Reflection for the 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time – Fighting for her child
She was a woman like many. She would fight for her child, so she took on Jesus, the best known religious figure around. Like someone taking on the minister for health or children over a medical card for a chronically ill child, and not letting them off the hook. Jesus was testing her. He saw faith, but he wanted ev¬eryone else to see it. So he told her she didn’t fit into the local re¬ligious sphere because she was foreigner, like an asylum seeker or a refugee. She knew she fitted into the heart of Jesus simply because she was the mother of a sick child and believed he could help.
Even if he would cure everyone, maybe he would come back to her at the end. Jesus went further – he cured her child and praised her faith. She is another of the unnamed ones of the gospel. Like the woman of Samaria, the rich young man, the thief on Calvary – she is herself, and she is all of us. She is everyone, man and woman, of faith.
Faith in a surprising God, who in Jesus, his Son, never says no to goodness.
Faith that keeps us energetic and alive, not tired, in soul as well as body.
Remember your feeling of gratitude for the children of your family. Lord, I believe. Strengthen my faith
Donal Neary SJ.
The annual Youth 2000 Summer Festival
The annual Youth 2000 Summer Festival is Ireland’s largest Catholic Youth event, but this year, for the first time, it will be streamed live on the 14th-16th of August. Hear talks and workshops from some of the best Catholic speakers including Fr. John Harris OP, Dr. Scott Hahn, John Pridmore, Petroc Willey (University of Steubenville), Katie Ascough, Sr. Colleen Mattingly, Sr. Mary Hanrahan, Bill Keimig (University of Steubenville), Beth Davis (Blessed is She) and others from Ireland and around the world.
Youth 2000 Ireland ‘s motto is ‘Youth leading Youth to the Heart of the Church’ and we do this by leading Eucharistic-centred festivals, retreats and prayer meetings throughout the country.
Register FREE at www.youth2000.ie/summerfestival2020
Those who died recently; Paul Hallahan,Terry McNeill, Ann Power née Butler
Those whose Months mind Occurs:Maura Barron
Those whose’ Anniversary Occurs: Thomas Connors, Gerard Higgins, Prisca Young, Berni Hogan, Paddy & Bridie O’Brien & son John, Teasie & Francie Walshe & son Kieran Walshe (1st Ann), Mary Giles, Tom Barrett,Teddy Power, Larry Foy, Mick & Anna Dowling, Nellie Hedley, Paddy Sheehan, Angela Legg, Noel Hannigan
Those who were baptised recently; Rían Cahill, Aoibhín Marie O’Sullivan, Max Thomas Murtagh
Congratulations to their parents and godparents.
Queen of Peace
Medjugorje Style 5-day Retreat
at Glencomeragh House Kilsheelan, Co. Tipperary
Monday 17th-Friday 21st Aug
Spiritual Director- Fr. Patrick Cahill
Full Spiritual Programme includes:
• Evening Adoration
• Rosary
• Confessions
• Medjugorje Mass
• Outdoor Stations of the Cross
• Hikes
• Spiritual Reflections
Price €320 full board and accommodation.
For more info, or to book, contact:
Email: info@holyfamilymission.ie
Tel:052 613 3181