Sunday 12 March 2023,
Third Sunday of Lent
Sunday Gospel Water is important for us, and it was important for ‘desert people’ in the Bible. In Exodus we hear about God’s people ‘grumbling’ because Moses has taken them from slavery in Egypt into the desert where they are thirsty.
This is symbolic of our spiritual journey. We move from slavery to sin and dysfunction through a conversion process that can be difficult. We too grumble. When will this Lent be over? God is the God of life and so gives to his people water. The water symbolises his Grace/Gift/Divine life of happiness and joy.
The people grumble and complain because they want Grace now! They demand and grasp, like the prodigal son; give ME, MYshare coming to ME. But Grace can never be received as just another commodity to be owned. Demanding and grasping will never bring us happiness.
The Gospel recounts the story of the woman at the well. It tells of the need for water – Grace – for a thirsty soul. The well represents all the wells of our lives that will not bring us happiness and joy. Jesus says to the woman if you drink from this well you will get thirsty again. He says the water I give will spring up inside you and you will never thirst. Grace/happiness is a gift. It replenishes itself when it is given away. Give your life to others as a gift. Make the move from grasping to giving. The woman puts her bucket down. This symbolises the weight of sinful addictive patterns. She runs into town to become ‘an Evangelist’; one thirsty person telling other thirsty people where to find water!
Lent is a privileged time of fasting and penance. This is not just a matter of making choices about food. Fasting has value if one adopts a sober lifestyle, “that does not waste, a way of life that does not ‘throw away’.” “Bow down your head like a rush and humble yourself,” and think about your sins. This, Pope Francis emphasises, is “the fasting that the Lord desires: truth, consistency.” In the very first pages of Sacred Scripture, the Lord commands man to abstain from partaking of the prohibited fruit. Pope Benedict says “the history of salvation is replete with occasions that invite fasting. “Since all of us are weighed down by sin and its consequences, fasting is proposed to us as an instrument to restore friendship with God.” Fasting, Pope John Paul points out “means putting a limit on so many desires, sometimes good ones, in order to have full mastery of oneself; to learn to control one’s own instincts; to train the will in the good. The Prophet Isaiah states: “This, rather, is the fasting that I wish: … sharing your bread with the hungry, sheltering the oppressed and the homeless; clothing the naked when you see them, and not turning your back on your own.”
Lenten Boxes are available at the three Churches.
The parish Community is delighted to celebrate the Confirmation of 71 pupils at St. Teresa’s School yesterday. Our deepest gratitude goes to all the teachers in the school for their excellent work with the children, and to Fr. Kearney for conducting the service. Everyone had a most enjoyable day! Congratulations!
Sunday Masses Holy Spirit Vigil 5pm (Saturday), St Matthias’ 10am, St Teresa’s 12noon.
Weekday Masses St Matthias’ Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday. St Matthias’& St Teresa’s Masses on Friday 10am St Patrick’s Day. St Teresa’s Saturday 10am. There is no Eucharistic Adoration on Friday 17 March. It will commence again on Friday 24 March.
Confessions Before Saturday Vigil Mass and on request.
To book a wedding or baptism, please contact the parish office (better to email).
Recently Deceased Marian Reilly, Kathleen McLaughlin.
Months Mind Daniel Cochrane
Anniversaries (1st) Michael Duffy, James Mallon, James McCann, Rose Loughlin, Brendan Loughlin, Gerard Taggart, Patrick Gribbin, Nora Howard, Isobel & Joseph Johnston, Patrick James McGuigan, Deceased members of the Watson Family, Margaret & Christy Lynch.
Candle Burning Michael Duffy.
Weekly Offertory £1, 612. Thank you.
Parish Draw Winners January –Jim Fitzpatrick, Josephine Barkley, Michael Carson, Sheila Butler, Marie Gough. February -Mr Lynch, Cathy McCaffrey, Paula Hamill, Marie Gough, J Beattie.
GETTING THE PAST OUT OF THE PRESENT – WORKSHOP DAY. SAT 29th APRIL
Many of us can struggle with forgiveness, letting go of the past so that we can best live out our lives. We invite you to join us for a day of creative prayer and reflection to explore how we can bring healing to our lives through the practice of forgiveness. The day will be led by Fr Jim Cogley, Parish Priest and Psychotherapist from the Diocese of Ferns and will be supported by Fr Peter Carlin PP St Matthew’s. Spaces are limited to 30 participants. The day will take place in 120 Cliftonville Road on Saturday 29thApril from 10am – 4pm. BOOKING ESSENTIAL
To book please e-mail livingchurch@downandconnor.org or call 028 90690920.
Down & Connor Diocese – Continuing the legacy of Saint Patrick – a group of Christians will gather at 5:45 am at his grave on Saint Patrick’s morning. We will pray The Our Father/ The Lord’s Prayer, one hundred times for peace and unity in Christ among our peoples. Everyone welcome.
St Teresa’s SVP Christmas Appeal. Dear Parishioners, on behalf of the St Teresa’s Conference of St Vincent De Paul I would like to thank you for your tremendous response to this year’s Christmas appeal. The appeal raised a total of £7406.13 which included a donation from Falls Bowling Club of £2500 and a collection taken up by O’Neill’s Funeral Directors totalling £875. The young people in St Teresa’s Youth Centre also provided us with 25 wonderful hampers made up of food donations from parishioners. This generosity enabled us to support many families and individuals over the Christmas period and will assist us in responding to need in 2023. The Society would also like to acknowledge a recent legacy donation of £1000, a marvellous gift which will assist us greatly in our work.
A Cook is required 4 Evenings: Monday to Thursday, 2 hours per evening (3pm – 5pm). The location is: Glen Rd BT11. If you are interested, please phone 90203052. Leave your phone number and someone will contact you.
Bethany Group Contact number 0799 0381248
St Vincent De Paul Helpline No. 0741 9326678
The Parish of St Teresa of Ávila, Glen Road, Belfast 