Weekly Bulletin 1st August 2021

Today is the Eighteenth Sunday of the Year: St. Paul writing from prison in today’s second reading to his friends in Ephesus: “I want to urge you in the name of the Lord, not to go on living the aimless kind of life that the pagans live” (Ephesians 4:17). To live life without any direction is soul-destroying. Some people find a loss of meaning in life and constantly ask themselves the question, “What is it all about?” Some experience lethargy, or a lack of interest in formulating and pursuing long term goals or even short term ones. This person may neglect their responsibilities whether to their family, their community or to God.  Feelings frequently associated with this syndrome are guilt, a sense of worthlessness, hopelessness and sadness. Victor Frankl (1905-1997)  said that the primary motivational force in our lives is our striving to find meaning. “If a person has a why to live for, he can live anyhow!” One of the seven deadly sins in tradition is called sloth. Sloth is the condition of the spiritual sleepwalker: “It believes in nothing/ cares for nothing/seeks to know nothing/interferes with nothing/enjoys nothing/loves nothing/hates nothing/finds purpose in nothing/lives for nothing and it only remains alive because there is nothing it would die for! (Dorothy Sayers “Creed or Chaos” N.Y. 1949) In the Gospel today Jesus speaks about “working for God” and He declares “This is working for God you must believe in the one he has sent” (John 6:29) Belief in God has three components to it. (1) Faith is an intellectual assent to a body of truth. (2) Faith is a trust in the Lord in all circumstances. (3) Faith is an action that we practice daily.  John uses the phrases to “believe in the One he has sent” but in the original Greek the word is “believe into him.” It is a performative. It is work. It is an action. It is not merely an assent to certain ideas or opinions about him. We are called to “buy into” the whole Jesus project. We cannot compartmentalise our faith only to the times we attend Church but it is about total conversion. Paul ends the second reading today with these words: ’Your minds must be renewed by a spiritual revolution so that you can put on the new self that has been created in God’s way, in the goodness and holiness of the truth” (Ephesians 4:24). John Wesley (1703-1791) composed a short rule of conduct for the early Methodists: “Do all the good you can/By all the means you can/In all the ways you can/In all the places you can/At all the times you can/To all the people you can/As long as ever you can!”

Feasts for the Week: Wednesday: St. John Mary Vianney (1786-1859). Curé of Ars. Patron Saint of Priests. He spent 16/18 hours a day in the confessional bringing the mercy of God to His people. Friday: The Transfiguration of the Lord – A moment in the life of Jesus where the disciples are strengthened to face the horrors of His Passion. 

Thanks to our ushers and ministers of the Eucharist who help us at our Masses each weekend. Thanks also to you for following their instructions. While the danger of Covid 19 still lurks among us we will continue to wear our masks while in our Church building, keep social distance and sanitise our hands. We also appreciate your very generous collection towards the upkeep of the Graan last weekend. The collection came to £1555. You are a wonderful generous people to serve.

A word of thanks to Fr. Brendan Mc Manus S.J. who helped to keep the Graan open during the time we were at our Chapter in Larne. Thanks Brendan for celebrating the sacrament of reconciliation for the people and celebrating the weekday evening Masses. Thanks also to Bro. Brendan who assisted Father Brendan in his tasks.

Mass Monday(2^nd July) @ 7pm –  Charles.  Confessions (Tues to Fri) 2 – 5pm & Mass at 7pm Monday to Friday.  

Tues: Charles. Wed: Victor. Thurs – Arthur.   Fri – Anthony.     Sat – 5pm to 6pm –  Anthony.   

Guild Mass Cards: We have a wide selection of cards for Deceased, Mass Bouquets, Get Well, Birthday, Graduation, Wedding, Thinking of You and Exam Mass Bouquets which cost £2 / €2.50 each. We value your support.

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament every Friday 10:00am  – 2:00pm.

Our Shop: Mon to Sat: 9.30am – 7pm. Sunday 9.30 – 4pm.