Liturgy of the Word

First Reading:    1 Kings  19:16.19-21

The Lord said to Elijah: "Go, you are to anoint Elisha son of Shaphat, of Abel Meholah, as prophet to succeed you."
Leaving there, Elijah came on Elisha son of Shapat as he was ploughing behind twelve yoke of oxen, he himself being with the twelfth. Elijah passed near to him and threw his cloak over him.  Elisha left his oxen and ran after Elijah. "Let me kiss my father and mother, then I will follow you," he said. Elijah answered, "Go, go back; for have I done anything to you?" Elisha turned away, took the pair of oxen and slaughtered them. He used the plough for cooking the oxen, then gave to his men, who ate. He then rose, and followed Elijah and became his servant.

This is the word of the Lord.


Responsorial Psalm:    Ps. 15

R.  O Lord, it is you who are my portion.


Second Reading:      Gal.  5:1.13-18

When Christ freed us, he meant us to remain free.  Stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery.
My brothers, you were called, as you know, to liberty; but be careful, or this liberty will provide an opening for self-indulgence. Serve one another, rather, in works of love, since the whole of the Law is summarised in a single command: Love your neighbour as yourself. If you go snapping at each other and tearing each other to pieces, you had better watch or you will destroy the whole community.
Let me put it like this: if you are guided by the Spirit you will be in no danger of yielding to self-indulgence, since self-indulgence is the opposite of the Spirit, the Spirit is totally against such a thing, and it is precisely because the two are so opposed that you do not always carry out your good intentions.  If you are led by the Spirit, no law can touch you.

This is the word of the Lord.


Gospel:    Luke                                            

As the time drew near for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely took the road for Jerusalem and sent messengers ahead of him. These set out, and they went into a Samaritan village to make preparations for him, but the people would not receive him because he was making for Jerusalem. Seeing this, the disciples James and John said, "Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven to burn them up?" But he turned and rebuked them, and they went off to another village.
   As they travelled along they met a man on the road who said to him, "I will follow you wherever you go."  Jesus answered, "Foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head."
 Another to whom he said, "Follow me," replied, "Let me go and bury my father first." But he answered, "Leave the dead to bury their dead; your duty is to go and spread the news of the kingdom of God."
 Another said, "I will follow you, sir, but first let me go and say good-bye to my people at home." Jesus said to him, "Once the hand is laid on the plough, no one who looks back is fit for the kingdom of God."

This is the Gospel of the Lord.


ANNIVERSARIES

RECENTLY DECEASED:-   Martin McKee, Mary Donnelly, Leonor Sereno, Canon John Mulgrew, Arthur McCann, Jim McQuaid,
Joao Miguel John Vaz, Briege McCourt (MacCuarta)
AT THIS TIME:   
SUNDAY 1st:-  Joseph Lappin, Kitty McGuigan, Mary Gormley, Thomas Marley, Johnny Dignam, Thomas McKenna, Aidan Starrs
MONDAY 2nd:-  Jean Toland, Jimmy Faloon
TUESDAY 3rd:-   Rose Creaney, James Hendron, Elizabeth McDonald, Mary Curran
WEDNESDAY 4th:-  Agnes Lappin, Erin White, Henry McGurgan
THURSDAY 5th:-  James McCann, Patrick Joseph Donnelly, Edward McIlkenny
FRIDAY 6th:- Joseph Heyburn, Thomas McVeigh, Charles McCaffrey
SATURDAY 7th:-  Jennifer Devlin, Edward Doherty, May Hagan, Mary Hamill, Patrick Monaghan


Church Notices

Sacrament of Reconciliation
Saturday
St. Patrick’s    12.30 - 1.15 p.m.
St. John’s    6.15 - 6.45 p.m.

Baptism: Next Baptisms Saturday 7th July in St. Patrick’s Church at 5 p.m.  Pre-baptismal meeting in St. John’s Friday after evening Mass.   Recent Baptisms:-   Sarah Ellen Reynolds, Cara McKernan, Kiera Bernadette Crawford, Seth Sebastian Alaba, Ethan Simon Rowney

Offertory Collection
Sunday 24th June - £2351-32
Thanks to all who contributed

Tuesday 17th July - Mass will be celebrated in Polish in St. John the Baptist Church.

Knock Summer Youth Festival:  Thursday 26th - Sunday 29th July.  Cost is on a donation basis with accommodation and food provided.  Free buses from certain locations.  For more information contact Ann 094-9388100 or Sheena 01-6753690.

First Friday Notices:
Confessions - Thursday 5th July
St. Patrick’s    6.30 p.m. - 7 p.m.
St. John’s    8 p.m.
Masses - Friday 6th July
St. Patrick’s  10 a.m. (Exposition of The Blessed Sacrament 10.30 a.m. -  6 p.m.)
St. John’s    7.30 p.m.

