Liturgy of the Word
 

First Reading:   Wis.  18:6-9

That night had been foretold to our ancestors, so that,
once they saw what kind of oaths they had put their trust in,
they would joyfully take courage.
This was the expectation of your people,
the saving of the virtuous and the ruin of their enemies;
for by the same act with which you took vengeance on our foes
you made us glorious by calling us to you.
The devout children of worthy men offered sacrifice in secret
and this divine pact they struck with one accord:
that the saints would share the same blessings and dangers alike;
and forthwith they had begun to chant the hymns of the fathers.
The word of the Lord.



Responsorial Psalm:    Ps. 32

R.  Happy are the people the Lord has chosen as his own.



Second Reading:   Hebrews.   11:1-2. 8-19
Only faith can guarantee the blessings that we hope for, or prove the existence of the realities that at present remain unseen.  It was for faith that our ancestors were commended.
It was by faith that Abraham obeyed the call to set out for a country that was the inheritance given to him and his descendants, and that he set out without knowing where he was going.  By faith he arrived, as a foreigner, in the Promised Land, and lived there as if in a strange country, with Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise.  They lived there in tents while he looked forward to a city founded, designed and built by God.
It was equally by faith that Sarah, in spite of being past the age, was made able to conceive, because she believed that he who had made the promise would be faithful to it. Because of this, there came from one man, and one who was already as good as dead himself, more descendants than could be counted, as many as the stars of heaven or the grains of sand on the seashore.
   All these died in faith, before receiving any of the things that had been promised, but they saw them in the far distance and welcomed them, recognising that they were only strangers and nomads on earth.  People who use such terms about themselves make it quite plain that they are in search of their real homeland.  They can hardly have meant the country they came from, since they had the opportunity to go back to it; but in fact they were longing for a better homeland, their heavenly homeland.  That is why God is not ashamed to be called their God, since he has founded the city for them.
   It was by faith that Abraham, when put to the test, offered up Isaac.  He offered to sacrifice his only son even though the promises had been made to him and he had been told:  It is through Isaac that your name will be carried on.  He was confident that God had the power even to raise the dead; and so, figuratively speaking, he was given back Isaac from the dead.
The word of the Lord.


Gospel:   Luke 12:32-48                                                                 
Jesus said to his disciples:
"See that you are dressed for action and have your lamps lit.  Be like men waiting for their master to return from the wedding feast, ready to open the door as soon as he comes and knocks.  Happy those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes.  I tell you solemnly, he will put on an apron, sit them down at table and wait on them.  It may be in the second watch he comes, or in the third, but happy those servants if he finds them ready.  You may be quite sure of this, that if the householder had known at what hour the burglar would come, he would not have let anyone break through the wall of his house.  You too must stand ready, because the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect."

This is the Gospel of the Lord

ANNIVERSARIES

RECENTLY DECEASED:-   Annie Fee, Kathleen Marley, Jim McVeigh, Peter Keeley,Madge McKevitt, Eileen McCabe, Mona McCann, Michael Carvill, Colm O’Connor
AT THIS TIME: David Conlon, John Holland, McVeigh, Fowler & McCann Families, Ana Maria Xavier do Rego, Mary Donaghy
SUNDAY 12th:-  M.M. Bronagh Lappin,
Eileen Hendron, Patrick McAlinden, McAlinden Family, Michael McCann, Patrick Battersby, Kathleen McCooe
MONDAY 13th:-  Desie Hamill, Alice Austin, Malachi McCormac
TUESDAY 14th:-  Anna Foy, Ellen McDermott
WEDNESDAY 15th:- M.M. Shay Day, Bridget Handy(1st Anniversary), Marie McCavanagh, Bernard Fearon, Bernard McVeigh, Thomas Robinson, Margaret Mallon, John McBennett
THURSDAY 16th:-  Kathleen Atkinson, Mary Donnelly
FRIDAY 17th:-  Aidan Mawhinney(1st Anniversary) Marie Murphy, Jim Turley, Tommy Donnelly, Muriel Crealey, Patrick Reynolds, Edward Lappin
SATURDAY 18th:- M.M. Mary McNeil, M.M. Votatus Valencius


