Sunday 20th September 2009

25th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Jesus said to his disciples: 'If anyone wants to be first he/she must make himself/herself least of all and servant of all.' Whoever said that religion is the opium of the people obviously never read the Gospels because if opium was nearly as difficult to take as some of the things that Jesus said there would be very few people taking it! And yet the truth is that only his way works. We all want to be first in so many different ways. We can see people in every sphere of life going around puffed up with their self-importance, often putting others down in order to keep their position. It is the opposite to the way of Jesus and can never lead to lasting happiness. This week again we are invited to practise putting other people first, especially in our families and communities, and know the joy that this brings.

Fr. Johnny Doherty, C.Ss.R.

Sunday, 20th September 2009

Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

First Reading Wisdom 2: 12. 17-20
The godless plot to do away with the just one, because his blameless life is a reproach to them.

Second Reading James 3: 16 – 4: 3
Jealousy, ambition and self-seeking lead to disharmony and fighting. Gentleness, reasonableness and mercy lead to peace.

Gospel Mark 9: 30-37
Jesus tells his apostles he will suffer bitter humiliation and death, and says true greatness shows itself in service towards the weaker members of the community.

Hobson’s Choice?

Today’s Gospel reading (Mark 9:30-37) makes you wonder what on earth possessed Jesus to choose the ones he did to become his disciples. He’s teaching them vitally important matters but not only do they not understand what he’s saying, they’re afraid even to ask him what he means. Why? Could they fear that he may tire of them and look for others more intelligent to replace them as disciples?

Though slow on the uptake, they’re quick on the draw. Self-seeking calculation has them bickering about which of them is top dog. Not only are they a bit dense they’re also small-time glory seekers. Could any group of people be less likely candidates to become Jesus’ disciples!

Yet, he chose them knowing their calibre, and knowing what he was doing. Amazing! Even more amazing is the change in them after Jesus’ death and resurrection, a change that sees them proclaiming a most profound message and establishing a faith-community that has spread throughout the world down to this present day. It was also a change that produced in them total commitment to God even to the point of death.

Bringing it closer to home is it not equally amazing the type of people God still calls today to do his work? I don’t mean priests and religious primarily but parents. What more precious task could be entrusted to a human being than to bring another into this world and introduce them to God?

We too can be dense and self-seeking, yet God has chosen us. How has the gift of life changed us?

Fr. Tom Cahill

Announcements

Dates for Baptism

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

September: Sunday 27.

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

November: Friday 6; Sunday 15; Sunday 22; Friday 27.

December: Sunday 6; Friday 11; Sunday 20.

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

Parish Draw 2009

Promoters should make their returns for September to the Parish Office tomorrow 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.

St. Mary’s Boys P.S. Beginning of Year School Mass will take place on Wednesday 23 September at 10.00am in the church. All parents and relatives are very welcome to attend.

Gaelscoil Beginning of Year School Mass will take place in the school on Friday 25 September at 1.00pm. All parents and relatives are very welcome to attend.

Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes

The Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes will take place from 16 - 21 July 2010. Cost £629.00. Payable in instalments. A few forms are available at the Parish Office, 71383777 or at the Pilgrimage Office. Forms for those in need of care or those aged 80+ are available only from the Pilgrimage Office 028 71260293.

IHCPT - Young People’s Pilgrimage to Lourdes, Easter 2010

Around 500 young people from all over Ireland spend a week on pilgrimage in Lourdes with the IHCPT, The Irish Pilgrimage Trust at Easter. The Trust welcomes applications from young people with: A physical disability or illness/suffering/trauma/bereavement (aged 11-18); A learning disability (aged 11-21); Jet Set Group - Physical Disability (18-25); Jet Set Group - Learning disability (21-30); The organisation also has Family Groups for very seriously ill children under the age of 9, accompanied by a parent or close relative. The IHCPT covers the cost of those young people selected to travel. If you would like more information about the pilgrimage please contact Damian 07968312770 or IHCPT 00353 91796622. Closing date for applications is October 31, 2009.

Youthlife is offering a new residential programme for young people who have been bereaved by suicide in the Residential Centre, Ulster American Folk Park from 8.00pm on Friday 25 September to 5.00pm on Sunday 27 September. The weekend is open to young people from 11 upwards. For more information contact Bridie or Pat 71377227 or email youthlife_be@hotmail.com.

We congratulate the following couple who were recently

united in the Sacrament of Marriage:

Gerald McGrinder and Nicola McCay

May they Rest in Peace - Deaths

Alex Carlin, The Common, Lifford

Gerard Kelly, Burndennett

Betty Caffrey nee McGinnis, Dublin

Anniversaries

Danny McCrossan, Sammy Kerr, Jim McFarland,
Thomas McCauley, Michael McElwee, Sheila Gallagher,
Briedge McGettigan, Jean Gallagher, Mary Darling,
Willie Earley, Kathleen Foley, Paddy Floyd,
James Callaghan, James Devine Snr, Cathal Boyle,
Patrick McElroy, Nana McGonagle, Frank Duffy,
Hugo McLaughlin, Rose McBrearty, Tom French,
Bridget French, Rosaleen Caulfield, Hugh Devine.

Holy Cross College

The newly formed PTA of Holy Cross College is holding a Table Quiz in the Fir Trees Hotel on Thursday 24 September at 9.30pm. Everyone is welcome.

Legion of Mary Pilgrimage to Knock

The Annual Legion of Mary Pilgrimage to Knock Shrine will take place on Sunday 27 September. Bus leaving Bowling Green at 8.15am. For bookings please contact Margaret Harte on 028 71883159 or Frances Conwell on 028 71882048. Fare is £12.00 to be paid at time of booking.

Gaelscoil Ui Dhochartaigh, St. Mary’s Boys P.S. and St. Mary’s Girls P.S.

In school we will have difficulties if any of our non-teaching staff are hit with swine flu in that we do not have a register of people available to stand in incase of illness. With vetting now necessary we are looking to establish a register of people who would be willing to go through the vetting process and fill in as caretaker, secretary, classroom assistant, dinner supervisor or cleaner should the need arise. If any parent, or someone you know, is interested please contact the relevant school where we will provide you with further information.

The Catholic Chaplaincy QUB will reopen with Sunday Mass on 27 September at 8.00pm. Chaplains Food Bar and other Chaplaincy facilities will re-open on Monday 28 September at 10.00am. Monday - Friday Mass at 12.15pm. Please remember to enrol with the Catholic chaplaincy as part of the Queens on-line enrolment procedures. Check out our website for further information www.qubcc.org.

The first meeting of the 2009/10 season of the Strabane History Society will be held in Strabane Library on Thursday 24 September at 8.00pm. There will be a talk on 19th Century Strabane writer and traveller, John Gamble, and the speaker will be Breandan Mac Suibhne from Dublin University. New members are welcome.

Melmount Centre - Parish Bingo Sunday 20 September.

Strabane Youth Association’s

activities will run over 4 nights. A full programme can be obtained by contacting SYA at Melvin Hall on any of the nights below. Cost is 0.50p per night. Younger members can be collected at 9.00pm if preferred.

Monday: 7.00pm - 9.45pm (Years 6, 7, 8).

Tuesday: 7.00pm - 10.00pm (Years 8+).

Thursday: 7.00pm - 10.00pm (Years 8+).

Friday: 7.00pm - 9.45pm (Year 3 - Year 7).