Dear Parishioners and all those who logged into our Parish,

may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God the Father, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

A What’s App has recommended lighting a candle at 7.30pm and saying a prayer – something we can all do, and at the same time.

The Parish Bulletin is available via the Parish website. Please print it off for family and neighbours who do not have access to a printer or world wide web.

The celebration of Mass took place at 7pm on Saturday 1st August – Parishioners and others joined via the webcam and radios at home.

Once again, I would like to share some thoughts with you. Intercom, a Catholic Pastoral and Liturgical Resource magazine that I receive monthly, gives a thought on the readings:

 

First reading: from the prophet Isaiah 55:1-3.

The Lord’s providence embraces daily needs such as water, bread and milk, while also promising an everlasting covenant.

Responsorial Psalm 118.

You open wide your hand, O Lord, you grant our desires.

Second reading: from the letter of St Paul to the Romans 8:35, 37-39.

St Paul concludes a major section of his letter to the Romans with a wonderful statement of trust in God. Nothing whatever, not even death itself, can come between us and the love of God.

 

Gospel: according to Matthew 14:13-21.

The miracle of the loaves and fish we have just heard points towards the Eucharist, and the emphasis falls on the loaves. Listen to the verbs that describe the actions of Jesus when he is handed the loaves: he took, he blessed, he broke, he gave. These are the verbs that will describe Jesus’ actions at the last supper.

 

My few words:

At the beginning of Mass:

We gather again – at a distance – to celebrate the Eucharist. Welcome to all who join us via radio or webcam.

At a local level we remember Hughie McCann whose Month Mind occurs. We continue to pray for the happy repose of his soul. And we continue to pray for his children Ann, Patrick, Chris, Gabriel, Paul, Desmond, Nicola and Declan some of whom join us in Church along with extended family. Those in New York and London and other places including Canada join us via webcam and radio.

As a Parish we also remember those buried at St Matthew’s Church, Garvaghey on what should have been the Blessing of the Graves this weekend.

As members of the universal Church we celebrate the Eucharist, the real presence of God among us.

To prepare ourselves to celebrate and receive the food of God which comes to us in Word and Sacrament we acknowledge our sins and selfishness and God’s mercy, forgiveness and welcome.

 

After the Gospel:

Based on notes in Intercom from Fr John Harris, Dungarvan

John the Baptist has been beheaded. Jesus, too, is in danger and so he withdraws to a lonely place with his disciples. When something major happens in our lives, like Jesus, we may want some space – to go to a lonely place, maybe even run away – to think things through. Sometimes this can lead to self-pity and naval gazing. If that was going to happen to Jesus, it would not last long. The crowds follow him; looking inwards becomes looking outwards towards those who have come into his lonely place and he is filled with pity for them and heals the sick. When the disciples suggest that the people leave in order to get something to eat or maybe so that they may return to the quietness of the lonely place, Jesus again responds in compassion and feeds over five thousand from the meagre rations of a small travelling group.

The theme of humanity having too little and Christ’s love expressed through giving in abundance weaves its way through the ministry of Jesus from Cana to Calvary. Six jars of water become the best of wine at Cana. From five loaves and two fish, over five thousand are fed with twelve full baskets left over on the shores of a lake. And on Calvary, blood and water gush from his pierced side, sprinkling the newly born Church in the persons of the Virgin Mary and St John.

Through Christ all things are made new – water into wine, five loaves and two fish feed five thousand, and a pierced side in death gives birth to his Church. This abundance of divine love is freely given, as expressed in the prophet Isaiah in the first reading ‘You who have no money, come … drink wine and milk.’ This is echoed in the scout prayer based on a prayer of St Ignatius – to give and not to count the cost. In this way, God becomes poor in order that humanity may be enriched. Only in accepting the overflow of God’s presence, his tender mercy and his love, and the giving of that love to the other without calculating a cost, can the deepest hunger of the human soul be truly satisfied. It is in giving that we receive and maybe when we are at our lowest ebb and others demand of us or need from us that we give the most.

 

At the end of Mass:

The Parish Pastoral Council and the Parish representatives of the Cardinal MacRory Pastoral Area Resource Team met last Monday 27th July and agreed the following arrangements for the celebration of Mass:

 

Masses for August:

Saturdays at 7pm from the Church of the Immaculate Conception

This Mass will continue to be celebrated without a congregation. Families marking Month Mind and First Anniversaries (the next First Anniversaries are in November) are encouraged to use this Mass when limited numbers of family can attend.

 

Masses with congregations:

Tuesday at 7pm Church of the Immaculate Conception, Ballygawley 4th, 11th (8pm), 25th

Wednesday at 10am St Mary’s Church, Dunmoyle 5th, 12th, 26th

Thursday at 7pm St Malachy’s Church, Ballymacilroy 6th, 13th, 27th

Friday at 10am St Matthew’s Church, Garvaghey 7th, 14th, 28th

Mass on Tuesday and Thursday evening should suit those working in the morning and facilitate families wanting to attend anniversary Masses.

Attending any of these weekday Masses fulfils the Sunday obligation which has been suspended for the foreseeable future.

Masses for September: in September we will continue with the August weekday schedule, but we will have congregations at the Saturday evening Mass in this Church and one Mass each Sunday – using a rota of a different Church each Sunday morning. The bulletin has more details about that.

Adoration will resume this coming week – to date the following has been arranged by the various organisers: Dunmoyle on Wednesdays after Mass til 11am; Ballygawley on Thursdays from 10am to 6pm on the main Altar. Families and individuals are encouraged to spend some time before the Blessed Sacrament – we have so much to pray for.

Mary’s Meals – Step by step walk from Coalisland to Knock – began on Friday 31st July and will arrive at Knock Shrine on 15th August, Solemnity of the Assumption. Local sections of the walk include: Dungannon Square to Moy on 4th August beginning at 7pm (10.4k); Moy Square to Armagh on 6th August beginning at 12.45pm (14.3k). for more information see bulletin – any support will help feed the next hungry child.

Lough Derg A new pilgrimage on Lough Derg’s lakeshore – so you can be present on the lough shore. Again, details in the bulletin. Numbers are limited so advance booking essential.

I want to thank the readers for coming this evening and fulfilling their ministry.

 

Joke time

At Sunday School they were teaching how God created everything, including human beings. Little Johnny seemed especially intent when they told him how Eve was created out of one of Adam’s ribs. Later in the week his mother noticed him lying down as though he were ill, and said, “Johnny, what is the matter?” Little Johnny responded, “I have pain in my side. I think I’m going to have a wife.”

Continue to do what we are doing for the good of us all – as we all know some relaxation of restrictions is taking place – the wearing of masks is going to be more commonplace, something we have to get used to. Relaxation of restrictions does not mean the virus has gone away. Keep safe and well and keep your distance! Respect!

Blessing of the Graves: St Matthew’s Church, Garvaghey.

 

Incense

We remember all who are buried around St Matthew’s Church and those who have died since this time last year: Margaret Devine.

In praying for them we also pray for those who continue to mourn and grieve.

 

A Cemetery Litany.

After Mass go to the Parish website for the link – click here to view the Blessing of the Graves which was filmed at the beginning of June.

I wish you all a pleasant evening and a good Sunday.