Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time
13 June 2021
‘It is like a mustard seed’
Something we may not often think about is Jesus’ earthly relationship with creation. Jesus walked everywhere, went to quiet places to pray, preached from mountains, from boats on the water; his followers included fishermen in tune with the rhythm of the sea. In Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si’ – On Care for Our Common Home, he reminds us that Jesus ‘was in constant touch with nature, lending it an attention full of fondness and wonder’ (Laudato Si’, 97). Jesus’ parables are full of imagery from the natural world and in today’s Gospel we have an example of this in the parable of the mustard seed. People of Jesus’ time may have preferred the image of the lofty ‘cedars of Lebanon’ to explain God’s kingdom, mustard plants however, only stand a few feet tall. Jesus is turning the ideals of power and triumph on their head. There is an ancient text which forbade planting mustard seeds in Palestinian gardens because the shrub takes over wherever it is planted and attracts unwanted birds. Author and activist, Shane Claiborne, compares it to kudzu, a wild vine that could blanket entire mountain areas, smother trees, even crack cement buildings. This mustard seed image of God’s dream for this world is one which suggests that it will grow even in places where it is not wanted, putting cracks in seemingly mighty structures.
The New Testament not only tells us of the earthly Jesus and his tangible and loving relationship with the world. It also shows him risen and glorious, present throughout all of creation (Col 1:19-20). ‘The very flowers of the field and the birds which [Christ’s] human eyes contemplated and admired are now imbued with his radiant presence’ (Laudato Si’, 100). As we watch out for traces of the mustard seed kingdom this week, let us also embrace the joy of Christ in all of creation.
Restrictions and Guidelines for attending Mass in Agnes’
• Face Coverings are mandatory when entering and exiting the church and should be worn throughout services.
• The seating capacity of the Church is 120-150
• Observe social distancing and use the sanitizer at the Church Entrance;
• When leaving the Church follow the instructions and leave according to the indicated “One-way” system;
• Anyone with cold-like symptoms must not enter the Church;
• Those with under lying health issues are advised to remain at home;
Funerals and Weddings can increase to the current capacity of the Church (120-150 persons)
Baptisms Continue to be limited to 10 people.
COLLECTION The collection for 6th June amounted to £1434.00. Thank you for your contribution. You can make your envelope contribution via the donate button on the Parish website home page aswell .
PARISH OFFICE .. will continue, for now, to be contacted by email or telephone only ( 02890 615702 & email- st.agnes.belfast@gmail.com), and not in person. Thank you.
PARISH WEBCAM Live streaming of all Masses takes place in a St. Agnes’ Church. Please click on the webcam tile on the Home Page of the Parish website www.stagnesbelfast.com.
RECORDINGS Please note, all funerals will be recorded. Please tell us if you do not want your loved one’s funeral recorded.
DIOCESAN PRIVACY POLICY The Privacy Policy for the Diocese of Down and Connor is available in the Safeguarding section of the Parish website.
PRAYER INTENTIONS: We extend our sympathies to the families of those who died recently and those whose month’s mind and anniversary occur at this time.
Recently Deceased: Olive Mc Keever RIP ( Funeral Friday 11th June 10am)
Veronica ( Vera ) Cassidy RIP ( Funeral Saturday 12th June 1pm)
Sat 13th June : 6.30pm: Priests intention
Sun 14th June: 9.30am: Priest’s intention
12.30pm: Teresa Johnston
Bernie Glennon
Mon 15th June: 10am: Priest’s intention
Tue 16th June: 10am: No Mass
Wed 17th June: 10am: Priest’s intention
Thurs 18th June:10am: Priest’s intention
Fri 19th June: 10am: Priest’s intention
Sat 20th June: 1pm: Peter Mc Callum
In the event of a funeral, the assigned intention will be offered privately by the priest at his first available mass.
Those whose anniversaries occur at this time: Samuel Turner & Samuel Kelly, Mary Mc Geown, Mary Zemrowsky, Margaret & John Laverty, Liam Byrne, Danny & Mary Lawlor, Edward Joseph Mc Cann, Neil Rush, Mary Grehan, Mona Cooney
Eternal rest grant unto them , O Lord!
HOLY CHILD P.S
CONFIRMATION & LEAVER’S MASS
P7A Mrs Finnegan Tuesday 22nd June 2021 at 1pm
P7B Mr Cunningham Wednesday 23rd June 2021 at 1pm
P7C Mr Mc Kiernan Thursday 24th June 2021 at 1pm
The Primary 7 Confirmation will also allow the School to have a Leavers’ Mass for each individual Primary 7 Class. This means that each P7 Class will be confirmed and leave Holy Child Primary School from St Agnes Church on the day of their Confirmation
KNOCK VIRTUAL PILGRIMAGE We welcome you to join us for our Diocesan Knock Virtual Pilgrimage on Sunday 13th June 2021. The ceremonies will be streamed live on the shrine website www.knockshrine.ie and on Knock Shrine Facebook page.
The programme will commence with Rosary at 2.30pm and Mass will be celebrated at 3pm by Fr. Richard Gibbons, Rector of the Shrine. Bishop Treanor will give a short message of welcome to the people of our Diocese. by means of a video, which will be shown at 2.55pm.
You are invited to place a Petition by visiting the Knock Shrine Website and all the Petitions will be before the Altar during the Mass. You may also request that a candle be lit for your intentions.
We encourage as many of you as possible to participate and pray that next year we may gather, as a Diocese, in person again at our National Shrine of Our Lady of Knock.
With Every Blessing
Father Vincent Cushnahan
(Diocesan Knock Pilgrimage Director).
Lough Derg 2021 It will not be possible in 2021 to reopen Station Island for the Traditional Three Day Pilgrimage or even for the autumn programme of Day Retreats. Lough Derg will again offer the opportunity to “Do Lough Derg from wherever you are” on 3rd – 5 th July. The outdoor Pilgrimage on the Lough Shore Pilgrim Path will also be available as the summer goes on. Further information from Lough Derg office 0(0353) 71 9861518 or www.loughderg.org
ST. PETER’S CATHEDRAL JOB VACANCY Cleaner, 10 hours per week, £8.91 gross per hour. Full details at: www.downandconnor.org clicking on the tab: JOB VACANCIES and on the Community NI website. Application packs also at St Peter’s Cathedral Parish Office. Closing date for applications is noon on Friday 25th June.
STOP ABORTION Carla Lockhart MP has launched a parliamentary motion calling on the Government to end ‘DIY’ home abortion. It is therefore vital that as many MPs as possible sign Carla Lockhart’s motion to send a clear message to the Government that they must end dangerous ‘DIY’ home abortion services as soon as possible. Right To Life UK has launched an easy-touse tool which makes it simple for you to send an email to your MP asking them to sign the motion. Contact your MP at www.righttolife.org.uk/DIYmotion
DIPLOMA IN PASTORAL THEOLOGY Drumalis Retreat Centre, in association with St Patrick’s Pontifical College, Maynooth, invite applications for this twoyear, part-time, intensive course which begins in September 2021. Further information available at http://www.drumalis.co.uk, by emailing maura@drumalis.co.uk or by phoning Drumalis during office hours (Mon-Fri, 9 am – 5 pm), 028 2827 2196/2827 6455.
Free pack of rapid Covid test x 7 lateral flow tests per household per week. To order online visit www.gov.uk/order-coronavirus-rapid-lateral-flow-test
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