Weekly Bulletin 6th September 2020

Today is the 23 Sunday of Ordinary Time: The Gospel (Matthew 18:15-20) today, speaks to us of relationships between neighbours. This theme is found in that part of the Gospel where Matthew is focusing on the essence of what it means to be a Christian community. All the key ingredients of good relationships are found in this passage – listening, respecting differences, forgiveness and how to gently use correction to heal a  brother or sister of their waywardness. Paul in the second reading (Romans 13:8-10) underlines the importance of love and states firmly that it is the one thing that cannot hurt our neighbour.  Ezekiel (33:7-9)  in the first reading today speaks of the necessity of those who lead the community to always speak God’s word of truth to the people and not to stay silent when abuses occur! The purpose of all these words is that we may show, not by our words alone, but by our way of living that we are the Body of Christ – one in heart and mind! St. Paul wrote to his friends in Philippi “If our life in Christ means anything to you, if love can persuade at all, or the Spirit that we have in common, or any tenderness and sympathy, then be united in your convictions and unite in your love, with a common purpose and a common mind” (Philippians 2:1). Jesus confronts culture of his day, who were divided by status, prestige, riches and honour, with the verve and vision of prophetic proclamation. We who are the Church of God, echo Christ’s teaching by the way we live together today. Jesus denounced the oppression of others, – to the cost of his own life – and started a whole new scheme of relationships. Jesus wants His Kingdom to be lived with these key values: 

• inclusiveness: everybody, at all times and in all situations must be included and not excluded; 
• equality: there is no status or class distinction in the Kingdom where all are paid equally whether they arrive at the first hour of at the eleventh; 
• justice: in which everybody is accorded a fair share of goods and resources to live with dignity and equality; 
• liberation: from all forms of oppression and slavery, within and without; 
• peace: harmony within the heart, within the home, within the community and within the planet; 
• love: the ultimate value that make all others possible.

At every Eucharist we pray: “Humbly we pray that, partaking of the Body and Blood of Christ, we may be gathered into one by the Holy Spirit” (Eucharistic Prayer 11)

 “…grant that we who are nourished by the Body and Blood of your Son and filled with his Holy Spirit may become one body, one spirit in Christ” (Eucharistic Prayer 111)

***

Thank you for your donations towards the upkeep of the Graan. Thanks also for the collections at our Sunday Masses and for the wonderful help of our ushers and ministers of the Eucharist. 

We hope to begin discussion shortly on our traditional annual fund raising draw.  As you know it is our only fundraising event here in The Graan.  We know that we can rely on your support and generosity in helping us during these difficult days. Be assured of a constant remembrance in the  prayers of the community here.

***

Friday Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament from 10am until 2pm. 

Confessions Tues to Fr 2- 5pm.       Saturday 5pm – 6pm.

DUTY FOR THE WEEK:  Sun & Mon No Duty. Monday evening Mass @ 7pm  – Arthur.  

Tues (8^th Sept) –  Charles. Wed 9^th  – Charles. Thurs 10^th  – Arthur.  Fri 11^th – Charles. Sat 12^th –  Arthur.

Shop Opening Hours: Mon to Sat: 9.30am – 7.30pm. Sunday – 9.30am – 5pm.

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