We like to label and differentiate. Whether the tags are politically, racially or morally motivated, we like to feel different from ‘them’ or ‘those people’. If we look closely we can see that we have become strangely far more judgmental and intolerant in our supposedly more liberal world. Who are the weeds you would want to pull up and hurl on the fire? Drug dealers? Child molesters? Dead beat parents who neglect and abandon their families? Murderers? Corporate fraudsters? The list could go on, to more questionable lists which might stir up some debate. Who do you honestly class as weeds – a waste of space? The church also is a mixture of weeds and wheat. There are many people who want a wheat only church: a congregation purified of all weakness. Generous, punctual enthusiastic, volunteering help and constantly involved. But we do not have a perfect church, nor will we ever. The parable of the grain and weeds is no gardening lesson. It’s a lesson about who should judge and a reminder that we can grow and change. Does God care less about a weed than a flower? Maybe, as we meet each person we could imagine them with a divine sign over them reading ‘Work in progress’.

Copyright: Fr. T. Cox (Intercom)

Update on Planning for the Future

At the start of May our parish was £4120 short of the target set for the parish in the diocesan campaign Planning for the Future. Since then we have received donations of £3373.60 which leaves us £746.40 short of this target. If successful, before the end of August we would be eligible for a return of £6713 for the parish. When I (Fr Martin Magill PP) wrote to parishioners at the start of the campaign I identified ‘The need to reach out to, engage with and involve young people more directly with the life of the parish. To meet this need, consideration is being given to the employment of a full-time faith development worker to work directly with children and young people’. That need is still as great. Therefore next Sunday 27th July there will be a second collection for this campaign.

Daily Readings

You can access the daily readings on the parish website:

World Youth Day 08

Celebrate this great event for young people with Pope Benedict – in the parish of St Luke’s (Twinbrook) Saturday 19th July 9pm. Mass celebrated by Bishop Donal McKeown at 10pm. Celebration of Youth in Christ in music, drama and personal testimony with input from young people from Youth 2000, Focolare movement, Youth Initiatives and the Neocatechumenal Way. At 12 midnight live satellite relay of the Papal Mass from Sydney on to two screens in St Luke’s church. Car parking will be attended and there will be some light refreshments during the night. The Mass will end about 2.30am.

Solemn Vespers and Missa Cantata

There will be Solemn Vespers (evening prayer of the church) and Missa Cantata (sung Mass) in St Paul’s church, Falls Road on Friday 15th August, the feast of the Assumption. Vespers at 7pm and Missa Cantata at 7.30pm. All welcome.

Change of Mass time July & August

Starting this Friday during July and August the evening Mass on Monday and Friday has been suspended until September. Mass will be celebrated each day at 10am Monday – Saturday as usual and on Wednesday at 7.30pm as usual.

Evening Mass

For anyone wishing to attend an evening Mass during the week Mass is celebrated in:

St Michael's: 7.30pm on Tuesday evenings

Holy Spirit: 7.00pm Monday - Friday 

Queen of Peace: 7.00pm Tuesdays and Thursdays.