First Reading

1 Kings 19:4-8

The Lord feeds Elijah, strengthening him for his journey to Horeb.

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 34:2-3,4-5,6-7,8-9

A prayer of praise to God for his goodness

Second Reading

Ephesians 4:30—5:2

The Ephesians are encouraged to be imitators of Christ.

Gospel Reading

John 6:41-51

Jesus responds to the murmurs of the crowd, who wonders what he means when he says that he came down from heaven.



Background on the Gospel Reading

On this Sunday, we continue to read from the “Bread of Life discourse” found in the sixth chapter of John’s Gospel. Recall that we have been reading from this chapter for the past two weeks and will continue to read from it for another two. Last week, the crowd asked for a sign that would show that Jesus came from God. Jesus replied by saying that he is the sign and the bread of life sent by God. At this point, our Lectionary omits six verses in which Jesus predicts the unbelief of the crowd and further develops his connection with God the Father. In these verses, Jesus says that he was sent by God to do the Father’s will. Jesus promises that those who look upon the Son with faith will find eternal life. Some of these themes are repeated in today’s Gospel reading.

Today’s Gospel begins with a report that the Jews complained about Jesus’ claims regarding his identity. They knew his family, and they knew he was the son of Joseph. They could not comprehend what Jesus meant when he said that he came down from heaven. Jesus responds to the complaints by saying that only those who are chosen by God will recognize him as the one that God sent. This is a recurring theme in John’s Gospel, that God has chosen those who will have faith in Jesus.

In the verses that follow, Jesus talks more about his unity with the Father. He is the one who has seen the Father and, therefore, knows the Father. Those who listen to God will recognize that Jesus is the one sent from God. Those who believe will have eternal life. Jesus concludes with the central element of our eucharistic theology. He promises that the bread of life will bring eternal life to those who partake of it, and he tells us that the bread of life will be his own flesh, given for the life of the world.

In today’s reading, we hear Jesus say again, as he did in last week's Gospel, that he is the bread of life. We also hear Jesus add that he is the living bread. Both of these statements help us understand better the gift that Jesus gives us in the Eucharist. We celebrate this gift of Jesus each time we gather for Mass. We believe that receiving Jesus in the Eucharist will lead us to eternal life. Layola Press

U.S. Olympic Runner Praises God After Setting World Record:

“Jesus Has Given Me Everything”

by Jacqueline Burkepile - Aug 2, 2021

United States field and track runner Sydney McLaughlin set the world record for the 400-meter hurdles at the Olympic trials on June 27. McLaughlin, who is now competing at the Tokyo Olympics, gave all the credit to the Lord, saying she “is in awe of God.”



The 21-year-old athlete ran the 400-meter hurdle in 51.90 seconds, breaking another runner’s previous 52.16-second record.

Here’s her Instagram post below:

McLaughlin’s post reads, “The face of a woman who is in awe of God  51.90.

“I could feel this meet was going to be something special… but MAN.

“Weeks like these are some of the hardest in a track athletes life. The mental strain of preparing for the rounds in order to solidify your spot is heavy enough.

But the amount of weight the Lord took off my shoulders, is the reason I could run so freely yesterday.

“My faith was being tested all week. From bad practices, to 3 false start delays, to a meet delay.

“I just kept hearing God say, “Just focus on me”. It was the best race plan I could have ever assembled. I no longer run for self recognition, but to reflect His perfect will that is already set in stone. I don’t deserve anything. But by grace, through faith, Jesus has given me everything. Records come and go. The glory of God is eternal. Thank you Father. 

“Congrats to everyone who made the team, as well as my awesome competitors!! Let’s go represent the USA  the best way we know how!”

In a follow-up interview, McLaughlin says she “found stability in Christ.”

“Honestly, I think that this year has been the biggest part of my success, coming out of COVID and a year of such uncertainty, I really found stability in Christ and in my faith.

“Even in crazy meets where there’s so much on the line, I always have something to hold onto.”

Say a prayer for all Olympic athletes!

St. Sebastian, patron saint of athletes, please pray for us!

“I have a Saint for that”



As many of you know I really enjoy getting to know the Saints. What a wonderful way to get closer to our heavenly Father than by the Saints examples? I love getting to share bits and pieces about them with you. I feel like each year we learn a little more about them. We discover different Saints on our journey as well as new qualities about our familiar friends. The next couple weeks it is like a celebration of Saints! From St. Clare of Assisi to St. Maximilian Kolbe to St. Bernard all amazing examples of everyday people like you and I living extraordinary lives! Beautiful lives to show us that we too can be examples of Christ’s love to others, for others, and in others. I honestly think that there is something every Catholic can say, “I have a saint for that!” Truly we do. We have a saint for almost every challenge, celebration, and everyday life event who encourages us by their simple lives and love of Christ Jesus. Just think, there is a friend who has gone through a life experience we may be going through and survived it through the love of God, in service of God. What a blessing. What a gift. Looking forward into the next two weeks I hope you will be encouraged by the women and men who we will be meeting, revisiting, and loving. Here is a little sneak peak into the coming weeks.

