Sunday 1st February 2009

4th Sunday of the Year

The Lord, our Teacher

"His teaching made a deep impression on them because, unlike the scribes, he taught them with authority." As Christians we believe that Jesus is the one above all others who can teach us about God. And the God that he reveals to us is a God of infinite love and compassion. At times we, as the Church, move away from this God and create a God of fear and judgement. Our responsibility is to move back very firmly to the God of Jesus. We also believe that Jesus is the one above all others who can teach us about the meaning of human life. He teaches us very clearly that human life is about love. We make it about wealth, or importance, or pleasure and we have to constantly move back to pinning our hopes on love: in marriage; in family life; in our life with one another in the parish community.

Fr. Johnny Doherty, C.Ss.R

LET THE LOVE OF JESUS SHOW US HOW TO LIVE

One has only to look at the recent US Presidential election to gauge the impact that a highly charismatic figure can have on people. In his campaign Barack Obama relied more on his personal charisma than on the political content of his speeches to get his message across. Many young people who had previously no interest in politics and had never bothered voting suddenly became energised and enthused by the mesmerising impact of his personality. The same could be said for Jack Charlton’s impact on many Irish people who had no interest in soccer. John Paul II’s charisma enabled him to go beyond the limits that the Papacy usually imposes on its incumbents. Mother Teresa’s style may have been lower key but there was something about her that enabled her to draw people’s attention to her work for the poor. Sadly, Adolf Hitler used the same authoritative power for evil ends.

What distinguished Jesus was that he too had this indefinable authority - not the inherited authority of kings, or the delegated authority of CEOs nor the achieved authority of professors but the inherent authority of his own person. Unlike Judaism and Islam, which both profess belief in God, Christians believe that Jesus was God. He was God made flesh. It is precisely this that gave him unique authority. He was thus indentified by the demon as ‘the Holy One of God’.

Thus a good fundamental question to ask ourselves today would be: do I just notionally believe who Jesus was or have I allowed the person of Jesus to impact on my life. How significantly have I allowed Jesus to influence my thoughts, my values, my actions? Many people distinguish between ‘Churchianity’ and ‘Christianity’ in the sense that they may believe in God and religiously attend Mass but may have no personal experience of the impact of Jesus in their lives. Paul challenged us to have a mind which was in Christ Jesus. How many of us can truly say today that our lifestyle is a result of our relationship with him? Reading the Gospels gives us a deeper knowledge of who Jesus is so that by studying his words and teachings we can become more aware of whom it is we are called to have faith in and follow. Today we are invited to look at our own personal relationship with him and ask him to drive out our demons of false values. Maybe it’s only then he can be for us ‘the Holy One of God’.

 

JUBILEE CANDLE

A commemorative Holy Family Silver Jubilee candle is on sale. The candle bears the Holy Family logo and costs £3 or 4 for £10.

SYMPATHY

We offer our sympathy to the family and friends of

Christopher Wade, 100 Grangemore Park who died during the week. May he rest in peace.

BAPTISM

Our parish family welcomes
Atchara Pim Phonna
85 Springvale Park
Eimear Joanne Faith McShane
98 St. Eithne’s Park
Lauren Hegarty 2 Merriman Court
Lily Marie McCool
20 MacNeice Close
David Raymond Doherty
17 Springvale Park
Shane Eustace McConnellogue
70 Pinetrees

FIRST FRIDAY

Friday is the first Friday of February. The sick will be visited as usual. Confessions will be at the usual times on Thursday. There will be a Holy Hour on Thursday from 8-9.00pm

SUNDAY COLLECTION

25th January amounted to £2141.25 and €188.60 Thank you

NEXT SUNDAY’S READINGS
Job 7:1-4, 6-7 1 Cor 9:16-19 22-23
Mark 1:29-39

LASCO LOTTO . numbers drawn 26th Jan 11, 14, 15, 19 0 x £10 winners No Jackpot winner Next weeks jackpot £2900. To join please contact LASCO 71374443

