Castlemaine Parish Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time – 2nd/3rd August 2025
| Moderator: Fr. Kevin Sullivan 087 6277638 Parish Office: 3 Meanus Heights, Castlemaine Opening Hours: Tue & Thur 9.30am – 12.30pm (087) 2979864 Email: castlemaine@dioceseofkerry.ie Website: www.castlemaineparish.com Safeguarding Children: Contact No. (087) 6362780 |
| Sat. 2nd Aug | Keel | 7:30 pm | Mary Jo Daly, Casltedrum 1st Anniversary |
| Sun 3rd Aug | Kiltallagh | 10:00 am | Deborah & Sheila Horan, Gransha Lower & all deceased family members |
| Tue. 5th Aug | Keel | 10:00 am | |
| Thur. 7th Aug | Keel | 7.30 pm | Patrick & Kathleen Carey & their son Tony Carey, Gorthaleen |
| Sat. 9th Aug. | Keel | 7:30 pm | Alice Clfford, Gorthaleen |
| Sun 10th Aug. | Kiltallagh | 10:00 am |
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament takes place every Monday in
St Gobnait’s Church, Keel from 11am – 7pm
Priest on Duty: Fr Kevin Sullivan 087 6277638
Offertory collection €657.00 Míle Buíochas.
The Rich Fool
When we daydream, the lotto numbers appear before our eyes, and we think about the ways we will spend the windfall! While extra funds would certainly help us, it would not necessarily ensure our happiness.
The readings today speak of meaning and priority: what gives meaning to my life, what is my priority in life? Is it my work, my possessions, my successes? The first reading tells us that to measure ourselves and our lives by material things, is vanity: it is superficial, false. Work, money, success are all important because without money we cannot go far, but these, even if well-earned, are not the measure of being human.
The gospel is known as the Parable of the Rich Fool. The farmer is not a fool because he is wealthy; in fact, he was obviously a wise and responsible businessman. He got the best out of his farm and ensured he had no financial burden. His concern was how he could store it all and so sit back in his golden years.
The rich farmer is a fool because of his greed. In the parable, when he talks to himself, he only refers to himself – “What am I to do?”; “I have only enough room to store my crops”; “I will say to my soul…” He does not think of anyone else. He has no notion of sharing his wealth with anyone or using it for the good of others.
We are bombarded daily by marketing – we are promised happiness, joy and fulfilment if we purchase what is being sold to us. Today’s readings tell us that fullness of life cannot be reduced to an abundance of possessions.
What really matters in life is not possessions but relationship. Too often our greed for material things can lead to broken relationships with others and with God.
“The world has enough for everyone’s needs
But not enough for everyone’s greed”
Gandhi
| Ministers of The Eucharist | ||
| Keel | 9th Aug. | Margaret Cournane & Michael Murphy |
| Kiltallagh | 10th Aug. | Margaret Moriarty & Bernie Nagle |
| Readers | ||
| Keel | 9th Aug. | Family Readers |
| Kiltallagh | 10th Aug. | Miriam Harris |
| Altar Society | ||
| Keel | 9th Aug. | Gretta Ryan & Mary Ashe |
| Kiltallagh | 10th Aug. | Marie Culloty |
| Offertory Collectors | ||
| Keel | Aug. | Tom Evans & Cathal Griffin |
| Kiltallagh | Aug. | Sean O’Connor & Brendan O’Connor |