Sunday 3rd January 2010

Second Sunday of Christmas

The book of Genesis tells us that when God spoke, the world was created. “Let there be light – and there was light”. The Gospel of John echoes this when we read through the word of God all things came to be. The Word of God is creative and life-giving and brings light out of darkness. The Word was made flesh in the person of Jesus, and lived among us. He spoke the message of eternal life and we hear to this day his words of compassion, truth and love.

May the words we speak also be words that are creative and life-giving; words of faith, hope and love that truly reflect the glory, grace and truth of God’s eternal Word. “O Lord, open my lips and my tongue shall announce your praise”.

Sunday 3rd January 2010

Second Sunday of Christmas

First Reading : Ecclesiasticus 24: 1-2,8-12
The wisdom of God has pitched her tent among the chosen people.

Second Reading: Ephesians 1: 3-6.15-18
May God give you a spirit of wisdom and perception.

Gospel: John 1: 1-18
The word was made flesh, and lived among us.

 

The Priests of the Parish wish you all a very happy New Year

When I was a young priest in the Bogside I was in charge of St. Eugene’s Parish Hall. There was usually a dance there every New Year’s Eve with a celebration to welcome in the New Year. In 1982 I was moved to Strabane and that first New Year’s Eve there was indeed a lonely one. I had not been invited to any private celebrations so I spent it watching TV. But the experience made me think a little more deeply especially of those for whom this special night was more lonely than mine – such as the prisoner in his cell, the widow who just lost her husband, the patient in hospital, the emigrant who yearns to return home or the man whose wife has just left him.

It is a night in which we seek togetherness, even someone to wish ‘Happy New Year’ to belong, company.

So then it hit me. Why not welcome in the New Year in church and invite everyone to come? I started such a service in 1984 and I have had one every year since including last Thursday night when we welcomed in the year 2010

The first part consisted of looking back on the previous twelve months, thanking God for the blessings received during that time, asking forgiveness for those we offended and forgave those who may have hurt us. We prayed for those I mentioned above for whom this night is especially painful I read out the names of those born, married or died during the year in the parish and said appropriate prayers for them.

The second part of the night consisted of looking forward in hope to the coming year and praying for peace and justice in our troubled world and church. At the stroke of midnight and the peeling of the church bells there was Eucharistic Blessing of all the families represented on the night. We concluded by joining hands and singing appropriate upbeat hymns around the altar. We experienced fellowship together and the Grace of God.

A PRAYER FOR THE NEW YEAR

Lord, in this new year which we have begun,
May we have enough happiness to keep us agreeable,
Enough trials to keep us strong,
Enough sorrow to keep us human,
Enough freedom to keep us happy,
Enough failure to keep us humble,
Enough success to keep us eager,
Enough wealth to meet our needs,
Enough faith to banish depression,
Enough hope to look forward,
Enough love to give us comfort,
and enough determination to keep going.

FEAST OF THE EPIPHANY

Wednesday is the feast of The Epiphany and is a holyday of obligation. Masses will be Vigil Mass on Tuesday at 7.30pm. Masses on Tuesday 10.00am, 12.30pm and 7.30pm.

 

BAPTISM

Our Parish Family welcomes:
Kieron Embarek Kelpie
42 Elmgrove

 

SUNDAY COLLECTION

27th Dec amounted to £2032.42 and €151..25 Thank you.

CHRISTMAS BOX COLLECTION

The priests of the parish wish to thank you for your generosity.

 

PRIMARY AND NURSERY SCHOOL

Application Forms for entry to P1 and Nursery school in September 2010 are now available from the schools. Closing date for receipt of applications is Wednesday 20th January. Applications should be submitted as soon as possible as in previous years over subscription resulted in some pupils not gaining places.

 

STAMP APPEAL

A collection box is in the church over the Christmas period. Please bring your stamps for collection. The stamps will be forwarded to St. Patrick’s Mission after Christmas. They will aid St. Patrick’s Missionaries in their work all over the world

Aware Defeat Depression – Derry self-help group “If you, or a family member are affected by depression, Aware Defeat Depression can help. The self-help support group meets on Tuesday 5th January 2010 and then every Tuesday at 7.10pm in the Aware offices at 10 Clarendon Street, Derry. New members are always welcome – just come along on the evening. For further information, telephone 02871-260602 or e-mail: collette@aware-ni.org”

 

CHILDREN IN CROSSFIRE would like to thank everyone for taking an Advent Calendar. Please return your boxes to the church this weekend. Baskets will be provided at the entrance to leave the boxes.

 

ALZHEIMER’S SUPPORT GROUP on Wednesday 6th January at 7:30pm in Seven Oaks Fold, Day Centre Crescent Link Derry

Alzheimer’s Presentation “What is Dementia?” Everyone welcome

LASCO LOTTO . numbers drawn 1, 7, 12, 14 3 X £10 winners No Jackpot winner Next weeks jackpot £1650 Anyone wishing to join please contact LASCO 71374443

COLMCILLE PILGRIMAGES LOURDES PILGRIMAGE 21st-28th July 2009 Cost £659 For details tel. Margaret 07732468511

 

Reuse not recycle

Camara will be collecting in used computers from a centre near you in January 2010. 30th January 9.00am - 6.00pm Cresent Retail Park, Derry

Did you get a new computer for Christmas? What are you doing with your old one?

Camara is an Irish Charity which takes in used computers refurbishes them and sends them to schools in Africa. We are constantly looking for computers and need members of the public, companies and government bodies to donate used computers to us. There is a minimum spec but a good rule of thumb is if the computer is under 10 years old and switches on we should be able to reuse it or some part of it. Minimum specification is Pentium 3, 256 MB RAM, 600Mhz processor, 10GB hard-drive.
Email: belfast@camara.ie Contact us: Tel 028 90 332470

COMPUTER BASIC COURSES

Choose from one of the following locations:
St Eithne’s Primary School Starting Mon 18th January 9:30-11:30am (free childcare provided while you attend the course)
Holy Family Primary School Starting Thursday 21st January 7-9pm (6 Weeks) Ideal for those with no computer experience.

Northside Campus, NWRC Starting Tues 4th January 10am-1pm
Rosemount Primary School Starting Friday 15th January 9:30-11:30am (free childcare provided while you attend the course
(15 Weeks) basic computer knowledge required for this course

 

Digital Photography Course

Choose from one of the following locations Northside Campus, NWRC Starting Mon 11th Jan 12-2pm

Cosy Club, Ballymagroarty Community Centre, TBC

(6 Weeks) basic computer knowledge required for this course.
All courses are free of charge. Places are limited on all courses so call Jennifer today for more information and to register your name 07775732113

Internet Course

St Anne’s Primary School Starting Monday 18th Nov 7-9pm (6 Weeks) basic computer knowledge required for this course .