VOCATIONS INFORMATION DAY

Could you be called to Serve God and His people as a priest in the Diocese of Derry? A Day of Reflection on the theme of Vocation. Saturday 14th February 11.00am-4.00pm in Thornhill Centre. For further information contact one of the local priests, R.E. teachers or Fr. Paul Farren 71264087 or Fr. Colm O’Doherty 81661475

 

FEASTS OF THE WEEK

Sun: 1st. Feb Feast of St. Brigid, Patron Saint of Ireland. (The celebration of Sunday replaces her feast day this year).
Mon: 2nd Feb. Feast of the Presentation of the Lord.
Candles will be blessed at both Masses
Tues: 3rd Feb Feast of St. Blaise
Throats will be blessed at both Masses

DERRY DIOCESAN COMMISSION FOR JUSTICE AND SOCIAL AFFAIRS was established in 2007. Its objective is to support the Bishop in promoting the social teaching of the Church and to advise on issues of social concern both by a wide range of views and opinions. Would you be interested in making a contribution? If so, you are welcome to come along to a meeting on Tuesday 10th February in Thornhill Centre, at 7.30pm.

ENGAGED ENCOUNTER An Engaged Encounter Weekend is a recognised form of marriage preparation. The weekend is non-residential and will take place in Thornhill on 21-22nd February. Early booking is advisable. For information and booking contact 028 79300340 or 02827638512 after 4.30pm

Workshop on Marriage

Marriage Encounter is a weekend away (Fri.8pm-Sun 5pm for married couples of all ages with a stable relationship. Couples explore in complete privacy how to come to a deeper mutual understanding of each other. The dates ofr the next Marriage Encounter Weekends are 27th-29th March Dromantine Conference Centre Newry. Tel 02890 626503 for details.

FREE PARENTING COURSES Handling Teenagers 8 week course 3rd Feb. 10am-12noon Parenting Apart (parents who have separated) 4 week course 4th Feb 7pm-9pm. Managing Children’s Challenging Behaviour Workshop 13th Feb. 9.30am-12.30pm

ST. PETER’S HIGH SCHOOL are holding their Open Night on Tuesday 3rd February at 7.30pm. Parents of pupils who are transferring from Primary schools are invited to attend.

AL ANON FAMILY GROUPS Are you affected by someone else’s drinking? Al Anon groups meet every week. For information contact Al Anon Family Groups Peace House 224 Lisburn Road Belfast Tel. 02890 682368 to speak to someone who understands and for details of an Al Anon meeting near you or visit www.al-anonuk.org.uk

COLMCILLE PILGRIMAGES

LOURDES PILGRIMAGE 22nd-29th July 2009 Cost £649 Deposit £100 secures seat For details tel. Margaret 07732468511

TI CHE is on every Monday night in 12 Farland Way 7.30-8.30pm New members welcome.

DIABETIC ASSOCIATION - Meeting on Wednesday 4th February at 8.00pm in MDU Altnagelvin Hospital.

CREATIVE WRITING COURSE Central Library is now taking names fro a creative writing group to run on Monday evenings from 7-8.00pm. Those wishing to participate can call into Central Library or tel. 71272300

 

GAELIC FOOTBALL Doire Colmcille GAC will be holding a Registration Evening on Tuesday 3rdFeb in St.Columb’s College from 6.30-8.00pm. For new and existing boys and girls from u5s to u. 18s : Training for all age groups has resumed. Tel. 07711486537

 

EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS FOR FEBRUARY
Vigil Mass Brendan Ferris,
Myra Merrigan, Mark McChrystal, Nell Smith,

9.30am Brigid McNutt
Peter McCourt, Bridie Gallagher, Kathleen Cullen

11.15am Gordan Hyndman,
Jackie Knox, Eileen Corcoran.

12.30pm Louise McCloskey,
Gerry McMonagle, Ann Lynch, Majella Heaney, Fidelma Coyle

 

READERS FOR FEBRUARY
6.00pm Sr. Ann

9.30am Ken Austin

11.15am Jackie Conway
Anna Begley

12.30pm Frank Quinn
Patricia Murphy