Weekly Bulletin 15th May 2022

Today is the Fifth Sunday of Easter. The word “new” is to the fore in the readings of Mass today. In the first reading (Acts 14:21-27) we learn that Paul and Barnabas are “putting fresh hearts into the disciples”. They are retracing their steps encouraging the little communities of Christians which they had founded on their first missionary journey.  The second reading is taken from the last book of the New Testament (Apocalypse 21:1-5) It is written in highly symbolic language. Today’s section is the final part of the book of the Apocalypse, and opens with the vision of a new world, and the manifestation of a new Jerusalem. This new order of all things has been begun by Christ. There will be a new heaven and a new earth! A creation free of evil can only be new! The human being was the summit of God’s creation – now in Jesus a new world is beginning! The Opening Prayer of the Mass last Thursday stated “O God you have restored human nature to yet greater dignity than it had at its beginnings” We are co-creators of that new world. In the Gospel (John 13:31-35) we are back in the Last Supper Room with Jesus and his disciples and he is speaking to us of a a new commandment. “I give you a new commandment: love one another; just as I have loved you” (John 13:34). What makes this old commandment new are those simple words of Jesus “just as I have loved” We are to love like Jesus. Our God’s call is new with each new day. In other words the Gospel never grows old. The words on a poster stated: “It is always springtime in the soul united to God” Yet we do grow old and stale. Even those earlier followers of Christ needed fresh hearts put into them. How do we keep the Gospel fresh? May I suggest by reading it seriously, by listening to it, by letting their words mould our lives and our attitudes.  Hildegard of Bingen (1098 -1179), a doctor of the Church and one of the patrons of Europe used the metaphor of “greening” to describe life in Christ.  She was a visionary, a mystic, a justice seeker, a Benedictine woman steeped in the scriptures who saw life through the eyes of God and named injustice, indifference, and corruption wherever she found it. She said that “The Word is living, being, spirit, all verdant greening, all creativity”

Feast Days: Monday St. Gemma Galgani from Lucca, Italy born in 1878 who died at the age of 25 in 1903. She was a Passionist mystic and is called the “Daughter of the Passion” Gemma wished to become a Passionist nun, but her poor health prevented her from being accepted. She offered this disappointment to God as a sacrifice.

Thank you for the collection last week. It came to £1760. During these days when the cost of living is going up at eye-watering speed, your generosity to us is remarkable. We appreciate your support and we assure you of a constant remembrance in our community prayers. 

Thanks also to our Ushers, Readers, and Ministers of the Eucharist for helping to keep our religious services running smoothly. We appreciate that you give of your valuable time to help all of us to pray the Eucharist with reverence. 

Our Shop: We have a range First Holy Communion or Confirmation items, statues, pictures, medals, etc

Guild Mass Cards: Deceased, Mass Bouquets, Get Well, Wedding, Exam, Graduation, New Born, Special Occasion, etc.

The May Rosary continues each evening at 6.30pm at Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto here at the Graan All welcome.

Exposition: Continues each Friday from 10am – 2pm.

Confessions & Duty: Sun & Mon – No Duty. Mass Mon (16^th May) @ 7pm: Arthur. Monday to Friday Mass @ 7pm.

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