PARISH BULLETIN St Kieran’s, the Catholic Church

in Campbeltown and Islay Ceann Loch Chille Chiarain

5th July 2020

14th Sunday of Ordinary Time

St. Kieran’s Due the Coronavirus, COVID-19 pandemic until further notice:

The public celebration of Holy Mass has been suspended for the time being.

Liturgies via Zoom or Facebook

No Mass this Sunday

Holy Mass, 10.00 am take part via Zoom or Facebook Anyone requiring pastoral care and/or help during this time should contact Fr. Tony by telephone or email. 01586 552160 campbeltown@rcdai.org.uk

Psalm response

I will bless your name for ever, O God my King. Gospel acclamation

Alleluia, alleluia! Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth,

for revealing the mysteries of the kingdom to mere children. Alleluia! Communion antiphon

Come to me, all who labour and are burdened, and I will refresh you, says the Lord.

Take Five Invest just five minutes a day, and your faith will deepen and grow—a day at a time.

Monday, Jul 06, 2020 OPTIONAL MEMORIAL OF SAINT MARIA GORETTI, VIRGIN, MARTYR The power of "I forgive you" As 11-year-old Maria Goretti lay dying after being stabbed for rebuffing the sexual advances of a 21-year-old man who lived on her farm, she forgave her attacker. That act alone is shocking enough. But her attacker was so affected by her

forgiveness that he repented in prison, prayed to her every day, sought the forgiveness of her mother, attended Maria’s canonization in 1950, and became a lay brother. Makes it pretty hard for anyone to justify a grudge, much less retribution.

TODAY'S READINGS: Hosea 2:16, 17b-18, 21-22; Matthew 9:18-26. “Courage, daughter! Your faith has saved you.”

Tuesday, Jul 07, 2020

My yoke is easy

Wonders never cease The Seven Modern Wonders of the World were identified on this day in 2007, counterparts to the seven ancient wonders that predate the earthly life of Jesus. Two of these modern monuments — the Colosseum in Rome and Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro — could be the bookends to Christian history. The Colosseum, symbolic of Roman emperors’ power, was where early martyrs died while Christianity was outlawed. The colossal Redeemer statue celebrates Christ's ongoing presence in the world. It was used recently to honour pandemic healthcare workers. It proclaims that Christ’s love endures now as it did in the time of the Colosseum. Proclaim that love in your own life.

TODAY'S READINGS: Hosea 8:4-7, 11-13; Matthew 9:32-38. “They made idols for themselves, to their own destruction.”

Wednesday, Jul 08, 2020 The cure for what ails us Anointing of the Sick is one of the seven sacraments of the Church. In its pre-Vatican II life, this sacrament was called Extreme Unction and was reserved for the time of death. Now the Church invites all who are seriously sick or experiencing the challenges of advanced age to receive the grace of this sacrament. Celebrated at home, in a church, or in a healthcare setting, often in the presence of loved ones, this sacrament offers those who are sick the peace, strength, and courage of the Lord who himself knew the pain of human suffering. Draw on God's healing powers and encourage others to do so as well. COVID-19 has complicated pastoral visits, especially in hospitals, so consult with your priest about the wisest course of action.

TODAY'S READINGS: Hosea 10:1-3, 7-8, 12; Matthew 10:1-7. “Jesus summoned his twelve disciples and gave them authority . . . to cure sickness and disease of every kind.”

Thursday, Jul 09, 2020 FEAST OF OUR LADY OF ABERDEEN Believe and trust Mary had to face an enormous challenge to her faith and trust in God and to the faith of her family and Joseph, the man she chose to marry. She was asked to assume a burden of tremendous responsibility. It had never been heard of before that a child could be born without a natural father. Mary was asked to accept this miraculous exception to the laws of nature. That required faith

and trust in God and in his promises. Second, Mary was not yet married. Pregnancy outside of wedlock was not tolerated in those days. Mary was only espoused to Joseph, and such an engagement had to last for a whole year. She was asked to assume a great risk. She could have been rejected by Joseph, by her family, by all her own people. Mary knew that Joseph and her family would not understand without revelation from God. She nonetheless believed and trusted in God's promises.

TODAY’S READINGS: Genesis 3:9-15,20; Matthew 1:1-16,18-23. “Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and his name shall be called Emman′u-el”.

Friday, Jul 10, 2020 Check your trust fund Spontaneity and trust are hard to cultivate and maintain, and it gets harder as responsibilities grow. We have become accustomed to planning and more planning. Not wanting to be caught off-guard, we struggle to trust the moment. In the midst of planning a holiday, for example, you might become bogged down in detail — and forget that the purpose of the trip was to relax! Imagine your potential if you could only trust more. Tonight at supper say a spontaneous prayer, trusting that God will give you the words.

TODAY'S READINGS: Hosea 14:2-10; Matthew 10:16-23. “Behold, I am sending you like sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and simple as doves.”

Saturday, Jul 11, 2020 FEAST OF SAINT BENEDICT, ABBOT A rule to live by Saint Benedict’s wisdom has guided people for centuries. Among the gems of his Rule: The search for security, wealth, and salvation is futile. Instead, treat each hour as a gift. See in each day reasons for joy. Reverence the tools of work like the vessels of the altar. Small, daily brush strokes create the stunning canvas. Important decisions should be made with consultation, gaining the richness of different viewpoints. Learn from relationships not to take oneself too seriously. Know the value of silence. Choose one of these guidelines to follow each day for a week. Then start again!

