Sunday, 11th July 2010

Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

First Reading: Deuteronomy 30:10-14
Moses urges the people to obey God’s law, not as something imposed from outside them,
but as something that springs up from inside themselves.

Second Reading: Colossians 1:15-20
Paul asserts the absolute supremacy of Christ.

Gospel: Luke 10:25-37
The immortal parable of the Good Samaritan.

On the Run

If you run, take note. Running barefoot is best. Results from a Harvard University study show that people are born to run without shoes. For two million years we ran barefoot, landing untutored, on the sides or balls of our feet thus letting our heels down lightly. However, since the 1970’s when running shoes took off we have begun to develop a new gait. Now comfortably shod, we land heavily on our heels with every stride we take - with about three times the impact of barefoot running. This increases the likelihood of suffering stress-related injuries. So if you don’t want to put your foot in it, go au naturel.

Today’s First Reading (Deut 30:10-14) and Gospel (Luke 10:25-37) are about doing-a-what-comes-naturally. The First Reading tells us that it’s easy to find God’s word. It’s in our mouth and in our heart. Could anything be more natural than to listen to what’s so close to us?

The Gospel describes the coldness of two types of law-observant people: a priest and a Levite. Both served the great symbol of established Judaism: the Temple, one in liturgy, the other in administration. Both feared contamination from a seemingly dead person. Both obeyed the rules - but betrayed their humanity. Both sacrificed the greater good for the lesser. Both put symbol before substance: the symbol of God’s presence in stone before the reality of that presence in flesh.

They ran their race wrongly. They ran from, because of law, instead of running to, because of compassion. Well shod, no doubt, they didn’t run barefoot.

Fr. Tom Cahill

Announcements

Visitation of Sick and Housebound

The sick and housebound will be visited on Thursday 15 July as follows:

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

Dates for Baptism

The following are the dates for the Sacrament of Baptism during the months of July and August:

July: Sunday 11; Saturday 17; Sunday 25.

August: Sunday 8; Saturday 21; Sunday 29.

Times for Baptism: Sunday 1.15pm; Saturday 4.00pm

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

Chloe Fiona Curran

Rihanna Mary O’Reilly

Parish Draw Returns for July and August

Promoters should make their returns for July and August to the Parish Office on Tuesday 13 July, for both July and August (£10.00 for each person), from 2.00pm - 4.30pm and from 7.30pm - 8.30pm. The double Draw for July and August will take place on Thursday 15 July at 10.30am in the Parish Office.

Accord Derry

Accord Derry will hold Marriage Preparation Workshops (Pre-Marriage courses) on 24/25 September and 22/23 October in the Thornhill Centre, Culmore Road, Derry. The course will run from 6.45pm to 10.00pm on Friday and from 10.00am to 4.00pm on Saturday. To book a place contact Rosemary on 71362475 (Monday - Thursday 9.30am - 1.30pm).

Lourdes 2010 (21 - 28 July)

An information night will be held on Wednesday 14 July at 7.45pm in ‘The Den’. All those travelling on this pilgrimage should attend as final arrangements will be made.

Parish Envelopes and Census

Many of you who have returned your census forms have requested weekly collection envelopes. These will be delivered to you when the new envelope year begins. Many thanks to all who have returned their Census Forms as it is of great help in updating the Parish Records. We would ask anyone who has not yet returned theirs to do so as soon as possible.

The Holy Family Padre Pio Prayer Group will hold their monthly meeting in the Holy Family Church, Ballymagroarty, Derry on Monday 12 July starting with Mass at 7.30pm. There will be two 1st class relics of St. Pio at the meeting. All are welcome.

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

Paul Patterson and Fionnuala McGrath

May they Rest in Peace - Deaths

Dr. Charles Sullivan, 35 Urney Road

Willie Tinney, Springhill Park

Anniversaries

Gerard Blake, Josie Brown, Joe McElroy,

Mary Connolly, Micheal Gallagher, Nellie McKinney,

Martin Duffy, Jean Wilson, Marie Henderson,

Vincent Doherty, May Gallagher, Anne McShane,

George Madden, Bridget Kennedy, Elizabeth McColgan,

Molly McDaid, Mary Doherty, Sarah Hoynes,

Sarah Devlin, Tommy Mullen, Bridie Hill.

Carmelite Pilgrimage to Knock Sunday 18 July.

Coach leaves Termonbacca at 7.30am with pick up point at the Melmount Centre at 8.00am returning to Derry at approx 11.00pm. Return coach, snack on the way and four course evening meal. Fare £35.00 or 40 Euro. For further information telephone Termonbacca on 71262512 during office hours only.

Melmount Manor Nursing Home

Melmount Manor Nursing Home is holding a Fair Day on Saturday 24 July at 2.00pm.

Many different stalls available. Everyone welcome.

Melmount Centre - Parish Bingo Sunday 11 July.

Children in Crossfire are recruiting participants for the Barcelona Half Marathon in February 2011 and the Derry Waterside Half Marathon in September 2010. For more information on either event please contact Sarah on 71269898 or email events@childrenincrossfire.org.

Ceili in St. Patrick’s Hall on Friday 16 July. Dancing from 9.30pm - 12.30am.

Music by Ceili Time. Admission £5.00 or 7 Euro (including supper).

Blood Transfusion Service

A team from the N.I. Blood Transfusion Service will be in St. Patrick’s Hall on Wednesday 28 July from 1.30pm - 4.00pm and from 5.15pm - 8.00pm. In order to maintain the vital supply of blood to our hospitals, the Blood Transfusion Service needs the support not only of existing members, but also of new donors.

Choral Conducting Summer School (closing date for applications Wednesday 21 July). The Association of Irish Choirs, University of Limerick, presents its 30th Annual Choral Conducting Summer School for all conductors, teachers, students, choral enthusiasts and musicians. The Summer School will take place from Sunday 15 to Friday 20 August in the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance at the University of Limerick. Artistic Director is Bernie Sherlock and guest master teachers are Peter Erdei and Gabriella Thesz. Tutors include Martin Barrett and Ite O’Donovan. The course is delivered on 5 levels, beginner to advanced so there is something for everyone. For application forms and repertoire log on to www.aoic.ie or contact aoic@ul.ie or telephone 00353 61234823 for further information.

Gaelphobal Annual Draw Winners

£5000.00: Laura Gallagher, Mount Carmel Heights.

£1000.00: Aideen Devine, Lisnafin Park.

£500.00: Margaret Brown, Lisnafin Park.

Liam Bradley Tours:

Galway 14 September, Dublin 27 September. Four days for £225 pps.

Telephone 71269109 anytime. Departs Abercorn Square at 9.20am.