Church Notices
 
15th August - The Assumption of The Blessed Virgin Mary - Holy Day.  Masses
as follows:
St. John’s    8.30 a.m. & 11.30 a.m.
        7.30 p.m.
St. Patrick’s    10 a.m.
(The 7.30 p.m. Mass on Tuesday 14th will serve as a Vigil for the Holy Day and will have the Polish community in attendance)

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 18th August  in St. John’s Church at 5 p.m.  
Pre-baptismal meeting in St. John’s Friday after evening Mass.   
Recent Baptisms:-   Edmilson Patrick Gutteres, Margaret Jane Quinn

Offertory Collection
 5th August - £2344-45
Thanks to all who contributed


Ministers of The Eucharist
Aug. - Vigil  Paddy Gorman, Miriam Loftus, Bernadette Breen.  8.30 a.m.  Catherine McCooe, Thomas McCooe.  
10 a.m. - Winnie Breen, Ann Marie Hamill, Madeline O’Neill.  
11.30 a.m. -Patricia Halfpenny, Rosaleen Hamill, Nicola Fay, Bernie Mallon.
Grange: Eithne McAtarsney.
St. Francis: Madeline O’Neill.
St. John the Baptist, week beginning 14th Aug. Martin Barlow.

Ministry of The Word - Aug.
Vigil            Ursula Barlow
8.30 a.m. Julia Lawless
10 a.m.    Damien Russell
             David Fleming
11.30 a.m. Jerome Marley
Week beginning 13th Aug, 10 a.m. Mass, Tommy Mallon.
7.30 p.m. Theresa Beattie.  

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:  Aug. Rota - Team 3.

The car park at St. John the Baptist Church is being resurfaced.  
This work will take approx. two weeks to complete.  We apologise
for any inconvenience this will cause and ask parishioners
to exercise care near the car park.

LOUGH DERG:
Quiet Days - 9th May - 5th September:  Arrive 10 a.m., departure 4 p.m.  Cost £15, includes boat fare and lunch.  Reservations essential.
One Day Retreats: Aug.18,19,20,21,
22,25,26, 27,28,29.  Sept. 1,2,3,4,8,
10,11,12,15,16,17,18,19,22,23.  The retreats are not suited to children.  Numbers limited so advance booking is essential.
Each retreat begins at 10 a.m. and ends at approx. 5 p.m.  Cost £18 includes boat fare and lunch.  Reservations essential.  For bookings tel. 00353 71 9861518.

Theology by Distance Learning September 2007 to January 2008 including:  Introduction to Theology and Scripture: The Gospel of Mark and Moral Theology.  For more information contact The Priory Institute, Tallagh, tel. 00353 1 4048124 or
www.prioryinstitute.com.

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.
Senior Citizen Outing and Social Evening - Wednesday 22nd August.  Tickets available in St. Vincent De Paul Shop, £2 each.  (Tickets limited).  Bus times as follows:-
St. Patrick’s Hall        12.30 p.m.
Parkside            12.40 p.m.
Obins Avenue            12.30 p.m.
St. Mary’s Hall              1.00 p.m.
St. John’s Church          1.10 p.m.
Mayfair                  1.20 p.m.
Spar                  1.30 p.m.

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.

 
Being Ready

Being ready and noticing the call of God
is one hallmark of being a Christian.

Be ready
to notice the need of God
in the people we meet:
in their need to be heard at a time of worry,
in their need for care in illness,
for forgiveness when we’ve hurt each other,
for the conversations
that can bring faith in doubt,
hope in despair
and love always.
For there is the Son of man,
coming at an hour you do not expect.

Be ready, says the Lord,
to notice the need of God
in the millions of hungry children,
homeless parents,
refugees without a home,
people, even children,
sleeping rough in our own cities;
be ready to care,
to help, to reach out,
for there is the Son of man,
coming at an hour you do not expect.

Be ready,
 in times and spaces for prayer,
to notice the love of God
reaching you and the world through you,
the forgiveness of God
touching a world of hurt and violence through you,
and the call of God
to be ready
today and every day,
to be his presence, justice and love
among his people.
 
 
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.

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

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.

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

St. John the Baptist P.S. -  Due to supplier difficulties, uniforms and school jackets will not be available for collection until week beginning Tuesday 28th August.
 

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.

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.