Weekly Bulletin 11th September 2022

Today is the Twenty-Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Today’s long Gospel comes from the pen of St. Luke. (15:1-32). It is familiar to all of us who are followers of Jesus Christ. We have probably heard this parable of the Prodigal Son a few zillion times. It probably is the most famous of all the parables of Christ and one of the most famous stories in the world. It is sometimes referred to as the full Gospel in miniature. Three times in the Gospel reading today we are told of rejoicing over something lost that has been found: the flock-owner and his sheep, the woman and her money, the father and his errant son. Jesus is addressing these stories to the Pharisees and the scribes who were complaining about the company that Jesus kept: “The tax collectors and the sinners were all seeking the company of Jesus to hear what he had to say and the Pharisees and the scribes complained” (Luke 15:1). We hear the words of the Pharisees echoed in the words of the elder son when he learns that his younger brother has returned home after wasting the inheritance that was his due. He is angry at his father. “Look all these year I have slaved for you and never once disobeyed your orders…but this son of yours, when he comes back after swallowing up your property…you kill the calf we have been fattening” (Luke 15:29). He used the word “slaved”! Being a slave can be part of what it is to be a Pharisee. Their name means “separated ones.” To be a Pharisee or scribe is to be loyal, dedicated, righteous, careful and sometimes smug! The younger son, despite his waywardness felt the “pinch” – he knew something was missing in his life. Did the elder son ever feel at all?  The elder son refuses to enter the house.  In the Middle East tradition this is the greatest of insults.  The father has every right to bristle and banish this elder son for refusing to enter his ancestral home.  But the father doesn’t.  Once more he takes the initiative.  He himself goes out to this son also and tries to win him over.   Is there not a little smithereen of the elder son in all of us?  Even though the eldest boy lived with his father for years he did not know how much his father loved him. The senior brother ended up judgemental, bitter, envious, resentful, angry and unaccepting. We are not told in the story if he did go to the party to welcome the errant younger brother home. Would you have gone in if you were in his shoes? 

Feasts of the Week: Wednesday: The Exaltation of the Holy Cross. The discovery of the true Cross by St. Helena is dated 14 September 320 AD. The annual commemoration of that event in praise of our redemption by Christ is celebrated since that day. Thursday: Our Lady of Sorrows. This is a special day in honour of our Mother who stood at the foot of the Cross. Friday: St. Cornelius & St. Cyprian. Cyprian of Carthage supported Cornelius who was Pope in 251 against the anti-pope Novatian. Cyprian’s sermons in support of the unity of the Church are next to importance as the writings of his fellow African St. Augustine. Cornelius died in exile in 253. Saturday: St. Hildegard (1098-1179). Declared a doctor of the Church in 2012.

Thank you for the collection last week. It came to £2270. We appreciate your generosity and support. Thanks also to our Readers, Singers, Ministers of the Eucharist and Ushers who help us with our Sunday liturgies.

Dinner Dance: It has been decided that we will not be hosting our dinner dance this year. One of the reasons for this decision concerns health and safety.  The reality of the coronavirus is still with us and we reluctantly decided against having this event. However our annual appeal for funds to support our work here in the Graan will continue. It is the only fund raising event that we hold every year. We ask for your support. 

Graan Draw: Tickets are available at all the doors of our Church for our annual draw. The draw will take place on the 2 December 2022 and can be viewed on our webcam.

Thank you to September’s Church cleaning group for their hard work.

Our Shop is open:  Monday to Friday from 9.30am -7pm and Sunday from 9.30 -5pm

Guild Mass Cards:  Deceased, Mass Bouquets, Get Well, Wedding, Christening, Graduation, New Born etc.

Confessions & Duty: Sunday & Monday  – No Duty. Mass (12^th Sept)  @ 7pm – Charles.

Duty: Tues 2pm – 5pm  –  Charles.  Wed – Victor.   Thurs – Charles.   Fri – Anthony. Sat 5 – 6pm. Sat – Anthony.   

A Triduum in preparation for the Feast of St Padre Pio takes place at the Franciscan Friary, Rossnowlagh, Co Donegal from Tuesday 20^th until Friday 23^rd September @ 7.30pm. Email: franciscanrossnowlagh@eircom.net.