Bring this home with you. Read it. Take a copy for someone else

St. Matthew’s Church Ballyfermot PARISH NEWSLETTER

14 May 2017 (5th Sunday of Easter)

Mass Intentions

6.30 Saturday 13 May

Elizabeth, John, Pat O’Neill Kevin, Lily Farrell

10.30 Sunday 14 May

Maureen Dempsey

12.00 Sunday 14 May Liam Browne, Olive Shannon

10.00 Tuesday 15 May Seamus Matthews

BOOK OF THE WEEK . OUT OF THE ORDINARY

prayers, poems, and reflections for every season JOYCE RUPP

NOTRE DAME INDIANA UNITED STATES 2000. Pp 252 Although a little dated at this stage this remains both a beautiful and very useful book. The material is surprisingly fresh and can be used by individuals or small groups. You could easily meditate on the pages offered here or use them to construct a prayer service or liturgy.

FAITH MOMENT .

Jesus' death on the cross is both the Paschal sacrifice that accomplishes the definitive redemption of men and women and the sacrifice of the New Covenant that restores humanity to communion with God. The Paschal Mystery is unique; it completes and surpasses all sacrifices. It overcomes the effects of our disobedience to God and is the means of our reconciliation with God.

Gospel Readings this Week

Mon 15/05 Jn 14:21-26 'If anyone loves me he will keep my word.' Tue 16/05 Jn 14: 27-31 FEAST OF ST. BRENDAN, Abbot 'the prince of this world is on his way ' Wed 17/05 Jn 15: 1-8 'I am the vine' Thu 18/05 Jn 15: 9-11 'Remain in my love'. Fri 19/05 Jn 15:12-17 'I call you friends' Sat 20/05 Jn 15: 18-21 FEAST OF ST. BERNARDINE OF SIENA, Priest 'if the world hates you, remember that it hated me before you.'

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION St. Louise’s Girls Sunday May 21st 12 noon

Mary Queen of Angels Boys May 28th 12 noon

Sacristy Baptisms Arranged, Certs Obtained

immediately AFTER Mass (Mon – Fri)

Masses and Month’s Mind Remembrance should be booked at the Sacristy

To appear in the newsletter Masses must be booked at least a fortnight in advance.

Summer 1917

It was certainly one of the first religious stories that I heard. It was probably around the same

time that I first saw The Sound of Music. I was going around humming My Favourite Things. When I was'nt humming the big songs from the film I was taking pop shots at the Germans. I think at one stage I even fancied myself as Captain Von Trapp strumming Edelweiss. These were the days when I was just beginning to love books and movies, the days when my parents were trying to get me to go asleep rather than read all night. It is very difficult to give in to sleep when Lassie has battled over a hundred miles trek home, or Little John is propping up Robin Hood to fire his last arrow. These were the days of the Famous Five and the Secret Seven, these days were a good bit before I got to Narnia and even before I met Bilbo Baggins. This was before I got into Walt Disney never mind my love of Westerns. Yes, somewhere in these early sacred days I was told the Story of Fatima. I remember it well. I remember my Aunt Lily giving me the little book, I remember the little coloured pictures that accompanied each decade of the Rosary, and I remember the little synopsis of the Fatima apparitions in the first few pages at the front.

Of course growing up in West Belfast I knew very little about sheep, but I had heard that the

three children at Fatima, Lucia Santos, and her cousins Jacinta and Francisco Marto, were all involved in minding sheep. To be honest I made no connection at the time between these little shepherds and Jesus, the Good Shepherd. I now know of course it's one of the special titles Jesus gives to himself, along with the Light of the World, the Bread of Life and others. Recently I was on a television programme and the presenter was poking fun at the title, the Good Shepherd, suggesting that it insults people's intelligence, linking it with the idea that we are all blind sheep just aimlessly following the shepherd. He suggested that this image does us no service. In fairness to the said presenter I think some of this mock ridicule was mindful of the viewers and in particular the ratings. Having said that I think there is a poor enough understanding of the titles of Jesus. The Good Shepherd gives consolation and comfort to hosts of people but perhaps the real benefit of Jesus, the Good Shepherd is not fully appreciated until we are lost, sick or feeling abandoned. Of course a lot more of the message of Fatima was lost on me back then, including the call to conversion and the need for world peace. Much later on in my life one of my favourite lines was to become Ronald Reagan's iconic invitation, 'Tear down this wall, Mr Gorbachev!' By this time I knew a little more about communism and unfortunately a lot more about conflict.

