Weekly Bulletin 19th June 2022

Today is the Feast of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. Before Jesus went to his death on the night of the Last Supper, he handed over His Body and Blood to us.  He hands himself over to his disciples in the Bread and Wine – given, pledged bequeathed. He handed over his Body; not merely his ideas, or his philosophy but his Body! You could not get more personal than that. Through that same Body He now gifts people. Think of all that Jesus experienced when He was with us in His earthly life – through his Body.

EYES OF JESUS – He looked at the loveliness of our world. “Learn from the lilies of the fields, how they grow…..not even Solomon in all his glory was clothed like one of these” (Matthew 6:29). He notices the small things – the widow who put in all she had to the temple treasury – it makes him wonder at such trust. From the Cross with His head crowned with thorns He looks down upon his enemies with forgiveness “Father forgive them” (Luke 23:34)

EARS OF JESUS – He did not stop listening to the cries of his people in the midst of His busy ministry. He called the blind Bartimaeus over to him, when others were telling the blind man to stay quiet. He asked him; “What do you want me to do for you?” (Mark 10:51). Jesus must have been hurt also by the hostile cries of his townspeople and of course the religious authorities who set traps for him constantly. And also the betrayal of one of his blessed disciples to the young girl who opened the door to Peter on that first Good Friday morning.

HANDS OF JESUS: Think of his touch – he mixed spittle and clay and healed the eyes of a blind man. (John 9:6). He held up in his arms a little child like an icon for his disciples to imitate. Now his hands are immobile, nailed on the Cross

FEET OF JESUS: Think of the feet weary from walking and healing the people. “The Son of Man has no place to lay his head” (Luke 9:58). The prophet Isaiah said “How beautiful on the mountain are the feet of him who brings good news”(Isaiah 52:7)  At the Last Supper in John’s Gospel Jesus aprons himself as a servant and washed their feet. It was his finest sermon. His own feet would be spiked on the Cross

MOUTH OF JESUS: Think of his voice. So many of his words that both challenged and comforted his people.  This was no ordinary voice – it was the voice of God. He protested against the Pharisees whose hobby it was to find new burdens to put on the people’s back. (Matthew 23:13ff) They did “blow out the smouldering flame and crush the bruised reed!” (Isaiah 42:3) Remember he said “Come to me all you who labour and I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28). He hymned the Beatitudes. On the Cross he was forced to drink sour wine. Through His Body, at Mass, He makes us into his Body today.  It is through us that Jesus reaches out to others. St. Augustine said “Become what you eat”  “When you look at the Crucifix, you understand how much Jesus loved you then. When you look at the Sacred Host you understand how much Jesus loves you now”.– (Mother Teresa)

Feasts of the Week: Monday: The Irish Martyrs: Seventeen men and women, clerics & lay were martyred for the Catholic faith between 1579 and 1654 were beatified by Pope John Paul 11 in 1992. Tuesday: St. Aloysius Gonzaga – Jesuit novice who died at the age of 23 from the plague in 1591. Thursday: The Nativity of St. John the Baptist:    Friday: The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. Saturday: The Immaculate Heart of Mary. 

Thank you for the collection last weekend. It came to £1425.  We appreciate your generosity and support of our mission here at the Graan. Be assured of the prayers of this community. Thanks also to our Readers, Ushers, Ministers of the Eucharist and all who help in the smooth running of our liturgical services.

Vocation Evening: Father Gareth Thomas our Vocation Director for the North of Ireland will be with us on the evening of the 21 June at 7:00 pm to celebrate Mass and speak about the Passionist Vocation. If you know of anyone interested in our way of life please invite them and they will have an opportunity to meet with Fr. Gareth after the Mass.

Our Shop: We have a range religious items, statues, pictures, medals, candles, rosary beads, etc.

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

Confessions & Duty: Sun & Mon – No Duty. Mass Mon (20^th June) @ 7pm: Monday to Friday Mass @ 7pm – Charles.

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