Weekly Bulletin 8th August 2021

Today is the Nineteenth Sunday of the Year: Elijah, the prophet in the first reading today is a broken man. (1 Kings 19:4-8).  He had crossed swords with the reigning ruler Queen Jezebel. He had mocked her pagan prophets, ridiculed them publicly, and proven their gods and hers were frauds.  The Queen did not take kindly to this humiliation so she declared Elijah an outlaw and sent her soldiers to fetch him for execution. Today we see Elijah at the end of his tether. “Take my life I am no better than my fathers!” (1 Kings 19:5)   Why did the people of the Old Testament keep this story?  I think that it was because of the response of God to Elijah honest prayer. He left Elijah a piece of bread. Not only once, but when he ate the bread he fell asleep, and again the next day, God’s angel woke him up and the second time there was bread there. And the meaning of that is clear to the ancient peoples. The Latin word for bread is “panis”. The Latin word for “with” is “com”. When you combine “com” and “panis” we get our English word for “companion” A companion is one who breaks bread with you, or as we would say, symbolically, is with you.  They kept the story because it tells them and us about their understanding of God. It is not about a Magic God who waves a wand and gives you instant solutions.  God gives strength and companionship not necessarily solutions.  There is no scenic route around the Cross. Life is difficult. We all face the Cross at some time, whether it is family troubles, sickness; the death of a loved one, but something within us tells us that we are made strong through adversity. Without pain there is no gain. And when people know that people are with them, they can do a great deal.  God says I leave this bread with you to say; “I will be with you. I am not here to take away the problem; I’m here to carry it with you!” When Jesus left us to go back to the Father he left us the Eucharist. He is with us. The word “Emmanuel” means “God is with us”.  If we are to be disciples of the Lord, we must be companions to one another – as simple and difficult as that.  This week there may be someone you can call on.

• Is there someone sick who you can drop a card to?
• Is there someone who is lonely who you can say “hello” to?
• Is there someone who is angry and hurting that you can touch? 
• Is there someone who is bitter and resentful that you can speak with?
• Is there a family member who is turned in on himself or herself that you can be present to? 

We are being taught not to give solutions always, but to simply be present to the other. We are taught to be Christ-like, to be nourishment, to be bread, to be a companion. 

Feasts of the Week: Monday: St Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein). Born Jewish in 1891 and became Catholic in 1922 and a Carmelite nun. She was brilliant philosopher. Fled to Holland but captured by the Nazis and died in the gas chambers of Auschwitz on 9 August 1942. She is one of the Patrons of Europe. Tuesday: St. Lawrence Deacon. Martyred in 258. He was one of the seven deacons of Rome and met his death cheerfully on a gridiron. Wednesday: St. Clare (1193-1253). She followed St. Francis of Assisi and was founder of the Poor Clare nuns. Saturday: St. Maximilian Kolbe (1894-1941. A Franciscan priest who worked in the apostolate of the press in Poland and died in Auschwitz.

Thank you for your generous contributions to the Graan at last weekend’s collection. It came to £1560. We do appreciate your generosity and kindness to us during this difficult time. Be assured of a remembrance in our community prayer

Thanks also to our Ministers of the Eucharist and our Ushers who help in the smooth running of our Masses. We are all well aware that this awful pandemic has not ended. It is necessary to wear masks when in our church building, sanitise our hands, and keep social distance from each other. Thank you for following the instructions of our ushers – we do this not for ourselves alone but for of all you 

Our Provincial Council are meeting in the coming weeks to re-arrange our communities around Ireland, Scotland and Paris, France. Please remember them in your good prayers that the Holy Spirit may guide them in their deliberations. 

Mass Monday(9^th August) @ 7pm – Charles.  Confessions (Tues to Fri) 2 – 5pm & Mass at 7pm Monday to Friday.  

Tues:  Charles.  Wed: Charles.  Thurs –  Arthur.  Fri – Anthony.    Sat – 5pm to 6pm – Anthony.    

The Graan Shop: 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.