Parish of Lismore and Ballysaggart news
Welcome to our commissioned pastoral council who have been welcomed and affirmed by the community of faith. By virtue of our Baptism each one of us is called to be a missionary disciple of Jesus Christ. Each of us has a real concern for the good of our community of faith and the call to grow in holiness. Not only that but we must be outward looking. The Church in Ireland has been outward looking from earliest times.
Now local is missionary and complex. So many influences; so busy with many things so that many are fairly rich in possessions but time poor for what is often necessary. Many do not feel that they are in control of their own lives, forces beyond them such as money management, work schedules, child minding and often in that order too. Our Faith does not take away these concerns but can give us a perspective on our time management. We look forward to the work of the Pastoral Council as they, guided by the Spirit look at needs in our community of faith. As you come to know them personally, feel free to engage with them on faith matters.
Our Sunday Mass will draw our attention to ‘World Day of Migrants and Refugees. Their plight is great and indicates the turmoil that seems relentless in human nature. Their suffering and their displacement is invoking an global compassion. Most civilized nations have a practical commitment to promoting world justice, even it seems a long way of The Word of God will draw our attention to the duties and responsibilities of wealth in its many forms as promoting social justice and social cohesion. The reading from St Paul is very prophetic and relevant for our world of today. The sense of unity within any nation state cannot be assumed for sorely tested.
The labourer deserves his keep. So be as generous as you can to the Autumn collection for the support of your bishop and priests of the diocese in the collection next Sunday. The financial viability of each parish is the future. Appeal to parents of school going children to support their parish. It is time for a real return to Sunday Mass. It is through practice that we learn how to participate actively in the Mass. Many thanks to you who are loyal and generous to your bishop and priests.
To mark Culture Night on 23rd of Sept the organist and choir will give an history of music in Lismore since the foundation of Lismore. The story line will be narrated. An attractive package has been assembled. There is no charge at the door. Come and enjoy. Thanks to Mr Prendergast and staff for organising the beginning of school year Mass with the pupils. Weather permitted to have an open air Mass. Mr Prendergast calls the children together for school. It is Jesus who calls us together for our Mass. You might keep that in mind as you come on Sunday to Mass.
The potential ‘ black outs’ are a serious social concern. No one in authority is telling us the duration of a potential blackout. What are the consequences for ‘ church buildings’. Will we have to abandon the celebration of the Mass due to power outages. It is so strange that the alternative means of energy production were not put in place before existing systems were stood down. Is there a deficit of intelligence prevailing?