Year dedicated to St Paul 29th June 08-09
This year is the bimillennium anniversary of the birth of St Paul so
a whole year from 29th June is dedicated to him.
He was born in Tarsus in Silesia, modern Turkey. He had a sister inJerusalem and was sent there to be educated in the Law under Gamaliel. He was
a most devout Jew-fanatical he'd be called today. He kept all 613 of their lawsand thought Jesus was a heretical rabbi leading people astray. He began to persecute the followers of Jesus with all his might. he was there at the stoning of Stephen holding the cloaks of the stoners. Hearing Stephen pray to Jesus for their forgiveness infuriated him altogether. So he set out for Damascus to get permission
from the governor to go after the Christians there. While on the way there God intervened, threw him from his horse and asked "Saul, why are you persecuting Me?" he couldn't see a thing but said Who are you Lord?' That's a Jewish thing answering one question with another. He heard a voice saying "I am Jesus and you are persecuting me". Saul prayed and fasted and had his sight restored through Ananias laying hands on him. From then on he began spreading the Good News with the same zeal. Nothing could stop him. He travelled all around the region. We know a lot about him from the Acts of the Apostles and from his letters to the Churches he brought together. He was a Roman citizen by birth and inheritance. He was a tentmaker by trade-probably for the army. Galatia was a province conquered by the Gauls where they trained soldiers and rented them out to the provinces to fight their wars. There were often minor rebellions during the occupation and people had to be made submit. The military brought employment. Just like they do today.
His conversion though was complete -'I count it all as nothing compared to the glory waiting for us'. He was beaten, flogged, shipwrecked and imprisoned and eventually he asked to be sent to the emperor in Rome to plead his case. He was under house arrest there until his trial came up. Roman citizens were not crucified so he was beheaded. Paul was one of those who told us what to do about the Kingdom of God-how to dispose ourselves. God does all the work, we have only to let him, and live the good life. He gave us the lovely image of the body for the followers of Christ - maybe we should think about it more these days. He also gave us the image of the edifice-house whose corner, foundation stone is Jesus. One or two blocks don't make a building and one or two limbs don't make a body. He is a very exciting writer-living theology shining through the pages of his writings - and him struggling to get it to us in i the clearest possible way. And he did not have the Gospel texts to work from - they only came later. So now, do try and spend time with his works during this special year. A good place to begin reading the Bible is at Acts of the Apostles. It's very exciting
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Sun. 1st 9th in Ordinary time
Tues. 3rd St. Kevin
Sat. 7th Immaculate heart of Mary
Sun. 8th 10th of Ordinary Time
Mon. 9th St. Columcille
Wed. 11th St. Barnabas
Fri 13th St. Anthony of Padua
Sun 15 th 11th in Ordinary Time
Fri 20th The Irish Martyrs
Sun. 22nd 12th in Ordinary Time
Tue. 24th Birthday of John the Baptist
Sun 29th Ss Peter and Paul
This month of June is dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus." Behold the heart that has so loved all that it has spared nothing, even to exhausting and consuming itself to prove to them his love. In return I receive from the greater number nothing but ingratitude, contempt, irreverence, sacrilege and coldness". We must try to make amends somehow |
First Friday Calls in Modeligo/ Affane for June will be on the day before usual ie Thursday 5th
Friday 13th The usual evening Mass in Aftime will be offered for the intentions
of Fr Andrew McGrath from Affane who celebrates 70 years in the Priesthood. Fr Andrew lives in retirement in Los Angeles where he spent most of his ministry. Moladh go deo le Dia and heartiest congratulations
Saturday 14th We celebrate Christian Marriage; Jubilees and first ten years and everyone is welcome. Tea in the hall after Mass
We wish every success to all the students doing examinations. Thank you to Leaving and Junior Certs who participated in the Mass last weekend. Everyone is saying how lovely it was to see so many of you. It would be lovely if you did something special for World Youth Day. In the meantime we pray that you all will do well in the exams.
Portlaw Parish have organised a pilgrimage to Rome and Assisi for early July. There are a few vacancies Contact or Ned Hassett Parochial House.
Thank you to all Parents who brought the children for blessing on the 25th. You were all great. God bless everyone
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Welcome to Our New Members
Maeve Nora Curtin
Clodagh Lily Aldred
Andrew Brendan Cunningham
Thomas Gerald Morrissey
Dearbhla Ryan
May they grow strong in
Faith, Hope and Love
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Wedding Bells
Noreen Begley & Gerard Power
Lucy O'Shea & Neil Fitzgerald
Angela Donnelly & Darragh Wilkinson
May they have a long and happy life together
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Please remember in your prayers those who have died recently
Breda baker, née Duffy, Villierstown
Mary Flynn,née Fitzgerald, Redgate
Lord, welcome these members of your household to eternal joy and peace and comfort and console those who have been bereaved.
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