Sunday 26th July 2009

17th Sunday in Ordinary Time

First Reading Kings 4: 42-44
The prophet Elisha feeds the people.

Second Reading Ephesians 4: 1-6
We are one Body in the one Lord.

Gospel John 6: 1-15
Jesus feeds the people with the loaves and fishes.

Today’s Gospel speaks of one of the most important events in the life of Jesus. Undoubtedly the Paschal event - the death and resurrection - are the culmination of Jesus’ ministry. The feeding of the 5,000 is a prefiguring of the Eucharist and echoes the account of the liberation from slavery of the Israelites and the feeding with manna as they crossed the desert. For Christians nothing else takes pre-eminence over the Eucharist.

In Ireland down through the centuries people excelled in their devotion to Mass and were ready to lay down their lives for it. We can pause today and just give thanks for all who have passed on the Faith to us. The very meaning of Eucharist is ‘Thanksgiving’.

Several beautiful teachings lie hidden in today’s Gospel. Reference is made to the Passover, recalling the passing of the Israelites from slavery to freedom through the miracles of the Exodus. What it prefigures is a greater and deeper liberation from the darkness of sin and death brought about by the death and resurrection of Jesus. Jesus on the mountain reminds us of Moses on Mount Sinai. We recall the words of Yahweh: ‘I bore you on eagles wings and brought you to myself. You shall be my treasured possession’. (Exod 19:4,5)

We continue to be the treasured possessions of God. When have I experienced being treasured by God? How have I responded?

Gather up the fragments left over so that nothing may be lost. What situation in my life does this bring to mind for me? What is being lost? What do the fragments represent? If each of us could only become aware of how our extravagance - indeed greed - is robbing the economically disadvantaged of their rightful portion of the world’s goods.

This is a story of God’s abundance. Many in our world are deprived of Eucharist. What other ways can we find in order that the abundance of God be not diminished by a too narrow vision of how things ought to be?

SUNDAY COLLECTION

19th July amounted to £1659.30 and €158.64 Thank you.

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

BOOKS NEED URGENTLY to raise money for destitute children in India. Please bring them to public car park adjacent to Sainsbury’s on Tues. Wed. Thurs., (27-29th July) 7-8pm or ring Eamon Melaugh 71364029. Details of book sale will be announced later.

 

 

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

 

 

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

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