March 27th 2011 - 3rd Sunday of Lent Year A

On this weeks programme we have a regular catch up with Stephanie O'Donnell from Youth2000, we have our regular weekly reflection on the Sunday gospel, this week looking at the encounter between Jesus and the Woman at the Well, a quick review of the upcoming saints of the week, as well as some reflective music to ease you through the beginning of the third Sunday of Lent.

Youth2000 Ireland

Youth 2000 is an international movement of young people called to spread the Good News of the Catholic faith and share this experience with other young people. They have around 40 weekly prayer groups around the country, 16 to 18 weekend retreats throughout the year, a summer festival, an annual ball and various other social events - all organised by young people, for young people.

Their motto is "Youth leading youth to the heart of the Church." We have experienced the love of God in our lives, and come to know how joyful and fulfilling it is to live out the Catholic faith. They want to share this with others, and lead our peers to Jesus Christ, the source of all love, joy and happiness.

Details of prayer groups can be found here. Up coming events which people might be interesred in:

• 13th to 15th May 2011 - Munster Retreat - Friday evening to Sunday afternoon at Myross Wood, Leap, Co. Cork. Encountering Jesus in Eucharistic Adoration, talks and discussions for young people to help them explore their faith and how it can help them live in the world today.
• 3rd to 6th June 2011 - Youth 2000 Silent Retreat - The annual Youth 2000 Silent Retreat will take place in Manresa Retreat Centre, Dollymount, Dublin 3.  The retreat will led by Fr. Terence Crotty OP.  Please contact the office on 01 6753690 if you are interested.  Pre-booking is essential.  As always, the retreat is donation only.  However, the cost to Youth 2000 is €175 per person which includes all food and accommodation on a single room basis.

Gospel - John 4:5-15, 19b-26, 39a, 40-42

In this weeks gospel, we have a familiar story during the Lenten season of Jesus' encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well. Jesus is once more challanging the accepted norms of his society by reaching out to a Samaritan woman who is on the margins of her society - unusal for a man to speak to a unmarried woman, and for a Jew to talk with a Samaritan. We can surmise that the woman herself is viewed as being on the margins by the fact she is going to the well in the middle of the day rather than the cool of the morning or evening.

We are listening to a long, one to one discussion between Jesus and the Woman who enter into dialogue with each other. We have Jesus, approaching the Woman looking for her assistance because he is thirsty. The thirst he had may have been physical but it reminds us of some of the last words from the cross "I thirst" which has been reflected on during the centuries to signify the desire of God for us to turn back to the unending love that he is pouring out on us, like divine love to be poured onto our parched souls, the deserts of our hearts; Divine Love which opened its side on the cross. Such a Divine Love is open to us all to receive.

In a world where we are seeking satisfaction in our lives, the Womans search is a guide to us all - where she in turn represents the loss of direction of her own people the Samaritans. Are we open to seeking out the really essential things of life?

"Give me a drink" - have there been times when we have needed a drink; be it a consoling word, inspirational music, a moment of pause? Have we been willing to receive such a "drink" but have we also been open to offering such gifts from the Lord to be shared? Are we willing to follow the example of the Woman to be a witness, to offer community to those around us?

Other reflections on this weeks gospel from the Deacons Bench, Word on Fire, English Dominicans,

Saints of the Week

March 28th - Blessed Donal O'Neylan

March 29th - St Eustace of Luxeuil

March 30th - St John of the Ladder

March 31st - St Stephan of Mar Saba

April 1st - St Celsus of Armagh

April 2nd - St Rufus of Glendalough

Local Notices

• Lenten Talks: - Our Lady's Pastoral Area has arranged a series of Lenten Talks to be held in the Parish Centre, Newcastle West, Co. Limerick Please come along on the evenings listed below.  A very good spiritual exercise to undertake during Lent.  No admission charge:  

Wednesday, March 30th 2011 at 8.00pm

Theme: 'Do I really pray?  Come and explore'

Speaker: Fr. Micheal Liston

 

Wednesday, April 6th 2011 at 8.00pm

Theme: 'Why I am still involved in the Church'

Speakers: Two young adults share their thoughts

 

Wednesday, April 13th 2011 at 8.00pm

Theme: 'Are we a spiritual family?'

Speaker: A mother of a young family puts some ideas before us on how to be "family"