Parish News for Sunday 29th March 2009

Vol.36 No.13

The 5th Sunday in Lent.

PRIESTS OF THE PARISH
Very Rev Michael Canny Adm
Rev David O'Kane CC
Rev Daniel McFaul CC

Why was Jesus executed?

If we read the Scripture carefully it is easy to answer this question. His image of God as one who loves all human beings unconditionally, forgives all human beings without distinction and is compassionately present in all human affairs, especially with those who are discriminated against, would be too much and too hard to accept. God could not be like this, therefore Jesus had to be wrong. His message was just too dangerous for a well-defined and established religion with its holiness code that asked for separation and distinction from so many people and things. But Jesus was not willing to compromise his Kingdom vision. It was ultimately his interpretation of holiness in terms of compassion.

The story is told of a young French soldier who deserted Napoleon’s army but who, within a matter of hours, was caught by his own troops. To discourage soldiers from abandoning their posts the penalty for desertion was death. The young soldier’s mother heard what had happened and went to plead with Napoleon to spare the life of her son. Napoleon heard her plea but pointed out that because of the serious nature of the crime her son had committed he clearly did not deserve compassion. “I know he does not deserve mercy and compassion,” the mother answered. “It wouldn’t be compassion if he deserved it.”

On purely historical grounds, scholars agree that Jesus was condemned on two charges. First, he was condemned as a political agitator, as being “King of the Jews” according to the inscription on the cross. This was the Roman version. The Romans at least must have thought him to be dangerous because he excited the hopes and dreams of the Jews. At the same time, however, they must have regarded his movement as harmless since they left his disciples unmolested.

Secondly, Jesus was put to death by the Jewish leaders on charges of being a false prophet and a blasphemer. They agreed that this man was too dangerous and had to be put away, no matter what doctrinal or personal differences existed among those who made this decision.

When Jesus realized that they would put him to death, he could only weep for his people and the city he loved so much and whose salvation he had sought so earnestly. They had failed to recognize in him the one whom God had sent for the final restoration of the Covenant and the coming of God’s Kingdom for the salvation of all.

Excerpt from ‘Throu fire’ by Fr John Fuellenbach, SVD

Sympathy

We offer our sympathy to the family and friends of:

Tony McIntyre,
41 Marlborough Street.
Mary O’Kane,
43 Glenbank Road.
Martin Smith,
16 Argyle Terrace.

May they rest in peace.

Readers

Weekdays
10.00 Jimmy Doyle
07.30 Charlie McDermott

Readers on duty next Weekend
06.15 Reader: Garvin Kerr
Passion: Mary McDowell (N)
James Garvin (S)
07.30 Reader:Christine McDevitt
Passion: Charlie McDermott (N)
Mona Tracey (S)
09.30 Reader: Monica Garvin
Passion:Geraldine Uí Meallain (N)
Brendan Burns (S)
11.00 Reader: Rebecca O’Doherty/
Jemma McGlinchey
Passion: Eugene McClintock (N)
Gatha McClintock (S)
12.30 Reader: Anna Peake
Passion: Carita Kerr (N)
Piaras O Meallain (S)
Intercessions: Ciara McDevitt

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

Legion of Mary Annual ACIES ceremony in St Eugene’s Cathedral today (Sunday) at 3.00 pm. All legionaries and auxiliary members welcome.

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, Cable St.
Thurs am: 10.00 - Limewood St, Beechwood St, Elmwood St.
Thurs am: 11.30 - Fr Mulvey Pk.
Thurs pm: 2.00 - Lisfannon Pk (Upper), Eglinton Tce, Blucher St, Little Diamond.

Fr Canny will hear Confessions at 7.00 pm on Monday and celebrate Mass at 7.30 pm in Abbey House.

Gift Aid Scheme: If you are a taxpayer, use your weekly envelope and wish to join the Gift Aid Scheme, please sign a Gift Aid declaration - available in the Sacristy or in the Parochial House.

Mass in honour of Venerable Alexandrina Maria Da Costa today (Sunday) in Termonbacca.at 7.30 pm

Fr Canny acknowledges with thanks donations for:
St Pio: £10. Trócaire: £20. Sr Maureen Coyle’s Missionary Work: £100. Upkeep of the Cathedral: £300. Parish Missionaries Overseas: £200. Sponsorship for the Parish Walk of the Two Bridges totalling £640.

Last Week’s Collection amounted to £3645.

Fr Canny forwarded donations totalling £110 to LASCO

The Monthly Mass for Temperance will be celebrated in St Brigid’s, Carnhill at 7.30 pm on Monday, 6th April. The prayer for the Canonisation of the Venerable Matt Talbot will be recited. It is hoped that as many as possible be present to pray for an increase in Temperance in our homes, our parish, our city and our country.

Appreciating the Passover - This evening is a great opportunity to understand the Jewish Passover and the significance it has for Christians in this Holiest of Weeks. Date: Tuesday, 7th April from 7.30-9.30 pm in Thornhill Centre. Suggested donation: £7.

Trócaire Lent 2009

Help Rebuild Lives Torn Apart by Conflict

This year, Trócaire’s Lenten campaign is about people who have been forced from home by war. 26 million people have had to abandon their homes because of conflict to seek safety elsewhere within their country.

• Worldwide 67 million people have had to flee their homes against their wishes.
• 51 million of these have resettled in another region of their home country.
• Two-thirds of people forced to move are women and children.
• Some 26 million of these have had to abandon their homes because of war to seek safety elsewhere within their country.
• People flee their homes because of conflict, persecution of their religion or ethnicity or natural disasters.
• Whole generations of people in Africa, Asia and the Middle East have known no other life than that lived in a refuge or camp.
• While many people travel outside of their home country becoming refugees, many more settle in other areas within their country. Unlike refugees, these people have limited protection under international law.

Sudan, Colombia, Iraq, Democratic Republic of Congo, Somalia and Zimbabwe have the highest number of people who have been forced to re-settle within their home country.

In World War Two  5% of casualties were civilian; today it is estimated that between 80% and 90% of casualties are civilian. As a result of this increased risk of attack during conflict, families and communities are fleeing to protect themselves and settle in safety elsewhere.

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