In recent days we have commemorated and remembered all those whose earthly journey has ended and who have gone home to the Lord before us.

On Thursday we celebrated ‘The Commemoration of all the Faithful Departed’ or ‘All Souls’ as it is more commonly known. On Friday evening we had our annual Mass of Remembrance for all those who have died in the parish in the last twelve months and who were buried from Holy Trinity. Bereaved families were invited to this special Mass.

Traditionally here in Ireland the month of November has always been the month when we gather at various times and in different settings to honour and commemorate our dear ones who have departed and left this world.

As people of faith, we believe that we will be reunited with them sometime in the future. Each of the Eucharistic prayers we use at Mass has a special mention of all the dead. One of the Eucharistic prayers implores or asks for eternal life, not only for the disciples of Christ who have died in his peace, but for all the dead whose faith is known to God.

May our souls, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

Fr Gerry

Once again, the Pharisees question Jesus in the hope that he will say something they can use against him. They ask which is the greatest commandment of the law. Jesus tells them that the greatest and first commandment is to ‘Love the Lord your God’. We should place God’s will ahead of ours, seek the Lord’s will in all things and make him paramount in our lives. The second is to ‘Love your neighbour’. God’s will is that we should love everyone, seeing him in our neighbour. These two commandments are key to understanding all others.

These two commandments are intrinsically linked. To claim that we love Jesus but not to love our neighbour is not love. To love means that we must make it evident to others. Early each evening under the portico of the G.P.O. on O’Connell Street volunteers gather to distribute hot food and sandwiches to anyone who comes seeking it. While it is amazing to see this example of ‘Agape’ or unconditional love it’s also sad to think that so many are homeless and in need of food in Dublin 2017. This is a very visible and real example of love of God and neighbour in action in our midst. But we must not leave it to others because we are challenged to live out these two important commandments daily and not from time to time when it suits us better.

‘Let us love our enemies, bless those who curse us, pray for those who persecute us. For love will conquer and will endure for all eternity and happy are those who live and die in God’s love.’ (Franz Jagerstatter)

Fr Gerry

Today over one billion Catholics all over the world will celebrate World Mission Sunday. It was instituted in 1926 by Papal decree issued by Pope Pius XI. So, every year since then the Church worldwide has always used the month of October to reflect and pray for the work of the Missions. On today in particular we are asked to contribute to a collection which is used in the work of evangelisation around the world.

There has always been a long tradition of missionary Sisters and Priests from Ireland going to all parts of the globe to spread the gospel message. With declining vocations and an aging population many have returned home to their congregations and diocese. Now, in 2017 the new ‘missionaries’ who travel from our shores to share the gospel message of love and compassion for our fellow humanity are those of volunteers who work with agencies like Concern, Trócaire, GOAL, Bóthar, etc.

In one of his World Mission Sunday messages, Pope Benedict XVI encouraged Churches with a shortage of priests to welcome them from countries where there are many. So, it’s perhaps fitting that on Friday Fr Dominic and Fr Obaldo arrived from Uganda to stay with us while they pursue some studies in DCU. They arrive at a crucial time in the life of Holy Trinity and St Paul’s parishes. I know that they will be welcomed by all parishioners.

In his 2017 message, Pope Francis reminds us that through the proclamation of the Gospel, the risen Jesus becomes our contemporary and that those who welcome him with faith and love can experience the transforming power of this Spirit. That’s exactly what the prophet Isaiah means in today’s first reading when he says ‘I arm you that men may know from the rising to the setting of the sun that, apart from me, all is nothing.’

Fr Gerry

Anyone who has sent out invitations for a wedding, a birthday party or some other event will know how slow we can be when it comes to that RSVP request to reply by a specific time. We usually have to call or email some of the invitees nearer the closing date to confirm if they are coming along so we can give a final number to the hotel or venue and avoid the added expense of paying for guests who are not going to be there.

Today’s Gospel story has a slightly similar theme to it. We hear how the Kingdom of Heaven is compared to a feast that the King gives for his son after his wedding. While many of the guests had said they would love to attend when they received the invite they didn’t bother turning up on the day. They were too busy going about their business or tending their farms to join the King and his family for this happy occasion. They just couldn’t be bothered. But, rather than give up, the King sent his servants out and invited everyone they could find in the community who genuinely wanted to come to the wedding feast.

Each week we are all invited to the Banquet. To attend a feast every Sunday where we are nourished by the word of God and the bread of life. Many choose not to attend even though they received that invitation from the time of their baptism. The question arises should we ever stop issuing that invitation? Pope Francis tells us that we should never stop being missionaries who go out and invite others to the eternal banquet by how we live our lives and treat our fellow humanity with dignity and respect. By doing so maybe we can inspire others to come and be as nourished as we are.

