Today is the Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time. Today is also the seventh annual World Day of the Poor. It is always celebrated on the Sunday before the last Sunday of the Church’s liturgical year which is the feast-day of the Solemnity of Jesus Christ King of the Universe. The Gospel for next Sunday (Matthew 25:31-46) speaks of being judged by the Lord on how we have lived and acted. Jesus identifies with the poor by saying: “Truly I say to you, as you did it to the least of my brothers and sisters you did it to me” (Matthew 25:40). Pope Francis in his message for this day states: “We are living in times that are not particularly sensitive to the needs of the poor. The pressure to adopt an affluent lifestyle increases, while the voices of those dwelling in poverty tend to go unheard….The poor become a film clip that can affect us for a moment, yet when we encounter them in flesh and blood on our streets, we are annoyed and look the other way. Haste, by now the daily companion of our lives, prevents us from stopping to help care for others. The parable of the Good Samaritan (cf. Lk 10:25-37) is not simply a story from the past; it continues to challenge each of us in the here and now of our daily lives. It is easy to delegate charity to others, yet the calling of every Christian is to become personally involved” (No 4). The Gospel at Mass this Sunday (Matthew 25:14-30) continues the theme of being ready to meet the Lord when He returns on the last day. How do we get ready for the return of the Lord on the day of judgement? By using the unique gifts, blessings and graces that God has given us. It is about living in an active and responsible manner!The master has not laid a burden on them but has given each an amount suitable for them to take care of. The talent was equivalent to the wages that a labourer would accrue in fifteen years. The servant with the one talent has been entrusted with substantial responsibility. But he buries the talent and does not use it. His motivation for this third servant hiding his talent was that he “feared” his Master. It was timidity that spelt his downfall. He thought his employer was a hard man, even though he was treated generously by him. He thought of himself as a victim and created a world in which by tragic irony he became a victim. He was like those who laboured all day in the vineyard (Matthew 20:1-15) he seems to know what the master should or should not do and let his attitude be governed by his misperceptions. It is not our task to sit on judgement on God but to do our best in the situation that we find ourselves. The first two servants in today’s Gospel are described as being faithful in little, the last servant is called slothful. The stories, the slothful servant told himself about his Master, were false and led to his downfall. “The power of life and death is in the tongue.” Prov. 18:21
Feasts of the Week: Tuesday: The Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary – A day held in honour by St. Paul of the Cross – he Paul dedicated the first Retreat to the Presentation of Mary and also the first monastery of the Passionist contemplative nuns. Thursday: St. Columbanus (543-615) Abbot and Missionary. With 12 companions he left his monastery in Bangor Co. Down to preach the Gospel on the continent of Europe. He died in Bobbio outside Genoa in Italy. Friday: St. Andrew Dǔng-Lac, priest and Companions – martyrs of Vietnam.
Sunday Collection: Came to £1900. Thank you for your generosity. Thanks also to all who help in our weekend liturgies.
The Graan Draw: We are grateful for all the many people who are helping to sell tickets for our draw that will
take place on the evening of December 8th 2023.
This week – Dunnes Stores Enniskillen – Thursday 23rd & Friday 24th Nov.
The Diamond Enniskillen Saturday 25th November.
Martin Rooney’s Enniskillen Thursday 30th Nov & Friday 1st December.
November Dead List: Mass will be celebrated every day in the monastery for those of your deceased family and friends whose names are on the November Dead List.
The Shop: There are a great selection of cribs on display as well as candles, diaries, cards and new Christmas Mass Bouquets.
Cost £2 / €2.50. Shop: Monday to Saturday – 9.30 – 7pm. Sun 9.30pm – 4.30pm.
Confessions & Duty: Sun & Mon no duty. Monday to Friday Mass @ 7pm. Mon (20th) Mass – Arthur.
Duty 2pm – 5pm. Tues – Brian. Wed – Antony Connelly. Thurs – Charles. Fri – Anthony O Leary.
Sat 5 – 6pm – Antony O Leary.
Fr Brian’s new Book: ‘The Best of Brian’ is available to at our shop here at The Graan. Cost: £17 or €18. You can buy online by following the link. http://frbriandarcy.com.
Caritas Christmas Carols Service will take place here in the Graan church on December 1st @ 8pm. All donations on the night will go to the Enniskillen Foodbank. Please come along and support this worthy cause.
Graan Calendar 2024: Is available at our shop free of charge.
Recently Deceased
Phil Mc Grail, Windmill Heights, Enniskillen
Francie Jones, Boho formerly Mullanaskea
Mary Mc Connell, Derrygonnelly
Eimir Martin, Lisnaskea
Una Maguire, Kinawley
Margaret Bogue, Tempo
Thomas Mc Carney, Beragh
Canon Patrick Marron, Fintona & Carrickmacross
Eithne Bartley, Portora Whaft, Enniskillen
Anniversaries
The Mc Govern Family, Enniskillen & Teemore
Joe & Cecilia Rafferty, Cookstown
Vincent & Maureen Donegan, Silverhill, Enniskillen
Enda & Nora Love, Braeside Park, Enniskillen
Harry & Annie Mc Gale, Mullagree, Enniskillen
James Collins, Lisnaskea
John & Mary Tummon, Coa
Mary Corrigan, Abbey Drive, Enniskillen
Con Bresnahan, Dromore
John James & Anna Greenan, Ballyshannon
Tom Mc Farland, Enniskillen
Mary Boyd, Enniskillen
