Weekly Bulletin 15th August 2021

Today is the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary: The first reading today (Revelation 11:19; 12:1-6, 10) comes from the last book of the Bible and it was written when the Church was being persecuted by the Roman Empire  It is written in coded language, through the use of symbols, metaphors and similes that is called apocalyptic. Imagine any father outside a maternity ward watching a dragon – above all things – ready to attack his wife and her child!! It is a very hard image to imagine or even to think about! The huge red dragon is described with its seven heads and ten horns etc – this represents Rome that was at that time persecuting the Christians. The seven heads represent the seven hills that Rome was built on. But is also represents all worldly power that relies on the threat of violence to get its way. The vision ends by declaring that this little baby and its Mother is more powerful than all that the world can throw at it! At the beginning of this reading we get a glimpse of the Ark of the Covenant within the sanctuary of heaven. For those of us of a certain age we can remember reciting the Litany of Loreto after the family rosary. The words tumbled out after one another –Tower of David, Tower of ivory, House of gold, Ark of the covenant, Gate of heaven, Morning star, Health of the sick. Why is Mary called the “Ark of the Covenant”? Because she carried within her the very personal presence of God. The Gospel story (Luke 1:39-56) goes to a little town in the hill country of Judah near to Jerusalem. Here we see an elderly woman greeting her cousin Mary and how the infant she carries within her womb dances with joy.  It reminds the readers that David the warrior King danced before the Ark on its way into Jerusalem (2 Samuel 6:14). Elizabeth praises Mary for her faith – “Blessed is she who believed that the promise made her by the Lord would be fulfilled!” (Luke 1:45) And Mary responds with the great prayer called the Magnificat that the Church prays each evening. The word “Magnificat” means magnify – she is “proclaiming the greatness of the Lord” and she goes on to use very strong warrior type images – “He has shown the power of his arm, he has routed the proud of heart, he has pulled down princes from their throne and exalted the lowly”. (Luke 1:52-53) This is not the usual pious sentimental image that we have of Mary our Mother – here she is the warrior of God confronting the powers of the world. What has all this to do with today’s feast of the Assumption? Mary’s assumption into heaven is her elevation into the realm of God. We should not think of this assumption like a soul floating up into the sky but her whole person – soul, mind, spirit and body – are translated into the  fullness of life in God. We pray in the Preface of the Mass today that her being assumed into Heaven  is a sign of sure hope and comfort to your pilgrim people that God would not allow her to see the corruption of the grave since from her own body she brought forth God’s Incarnate Son – who is the Author of all life!  Mary our Mother, with God today fulfils her destiny, her glorification and her perfect configuration with the her Risen Son and she is that symbol of hope. She already lives now in the life of the age to come. Her assumption is an anticipation of all that we hope one day to be and to share. Paul says the same thing today in the second reading. He is writing to his friends at Corinth – “Just as all people die in Adam so all people will be brought to life in Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:22). Our prayer at the beginning of the “Salve Regina” prays” Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy. Hail our life, our sweetness and our hope…” 

Feasts of the Week: Tuesday: Our Lady of Knock: On 21 August 1879 the vision at Knock took place. It was witnessed by fifteen people young and old. Friday: St. Bernard (1090-1153) Abbot and Doctor of the Church. According to one historian, he had “carried the twelfth century on his shoulders.” He is known as last of the Church Fathers! Saturday: St. Pius X (1835-1914) He was elected Pope in 1903. He encouraged frequent communion to which he admitted young people.

Thank you for your collection last weekend. It came to £1860.  During these days of financial constraints, your generosity is remarkable. We appreciate your support and please be assured of a constant remembrance in our community prayers every day.

A special word of thanks to our Ministers of the Eucharist and our Ushers for their help in the smooth running of our religious services. We appreciate that they give of their valuable time to these tasks.  Thanks also to you for obeying their instructions. It is important to keep wearing our masks, sanitising our hands and having a good awareness of social distancing. Your compliance to these directives is noteworthy. 

Duty this Week: Mass each evening from Monday to Friday at 7:00 pm. Saturday Vigil Mass at 6:30 pm. Sunday Masses are celebrated at 10:30 am. 12 noon. & 4:00 p.m

 Monday(16^th August) Mass@ 7pm – Arthur    Confessions (Tues to Fri) 2.00 – 5.00pm   Sat 5.00pm to 6.00pm                                   Tues – Anthony    Wed – Charles   Thurs – Arthur   Fri – Charles    Sat –Anthony                                                                        

Our Shop: Open Mon to Sat:  9.30am – 7pm. Sunday 9.30 – 4pm. Guild Mass Cards: We have a wide selection of cards for Deceased, Mass Bouquets, Get Well, Birthday, Graduation  etc. which cost £2 / €2.50 each. We value your support.