Fr Gerry

The first reading today from Isaiah and the gospel from Matthew use the image of a vineyard to illustrate their message. Isaiah speaks of the love that his friend has for his vineyard and how he tends it with loving care on the fertile hillside. Isaiah is really using this story to warn the Israelites that they were going wrong. That they, the chosen people, were ignoring God their Father and needed to change their ways.

St. Paul gives words of support and encouragement when he urges those listening ‘not to worry’ and to ask God for anything they need in prayer but also give thanks when it is due. He tells them they must fill their minds with noble thoughts and deeds and if they do then the God of peace will be with them guiding and directing them in all matters.

The chief priests and elders were not too impressed by the parable in today’s gospel. They thought that all was well between themselves and God but now they are being criticised for their actions. Ironically this was not the first time they had heard Jesus speak. Like many others they had heard him before. But while many had grown in faith by listening to what Jesus had to say and changed their attitudes, the Pharisees had not budged one millimetre.

We can all come to mass each week and listen to God’s word but like the Pharisees we can fail to listen or embrace any of the challenges the scriptures set before us. We all need to take heed of the warnings from Isaiah, St. Paul and Jesus and apply them to our own lives. If we respond to those challenges then we are like the good tenants in God’s vineyard.

Fr Gerry

Saturday Vigil - 6:30 pm
Sunday Morning - 9:30 am & 11:30 am

At a recent meeting of the Parish Pastoral Council it was proposed that Sunday morning mass times should be changed. This is for several reasons: There is just one priest working full time in the Parish, and I also have responsibility for St. Paul’s in Ayrfield and celebrate mass there on Sundays. At times, I also provide support and cover for St. Benedict’s Grange Park and St. Monica’s Edenmore. The Parish Pastoral Council feels that given the current situation, two Sunday morning masses here in Holy Trinity are adequate; it works well during the months of July and August. To that end, from Sunday 8th October mass times will be as follows:

Saturday Vigil - 6:30 pm
Sunday Morning - 9:30 am & 11:30 am

Music at the new 11:30am mass will be provided by the Folk Group and the Family Mass Group on alternate Sundays. The First Communion ‘Do This in Memory of Me‘ and Confirmation preparation masses will now take place at this new earlier mass time of 11:30am.

I am grateful for all the support and understanding I have received over the last couple of weeks. I appreciate that many who attend the 12:30pm mass may be disappointed by the changes but we hope you will continue to join us at the 11:30am mass.

Fr Gerry

In our Gospel reading today, we meet two sons with very different approaches to mission and ministry. One of them agrees, perhaps a bit hastily, to accept the request from his father. Maybe he wants to please him but he certainly does not give himself any time for reflection and later decides not to complete the task.

The other son is also a bit hasty with his decision making but, having thought about it for a while, decides to go and do what he was asked.

At this time of year we recommence various parish groups and activities after the summer break. Many of us will have enjoyed the opportunity over the summer to be out in the fresh air and to have pleasant walks on the longer evenings. As the days start to get a bit shorter, it’s a good time to think about how we can spend some time assisting in our parish community in various ways.

One way we can do this is to pray for the parish and in particular for parishioners who are sick, whether at home, in hospital or in nursing homes. We can ask God to accompany them at this challenging part of their journey of faith.

I think we often underestimate the difference that a smile or a kind word can make to a person. A priest once told me that, even if he was rushing somewhere, he would always try to take time to speak to any parishioners who wanted to have a word with him. And this ministry of listening is there for each and every one of us in the different circumstances of our lives.

Like the two sons in today’s gospel, we too have to weigh up carefully what time and commitment with can give to our parish and to reflect on how our talents and abilities can be of service to our community. And we should remember that even small gestures can be of real benefit to people.

Deacon Gerard Reilly

Our readings today are essentially about our human sense of justice. The group of farm workers judge the generosity of the land-owner as unjust and unfair.

We can all remember those times from childhood when we argued with our parents about something not being fair. A sibling who got a bigger dessert than us or was allowed to stay up late while we were sent to bed. Maybe it was in school when we thought that the teacher was showing favouritism or during a football match we disagreed with the referee awarding a penalty or sending a player off the pitch.

In work, maybe we feel that we work harder than anyone else and should be rewarded more than all of our colleagues. But envy should have no place in our hearts because we can’t control the way God blesses others. We should just be grateful that he does, just as he blesses us too.

Essentially what Jesus is telling us today, is that as his followers a full wage is given to each of us regardless of whether we have worked all our lives or just turned to him later in life. His mercy is far greater than our human minds can comprehend and he is always ready to pardon us. The story of the landlord’s love and generosity represents God’s love and generosity towards us.

Jesus also wanted to teach the disciples that they didn’t have any special place of honour because of their close association with him. All individuals, no matter when they come to him, are equally precious to God.

Fr Gerry