TODAY'S READINGS: Isaiah 6:1-8; Matthew 10:24-33. “And even the hairs of your head are all counted.”

Readings for the 14th Sunday of Ordinary Time Zechariah 9:9-10

The territory of the just king stretches from sea to sea. Psalm 145:1-2, 8-9, 10-11, 13-14

Our God’s name is to be blessed forever. Romans 8:9, 11-13

We do not belong to the world that is passing, but to the world without end. Matthew 11:25-30

Those who labour and are burdened find rest in Christ.

Words on the Word: Zechariah 9:9-10, Matthew 11:25-30

Hans Urs Von Balthasar – one of the greatest theologians of the 20th century – said: “The one who does not first listen to God has nothing to say to the world”. And the Sunday liturgy of the word provides us with the perfect opportunity to listen to God’s word, which calls us to humility. Jesus says: “Come to me all you who labour and are overburdened, and I will give you rest. Shoulder my yoke and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble of in heart, and you will find rest for your souls”. The Holy Scripture shows us an image of a humble Jesus. The One of whom Zechariah said: See now, your king comes to you; he is victorious, he is triumphant, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. It is Jesus who is constantly concerned for us: “he has left examples of his mercy everywhere” (St. Gregory the Great). It is Jesus who raises the dead, heals and liberates the enslaved. Sometimes He doesn’t even wait for the sick to be brought to him: I will come and heal him (Mt 8:7). Even at the moment of His death, He cares for those around Him. He gives Himself out of love. He is the expiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world (1 J 2:2). And He humbly remains with us in Holy Communion. Some even accused the Gospel of Jesus for introducing the contagion of humility into the world. The concept of humility fascinated Saint Francis of Assisi, who used to cry: “Look brothers at the humbleness of God!”, and turning to God said: “You are humble!”. This is why in the Canticle of the Sun he used water as the symbol of humility. “Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Water, which is very useful and humble and precious and chaste”. Water is humble because it gives of itself, always goes to reach the lowest point. Water always takes for itself the last place. As opposed to steam which always goes up and is rightly associated with pride. Humility does not humiliate a person, but makes him true and authentic. It is the humble who walks on the ground, who sticks firmly to the ground, who doesn’t succumb to changing fashions, who doesn’t stick to pride because of praise. He constantly repeats to himself, like Saint Paul: “What have you that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if it were not a gift?” (1 Cor 4:7). Saint John Paul II said: “The Kingdom of God is effectively prepared by those who modestly and honestly perform their work, not striving for things too large but giving themselves daily to the small with trust. “In the kingdom of God, humility and honesty are rewarded. Whereas, in worldly matters it’s the opposite, careerism and domination are often valued: the effects are obvious to everybody – rivalry, hurt and dissatisfaction.” A truly humble person is able to fight for the truth because he is free. The truly great-hearted and courageous are the saints. How many of us, who while explaining they don’t want to be downtrodden, don’t notice we are trending over others! How does our humility in life appear? Jan Dobraczynski presents its motto in Letters from Nicodemus: “Do your work and disappear. Burn out like a lamp to the last drop of oil . . . and regret nothing”.

Prayer Please pray for those who are in need or have asked for our prayers: Catherine Walker, Ken

McCoy, Margaret McCoy and Russell Carroll. Remember all those who are vulnerable to the severe effects of the current epidemic and the doctors, nurses, First Responders, carers who continue to aid the sick and vulnerable, as well as key workers who help us all. Please remember in your prayers Isabelle Lafferty, Anthony Cunningham (Billy),

Basil Wood, and all those whose anniversaries occur at his time.

News and Events Bishop Brian will celebrate mass at 10.00 am each day, which will be available to stream by clicking this link - https://www.rcdai.org.uk/mass/ Fr Tony will celebrate Sunday Mass at 10.00 am, which will be available via the Zoom App https://us02web.zoom.us/j/6593787274 or Facebook page https://www. facebook.com/campbeltownrcchurch/. ‘When Mass Cannot be Celebrated Publicly’ is available at this link (https://www.stkieransrc.org/when-sunday-mass-cannot-be-celebrated-publicly) for Sundays. Re-opening of churches: St. Kieran’s will be open on request for private prayer. Please phone the Chapel House to arrange a time. It’s no trouble.

campbeltown@rcdai.org.uk www.stkieransrc.org https://www.facebook.com/campbeltownrcchurch/ A Parish of the R.C. Diocese of Argyll and the Isles; Charitable Trust, a registered Scottish Charity, SC002876

Parish Priest: Fr. A. Wood, St. Kieran’s, Campbeltown; Tel. 01586 552160

Prayer of Spiritual Communion My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least

spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen.

Thanks to all who prayed for me and sent their good wishes during my stay in hospital after the heart attack I suffered on Tuesday. I am glad to be home, but it will take a few weeks before I will be fully active again (hopefully). I am very grateful to the staff of A & E (Campbeltown), the ambulance plane, ambulance staff and the doctors, nurses and staff of the Golden Jubilee Coronary Care Unit 1 for their quick action and their care, which means things are far better than they could otherwise have been.

Fr Tony