Fifth Sunday In Ordinary Time
The street-wise say that God created man in his own image and likeness, and then man returned the compliment. The incident in today’s Gospel reading (Mark 1:29-39), where Simon and his companions go out ‘hunting’ for Jesus, reminds me of that quip. The Greek verb used in verse 36 is katadiókó. A very strong word it usually implies, a hostile intent. So ‘hunting down’ Jesus more accurately conveys what Simon was doing.
While people slept, Jesus made his way unhindered by the darkness to a deserted place to pray. People considered such places devoid of human beings, as abodes of demons. Having just cast out many demons he now follows them to their dwelling. He has no fear. No evil can touch him. For Jesus, even an abode of evil is a place for prayer! That’s a powerful and dramatic message: there are no-God-free or prayer-free zones in life.
Back to the hunt again. Why would Simon want to hunt down Jesus? Well he has just left everything to follow him, and now Jesus has disappeared. This doesn’t fit the image of Jesus that Simon has. Finding him gone in the morning is a shock. This is the first time it has happened. What does it mean? Has Jesus run off? Is he a fraud, or a loony? Has Simon made an awful fool of himself in abandoning his livelihood for him? So, in doubt, frustration, and anger he sets out to find him. He’s looking for Jesus, but on his own terms.
Copyright: Fr Tom Cahill (Intercom) |
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| Daily
Readings
You
can access the daily readings on the
parish website:
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St Oliver Plunkett Pre-School Playgroup
St Oliver Plunkett Pre-School Playgroup is still accepting application forms for the School Year 2009/10. Call to the Playgroup, situated in St Oliver Plunkett Primary School grounds, to complete an application form (please bring child’s birth certificate with you).
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World Day of the Sick
Wednesday 11th February is the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. On this day in 1858, Our Lady first appeared to the 14 year old Bernadette Soubirous. Later Bernadette was to learn that the mysterious Lady was the Blessed Virgin and to hear from her lips, ‘I am the Immaculate Conception.’In 1992 Pope John Paul II instituted the World Day of the Sick to be held on the commemoration of Our Lady of Lourdes. We pray for all the sick of our parish, those at home and in hospital. Copies of a message from Bishop Treanor for World Day of the Sick are available in the church porches.
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Historical Society
The Historical Society is meeting on
Friday 13th February at 7.30pm
in the Colin Glen Trust.
This month’s topic is
‘Father Park’s Super 8 Movies’
(Holy Child Boys’ School trip to Dublin 1966)
guest speaker Mr Robert Pimley.
All welcome.
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Zambia
Two young members from our parish, Damien Boyle and Patrick Moran will be travelling to Zambia on 1 April with St Mary’s CBGS. They will be having a Church door collection after all the Masses on 21st & 22nd February. These dedicated young men will spend two weeks working with some of the most vulnerable members of Zambian society including AIDS orphans and street children. Project Zambia is a justice programme initiated by St Mary’s. It is not a charity trip but an opportunity for two of our parishioners to show solidarity and live out Christ’s message of love for your neighbour. |
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Church Shop
From this weekend, 7/8 February,
there will be a small shop at the rear porch
after each Mass selling mass cards, medals, rosaries, etc. |
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DCPA – Pioneer Association
The Belfast Region of the Pioneer Association is holding an Annual General Meeting in Clonard Monastery on Sunday 15 February at 3pm. An invitation is extended to adult Pioneers (over 18 years) from the parish to come to the meeting and help spread the message of the Pioneers, and build up the Pioneer Association in our region-Greater Belfast and a few other parishes. |
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Service of Light and Commitment
The year 7s from the parish primary school will celebrate the Service of Light and Commitment on Tuesday 24th February at 7pm in preparation of the Sacrament of Confirmation. |
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Thank You
Fr Devlin would like to thank you all for your kindness on Tuesday night. He would like to thank all involved in the music, liturgy, offertory procession, and all who contributed to the Mass and the catering it was a very emotional and enjoyable night. He wishes to thank you all for your kind gift and will keep you all in his prayers and he asks you to keep him in your prayers.
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| Baptisms
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Next baptisms will take place on Sunday 15th February 2009 at 1.30pm. Please note the next date available for Baptism is Sunday 5th April 2009. The next pre-Baptism instruction will be on Thursday 19th February 2009 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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Newly Baptised
We welcome into our parish family
Jessica Michelle Iona McCrory
Sophia Maria Margaret Glennon/Gregg
Connall Brian McStravick
Charlotte Marie Coleman
Conor Christopher Mooney
who were recently baptised.
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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:
We
pray for
the happy repose of those whose anniversaries
occur around this time:
Jim O’Loan
James & Ellen Doherty
Norman Bennett
Arthur McConville
Sadie McWilliams
Thomas Russell
Michael & Sarah Marley
Joe Short
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| Collections
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The Offertory collection
for
amounted to £1,082.53
The Monthly Stipend
amounted to £1,354.17
There will be a second collection next week – Sick and Retired Priests
The Apostolic Society would like to thank all who have made donations, in the Apostolic Box in the church porch during 2008
the amount of £2,707.85
was donated. All donations go directly to the foreign missions
Thank you
all for your generous support.
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