| 25th
Sunday in Ordinary Time
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Biologist JBS Haldane once remarked that the universe is not only queerer than we might suppose, but queerer than we can suppose. Something similar might be said of God – though phrased more elegantly. Perhaps St Augustine’s comment that ‘God is younger than all else’ fits the bill. Straightway it puts us on a collision course with logic: how can the one, who is ever ancient, be ever new? Not surprising then that this ‘illogical’ God acts in some rather strange ways. God admits this in today’s First Reading Isa 55:6-9…’my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways…’(v.8). But shouldn’t God be the norm, and not us? If so, then it’s our ways that are strange and not God’s. Is it because of our strange ways of doing things that today’s Gospel reading (Matt 20:1-16) seems unfair, until the denarius drops? When it does, what seems unjust to our narrow way of looking at things turns out to be incredibly generous. All the workers receive a fair wage, some a very generous one. If this story bugs us then we have two issues, at least, to deal with: accepting God’s ‘right’ to do as God pleases – which may not be too easy depending on how close to the bone God operates – and accepting God’s challenge to us to live generously. Only in facing these can we begin to see the heights where God’s thoughts are found (v.9).
Copyright: Fr. T. Cahill (Intercom)
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| Daily
Readings
You
can access the daily readings on the
parish website:
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FEAST DAYS OF THE WEEK
| Tuesday
23rd |
St
Pius of Pietreicina (Padre
Pio) died
23 September 1968, Capuchin
Friar, stigmatist, confessor,
friend of all who suffer.
St
Eunan (Adomnan) was
born in Donegal 624 and
died in 704. He became monk
in Iona and was chosen abbot
there in 679. One of his
writing is the Life of Colum
Cille. |
| Thursday
25th |
St
Finbarr came
to Loch Irce (Gougane Barra)
and probably lived there
as a hermit. When disciples
gathered round him he moved
to Cork at the mouth of
the Lee where he founded
a monastery which became
a famous centre of learning. |
| Friday
26th |
Ss
Cosmos and Damian
early martyrs in Syria,
patron of physicians. Known
as the Anargyri (the holy
moneyless ones) since they
never took money for their
medical services. |
| Saturday
27th |
St
Vincent de Paul, 1580
- 1660, committed to care
of the disadvantaged and
the oppressed, founded the
Congregation of the Missions
(the Vincentians) and the
Daughters of Charity (1633),
the first sisters to work
outside their convents in
active service. He is the
patron of all charitable
works. |
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Priesthood Sunday will be celebrated next
Sunday 28th September. Priesthood Sunday
is a celebration and affirmation of the
men who commit their lives to the Lord and
the Church via the Sacrament of Holy Orders.
It is an opportunity for Catholic parishioners
to thank, affirm and share their love and
support for our priests.
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Parish Pilgrimage to Knock
The
Parish pilgrimage to Knock will take place
next Saturday 27th September and Sunday
28th September. Bus will leave the church
at 10.00am on Saturday. There are two places
available, anyone interested please contact
Pat Rooney 9029 7200.
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St
Oliver Plunkett/St Matthew's Ecumenical
Group
The Ecumenical
Group will meet on Monday 22nd September
at 7.3opm in the convent for scripture study,
social interaction and a cup of tea. Come
along if you would be interested in joining
the group, or if you would like to attend
just this meeting. You will be made most
welcome.
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Bible Alive
The Bible Alive for October
is now on sale in the sacristy. Price £1.95. |
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Challenging
Arthritis Course
This
is a six week self management course
which focuses on skills to help people
manage their arthritis on a day-to-day
basis. Begins on Tuesday 30th September
in the Maureen Sheehan Centre, Albert
Street for 10.30am - 1.00pm
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| Blood
Donation
Bloodmobile
coming to
Andersonstown Leisure Centre
on Wednesday 8th October
between 2.00pm - 4.30pm
and 5.45pm - 8.00pm.
New
donors needed |
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| Mass
Times From September
| Monday, Wednesday, Friday: |
10am & 7.30pm |
| Tuesday & Thursday: |
10am |
| Saturday: |
10am
& 6.30pm Vigil |
| Sunday: |
10am, 11.30am & 1pm |
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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 |
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| Baptisms
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Baptisms today at 2.00pm. Next baptisms
will take place on Sunday 5th October 2008
at 2.00pm. Please note the next
date available for Baptism is Sunday 2nd
November 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.
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| We
Loved Them In Life
We offer our sympathy
and prayerful support to the families of
those parishioners who died recently:
Fergus
McNeill, Shaws Road
Rose Daniels, Hillhead Cottages
Hugh (Junior) McCalliskey
We
pray for
the happy repose of those whose anniversaries
occur around this time:
Betty
Blake
Bridget Boyd
John Burns
Annie Carlin
Marie Culleton
Rose & Edward Hughes
Oliver McCartney
Maryanne & Joseph McKay
Annie & Dan O'Connor
Joseph Taggart
Bertha & Patrick Watson
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| Collections
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Last
week’s offertory collection
amounted to
£1,268.71
There
will be a second collection today - Autumn
collection
We thank
you for your on going support
The Apostolic
Society are having their annual church door
collection next weekend 27th - 28th September
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