Welcome everyone as we celebrate the 24th Sunday in Ordinary time. Our Gospel today is one that is very familiar to us; it is the Parable of the Prodigal Son. Jesus is at his teaching best here when he confronts the Pharisees and Scribes who continually point out that Jesus eats with known sinners so how could he be the Messiah of God. In telling the people this parable, Jesus sets before us all the true nature of God as one who is compassionate and forgiving to those who turn to him in humility.This gives all of us hope and joy. Rather than languishing in "Catholic Guilt", we can turn in confidence to the God who loves us unconditionally. It can be difficult for people to accept this; they see themselves as beyond the forgiveness of God, but Jesus wishes to change that perception. By eating with notorious sinners, Jesus is showing them in a practical way that they have the opportunity to turn their lives around should they choose to. That truly is a wonderful gift and we all should embrace it in our own lives.The other side of this parable concerns our attitude to the sins of others. While we can celebrate the Divine forgiveness offered to ourselves, do we do the same in relation to others? There can be a bit of the Pharisee or Scribe in each one of us. How quick are we to point out the failings of others and to hold them against them? Rather than following the example of the father in the parable and embracing the sinner we embrace bitterness toward the person and use it as a battering ram. Who benefits from this?The wisdom of the old saying becomes clear; hate the sin but love the sinner. It is not easy for us to live by; the call to be a follower of Jesus Christ is not easy, but it is life-affirming.Have a great weekFr. Eoin

The latest editions of the parish newsletter Trinity News and Year of Evangelisation newsletter e-Good News are now available for download.

Trinity News goes monthlyWelcome everyone to our first Trinity News since the end of June. The fact that the print edition is appearing at all is down once again to the great generosity of Chris and Jackie Jameson who have organised that this edition makes it to the printing press for us. In welcoming back Trinity News, it is also an opportunity to announce that we will be changing the format of Trinity News from a weekly news sheet to a monthly magazine starting from next month. The magazine format allows for articles and pictures of all the different events that happen in Holy Trinity Parish, week in and week out. If your parish group, prayer group, sports club or school are holding an event, winning competitions or merely wish to say hello, then make sure to send on an article to the Parish Office with a picture or two, preferably by email, or in hard copy. In this way we hope to offer parishioners a good read on a monthly basis on all that is happening. We aim to make the magazine self-financing each month with ads for local shops and services so if you are looking for a way to expand your business then get in touch with Clare in the Parish Office for more details.Farewell to Fr. Donald and MaureenLast Sunday we all had an opportunity to say a fond farewell to Fr. Donald McLoughlin as he returns to his native diocese of Johannesburg in South Africa. In the year he was with us he really touched the hearts of parishioners and made a big impression. We will all miss him and his good nature. For Fr. Gary and I, it will be a big loss, as Donald was always so obliging in helping us out anyway he could with school Confessions and the monthly Baptisms.We didn't get a chance to say farewell to Maureen Darcy who is the Parish Pastoral Worker who has been on placement with us since March. Maureen received her letter of appointment on Tuesday from the Archbishop to go to Brackenstown Parish in Swords as of 1st September. We wish Maureen and Fr. Donald every happiness and blessing in their new appointments and ministry.No replacement for Fr. DonaldThis time of year is always the time for the priest appointments in the diocese to come into effect. The Archbishop's room for manoeuvre is getting very tight as can be seen from this summer's appointments listed below (Msgr. Peter Briscoe has been appointed as Administrator of four parishes: Portmarnock, Kinsealy, Malahide and Yellow Walls). The upshot for us in Holy Trinity Parish is that Fr. Donald will not be replaced as a Parish Chaplain here. There are just not enough priests. We will continue with Fr. Gary and I as the only priests in the parish. This will obviously mean extra work for us both but it also means that parishioners will have to assist in ministering to the parish as well. One consequence of Fr. Donald not being replaced is that we will not be in a position to bring back the 5.30pm Sunday evening Mass in October as had been hoped, or the weekday evening Mass at 7.30pm. We thank parishioners for their understanding of the difficult situation we find ourselves in.Finally, on this All Ireland Hurling Final Day a big welcome to fans from Tipperary and Kilkenny who join us today and may the best team win!!Have a great week,Fr. Eoin A Time Out Weekend Retreat for Young Adults will take place from Fri 24th – Sun 26th of September 2010 in Glendalough, Co. Wicklow. This retreat promises to be a lively and uplifting experience and has been especially designed for young adults 18-30 years be they young workers, students, or unemployed. Participants are asked to make a donation towards the event depending on their means. For more details, contact Fr. Eoin 847 4652. Archdiocese of DublinSummer Appointments effective 31 August 2010Athy (St. Michael’s)Fr Gerry Tanham PP (from Malahide-Yellow Walls as PP)Fr Paul O’ Driscoll CC (from Arklow as CC)Kilmacud/Mt. Merrion (St. Laurence O’Toole/St. Therese)Fr Conleth Meehan (newly ordained) as CC to both ParishesFr Martin Harte