| 4th March 2012 |
|
|
|
|
PARISH OF DRUMCREE Mission Statement: Our Parish is a Christ-centred community. In Baptism we are challenged by the Spirit to live and share the Gospel message. Through proclaiming the Gospel message to all, Growth in Faith, Liturgy, Justice Issues and Ecumenism we extend our love and care to all people providing support in renewing and deepening our faith. We value the gifts and talents of each of our Parishioners and invite them to use these in responding to Christ's invitation to all of us to follow Him and spread the Good News to the whole world. www.drumcreeparish.com St. John the Baptist Church, Garvaghy Road, (1777) - 1977 St. Patrick's Church, William Street – 1835 4th March 2012 Second Sunday of Lent Mass Times: St. John the Baptist Saturday 7 p.m. Sunday 8.30 & 11.30 a.m. St. Patrick's Sunday 10 a.m. Weekday Masses: St. John the Baptist Monday 10am Tuesday - Friday 7p.m. St. Patrick's Tuesday - Saturday 10 a.m. Monday 7p.m. (Novena - Miraculous Medal) Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament Thursdays in St. John the Baptist Church beginning at 6 p.m. Devotions 1st & 2nd Sunday - October - June Confessions: St. Patrick's Saturday - 12.30 - 1.15 p.m. St. John the Baptist Saturday - 6.15 - 6.45 p.m. Baptisms: Every Saturday, 5 p.m. Registration for Baptism must be made in St. John the Baptist Church, after Friday evening Mass, two weeks prior to date. Marriage: At least three months notice must be given to the Priests of the Parish. Phone Numbers: Fr. O'Dwyer 38350610 Fr. Sheehan 38332218 Parish Mobile - Emergency No. 07841101850 Sacrament of Confirmation: Cardinal Brady will Confirm today at 3pm. Keep those being Confirmed and their families, sponsors and teachers in your prayers. No Devotions this evening. Minister of the Eucharist St.John the Baptist, from 5th Geraldine Lawless and Mary McAlinden. Ministry of The Word from 5th - 10 a.m. Denis McCourt. 7 p.m. Mary Hamill. Recent Baptisms: Emma Louise Fitzpatrick, Courtney Katie Walsh, Megan Rosa Preshur, Thomas Wisniewski, Cathal James Hoey Explaining parts of the Mass: continues this week: as Mass is celebrated it will be explained. This will disrupt the flow of the liturgy but will be beneficial in the long run. – see text below. Parish Lenten Group Wednesday 7.45 - 9.15 p.m. in Pastoral Centre. . Lenten Study Programme continues in the Pastoral Centre ll a.m. - 12 noon every Monday. Those attending please reflect on the Sunday Readings. First Communion: P4 children and their families will attend Masses next weekend. Ballyoran CPS 7 p.m., Presentation 10 a.m. and St. John the Baptist and BunScoil 11.30 a.m. Developing World Committee meeting Wednesday at 7.30pm in Pastoral Centre. Parish Mission - A group called St Patrick's Community will be giving a Mission in our Parish from 12th to 16th March. They will speak at the Masses on 10th/11th March. The main focus of the Mission will be each evening in St John the Baptist Church at 7pm. Each evening has a different theme with testimonies from the group, prayer, music and a lot more. MoD PP really encourages you to come to all five nights to get the most out of the Mission. 2 Lenten Evenings of Reflection & Prayer led by Fr Frank Brady SJ in the Pastoral Centre on 7th & 28th March. The sick and housebound were not visited last week - I apologose for that. Other arrangemants will be made.MoD. Drumcree College: keep up to date - visit www.drumcreecollege.co.uk Eucharistic Congress: a namuber of pilgrims from the Parish have registered as a group to attend in Dublin 14th-17th June. Names may still be added to the group which includes attendance at the Congress events and accommodation. For further details telephone Colm after 7pm at 38337856. LENT - WHAT ARE YOU DOING? If you have moved to the Parish or changed address within the past year and would like to contribute to the upkeep of the Parish, using envelopes, please complete the slip below and place in collection basket. Name........................................................................ Address.................................................................... Old Address/Parish.................................................. Offertory Collection £2606-91 Sunday 26th February Thanks to all who contributed ++++++++++++++ Pastoral Centre: Cafe Bethany open after 10 a.m. Mass on Mondays Requiescant in Pace Lately Deceased: Mary Martin, Brian McGrane, Jose Jaime Soares, Sean McCann, Vera King, Pauline Fay At This Time: Bill McAtamney, Brian McGeough, Thomas Garvey, Mary McAnallen, Maureen McConville, Catherine Kelly, Thomas James Reid Sunday 4th: M.M. Susan Brankin, Mary Austin, Alda Feliadade De Castro, Joseph Kelly, Sr. Agnes Collins, Vera Burke, Eileen McMurray, Joseph McCanney, Dr. Joe Fearon, Mary Rafferty Monday 5th: M.M. Pat Quinn, Sheila McCann(1st Anniversary), Peter Guy, Julie Litter, Noel Kelly, Elizabeth Carson, Patrick Gorman Tuesday 6th: James Conlon, Matilda Donnelly Wednesday 7th: Jimmy Sloan, Andy Mulligan, Christina McNally, Felix McKeever, Venia Prunty Thursday 8th: Denis Kelly, Mary McNally, Francis Hagan, Paddy Halfpenny, Agnes Farrell, Sr. Gertrude Taggart Friday 9th: Paddy Austin, Daniel Tallon, Tallon Family, Elizabeth Murphy, Bertie Redmond, May Batty Saturday 10th: Michael Turley, Martha Hutchinson, John McBennett Anniversaries late for Bulletin should be left in the Sacristy for inclusion on proper day St. Vincent De Paul Society URGENTLY REQUIRED!! Ladies, Men's and Children's clothing. Clothes shop, tel. 38393898 or Furniture shop tel. 38394219, Mayfair Business Centre. Monday - Friday 10am- 3pm. Saturday 10am - 1 pm. SELF HELP LINE - 38339639. Response within 48 hours. Book Shop: Opening hours this week are as follows: Saturday 6-8.30pm; Sunday 9 am to 1 pm; Monday 10.30 am to 12 noon; Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday 6 - 8.30 pm. Gifts for Confirmation and First Communion now available. Tir Na nOg: Bingo every Tuesday 8 pm All support needed also Club Lotto. U 14 training Thursday 7 - 8pm at Scout Den. U12 girls training Thursday in the Scout Den 5.45 - 6.45 p.m. Sunday 4th - 11.30 a.m. Senior Challenge away to Drumrath (Co.Down) Sunday 11th (time TBA) Seniors Challenge v Eglish (Co Tyrone). Saturday 10th Music by Stevie Harte - no cover charge. Bannside Development Centre: Homework Club Monday & Tuesday 3.15 - 4.30 p.m. £1 per day. Crafts Classes Tue., Wed. 7 - 8 p.m. Computer Classes Starting Thursday 15th March 10 a.m. - 12.30 p.m. - contact Ann 38339916. The Pioneers we are making a special effort to promote a short-term pledge of abstinence from alcohol for the duration of Lent for the well-being of others. Take the pledge for Lent. Cumann Seanchais Ard Mhacha: second lecture `The "Big House" in Ulster' by Dr Olwen Purdue of Queen's University on Wednesday 7 March 2012 at:00pm in the Cardinal Ó Fiaich Library and Archive. St. Mary's Women's Guild: Meeting in Ashgrove Community Centre on Wednesday 7th March at 8 p.m. Guest speaker.New members welcome. Volunteer for the 50th International Eucharistic Congress – Closing date: 17th March – if you want to get involved fill in the form available on www.iec2012.ie/volunteer. Feasts: Monday 5th St Kieran; Wednesday 7th Ss. Perpetua and Felicity; Thursday 8th St., John of God, St. Senan; Friday 9th St. Frances of Rome. Ashgrove Community Centre: Monday - 5 - 6 p.m. Indoor Football (Junior 7 - 14 yrs.). 6 - 7 p.m. Street Dance Class ( 5 - 11yrs.) 7 - 8 p.m. Circuits Exercise Class. Tuesday 12 - 2 p.m. Seniors Luncheon Club. 5.30 - 6.30 p.m. & 7.30 - 9 p.m. Slimming World. Wednesday 10 a.m. - noon Housing Executive Advice. 2 - 3.30 p.m. Ballyoran Senior Citizens Club. Indoor Socer 5 - 6 p.m. Junior Boxercise 6.30-7.30pm. Thursday 12 noon - 2 p.m. Seniors Luncheon Club. 7.30 - 9 p.m. St. Malachy's Indoor Bowling Club. 8 - 9 p.m. Irish Language Class. Friday Irish Dancing School 4.30 p.m. - 5.30 p.m. For bookings etc contact Chris Cassidy 028 38 331650 or 07912389509. St. John's Scouts: Scouts Monday 7 - 9 p.m. Cubs Tuesday 7 - 8.30 p.m. Beavers Wednesday 7 - 8 p.m. Former members that have unifroms please leave at Den on any of above nights.Thank you. St. Malachy's Hurling Club - February Draw - Winner Paula Wilson. Richmount Rural Community Association: bus trip to Stormont and Belfast City Hall 13th March. Tickets £4. Richmount Ramblers walking group - Line dancing at Famous Groose £3per session. Archery Taster Session at Kilmore, Lurgan - £9 limited places. Further details for all of above Joe Garvey 07934186635 or Geraldine Lawless 07516230437. Servite Priory, Benburb - Lenten Retreat Sunday 4th March; Loss and Bereavement Saturday 10th March, Sunday 11th March Afternoon on the Eucharist - contact 