25th Sunday in Ordinary Time

In these past times where family tends to live further apart, it is good to meet. Sadly, it is all too often at the time of a death, at their funeral. We comment on it, saying we shouldn’t wait for a funeral to bring us together. Then we go our separate ways, until of course the next funeral or wedding.

Conversations at such times can be a bit bizarre. Everything from property, to the price of things, but precious little about life, living and dying. It is our secret, unnamed fear – that despite all, we will die.

In our cash-rich, time poor generations have pushed this question to the side. We are reaching a point when we know that while poverty is bad, wealth has its responsibilities. It won’t satisfy your spiritual hunger. The rootlessness and lack of meaning at the heart of so much of what we give our time to is spawning a sense of unease and disillusionment.

So, let’s not be too hard on the disciples of Jesus with their internal ‘who is the greatest’ power struggle, as they accompany him to Jerusalem and the place of crucifixion. We have all been there. In Christ, men and women down the centuries have found someone great enough to live for and something worth dying for. Will we?

Copyright Intercom Fr. J. Roche

PHOTOGRAPH APPEAL

As part of the 30th Anniversary of St Oliver Plunkett Parish celebrations in October, the organising committee would like to put together a display of photographs depicting Sacramental life in our Parish over the last 30 years.  Photographs of Baptism, First Communions, Confirmations and Marriages and other parish events, would be most welcome and anyone willing to lend photograph especially larger photographs with the year and the names of those in the photograph will have them returned. Photographs should be left into the Parish Office before the end of September with your name and address written on the back of them to ensure their safe return. 

We thank you most sincerely in anticipation of your contribution to this event.

Transport to anointing of the sick

As part of the 30th anniversary celebrations Mass and Anointing of the Sick will take place in the Church on Sunday 8th October at 3pm. If there is any parishioners who would like to go and does not have transport, please contact Gerry on 9061 5576 to arrange a lift. We are also looking for parishioners who are able to offer lifts on that day.

Milltown Cemetery – Grave Maintenance Service

The trustees of Milltown Cemetery recognise that many leaseholders are anxious to maintain family graves but are unable to do so for a variety of reasons. Following requests from the public to help with this problem, the Trustees, in conjunction with Citywide Cemetery Regeneration Ltd., have now introduced a new service ‘Direct Grave Maintenance’. There has already been a significant take-up in the number of people signing for this cemetery based scheme. It will be of particular benefit to those who have moved away from Belfast or who are unable to visit the Cemetery regularly.

Please contact the Cemetery office on 9061 3972 for full details and costs.

European Justice & Peace Commission

There will be Mass in the Cathedral for the European Justice & Peace Commissioners on today Sunday 24th September at 5.30pm. His Excellency, the Papal Nuncio will concelebrate the Mass. All welcome

Apostolic – bingo

There will be bingo on Wednesday 25th September after 7.30pm Novena, in the church hall. All welcome.

Planning for the Future

Bishop Walsh personally invites all parishioners involved in the Planning for the Future Campaign to celebrate Mass with him in St. Peter’s Cathedral on Sunday 1st October at 3pm. The Mass will be followed by light refreshments.

Good news for families – Family Ministry

Looking for ways of getting more from prayer and Sunday Mass?
Want to find practical, meaningful ways of bringing the gospel alive in your own life, the life of your family and/or parish group?

Why not join us for a day in the Good Shepherd Centre
October 7th. 10am – 4pm.
Cost £5.

Bring a packed lunch. Tea/coffee provided.

To book or for more information contact
Breige O’Hare, The Family Ministry Office 028 9049 2777
e-mail down.connor@familyministry.freeserve.co.uk

Footprints Womens Centre

Footprints Womens Centre in Poleglass are holding the following courses/workshops. Anyone interested please ring 9092 3444.

Baptisms

Next baptisms will take place on Sunday 1st October 2006 at 2.00pm. Please note the next date available for Baptism is Sunday 15th October 2006. The next pre-Baptism instruction will be on Thursday 21st 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 Lucy Lousie & Katie Jane Hunter Amy Elizabeth Finnegan-Reid Kyla Maria McGivern Michael Pearce Hardy Jack Martin Fusco Niamh Erin McCotter who were recently baptised.

We Loved Them In Life

Collections

Last week's offertory collection amounted to £1013.87 and the Autumn Collection amounted to £1064.38