ST. MICHAEL’S PARISH

P.O. BOX 610 - BELL ISLAND, NF - A0A 4H0
PHONE: 488-2525 – FAX: 488-3399

Modern life has brought us closer to one another than ever before. We influence one another in all sorts of ways. God wants us to be stepping stones for one another. Unfortunately sometimes we are stumbling blocks to one another.
Let us ask pardon for the harm we do and the good we fail to do to our brothers and sisters.
First Reading (Num 11:25-29). Joshua resents the fact that the gift of prophecy is now given to many others besides Moses, but Moses himself welcomes it.
Second Reading (Jam 5:1-6). We hear a strong condemnation of wealth, especially when it is obtained through exploitation of the weak.
Gospel (Mk 9:38-43.47-48). This contains a lesson in tolerance and in the avoidance of scandal and occasions of sin.
The First Reading tells of the institution of seventy elders who were to assist Moses in ruling the people of Israel. They were endowed with the spirit of leadership and prophecy which was given to Moses. The main point of the reading is that God’s choice is not a personal privilege to be guarded jealously, but to call to serve his people.
This leads into the Gospel because the apostles had to be reminded of this very truth. Jesus utters a grim warning against anyone who would hurt the “little ones” who have faith in him. He talks about hell and compares it to Gehenna, a ravine near Jerusalem, which was a dump where offal and refuse was burned. Only a crass literalism could have led to the later notion of hell as a place of fiery torment. Even though the practical points contained in the Gospel were originally addressed to the leaders in the community, they have relevance for all disciples of Jesus. Jesus’ command to receive the little ones (the insignificant members of the community) underlines the inclusiveness of the kingdom. The warning about the danger of giving scandal would be heard by Mark’s readers as applying to them also. The directions for dealing with temptation are not meant to be taken literally. They forcefully make the point that sin is to be avoided at all costs.

Wednesday Oct 4th 9:30 a.m. Richard, Stefan & Eva Lorenz; Bill O’Brien; Patricia
Newell; Henry Macphee; Bridget Cantwell

Thursday Oct 5th 7:00 p.m. Michael & Mary McLean; William Fitzgerald; Pat Brown;
Gordon Stoyles Sr.; Ann Tremblett

Friday Oct. 6th 9:30 p.m. Walter Lahey; Edward Laurie; Carrie Reid; Special Intention;
Marie Lavers

Saturday Oct. 7th 4:00 p.m. Sacrament of Penance
5:00 p.m. Richard, Veronica & Sr. Paschal Dwyer; Dan, Vera & Colleen Dwyer; Mike & Belle Clarke; Francis (Franko)Hammond; Nellie Kelly & Sheila Kelly Ford; Sarah Sheppard; Richard O’Brien; Luke Roberts; Lillian Power

Sunday Oct.8th 10:30 a.m. Vocations to the Priesthood & Religious Life
 

SANCTUARY CANDLE: DAN, VERA & COLLEEN DWYER

Collections for Sept. 23rd & Sept. 24th, 2006
Offertory -119 envelopes................................................................................. $1261.65
Dues - 38 envelopes......................................................................................... 345.75
Needs of Canadian Church - 3 envelopes......................................................... 8.00
Thank you for your financial support

Visitation Sick/Shut In’s
On Friday, we will visit the sick and the shut in’s of the Parish. If you are not at home on that day, please notify the office. If any sick or shut - in member of our community wishes to have us visit, please register at the office.

New Life In Our Parish
Our Parish welcomes into the Christian Community, Riley Jordon Lahey who became a member of God’s family through the Sacrament of Baptism during the month of September.