37548241. Carmelites Monastic Weekend - 23rd - 25th March: Single Women (22 - 38 yrs). St. Josephs Monastery Tallow, Co Waterford. Contact 00353 58 56205 or e- mail This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it I don't bother with Church, Parish or Priest, so the Mission is not for me. Yes it is! The Mission is for you. It `s your time to focus on you and not Church, Parish or Priest! COME AND SEE. When submitting notices for the bulletin please include a contact name and telephone number Notices and anniversaries should be left in by the Wednesday prior to publication. Reflection Listen to him In all times of life, we can find hope and new life from the word of God. In the confusions of life we find meaning in listening to Jesus. In the pain of life, we find consolation in listening to Jesus and hearing his words to others like us. Words like, Do not be afraid, I am with you always, come to me all who are weary. And when we want to know how to shape the commitments of our lives we listen to his words to his disciples Come, follow me, Take up your cross and follow me, Go teach all nations. And when we look into the future and wonder about life and death, wonder about the future for our children we get new life from his words, Trust in God and trust in me, Your heavenly Father will care for you. And when we look at the needs of the world, at the poverty and homelessness, at the debts of the poorer nations, at the violence between groups of people, we are challenged and inspired by his words, What you do for others, you do for me, Love one another as I have loved you. This is my Son, the Beloved, Listen to Him. PARISH MISSION PRAYER Heavenly Father, we pray that our Parish Mission may be a time of grace and renewal for all. We ask you to bless all the families in our Parish, especially those who are experiencing difficulties. Bless the old, the young, the poor, the sick, the unemployed, and those in sorrow or despair. Help us dear Lord, to grow in faith and love of you. Amen. PARISH - BE A PART OF IT OR BE APART FROM IT **************** A MINUTE IN EVERY HOUR! AN HOUR IN EVERY DAY! A DAY IN EVERY WEEK ********** THE JOY RULE THINK OF JESUS THINK OF OTHERS THINK OF YOURSELF Preamble Cardinal Brady has asked that the first two Sundays of Lent would be devoted to explaining the parts of the Mass, in preparation for the International Eucharistic Congress. First Sunday in Lent Introduction To be read before the initial procession into the Church. In preparation for the International Eucharistic Congress which will take place in Dublin this coming June, Cardinal Brady has asked that over the next two weeks there should be a focus on explaining the parts of the Mass. Today we will consider the themes of Gathering and Penitential Rite and the Word of God. Next week we will consider the themes of the Liturgy of the Eucharist, the Communion and the Sending. As you leave today please take home with you the booklet on Eucharist that is available at the back of the Church. For a moment let us reflect on the theme of Gathering. GATHERING There is a deeply rooted human need to gather; to talk and to listen, to eat together and make music. We gather to celebrate and when we are sad and feeling vulnerable. Other people’s presence, when we have something in common, gives us strength. Genesis 2:12 states it simply “It is not good for man to be alone” while the poet John Donne said “No man is an island”. Gathering is so central to our humanity we don’t notice it all and tend to be more sensitive to the absence of gathering when it happens. We tend to like our own space but need the common space when we gather. We are uncomfortable if someone is excluded from our group and we don’t easily understand it when someone withdraws from the life of the community. Since creation, people of every culture have gathered and worshipped God. Long before the birth of Jesus there was a strong awareness among the people of Israel that God had gathered them and formed them to be a people of his own. The Mass, whether it is celebrated in a great cathedral or in a small chapel on the side of a mountain, or in a park in Madrid, continues Jesus’ work of gathering people together in communion with him and with one another to journey as the Body of Christ of which they are all members. When we gather we recognise Jesus in each other. So let us begin Mass now by standing. Procession, Sign of the Cross, Greeting PENITENTIAL RITE The priest refers to the Mass we are attending as ‘sacred mysteries.’ What we are about to witness is beyond our senses, and to prepare ourselves to truly experience these sacred mysteries, we must divest ourselves of our ego. What is it that I need to let go of to truly celebrate the sacred act of God coming into our midst? Sin is anything that breaks my relationship with God. Anything that I choose other than God or God’s will for me is sin. Acknowledging that we have sinned is an important starting point if we are to enter into our need for salvation. It is important to make use of this part of the Mass that focuses on our sinfulness, to foster a deep sense of our need for God. The Penitential Rite continues GOD’S WORD To be read before the Liturgy of the Word We have spoken earlier how Christ is present in the “gathering” when we come together to celebrate Mass. He is also truly present in his Word. The Liturgy of the Word starts with the First Reading and ends with the Prayer of the Faithful. When we gather at a friend’s home for a meal, we always begin with conversation, telling our stories. At Mass, after the gathering and penitential rites, we sit down and listen as readings from the Word of God are proclaimed. They are the stories of God’s love for his people. On Sundays there are three readings from the Bible. The first reading will be from the Old Testament. It will relate to the Gospel and will give background and an insight into the meaning of the Gospel. Then we will recite or sing a psalm - a song from God’s own inspired hymnal, the Book of Psalms. The Second Reading will usually be from one of the letters of Paul or another apostolic writing. The Gospel is then read by the priest. Because of the unique presence of Christ in the proclamation of the Gospel, it is the custom to stand in attentive reverence to hear these words. We believe that Christ is present in his Word, since it is he himself who speaks when the holy Scriptures are read in the Church. The readings at Mass rotate on a three yearly cycle. Some visitors to the Catholic Mass are surprised to find us reading from the Bible! We Catholics have not generally been famous for our Bible reading, and yet the Mass has always been fundamentally biblical. Not only the three readings and the psalm, but most of the words and phrases of the prayers of the Mass are taken from the Bible. During the Liturgy of the Word we are asked very simply to listen as God speak to us. When the word of God is spoken at liturgy, God is speaking to us "live". We're not listening to something God once said. We're not being taught a lesson. The living God is speaking "live" to us here and now. God will say a special word to each of us at every Mass. It may be a word of comfort, or direction or a new way of seeing things, but God speaks a tailor-made word to each of us. It may be in the readings, the Gospel or the homily. All we need to do is open ourselves to be receptive to his Word. How do we do that? By listening attentively! So let us now really listen to what God is saying to us today. The Readings, Psalm and Gospel are read The homily reflects on the word and relates it to our life situation today. After the homily we recite the Creed. The Creed is more than a list of things which we believe. It is a statement of our faith in the Word we have heard proclaimed in the readings and the homily. The Liturgy of the Word (our “storytelling” part of the Mass) comes to an end with the General Intercessions or Prayer of the Faithful. The Prayer of the Faithful helps us remember who God is calling us to be. We are the Body of Christ by Baptism. Now, as we prepare to approach the table for the Eucharist we pray that we really come to resemble the Body of Christ, with shelter for the homeless, healing for the sick, food for the hungry. God’s power is in his Word. There are numerous accounts in the Gospels of the power of his Word. With a word He cast out devils, with a word He healed the sick, with a word He calmed the storms and with a word He raised Lazarus from the dead! God’s word is as powerful today as it was 2000 years ago. It is the living Word of the living Christ. Let us stand to recite the Creed. Second Sunday of Lent Introduction – before the Mass begins In