| St
Matthew's Parish Notes |
The Baptism of The Lord
Sunday, 8th January, 2006
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 Thought for Today: Baptism: a wider view
Our Christmas ends with the baptism of Jesus. A solitary figure stands in the river and hears, as the heavens were ‘torn apart’, the voice, ‘You are my Son, the Beloved’. There will be other moments. Mark’s Gospel continues typically. The breathless narrative, like a mountain river, leaps from rock to rock, intense, urgent, matter-of-fact, surging ahead as if everything depended on it – which it did. Which makes it all the more important that we have a still point with which to weigh all other experiences. Baptism can be such a time. It is important to us. Any church has always placed a great emphasis on the act of baptism.
In a world of collapsing boundaries, we still all too easily define ourselves narrowly. We are loyal to a country, members of a family. Baptism reminds us that we are not just citizens of one country, members of one religion, members of one family, and members of one race and gender. We are citizens of the whole world, one with all who believe, brothers and sisters with the human family.
Baptism trumps any other kind of membership, especially the mega-bucks private club membership. Our real passport is not issued by an individual country and baptism puts us into solidarity with others far beyond any one faith or denomination. We are citizens of the world before any national citizenship. Baptism reminds us of that.
Fr Tom Cox, Longford
Thoughts for our young people
Today’s gospel: Mark 1:7-11
Where did Jesus’ baptism happen? What did John say?
Who else spoke, what was said? What happened immediately after Jesus was baptised?
Activity: Ask your parents/carers to tell you about your own baptism. Ask them to show you a copy of your baptismal certificate.
IntercomFeast days this week
Fri 13th: St Hilary, Bishop and Doctor of the Church. He lived in the fourth century, and is noted for his writing on the Trinity.
IntercomWebsite of the week - www.parishandfamily.ie
Pastoral Renewal and Family Ministry Office of the Archdiocese of Armagh.
Intercom
Pastoral Council
The pastoral council will have its first meeting of 2006 on Thursday at 8pm in the Parish Centre.
10.30 & 12.30 Volunteers meeting
Those who volunteered to take an active part in the 10.30 & 12.30 Masses during Advent & Christmas are invited to meet on Thursday at 7pm in the Parish Centre.
Baptism Meeting
Meeting takes place on Wednesday @ 8pm for parents & God parents of children for baptism next weekend.
Altar servers
Meeting on Tuesday @ 6.45. New servers very welcome.
 Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
Continues on Monday, Wednesday & Friday from 10.30 – 9pm. Remember to sign the book, even if it’s for a short time that you are there. Please use the side door near Blackditch Rd.
Rosary with a difference
Resumes this Tuesday @ 7pm in St Louise’s. Perhaps as a New Year’s resolution or now that the Christmas festivities have come to a close you might be interested in sharing/praying in reflections on the rosary. In the past the response from neighbours has been very good. Maybe you would like to join in too. Led by Sr. Maura.
Do This in memory of me – 1st Holy Communion
Will be on next Sunday 15th @ 12.30. Parents and children preparing for First Holy Communion are especially invited to attend.
Christian Meditation
Resumes at the usual time of 8.15pm on Monday night.
Using the John Main method. All are welcome.
Please pray for those recently deceased
 Rita McElroy, Rossaveal Court
(Removal Mon 5.30/ Mass Tue 10 o’c)
Paddy Kavanagh, Canada
Mass Intentions This Week
Sun: (Sat 6.30:) Thomas Ritchie
9.00 Charles & Mary Venables
10.30 Maureen Dempsey
11.00 Patrick & Sophie Keane
12.30 Patrick Lawlor
6.30 The people of the parish
Mon: Eilis Rooney/ John Carroll
Tue: Joseph, George & Joe Malone/ George Murphy
Wed: Priests of the Parish/ James Branigan
Thurs: Bailley Family/ James & Bridget Higgins
Fri: Thanksgiving Mass/ Frances McEneaney
Sat: Lawlor Family/ Thomas Harte
Next Sun 15th: 9.00 Pro Populo; 10.30 Pat Fitzgerald; 11.30 Esther & Augustus Gracey; 12.30 Elizabeth O Reilly; 6.30 Mary & Peter Murphy.
May they rest in peace. |
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