St. Oliver Plunkett - July 1st - The Drogheda Peace Group have asked that prayers of thanksgiving be said this Sunday - they attribute the progress of peace in our country to the intercession of St. Oliver Plunkett.

Diocesan Prayer to St. Oliver Plunkett
Oliver, Saint and Hero.
You followed the way of Jesus
and stood up for what you believed in
we honour your memory.

Guide the Church of Armagh
as we engage with the challenges of our time.
Direct our energies in ways that nurture faith in
Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Walk with us on the pilgrim path
which involves renewal and change.
Help us to trust in Jesus
as leader and teacher.

May we value all that is sacred
And embrace courageously ways of peace
and reconciliation.
St. Oliver Plunkett pray for us
    

Ministers of The Eucharist
July - Vigil  Ruairi O’Hanlon, Aine McCooe, Sharon Garland, Theresa McCaffrey.  8.30 a.m.  Eddie McVeigh, Patsy Hanratty.  
10 a.m. - Ann Fleming, Kathleen Hagan, Denis McKeever  
11.30 a.m. -Teresa Murphy, Mary Taggart, Declan McAtarsney, Ann Murphy  .
Grange - Ann Murphy
St. Francis: Bernadette Breen
St. John the Baptist, week beginning 3rd July, Martin Barlow.

Ministry of The Word - July
Vigil    Olivia McDonald
8.30 a.m. David Greer
10 a.m.    Sarah Lawless
       Tommy Bradley
11.30 a.m. Ciara Burnett
Week beginning 2nd July, 10 a.m. Mass, Michael Sherry.
7.30 p.m. Ursula Barlow.  

Useful Numbers:  Fr. O’Dwyer - 38350610
Fr. White - 38332218
Parish Mobile: to contact the Priest on Duty or for emergencies, contact 07841101850.

Children are always welcome in our Churches to Masses and other liturgies.  Parents and other adults who accompany children to Church are asked to keep children under reasonable control so as not to be a distraction to others.  All Parishioners and visitors to the Churches have a responsibility to keep a prayerful atmosphere at all times.

St. John the Baptist Church - Altar Society:  July Rota - Team 2.

St. Joseph’s Young Priests Society:  Committee members thank all who attended the Pilgrimage to Knock and thank all members for their support spiritually and financially over the past year.  Total subscriptions forwarded to headquarters in Dublin £2,510.

GROW - seeks to provide support to anyone who wants to improve their mental health.  This doesn’t mean that you have to have a diagnosis of depression or any sort of mental illness - it just means that you could be feeling bored, out of sorts, unfulfilled, stuck in a rut, lonely ....feelings symptomatic of living in a fast changing society where sometimes we can all feel a little bit ‘left behind’.  The Portadown Group will meet weekly at Craigavon Community Network, 22 Church Street, Portadown.  Open Day this Wednesday afternoon 2 - 4 p.m.

 
Anniversaries left in late for inclusion in the Bulletin should be left in the Sacristies for inclusion in the List of the Dead.


Another step

Love always beckons another step.
Don’t we know that from family life,
marriage, communities,
friendship?

Love may seem to have nowhere to lay its head
as we move from a secure place in love
to new trust, new challenges, new demands,
as children grow older,
a spouse gets ill,

And God may seem distant.

Love has to move on,
leaving dead ways of being with someone,
rising to new depths of conversation or care,
as families move out to marry and raise
new families,
as our loved ones die or move away,

And God may seem remote.

Love looks back only in thanks.
For remembering past times with regret
is a way of living in the past,
like parents trying to pretend families
are not grown up,
or people in mid-life hankering after youth.

Love enjoys the security and life of the present;
it is willing to move and grow with each other,
and it looks back only to say thanks
and bring the spirit of love -
grown and deepened from the past -
into the future.

And God is in love,
for he is the source and the energiser
of all true love.
 
 
St. John’s Independent Accordion Band:  Classes in music and drumming on Thursdays, 7 p.m. in St. John the Baptist School.  Anyone wishing to join contact a committee member at the school on the evening.

McArts ‘n’ Crafts:   Vocational Training Unit for Adults with a Learning Disability, Unit H, Mayfair Business Centre.  McArts ‘n’ Crafts can offer interested trainees a variety of work activities, experiences and skills within a creative and supported working environment.  Contact Eithne for further information 38339119.

Legion of Mary:   Meeting every Monday evening after Novena Mass in St. Patrick’s Church.  New members always welcome.  Any enquiries please contact Lee Walters 028 38341496.

GAMBLING:  Is Gambling affecting your home life, work life, or reputation?  Contact the local GA helpline on 07926170921.

