Parish News for Sunday 8th August 2010

Vol.37 No.31

19th Sunday in Ordinary Time

PRIESTS OF THE PARISH
Very Rev Michael Canny Adm
Fr Peter Raftery CSSp
Rev Daniel McFaul CC
Fr Joseph Varghese

A Call to Continual Vigilance

Peter never seems to receive a straight answer from Jesus when he plucks up the courage to ask him a question in the Gospels! This is why I love him. He is often revealed as child-like in the Gospels, and one with whom we can easily identify. In today’s Gospel, it seems that he is trying to identify the exact meaning of the parable, to work out its parameters and figure out precisely what he is being asked to do. He sets up quasi-separation between themselves as disciples and everyone else: ‘are you telling this parable for us or for everyone?’. But Jesus is not a Lord of separation or division. He is a Lord who unites and who offers salvation to all who accept him. It would be hard to offer any kind of retort to Peter’s simple question.

Instead, Jesus uses it to teach the disciples further and to warn Peter that even more is expected of him: ‘...to whom much has been entrusted, even more will be demanded’. Peter’s response to this answer is not given by Luke in the Gospel. Perhaps he had been silenced by the magnitude of what was being asked of him! Peter’s initial question hinted at the privilege he felt in hearing this parable first hand, knowing ahead of everyone else how to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. But now, having heard it, even more is required of him.

Peter is not permitted to become lazy because he hears this parable first-hand. He is urged on to do more, to be more prepared than those who have not yet heard or understood the good news of Jesus. His responsibility is greater. Likewise, as Christians, we have been called into a deep and meaningful relationship with Christ. It is meaningful because it is meant to play out in our everyday lives. Faith is a continuous action from baptism to death and which should be encouraged by Jesus’ gentle exhortation: ‘do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the Kingdom.’

Forthcoming Courses for Adult Faith Development at Thornhill Centre include:

The Church? (Monday night - starts 4th October) 12 -session course to consider different aspects of Church through theology, spirituality and engagement with some of the questions of our time.

Dreams Workshop (Thursday night - starts 16th September) 7-session workshop that explores the Dream-World from the Christian Perspective.

Carol Ann Duffy Poetry (Wednesday night - starts 8th September) 4-week Course that helps us appreciate the gift of life from the everyday experience to the rich world of the imagination.
Contact thornhillcentre@derrydiocese.org. Phone (028)71351233.

Sympathy

We offer our sympathy to the family and friends of

Cissie McLaughlin, 31 Osborne Street.

May she rest in peace.

Anniversaries

We remember the anniversaries of: Peggy Carlin, Patsy McIntyre,

Catherine McCrossan, Fr Jimmy Doherty, Nellie Begley, Sara Bradley and Kathleen Bierwas.

May they rest in peace.

Baptism
We welcome as members of the Christian community:

Niamh Tandi Mzimba,
72 Victoria Gate.

Shane Brian Martin McCaul,
213 Woodbrook.

Aaliyah Wilson,
13 Mill Park, Carrigans.

Readers

Weekdays
10.00 am Piaras O Meallain
07.30 pm Mona Tracey

Readers on duty next Weekend
06.15 pm James Garvin
07.30 pm Christine McDevitt
09.30 am Rita McCauley
11.00 am Geraldine Uí Meallain
12.30 pm Piaras O Meallain

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

Sick Visitation

Fr Daniel McFaul will visit the sick this week as follows:

Mon 10.00 am: Rosemount Gdns, Montrose Gdns, Ernest St, Nassau Cres, Rosemount Ave, Grafton St, Tutor Close, Academy Tce, Northland Pde, Northland Ave, De Burgh Tce.

Mon 2 pm: Glenview Ave,Glenview St, Glen Rd, Ardglen Pk, Glenbank Pk. Northland Rd.

Tues 10.00 am: Meadowview Cres, Osborne St, Baldrick Cres, Nassau St, Cedar St, Glasgow Tce, Argyle St, Argyle Tce, Groarty Rd, Kylemore Pk.

Tues 2.00 pm: Glenbrook House.

Camino de Santiago de Compostela: 2 places have become available on a walking pilgrimage through the north west of Spain 17th-24th August. Cost £650. For more information please contact Micheál 07900675487.

Fr Canny acknowledges with thanks donations for: Haiti: £5.

Altar Flowers: £20. Fr Paddy McIntyre: £10.

Trócaire: £10. Renovations: £120. St Pio: £20. Eucharistic Congress: £50.

Charity of Adm’s Choice: £100. Pakistan Disaster Fund: £100.

Last Week’s Collection amounted to £3,395.

Renovations Collection amounted to £1,008.

Lough Derg Youth Pilgrimage for those who are anxiously awaiting examination results and making important decisions about their future at this time. We are offering a reduced rate on our 3 day pilgrimage for Wednesday 11th August and designating it as a Youth Pilgrimage, although not exclusively so. Reduced rate €35 (normal rate €55). To book visit www.loughderg.org or phone 00353719861518.

Three Things in Life ...

Once gone, never come back - Time, Words and Opportunity.
That can destroy a person - Anger, Pride and Unforgiveness.
That you should never lose - Hope, Peace and Honesty.
Are the most valuable - Love, Friends and Family, and Kindness.
That are never certain - Fortune, Success, and Dreams.

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