WEEKLY BULLETIN- Sunday 5th September 2010

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ST MATTHEW’S CHURCH

No 44

5th September

23rd SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME

THIS SUNDAY’S MASSES

7pm (Vigil): & 12noon

Weekday Masses

Sacrament of Reconciliation/ Confession

Saturday : - 11.30 – 12.30pm and 6pm - 6.45pm.

TELEPHONE NUMBERS

Fr Aidan Keenan - 90457626

St Matthew's Primary and Nursery School ~ 90 457885

Twenty third Sunday in Ordinary Time:                                                         5th September 2010                                 

The Readings:

First Reading:  The Book of Wisdom, Chapter 9, verses 13 to 18:

No human being can know God’s mind; it is hard enough to work out what is on earth.  God’s wisdom has taught human beings those things that it pleases God for us to know.

Psalm 89:  Oh Lord you have been our refuge from one generation to the next.

Second Reading: St Paul’s letter to Philemon, verses 9 to 10 and 12 to 17:

St Paul writes a plea to Philemon.  The letter accompanies a freed slave, Onesimus.  St Paul doesn’t just ask for money for Onesimus; he requests that Philemon welcomes him as a brother in Christ.

St Luke’s Gospel: Chapter 14, verses 25 to 33:

Jesus addresses the crowds and tells them that in order to follow him they must reject their families and take up their cross.  He asks which of them wouldn’t plan properly before going into battle or building a tower.

OUR HOLY FATHER’S INTENTIONS FOR SEPTEMBER

General: That in less developed parts of the world the proclamation of the Word of God may renew people’s hearts, encouraging them to work actively toward authentic human progress.

Mission: That by opening our hearts to love we may put an end to the numerous wars and conflicts which continue to bloody our world.

OUR PRAYERS:

Are asked for Rory Moylan of 8 Anderson Court whose Month’s Mind occurs now; For Jim Logue and Angela Burke who died recently. For the following anniversaries: John Flannigan, Peter Gibney (Senior), James Gillen, Thomas Gorman (Senior), John Gorman, Felix Kelly, Annie Murray, Paul Murray, Patrick Thompson and Eileen Turley.  May they and all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in eternal peace.   Amen.

TOMORROW MONDAY:

I hope to visit the following homes 13, 11 and 9 Madrid Street from 7pm to 9pm:

QUESTIONS PEOPLE ASK

Question: Do we have to believe the Bible's account of the first 6 days of creation?

Answer: It is not a scientific account but an imaginative, poetic reflection on the origins of life. First we get three separations: light from darkness, the waters above from the waters below, then dry land from water. The next three stages see the adornment of the separated entities: light is adorned by the sun, moon and stars; sea and land are adorned with fish and winged birds; on the sixth day, earth receives animal life and human beings are created in the image and likeness of God. The goodness of all creation is repeatedly stated and the glory of human life is especially stressed.

Fr Silvester O'Flynn OFM Cap

Question: Saint Paul told slaves to obey their masters. Why didn’t he speak out against the evils of slavery?

Answer: In Paul’s day slaves were often better off than free citizens. Because slave-owners wanted healthy servants, their slaves were more assured of food and lodgings than many of the free. Some students of Paul’s life maintain that his parents were slaves who were granted freedom and Roman citizenship when they grew too old to work, a cheap way out for their masters. In today’s Second Reading Paul appeals to the Christian master, Philemon, to take back the runaway slave, Onesimus, no longer as a slave but as a brother in Christ.  Fr Silvester O’Flynn OFM Cap. Email silvesteroflynn@gmail.com

CHURCH CLEANING:

The Mc Grattan Group has kindly agreed to clean our Church during the month of September.

READERS

SUNDAY 12th of SEPTEMBER

7pm Vigil: Susan Mc Art:                            Sunday 12 noon: Bernie Black:

THE ROSARY:

Will be said after 10am Mass on Tuesday and Thursday.

STUDY THEOLOGY FROM HOME!

Would you like to study theology from home?  The Dominicans are offering a full programme, accredited up to BTh level, designed especially for lay people who may have no previous academic experience but who wish to learn more about their faith.  Contact us at: The Priory Institute, Tallaght Village, Dublin 24.  Tel. 00 353 1 4048124 or 4048127.   enquiries@prioryinstitute.com www.prioryinstitute.com

KNOCK MARRIAGE INTRODUCTIONS BUREAU:

The aim of the Bureau is to introduce people considering marriage to a suitable marriage partner.  Over 800 marriages have taken place as a result of these introductions.  If you are searching for a suitable partner, why not consider applying?  For further information contact the Bureau at Knock, Co. Mayo.  Phone 094-9375960 or visit our website at www.knockmarriagebureau.com and read about the workings of the Bureau.

EAST BELFAST ADVICE CENTRE

Re-opening again in the school mobile every Monday  from 9.30am – 12 noon.

DRUMALIS RETREAT HOUSE:

House and grounds open next Saturday 11th of September, 12 noon to 4pm.  Guided tours.  Address 47 Glenarm Road, Larne.  This is part of the European Heritage Open Day.

NATIONAL GRANDPARENTS PILGRIMAGE:

Next Sunday 12th of September at Our Lady of Knock Shrine, Co. Mayo.

RECENT COLLECTIONS:

Sunday 22nd of August

          Offertory Promise                                                                                    £   930

          Loose plate                                                                                            £     14

          Shrines                                                                                                  £   190

Sunday 29th of August

          Pakistan Collection                                                                                  £ 1518

          Offertory Promise                                                                                     £   842

          Loose plate                                                                                            £     15

          Shrines                                                                                                  £   150

For all of these I return my sincere thanks.

This month’s priests’ collection will be taken up with the weekly offering today.

AGE NI PEER FACILITATORS:

Age Concern NI and Help the Aged in Northern Ireland joined together in April 2009 to create a powerful new voice for older people.  They are looking for “Peer Facilitators,” to help in this important work.  Please see the poster on the noticeboard at the back of the church for more information.

SHORT STRAND COMMUNITY CENTRE

The chiropodist will visit on Tuesday 7th of September at 12.30pm.

NON STOP DRAW

Last week’s winners; Suzann Cooper, Tracey Ward, K Stevenson and Arthur Mc Donnell.   Next week (Monday 6th September) the jackpot prize of £500 will be drawn. All members must be fully paid up to be eligible. To be fair to all the members, this rule will be strictly adhered to in association with the rules of the Non-Stop Draw.

BINGO

This Sunday at 8pm in St Matthew’s Hall.  All welcome.

ANYONE WISHING TO BOOK THE HALL:

This can only be done through Theresa, our parish secretary.

MEMORIAL CROSS

Danny, Frankie, Jackie and John, I would like to thank you on behalf of all of us in the Parish for the lovely job you did on the parish monument.  It is important that we remember all those who died during the troubles. 

                                                                                     PARISH BULLETIN

Please bring a copy of our Bulletin to any sick or housebound parishioner living on their own or who is being cared for in a hospital or nursing home.  This will be a sign to them that they are still in our thoughts and prayers.

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Updated on 3/9/2010