preparation for the International Eucharistic Congress which will take place in Dublin this coming June, Cardinal Brady has asked that the first two two Sundays of Lent should be devoted to explaining the parts of the Mass. Last week we looked at Gathering and the Penitential Rite and the Word of God. Today we will consider the themes of the Liturgy of the Eucharist, Communion and the Sending. As you leave today please take home with you the booklet on Eucharist that is available at the back of the Church. Presentation of the gifts: To be read after the Prayer of the Faithful and before the Presentation of the Gifts: Now we move from the Liturgy of the Word to the Liturgy of the Eucharist. This begins with the presentation of the gifts. When the gifts are carried forward it is a sign for all gathered to bring ourselves and the gifts of our lives before God. As we say the prayer of thanks over the bread and wine, it is recognising that all we have in our life is given by God, including the bread and wine that is offered up in the Mass. Too often maybe we do not thank God for the many good things we have in our life and take so many of our blessings in life for granted. Thus, as we begin the Liturgy of the Eucharist we pause to say thank you to the Lord for providing us with all that nourishes us. During this time the priest washes his hands as a sign of asking God to help him to prepare to celebrate this Mass for the people of God by cleansing him from his sins. We then pray the Preface to help us dwell more closely in the great mystery and love that is about to unfold in the Consecration. The preface is addressed to God as we remember the story of salvation that has lead us to the point of Christ's saving action on the Cross. Then we pray together the Holy Holy – it may be sung or said, but either way we should all join in the prayer. It is a beautiful part of the Mass whereby we join with all the angels and saints in heaven in praising God – a unification of the Church on earth and the Church in heaven, immediately before we recall the great act of love on the Cross on Calvary. Then follows the Prayers over the gifts, the Preface and the Holy Holy After the Holy Holy The Eucharistic Prayer which includes the Consecration of the Bread and Wine The Consecration is the central part of the Mass whereby the priest calls down the Holy Spirit upon the bread and wine and it becomes the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. We recall the words of Jesus himself, who at the Last supper which he celebrated with his friends, said; 'This is my body' which would be given up for us… and 'my blood' which would be poured out on the Cross for us. He then added that we are to 'Do this' in remembrance of him. At this part of the Mass, as demonstrated by the Words of Jesus himself, it is as if we are actually present at Calvary as the saving act of Christ on the Cross becomes real. At this time the bell rings and we bow in respect, adoration and in awe of his love. During this part of the Mass as the Spirit of God is called down we too can bow our heads and ask God's Spirit to come upon us so that we can offer up our gifts, our talents and our lives to God - that God may bless them so that we too can play our part in being the Body of Christ.' Communion Rite To be read just before the Our Father – wait til all are standing The Our Father: Together we stand and pray the prayer that Jesus taught his disciples. In this prayer we pray that through our lives we may help to build God's kingdom here and now. This prayer also helps us before we receive the Body of Christ (the greatest nourishment we can receive as we pray for our daily bread). It helps us as we pray for forgiveness from our sins; that we too might have the grace to forgive those who have hurt us and to keep us clear of temptation. After the Our Father the priest prays for all of us to be kept from sin and in peace, to keep us free from worry or harm. After the prayer, Deliver us… we pray for Peace: And now we pray for peace. The one thing that we all want in life is peace, for peace in our hearts especially. We pray for peace collectively for all in the Church. We make this prayer a real and visible prayer as we embody the words by sharing with one another the sign of peace. Lamb of God: In the presence of Christ on the Altar - the Lamb of God – we pray