Weekly Bulletin 13th September 2020

Today is the 24 Sunday in Ordinary Time: “Forgive your neighbour the hurt he/she does you, and when you pray, your sins will be forgiven” (Ecclesiasticus 28:2). We hear those words in today’s first reading and the consoling words from Psalm 102 that God does not “treat us according to our sins nor repay us according to our faults” Jesus in the Gospel today calls us “each to forgive your brother or sister from your heart” (Matthew 18:35).      

“Forgiveness is for losers” was the title of car racing computer game in 2005.  The aim of the game was to exact revenge on your fellow motorist in the worst  possible way. But the Christian Gospel calls us to act differently. 

When we are hurt by others, it is easy to either run away, keep quiet, excuse it or even collude with it in order to find some way of reducing its power in our lives. It is also easy to retaliate by attacking those who have wronged us.

Whenever we gossip, stereotype others unfairly, sulk, apportion blame, let bitterness, take over our relationships or talk the language of hate, we have rejected forgiveness and have instead opted for “preferring darkness to light!”. To choose this as a lifestyle option is to lose our humanity, to choose death instead of life. The readings of Mass today clearly draw out for us another way of acting that is Christ-like. Thank God the Spirit of God helps us to live this alternative life-style! 

Thanks for the collections at our Sunday Masses, donations and for the wonderful help of our ushers and ministers of the Eucharist. Thank you to September’s church cleaning group for their hard work.

Feasts of the Day: Monday: The Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross: A feast that is especially dear to all Passionists. St. Helena, the mother of Emperor Constantine, found the true Cross around this date in 320 AD. The feast has been celebrated since that date to celebrate the redemption won for us by Christ. Tuesday: The Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows: Another day dear to Passionists. We celebrate the fact that Mary stood by the Cross uniting her whole being to her Son’s sacrifice. Wednesday St. Cornelius & St. Cyprian: Cornelius was pope from 251-253 and Cyprian, his friend, was a great teacher who worked for the unity of the Church. 

Graan Draw & Dinner Dance: Because of the restrictions around the pandemic our fundraising activity will be severely curtailed this year. Therefore because of the current financial situation we will be unable to sell as many tickets.  With this in mind we will not be having a car as our first prize this year. However, the tickets for the draw will be available soon. 1^st Prize will be £5000,  2^nd prize – £1000 & a further 5 prizes of £100 each. We regret our annual Dinner Dance will be cancelled this year.    

DUTY FOR THE WEEK:  Sun & Mon No Duty. Monday (14^th)  evening Mass @ 7pm  – Charles. 

Tues (15^th Sept) –  Charles. Wed 16^th  –  Charles. Thurs 17^th  – Arthur.   Fri 18^th – Arthur.   Sat 19^th –  Arthur.

Shop Opening Hours: Mon to Sat: 9.30am – 7.30pm. Sunday – 9.30am – 5pm.

Guild Mass Cards: We have a wide selection of cards including a new section of Christmas Mass Bouquets. We value your support.