Sunday 1st June 2008

Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time

WHAT REALLY MATTERS FOR A TRUE DISCIPLE

True Christians practice what they preach. To be a follower of Jesus involves being humble, honest, sincere and dedicated to the truth. The media occasionally question the sincerity of people who claim to be prophets and messengers of Jesus and Our Lady. If we want to be seen as authentic witnesses to Jesus then we have to back up our words with lives of faith, hope and Christian charity. Christ is fully alive within our hearts; he brings us his peace and his healing. We just have to open our eyes to God’s presence in our lives. Thinking of what Our Lady said to Bernadette in Lourdes, we can see that by following Jesus we might not be guaranteed happiness in this life, but the guarantee of eternal happiness in paradise should ensure that we never succumb to despair.

When we go to places of pilgrimage like Lourdes, Knock and other places we generally find people there who suffer greatly from some kind of illness, disability or affliction. In places like Africa, Asia and South America we encounter extreme material poverty, hunger and disease. It is remarkable that in such places these are the very people with the greatest joy and they draw the best out of everyone else in an inspiring and humbling way.

In these situations and in a setting of giving and caring back at home we are moved to realise that it is in giving that we truly receive. Salvation comes from reaching out with compassion and love to raise up those who have been brought down through the hardships of life. We must share the consolations we receive from our faith with the poor, the sick and the lonely of this world. To truly call Jesus our friend we have to do more than simply learn facts and figures about him, we have to show we care about Jesus by responding to his presence in the people who need our help.

HOLY FAMILY SILVER JUBILEE

This year we celebrate our 25th Anniversary. If you have any memorabilia or photographs of the opening of the church in September 1983 or any material about anything to do with the story of our parish especially in the early years we would be grateful if we could borrow them. These will be returned to you later on.

BAPTISMS Our parish family welcomes:
Demi Leigh Toni Kineton, 59 The Branch
Brooklyn Rainford, 38 Hawthorn Dr
Brooklyn Lyttle Cleere, 9 Friel Place
Avarose Frazer, 2 Mangan Court

 

EXAM TIME

Now at this time of exams the parish community in conjunction with the Pope John Paul II Award Group invite people to come and pray, in a setting of care and support as we celebrate the Eucharist together. As well as our prayer of intercession together it can be an experience of encouragement. A Petition Box will be at the altar and we invite you to place your petitions or the names of those sitting exams in the box and they will be remembered in every Mass this coming week.

We pray for those who leave school this year, those who move to different schools or different classes, those who move away from home to continue studies or seek work, those who may not get the results they needed to progress in the way they hoped.

There will be a social dimension to this time of prayer, a glass of lemonade, and a small snack will be available afterwards in the conservatory near the sacristy. All welcome.

Mass 7.30pm.

Social Dimension 8.00pm

FIRST FRIDAY

Friday is the first Friday of June. Fr McKenna will visit the sick in his care on Wednesday & Thursday. Fr Page will visit the sick in his care as usual There will be Confession at the usual times on Thursday. There will be a Holy Hour on Thursday from 8-9pm.

SUNDAY COLLECTION 25th May amounted to £1987.10 and €150.00 Thank you.

SERVICE OF INTERCESSION FOR THOSE WHO HAVE DIED will take place on Sunday 8 June in Ballyoan & Altnagelvin cemeteries at 3pm and in Ardmore at 6pm. A bus will travel to Ardmore leaving Chapel Rd at 4.30pm sharp and Trench Rd at 4.45pm returning afterwards. Disabled parking at the upper end of the cemetery . A collection will be taken up for the upkeep of the cemetery.

MESSAGE OF THANKS St Patrick's Missionaries send thanks for the support of the Stamp Appeal for the Mission. Your support was especially welcome during Christmas and Easter. Please continue to support this special appeal over this coming Christmas by using the Stamp Collection Boxes placed in the Church.

 

MONTHLY DEVOTIONS in honour of Our Lady will take place in Termonbacca on Tuesday 3 June starting with confessions at 7.30pm followed by Rosary and Mass finishing around 10pm.

A ONE DAY RETREAT FOR Senior Citizens and their friends will take place in Termonbacca on Wednesday 4th June from 10.30 - 5pm . Cost £12 or €18 includes a 4 course lunch. Tel 71262512.

AGE CONCERN Gardening competition. Age concern are seeking entries for their annual competition and is open to all gardeners aged over 60 living in Derry. There will be various prizes. Closing date for entries is Friday 27 June. Judging over the month of July. For further details contact Age concern 71347478

LASCO LOTTO . numbers drawn 26th May 7, 12, 13,22 No Jackpot winner 6 £10 winners. Next weeks jackpot £1150. Anyone wishing to join please contact LASCO 71374443

DIABETIC ASSOCIATION meeting Wednesday 4 June 8pm Multi Disciplinary Unit Altnagelvin Hospital

	COFFEE MORNING in aid of Foyle Hospice. Friday 6 June 10.30-12.30. 9 Killala Pk. Everyone welcome.
ST BERNADETTES PLAYGROUP Hazelbank, places available for September for3-4 yr olds. Tel 71308932 for application forms.
	300 CHILDREN AGED UNDER 11 attended A&E in Altnagelvin with a Choking related injury between January ‘07 - May ‘08. All of these injuries occur at home, all are preventable. Keep all medicines in a locket cabinet, ensure household chemicals are out of sight, lock garden chemicals away, keep small objects such as coins out of reach, never leave a baby alone with a bottle. For further info contact Injury Prevention Officer on 71611436.

Templemore Sports Complex class times: Tuesday morning 9.15am & 10.30am. Tuesday evening 5pm, 6.45pm & men only @ 7.30pm. Wednesday evening 5pm, 6.15pm & 7.30pm. There is no class on Thursday evenings.

FOYLE YARNSPINNERS

There will be no storytelling this month due to unforeseen circumstances.

SALSA FIT A fun way to get exercise. Every Thursday 1-1.45pm in Ballymagroarty Community Centre. Cost £1 per session. For further info contact Mary 71271977 or Michaela on 71370196