| 24th
Sunday in Ordinary Time
|
The Triumph of the Cross
If Jesus had been hanged instead of crucified would we be celebrating the Triumph of the Rope? No irreverence is intended here. It is a serious question. The symbolism of hanging from a rope would not be as strong, nor the image as powerful, as that of an outstretched man, naked pinned in agony to a cross. Yet redemption would just as surely have been achieved. The means of death was not important. The fact of the death was.
While today’s feast focuses on the symbol, the external sign, we cannot be blind to what really counted: Jesus’ love for his Father. Concentrating on, and glorifying, the cross can be dangerous, even unchristian. It can give the impression that the pain is all important, not the love that overcomes the pain. Had Jesus not had to die for what he said and did would he still be Saviour? An unqualified yes to that! If it was his love that brought salvation, then the suffering was tragically unnecessary. But because of our sorry state, it was inevitable. That’s why today’s Gospel reading (John 3:13-17) tells that the Father sent his Son into this world, not to condemn it but to save it. That mission is what triumphed, not the cross. Without the love in his heart Jesus would not have had his cross to bear. He would not have had to face the enemy to the bitter end – and he would not have been a man to take seriously.
Copyright: Fr. T. Cahill (Intercom)
|
|
|
|
 |
| Daily
Readings
You
can access the daily readings on the
parish website:
|
|
|
|
|
|
FEAST DAYS OF THE WEEK
| Monday 15th |
Our Lady of Sorrows. Mary, standing by the cross, ‘suffered intensely with her only begotten Son and united herself as his Mother to his sacrifice, consenting with love to the offering of the victim who was born of her’, whom she also offered to the eternal Father.
|
| Tuesday
16th |
St Cornelius became Pope in 251 and died in exile at Civitavecchia in 253. Patron for cattle and domestic animals.
St Cyprian, 210-258, bishop of Carthage, teacher and preacher, martyred. |
| Wednesday
17th |
St Robert Bellarmine, 1542-1621, Jesuit, Cardinal, Bishop of Capua, involved in theological controversies of the time. Patron of catechists. |
| Friday
19th |
St Januarius, bishop of Benevento, was martyred at Naples in 305, with six companions. |
| Saturday
20th |
Ss Andrew Kim Taegon, Paul Chong Hasang and Companions. Andrew Kim Taegon, the first Korean priest, Paul Chong Hasang, a catechist and one hundred and one others were martyred during the persecutions of the Church in Korea, 1839-1867. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Biggest Hospice Coffee Morning 2008
on
This Thursday 18th September
in
St Oliver Plunkett Parish Hall
from
10.30am -2.30pm
Come along and support this worthwhile cause in aid of N.I. Hospice.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Challenging Arthritis Course
This is a six week self management course which focuses on skills to help people mange their arthritis on a day-to-day basis. Begins on Tuesday 30th September in the Maureen Sheehan Centre, Albert Street for 10.30am -1pm.
|
|
|
|
|
Marriage Encounter
Marriage Encounter is a weeked away (Friday 8pm to Sunday 5pm) for married couples of all ages with a stable relationship. Couples explore, in complete privacy, how to come to a deeper mutual understanding of each other.
The next marriage encounter weekend is on 26th – 28th September in Drummond Hotel, Ballykelly, Co Derry. For more information 2763 8512 or www.marriageencounterireland.ie |
|
|
|
|
 |
Bible Alive
The Bible Alive for October
is now on sale in the sacristy. Price £1.95. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beginning Experience
Belfast Beginning Experience provides support and is open to all who are Widowed, Separated and Divorced. Weekly meetings will be held each Wednesday 8-10pm in St Bride’s Hall, 38 Derryvolgie Avenue, for 10 weeks. Starting with an information evening on Wednesday 17th September at 8pm. |
|
|
|
|
|
| Belfast Pioneer Council
Belfast Pioneer Council are holding their annual Mass in Saint Anne’s Church on Monday 22nd September 2008 at 7.30pm. A Bus is organised to bring people to the Mass. For details ring Anne 9061 5461. All welcome. |
|
|
|
|
|
| Mass
Times From September
| Monday, Wednesday, Friday: |
10am & 7.30pm |
| Tuesday & Thursday: |
10am |
| Saturday: |
10am
& 6.30pm Vigil |
| Sunday: |
10am, 11.30am & 1pm |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
University Students - The Catholic Chaplaincy at Queen's Belfast
The Catholic Chaplaincy, 28 Elmwood Avenue, re-opens on Sunday 28th September for 8.00pm Mass. The Chaplains' cafe and the rest of the chaplaincy facilities (Corpus Christi Chapel, library, lounge and prayer room) re-open on Monday 29th September at 9.00am
Daily Mass - Monday to Friday at 12.15pm
Sunday Mass - 12.00 noon and 8.00pm
Welcome night for all new students - Wednesday 8th October 7.00pm
The dedication of Studies Mass will be on Sunday 12th October at 8.00pm
Please sign up with the Chaplaincy as part of the Online Enrolment Procedures |
|
|
|
|
| Baptisms
|
Next baptisms will take place on Sunday 21st September 2008 at 2.00pm. Please note the next date available for Baptism is Sunday 19th October 2008. The next pre-Baptism instruction will be on Thursday 25th September 2008 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
Odhran Patrick Gilbride
Lorcan Michael Gilbride
Cormac Pol McCullough
Caoimhin Daniel McKee
Odhran Gerard Pogson
Jamie Bernard Mallon
who were recently baptised.
|
| |
|
|
|
| We
Loved Them In Life
We offer our sympathy and prayerful support to the families of those parishioners who died recently:
John Curran, Upper Suffolk Road
We
pray for the happy repose
of those whose anniversaries occur around
this time:
Catherine Baxter
Maureen Curran
Winnie Flannagan
Seamus Hardy
Rose & Edward Hughes
Anthony Kerr
Briege Maxwell
Thomas McAllister
Bob McLarnon
Peter McShane
|
|
|
|
| Collections
 |
Last
week’s offertory collection
amounted to
£1,343.54
The Monthly Stipend
amounted to £1,139.61
There will be second collection next week – Autumn collection
We thank you for your on going support
|
|
|
|
| Back
to top |
