Best of luck to Nemo
Two Banquets
Isaiah uses the image of a rich banquet on God’s holy mountain to describe the fulfilment of God’s promise of a salvation of joy and everlasting happiness where every tear will be wiped away and death will be no more. This intensely human image of fulfilment and joy has come down to us from about 500 BC. Today’s Gospel reading also speaks of a banquet, a wedding feast representing the kingdom of God. This is the third parable of rejection in St. Matthew’s Gospel, those invited refused to come. Some were busy, preoccupied with farm and business, others were hostile. The messengers were then sent to the crossroads to invite whoever they met to come to the wedding feast, an open invitation to all. We sometimes refuse God’s invitation. We may be too busy, or having value systems or lifestyles at variance with the Christian ideal we may not want to hear the message. The guest who did not wear a wedding garment represents those who pay lip service to the Christian life but are not in practice prepared to take it seriously.
The banquet is at the end of time, but the invitation is now and the response is now. We pray that we will say yes to God’s invitation, and yes to God’s promise, that we will say yes to God’s love. May we bring that invitation to others, even at the risk of rejection, as we try to give witness to our faith by our lifestyle and by our joy in the Lord.
Mission Sunday. A second collection will be taken up at all Masses next weekend as we support missionary activity abroad through our prayer, sacrifice and financial contributions. The funds collected help Churches who need financial support and are directed towards communities in need, both spiritually and materially. Last year Irish Catholics contributed more than €1.6 million on Mission Sunday, and this collection was distributed to more than 1,000 young Churches in need. Contributions are used to build simple mission churches, to educate seminarians and female religious novices, and for the formation of catechists and lay leaders. Our Mission Sunday will also be used for building health facilities and for emergency aid. We remember the work of missionaries throughout the world including more than 1,300 Irish missionaries.
Cork and Ross Pastoral Development Office – vacancy for Receptionist/Secretary. Must be eligible for CE scheme – 19.5 hours per week. Please send cv and cover letter to southsidetdl@eircom.net
Cork Marriage Counselling Centre: Marriage, family and individual counselling. Marriage Preparation – Call 021-4275678 for help and guidance. (Supported by the Diocese of Cork & Ross, The Dept. for Children and the HSE
Ministers of the Word may collect their Rota from the Sacristy.
Deaths: We pray for Donal Hurley of Kilcolman Lawn who died recently. We extend our sympathy to his family.
Presentation Secondary School, Ballyphehane presents the musical, CATS from 19th / 22nd October starting at 730pm sharp with matinee on Sun. 22nd October at 2.30pm. Tickets available at the school office 021-4961765
Having Faith in Families: A talk by Professor Eamonn Conway of Mary Immaculate College this Sunday 15th Oct. from 3:00pm to 5:00pm at Christ the King Church, Turner’s Cross. This is part of our preparation for the World Meeting of Families. We look forward to welcoming you there – donation only.
Official Family Prayer for World Meeting of Families 2018
God, our Father,
We are brothers and sisters in Jesus your Son,
One family, in the Spirit of your love.
Bless us with the joy of love.
Make us patient and kind,
gentle and generous,
welcoming to those in need.
Help us to live your forgiveness and peace.
Protect all families with your loving care,
Especially those for whom we now pray:
[we pause and remember family members
and others by name].
Increase our faith,
Strengthen our hope,
Keep us safe in your love,
Make us always grateful for the gift of life that we share.
This we ask, through Christ our Lord,
Amen.