This is Mission Sunday, when we are asked to give spiritual and material support to churches in mission countries. In its preferential option for the poor, the Church works among the poorest people and, as we have often seen, in dangerous circumstances. The great tradition of missionary activity in the Irish church continues today as 1,500 Irish missionaries help young churches in many parts of the third world. Over eight hundred Irish missionaries have died overseas in the last hundred years. Many have suffered violence and forty nine have died violently. They have faithfully followed their Lord in his mission, his service and his suffering. Jesus tells us that he came not to be served, but to serve, he is the Servant King. We share that kingship by virtue of our baptism, and we too are called to serve others. We share in his mission as we allow our own faith to be deepened and as we spread the light of Christ by our example, by the witness of a Christian life. The kingdom of God is built up as ordinary things and actions are made holy by ordinary people. We share in Christ’s mission as we help our missionaries by encouragement, by prayer and by material support. As we thank God for the life giving gift of our faith, we are anxious to share that gift with a world that needs it so badly, both at home and abroad.
In his message for Mission Sunday Pope Francis comments that there is a shortage of vocations in many parts of the world. But wherever there is joy and a desire to bring Christ to others, genuine vocations to the priesthood and the consecrated life arise. “The joy of the Gospel fills the hearts and lives of all who encounter Jesus. Those who accept his offer of salvation are set free from sin, sorrow, inner emptiness and loneliness. With Christ joy is constantly born anew (Evangelium Gaudium 1).” Pope Francis urges each of us to recall that ‘first love’ with which the Lord Jesus Christ touched our hearts for the first time, not for the sake of nostalgia but in order to persevere in joy. Today vast numbers of people still do not know Jesus Christ and for this reason mission continues to be most urgent. The Church is missionary by nature and was born to ‘go forth.’ He says: “Let us pray through the intercession of Mary, the model of joyful evangelisation, that the Church may become a welcoming home for all peoples and the source of rebirth for our world.”
Mission Sunday. Annual Collection for the Missions at all Masses this weekend.
Remembrance Weekend. All Masses on weekend 1st – 2nd November will be offered for our dead. Prayers and Blessings of Graves in St. Josephs Cemetery, Tory Top Road on Sunday November 2nd at 2.30pm
Holy Souls. Novena of Masses for the Holy Souls from Sunday 2nd November to Monday 10th November. Envelopes for those who wish to have their dead remembered at the Novena are available at the Exit doors. These may be placed in the box at the alter rails.
Rosary and Benediction in the Parish Church on Wednesday 29th October at 7.30 pm, including Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, Confessions and the Sacrament of the Sick.
Autumn Dues. Sincere thanks to the Area Collectors who have collected the envelopes for the Autumn Dues.
Blessed Paul VI. Pope Francis has approved the promulgation of the decree for the beatification of his predecessor Pope Paul VI, The beatification ceremony takes place on this Sunday, October 19th, at the conclusion of the Extraordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops on the family.
Bunscoil Chriost Ri Co-Educational Primary School Open Night Tuesday 21st October 7.00pm – 8.30pm. All welcome. Enrolments for 2015-2016.
Deaths. We remember in our prayers Betty O’Brien, Evergreen Road, Bernadette (Detta) Scanlan-Kilcoyne, Ashdale Park, and Jerry Madden, Friars Road who died recently and we extend our sympathy to their families.
New Irish Catechism for Adults. Sr. Karen of the Pastoral Development Office will present three sessions on different chapters of the catechism on Tuesdays 4th, 11th and 18th November in the Pastoral Office, Ballyphehane from 10.30am to 11.30 am, starting with coffee. Documentation provided.
UCC Students. All welcome to meet and relax in UCC Chaplaincy at Iona, College Road (free Tea/Coffee). Also the Honan Catholic Society is open to all third level students – good company, food and faith. honancathsoc@gmail.com, find us on facebook.