Sunday 9th August 2009

19th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Sunday, 9th August 2009.

19th Sunday in Ordinary Time

First Reading Kings 19:4-8
Fed by an angel, a broken and dispirited Elijah is able to walk all the way to the mountain of God.

Second Reading Ephesians 3:30-5:2
The Ephesians are urged to walk in the way of love and live up to their calling.

Gospel John 6:41-51
Jesus is the new manna from heaven. Those who eat this food will live for ever.

In our work places, people often grab a quick snack at lunch time. There are many different tastes and versions of this mid-day meal. You have the hot soup brigade, popping things in the microwave, the ‘rabbit types’ dissecting their salads the the more old fashioned lot with their big thick cut sandwiches.

In our schools recently there has been a healthy eating programme for the children. The motto is ‘you are what you eat’

St. Paul’s description of the Church, as the living body of Christ (1 Cor 12:27), proposes to us the deepest description of what the church is. In receiving the Lord in the Eucharist, we are incorporated into Christ. In the particularity of the local church, gathered around the Table of the Lord, it is Christ who unites us to one another. This profound unity is way beyond the surface diversity of the congregation.

On Sundays we gather in order to be, not in order to do anything. Not withstanding the flaws and frailties of the assembled, we gather to rejoice in the gift that comes down to us from heaven’.

Christianity is a religion of gift. We don’t clamber towards God. Rather, as Jesus in the Gospel today teaches, we are drawn by the Father. In a way God woos us into an awareness of the gift he offers us.

Christ Jesus came among us as gift. He is present to us in the Eucharist as gift. In Ephesians 4 (Second Reading) Paul insists that awareness that ‘God forgave you in Christ’ is what facilitates an interaction with one another that is based on generosity. The more overwhelmed each of us is by the utter ‘gift’ that is Divine Love, the more readily we throw away the calculus of self interest.

In the First Reading, Elijah awoke to find a ‘gift’: a hot scone and a jar of water. Yet note how he lies down again and sleeps. A single experience of gift did not crack the hard crust of his despair!

Just as it takes time for food to become absorbed by the body, so too our being Christ-filled takes time. Like Elijah, we are on our way to the mountain of God, eternal life. In the power of Christ, the bread of life, we will arrive.

 

 

 

 

FEAST OF THE ANNUNCIATION Saturday is the Feast of the Annunciation It is a holyday of obligation. Masses will be Vigil Mass on Friday at 7.30pm. Saturday 10am 12.30pm Collection for Sisters of Nazareth will be taken up at Masses. Please use the envelope in your box.

SYMPATHY

We offer our sympathy to the family and friends of

Sarah Bradley

Friel Close who died during the week. May she rest in peace

 

 

 

BAPTISMS

Our Parish Family welcomes Evie Grace Gibson
1 Mayfield Rd.Timperley Manchester

 

SICK VISITATION

The sick in Ballymagroarty, the Branch and Foylesprings will be attended Wednesday 12th August. The Sick in Buncrana Road and Coshquin will be visited on Thursday 13th August

 

 

 

 

PADRE PIO PRAYER GROUP will hold their monthly meeting in the Holy Family Church tomorrow Monday starting with 7.30 pm Mass. There will be two 1st class relics of St Pio at the meeting. All welcome.

 

 

 

SUNDAY COLLECTION 3rd August amounted to £1904.14 and €153.10

Thank you.

 

SPRINGTOWN TAXIS celebrating 20 years free Family Fun Day today Sunday 9th August 2-6pm Upper Dunnes car park. All welcome Strictly NO alcohol

 

 

 

The City of Hope Collective is holding its annual auditions for the City of Derry’s most talented 16-20 year olds to participate in a unique programme of performance and skills development. Auditions will take place on 24 & 25 August in St Cecilia’s College, Application forms are available from St Cecilia’s and should be returned it to the College by Thurs 13THAug email jbarber957@c2kni.net

 

Clonmacnois Summer Youth Festival

Will take place from Thursday August 13th-Sunday 16th. It is for all those aged 16-35 and the weekend will be a lively 4 day festival with workshops, a concert, inspiring talks, great music and prayer and reflection. The weekend is a donation only event and there will be free buses available with pick ups in Derry, Under 18's need parental consent. Sleeping bag required. For more details or to book contact the Catechetical Centre on 71264087 or check out www.youth2000.ie

 

THE EARL OF GREENCASTLE

Have you ever wondered who is the skeleton in Derry City Coat of Arms? A Pagant based on William De Burgh and his cousin Walter called the Earl of Greencastle, is currently playing at the CAIRN Greencastle. It also tells the story of the local fort in dance, narrative and Song on Tues and Thursdays at 8.00pm. Booking advisable Tel. 00353 7493 81104 email cairnthe@eircom.net

 

 

READERS FOR AUGUST
Vigil Myra Merrigan

9.30am Margaret Harkin

11.15am Bridie Gallagher
John Moore

12.30pm Marcella Patterson
Louise McCloskey

 

EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS FOR AUGUST
Vigil Mass Brendan Ferris,
Myra Merrigan, Mark McChrystal, Nell Smith,

9.30am Brigid McNutt
Peter McCourt, Bridie Gallagher, Kathleen Cullen

11.15am Gordan Hyndman,
Jackie Knox, Eileen Corcoran.

12.30pm Louise McCloskey,
Gerry McMonagle, Ann Lynch, Majella Heaney, Fidelma Coyle

 

Interested in developing your faith a little more? Thornhill Centre has a number of short and long courses starting in October and November 2009: Pastoral Ministry: ‘There is a Variety of Gifts.’ Liturgy: ‘Foundations in Liturgy’. Scripture: ‘Saint Luke.’ Aspects of Faith: ‘So What Should We Teach Them?’ Personal Development: ‘Dreams Workshop.’ For further details contact Thornhill Centre at 71351233.

 

 

MEDJUGORJE 20th Sept. 7 nights £499 fully inclusive. Contact Pat Mullan 71301474

 

The Churches’ Trust currently has a number of opportunities for Volunteers seeking to offer their time and expertise for community benefit.

FLEXICARE SERVICE is designed to assist older people remain independent and in their own homes for as long as possible. Volunteers will assist our clients through befriending, helping with shopping or assisting them attend medical appointments.For further information, please contact: Kathryn on 71311322

ADDICTION

The First Step in Recovery, Dependence on Alcohol, other drugs or gambling present life threatening physical and mental health challenges for individuals, stress and relationship difficulties in families, financial problems for all concerned, educational issues for children and young people, deaths on the roads and crime on our streets. If you are concerned about your dependence on Alcohol, other drugs or gambling staff at Whiteoaks Rehabilitation Centre provide a confidential counselling service for individuals, couples or families. Tel. 003537493 84400 for help.