Fifteenth Sunday in ordinary time

It is odd that many of us would not like to be called a “good Samaritan”. The idea conjures up images of a busybody, someone who interferes in business that is not their own. We would rather be a priest or a Levite, but not a good Samaritan. This, however, is the model of Christian living that Jesus presents to us time and time again in the pages of the Gospel. There is a constant invitation to reach-out. We are called to live our lives as a community of believers: the church is a “sacred convocation” united in the love of Jesus Christ. Our Christian faith cannot be lived in isolation from others; our religion is not solely a private matter. It affects others by the way we live and interact with others in all aspects of our lives.

The Good Samaritan in the text of the Gospel is not presented as someone who is extraordinary. He is not part of the establishment as other figures are. He is a sojourner on the road who was moved with compassion over the sufferings of his fellow traveller.

The Church is often described as a pilgrim people or a people on a journey through the winding paths of life. Our final destination is the House of the Father in Heaven. We share this journey with all kinds of different people. Some, like our family and friends, walk with us for significant parts of our journey. Others pop in and pop out in different ways leaving their own mark.

The call of the Gospel is “go and do the same yourself”. If we remember to see Christ in others we will be good Samaritans in the most positive sense of the expression, almost without even knowing it. And it is very true that we might never know the moment when we will be in need of the Good Samaritan ourselves.

“Master what must I do to inherit eternal life?” asked the lawyer. “Love the Lord your God and your neighbour as yourself.” How can we love the God whom we have never seen if we do not love our brothers and sisters we meet and see everyday?

(Fr Tom Cahill, Intercom)

DAILY READINGS

You can access the daily readings on the parish website:

Children in Crossfire

Children in Crossfire are recruiting participants for the
Derry Waterside Half Marathon in September 2010 and for the Barcelona Half Marathon in February 2011.

For more information on either event,
please contact Sarah on 028 7126 9898 or e-mail events@childrenincrossfire.org

Pilgrimage to Knock

Luxury return travel by coach to Knock
Saturday 25th September 2010

Price £130 per person to include: one night accommodation at the Knock House Hotel (£25 single room supplement), 2 course lunch at the Killyhevlin Hotel, Enniskillen on Saturday and High Tea at the Knock House Hotel on Saturday evening. Bed, breakfast and Sunday lunch at Knock House Hotel and High Tea at the Killhevlin Hotel.

Pick up: Saturday 25th September at 10am
from St Oliver Plunkett Church.

For more information or to book a place
phone Marie 028 9030 6930, 10am - 4pm Monday to Friday.

Coffee Morning & Book Sale - A word of thanks....

A number of parishioners availed of the opportunity to have a chat and a cup of tea after last Sunday's masses.  In addition to that, many others made good use of the second hand book stalls that were also present.  As a result of that, a total of £131.69 was raised this will go to Trócaire’s Gaza Appeal. 

Go raibh mile maith agaibh

Mass Times