12 November 2017

32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

1st reading: Wisdom 6:12-16. Psalm: 62
2nd reading: 1 Thesalonians 4:13-18
The Gospel of Matthew 25:1-13

Jesus told this parable to his disciples: ‘The kingdom of heaven will be like this: Ten bridesmaids took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were sensible: the foolish ones did take their lamps, but they brought no oil, whereas the sensible ones took flasks of oil as well as their lamps. The bridegroom was late, and they all grew drowsy and fell asleep. But at midnight there was a cry, “The bridegroom is here! Go out and meet him.” At this, all those bridesmaids woke up and trimmed their lamps, and the foolish ones said to the sensible ones, “Give us some of your oil: our lamps are going out.” But they replied, “There may not be enough for us and for you; you had better go to those who sell it and buy some for yourselves.” They had gone off to buy it when the bridegroom arrived. Those who were ready went in with him to the wedding hall and the door was closed. The other bridesmaids arrived later. “Lord, Lord,” they said “open the door for us.” But he replied, “I tell you solemnly, I do not know you.” So stay awake, because you do not know either the day or the hour.’

The Oil of Good works

After the Day of Judgment, there is no more opportunity for good works, or for righteousness, and therefore it follows, “And the door was shut.” Their worthy confession calling Him, “Lord, Lord,” is a mark of faith. But to what avail is it to confess Him with the mouth, when you deny him with your works? For “the Lord knows them that are his,” [2 Tim 2:19] and he that knows not, shall not be known, and though they be virgins in purity of body, or in confession of the true faith, yet forasmuch as they have no oil, they are unknown by the bridegroom. When He adds, “Watch therefore, because ye know not the day nor the hour,” He means that all that has been said points to this, namely, if we know not the day of judgment, we should be careful in providing the light of good works.
Saint Jerome, Catena Aurea

This week’s feasts
Wed 15 St. Albert the Great, Bishop, Doctor  
Thu 16 St. Margaret of Scotland, also St. Gertrude, Virgin  
Fri 17 St. Elizabeth of Hungary, Religious 
Sat 18 Dedication of the Basilicas of St. Peter and St. Paul, Apostles.

Psalter Week IV

Readings for 33rd Sunday
1st: Proverbs 31:10-13, 19-20, 30-31
Psalm: 127:1-5
2nd: 1 Thesalonians 5:1-16
Gospel: Matthew 25:14-30

St. Margaret, Queen of Scotland

Margaret of Scotland, also known as “The pearl of Scotland,” was an English princess of the house of Wessex who was born in exile in Hungary around 1045. She was very prayerful and pious. When she was 25, she married Malcolm III, king of Scotland, and as queen she always promoted the Catholic faith, whether building churches, for example the Abbey of Dunfermline where a relic of the Cross of our Lord was enshrined, or helping pilgrims as she established a ferry for them to get across the Firth of Forth, one of the widest rivers in Scotland. St. Margaret’s influence in Scottish culture can still be felt today. There is a story about her richly adorned book of the Gospels being dropped into the river and miraculously recovered, this book is now in the Bodleian library at Oxford. She is also said to have foretold the day of her death which was 16 November 1093. Her body was buried before the high altar at Dunfermline, but a few years after her canonization in 1250 by Pope Innocent IV, her relics were translated to a new shrine; sadly, in a series of events, these were lost a few centuries later.

St. Margaret of Scotland, pray for us.

Christmas Parish Lunch Sun 10 Dec, 1:30 at LPH. We need you to PLEASE SIGN UP for catering purposes. Look for list or talk to Fr. Jim.

Our 2017-2018 Apostolates have restarted including SJPII Children’s Oratory, Catechism for First Communion and Bible Group. For info contact Fr. Fernando 9933 3130. Thank you for your prayers.

Light up a Life Service: Thurs 14 Dec at 6pm. Join us in a prayerful evening for our faithful departed. To have the name of a deceased loved one read out please contact Mary Penny: 9639 8641.  

Help us Beautify the Church The Flower Arrangement Group is looking for volunteers. Contact Resi at 26910706.

Fr. Carlos Tandem Parachute Jump Sat 2 Dec. Sponsor our Parish Priest to help Caritas, please see poster in the Coffee Shop.

Meze Meal Dinner at Akis Taverna Fri 24 Nov, 7:30pm. €15.00. Live entertainment. Help our Hospice. Call 9938 9073 (limited availability).

Christmas Shopping Trip to Nicosia Tues 12 December. 3 stops M & S, Ledra Street (bring passport) and Ikea. Raffle. Leave at 8am from upper parking in Debenhams, back 7pm. Cost €17 to help Hospice. Call Linda 99562387.

CARITAS PAPHOS is looking for a place to store the Christmas presents for the children. Thanks for your prayers and support! Contact Wendy Burdon at 99040294.

Mass Times HERE