Weekly Bulletin 6th February 2022

Today is the Fifth Sunday of the Year. Today’s Gospel is from the pen of Luke (5:1-11) and it tells us about the call of Peter.  In the story we have three young men, two brothers and a friend out all night fishing.  Jesus used Peter’s boat as a pulpit to preach to the people gathered on the lake shore. He called them to “Put out into deep water and pay out your nets for a catch”(Luke 5:4) Imagine this carpenter telling these experienced fishermen who were exhausted after a futile, fruitless night of fishing to put out the nets again that they were just after washing! It is an invitation to them to venture into new ground, into new challenges, into a new way of being.  You have heard the story – out they go and in the midst of an unpromising situation they let down their nets. They netted such a huge number of fish that their old nets made of old material cannot stand the strain and it begins to tear! Doesn’t God do that to us also? Like the fishermen on that boat we can often feel tired and weary. At times the rug is pulled from beneath our feet and we have no anchor anymore in our lives and we feel lost, alone, bewildered and unsure! Peter had listened to the Lord, now he was exhausted after a night’s work and was getting nothing for it and yet he trusted that the Lord would be true to his promise. But what happened exceeded all of Peter’s expectation! He was “completely overcome” by the catch of fish! Peter fell on his knees, up to his arm-pits in fish, and said “Depart from me Lord for I am a sinful man” (Luke 5:8) The Lord does not agree with Peter’s assessment of himself. Peter looks on his past performance as a sinner, he looks at his own weakness; Jesus, on the other hand, looks at and focuses on Peter’s future as a disciple and leader. He said; “Do not be afraid from now on it is people you will catch” (Luke 5:10) The Church is often called the barque of Peter. Pope Francis, speaking at the 200th anniversary of the restoration of the Society of Jesus, challenged us with “… the boat of Peter can be tossed about today. The night and the powers of darkness are always near … row then! Row, be strong, even with the headwind! We row in the service of the church. We row together!”

Feasts of the Week: Tuesday: St. Josephine Bakhita (1868-1947) a native of Sudan and brought as a slave to Italy. Became a Christian and a religious sister outstanding in dedication to Christ. Today is also International Day of Prayer and Awareness against Human Trafficking. Each year about 2.5 million people are victims of human trafficking and slavery. Thursday: St. Scholastica died in 543, sister of St. Benedict. 

Friday: Our Lady of Lourdes. Today is World Day of Prayer for the sick. 

Easing of Covid 19 Restrictions: Social distancing measures in the churches of the diocese of Clogher have been removed. This means we can sit anywhere we like in our churches. However the reality of this awful pandemic is still with us and we have a duty of care towards each other. As a result it is necessary to wear face masks while in our church building. It is important also to sanitise your hands while entering our church. 

Thanks to our Ushers and Ministers of the Eucharist for their marvellous work in helping towards the smooth running of our religious services during these turbulent months. A sincere word of thanks also to your good selves for the very generous collection last weekend. It came to £1700.  

The Shop: Open Mon to Sat:  9.30am – 7pm. Sun 9.30 – 4.30pm. 

Guild Mass Cards: We have a selection of cards for Deceased, Mass Bouquets, Get Well, Graduation, Wedding, Birthday, Christening Bouquets.  Cost £2 / €2.50.           Friday Exposition continues each Friday from 10am – 2pm.

Mass: Mon to Fri @ 7pm.  Mon (7^th Feb) @ 7pm – Arthur.  (Confessions Tues to Fri 2pm – 5pm)  Tues: Brian.

Wed –  Victor. Thurs – Charles.  Fri –  Anthony.  Confessions Saturday 5 – 6pm. Sat – Anthony.

Novena of Hope 2022: Takes place from 5^th& 6^th March to 14^th March 2022.

February’s Church Cleaning Group: Meet on Wednesday next 9^th February.