For the purpose of this column I am perhaps being over simplistic with regard to Fatima but I

hope I will be forgiven for focussing on the Call to Conversion and the call to pray for world peace. One of my most vivid early experiences happened around this time. It was an experience that both shaped my pilgrim journey and in some ways ignited my vocation story. Into the riots and shootings and bombings of the Falls road arrived a Dominican priest complete with a most beautiful statue of Our Lady of Fatima. This priest was promoting the praying of the Rosary for Peace, in the world yes, but specifically in Northern Ireland. I remember these days so clearly. There was many a long bright summer evening when people gathered around this beautiful statue that was being carried from street to street and prayed their hearts out for a better day. We prayed for a day when we would stop hating each other. We prayed we would stop blowing up bridges and begin building them again. We prayed for a day when we would stop tearing our little part of the world apart, for a day when it would no longer be talked about across the world because of bloodshed.

It's almost Summer 2017. It's almost one hundred years since Our Lady Appeared in Fatima.

Surely no one can argue with the idea that we are once again in need of conversion and that the world urgently needs renewed prayer for global peace? Sound Marian devotion is rooted in Scripture. The Mary of the Gospels is the Mary to put our trust and confidence in. Mary always leads us to Jesus. Mary will never lead us astray. Mary leads us to the Crib, to Cana, to the Cross, to the Empty Tomb and to the Upper Room. The message of Fatima, both in its call to conversion, and its call to peace, is in complete harmony with the Gospel message. In all the threats of conflict, all the terror, all the fear there is no greater advocate than Mary the Mother of Jesus.

J MC DONALD. 08. 05. 17

Sharing

the Gospel

Jesus is getting a place ready for you in heaven. One day you can spend time with Jesus there. You will never get sick. You will never be sad. You will never be left out. You will be loved because you are God's special child, and he wants to spend time with you every day.

Prayer

Thank you for promising to make a special

place for me in heaven, Jesus.

Read the Gospel and Colour

Church Collections

Collection Date 30/4 First Collection 865 Share Collection 585 Family Offering 635

Mass Times

Saturday: Vigil Mass 6.30 Sunday: 9.00, 9.45 (Convent) 10.30,12.00

Weekdays:

10.00 Monday – Friday 7.30 Tuesday

Knock Pilgrimage On Sunday May 28 Fr. Richard will lead the Assumption Parish Annual Pilgrimage to Knock.

Please give your name, as soon as possible,

to Mary or Nancy in the Assumption sacristy.

Bus Fare is €17

St. Vincent DePaul Monthly Church Gate Collection

Amount Collected: €440 A very big thanks

to all who contributed.

Cemetery Masses Palmerstown: Sunday 19th June @ 3pm Glasnevin: Sunday 26th June @ 3pm Newlands : Sunday 10th July @ 3pm Esker: Sunday 28th August @ 3pm

The Pilgrim Shrine of Our Lady of

the Miraculous Medal A number of shrines have been prepared and these can be taken to family homes. A family will keep the pilgrim shrine for a month. There will be a prayer booklet accompanying the shrine with prayers suitable for families. If you would like to participate please leave your name in the sacristy.

Family Mass

June 4 @ 10.30

BIG BIRTHDAY BASH ON SUNDAY JUNE 4TH (Pentecost Sunday)

GUESS WHOSE BIRTHDAY IT IS? Sunday 4th June is the birthday of the Church.

Why not join us here in St. Matthew's.

