Entrance Hymn: Seek ye first the Kingdom of God

Mission Sunday Today

Ninety-nine years ago Pope Pius XI set aside this day, Mission Sunday, so that every diocese, parish and religious community throughout the world would pray for and make a collection for Christian communities in need and also support missionaries in proclaiming the Gospel to the ends of the earth. Some have been martyred, others have lost their health and all of them have left the known and familiar of their homes to bring the story of God’s mercy to some of the poorest people on earth.

        Last year I mentioned Bishop Edward Galvin (1882-1956) from Newcestown and so many people responded with interest. He is obviously well known in Cork. From his youth Edward Galvin, had more than anything else, wanted to be a foreign missioner. But when he saw the unhappiness his wish caused his parents, he agreed to go to Maynooth instead, for the diocese of Cork (Ross was a separate diocese at that time). By the time he was ordained in 1909 there was no vacancy for him in Cork, so he volunteered for Brooklyn in New York. During the three years he spent there he felt a strong call to go as a missionary to China, one of the most daring and difficult missions possible at the beginning of the twentieth century. This is a quotation from a letter he wrote to his mother the morning he was leaving New York for China, 28^th February, 1912: ‘I feel like a man going to the scaffold. I am up all night and writing this at 5 o’clock in the morning. Why did I have to go? Why should God ask me to do this that is breaking my heart to do?’ Four years later Fr Galvin founded the Maynooth Mission to China (now called the Columbans) and stayed there until he was expelled in 1952. He died four years later of leukaemia. In 1927 he had become Bishop of Hanyang, but spent his final years in China under house arrest in terrible conditions. That’s the Irish missionary spirit.

Wedding

Last Saturday we had the joyful celebration of the marriage of two parishioners who are originally from India, Julisto Costa and Josyviya Abida Fernandes. This bride and groom are regulars at our Sunday Mass and are blessed with a deep faith. It was a beautiful ceremony with just a small group of friends. The bride’s mother came specially from India. We congratulate them and pray that their love will grow and that they will be blessed with lovely children.

Recent Deaths:

Tim O’Leary, Greenhills Estate; Oliver Hartnett, Laurelwood Tce; Brother Barry Stanton, Maiville Presentation Community. May they rest in peace. We pray for their families, relatives and friends, and for the confrères of Br Barry.

Recessional Hymn: Bind us together, Lord