September
Month of the Holy Cross

It’s back to school time. Congratulations to all those who got their results. Well done. We think of teachers, new pupils, and all those returning to school after the long holidays. Media thinks it would be great if the Church withdrew from education—forgetting that the Church is all of us together! There is really every reason why people should know their God. (they might make up one of their own). Teachers teach religion all day long even if nobody realises this. “We teach religion all day long. We teach it in arithmetic, by accuracy. We teach it in language, by learning to say what we mean—yes, yes or nay, nay. We teach it in history, by humanity. We teach it in Geography, by breadth of mind. We teach it in handicraft, by thoroughness. We teach it in astronomy, by reverence. We teach it by good manners to one another, and by truthfulness in all things. We teach students to build the Church of Christ out of the actual relationships in which they stand to their teachers and to their schoolfellows.” Anon: from Short prayers for the Long Day.

This is the month of the Holy Cross. The cross is our banner. During August we were having lessons from the Prophet Ezekiel read to us at the week day Masses. Even in his time, he was told to mark a ‘thau’ on the foreheads of those who were repentant, for protection, so nothing would happen to them. Thau = capital T. We use it as a blessing too and as a sign of protection.

We celebrate Mary’s Birthday on the 8th and her sorrows on 15th. Why would God, who lacks nothing go to such trouble and put himself through all the helplessness that goes with being a small baby, depending on parents, and put himself through such a humiliating death? He must have wanted to give us something that was his alone—life with God, (sanctifying grace we used to call it). We couldn’t even dare to think about it and there is no way we are able to receive it all because of sin. The only one who could receive it fully on our (human) behalf is Mary—she has no sin. She is there as our Mother and as our model.
We celebrate Michael, Gabriel and Raphael Archangels. These are powerful messengers. Michael is the Guardian of the Church traditionally and needs to be on overtime. Gabriel stands before God—was the first to bring the good news to earth. And Raphael is the ‘matchmaker’. We need to pray to them all to mind us in the times we are living in.

Study Theology from home with the Dominicans

Full programme, accredited up to BTh level, designed for lay people who wish to know more about their Faith
20 Modules taken in your own time leading to Certificate, Diploma or Degree. People are doing it for School and hospital Chaplaincies. Some are doing it in their retirement.
The Priory Institute
Tallaght Village Dublin 2401 4048124 or
www.prioryinstitute.com

Knock Marriage Introductions Bureau
The aim of the Bureau is to introduce people considering marriage to a suitable marriage partner. Over 800 marriages have taken place as a result of these introductions. If you are searching, why not consider applying?
The Bureau at Knock Co Mayo Phone 094 9375960 or visit website
www.knockmarriagebureau.com and read about its workings.

This is the Parish Mission Statement

St Mary’s Parish Cappoquin is a Catholic, Christian, welcoming community guided by the Holy Spirit.

We share our time, talents and treasures in responding to the spiritual needs of our neighbours to promote God’s message of faith, hope and love.