Weekly Bulletin 16th October 2022

Today is the 29 Sunday in Ordinary Time: One of the big words that come from the readings at Mass today is the word, “perseverance” We have the story in the first reading (Exodus 17:8-13) of Moses persevering in prayer despite being exhausted. In the Gospel (Luke 18:1-8) a widow harasses a judge until she gets her case heard. The word “perseverance” means holding a course of action, belief or purpose without giving way. It is a person who is steadfast in their commitments. It involves persistence, tenacity and determination. The Christian life isn’t about a blissful problem free existence but a better way of living in relationship with God. A relationship does not mean anything unless it endures trials and hardships. Prayer is a relationship, a long-term one. Relating to anyone long-term has its ups and downs. Nobody can be interesting all the time, sustain high energy all the time, or fully invest himself or herself all the time. Never travel with anyone who expects you to be interesting, lively, and emotionally invested all the time. Real life doesn’t work that way. Neither does prayer. What sustains a relationship over the long term is ritual, routine, and a regular rhythm that enfleshes that commitment. What eventually makes us stop praying, St. John of the Cross says, is simple boredom, tiredness, lack of energy. We simply cannot sustain that kind of energy and enthusiasm for prayer all the time. We are human beings limited in our energies, tired, dissipated, and torn in various directions. That is why we need ritual. We need a routine. We need some kind of rhythm in our lives where the Lord gets space to speak to the depths of our being.  The saints and the great spiritual writers have always said that there is only one non-negotiable rule of prayer: “Show Up! Show up regularly!” The up and downs of our minds and hearts are of secondary importance.  We need to listen to what the Lord is asking of us today. It is not possible to bring in the peace of Christ while our hearts are full of resentment and blindness. We need humbly to be converted to his truth, to mobilise all our forces in order to retrace our steps from false ways, and to allow ourselves to be guided by the Spirit that inspired the whole life of Jesus.  The last sentence in today’s second letter from Paul to Timothy (2 Timothy 3:14-4:2) states: “Refute falsehood, correct error, call to obedience -but do all with patience and with the intention of preaching”. The readings today call us to perseverance but above all we need to be patient with ourselves and accept the reality of our humanity. Read the Opening Prayer of the Mass today: “May your grace, O Lord, we pray at all times go before us and follow after and make us always determined to carry out good works…”

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Feasts of the Week: Monday: St. Ignatius of Antioch. Died a martyr in Rome about the year 107. He wrote letters to the various Christian communities on his way to Rome urging Christians to unity around the Eucharist and their bishop. “I am the wheat of God ground by the beasts’ teeth, to be the pure bread of Christ” Tuesday: St. Luke. Writer of the Gospel. Was a physician and worked with St. Paul on his second Missionary journey. Wednesday: St. Paul of the Cross. (1694-1775). Founder of our Congregation the Passionists. The Passion of Jesus moved Paul to want to reach out to others because its message had already penetrated his own heart. The remembrance of the Passion was for him a privileged place of encounter with God.  Saturday: St. John Paul 11. He was pope for over twenty-six years. He died on the 2 April 2005. 

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Thanks for the collection last week. It came to £2055. We appreciate your generosity and support of our work here in the Graan. Thanks also to our Ministers of the Eucharist, Readers and Singers who helped with the liturgy over the weekend. 

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Mission Sunday: Next Sunday is Mission Sunday. This is a moment of universal solidarity when each member of the Church family, play their part in supporting our brothers and sisters who are working overseas in spreading the Gospel. The total collection next Sunday will be taken up here in the Graan will be for this cause. I know we can rely on your wonderful generosity.

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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 the webcam. It is the only fund-raising activity that we have we would appreciate your support by buying or selling tickets for us. 

Ticket Selling Outlets: The Mart, Enniskillen  – 20 Oct. Irvinestown 21^st & 22^nd Oct.  McKeagney’s Tempo – 28 & 29 Oct. Belleek – 4 Nov. Martin Rooney’s Enniskillen 18 & 19 November. Dunnes Store, Enniskillen 24 & 25 Nov

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

Guild Mass Cards:  We have a new selection of Christmas Mass Bouquets.

Confessions & Duty: Masses Mon to Fri @ 7pm. Sunday & Monday  – No Duty. Mass (17^th Oct) @ 7pm – Charles.  

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