Sun 6th Jan 2008 - Vol. 22 No 01

ALL KINDS OF EVERYTHING

Someone once described love as the ability to see butterflies in caterpillars. I think that holds true for faith too. The feast we celebrate today, the Epiphany is a good example of that.

Epiphany, a strange sounding word of Greek origin, simply means seeing something, or someone more clearly than ever before. It’s sudden, and it takes your breath away. Something we are very familiar with we suddenly discover has more to it than we thought. Someone we thought we knew inside out suddenly gob-smacks us into seeing that we can’t take her, or him or anyone else for granted ever. Mystery rules, ok! That’s Epiphany. We need constant contact with mystery so life’s richness isn’t diluted.

After their vision, the three wise men in today’s Gospel reading (Mt. 2:1-12) have their dream. It warns them to avoid Herod. Some people can’t cope with mystery. Their attitude is all wrong, their values are all wrong, they are all wrong. As the wise men avoided Herod, so too must we, with whatever name or in whatever form he may appear. He’s the one who tramples on caterpillars and thinks butterflies are for the birds. Clearly, besides mystery we also need our dreams.

BRING JOY TO THE NEW YEAR
Wake up each morning and give thanks for having another day to reach towards your dreams. Share some kind word with your family and friends, and listen to what they say to you.

Spend a moment while you’re working to forgive yourself for any mistakes you may have made and to forgive those who may have hurt you. Keep your thoughts on the things you value in life, and don’t worry about what is not important.

Try to accomplish something you’ve never done before, because you’ll be challenging yourself to grow, as well as making life more interesting.

Do something to make someone happy, for that person’s joy will make you happy.

Be as true to yourself as you can be, for your honesty will bring you peace of mind.

When you lay your head down to sleep at night, give thanks once more for the opportunities you had during the day to achieve and to love. You can be a happier you in 2008 if you take time to do these things that will bring you joy.

Parish Missal: Readings (Year A) p 51 & Proper p 1004

First Reading Isaiah 60: 1-6
Above you the glory of the Lord appears.

Second Reading Ephesians 3: 2-3
It has now been revealed that pagans share the same inheritance.

Gospel Matthew 2: 1-12
We saw the star and have come to do the king homage.

BAPTISMS Our Parish family welcomes:
Patrick Joseph Moynihan, Culmore Road

SICK VISITATION Fr. Page will visit the sick in his care on Friday 11th January

ACCORD Marriage Preparation Workshop 1st/2nd February in Thornhill Centre. Friday 7.00-10.00pm and Saturday 10.00am-4.00pm. Booking Forms available from the Pastoral Centre 164 Bishop Street or from the Parochial house.

SUNDAY COLLECTION 30th December amounted to £2531.17 and €145 Thank you for your generosity.

YOUNG PRIESTS SOCIETY
Meeting on Thursday 10th January at 8.00pm in the Upper Room. All welcome.

SINCERE THANKS to everyone who contributed in any way to the Christmas Raffle in aid of the poor in Kenya, Africa, India, Chile, Cambodia and Fiji by giving donations, buying raffle lines etc. The total amount raised to date is £15,075.39 and €450 Your support and encouragement is invaluable. May God bless and reward you all. Sr. Ann & Gerry Deeney

MONTHLY DEVOTIONS in honour of Our Lady, will take place in Termonbacca, on Tuesday 8th January starting with Confessions at 7.30 p.m. followed by Rosary and Mass, finishing around 10.00 p.m. All welcome.

YOUTH TEAM -DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES
Places are available for those aged 14 or 15 in July who would like to be members of the Youth Team. Places are available for those aged 17 or 18 in July who would like to be members of the Leaders-in-Training Group. Application forms are available from the Pastoral Centre. Tel. 71260293

LASCO LOTTO 31st Dec. numbers drawn 15, 18, 22, 24, No jackpot winner 4 X £10 winner. Next weeks jackpot £3,250. Anyone wishing to join please contact LASCO 71374443. LASCO wishes to thank everyone for their generosity and support during 2007. They wish all a very Happy and Holy 2008.

LASCO CALENDERS The Latin American Street Children Organisation will be selling copies of the LASCO 2008 Calendar after each mass on the weekend of the 13th Jamuary. The Calendar features striking images of the lives of street children alongside quotes from figures such as Nelson Mandela protesting at the injustice of the international debt. The cost of the Calendar is £5 and all proceeds will go directly to LASCO projects in Brazil, Peru and Nicaragua

150TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE APPARITIONS AT LOURDES
The Derry Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes will take place 16-21 July £449. Application Forms are available at the Parochial House or the Diocesan Pilgrimage Office 164 Bishop St. Special booking forms for pilgrims who are sick or are in need of care/help are available only from pilgrimage office. Opening times are Thurs 11am-2.00pm. Saturdays 11.am-1.00pm and 2.pm-4.00pm.

HOLY FAMILY LOURDES PILGRIMAGE 150TH ANNIVERSARY 23rd July 2008 Savings scheme in Parochial House on Thursdays 8.30-9.00pm. For details tel. Margaret 07732468511

AGE CONCERN DERRY NEW YEAR CLASSES
As part of the Time on Your Hands Project funded by Derry City Council, Age Concern Derry are inviting people to join their classes in Malvern House, Chapel Road in the New Year.

Yoga begins on Tuesday 8th January at 10:30am with Line Dancing resuming at 2pm.
For more information please contact Age Concern Derry, Malvern House, 20 Chapel Road, Telephone 71 347 478.

NEW YEAR CHALLENGE
North West Regional College is now offering an exciting range of new part time courses beginning in January. Tel. 71276000 or visit www.nwi.ac.uk