Parish News for Sunday 11th April 2010

Vol.37 No.14

Second Sunday of Easter - Divine Mercy Sunday

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

Doubting Thomas

The risen Jesus showed himself to his disciples so that they might believe in him and so that he might bestow the gift of the Holy Spirit upon them. One of the disciples, Thomas was not there when he appeared. None the less, Jesus expected Thomas, on the testimony of his fellow disciples, to believe in him and to receive the Spirit even though he had been absent: ‘Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe’ (John 20:29). Jesus made a direct connection between believing in him and receiving the Spirit: ‘If any one thirsts, let him come to me and drink. He who believes in me, as the scripture has said, “Out of his heart shall flow rivers of living water” (John 7:37-38).

Believing in Jesus is the necessary condition for receiving the gift of the Spirit. Thomas’ refusal to believe prevented him receiving the Spirit. The Spirit himself had to overcome Thomas’ resistance, doubts and scepticism before Thomas could put his faith in the risen Jesus. The Spirit needed to cleanse Thomas’ heart by ‘blowing away (his) fleshly thoughts like so much chaff’ (St Augustine).

What is so remarkable about Thomas is not that he doubted but that he did not allow his doubts and hesitations to overwhelm the impulse of faith by which the Spirit was leading him. The measure of the greatness of the Spirit’s work in Thomas is seen in his great proclamation: ‘My Lord and my God!’ (John 20:28). Thomas’ belief in the crucified, risen and exalted Christ is the highest profession of faith uttered by any of the witnesses in John’s Gospel. It brings John’s Gospel to its triumphant climax.

It is always the Spirit’s work to lead us to believe in the risen and living Christ. Furthermore, it is his work to give us living faith that brings us into contact with Christ’s transforming presence - a presence that gives new life, healing and freedom. Like Thomas, we can have resistance, doubts, hardness of heart and even unbelief. Like Thomas, we need the Spirit to blow away all these fleshly thoughts and hesitations and lead us to faith in Jesus - faith that enables Jesus more fully to send his Spirit into our hearts.

A Word of Thanks

We would like to thank sincerely all those who helped in the Holy Week and Easter Ceremonies. Kevin Glackin and assistant Sacristans; Sister Perpetua, Organists, the Choir, Cantors and Musicians, Ann McCay and the Folk Group, Gráinne Nugent and the Readers, Eucharistic Ministers and Altar Servers; those who took part in the Offertory Processions and the Washing of the Feet, those who prepared the Church and Easter Garden and the Trócaire collection counters.

Divine Mercy Devotions today

(Sunday 11th April ) at 3.00 pm in Cathedral.

Sympathy

We offer our sympathy to the family and friends of:

Mary Ann Quigley,
14 Columbcille Court.

Kitty Gallagher,
23 Tyrconnell Street.

Paul Duffy,
7 Grafton Street.

Michael McLaughlin,
49 Hatmore Park.

Leesa Beales,
Toronto, Canada.

John Baird,
21 Glenbrook Terrace.

May they rest in peace.

Anniversaries

We remember the anniversaries of: William Sweeney, Eddie Doherty, Myra Canning (nee Bonner),

Isabell Gallagher, William McCarron, Marie Kearney, Cissie Rooney, Mona McDermott, Sophia Gallagher,

Bertie Barrett, Chris and Marie McGeehan, Edward Brady and Eileen McMahon.

May they rest in peace.

Baptism

We welcome as members of the Christian community:

Lauren Michelle Deeney,
30 Grangemore Park.
Alice Margaret Coyle,
51 Waterfoot Park.
Mary Louise Scott,
19D Claremont Street.
Jonah Sean McLaughlin-Kelly,
34 Dove Gardens.
Darragh,Conor Daly,
17 Kerrs Terrace.
Kai D’souza Connolly,
103 Clipper Quay.

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 2.00 pm: Lr Nassau St, Glenview Ave,Glenview St, Glen Rd, Ardglen Pk, Glenbank Rd, 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.

Readers - Weekdays

10.00 am Neil McMahon
07.30 pm Mona Tracey

Readers on duty next Weekend

06.15 pm Charlie McDermott
07.30 pm Majella Coyle
09.30 am Louise Davis
11.00 am Rebecca Doherty/
Sarah Henderson
12.30 pm Carita Kerr

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

Fr Canny acknowledges with thanks donations for: Haiti: £40, €20. Donations for Altar Flowers totalling £360. Fr Paddy McIntyre’s Missionary Work: €200. Cathedral Funds: £20. Adm’s Choice: £50. Holy Family/StThérèse/St Pio: £50.

Last Week’s Collection amounted to £3,820.

Next week’s collection is the Stipend Collection for the Priests of the Parish.

Monthly Mass for the beatification of Matt Talbot on Monday at 7.30 pm in Termonbacca.

The Holy Family Padre Pio Prayer Group will hold their monthly meeting in the Holy Family Church, Ballymagroarty on Monday starting with 7.30 pm Mass. There will be two 1st class relics of St Pio available at the meeting.

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