Naíscoil na Banna:  If you wish your child to be taught through the medium of Irish there are places available at Naíscoil na Banna.  Contact Shileen 02838 391243.  

Ballyoran Over 50 Club:  Every Wednesday 2 - 3 p.m. in Ashgrove Community Centre.

St. Mary’s Youth Centre:  Visit the Centre’s web-site for further information at www.stmarysyc.org
SUMMER SCHEME
July 9th - 26th - Ages 8+
Monday - Thursday, 10 a.m. - 12.30 p.m. and 1.30 p.m. - 4 p.m.  Membership £5 per family, £3 individual.  Come and enjoy the fun!

Drumcree House of Health - Another 10 week weigh in has started.  Every Monday 11 a.m. - 11.30 a.m. or 7 p.m. - 7.45 p.m.  A men only weigh in each Monday 7.45 p.m. - 8.15 p.m.

Our Lady Queen of Peace Pilgrimages - Medjugorie:
23rd August - 30th August, Spiritual Director, Fr. Brian White.  Full spiritual programme.  Travel insurance included ex Belfast International Airport.  (And 27th September - 4th October). Tel. Josephine 028 38343091.

FOYER OF CHARITY:  Five day silent Retreat.   For venues and detailed brochure contact Hugh & Anna Donnelly at 3083090, e mail - This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it and Mai Keating
E mail This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

ASHGROVE PRE-SCHOOL PLAYGROUP:
Now enrolling for 2007/2008 year.  For further details contact Catherine 07849599813.

KNOCK - ANNUAL PADRE PIO PILGRIMAGE:
Weekend 15th/16th September, staying in convent.  Bus from Portadown via Maghery.  Contact Theresa 38331629.


St. Vincent De Paul Society
Good quality used clothing and furniture welcome at all times.  Collection can be arranged.  Contact the shop. Clothes shop and Furniture shop in Mayfair Business Centre, Garvaghy Road, tel. 38393898. Opening Hours:  Monday - Friday 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.  Saturday 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.  NEW SELF HELP LINE - 38339639.  Response within 48 hours.
URGENTLY REQUIRED!!! - MEN’S CLOTHING.

BANNSIDE COMMUNITY GROUP:  
Bannside Scribblers, Monday 7 - 9 p.m.  Arts & Crafts, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 7 - 8.30 p.m.
ICT for beginners.   Contact Carol for further information.
HOMEWORK CLUB: VOLUNTEER NEEDED for September to supervise Homework Club.  Homework Club  takes place Monday - Thursday, 3.30 p.m. - 5 p.m. Contact Phyllis or Carol
38339916.
Cafe Lisboa - authentic Portugese and local food.  Open Monday - Saturday 9.30 a.m. - 6 p.m.

DRUMCREE COLLEGE:  Social Dance Lessons continue in Drumcree College.  “Swing Jive” lessons  Wednesday  7 - 8 p.m.  £2-50 per night.  For more information phone 38337745.
CEILI CLASSES -  Drumcree College Wednesday 8 p.m. - 9 p.m.  (James Murphy Tutor) £2-50 per week.  Everyone welcome.
Attend the two classes above and only pay £2-50!!
WANTED!  old/used greeting cards for craft classes.  Please leave in office at Drumcree College.

Tir Na nOg GFC:  Bingo every Tuesday 8.30 p.m.  The bigger the crowd the bigger the prizes.  Support the Club Lotto.

Rome & Assisi Pilgrimage - 4th August for seven nights, led by Fr. Peter McAnenly, (includes day trip to Sienna).  Total cost, to include taxes, insurance and service of coach throughout is £710.  For booking or further details contact Sullivan Travel, Coalisland, tel. 8774 0339.

Pilgrimage to Santiago (The Way of St. James) -
9 nights, 13th - 22nd Sept.  E1300 per person.  Flights from Dublin, coach throughout.  Further information and booking phone P. McConville 38891247.

15 day Pilgrimage to Rome, Assisi, San Giovanni, Loreto, Venice, Padua and many other shrines.  Departing August 8th.  Phone 00353 57 9355050, mornings only.

ASHGROVE SENIOR LUNCHEON CLUB:  Trip for “The Young at Heart” - Tralee, Monday 27th August, £199.  Price includes B/B and evening meal and excursion every day.
A few places left.  £20 deposit secures.  Contact John
38394722 for more information.

Holy Souls Crusade Pilgrimages to Poland & Spain:
Divine Mercy Shrine & Auschwitz - Aug. 18th - Aug. 25th - E550 ex Dublin to Krakow.  Garabandal - Spain - Oct. 13th - Oct. 20th - E550 Ex Dublin to Bilbao.  Divine Mercy Shrine - Nov. 10th - Nov. 17th - E550 Ex Dublin to Krakow.  For further details contact Aidan 091 876737 or Mary
091 798407.