Sixth Sunday of Easter (Year A) 20/21 May 2017
Fr Frank writes:
My Dear Friends,
In our first reading today we hear of the mission to evangelise the Samaritans. The Faith is spreading, even to the old enemies of the Jews. This reading (as if we needed reminding) makes it clear that Christ is for all people – there is no distinction between nationalities, cultures, language or skin colour. In Christ all are welcome.
As we draw near to Pentecost it is good to ponder the Holy Spirit. In our Gospel reading the disciples are called to love Jesus. This is a message for us too. We, like the disciples, are called to allow Christ to mould us so that our lives reflect his divine will. It sounds hard. And it would be if it were down to us alone. But in opening ourselves up to be moulded by Christ we are not left on our own – we receive strength and support from the Holy Spirit.
Jesus had been the disciples’ Counsellor/Advocate, in today’s Gospel reading he makes clear to them that when he leaves them another of equal stature replaces him: The Holy Spirit. Jesus is the Truth (“I am the Way, the Truth and the Life”). But he now tells them that when he goes he is to send them the “Spirit of Truth” to enable them to build up the Church. This same Spirit is given to us : the ‘age of the Church’ is the era of the Spirit. It is the presence of the Holy Spirit in the Church which sanctifies us and gives us the divine power we need for our mission. We pray for ourselves and for our Church that the Holy Spirit may be a living reality and power among us.
May our good and gracious God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, bless you now and always.
Frank ofs
Sunday Smile:
Irish Medical Dictionary:
Artery The study of paintings
Bacteria Back door to a cafeteria
Barium What doctors do when patients die
Benign What you be after you are eight
(to be continued)
Fifth Sunday of Easter 13/14 May 2017
Fr Frank writes:
My Dear Friends,
Last Sunday we celebrated the World Day of Prayer for Vocations. The theme of Vocation is followed in this week’s readings too. We shouldn’t be too surprised at this as vocations arise from the Easter experience, and we are still in the season of Easter.
Our first reading introduces us to the Order of Deacon. The new Deacons were ordained by the Apostles through the laying on of hands for a ministry of service. The very word ‘Deacon’ points to servanthood; it is a ministry of charity.
In our second reading St Peter reminds us, however, that vocation/ministry is not confined to those in Holy Orders. We are all members of a holy priesthood. We are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a consecrated nation, a people set apart to sing the praises of God.
Our Gospel reading begins with an assurance of God’s mercy: “There are many rooms in my Father’s house.” It is reassuring to contemplate that there might even be room for me. But how do we get there? How do we (as it were) book a room there? In this reading, St John gives us another of Jesus’ “I AM” sayings.: “I AM THE WAY..” We get there by following the example of Jesus – by modelling our lives on him – this is the vocation of each one of us.
May our good and merciful God bless you now and always.
Frank ofs
Sunday Smile:
A certain Trappist Order (which kept strict silence) only allowed one brother to speak each year, on the anniversary of the founding of the Abbey. The anniversary came round and the Abbot duly invited comments as the community ate their breakfast in the refectory. One brother complained: “the porridge is too lumpy.” The following year, another brother said: “I quite like the porridge.” Later, the Abbot, answering a knock at his door, invited in a brother who asked if he could leave the Order. “Why?” asked the Abbot “Because,” he replied, “I can’t stand all this arguing about the porridge.”
Fourth Sunday of Easter 7 May 2017
Fr Frank writes:
My Dear Friends,
It is good to be back with you, and both Anne and I are looking forward once again to taking as full a part as possible in the lives of the two parishes. But, realistically, it will take me some time to be fully ‘back on my feet’ – I know you will be patient and understanding.
Thank you for all your prayers, Masses and words of encouragement over the past 2 months, they were very welcome and cheered me up considerably. Many thanks, too, to all those who took on extra responsibilities during my absence, especially our two Stewards of the Gospel, our MCs, and our Parish Administrator, and, on this Day of Prayer for Vocations when we are reminded of our need for good ‘shepherds’, I express my heartfelt thanks to Frs Bill, Lee and Michael for providing for the spiritual needs of the two parishes (not forgetting the funerals they have had to organise and conduct).