St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, (Edith Stein) a convert from Judaism who stopped believing in God when she was 14, Edith Stein was so captivated by reading the autobiography of Teresa of Avila that she began a spiritual journey that led to her baptism in 1922. Twelve years later she imitated Saint Teresa by becoming a Carmelite, taking the name Teresa Benedicta of the Cross. Teresa Benedicta and her sister Rosa, also a Catholic, died in a gas chamber in Auschwitz on August 9, 1942. I love this saint. l look at the challenges she faced and see her faith, courage and love. Her conversion to the faith brings hope to anyone praying for a conversion for another or themselves. St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross pray for us.

St. Clare of Assisi was a young girl who left everything behind to live a life of great poverty. St. Francis of Assisi was her friend and spiritual advisor. Her sister St. Agnes joined her and together they lived a life full of sacrifice and prayer. One of my favorite quotes comes from St. Clare. Love God, serve God; everything is in that. St. Clare of Assisi Pray for us.

Saint Maximilian Mary Kolbe’s Story is one I never tire of hearing and look at with awe and respect. He was the picture of Christ’s love for us all. His undaunting devotion to the Blessed Mother. St. Maximillian Kolbe sacrificed his life at Auschwitz for another. Taking his cross so another could live. His holiness was a limitless, passionate desire to convert the whole world to God. And his beloved Blessed Mother was his inspiration. When have we taken the cross for someone else? How do we carry another’s cross in our lives? How do we live by his selfless example? St. Maximilian Kolbe pray for us.

Saint Bernard of Clairvaux had the amazing ability as a successful arbitrator and counselor and he became widely known in 1111. He is a Doctor of the church. Bernard’s life in the Church was more active than we can imagine possible today. His efforts produced far-reaching results. But he knew that they would have availed little without the many hours of prayer and contemplation that brought him strength and heavenly direction. His sermons and books about Mary are still read today! “What we love we shall grow to resemble.” How do we serve the church? In what ways can we be more like St. Bernard? Do we seek to be arbitrators in the mist of conflict? St. Bernard of Clairvaux pray for us.

Just a few of the wonderful people we call Saints who we will visit a bit more thoroughly in the weeks to come. I never tire to hear the stories of their lives, their trials, and tribulations. To experience the visions and mediations of the special devotions to the Sacred Heart of Jesus or Our Lady in her many titles through the eyes of Saints. As a “friend” of mine says, “A saint is not someone who never sins, but one who sins less and less frequently and gets up more and more quickly.”- St. Bernard of Clairvaux. We have much to learn through their examples and lives. No matter what situation you are in remember “There is a saint for that” who is always ready to help you get closer to our Lord. Pray for us all the angels and saints. J.Geeting

Saints by our Sides

Living with the Saints in our everyday lives!

Transfiguration of the Lord

Saint of the Day for August 6

(1st. century 0)

The Transfiguration

Our divine Redeemer, being in Galilee about a year before His sacred Passion, took with him St. Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, Sts. James and John, and led them to a retired mountain. Tradition assures us that this was Mount Thabor, which is exceedingly high and beautiful, and was anciently covered with green trees and shrubs, and was very fruitful. It rises something like a sugar-loaf, in a vast plain in the middle of Galilee. This was the place in which the Man-God appeared in His glory.

Whilst Jesus prayed, he suffered that glory which was always due to his sacred humility, and of which, for our sake, He deprived it, to diffuse a ray over His whole body. His face was altered and shone as the sun, and his garments became white as snow. Moses and Elias were seen by the three apostles in his company on this occasion, and were heard discoursing with him of the death which he was to suffer in Jerusalem.

The three apostles were wonderfully delighted with this glorious vision, and St. Peter cried out to Christ, "Lord, it is good for us to be here. Let us make three tents: one for thee, one for Moses, and one for Elias" Whilst St. Peter was speaking, there came, on a sudden, a bright shining cloud from heaven, an emblem of the presence of God's majesty, and from out of this cloud was heard a voice which said, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him" The apostles that were present, upon hearing this voice, were seized with a sudden fear, and fell upon the ground; but Jesus, going to them, touched them, and bade them to rise. They immediately did so, and saw no one but Jesus standing in his ordinary state.

