21st Sunday in Ordinary Time

In today’s reading from the Old Testament Joshua gives the people the challenge to make a choice. They must choose between two courses of action, either they accept the relationship established between them and the Lord or else go the path of their neighbours worshipping false gods.

The people make their choice:

‘We will serve the Lord, our God’.

The gospel tells us that Jesus issues a similar challenge to the people around him. When he finished telling the group that he is the Bread of Life some of them refuse to follow. He turns to the Twelve for the first time in John’s gospel. He looks at them and issues the challenge: ‘Will you also go away?’ It is decision time. No more shilly-shallying! Then Peter’s replies with another question: ‘Lord, to whom shall we go?’ followed by an act of faith: ’You have the message of eternal life’. His words mark a turning point in the relationship between Jesus and his disciples.

Today we are presented with the challenge: Will we stay with Jesus or will we go away? Often we can paint Jesus as being too nice, forgetting the challenges he offers as he does into today’s gospel.

Which side are you on?

Copyright Intercom Fr. J. Roche

Talk by Sr Stanislaus Kennedy

I would like to thank all those parishioners who helped prepare for the talk given by Sister Stanislaus Kennedy on Sunday 13th August here in our church. Thanks to those who worked in the grounds, in the church, arranged the flowers and looked after the refreshments. Hope all who attended had an interesting and enjoyable evening. Thank you again Fr. Martin Magill. (The following note was received a few days after the event.)

First Friday

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

Parish pilgrimage to Knock

The parish pilgrimage to Knock will take place on Saturday 23rd September – Sunday 24th September. Will all parishioners intending to travel to Knock please confirm booking arrangements and deposits with Pat Rooney 9029 7200.

The Principal Governors and Staff of
St. Genevieve’s High School
cordially invite you to attend their
40th Anniversary Mass
in
St. Agnes Parish Church
on
Friday 1st September 2006 at 11am

All are welcome to view the school and join the Governors and Staff for refreshments in the Assembly Hall after the Ceremony.

Belfast Pioneer Council

Belfast Pioneer Council
are holding their
Annual Mass
in
Good Shepherd Church, Ormeau Road, Belfast
on
Friday 1st September at 7.30pm

If anyone is interested in buying a gold/silver badge and having it presented at the Mass please contact the Pioneer office 9032 2744

St. Oliver Plunket Luncheon Club

New members wanted for
St. Oliver Plunkett Luncheon Club
12.30pm – 3pm every Thursday
in the
Glen Community Centre.

Anyone interested please call at the Community Centre at these times.

Weight Watchers

Weight Watchers is available on Tuesdays in the Colin Glen Forest at 6.15pm and also in St. Agnes’ Parish Centre at 9.30am & 10.45am in the downstairs room or at 5pm & 6.15pm in the upstairs room. For more information ring 9028 8491 or 9042 6812.

Pathways – Adult Faith Training Formation Course

This is a serious progaramme of lectures and workshops. This two-year programme supported by All Hallows and the Diocese of Down and Connor runs from September to May each year and will be held on nine Saturdays from 10 am - 4:30 pm at Drumalis, commencing on 30 September 2006. It covers key areas of theology, spirituality and ministry.

For further information and booking form, please contact:

Drumalis – 028 2827 2196/2827 6455
or email maura@drumalis.co.uk

Flyers with more details available from parish office.

Baptisms

Next baptisms will take place on Sunday 3rd September 2006 at 2.00pm Please note the next date available for Baptism is Sunday 1st October 2006. The next pre-Baptism instruction will be on Thursday 7th September 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. Newly Baptised We welcome into our parish family Charlie Ryan O’Kane, Eoin Brian Garland, Shay Martin Smyth who were recently baptised.

We Loved Them In Life

Collections

Last week's offertory collection amounted to £965.97 and the Diocesan Care Homes amounted to £724.67