33 rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Transcription

1 PARISH BULLETIN St Kieran Catholic Church in Campbeltown and Islay 18 th November rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Psalm response Preserve me, God, I take refuge in you. Gospel acclamation Alleluia, alleluia Stay awake and stand ready, because you do not know the hour when the Son of Man is coming. Alleluia! Communion Antiphon To be near God is my happiness, to place my hope in God the Lord. St. Kieran s Tuesday Thursday Holy Mass am Friday Holy Mass 6.30 pm Saturday Vigil Mass 6.00 pm Sunday Holy Mass am Islay (St.Columba s Church, Bridgend) Sunday, 2 nd December, 4.00 pm Holy Mass Sunday, 16 th December, 4.00 pm Holy Mass Sunday, 30 th December, 4.00 pm Holy Mass Sunday, 6 th January, pm Liturgy of the Word A Parish of the R.C. Diocese of Argyll and the Isles; Charitable Trust, a registered Scottish Charity, SC Parish Priest: Fr. A. Wood, St. Kieran s, Campbeltown; Tel campbeltown@rcdai.org.uk

2 Invest just five minutes a day, and your faith will deepen and grow a day at a time. Monday, Nov 19, 2018 Live your faith day by day You may know Day by Day, the popular song from the 1970s musical Godspell. The refrain, which was adapted from a 13th-century prayer of St. Richard of Chichester, includes the lines: Three things I pray: To see thee more clearly, love thee more dearly, follow thee more nearly. Those words pretty well summarize the yearning in the heart of all Christians. It begins with seeing clearly because it s hard to love or follow Jesus unless you do your best to focus on him and his message. The blind man who begged Jesus Lord, please let me see spoke for all of us. Spend a moment today reflecting on blind spots in your own faith areas where doubt, fear, ego, or simple neglect have carried the day thus far. TODAY'S READINGS: Revelation 1:1-4; 2:1-5; Luke 18: Have sight; your faith has saved you. Tuesday, Nov 20, 2018 Mercy is the great equalizer Mercy that is truly Christian is also the most perfect incarnation of equality between people, wrote Pope John Paul II in his encyclical Rich in Mercy. Our compassion compels us to see the dignity of persons in need. They become lovable simply because they are. Despite any faults, poor choices, weaknesses, or circumstances beyond their control, those in need are worthy of alms (from the Greek words for compassion and mercy) for Christ s sake. Strive to see in others what Jesus saw in tax collectors, sinners, and the least among us: the face of God. TODAY'S READINGS: Revelation 3:1-6, 14-22; Luke 19:1-10. "Today salvation has come to this house because this man too is a descendant of Abraham. Wednesday, Nov 21, 2018 MEMORIAL OF THE PRESENTATION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY Moment by moment, grace upon grace Make a list of what you ve been taught about Mary of Nazareth: virgin, mother of Jesus, Mother of God, conceived immaculately, assumed into heaven bodily it s an astonishing list. Her life was full of grace, yet the Bible says little of her beyond the first moments of Jesus life and the last. Church tradition supplies the rest, not to invent history but to illustrate how this Jewish girl s life was made holy by her choices and those of the family that nurtured her. Our families become holy in the same way, one decision at a time. TODAY'S READINGS: Revelation 4:1-11; Luke 19: To everyone who has, more will be given, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. Thursday, Nov 22, 2018 MEMORIAL OF SAINT CECELIA, VIRGIN, MARTYR