My thanks, also, for your good wishes over Easter, for your gifts and for your generous Easter Offering. You are wonderful people and I am fortunate to be your priest.
May Christ the good shepherd bless and guide you now and always.
Frank ofs
Sunday Smile:
A priest, tired of his parishioners constantly confessing their adultery, asked them to simply say they had fallen. He was duly replaced by another priest who, at Mass one Sunday, complained about the state of the pavements in and around the parish, and of how he had tripped and fallen. At this there were great guffaws in church. Pointing to one man, he said, “I don’t know why you find it so amusing, your wife fell three times last week”.
Third Sunday of Easter (Year A) 30 April
Dear Friends,
Luke’s Gospel today tells the story of the two disciples on the road to Emmaus. They are joined by Jesus, but we are told that “something prevented them from recognising him”. I can identify with that; sometimes I am a bit set in my ways and closed to situations that aren’t what I was expecting. Maybe I am distracted, my self-esteem has been knocked or I don’t warm to people and I turn off – rather than actually listening openly to what they are saying.
In my time working with young people and taking them on pilgrimages and retreats, the “Emmaus Walk “was a regular feature. We would be split into pairs for a lengthy walk. You could not walk with your friend or even someone of your age group but a completely random person. It could be quite daunting, but as you began to talk, the ice started to break and unique precious people started to emerge. There was no breaking of bread but I think many people started to get a glimpse of Christ who lives in each one of us.
Pope Francis invites us all to a renewed personal encounter with Jesus Christ or at least an openness to letting him encounter us. In this season of Easter the first readings are from the Acts of the Apostles telling us about people receiving the Holy Spirit, so it’s a good time to trust in God and let go of the things which “prevent us from recognising him”, to open ourselves to encountering HIM, either directly or through another person whom we meet on our journey.
Lord, I pray that as we read the Acts of the Apostles, we may encounter you.
John Dobner
Second Sunday of Easter (Year A)
Fellow Parishioners
After the Resurrection of Jesus the disciples met in a room, closed against others, as they were fearful of the Jews. Today we hear the story of doubting Thomas who told his fellow disciples that he would not believe unless he had seen the Risen Lord. When have we felt unable to believe? How often have we questioned our faith because we could not see Him?
When Jesus appears in the room the next week, following His greeting to the gathered disciples He immediately speaks to Thomas and invites him to put his finger into the holes in his hands and his hand into His side. At this point, Thomas responds by saying “My Lord and My God”.
When have we been able to respond to the Lord’s greeting of “Peace be with you” with “My Lord and my God.” God through His Risen Son and His Holy Spirit wants us to open our hearts to his call, to be His love in this worried world, to be His compassion in times of distress, to be His hands and His feet helping those in need, especially those who need to be held and loved.
Let us work towards becoming more faithful followers of Christ by being more Alleluia than apathetic, more peaceful than angry, more loving than arrogant and more disciple like than unknowing.
We heard at the Triduum to be more Alleluia and joyful in ourselves and by being so others will know that we are His disciples. Be happy to share your joy with others.
Sheila Wright
Thought for the Week: Sign seen on a pilgrim’s coach in Rome – Smile at all you meet today – it will drive them all crazy as they wonder why!!!!!
The Solemnity of the Resurrection of the Lord (Year A) 15/16 April 2017
Dear friend and fellow believer,
I wish you and your families JOY and a HAPPY EASTER
As believers we are the EASTER PEOPLE and Alleluia is our song.
We are people of Hope, Resurrection people.
After 40 days of penance and repentance, of trying to get closer to God, we celebrate just how close God is to us, what God has done, and does do, for us. God has saved us.
We have Easter Joy despite the awful war and injustice we see around the world.
We have Easter Joy despite any concerns we might have about our own health or the fact that because of ill-health Fr. Frank is not here to celebrate with us.
We all, I think, carry with us some sadness, we are all sinful people and yet because of what happened on that first Easter morning we are JOYFUL PEOPLE.
Christ has conquered death; through the resurrection, he has taken upon himself our suffering and sins. We are saved, we are Resurrection people and Alleluia is our song.
As Pope Francis says
“ 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”
John Dobner