The Deep End

Martha and Mary

 Jesus visits the home of Martha.  For such a short Gospel passage, this text has created much discussion among biblical scholars.  It seems everyone in this story is breaking the rules:  Jesus rebukes his host, Mary does not help her sister, and Martha is not sitting at Jesus’s feet like a good disciple.   Luke’s Gospel is about ‘reversal’: what you expect to happen does not happen, often the opposite happens!  Confused?  Mary is positioned here as a disciple learning from her Teacher.  Martha is one who is trying to serve through ‘many tasks’. Throughout his Gospel, Luke places a special emphasis on the wider circle of Jesus’ disciples, and names the women who follow Him.  Luke is perhaps reminding us in this text that being a follower of Jesus requires an upset of the norms and a reversal of roles.

This story occurs in Luke immediately after the Good Samaritan, where the importance of service and action are clearly emphasised.  It seems unfair that Martha is being told off for serving those who come to her.  If Jesus arrived with a hungry entourage, what host would not be stressed out! Jesus frees Martha from these duties, not because they are not important, but so that she too can be nourished by him.  Frantic activity is never good or sustainable for us.    

Let today’s Gospel be a reminder that when we are bogged down in the craziness around us we can sit and listen to Him.  Then we may be better prepared for the challenges that we face, whether they be in our homes or our wider communities.

Jane Mellett

Email: mellettj@gmail.com

THE NEWSLETTER OF ST FERGAL’S PARISH, BALLYWALTRIM, BRAY,

CO WICKLOW.  Parish Website: www.stfergalsbray.ie

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MASS INTENTIONS

Saturday Vigil Mass 20th July 2019

7.00pm.  Sheila Kavanagh (Anniv)

                  Mary Keating (Anniv)                                                                       

Sunday 21st  July 2019

8.00am   Anne & Billy Walsh (Anniv)

                 A Special Intention                                           

10.30am John Bailey (Rec dec)

Derek Rynhardt (Rec Dec)

Grainne O’Donovan (Rec Dec)

Thomas McGrath (Rec Dec)

Peter Kelly (Anniv)

Winifred O’Neill (Anniv)

Maureen Reddington (B.Day Rem)

Kevin Moody (B.Day Rem)

We are also are also asked to remember in our prayers:- Aidan Kane and Pat Duffin.   Those who die in grace go no further from us than to God, and God is always very near.

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LAST WEEKEND’S COLLECTIONS

Last weekend The Share Collection amounted to €795.00 The Family Offering Collection amounted to: €520.00 

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Cake Sale & Raffles 2019

NEXT weekend the 27th & 28th of July, the seventh of our Monthly Cake Sales, will take place.   The proceeds of these sales go toward the day-to-day running costs of the Parish.   If you could bake a cake (or two) for us we would be most grateful.      Your ongoing support is greatly appreciated.  Thank you.

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Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

For Abraham, hospitality was a sacred duty, and in performing it he found he was welcoming the Lord.   Martha & Mary also made the Lord welcome, but each in her own way- Martha by serving, Mary by her listening to the Lord’s words.

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 Church Collections

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First Collection

The First collection at Sunday Mass and Holy Days of Obligation, coupled with Christmas & Easter Dues, goes to support all priests in the Diocese including those in our area, and also the sick & retired priests, and those working in the poorest parishes of the Diocese.

Share Collection

The Share Collection at Sunday Mass and Holy Days of Obligation is for the Diocesan Development Fund SHARE and supports parishes in the greatest need and pastoral services throughout the Diocese.

St. Fergal’s Parish Funds

Our parish is primarily funded from the regular contributions by parishioners via Standing Orders, Envelopes or direct payments. It is this fund which pays for the day-to-day running costs for the maintenance of the church and parish buildings and funding for the many pastoral activities throughout the parish.

A very sincere thank you for your support of all the various Church Collections.

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QUIET PLEASE !

Once Again Fr Larry has been approached by a number of parishioners complaining about the level of noise/talking in the Church before and after all Masses.

We ask that a ‘Spirit of Silence” be maintained on entering the Church, so as to allow for quiet, preparation/thanksgiving reflection time for all of our parishioners.

 Thank you for your

co-operation.

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Abbey Mass & Family Festival:

Wicklow parish will host their annual outdoor Mass in the Abbey Grounds in Wicklow Town TODAYSunday 21st July at 11.30amfollowed by refreshments. The Family Fun Festival will begin at 1.00pmand finish in the evening time around 6.00pm.    Bring along a family picnic or enjoy the food stalls on the day as well as free activities for every family member to enjoy such as; scavenger hunt, face-painting, garden games, hip-hop dancers, line/set dancing and live music along with local artists.  It’s going to be great – look forward to seeing you there.