3 Gratitude is good for the body and soul One of the most beloved saints in our tradition is Cecilia, third-century martyr and patron saint of musicians. In art, she s often depicted with a musical instrument. Legends describe her as singing a song in her heart for God and rejoicing always in her faith, even amidst persecution and death. Cecilia reminds us of the deep connection between music and prayer. The Second Vatican Council affirmed this connection, especially related to liturgical prayer, saying: The musical tradition of the universal Church is a treasure of inestimable value. On this memorial of Saint Cecilia, join with all the church in singing a song for God! TODAY'S READINGS: Revelation 5:1-10; Luke 19: " and all because you did recognise your opportunity when God offered it!" Friday, Nov 23, 2018 MEMORIAL OF CLEMENT I, POPE, MARTYR Take a letter We tend to think that important letter-writing in the early church was limited to the New Testament, Saint Paul being the star correspondent. But others wrote letters to Christian communities, like the third bishop of Rome, Clement, who wrote to the same church in Corinth that Paul had tried to straighten out earlier. Though we don t know much else about Clement, we know he lived in Rome at the end of first century, only a generation or two after Peter and Paul had died there. Clement mentions their deaths, writing of Peter, Let us set before our eyes the illustrious apostles. Peter... endured not one or two, but numerous labours, and when he had finally suffered martyrdom, departed to the place of glory due to him. Let us recall those early martyrs who gave everything for Christ and his church. TODAY'S READINGS: Revelation 10:8-11; Luke 19: Jesus entered the temple area and proceeded to drive out those who were selling things. Saturday, Nov 24, 2018 MEMORIAL OF SAINTS ANDREW DŨNG-LẠC, PRIEST, AND COMPANIONS, MARTYRS Culture gets holy; holiness gets culture Saint Andrew Dung-Lac was one of 117 people martyred in Vietnam in the 1800s, and their sacrifice helped Christianity take hold in their country. There is now a large number of Catholics in Vietnam, but they are still persecuted. People of religions the world over face oppression, discrimination, and even physical danger because of their beliefs and yet they still maintain their faith and practice their traditions. Emulate their steadfastness (likely in your case in the face of lesser challenges) and extend patience to everyone. TODAY'S READINGS: Revelation 11:4-12; Luke 20: Some of the scribes said in reply, Teacher, you have answered well.

4 READINGS FOR 33 rd Sunday Daniel 12:1-3 The time of distress is coming, but the just shall be like the stars forever. Psalm 16:5, 8, 9-10, 11 The path to life and fullness of joy is the inheritance of the faithful. Hebrews 10:11-14, 18 Sin has been forgiven, and no further offering is necessary. Mark 13:24-32 We must learn to interpret the signs of the hour of darkness and of glory. Some thoughts on the readings for the 33 rd Sunday Daniel 12:1-3 When that time comes, your own people will be spared, all those whose names are found written in the Book. Of those who lie sleeping in the dust of the earth many will awake, some to everlasting life, some to shame and everlasting disgrace. The prophet Daniel offers a terrifying vision of the last days, a vision of tribulation and torment. He says that only some will be saved, which may be disturbing. But after all, for him it s not about depicting in detail that which will really happen at the end. That is not really important. And so, in our images there will always be more of our phobias and expectations than truth about the end. For Daniel what is most important is to wake the human conscience, to shake them so that people would wake up and understand how fundamental and fraught with consequences are their choices and how they live today. Talking about the apocalypse then has meaning, when it helps people shake off the numbness and mediocrity and wake them to pose themselves the basic question concerning totality, meaning and purpose. God relies on everyone coming to eternal life. Psalm 16 I keep the Lord ever in my sight: since he is at my right hand, I shall stand firm. And so my heart rejoices, my soul is glad; even my body shall rest in safety. For you will not leave my soul among the dead, nor let your beloved know decay. We have life so as to grow in confidence that after death

5 God will not disappoint us. If we constantly try anew and every day to place the Lord before our eyes, if we seek and find Him amid our lives as a God acting in daily matters, then the heart will be filled with trust and joy. We have life so to be convinced of God s faithfulness. It is not an automatic experience. In different ways He is constantly for us and it is we who often lose contact with Him. Therefore, you have to continually anew discover the ways in which God is present through us. And searching and discovering teaches us that God always surpasses our expectations, is always greater than what we are used to and our imagination. From here flows hope in the unimaginably fullness of joy and the unexpected bliss at His right side. Hebrews 10:11-14, 18 He, on the other hand, has offered one single sacrifice for sins, and then taken his place forever, at the right hand of God, where he is now waiting until his enemies are made into a footstool for him. Despite all the uncertainties of life, of one thing we can be sure: that Jesus has really wiped away our sin, and once and for all. What has already been done, is everything that had to be done. Now we need patience, and expectation that all the effects of His work will be fully revealed, that means that all enemies be completely disarmed and subject to God. This faith which expresses itself in patience as required by each of us, when it is observed that again life is entangled in evil and sin, and it gives rise to chaos and feeling lost. That which destroys and kills, however, has already been defeated at its base and at its source. But we in such situations once more should find hope and unite ourselves to the Victor. If we are with Him, enemies will also lie down under our feet. Mark 13:24-32 But as for that day or hour, nobody knows it, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son; no one but the Father. We very much need a sense of safety and certainty, which is why it s good we automatically supress the feelings linked to the whole mass of threats, danger and uncertainty that usually come with our ordinary life, in every moment, every place, in which we live. It is wrong, therefore, if we never meet it head on, if our whole life is one escape from awareness of the fragility of our existence.

