self-sufficient and all-powerful, and that they need God and others. Out of their weakness and poverty they can then cry out to God and discover God in a new way as the God of love and tenderness, full of compassion and goodness.

Excerpt from ‘Drawn into the Mystery of Jesus through the Gospel of John’ by Jean Vanier

Sympathy
We offer our sympathy to the family and friends of:
Shane McGonigle, 75 Creggan Road. May he rest in peace.

Baptism
We welcome as members of the Christian community
Liam Michael Jack O’Kane, 3 Glenside Park
Aleks Ryszard Kielczewski, 8 Simpson’s Brae
Niamh Christina Maureen Coyle, Berkshire, England.

Readers on duty next Weekend
06.15 Roisin Bonar
07.30 Stephen Orr
09.30 Gráinne Nugent
11.00 Terry Willman-Gallagher
12.30 Michael Wilson

Weekdays
10.00 Rita McCauley
07.30 Anna Peake

Eucharistic Ministers
Team *A* begins its rota at the 6.15 pm Vigil Mass next weekend.

Sick Visitation
Fr Michael Canny will visit the sick in his care this week:
Mon am: 10.00 Lisfannon Park.
Mon pm: 3.00 - William St, Columbcille Crt, Chamberlain St, Brewster’s Close.
Wed am: 10.00 - Westland Ave, Westland St, Glenfada Pk, Abbey Pk, Fahan St, Joseph Place.
Thurs am: 10.00 - Limewood St, Beechwood St, Elmwood St.
Thurs pm: 2.00 - Lisfannon Pk (Upper), Eglinton Tce, Blucher St, Little Diamond.
Abbey House: Monday: Confessions at 1.45 pm. Mass at 2.15 pm.

Fr Canny acknowledges with thanks donations for: LASCO: £30, £40, £20. St Pio: £10. St Joseph’s Young’s Priests Society: £100. Ethiopia: £20. Moshi: £5, £20. Darfur: £20.

Last Week’s Collection amounted to £3272.

St Eugene’s Parish Hall: Sunday: Long Tower Bingo 8.30 pm. Tuesday: Long Tower Bingo 9.00 pm.

St Eugene’s Parish Draw: Winners Week 39

£1,000
(1057) Ellen McLaughlin, 30 Northland Avenue.

£100
(3294) Emily Walsh, 23A Creggan Street.

£50
(1282) Ted Houston, c/o 39 Osborne Street.
(1756) Christopher O’Boyle, Fahan.
(3565) John O’Doherty, 48 Osborne Street.
(2168) Grace McDaid, 16 Glenside Park.
Promoter’s Prize: Deirdre Cusack, 8 Demesne Gardens.

Prayer for Priests

Eucharist: a prayer inspired by the Mass

O Lord!
Look into our hearts this day and read us
Look in our souls this day and hear us
When we thrust out our hands for help - hold us
When we open our arms for love - embrace us
When we bow our heads to thee - bless us
When we give of ourselves - come to us. Amen.
Judith Ann Pounder

Lord Jesus, bless all priests and give them grace to do your great work on earth. Keep them, Lord, close to your heart and under the shadow of your protection. Bless their labours for you and grant that their harvest of souls may be a source of joy and consolation to them during life and may merit an everlasting reward for them in death, that having led many souls to you they may see you to face to face. Amen.

Hospital Visitation: If you would like a priest to visit a relative in hospital or in a nursing home, please fill in the card at the back of the Cathedral and leave it at the Parochial House. It is the only way we will have of knowing who is in hospital and who would like a visit.

New Parishioners: We welcome you to the parish and invite you to leave your name and address at the Parochial House and one of the priests will arrange to visit your new home for a chat and to bless the house.

Telephone numbers if you feel you cannot cope

Samaritans - 0845 790 9090

Zest - a counselling service offering free support to those who feel suicidal, friends and loved ones who have been affected by suicide and those who self harm. Telephone 7126 6999 or e-mail. zestni@yahoo.co.uk

Prayer for the Suicidal

O Eternal Father, we pray for all those who are suicidal.
May Your loving hand guide and protect them
so they receive the help they need,
preventing them from dying from suicide.
Let them know that we need them and love them,
show them Your love Lord Jesus.
Remind them that they are very special people,
filling their minds with beautiful memories.
Give them everything they need so as to ease their pain,
grant that they may find hope, comfort, guidance
and healing in every way possible.
Let them feel our love, and Your love,
carry them when they are weary.
Embrace them and let Your love
shine down upon them always. Amen.