Sixth Sunday of Easter

Today’s First Reading (1 John 4:7-10) is a tricky one. Having just told us the wonderful news that ‘God is love’ (v8), John now seems to undo it all by saying that God ‘sent his Son to be atoning sacrifice for our sins’ (v20). Here we have that seemingly awful image of God, as the one who demands appeasement for the sins of humanity by the death of his beloved Son. So which is it? It can’t be both, can it? How can a God who is love possibly want the one he loves to be slaughtered to appease him? To put it bluntly: is there some way of honouring the text without dishonouring God? Now you can try to resolve the dilemma by saying it is God’s love for us that compels him to send his son to be killed. But, the possibility that God could love human beings more than his ‘beloved’ son stretches the mind that little bit too far, don’t you think? If God, indeed, is love, and totally independent in how he expresses it, then why on earth would he demand sacrificial appeasement? Does that not smack of hardness of heart, even vindictiveness? You may introduce justice into the equation and claim that divine justice demands it. But is that not making love subservient to justice? And love is greater. Indeed, as Paul says in 1 Cor 12:13 ‘the greatest of all is love’. Once God forgives, justice goes out the door. So, are love and demands for appeasement mutually exclusive? If you find out, let me know.

Copyright: Fr. Tom Cahill (Intercom)

Daily Readings

You can access the daily readings on the parish website:

Masses during the week

Please note the Masses during the week will be as usual
10am Mon – Thurs, 7.30pm Friday.

Parish Drumalis Retreat

The parish retreat to Drumalis will take place on 30th-31st May. Leaving from the Church car park on Saturday 30th May at 2.30pm and arriving back on Sunday at 7pm. Come and join us for a weekend retreat in the beautiful Drumalis, all rooms ensuite, lifts etc. If interested please contact Kathleen Dineen 9068 3277.

Cemetery Sunday

City – Sunday 17th May at 3pm

Hannahstown – Sunday 31st May at 3pm

Rock – Sunday 7th June

First Holy Communion

The primary 4 children from our parish school will be celebrating the sacrament of First Holy Communion on Sunday 17th May at 2pm.

Vision Seminar

Discovering the power of the Beatitudes

Led by Fr. Flann Lynch O.F.M. Cap. in Holy Family Parish Hall, 120 Cavehill Road, Belfast on Saturday 16th May 2009 from 10.00am – 5.00pm and Sunday 17th May 2009 from 9.45am – 2.00pm. Registration from 9.30am on 16th May Cost: £5.00 Registration Fee. An envelope will be provided for an offering to support Fr. Flann and “Vision” – please give generously. Tea and Coffee will be provided – please bring your own lunch. To ensure a place in advance please phone: Marian Murray 9145 1976 Larry Kelly 9077 9885 Therese McCrudden 9075 5629

St Mary’s CBGS – 40th Year Anniversary

St Mary’s C.B. Grammar School 40th Year Celebrations – There will be an Anniversary Formal in the Europa Hotel celebrating 40 years on the Glen Road Site
on Friday 5th June 2009.

Preparing for marriage?

Take time out to deepen your relationship with a marriage preparation course. To reserve a place in Thornhill Centre, Derry, 6th-7th. June.

Contact:
Kieran & Sally Casey -  Tel 028 2763 8512 or
Emmet & Mary McCluskey - Tel 028 7930 0340

Pilgrimage to the Holy Land

A rare and privileged opportunity to fly direct from Belfast on a 10 day pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Departing Saturday 19th September and returning 28th September 2009. Flight to the Holy Land with all professionally guided coaching tours, accommodation, breakfast and evening meals £1090 inclusive.

For more information contact Charlie Gillespie 075 3333 0756

Diocesan Liturgical Seminar

The Diocesan Liturgical Seminar will be held on Saturday 6th June 10.30am – 4.30pm in St Anne’s Parish Centre, Kingsway, Finaghy. The Seminar is entitled ‘What I received from the Lord’ and is presented by Mgr Paul Watson from Birmingham, price £5.

Lough Derg

Would you like a stress free weekend away to a beautiful island, quiet time for prayer and reflection, bus leaving Catholic Chaplaincy on Friday 12 June at 8.30am and returning approximately 1.00pm Sunday 14 June.

For further information contact
Tony 9081 3272, 9081 2712 or
Rosaleen 0781 675 6192

Adoption

Could you make a child happy again
after a difficult start in life?

Family Care Society is presently seeking adoptive families for children aged between 2 – 6 years and who need the love and attention of a caring and understanding family.
Could this be you?

Blood Transfusion

Coming to St. Michael’s Parish Centre
on Friday 22nd May
between 2pm-4.30pm & 5.45pm-8pm.
New Donors needed.

CBS Greenhouse Project

CBS Secondary School, Glen Road, have a wide range of plants, baskets & tubs for sale Mon-Thurs: 3.30pm-5pm, Fri: 2.30pm-4.30pm. Refill service available.