6 Then we live in silent fear, which sometimes degenerates into a life of depression and constant despondency. It is possible to try something different. Jesus encourages us to a more awakened life, a life of readiness and attention to signs. Nothing can be predicted, no person can pretend to determine for God the time, since even the Son does not know the day or the hour. But it does not have to rouse in us a tormenting tension, if we simply entrust ourselves to God, give to the good God our sense of uncertainty and threat. God knows the place and time. This is all we need. Such knowledge would rather be a disadvantage, and maybe lead to total chaos. It s right that only He knows the and waits until the time and place will be the best for each person, because He desires the salvation of all. Do not be afraid! Nostradamus lived in the 16th century. He was a French doctor, who practiced medicine, astrology and mathematics. He gained fame thanks to centuries of publication, that is the rhyming quatrains containing his prophesies. He is said to have seen the end of the world and wrote of the last pope before the end of the world, as allegedly did St. Malachy in the 12th century. There are many books and websites interpreting these predications, many with specific agendas, often anti-catholic. As if we need others to criticise us! Predictions about the end of the world has always fascinated people. Undoubtedly, they appeal to the imagination and the frozen blood and veins of evangelical descriptions. There also regularly appear various predictions and pseudo-prophesies, announcing an imminent catastrophic end. Many sects constantly persevere in trying to hit on the exact date, but somehow they don t seem to have managed. But there are also the visions of saints referring to the end of the world. In February 1931 in the Diary of St. Faustina she wrote these words of Jesus: Before I come as the just judge, I am coming first as the King of Mercy. Before the day of justice arrives, there will be given to people a sign in the heavens of this sort: All light in the heavens will be extinguished, and there will be a great darkness over the whole earth. Then the sign of the

7 cross will be seen in the sky, and from the openings where the hands and the feet of the Saviour were nailed will come forth great lights which will light up the earth for a period of time. This will take place shortly before the last day (Diary, 83). This Sunday we hear the Gospel in which the Lord Jesus speaks of the end of the world. It does not satisfy our curiosity on the subject of the future. He does not say when the end of the world will be. He came so as to teach us that the world has its beginning and end on the Father. We Christians are challenged so that our lives, our present is lived in the context of the end of the world. In the book Children s Letters to God a certain boy wrote: Lord God, I do what I can. Yours Frank. And this is what it is about. Do what you can, so that the end of the world or the end of our life finds us ready for a meeting with God the Just Judge. Prayers Please pray for all those who are in need or have asked for our prayers: Willy Robertson, Russell Carroll, Ken McCoy and May Dumigan (Islay). Please remember in your prayers Teresa Dunne and David Wike, and all whose anniversaries occur at his time. "May prayer strengthen us for the spiritual battle we are told about in the Letter to the Ephesians: 'Draw strength from the Lord and from His mighty power' (Ephesians 6:10). The Book of Revelation refers to this same battle, recalling before our eyes the image of St. Michael the Archangel (Revelation 12:7). Pope Leo XIII certainly had a very vivid recollection of this scene when, at the end of the last century, he introduced a special prayer to St. Michael throughout the Church. Although this prayer is no longer recited at the end of Mass, I ask everyone not to forget it and to recite it to obtain help in the battle against forces of darkness and against the spirit of this world." Saint John Paul II

8 Here is the prayer of St Michael. It is an old, and perhaps neglected prayer. We do well to use it: Holy Michael, Archangel, defend us in the day of battle. Be our safeguard against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray; and do Thou, Prince of the Heavenly Host - by the Power of God - thrust down to hell, Satan and all wicked spirits, who wander through the world for the ruin of souls. Amen. News and Events All are welcome to Tea and coffee especially our visitors. See you in the hall after Sunday Mass. Coffee afternoon 2-4pm: 15 th December, baking and gifts stalls. Holy Hour: the next Holy Hour will be on the Feast of Saint Andrew, Friday, 30 th November beginning at 5.30 pm with a period of silent Eucharistic adoration and then a meditation and prayers on Embracing the eternal love of God. A Christmas Meal: For Epiphany (6 Jan.) as well as the usual tea and coffee, I will prepare a lunch as a thank you from me to you all. And, no it won t be yet another Christmas dinner, but I will prepare some traditional Polish food and drink for you. If you intend to be there let me know so that I can begin planning list in the porch. Fr Tony. Christmas cards: are available in the porch for those who are keen to get them off early. The Bishop s letter and information on future diocesan finances is in the porch. Please take a copy, as it explains what it means for parishes.