Parish of Ardstraw East

28th Sunday in Ordinary Time - 14th October 2018

CONTACTS AND CORRESPONDENCE

Rev. Roland Colhoun, CC, 41 Moyle Road, Newtownstewart, BT78 4AP

Tel: 028-8166 1445, Email: ardstraweast@derrydiocese.org

Rev. Brian Donnelly, PP, Tel: 028-8164 8283

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 Monday: 6pm, Oratory

Tues, Wed & Fri: Mass 10.00, Oratory. Friday: Adoration 10:30am-9:00pm

Thursday (18 Oct): Mass 7.30pm, Oratory (For Isobel Swain, Née Bonner, RIP)

Saturday (20 Oct): Vigil Mass, 6pm, Oratory:

John McGarvey RIP (1st Anniversary), Colette McGarvey RIP (2nd Anniversary)

CHRIST IS OUR WEALTH GOSPEL: ST MARK 10:17-30

In today’s Gospel, Jesus’ teaching on discipleship indicates a life-long faith journey:

∙ one that witnesses to the gift of God’s Word

∙ one that is inspired and guided by the gift of the Holy Spirit

∙ one that involves others (not just ourselves)

∙ one that is steadfast in its values, especially in challenging times

∙ one that paves the way to eternal wealth in God’s heavenly home.

A big part of the life-long journey of faith is handing on the faith. As adults, we need to make ongoing efforts to mature in the knowledge of what it is we believe as Catholics. Together, we can live, share and pass on our Catholic faith in a mature way; in other words, we can be true disciples of Christ, living out our baptismal call. If we have no hunger to understand or learn more about our faith, we allow our faith practices to become a routine. If we don’t stop to think of their true meaning or of their biblical roots, we end up reducing our discipleship to a set of rules by which we should abide. And yet, one of the true joys of our faith is the wealth and gift of Scripture, the sacred and Spirit-given writings that provide life-long guidance. This enables and encourages us in discipleship. Most of all, as baptised Catholics, we have God’s true desire for us to get to know Him, to be drawn to His ways every day and to experience His loving care in the struggles and crosses of our lives.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells us, 'It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.' This "punch-line" of Jesus to His disciples is a wake-up call to the challenges of discipleship, of building the kingdom of God. In reality, Jesus is telling us to get a true grip on the wealth of His Word. As the disciples of today, it is our duty to follow Christ. He will lead us towards the wealth of the eternal happiness that God offers in His heavenly home.

REQUIESCANT IN PACE

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

Caoimhe O'Brien, Eileen Mc Namee, James Walls, Mary Caldwell

SUNDAY COLLECTION: £1,305. Donation for Glenock: £20. Thank you very much!

OCTOBER – MONTH OF MISSION

Next Sunday, 21st October, Pope Francis is asking all Catholics worldwide to come together in celebration of World Mission Sunday. Every parish across the globe will pray for missionaries, especially those who work in some of the most impoverished and remote communities. The Mission Sunday collection is used to give financial support to the work that these missionaries do, spreading spread faith, hope and love. The theme for Mission Sunday is: ‘Together with young people, let us bring the Gospel to all’. See the Holy Father’s Message on www.wmi.ie

The Mission Sunday collection will be taken up as a second collection at our vigil and morning Masses next Saturday/Sunday. There is a green envelope in your envelope box for it. Thank you!

WEDDING PLANS – Prepare for married life at a Catholic Engaged Encounter Course, 23-24 March 2019. Our Lady and St Patrick’s Parish Centre, Ballymoney, Co. Antrim. For details or booking see www.marriageencounter.ie or ring 028-2763 8512.

DERRY SEARCH and COR STRABANE are hosting Prayer and Praise events on every second Sunday, next one on 21 Oct (4, 18 Nov; 2, 16 Dec) in the Search Centre, Unit 5, Iona Business Park, Derry. Music, prayer, testimonies, drama. Open to everyone age 14+.

CURSILLO – 3-day residential retreat at the Carmelite Retreat Centre, Derry, for men. Thursday-Sunday, 25-28 October. Contact 077-0806 6939 or 078-4110 0174.

ADOPTIVE FAMILIES NEEDED – Family Care Adoption Services is seeking adoptive families for babies, young children aged 3 years and older; and brothers and sisters. Phone 028-7136 8592 / 028-9069 1133, Mon-Fri, 9am- 5pm or email anne.ohagan@familycaresociety.org. Website: www.familycaresociety.co.uk

OCTOBER is a month of special devotion to Our Lady and, in particular, to praying the Holy Rosary. You are encouraged to make special effort to recite the Family Rosary in your homes during this month.

LEARN YOUR FAITH – YOUCAT programme for adults and young adults in the Sacred Heart Room of the Oratory, Monday evenings, 7-8pm. Pope John Paul Award candidates should attend.

THE BIBLE AND THE SACRAMENTS: An 11-week study on Tuesday mornings at 10.30am in the Cappagh Parish Centre, Killyclogher. In this study, the deep mysteries and truths of the sacraments come alive in a whole new way.

A BIBLICAL WALK WITH MARY: An 8-week study in St Joseph’s Hall, Omagh, Wed evenings, 8pm, repeated on Thurs mornings, 10.30am. This study will bring you on a unique pilgrimage, revealing our Holy Mother’s unique role in our lives.

PRAYER TO SAINT JOSEPH

Recite during March and October

To thee O Blessed Joseph we have recourse in our tribulations and whilst imploring the aid of thy most Holy Spouse we confidently invoke thy patronage also. By that love which united thee to the Immaculate Virgin Mother of God and by the fatherly affection with which thou didst embrace the Infant Jesus, we humbly beseech thee graciously to regard the inheritance which Jesus Christ purchased by His blood, and to help us in our necessities by thy powerful intercession.

Protect, O most provident guardian of the Holy Family, the chosen children of Jesus Christ. Ward off from us, O most loving father, all taint of error and corruption. Graciously assist us from heaven, O most powerful protector, in our struggles with the powers of darkness.

And as thou didst once rescue the child Jesus from imminent peril to His life, so now defend the Holy Church of God from the snares of her enemies and from all adversity.

Shield each one of us with thy unceasing patronage that, imitating thy example and supported by thy aid we may be enabled to live a good life, die a holy death and secure everlasting happiness in heaven. Amen.