AT 10.30 AM MASS WE WILL CELEBRATE THIS SPECIAL DAY. WE HOPE YOU WILL

JOIN THE CHILDREN OF THE PARISH, AND THE REST OF US,

FOR THIS CELEBRATION...

Departure 11th August. 4* Hotel Solitude

7 Nights Full Board

Cost €799 per person sharing fully inclusive Deposit €200 per person Non-Refundable (Single Room Supplement €245 per person) Accompanied by Spiritual Director Fr. Paddy Cully C.S.Sp. Contact Eddie Teeling @ 6262669 or Rose Reilly

Parish Centre or Sacristy: Phone: 626 56 95 Monday to Friday

10.00am to 1.00pm

Believe - Reflections on the Creed

is a six week exploration of our faith through the words of the Creed. Fr. Joe will host each evening which will begin with a short DVD followed by discussion. This course will begin on Thursday April 27th at 8pm. Anyone interested should contact the

Parish Office. (626 56 95)

Session 1 - Why we believe

Session 2 - How we believe

Session 3 - The Almighty Father

Session 4 - The Lord Jesus Christ

Session 5 - The Holy Spirit and the Church

Session 6 - The Coming Kingdom

Every Thursday @ 7.30 from 27 April to June 1

Recent Funerals

Julia Kenny Paul Kennedy Blessings and Sympathy

to their Families

St.Matthew's Church Bethany Support Group

If at any time you feel the need for support or a listening ear after the

loss of a loved one we would be glad to help.

CONTACT PHONE: 087 9411628

Eucharistic Adoration

Mon 10.30 – 4.00 Wed 10.30 – 9.00 Fri 10.30 – 9.00

Divine Mercy Meeting

Wed Evening @ 8.00 in the Prayer Room

Readers’ Lists Up to November

now available in the Sacristy

© Liturgical Publications Inc.

Church Gate Collection 20/21 May after all the Masses

Our Lady’s Hospice & Care Services

Our Lady’s Hospice & Care Services, founded by the Sisters of Charity in 1879, continues its mission by providing, with loving care, high quality, person-centred health and social care services in the Hospice and community.

Our Core Values

Human Dignity: To respect the unique worth of every individual.

Compassion: To empathise with those who are in discomfort or suffering and to strive to understand their experience.

Justice: To consistently act with integrity, honesty, commitment and accountability.

Quality: To strive for excellence in all aspects of our work.

Advocacy: To represent the needs of those who are unable to speak for themselves.

These core values are upheld and shared by many people of diverse cultures, faiths, professions and circumstances. Daily, they serve to inspire, motivate and guide us in our work together.

What were the works that Jesus did? Miracles, sometimes, but what were the essence of these miracles? Caring for the sick, comforting the sorrowful, feeding the hungry ... much of Jesus' ministry was spent in carrying out what we call the works of mercy. But he did more than that; he also preached and publicly shared the good news, he fostered fellowship and community, and he prayed. All of this makes a kind of plan of action for us as Christians. As Jesus says today, if we truly believe in him, we will follow in his footsteps and do these same things.

What this all suggests is that belief itself--having faith, being Christian--is only part of the picture. Jesus expects us to take this faith and put it into concrete, practical action. Apparently this goes hand in hand with real faith. If actions don't follow, then faith is not being lived to its fullest.

This of course presents a real challenge. Our lives are busy and our plates are full, just with the tasks and demands of daily existence. It can seem like a burden to serve others, to share the Gospel, to be actively involved in a faith community, to find time to pray. But these are meant to be priorities for true disciples of Christ. And as many will testify, when we sin-cerely ask God to help us get our priorities in order, he has a way of miraculously multiplying our time. Somehow, we find the opportunities right before us to follow God's will and bring our faith to life. That simple prayer of asking for help may be where we need to start. The first step is not so much to fill our calendar as to fill our hearts, or just to pray that God will fill our hearts, with the desire to "do the works" of Jesus.

Whoever believes in me

will do the works that I do John 14:12

St. Matthew’s Church10 Blackditch Drive, Ballyfermot

Dublin 10

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