Sunday 19th April 2020
(028 66322272) www.thegraan.com thegraan@btconnect.com
Today is the Second Sunday of Easter. We are on the 25th day of our lockdown because of the coronavirus. So many have died. So many grieve without the grace of a proper farewell. Our darkest days seem to be synched with the Christian calendar. We have lived a Lent we could never have imagined. Holy Week comes and goes while we are quarantined. We are like those first disciples, who hear reports of the Risen One, but we have not seen him for ourselves. In the Gospel today (John 20:19-31) the disciples are also on lockdown. We have the story of the Risen Jesus appearing to the frightened despondent disciples locked in a room not once only- but twice! They are in that locked room seeking security protection and consciously living in fear. Jesus was gone. But he comes back to reclaim his own to bring them together with his peace. And what does he show them? His wounds! Why? This is so unusual! When we are happy we let others come near us and touch us. (After scoring a goal in a football match everybody jumps on you with happiness in their faces) But when we are in pain, – especially pain caused by others – the opposite happens we run away. We want to cut ourselves off from others. We want to hide and cover our wounds and maybe brood over them. Mentally we put up a sign which says, “Fragile, do not touch!” Was Thomas not with them because he had gone off alone to brood over the death of his best friend and teacher Jesus? But wounds and hurts are not things to be ashamed of! How can healing take place if we do not let our wounds be seen and touched!! ? That is why we need to be in relationship with people and with a real living community that is described to us in the first reading today ( Acts 2:42-47: They shared their food gladly and generously). Again I keep thinking of that wonderful organisation called “Alcoholics Anonymous” that the only qualification for entry into it is to admit you are powerless over alcohol. Imagine the courage it takes to admit your weakness! Jesus showed his wounds as a badge of identity. He is the Risen Lord who conquered death, and he is also the Risen Saviour who entered the depths of human pain and sin. He displayed the marks that proved his finished work. He showed the disciples what that work cost. The Risen Christ has scars; being raised from the dead does not wipe them away. The scars and wounds of Good Friday are visible on Easter Sunday. John tells us that Jesus showed the disciples his hands and his side. “The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord” (20:20). It’s as though the wounds somehow opened them up to joy. No wounds, no joy. The human heart is healed only by the presence of another human being who understands human pain. Pope Francis closed his Easter Sunday 2020 message praying that Christ, “who has already defeated death and opened for us the way to eternal salvation, dispel the darkness of our suffering humanity and lead us into the light of his glorious day, a day that knows no end.”
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Thank you for your prayerful support during these strange days of quarantine. You letters, donations and emails are a source of blessing for the community here at the Graan. You are being remembered especially every day in our prayers as we celebrate the Divine Office, Rosary and the Eucharist in our little oratory. We do miss your presence with us but we know that no virus can separate us from Christ and his Spirit, because this Holy Spirit breathes herself into us in every place. We will continue to pray for each other until we meet again! Father Charles
Standing Order Form See Link HERE. Please note if you complete a form please return it to your own bank.
The Church here at The Graan will remain open from 9.30am – 4pm each day for private prayer.
The shop & Monastery will remain closed until further notice. You can ring the monastery or email us at thegraan@btconnect.com if you have any enquiries or if you need cards sent out in the post. Please ring the Monastery from 10am – 2pm each day.
Guild Mass Cards: We have Deceased, Mass Bouquets, Get Well, Birthday, Special Occasion, Thinking of You & Exam Mass Bouquets which cost £2 / €2.50 each.
The Anniversary Masses for Saturday Vigil & Sunday will be celebrated privately by the priests here.
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Recently Deceased
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Anniversaries
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Brian Mc Caffrey, Tempo
Thompson Hicks, Lisnaskea
Declan Grimes, Carrickmore
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Brendan Conway, Brackvede Pk, Enniskillen
Tommy Tierney, Derrygore Terrace, Enniskillen
Patrick Elizabeth Nevin & The Nevin Family, Henry St, Enniskillen
Angela Colgie, Kesh
Patrick & Margaret Flanagan, Roscor, Belleek
Ryan Smyth, Windmill Heights, Enniskillen
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The Shrine of St. Charles – Mount Argus
O Dear St. Charles, Friend of the Sick
during your life on earth,
you were always ready to help those who were ill.
Many times you have gone to the bedside of the sick
and prayed for them with faith.
We ask you now to be close to those
who are in need of God’s healing.
May Our Lady, Health of the Sick, join you
in interceding with the Father of their behalf. Amen
