We all find ourselves at times in situations where we don't know what to do.

Dominican author Timothy Radcliffe in his latest book recounts such a time. Rwanda, 1994 at the height of the genocide and Radcliffe found himself in the company of two friars, on Hutu and the other Tutsi. They were looking for members of the order and their families in refugee camps around the country, as Hutus and Tutsis exacted savage losses on each other.

Every evening the church gave them something to do, what Jesus himself did the night before he died. They celebrated Eucharist. Nothing needed to be made up, they were given a ritual, a format with which to face the moment, and it was powerful because it was given and not invented.

At times we feel that we have so little, life has drained us of spirit. We are like the little boy with the five loaves and two fish. Could he have imagined how much good his small contribution would make in Jesus' hands?

The need to feed is a primal instinct we share with all creatures. As we begin today for several Sundays to unpack the meaning of the Eucharist for the Christian community, a time to see what are my 'five loaves and two fish' and into whose hands we are entrusting them.

Copyright Intercom Tom Cox

Streetreach Thanks

On behalf of the local organising committee of Streetreach in St Oliver Plunkett Parish, I would like to express sincere thanks to all those who helped in any way with the project. I would like to express particular thanks to the following who helped financially or in kind: Andersonstown News Belfast City Council Glen Community Centre Housing Executive P J McCartan Mini Cabs Costcutters, Suffolk Road Spar, Lenadoon Avenue The Coffee House, Stewartstown Avenue Cooper Pharmacy Naomh Pol, CLG Homefit Joinery McGranaghan Racing Donegal Celtic Football Club Mace Shaws Road Sarsfields CLG Your kindness is greatly appreciated. The young volunteers had a very positive experience of Lenadoon and would be keen to return to volunteer again.

Hannahstown Car Boot Sale

Hannahstown Parish Car Boot Sales are on

Saturday 5th August,
Saturday 2nd September and
Saturday 7th October
from 9.30am – 12.30pm.

First Friday

This is the first Friday week the priests of the parish will attend the sick & housebound as usual.

Race Against Racism - 5km Fun Run

On 6th August 2006 SCA and the Féile invite you, your friends and family to join SCA’s ‘Race Against Racism 5km Fun Run’ confirming our support against racism.

The ‘Fun Run’ will leave from the Falls Swim Centre on Sunday 6th August at 10am sharp. You will join an enthusiastic team of runners or walkers, young and old, to run against racism. Everyone is welcome! Prizes to be won! For further details on how you can register, please contact SCA at 02890 248509 or call into 167-169 Falls Road.

3rd St Oliver Plunkett Annual Lecture

Sr. Stanislaus Kennedy, author and campaigner on homelessness and Founder and Life President of Focus Ireland will be giving a talk entitled 'We're all responsible for the community we live in!' on Sunday 13th August at 8.00pm, in St. Oliver Plunkett Church.

'We’re all responsible
for the community we live in!'

on
Sunday 13th August
at 8.00pm
in St. Oliver Plunkett Church

This event is part of Féile an Phobail

All welcome

Baptisms

Next baptisms will take place on Sunday 6th August 2006 at 2.00pm. The next pre-Baptism instruction will be on Thursday 10th August 2006 at 8pm in the convent. It is necessary to attend pre-Baptism preparation before asking to have your child baptised.
To register for pre-Baptism preparation please contact the parish office 9061 8180 Mon & Wed 2pm-5pm Tue & Fri 10am-2pm & Thurs 10am-1pm.

We Loved Them In Life

Collections

Last week’s offertory collection amounted to £1167.58

Bosnia Orphanage Appeal

Mr Jim Murphy from St. Brigid's parish is collecting any unwanted foreign currency in aid of an orphanage in Bosnia, if anyone has any and wishes to donate it to this appeal please leave it in the parish.