L I T U R G I E S  F O R  T H I S  W E E K

Sunday: Mass, 11.00am, Glenock

Mon, Tues, Wed and Fri: Mass 10.00, Oratory. Friday: Adoration 10:30am-9pm

Thursday: Mass 7.30pm, Oratory. Adoration from 6.30pm, Confessions 7.15pm

Saturday (29 Sep): Vigil Mass, 6.00pm, Oratory

REQUIESCANT IN PACE

Our prayers are asked for the souls of those whose anniversaries occur at this time:

Gertrude Devine, Leo McLaughlin, Annie Ashenhurst, Vincent O'Goan

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GOSPEL: ST MARK 9:30-37

‘Anyone who welcomes one of these little children in my name, welcomes me;

anyone who welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me’ (Vs 37)

All of us are familiar with how a room can ‘light up’ when a child enters – the innocence, the charisma of a little child can captivate the attention of one and all and even dissolve adult conversations. A child, unknowingly and unwittingly, can carry a presence that captures hearts and minds. Indeed, the words of a child can be more profound than any other.

The above, very powerful words of Jesus in today’s Gospel passage are said in the context of a teaching by Jesus to His disciples on service and discipleship. This is one of a number of stories in the Gospels where we are told that Jesus chose little children to teach His first chosen disciples on the meaning of service and discipleship, on the kingdom of God. In a society where children were without status, power or rights, it is surely significant that Jesus chose little children to illustrate these teachings, rather than choosing ‘kings’ or those who would have been regarded as influential. Indeed, His choice of an innocent child represented not just children but all those whose status would have been disregarded in society at that time – the sick, the weak, the poor, the marginalised, the vulnerable. Jesus’ use of the word ‘welcome’ (Vs 37) in reality meant to serve, respect and treat others with dignity – to care for the wellbeing of the other person, especially the ‘child’, rather than looking out for one’s self and, perhaps, serving one’s own perceived status. Today, as the disciples of our time, and as servants to one another, let us place the basic needs of all those in our society who are vulnerable, in the hands of the Child Jesus, who chose the medium of little children to gear us towards the kingdom of heaven. We pray:

‘Suffer little children who come unto Me,

for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven’

(from the hymn Philip Greene, based on St Matthew 19:14)

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LEARN YOUR FAITH – A 20 week programme for adults and young adults has now started, in the Sacred Heart Room in the Oratory, on Monday evenings, 7:00-8.00pm.

Would you like to understand the Catholic faith better? Do you have answers to tough questions when you need them? Can you explain why you believe what the Church teaches? Then come along to our new one-hour YOUCAT programme on Monday evenings!

SUNDAY COLLECTION: £ 1188. Retreat Evening (St Michael Archangel), £645. Donation for Glenock, £20. Thank you!

BUS TO KNOCK – LEGION OF MARY: Sun 30 September. Picking up in Newtownstewart at 7:30am. To book, tel 028-8164 8436.

BUS TO KNOCK – Saturday 6 October. Leaving Plumbridge at 8.15am, picking up in Newtownstewart at 8.30am. Price £40, including breakfast and dinner. Tel Claire on 078-5494 8120 or 028-7139 8932 to reserve your seat.

PILGRIMAGE TO KNOCK: Human Life International (Ireland) are calling all families to Knock on Saturday 6 October. Rosary and Stations of Cross 2.00pm. Pilgrimage Mass 3.00pm, with Consecration of Families to Our Lady. 'An Evening of Celebration' with music, food and testimony, 4.30pm. Holy Hour, 6.00pm. Free bus, leaving Sainsburys Car Park, Derry, at 8.30am. Booking for bus essential. Tel 094 9375993 or email mail@humanlife.ie

DAY OF PRAYER FOR HEALING: Omagh Charismatic Prayer Group will host this Day in the Mellon Country Hotel, Omagh, on Sunday 21 October 2018. Registration from 9.00am. Mass at 3.30pm. Speaker: Fr Columba Jordan CFR. £25 (incl lunch / tea & coffee). Booking essential to facilitate catering. Tel: 028 8224 2092 (office hours) or mobile 078 7641 1435.

A BIBLICAL WALK WITH MARY:

Fr Christopher McDermott will host an 8-week study in St Joseph’s Hall, Omagh, on Wednesday evenings beginning 10 October. or Thursday mornings, starting 11 Oct. Call 028 8224 2092 to book a place. This biblical study of Our Lady will bring you on a unique pilgrimage, revealing our Blessed Mother’s unique role in God’s kingdom and in our lives. Everyone welcome!

CAPPAGH/BADONEY CCE: Music Workshops in St Peter's PS, Plumbridge on Sat 29 September with members of "Cherish the Ladies" for Intermediate level upwards. Whistle/Flute – Joanie Madden, Fiddle – Nollaig Casey, Tunes Workshop (any Instrument) – Mirella Murray.

Lá Spraoi - Fun Day intergrating the Irish language, Sat 29 September in Glenelly GFC Clubrooms, Plumbridge, 2.30-4.00pm.

Music Classes will resume early October – Banjo, Whistle, Fiddle & Accordian - Watch Facebook/Bulletins/Local Press for details. To enquire about all of the above contact Tom 028 816 48719 / Roisin 07789 697238.

LORETO CONVENT GRAMMAR SCHOOL Past Pupils’ Reunion: Saturday 6 October at 1.00pm in Kelly’s Inn, Garvaghey. A two-course lunch and tea/coffee will be provided for those who book. For further information, contact Joan 079 3437 7699, Briege 028 8076 0667 or Carmel 003538 7207 0415.

CANCER FOCUS NI Fundraising Fashion Show, Thursday 4 October, 7.30pm in Mellon Country Hotel. Tickets £10. Ladies' fashions from Style Boutique and Vixen, Omagh. Menswear from Kemps, Newtownstewart. Tel 07917 194 222.

RADIO MARIA IRELAND is an Irish-run Catholic talk-radio station. Prayer, Catechesis, music, talks, interviews and testimonies – commercial-free. Listen via TV on Saorview (Channel 210) and Freeview (Channel 826); FREE App “RADIO MARIA IRELAND”, streaming on www.radiomaria.ie or via PHONE – get live radio feed by calling 00-353-1 437 3277. You can join the growing faith family!