Sunday 19th July 2009

16th Sunday in Ordinary Time

And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen His glory, the glory as of a Father’s son, full of grace and truth’ In this sublime way John describes the mystery of the Incarnation, God taking on a human nature and living among us. In today’s Gospel we come face to face with the depth of Jesus’ love in action.

Jesus prepares the way by first of all choosing some disciples and then spending much time in their company. He engaged with them and tried to explain to them the enormity of God’s plan for human beings. Mark in this passage draws a curtain to reveal to us another aspect of Jesus’s relationship with the disciples. Having come back from their journeys they were eager to share all with him. Jesus wants them to deepen their experience by withdrawing to a desert place to be by themselves.

A story is told by William Dairymple from his travels through the Middle East. He visited a Coptic monastery of St.Anthony in Egypt. He recalls this dialogue with one of the monks who tells Dairymple of his struggle to live poorly and without distraction in prayer. The writer dialogues with the monk saying that one doesn’t have to go out to a desert to find a free space which can be surely found as well in a big city like Cairo, Alexandria or London. The dialogue continues ‘What you say is true’, said Fr.Dioscuros with a smile, ‘you can pray anywhere. But in the desert, the pure clean atmosphere, in the silence - there you can find yourself. And unless you begin to know yourself how can you ever being to search for God?

The crowds were so greatly attracted to Jesus and his teaching that they had made their way around the headland and were there before them. A human reaction to this might have been to dismiss the people and explain to them about how tired they themselves were. Jesus’ response came from the depths of a compassionate heart. He set out to teach them at length.

SYMPATHY

We offer our sympathy to the family of

Billy Dunne 24 Benview Est

who died during the week. May he rest in peace

 

BAPTISMS

Our Parish Family welcomes:

Josh Tyler Courtney
55 Rosskeen Park

Califf Joseph Mellon
74 Glenvale Park

 

SUNDAY COLLECTION

12th July amounted to £1659.30 and €158.64

Thank you.

 

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.

 

LASCO LOTTO numbers drawn 6th July 1, 7, 8, 16 1 x £10 winner No Jackpot winner Next weeks jackpot £4050. To join please contact LASCO 71374443

 

MASS in honour of Blessed Alexandrina Maria De Costa will be celebrated in Termonbacca on Sunday next 26th July at 7.30pm.

 

Monthly Pro-Life Devotions on Tuesday 21st July in St Columb’s Church Chapel Road Waterside, commencing with Rosary at 7.pm followed by Mass at 7.30pm.
Everyone welcome to come and pray for the Unborn Child

 

SLIMMING WORLD New classes on Thursday nights 5.30pm and 7pm in Holy Family School Call Valerie 07756455438

 

WOOD CARVING - AN INTRODUCTION Gasyard Centre Tuesday 14th July 7-9pm Contact Sandra/Catriona for a place Its free.

 

BUS TRIP TO MOUNT MELLERY Saturday 29th August Contact Anne 71344629

 

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

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.

 

 

Seagate Summer School in Computing, Computer Games Technology and Robotics at the University of Ulster Magee, 6th - 10th July. The course runs from 9.30 - 4.30 and is aimed at 14-16 year olds with prizes available for effort and achievement. Fee: £20. Please phone Anthony McCourt 71375784 or email a.mccourt@ulster.ac.uk for an application form.

 

 

SEAN DAVIS 4 DAY OUTDOOR ‘FUN’ Soccer Academy at Templemore Complex Tuesday 7th -Friday 10th July for boys and girls aged 5-17 years. Times 10sm -12.30pm. Lunch 12.30 - 1.00 Finish 3.00pm. For further information ring Sean Davis 71263044