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Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament

On Friday Mornings from 10.00am to 1.00pm

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Thought for the day

Being busy is a sort of cultural value among us and rightly. “If you want something done, ask a busy person.” But, of course, the question of balance arises. There are indeed other needs and other hungers. These include simple human things like time for friends. Even hospitality which is always work can get in the way of really meeting. Something similar can be said of time for reflection, meditation and prayer. Time is not really the issue, after all, we manage to find time to waste on TV, tablets etc. It is more a question of insight, choice and decision, lest we overlook or even los “the better part.”

Prayer

Help us, Lord, to listen to the stirrings of our hearts. When we meet friends, help us to really meet. When we meet you, help us too to be present to you

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Volunteers:St Vincent De Paul urgently need volunteers in the areas of Dublin, Wicklow and Kildare to work in assistance with individuals and families for just once a week.   This will be for about 3 hours, day or night, (whatever suits you best).  Full training and support provided – for more information Tel: 01 8198405 or

visit: www.SVP.ie / volunteer@svp.ie/

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Novena to St Anthony

On Tuesday Mornings during

the 9.30am Mass.

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READINGS AND INTENTIONS

Mon 22nd  – Sat 20th July 2019

Monday 22nd July

St Mary Magdalene

9.30am James (Jim) Behan (Anniv)

Song3:1-4 or 2 Cor 5:14-17. Ps 62:2-6, 8-9,

R/ v 2. Jn 20:1-2, 11-18.

Tuesday 23rd July

St Bridget of Sweden

9.30am Anne Shortt (Rec Dec)

Gal 2:19-20, Ps 33:2-11, R/ v 2, alt

R/ v 9. Jn 15:1-8.

Wednesday 24th June

9.30am Michael Robinson (Rem)

Ex 16:1-5, 9-15. Ps 77:18-19, 23-28,

R/ v 24. Mt 13:1-9.

Thursday 25th July

St James Apostle

9.30am Maura Carr (Rec Dec)

2 Cor 4:7-15. Ps 125, R/ v 5. Mt 20:20-28

Friday 26th July

SS Joachim & Anne

9.30am May Ahern (Rec Dec)

Ex 20:1-17. Ps 18:8-11, R/ Jn 6:68. Mt 13:18-23.

Saturday 27th July

Blessed Virgin Mary

9.30am – Morning Prayer of the Church

Ex 24:3-8. Ps 49:1-2, 5-6, 14-15, R/ v 14. Mt 13:24-30.

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PRAYER

Eternal God you draw near to us in Christ and make yourself our guest. Amid the cares of our daily lives, make us attentive to your voice and alert to your presence, that we may treasure your word above all else.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen

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ROTAS FOR NEXT WEEKEND

Ministers of the Eucharist:

27th & 28th July 2019

7:00pm     Mary Keegan

                Brendan Fisher

                Eileen O’Donnell

 8.00am    Bridget Waters

                 Mary Bolger

10:30am    Michael Lyons

                Carin Geografo

                 Mary Keogh, Eileen Fox

                Billy Carnahan

Nursing Home Rota:

Mary Breen

Nuala Doyle

Margaret Ryan

Ministers of the Word

7.00pm   Marie Thérèse Kennan O’Dowd

8.00am   Marie Dunphy

10.30am Leanne Paglinawan

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 ST FERGAL’S PARISH

Moderator, V. Rev Larry Behan

The Parochial House, St. Fergal’s, Killarney Road, Bray.

Sacristy: Tel. 2768194 

Parish Office: Mon, Wed, & Thurs 10.00am-3.00pm, 

Tuesday 10.00am-5.00pm

Friday:- CLOSED Tel: 2860980

Email:info@stfergalsbray.ie  Web:www.stfergalsbray.ie

Masses:Sundays – Saturday 7.00p.m. Sunday 8.00a.m. & 10.30a.m. Holy Days – Vigil 7.00p.m., Holy Day 8.00a.m. & 10.30a.m. Weekdays – 9.30a.m.

Baptisms: 1st & 3rd Saturday of each month at 12.00Noon.  Three weeks notice before the preparation meeting is required. Preparation meeting is normally held on the Monday before the first Saturday Sacrament.

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