Liturgical Ministers
Saturday 5:00 p.m. Readers: Rosemary O’Keefe & John Kent
Oct. 7th Eucharistic Ministers: Bonnie Spracklin; Tom Spracklin; Jasmine Brazil; Lydia Brazil
Presentation of Gifts: Shirley Murphy & Carol Clarke
Ushers: Leo Byrne; Fred Carroll; Jim Pendergast; George Hickey; Cyril Jackman; Brian Tulk

Sunday 10:30 a.m. Readers: Rosanne Grant & Gary Gosine
Oct. 8th Eucharistic Ministers: Shirley Murphy; Pat Murphy; Connie Cole; Sid Maddigan
Presentation of Gifts: Clara Hammond & Riv Fitzgerald
Children’s Liturgy: Patricia King
Ushers: Ray Whalen; Sid Maddigan; Art Whelan;
Kevin Delahunty

Fall Fair
The schedule for our annual Fall Fair is set and we now count on your faithful support. The Sale of Works/Dinner/Card Game will take place on Monday, November 6th. Take Out suppers will be: 3:00 - 5:00 p.m. and Eat In Suppers will be: 5:30 p.m. The Sale of Work will open at 4:30 p.m. along with ticket spins. The Bingo for the Fair will take place on Friday, November 3rd at 8:00 p.m.

The tickets for the dinners for the Fair will be on sale during the coming weeks and we encourage parishioners and friends to support the cause. The dinner is a choice of Roast Beef or Turkey at a cost of $8.00 each. Your donation of crafts or baked goods will be of great help to our event.

At the back of the church during the coming weekends, you may register your name if you wish to donate potatoes, carrot, turnip, baked goods or rolls to help with the extra costs. Please contact Rosanne Grant, Christine Quinlan, Ursula Lahey, Ros Hurley or Rose Kent for further information. Thank you for your support.

Ministry Sunday
During the weekend of September 30th and October 1st, we will celebrate our annual Ministry Sunday. This is a time for parishioners (who are not registered already) to sign up for various ministries in our Parish. We encourage our youth to participate and parents/families are asked to become involved. We need additional members of our community to participate and we count on “you”. Ministry sheets are available at the entrances of our Church. Please fill them out and return them after Mass
Silent Auction and Afternoon Tea
The Victorian Order of Nurses (VON) St. John’s, Newfoundland Branch invites everyone to a Silent Auction and Afternoon Tea to be held on Sunday, October 1, 2006 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the Senior Citizen’s Club, 10 Bennett Avenue.
Proceeds are used to support charitable programs and services. All donations are valued and accepted.

Family Life Bureau
The following evening groups will be offered:
1. Separation and Divorce (8wks) - Focus on rebuilding and personal growth. Topics include: grief, anger, self-worth, and stress. Begins Oct. 2nd 7:00 -9:30 p.m.
2. The Marriage Course (for Married Couples) (7wks). A video series to help enrich your marital relationship. Topics include: communications, conflict resolution, forgiveness, parents and in-laws, good sex, etc. Begins Oct, 10th, 7:00-9:30 p.m.
To register call Sr. Loretta Walsh at 579-0168. (www.stjohnsarchdiocese.nf.ca/programs). Space is limited.

Did you know?....
That following on the enthusiasm of the great experience of previous World Youth Days, young people in our Archdiocese are preparing for World Youth Day 2008 to be held in Sydney, Australia from July 8 - 23, 2008. To take part in this amazing spiritual journey, pilgrims must be 18 years of age by July 7, 2008. Preparation sessions are beginning soon. For more information on how to become a pilgrim please contact Linda Maher, Archdiocesan Youth Minister at 726-3660 or e-mail: youthcentre@nf.aibn.com. Deadline for applications is Friday, October 27, 2006.

YC 2006 SHOUT: Twenty young people and youth ministers from our Archdiocese will
be travelling to Corner Brook on Oct. 6-8 for YC.2006. Please keep our travelers in your prayers during this fantastic Christian gathering of approximately 3000 youth of our province.

Eating Disorder Public Meeting
A public meeting is being held to solicit interest and direction for more effective and proactive support programs. This meeting will be to increase the Awareness, Understanding, and Prevention of Eating Disorders.
Items to be discussed: 1. An Eating Disorder update from several health professionals
2. A presentation on plans to form an Eating Disorder Foundation 3. Questions & Answers
The meeting will be held at the Comfort Inn - Airport Road on Wednesday, October 11th , 2006 @ 7:30 p.m. Please make every effort to attend. We need your help. For more information, please contact Vince Withers (709) 726-8178.

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