Today is the Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time: “The good person is a light in the darkness for the upright” is the response to the responsorial psalm (Psalm 111). In the Gospel today (Matthew 5:13-16) Jesus uses two images to describe a disciple – it is the image of light and salt. “You are the salt of the earth….You are the light of the world…” Salt used as a spice and a preservative and was present in every household. In the time of Jesus, salt was connected in people’s minds with three special qualities: (a) purity, (b) preservation from corruption, and (c) giving flavour to life. The image of light is a universal one. Jesus is likened to a light shining in the darkness. “The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light” (Matthew 4:16). Jesus now uses this same image for his disciples. When Jesus instructed his followers to be the lights of the world, he was demanding nothing less than they should be like Himself. The houses in Palestine were very dark, with only one small circular window about eighteen inches across. The lamp was like a sauce-bowl filled with oil, with the wick floating in it, and stood on a lamp stand (no more than a roughly shaped branch of wood). When people left the house, for safety’s sake, they would take the lamp from its stand and put it under an earthen bushel measure, so that it would burn without risk until they returned. Take a little time to pray this Gospel today. I consider the metaphor of salt. I look to Jesus, or to a favourite saint, or to people I know, and become aware of the different ways they radiate goodness. Thank God for this. I may also want to ask pardon for the ways I perhaps dampen spirits and become despondent, when I become ‘taste-less’. I ponder about being light – how it scatters darkness, and brings joy and warmth. How do I experience this, at the moment, and how do I share it? Or can I sometimes be negative or selfish and hide my light? I speak to the Lord about this. But Jesus tells me that I am salt of the earth, light of the world – I thank him for these gifts, given in His love.
Feasts of the Week: Monday: St. Paul Miki and Companions. These were martyred in Nagasaki Japan in 1597. The six Franciscans, seventeen Franciscan Tertiaries, and three Jesuits died suspended on crosses Tuesday: St. Mel. He is said to have come to Ireland with St. Patrick. He is one of the earliest Irish saints and he gave the religious veil to St. Brigid. He died in 488. Wednesday: International Day of Prayer and Awareness against Human Trafficking. St. Josephine Bakhita (1868-1947) a native of Sudan, brought as a slave to Italy. She became a Christian and later entered the Daughters of Charity in Venice. Friday: St. Scholastica – sister of St. Benedict. Died in 543. Saturday: Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes.
Thank you for the collection last week. It came to £2040. We appreciate your generous support for our mission here. Be assured of our constant prayers. Thanks also to our Readers, Ministers of the Eucharist, Ushers and Singers and all who help in the liturgy over the weekend.
Novena of Hope: Our annual Novena of Hope will occur this year on the second week of Lent, beginning on Sat 6:30 pm Vigil Mass 4 March and ending on Mo 13 March 2023. A meeting will be held tomorrow Monday 6 February after the 7pm Mass in our upstairs prayer room. It should last less than one hour. Practical arrangements about the Novena will be discussed and your participation and opinions about this important week will be heard. All are welcome to attend.
Confessions Sunday & Monday no duty. Mass Monday (6th Feb) @ 7pm – Charles.
Tues to Fri 2pm – 5pm. Sat 5pm – 6pm). Tues – Brian. Wed –Victor. Thurs – Charles.
Fri & Sat – Anthony.
Shop: Open Mon to Sat – 9.30 – 7pm. Sun 9.30pm – 4pm. Guild Mass Cards: We have a selection of cards for Deceased, Mass Bouquets, Get Well, Graduation, Wedding, Birthday, Anniversaries, Christening, New Home Bouquets. Cost £2 / €2.50. Holy Communion and Confirmation items are also available.
St Brigid’s Crosses: A big thank you to Philip Mc Grade for all his hard work making the crosses. £500 has been given to Mary’s Meals (Enniskillen Branch). Thank you all for your support to this very worthy cause.
Belcoo Frack Free + LAMP Fermanagh:WHSCT Consultation on Emergency Surgery at SWAH: A meeting takes place in Belcoo Community Centre @ 6.15pm Tuesday 7th February.
Recently Deceased
Paddy Mc Teggart, Cappog Road, Enniskillen
Vera Kellegher, Sligo Rd, Enniskillen
Mena Cronin (nee Maguire) Norwich formerly Brookeborough
Anniversaries
Thomas, Kathleen, Anna & Hugh Quinn, Sligo
Brendan & Agnes Lilley, Chanterhill Rd, Enniskillen
Br Mark O’ Reilly, Graan Monastery, Enniskillen
James (Jim) Coey, Cookstown
Michael Gollogly, Enniskillen
Joseph Gray, Holywell, Belcoo
Thomas Duffy, Derrin Rd, Enniskillen
Jimmy & Bridgeen Reilly, Breagho, Enniskillen
Michael Mc Brien, Edinburgh
Owen & Mary Kate Gormley, Roscor, Belleek
Johnny Mc Hugh, Arney
Rose Bernadette, Eugene & Jimmy Mc Hugh, Huddersfield
Thomas Green & John Fox. Huddersfield
Tommy Doherty, Dromore
John & Mary Deery, Eskra
Kevin & John Ward, Eskra
The Casey Family, Garrison
John Mc Aloon, Skea Arney
Aidan Miller, Derrygonnelly
Jack Duffin, Belfast
