| Castlemaine Parish 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time 2nd/3rd October 2021 |
‘True Love’
A 98-year-old man and a 95-year-old woman went to a lawyer to get a divorce. “How long have you been married?” he asked. “75 rough and rocky years,” they said. “Then, why have you waited so long to file for divorce?” They replied, “We had to wait for the kids to die!”
In this Gospel, Jesus makes use of a hostile question from the Pharisees to speak about the deepest law of any relationship: love that is given entirely, that gives life. When asked whether, as Scripture says, a man may put away his wife, Christ will show them another path, a divine path. Christ proposes a new perspective. He speaks to us of the plan of creation, of God’s project. God has a plan of life and beauty for our lives.
If one’s relationship to God and others is reduced to what is licit and what is illicit, one lives it in a cold and static way. But if we realize that God is always looking upon us with love, we realize that the defects of the other person (husband, wife, children, siblings, friends…) are a path for learning the art of loving, the art of becoming like Jesus.
When must we love the others? Only when they are perfect, without defects, likeable, punctual, useful; or rather also when they are weak, fragile, poor, and mistaken?
We are all called to relationships of fidelity, relationships in which we will always have abundant excuses to reject the other person: one’s husband, wife, children, family members, friends, colleagues…
If we think the other person only has the right to our love when it is merited, then we don’t know how to love. Our heart has become hardened; it has become a heart of stone, and no longer reflects God’s way of loving.
And to understand this we need to learn the value of being small and weak, being like children. So the second part of this Gospel passage is not there by accident. Loving truly requires being like children, like those who always have something new to learn – learning also from difficulties, tribulations, disappointments.
| Moderator : Fr. Danny Broderick (087) 9061255 Parish House: 3 Meanus Heights, Castlemaine Parish Office: Tue. & Thur. 9:30am-12:30pm (087) 2979864 Email: castlemaine@dioceseofkerry.ie Website: www.castlemaineparish.com Safeguarding Children: Contact No (087) 6362780 Masses & Intentions Sat. Oct. 2nd Keel 7.30 p.m. John McKenna, Whitegate, Keel Sun. Oct. 3rd Kiltallagh 10:00 a.m. Dan Keating, Ballygamboon Tues. Oct. 5th Keel 10:00 a.m. Thurs. Oct. 7th Keel 7:30 p.m. John Joe & Joss O’Brien, Ross, Keel Sat. Oct. 9th Keel 7:30 p.m. John J. Kavanagh, Castledrum, Keel Sun. Oct. 10th Kiltallagh 10:00 a.m. Reminder Masses will be streamed live online vis our webcam system: www.castlemaineparish.com Priest on Duty: Fr. Kieran O’Sullivan 087 2432155 Castlemaine Parish House We are very pleased to let you know that Castlemaine Parish Office has relocated permanently to 3 Meanus Heights, Castlemaine. The Parish Office will be open to the public at the following days and times: Tuesday 9:30 a.m. – 12.30 p.m. Thursday 9.30 a.m. – 12.30 p.m. Healthy Planet, Healthy People Petition: We have an opportunity like no other. At the UN Biodiversity Conference (COP15) in October, world leaders can set meaningful targets to protect creation. In November, at the 26th UN Climate Change Conference (COP26), countries will announce their plans to meet the goals of the Paris agreement. Ahead of those meetings, it is our responsibility as Catholics to lift up the voices of the most vulnerable and advocate on their behalf. now. Preparing for the Synodal Journey On Sunday 17th October all the dioceses in Ireland begin the Synodal Pathway -which Pope Francis has asked for worldwide. Pope Francis speaks of ‘Synod’ as ‘journeying together’, truly ‘listening to each other’ and ‘together identifying the path along which Christ is leading us’. Bishop Ray invites you to join him for a liturgy of prayer in St Mary’s Cathedral, Killarney at 3pm on Sunday 17th October to commence our journey. Come to the Cathedral or join by streaming via the cathedral website. Pope Francis has chosen the theme “Communion, Participation and Mission”. The Hail Holy Queen Conference will be on Radio Maria Ireland on Saturday October 9th, at 2pm. Guest speakers include Bishop John Keenan, Dr. Patrick Kenny, Fr. Gerry McCloskey, and Dr. Blythe Kaufman.On the following day (Sunday Oct 10th), the Coastal Rosary will take place at 2.30pm. Join people from around Ireland to pray the Rosary for Life and Faith at our grottos, churches, at the coasts and other suitable places. We encourage you to gather safely being mindful of COVID 19 regulations. Simply sign up a Rosary location at www. coastalrosaryireland.ie or text 087 278 6552. Online Workshop for Parish Musicians The diocese will host an online workshop for parish musicians on Tuesday, October 5th at 7:30pm via Zoom. All involved in music ministry are welcome. The purpose of the workshop is to prepare choirs and parish musicians for the weeks ahead, as choirs and singers resume their role in the liturgy. The workshop will be presented by Tomás Kenny and Ailish Walsh O’Connor. Please email tomaskenny@dioceseofkerry.ie Join Zoom Meeting Meeting ID: 861 6502 8212 Passcode: 614065 https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86165028212?pwd=RERYeWpEVmh1QnNUblZUMFhUUFYxQT09 Maine Valley Family Centre Castlemaine will run a 10 week Rainbows Programme in Oct/Nov 2021. Rainbows offer a listening and support programme for children who have had a loss through a Bereavement and a programme for loss through Parental Separation. Suitable for ages 7-12 years and this service is free. For further information FRC on 087 3694169 or 066 9767833 Ext 2 SHEP – Introduction to Personal Development – Introduction to Personal Development is a 20 hour course for adults run over 8 weeks offered by Maine Valley FRC. The course is open to people from all walks of life. No prior qualifications are needed, just a willingness to be personally involved and to interact with others. Ring Maine Valley FRC – 086-0580019 or Landline 066-9767833 Ext 2 Marriage Enrichment Weekend 5th – 7th November 2021 Restore Communication, Renew Commitment and Rekindle Romance. This is an online experience (using Zoom), starting on Friday at 8pm and ending on Sunday at 2:30pm. Details https://www.marriageencounter.ie Kerry County Council: Just to let you know that footpath works will commence in Boolteens village commencing this week (week beginning the 27th September) and will last for 4 weeks. |
| Eucharistic Ministers |
| Keel Oct. 2nd Margaret Cournane & Michael Murphy Kiltallagh Oct.3rd Jack Keating & Bernie Nagle Keel Oct. 9th Marie Prendergast & David Flahive Kiltallagh Oct. 10 Fergus Culloty & Catherine O’Connor |
| Sanitisers |
| Keel Oct. 2nd Kathleen O’Brien & Caroline McCarthy Kiltallagh Oct. 3rd Eileen Keating & Bernie Nagle Keel Oct. 9th Marie O’Brien & Mary Bartley Kiltallagh Oct. 10th Catherine O’Connor & Breda Murphy |
Holy Communion in St. Gobnaits Church, Keel
Congratulations to all the children from Castledrum National School who received their Holy Communion on Saturday 25th September.
A special acknowledgement to their classroom teacher, SNA’s and all involved in their Faith formation.
Lord our God, our Father in heaven,
we come to you as your children.
Bless us, we pray.
Bless us especially in days
when fear tries to take hold of us.
Let your help come down to us
as you have promised,
the great help in Jesus Christ,
who shall come to redeem the whole world.
Bless us through your Word.
Renew us again and again to stand firm
and true to you, for you are our help
for redemption and reconciliation through Jesus Christ. Amen.