Weekly Bulletin 22nd August 2021

Today is the Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time: We have spent recent Sundays listening to Jesus in the Gospel speaking about Himself as the Bread of Life. Many were leaving Jesus because of his teaching. Today he turns to us, his disciples and asks; “What about you, do you want to go away to?”(John 6:67). St. John is writing the Gospel after the Death and Resurrection of Jesus. It was evident at the time of writing this Gospel that the bulk of the Jewish people, including some who were initially sympathetic to Him during his historical life, ended up rejecting him and rejecting also the community that, after his death, continued to gather in his name. Even some of Jesus closest disciples abandoned Him in his Passion and Death. But even this failure in faith on the part of the disciples did not prevent God’s loving plan unfolding in the life of Jesus. When the question is asked of the Twelve, it is Peter who answers for them. “Lord who shall we go to? You have the message of eternal life, and we believe; we know that you are the Holy One of God” (John 6:69). To follow Christ we are called to make a choice. Joshua in today’s first reading (Joshua 24:1-18) challenges the people to choose the living God that brought them out of Egypt and to leave aside their others gods that they still worship. He declares “As for me and my family, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15). Many of us have made the choice to stay with Jesus and his teaching. When we come to celebrate Mass we are constantly invited to assess the depth of this choice. Is our choice to follow Christ and his Gospel only half-hearted? We must judge our belief not merely on what we say or think but on what we do. John Ruskin (1819-1900) said: “What we think, or what we know, or what we believe is, in the end of little consequence. The only consequence is what we do” However we all know that it is easier to live out of habit and routine than to see faith as a conscious choice which carries consequences. The psalm this Sunday calls us to decide.  Will we “Taste and see the goodness of the Lord” (Psalm 34)? Will we take on the relationship we have tasted, knowing from the life of Christ the price we will pay? 

Feasts of the Week: Tuesday: St. Bartholomew – His name is listed in the Gospels has one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus. He is identified by some has Nathanael of Cana that we read of in John 1:43-51. He is said to have preached the Gospel in India. Thursday: Blessed Dominic Barberi (1792-1849). Italian Passionist priest brought the Passionists to England in 1842. Also received Cardinal John Henry Newman into the Catholic Church. Friday : St. Monica (332-387) She was the mother of St. Augustine who by her prayers and tears brought him to Christianity. Saturday: St. Augustine (354-430). Bishop of Hippo in North Africa. His theological influence has been most significant in the Church especially on the understanding of God’s grace.

Thanks to you all for the very generous collection last weekend. It came to £1820. Be assured of the constant prayers of this community. Thanks also to our Ushers and Ministers of the Eucharist who help in the smooth running of our religious services. Thanks for obeying their instructions and for your observances of the etiquette concerning this present pandemic. We know how prevalent coronavirus is present in this district. Thank you for sanitising your hands, keeping social distancing and for wearing a mask. We do this to keep each other safe. 

Duty this Week: Mass each evening from Monday to Friday at 7:00 pm. Saturday Vigil Mass at 6:30 pm. Sunday Masses are celebrated at 10:30 am. 12 noon. & 4:00 pm.

Monday(23^rd August) Mass@ 7pm – Charles. Confessions (Tues to Fri) 2.00 – 5.00pm   Sat 5.00pm to 6.00pm.

Tues – Charles. Wed – Victor. Thurs – Arthur.  Fri – Anthony.   Sat –  Anthony.                                                     

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

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