Sunday
3rd August 2008
The Lord who feeds
us
Jesus said to his disciples: “Give them something
to eat yourselves.” These words of Jesus in
this Sunday’s Gospel are a clear reminder
that we, as his followers, have to develop a new
mentality. Instead of always looking for what we
can get we are called to be people who look for
what we can give. All the gifts we have are given
to us for others. This is especially true of the
gift of love. The main question for couples is not
“Are we alright?” but “How do
we need to be with one another so that others will
be alright?” The love of a married couple
is full of power for all those who meet them. This
is particularly true for their children. It is the
quality of the love of the couple that creates the
quality of the atmosphere of the home. This command
of Christ is also given to us as a community. The
gift of faith that we celebrate is given to us so
that others may believe. This can call us to radical
change as a parish community.
Fr. Johnny Doherty, C.Ss.R.
Whether it is simply the
taste of hot food after a long journey on a cold
day, or a cup of coffee with a friend whom we have
not seen for a long time, or a wedding reception,
the experience of sharing food and eating together
often is a moment if great joy, of ‘ restoration’,
of consolidating relationships and bonds.
Christ in the Gospel acts as the host to the people
who have come to see him and to hear him. He invites
them to eat with him. Like the head of the family
in the traditions of his people, he is the one who
prays God’s blessing on the bread and who
breaks it for those at his table…. But there
are some differences about his particular meal!
Firstly, Christ invites them to eat in a ‘lonely
place’. This lonely deserted place is more
than a geographical location. This is an indication
of where they are on their journey. Christ and his
disciples are in a lonely place after the death
of John, conscious of the fate that has met their
friend. Many of the people too have come for healing,
willing to make the journey from their homes and
their own familiar places to come and seek out Christ;
for them too, this is a lonely, unfamiliar place.
There’s something else also; All they have
is five loaves and two fish. It is not enough. It
would not normally even have been enough for Christ
and his disciples, but now it has to be divided
among all these people. All we have is simply not
enough….or so we think!
So, it is not the right place, and there is not
enough, but it is here that Christ puts on the meal
for his followers. As we attend Mass and receive
Jesus conscious of how little nourishment is in
this cup of wine and these small white hosts, let
us remember what happened before in a lonely place
where all they had seemed not to be enough!
SYMPATHY
We offer our sympathy to the
family and friends of
Sarah Ferguson
Maple Road
Gavin Feeney 32
Barr’s Lane who died during the week. May
they rest in peace.
SUNDAY COLLECTION 27th
July amounted to £1922.92 and €203.12
Thank you
ROSARY for the Holy Souls in Purgatory
will be held in St. Brigid’s Church Carnhill
next Sunday 3rd August at 5.00pm.
The Sisters of St John would like
to invite you to 3 spiritual conferences preached
by Fr Gregoire of the Brothers of St John on 3rd
and 4th August at 8pm in Termonbacca, and 5th August
at 8pm at Waterside Parish Hall, Fr Gregoire will
then lead a pilgrimage to Knock from 6th-8th August.
. For further information please contact the Sisters
on
7135 3414.
NEXT SUNDAY’S READINGS
1Kings 19:9, 11-13 Romans 9:1-5 Mt. 14:22-33
LASCO LOTTO . numbers drawn 21st
July 4, 5, 9, 22, 2x £10 winners No Jackpot
winner Next weeks jackpot £1550. Anyone wishing
to join please contact LASCO 71374443
ACCORD DERRY Marriage Preparation Workshop
26-27th Sept. Thornhill Centre Culmore
Road Friday 7-00-10.00pm Saturday 10am-4.00pm. Booking
Forms available from the Pastoral Centre Bishop
Street Tel. 71362475 or from Parochial House. Any
couple getting married in 2009 is encouraged to
attend a course well in advance of their wedding.
New Courses at Thornhill Centre:
The following new courses are planned for Thornhill
Centre next term. For further details contact the
Centre at 71351233:
Practical Theology & Spirituality (Monday Nights)
– 1 Year
Foundations in Liturgy (Tues Nights) Prayer in Daily
Life (Thur Mornings) Understanding Saint Paul (Tues
Nights) – 4 Weeks
FOSTER CARE
RECRUITMENT
There are extreme shortages of Foster
Carers. Visit www.fostering.hscni.net
SILVER JUBILEE
We are inviting anyone who would like to write
a short reflection on your memories of the beginning
of the parish and what it meant to have a church
and a parish established in this community in its
very early days. Please hand in your reflection
by Firday 1stAugust.
YOUTH 2000 SUMMER FESTIVAL Clonmacnois,
Co. Offaly Thursday 14-Sunday 17 August For young
people age 16-35 an opportunity not to be missed
to experience the Catholic faith and meet many new
friends. Donation only. Free buses available from
around the country. Check websites www.youth2000.ie
or xx-youth2000-xx.bebo.com.
BALLYMAGROARTY SUMMER SCHEME will
commence on 7th July and will run for 7 weeks. Registration
will take place on Monday 7th July and is open to
ages 4-12years. Registration cost £1 per child
and 30p per day. Sessions are 10-12nnon and 2-4pm.
Breakfast club will be available every morning.
A seasonal Creche will also be running during
the summer months in conjunction with the Summer
Scheme. £5 per child per session. Anyone who
would be interested in a part time position in the
crèche contact Yvonne or Kara 71262797 Applicants
must hold NVQ Level 3 or NNEB in childcare.
COLMCILLE PILGRIMAGES
Pilgrimage to the
Holy Land,
Including Egypt [the Pyramids]
Greece [ Athens and Corinth Turkey [ Ephesus ] In
the footsteps of St. Paul Nine days beginning
6th. March 2009.
What is so special about this pilgrimage? It will
take the form of a cruise between these different
ports. We have been allocated 30 places which will
go very quickly Please book as soon as possible
to avoid disappointment. Price £1145 Phone
or text Margaret @ 07732468511 Or email:paddyokane@tiscali.co.uk
Loving God,
I give you thanks for the gifts of the Holy Spirit
received in
Confirmation
Inspire me to use these gifts in
the
everyday situations of my life.
Help me grow in wisdom
and knowledge and make
decisions and choices that are good.
May I always live life to the full
and with your help
reach my true potential.
Keep me joyful and guide me
O Lord,
I place all my trust in you.
Amen
