Sunday 6th September 2009

23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

“He (Jesus) makes the deaf hear and the dumb speak.” In the Gospels we can hear a real sense of awe among the people who witnessed the miracles of Jesus. It wasn’t just for the fact that he cured people but also it was because of the wonderful gentleness and compassion that he showed towards those who were suffering. That same power and those same qualities of his love are there for us today. They are given to us to transform the quality of life in our homes and community. We will know that we have been touched by him this week if we let our ears be opened to hear the needs of those in our homes and community and respond to them. Equally we will know his touch if we let our tongues be loosened to speak to one another words of love, of praise, of comfort, of encouragement.

Fr. Johnny Doherty, C.Ss.R.

Sunday 6th September, 2009

23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

First Reading Isaiah 35: 4-7
The ears of the deaf will be unsealed and the tongues of the dumb sing for joy.

Second Reading James 2: 1-5
It was those who are poor according to the world that God chose.

Gospel Mark 7: 31-37
Jesus opens the ears of the deaf man.

One for All

Today’s Gospel reading (Mark 7:31-37) contains a string of strange things. For starters, how could someone deaf from birth, presumably, be able to speak at all, even with an impediment? There were no books then, no special-needs teaching. Nothing. So how did he pick up a language? No answer is given. Not one for theatricals, Jesus nevertheless uses gestures common at the time to Greek and Jewish healers. Why? No reason is given. Equally strange, he imposes silence on the crowd after the healing. Could he really expect them to keep quiet about such an extraordinary thing? No explanation is given.

There are no answers to these questions. Yet, asking them helps us focus on the text to grasp its style and purpose. It’s penned not as a report for a newspaper, but for the purpose of teaching. It tells us that lots of good things happen when we’re close to Jesus. We become whole and free in a way we’ve never been before. Our damaged humanity is healed.

It also tells us important things about Jesus in an indirect way. The crowds proclaim that he has ‘done everything well’ (v. 37). This is reminiscent of Gen 1:31: ‘God saw everything that he had made and indeed it was very good.’

There’s at least a linkage with God’s divine action here. And because the healing occurs in the Gentile region, east of Jordan, it tells us that the Gentiles previously deaf and dumb to God can now hear and respond to him.

Jesus is for all, not just the chosen few.

Fr. Tom Cahill

Dates for Baptism

The following are the dates for the Sacrament of Baptism during the months of September and October:

September: Sunday 6; Friday 11; Friday 18; Sunday 27.

October: Sunday 4; Friday 9; Friday 16; Sunday 25.

Times for Baptism: Sunday 1.15pm; Friday 7.20pm.

We welcome into God’s Family through the Sacrament of Baptism:

Cara Mariea McDaid
Callum Thomas Dermot Brennan
Kye Griffin
Sean Farmer

Visitation of Sick and Housebound

The sick and housebound will be visited this week as follows:

Monday Morning: The Trust, Knockavoe Area.

Monday Morning: Ashgrove Park, Olympic Drive, Ballycolman Estate, Laurel Drive.

Tuesday Morning: St. Colman’s Drive, Pearse Gardens, Bridgend.

Tuesday Morning: Carlton Drive, Melmount Park, Urney Road, Lisnafin Park,
Castletown, Country Area.

Parish Draw 2009

Promoters should make their returns for September to the Parish Office on Monday 21 September from 2.00pm - 4.30pm and from 7.30pm - 8.30pm. The Draw for September will take place on Thursday 24 September at 10.30am in the Parish Office.

Church Choir

The Church Choir resumes at 10.30am Mass on Sunday 13 September.

Collection Counters

The following are asked to count the collection for the month of September: Sheila McGonagle, Helen Gallagher, Kathleen Patton, Eamon O’Connor, Terry Doherty’s Group and Jim Maguire’s Group.

Cleaning of Church

The team for cleaning the Church during the month of September is the Women’s Cursillo team.

St. Joseph’s Young Priests Society will meet on Monday 7 September after 10.00am Mass in St. Colman’s Chapel. All welcome.

We congratulate the following couples who were recently united in the Sacrament of Marriage:

Kieran Roulston and Leona Arbuckle
Michael McGrinder and Louise McCafferty

May they Rest in Peace - Deaths

Gerard Maguire, 12 Ulster Cottages

Joseph Maguire, 68 Parkside Gardens

Mary McGinley, Victoria Bridge

Hugo Roarty, Letterkenny

Peggy McNamee, Luton

Anniversaries

May Doherty, Frank Kelly, Joseph Kearney, Margaret Blee, Willie Falconer, Patrick McGurk, Bridie Rouse, Patrick McLaughlin, Pearl McAneny, Jean Doherty, Columba McDaid, Helena O’Kane, John McHugh, Tony Gallagher, Paddy Hill, Tony Quigg, Aidan Callan, Charlie Foley, Harry Doherty, Annie Kelly, Hugh Duncan, Frances Gallagher, Maria McElwee, Danny McDaid, Sarah Richmond, Johnny Montague.

Prayer Group

There will be Eucharistic Adoration in St. Colman’s Chapel on Monday 7 September at 8.00pm. Everyone welcome.

Legion of Mary Pilgrimage

The Annual Legion of Mary Pilgrimage to Knock Shrine will take place on Sunday 27 September. More details next week.

Eucharistic Adoration Retreat for young adults 18-30 years in Cork from 11 - 13 September. All expenses paid for anyone wishing to go. For more information contact Anne Lynch 82246973.

If you are interested in finding out more about the Samaritans and volunteering opportunities please come along to one of our information evenings. All start at 7.30pm and everyone is welcome.

Monday 14 September: Samaritans Centre, 16 Clarendon St., Derry
Tuesday 15 September: Strabane Council Offices, 47 Derry Road.
Wednesday 16 September: The Plaza, Main St., Buncrana
Thursday 17 September: Samaritans Centre, 16 Clarendon St., Derry.

Samaritans are available 24/7 to provide confidential emotional support. Tel. 02871 265511.

European Heritage Open Days at Holyhill House, Strabane. Open Saturday 12 September from 10.00am - 6.00pm and Sunday 13 September from 2.00pm - 5.00pm. Admission Free. All donations in aid of Marie Curie Cancer Care.

Melmount Centre - Parish Bingo Sunday 6 September.

Ceili Dancing Classes

Ceili Dancing Classes will commence in ‘The Den’ (Melmount Centre) on Wednesday 9 September from 8.30pm - 10.30pm. Admission £2.00. Everyone welcome.

The 3rd Tyrone Scouts will return next week in the Melmount Centre:

The Cubs (8 - 10 years) Tuesday 8 September from 7.00pm - 8.30pm weekly.

The Beavers (6 - 8 Years) Thursday 10 September from 6.00pm - 7.30pm weekly.

The Scouts (10 - 15 Years) Thursday 10 September from 7.30pm - 9.00pm weekly.

The Ventures (15 - 25 Years) Thursday 10 September from 8.00pm - 9.30pm every 2 weeks.