that he will have mercy on us and will once again grant us his peace. This prayer to the 'Lamb of God' has great significance to the people of Ireland. When our Lady appeared at Knock alongside her was the Lamb of God. Many people focus mainly on the apparition of Our Lady but perhaps more importantly her Son was also present in the image of the Lamb - a sign of Christ - and his blessed family in the person of St. Joseph, and with his disciples, represented by St. John, in the Church At the Last Supper which is the basis of the Mass there was no lamb on the table as was usual for a Passover Meal. Jesus himself on the cross became the Lamb - the Lamb of God - who takes away the sins of the World. It is in this prayer that with reverence we approach the Lamb of God to take away our sins and to grant us peace. As we are called then to this supper of the Lamb we reply with the words of the centurion who had put his trust completely in Jesus. “Lord I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof but only say the word and my soul shall be healed” The priest continues with, ‘Lord Jesus Christ, who said…’ After the ‘Lord, I am not worthy… The reception of Holy Communion: We now come forward to receive the Body of Christ – the greatest gift we can receive. We receive the fullness of the Body and Blood, Soul and divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ. He is now a part of us and with us in such an intimate way. We have prayed that we may be worthy to receive him – maybe we could pray an act of contrition as we approach the Altar. There can be no better time to relay all the prayers and feelings in our heart towards him – asking Christ to be with us, bringing us his strength, healing and grace. As he is united to us so personally it gives us hope, as we prepare to move forward, that our ways will be joined to his ways. Sending To be read before the final prayer of the Mass and blessing and dismissal when the people are sitting When the Priest or the Eucharistic Minister brings us Holy Communion, he or she says “The Body of Christ” to which we answer “Amen”. The word “Amen” means, “ So be it” or “It is true”. So what are we affirming or giving our yes to? Many people think it is affirming the real presence in the host that we are about to receive but that is not the main focus. We have already affirmed Christ’s real presence in the acclamation after the consecration. The “Amen” that one gives just before reception of Holy Communion is our yes to be the Body of Christ in the world. It is you and I saying “Yes Lord I will be your compassionate loving presence in the World. I will be your voice, your touch, your love, your healing, your visible presence among my family and neighbours.” When the priest sends us out with the dismissal to go and announce the Gospel of the Lord that is what each one of us is called to do. We are called to be what we have received. Having received the Body of Christ we are to be the Body of Christ in the world. Having become one with him in Communion we are to become one with our neighbour. Eucharist strengthens us to go out and bring Christ to those whom we meet. So today as you have received the Host be conscious of what you have said yes to. We have celebrated the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist. Now we are sent out into the world to continue the Mass by engaging in the “Liturgy of the Neighbour”. Just as Christ gathered us at the beginning to strengthen us by being together and being nourished by his Word and his Body and Blood we are now sent by him to be his Word and his Body and Blood with our neighbours and with our families. It is best summed up in the words of St Teresa of Avila These words may be sung on a CD Christ Has No Body Christ has no body but yours, No hands, no feet on earth but yours, Yours are the eyes with which he looks compassion on this world, Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good, Yours are the hands, with which he blesses all the world. Yours are the hands, yours are the feet, Yours are the eyes, you are his body. Christ has no body now but yours, No hands, no feet on earth but yours, Yours are the eyes with which he looks compassion on this world. Christ has no body now on earth but yours. (Teresa of Avila (1515–1582) A period of silence follows before the final prayer, blessing and dismissal. |