This vision happened in the night. As they went down the mountain early the next morning, Jesus bade them not to tell any one what they had seen till he should be risen from the dead.

--Excerpted from Butler's Lives of the Saints, Benziger Bros. ed. [1894]

Saint Cajetan

Saint of the Day for August 7

October 1, 1480 - August 7, 1547

Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross

Saint of the Day for August 9

(October 12, 1891 - August 9, 1942)

Saint Clare of Assisi

Saint of the Day for August 11

(July 16, 1194 - August 11, 1253)

Saint Dominic

Saint of the Day for August 8

(August 8, 1170 - August 6, 1221)

Saint Lawrence

Saint of the Day for August 10

(c. 225 - August 10, 258)

A well-known legend has persisted from earliest times. As deacon in Rome, Lawrence was charged with the responsibility for the material goods of the Church, and the distribution of alms to the poor. When Lawrence knew he would be arrested like the pope, he sought out the poor, widows, and orphans of Rome and gave them all the money he had on hand, selling even the sacred vessels of the altar to increase the sum. When the prefect of Rome heard of this, he imagined that the Christians must have considerable treasure. He sent for Lawrence and said, “You Christians say we are cruel to you, but that is not what I have in mind. I am told that your priests offer in gold, that the sacred blood is received in silver cups, that you have golden candlesticks at your evening services. Now, your doctrine says you must render to Caesar what is his. Bring these treasures—the emperor needs them to maintain his forces. God does not cause money to be counted: He brought none of it into the world with him—only words. Give me the money, therefore, and be rich in words.”

Lawrence replied that the Church was indeed rich. “I will show you a valuable part. But give me time to set everything in order and make an inventory.” After three days he gathered a great number of blind, lame, maimed, leprous, orphaned, and widowed persons and put them in rows. When the prefect arrived, Lawrence simply said, “These are the treasure of the Church.”

The prefect was so angry he told Lawrence that he would indeed have his wish to die—but it would be by inches. He had a great gridiron prepared with coals beneath it, and had Lawrence’s body placed on it. After the martyr had suffered the pain for a long time, the legend concludes, he made his famous cheerful remark, “It is well done. Turn me over!”

Saint Jane Frances de Chantal

Saint of the Day for August 12

 (January 28, 1572 - December 13, 1641)

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Christopher Horgan. We remember in our prayers the repose of the soul of Christopher Horgan, our Pastor's Father. Please pray in a special way for Father Horgan and his family as they go through this difficult time. Below find a link address for the Funeral Mass on August 9 at noon.

The death has occurred of

Christopher (Chris) Horgan

Silverdale, Ballinlough, Cork

HORGAN (Silverdale, Ballinlough and late of Old Spangle Hill, Cork): On August 2nd 2021, unexpectedly, but peacefully at home, CHRISTOPHER (CHRIS), dearly loved husband of Kaye (née Fennessy) and loving father of Susan (Furrioli), Laura (Barry), Fr. Brian (U.S.A.), Fergal and Jill. Sadly missed by his loving wife, family, brother Finbarr, sons-in-law Raymond and Phelim, daughter-in-law Alice, grandchildren David, Sarah, Elliot, Dean and Aidan, brothers-in-law Michael, Fr. Donal SMA, sisters-in-law Kathleen, Sr. Sheila L.S.A, nephews, nieces, relatives, neighbours and friends.

Christopher’s Requiem Mass will be live streamed on 

https://www.churchservices.tv/smablackrock

at 12 noon on Monday, the 9th of August 2021.

A private family funeral will take place, in accordance with covid guidelines. We thank you for your co-operation and understanding at this difficult time. Please leave your personal message for Christopher’s family on the condolence section below or through www.jerhoconnorfuneralhomes.ie

Family flowers only please.

“May he rest in peace”

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May his souls and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen. ... Like the seed buried in the ground, you have produced the harvest of eternal life for us; make us always dead to sin and alive to God.

Prayer of St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus

O Jesus, I pray for your faithful and fervent priests;

for your unfaithful and tepid priests;

for your priests laboring at home or abroad in distant mission fields;

for your tempted priests;

for your lonely and desolate priests;

for your young priests;

for your dying priests;

for the souls of your priests in purgatory.

But above all, I recommend to you the priests dearest to me:

the priest who baptized me;

the priests who absolved me from my sins;

the priests at whose Masses I assisted and who gave me your Body and Blood in Holy Communion;

the priests who taught and instructed me;

all the priests to whom I am indebted in any other way (especially …).

O Jesus, keep them all close to your heart,

and bless them abundantly in time and in eternity.

Amen.