EYES OF FAITH
The Mass readings for this thirtieth Sunday of ordinary time speak of salvation, of comfort, restoration and life, and they speak of faith. There have always been examples of weak faith (most of us, perhaps), deep faith and no faith, but nowadays we see open opposition to faith and a manifest and honest struggle between faith and scepticism in many people. We no longer live in an age of faith. We pray for the grace given to Bartimaeus to recognise our salvation when Jesus of Nazareth is close by.
Bartimaeus called out from the margins of poverty, helplessness and blindness, a nobody and an embarrassment to those nearby. The blind man looked to Jesus with eyes of faith. We too cry to God from the spiritual margins, from our lack of faith or weak faith and ask for mercy, and we too will be heard. Faith is not merely a question of intellectual assent; it is a relationship with the risen Jesus, with Jesus who said to Bartimaeus “your faith has saved you.”
Faith can be transforming, it can change us for the better and give us joy, as well as give us hope in the most difficult times in our lives. As we call out to God, we are in turn called by God to share in the priesthood of his Christ and we are sent to the lost, to those who have lost their faith. With Bartimaeus may we follow Jesus on the road to Jerusalem, seeing him and our brothers and sisters in Christ with eyes of faith, eyes of love.
Our thanks to Fr. Mike Burgess OFM Cap and all who were part of our Parish Mission. It was a special time of grace and prayer in our Parish. Fr. Mike sends his thanks and appreciation to you all.
Deaths: We remember in our prayers Donna Daly Blyth, Green Lawn, Geraldine Ross, Connolly Rd and John Myles, Mayo and New York, who died recently. We extend our sympathy to their families.
County Senior Football Final Replay: Nemo v Castlehaven this Sun. 25th October. Pairc Ui Rinn @ 3.30 pm Best of luck to Nemo.
Positive Psychology /Mindfulness and Relaxation classes commencing in Turners Cross Community Centre on Monday 2nd November 2015 from 7.30 to 9.00. €70 euro for 6 week course. Contact Judy Phelan R.G.N. Dip. Applied Positive Psychology.
Next Sunday is the Feast of All Saints
Holy Souls Novena of Masses: Monday 2nd to Tuesday 10th November with an extra Mass at 6.00 pm on weekdays. Envelopes for those who wish to have their dead remembered at the Novena are available at the Exit doors and may be placed in the box at the altar rails.
Remembrance Weekend 7th & 8th November: All Masses that weekend will be offered for our Dead.
Blessing of Graves in St. Joseph’s Cemetery Tory Top Rd. Sunday 8th November at 2.30 pm.
Ministries: Our thanks to those who have volunteered for Ministries in the Parish. There is still time. Ministries: Baptismal Team, Church Carers, Ministers of Word & Eucharist, Church Choir. You can nominate a person or volunteer your service. Collect a form in Sacristy or have a word with one of the priests.
Winter Time: Clocks go back one hour