Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time - 12 July 2020

Rich Soil

Today’s Gospel is in three parts: the parable Jesus taught, an explanation on how to listen, and an explanation of the parable Jesus taught. The parable itself is well known and concerns seeds, where they land, and what happens to them. We might take note of the seeds as representing God’s Word and the effect it has, or does not have, on us. What makes the difference in the parable is the type of soil the seed lands on and how suitable it is for growth to take place. Let us consider our own hearts as the soil: how open are we to receiving seeds that may be planted there? What condition is our ‘soil’ in?

Any decent gardener will know that good soil is key in order to cultivate anything. Soil needs to be weathered, broken down; it can be too acidic, or it can be too alkaline. Good soil needs organic matter such as compost or manure. It needs lots of air and water; it needs to be tended and prepared.

We too are weathered down by various forces in our lives, and at times have manure thrown at us. This can either close us down and harden our hearts, or it can open us up to help us to grow, ready to receive the seeds that are scattered. Like the soil, we must take care of our bodies, hearts, and minds, adopt a holistic approach to our well-being.

The lesson on ‘hearing’ in the Gospel today is also important. How do we listen? Do we listen or read God’s word while being distracted by many things, or are we fully attentive, even for a few minutes each day? How do we listen to one another? Fully attentive or with one eye on our phone? There is a great richness in the text today, spend time with it. Perhaps think about how you might prepare better the soil for planting.

‘The soil is the great connector of lives, the source and destination of all. It is the healer and restorer and resurrector, by which disease passes into health, age into youth, death into life. Without proper care for it we can have no community, because without proper care for it we can have no life.’ (Wendell Berry)

Jane Mellett

Announcements

Last week’s collection amounted to £1990.00. Thank you.

Those who pay to the weekly collection or any special collections, including Priest’s Collection, by cheque are asked that all cheques should be made payable to ‘Sion Mills Parish.

Parishioners may still leave their contributions at the Parochial House during this time of uncertainty. Please use the letterbox. Cheques should be made payable to Sion Mills Parish. We appreciate your understanding in this matter and your continued support.

May they Rest in Peace

Deaths

Eamon McGarrigle, 24 Newtown Street

Sean McGlinchey, Omagh

Anniversaries

Fr. Joe O’Donnell, Michael Coyle, Vincent Gormley, Eamon Cairns

Masses for the coming Week

Monday – Friday: 10.00am (Including Wednesday)

Saturday Vigil: 6.00pm

Sunday: 9.00am & 11.00am

Please note the change of time of the Saturday Night Vigil Mass. It will now take place at 6.00pm and not 6.30pm.

Church Opening Times

The Church will open on Monday - Friday at 9.30am and close at 5.00pm. On Saturday the church will open at 11.00am and close at 6.30pm. On a Sunday the Church will open at 8.00am and close at 5.00pm. This is to facilitate cleaning and sanitising.

Baptisms

To arrange Baptisms please telephone the Parochial House on 028 81658264.

Dates for First Holy Communion

Children from our P.4 classes were due to make their First Holy Communion on 9 May 2020 but because of Covid-19 this had to be postponed. These children will now make their First Holy Communion in St. Theresa’s Church, Sion Mills on the following dates:

St. Eugene’s Primary School – Saturday 26 September at 11.00am.

St. Theresa’s Primary School – Saturday 3 October at 11.00am.

Sion Primary School – Saturday 17 October at 11.00am.

Guidelines for your safety when the Church is Open

It’s not a return to normal because we still have to take precautions as the danger of the corona virus is not over.

Please sanitise your hands.

If you feel safer wearing face mask or gloves, feel free to do so.

Keep social distancing unless you are with someone from the same house as yourself.

The church will be cleaned each day and wipes will be available to clean the area you have been using and also the door handles.

Please bring Trocaire donations to the church.

‘Scripture Saturday with Bishop Donal’: Created by Derry Diocesan Youth, Bishop McKeown presents a series of short lessons on the Gospel in easy to understand, short (3-4 minute) videos, with tips and references of where and how to use these lessons in your daily life. View the series at: www.derrydiocese.org/scripture-saturday.