30th Sunday Ordinary Time Year A. Today’s Readings (Missal page 676)

First Reading Exodus 22:20-26  How God’s people should be generous to their neighbour in need

Second Reading Thessalonians 1:5c-10  Paul speaks of the difference faith in Christ has made to the Thessalonian Christians

Gospel Matthew 22:34-40  The greatest Commandments are love of God and love of neighbour

MUSIC

This week we will be continuing with the Belmont Mass setting. In November, we will introduce another Mass setting, the Heritage Mass. Our aim is to have several Mass settings that we know well, and with which we can join in together, led by the choir and the music group. Whereas it is difficult to have a large repertoire of hymns that we all know (each country having its own tradition), a repertoire of Mass settings will enable us to sing together in praise of God.

Opening Hymn: Christ be beside me  910
Penitential Rite Belmont Mass
Gloria  Belmont Mass
Psalm said
Creed said
Gospel Acclamation Belmont
Preparation of the Gifts  organ; followed by: Lord accept the gifts we offer 604
Sanctus  Belmont Mass
Memorial Acclamation Belmont Mass
Agnus Dei Belmont Mass
Holy Communion  organ; This is my Body  627
Recessional  As I kneel before you  360

Prayer of the Faithful Praying especially for:
Saturday: Paul Kouba, who died recently. RIP.
Sunday: Ana Ferreira Mendes, RIP.

The Redemptorists have established a new Mission in Albania, the former totalitarian Communist state, and the new community is serving three communities in and near the capital, Tirana. One of the priests is known to our community having visited Luxembourg a couple of times: Fr Dominic O’Toole has supplied Masses here in Luxembourg whilst I have been away. We wish Fr Dominic and confreres every blessing in their new and challenging posting. You can read about the new Mission here.

Fr Ed

For over a year our Parish Council has been working on Safeguarding: seeking a strategy and practical guidelines to help ensure that children, young people and vulnerable adults are protected, and that catechists and others who work in our community are equally protected. This task has proved challenging, given the particular nature of our parish, the geographical spread of our community members and the variety of cultures and church backgrounds we all come from. However, the challenge must be met, and at our recent Council meeting (22nd October) we agreed to publish draft guidelines for Safeguarding. These do not represent a fully developed strategy, but the first, necessary steps towards such a strategy. It is vital that this draft is considered, reflected upon and discussed in our community, and suggestions for improvement are invited and welcomed. When we do have what we consider to be a developed strategy which we wish fully to implement, we will then pass it to the archdiocese for approval, and publicise it for all who are part of, or visitors to, our community.

It would be helpful if suggestions (proposed amendments, additions or subtractions) followed the following format:

1. Your name; any particular experience/expertise you might have (eg. parent, teacher, carer, experience from previous parish/diocese)
2. Your suggestion/s (what you think should be added, taken away or amended)
3. The reasons for your suggestions (to help us understand the concerns you are addressing)
4. Any other comments and observations.

Your comments may be emailed to me, to any member of the Parish Council, or handed in at the sacristy.
To repeat: this text is a draft, an early stage in our formulation of a policy; as such, it is necessarily inadequate. We must begin somewhere, however, in formulating a policy that is ‘best practice’ and suited to our particular situation; transparency in this is essential, and your help greatly appreciated.

Safeguarding Guidelines (draft 1)

Thank you.  Fr Ed

29th Sunday Ordinary Time Year A Today’s Readings 

Today is Mission Sunday — our weekly collection will be sent to the diocese to support missionary work abroad

First Reading  Isaiah 45:1, 4-6  The Lord uses Cyrus, enemy of Israel, to teach the Israelites a lesson

Second Reading Thessalonians 1:1-5b  Paul congratulates the believers on their conviction in faith.

Gospel Matthew 22:15-21  The Pharisees try to trap Jesus into committing treason against Caesar. He turns their question around.

MUSIC

This week we will be continuing with the Belmont Mass setting.

Opening Hymn: Holy God we praise thy name  708
Penitential Rite Belmont Mass
Gloria  Belmont Mass
Psalm said
Creed said
Gospel Acclamation Belmont
Preparation of the Gifts  organ; followed by Blest are you, Lord  603
Sanctus  Belmont Mass
Memorial Acclamation Belmont Mass
Agnus Dei Belmont Mass
Holy Communion  organ; My soul proclaims you, Mighty God  340
Recessional  O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder  721
Prayer of the Faithful Praying especially for:
Saturday: Paul Kouba, who died recently. RIP.
Sunday: Kitty Hogan (month’s mind) RIP.

Many thanks to the organisers of the sale of clothes held at St Alphonse on 11th October — over €220 was raised for Garango, our mission project in Burkina Faso. A lot of hard work went into collecting, sorting, arranging and selling the various garments donated. Thanks too to all who donated clothing and contributed to the success of the sale. Another sale is planned for next month, so more clothes (autumn/winter) welcome.

Fr Ed