Newsletter

10 November 2024

32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time (b)

Collect prayer: Almighty and merciful God, graciously keep from us all adversity, so that, unhindered in mind and body alike, we may pursue in freedom of heart the things that are yours. Through our Lord

Readings
1 Kings 17:10-16
Psalm 145
Hebrews 9:24-28
Gospel: Mark 12:38-44

In his teaching Jesus said, ‘Beware of the scribes who like to walk about in long robes, to be greeted obsequiously in the market squares, to take the front seats in the synagogues and the places of honour at banquets; these are the men who swallow the property of widows, while making a show of lengthy prayers. The more severe will be the sentence they receive.’

He sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the treasury, and many of the rich put in a great deal. A poor widow came and put in two small coins, the equivalent of a penny. Then he called his disciples and said to them, ‘I tell you solemnly, this poor widow has put more in than all who have contributed to the treasury; for they have all put in money they had over, but she from the little she had has put in everything she possessed, all she had to live on.’

Readings Next Sunday (33rd in OT)

  1. Daniel 12:1-3
  2. Psalm 15
  3. Hebrews 10:11-14.18
  4. Mark 13:24-32

Saints of the Week

  • 11 Mo St. Martin of Tours, bishop.
  • 12 Tu St. Josafat, bishop and martyr.
  • 15 Fri St. Albert the Great, bishop and doctor.
  • 16 Sat St. Margaret of Scotland.

No one is so poor that he cannot give something

The Liturgy of the Word this Sunday gives us two widows as models of faith. They are presented in parallel: one in the First Book of Kings (17:10-16) and the other in the Gospel of Mark (12:41-44). Both these women are very poor and it is precisely this condition that speaks of their great faith in God. The first appears in the series of narratives about the Prophet Elijah. In a time of famine, he receives an order from the Lord to go to pagan territory near Sidon, outside Israel. There he meets a widow and asks her for water to drink and a little bread. The woman replies that there is only a handful of flour and a drop of oil, but, since the Prophet insists and promises her that, if she listens to him, flour and oil will not be wanting; she listens and is rewarded.

The second widow in the Gospel is noticed by Jesus at the Temple in Jerusalem, to be precise at the treasury, where men and women are giving alms. Jesus sees this woman throwing two coins into the treasury; he then calls his disciples and explains that her contribution is greater than that of the rich, because, while they gave of their plenty, the widow put in “everything she had, her whole living” (Mk 12:44).

From these two biblical passages, wisely juxtaposed, one can learn a valuable lesson about the faith. It appears as an interior attitude of he who bases his life on God, on the Word, and trusts totally in him. Being a widow in antiquity was in itself a condition of grave need. This is why in the Bible widows and orphans were people whom God cared for in a special way: they have lost their earthly support but God remains their Spouse, their Parent.

Yet, Scripture says that the objective state of need, in this case being a widow, does not suffice: God always asks for our free adherence to faith, that it is expressed in love for him and for our neighbour. No one is so poor that he cannot give something. And, in fact, both of these widows from today demonstrate their faith by carrying out an act of charity: one for the Prophet and the other by alms giving. Thus they attest to the inseparable unity between faith and love, as between love of God and love of one’s neighbour — as the Gospel of last Sunday reminded us. Pope St Leo the Great affirmed this: “On the scales of divine justice the quantity of gifts is not weighed, but the weight of hearts. The widow deposited in the Temple treasury two small coins and by doing so surpassed the gifts of all the rich. No gesture of goodness is meaningless before God, no mercy is left barren”

Cf. Benedict XVI, Angelus 11/11/2012

St. Albert the Great (c.1200 – 1280)

Albert is called The Great because of his extraordinary learning and tutelage of some of the Church’s brightest saints. He was born in Lauingen, on the Danube in Swabia, and carefully educated from boyhood. To pursue higher learning, he went to Padua.

Albert loved the Blessed Virgin Mary and prayed Her Rosary. To fulfil his potential, he completed his studies in Cologne.

Albert gained fame as a professor in Paris. Among his beloved pupils was Thomas Aquinas, who’s great intellect he recognised and acclaimed. In Anagni, in the presence of the Supreme Pontiff Alexander IV, Albert refuted William’s allegations against the mendicant orders. Albert was later consecrated bishop of Ratisbon.

In giving counsel and settling disputes, Bp. Albert carried himself so admirably that he earned the title of peacemaker. He wrote many things on almost every branch of learning, but especially on sacred subjects. He also composed magnificent works about the Sacrament of the Altar.

Br. Albert passed away in the year 1280.

Weekly News

Last Week’s Collections
All Saints: €449,49Sunday: €1153,94 – Caritas: €28,12

Collection for the Cemetery

LIGHT UP A LIFE 2024
Join us, Tuesday 26 November at 6pm in AK. To dedicate a candle for a departed loved one, and have his name prayed for, please put it in an envelope along with €5 contribution for the Hospice, drop off at the coffee shop, put in basket in church or give to one of the priests.

NOVEMBER LIST
Prayers for a deceased loved during the Masses in November, just write their name and place it in the basket by the altar in the church.

EVENSONG
Join us Tuesday 19 Nov at 4pm in AK, for this popular service of prayer and music. All welcome.

2025 MISSALS
If you have ordered or would like to order a missal for the upcoming liturgical year, please send a text to Fr. Fernando 99 933130. €10, we have many requests. (French available).

ST. BARNABAS PASTORAL CENTER
Admissions are now open for lay people who would like to prepare for teaching in different areas of our Catholic faith. For info please call:
Sister Ramona Cordes 95 960715 or Ms. Cheryl Wolner 97 827434 or Ms. Josephine Yamaki 99 222002

AMH COFFEE SHOP
Coffee shop (Open 9-1 and till 2 Sun) We have postcards of Church, rosaries, scapulars, Mass cards, Miraculous medals etc.

Remembrance Sunday (10 Nov) Poppies and memorabilia available, donations to RBL.

CARITAS ST. PAUL’S
People who might benefit from a food bag are not aware of this outreach in our parish. If you know someone, please put them in touch with us: Fr. Fernando 99 933130. Thank you for your prayers and donations.

Mass Schedule

  • Monday 9.00 H. Mass (Agia Kyriaki)
  • Tuesday 9.00 H. Mass(AK)
  • Wednesday 10.50 Eucharistic Adoration – 12.00 H. Mass (AK)
  • Thursday 9.00 H. Mass(AK)
  • Friday 9. 00 H. Mass (AK)
  • Saturday 16.00 and 18.00 H. Mass (AK) / 18.00 H. Mass (Polis)
  • Sunday H. Masses in AK: 10AM (Latin), 11AM (Polish), 12PM (English)

Sri Lankan Mass: Every 3rd Sunday of the month at 1:30 pm.
Filipino Mass: Every last Sunday of the month at 12 pm.

For sick visits, confessions or any pastoral inquires, contact Fr. Ismael or Fr. Fernando.