Weekly Bulletin 8th May 2022

Today is the Fourth Sunday of Easter. Today is known as Good Shepherd Sunday.  It is also the feast day of Father John Sullivan (1861-1933) He went to Portora School here in Enniskillen. He was born into a wealthy Dublin family and baptised in the Church of Ireland. He was received into the Catholic Church in 1896 at the age of thirty-five. Four years later he entered the Jesuits. He was a man of deep faith and is recognised for his dedicated work with the poor and the afflicted. He spent much of his time walking and riding his bike to visit those who were troubled or ill in the villages around Clongowes Wood College school Dublin where he taught from 1907 until his death. Today is also known as Vocation Sunday. It is on this day we ask the Lord to “send labourers into his vineyard”. All of us are called by the fact of our Baptism and Confirmation to be labourers in the Lord’s vineyard. There is however a need for priests to celebrate the Eucharist for the people of God. The Eucharist is the summit and the source of the Church’s life. The Church exists to serve the Eucharist, not the Eucharist for the Church. St. Augustine says: “Jesus didn’t leave us the Church and from the Church we derive the Eucharist, rather from him, Jesus left us the Eucharist and from the Eucharist we derive the Church”. We need the Eucharist. Without the Eucharist we are without focus, without nourishment, and without the strength necessary to live the life of a disciple of Jesus.  With the Eucharist we are brought into the very life of God, and our relationship with God grows in dialogue with His living presence. Without the Eucharist God is a monologue. All of us are aware of the dire need to pray for vocations to the priesthood and religious life. It is not an easy calling but the grace of God is always present in times of difficulty and struggle. I found this little piece of prose printed on the ordination card of a priest recently ordained: “My brothers and sisters, accept us as we are; the priest is not an angel sent from heaven.  He is a man chosen from among men, a member of the Church, a Christian. “Remaining man and Christian, he (the priest) begins to speak to you the word of God. This word is not his own.  No, he comes to you because God has told him to proclaim God’s word. Perhaps he has not entirely understood it himself.  Perhaps he adulterates it.  But he believes, and despite his fears he knows that he must communicate God’s word to you. For must not some one of us say something about God, about eternal life, about the majesty of grace in our sanctified being;  must  not some one of us speak of sin, the judgement and mercy of God? So my dear friends, pray for us, carry us so that we may be able to sustain others by bringing to them the mystery of God’s love revealed in Christ Jesus”. Please pray for vocations to the priesthood and religious life. If you are interested in being a Passionist priest or brother, speak with any member of the community here at the Graan or get in touch with our Vocation Director Father Gareth C.P. Telephone 02890748231or email: passionistvocations@gmail.com

Passionist Vocation Prayer: Jesus, you gave your life on the Cross so that we could share in God’s own life and know his love for us, / May the love that flows from the Cross transform our hearts, so that we can bring your love and compassion to those whose lives we touch, especially those who are suffering. / Give the light of your Holy Spirit to those young people who have received the grace of a Passionist vocation. / Inspire them to give their lives as Passionist priests, brothers or sisters, keeping the Memory of your Passion alive in their own hearts and in the hearts of others. / May Mary, who stood by the Cross, be their example, and may Saint Paul of the Cross be their guide. Amen.

Thank you for the collection last week. It came to £1690. Thanks also to our Readers, Ushers, Ministers of the Eucharist and all who help us during the liturgy. We recognise that you are using your gifts for the good of all of us.

Our Shop: we have a range First Holy Communion or Confirmation items, statues, pictures, medals, etc

Guild Mass Cards: Deceased, Mass Bouquets, Get Well, Wedding, Exam, Graduation, New Born, Special Occasion, etc.

Exposition: Continues each Friday from 10am – 2pm.

Confessions & Duty: Sunday & Monday – No Duty. Mass Mon @ 7pm: Arthur.  Monday to Friday @ 7pm.

Duty: Tues 2pm – 5pm  – Charles. Wed – Victor. Thurs – Arthur. Fri – Anthony. Sat 5 – 6pm. Sat – Anthony.