Weekly Bulletin 21st March 2021

Today is the Fifth Sunday of the Year: Jesus speaks in today’s Gospel: (John 12:20-33) “I tell you, most solemnly unless a wheat grain falls on the ground and dies it remains only a single grain but if it dies it yields a rich harvest” There is a story told to children about one little seed named Broadbean who found himself planted into the earth. Here it is:… “Broadbean had never expected anything like this.  After a long winter’s quiet and rest he found himself trembling.  He was beginning to swell with all the moisture he was taking into his system.  And the earth around him was heating up.  He had actually heard the melting, crackling sound of frost above him, though he never felt any real cold himself.  But now he was beginning to suffocate.  He longed for a cooling ground frost that would lower the temperature a little. The happy, carefree days at the Flower Centre were over.  Storage time had been marvellous, lying around all day with nothing to do.  But the minute the Man had run his hands through the bag Broadbean got afraid.  He became quite terrified when he found himself being pushed into the damp clay a few days later. All was in darkness.  He was alone for the first time in his life.  He couldn’t see any of his friends though he guessed they were near at hand.  No one had warned him ever that he’d be buried alive one day. Suddenly the outer skin split.  He felt a tear and a burning sensation.  It was as if a dam had burst.  He could feel his guts being spilled all over the place. Was this the end? It was a root, lingering its ways into the soil.  No one had warned him about this development either.  Slowly he was saying goodbye to his outer skin.  It felt like a shell around him and it was almost as if he were escaping from it.  He found himself being dragged all over the place again.  He appeared to be reaching above himself.  The smell of death and rottenness stifled every breath he took.  Was he living or dying? He was burrowing steadily upwards.  The push was irresistible.  He could feel clay falling to either side.  Then a flash, a blinding light caught him, took him completely off guard.  As he surfaced steadily he looked and saw himself turning green and sprouting leaves.  He couldn’t believe his eyes.  Was he himself or somebody else?  Broadbean remembered the days at the Flower Centre. They were quiet days. Dull days, when you come to think of it now.  He never imagined his new life could be so wonderful.  The damp clay and the choking smell of decay were only a memory.  Now he had sunshine and rain and fresh air and he could see a garden full of life and colour.” That the end of the story of Broadbean. But it is our story also ….This dying to self is a gradual process and it happens in very ordinary ways. Every act of kindness involves dying to meanness. Every act of love involves dying to selfishness. Every act of humility involves dying to pride. Every act of courage involves dying to cowardice Every act of forgiveness involves dying to bitterness. 

***

Churches Open: Bishops in the North announced on St. Patrick’s Day a cautious return to public worship for the faithful from 26 March, in time for the celebration of Holy Week and Easter. In emphasising the cautious nature of this return to public worship the Bishops reminded the faithful that the obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days remains suspended and that every person should consider carefully if returning to collective worship is the safe and appropriate step for them, at this time. The Graan will be opened for the public for the Vigil Mass of Palm Sunday on Saturday night 27 March at 6:30 pm and from then onwards.  However the usual Covid 19 restrictions apply. Masks are to be worn, and social distance to be respected, and use of the sanitisers on entrance to the Church is a necessity. Please follow the directions of the ushers. 

Confessions: The Northern Bishops have stated in their press release: “Although it may not be possible for all who wish to, to safely avail of the sacrament of Reconciliation, we strongly encourage all the faithful to confidently renew their trust in God’s mercy at this sacred time of the year through an Act of Perfect Contrition.” We will, however, be available to celebrate confessions with those who wish from 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm from Monday 29 March to Wednesday 31 March. A new timetable for the confessional rota will be issued for the days of the Sacred Triduum, next weekend.

Thank you:  The word “cautious” is to the fore in the Bishop’s message on the opening of the churches in the North. None of us wants to go through another long lockdown. However I want to thank you most sincerely for your support of the Graan during these past months. Thanks for your generous contributions to our upkeep, and for your prayers and good wishes during these difficult days. You are in our prayers.

Our Shop: If you wish to contact us as regards purchasing cards please ring us during office hours (9:30 am – 4:00 pm) or visit our web-site www.thegraan.com and we will try our best to facilitate you.