Sunday 8th November 2009

32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time.

Sunday, 8th November 2009

32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time.

First Reading 1 Kings 17; 10-16
In the middle of a famine, a poor widow shares the last of her food with the prophet Elijah and far from losing by so doing, she is enriched.

Second Reading Hebrews 9: 24-28
Through his death Christ has taken our sins upon himself and has opened for us the door to salvation.

Gospel Mark 12: 38-44
In the eyes of others the offering of the widow was the least, but in the eyes of Christ it was the greatest.

There is a story about Mount Melleray Abbey in Co. Waterford during the early days of the Great Famine. The Abbot had to go on a long journey and before leaving he instructed the monks to fill a large wooden bin with maize and potatoes to be distributed to whoever came to the monastery seeking help. When he returned he was told of a strange occurrence. The bin was filled to exactly the same level as when he had left. Despite the daily disruption, the contents had never diminished and the monks never once had to re-fill the bin during all the time that the abbot had been away. It took faith for the monks to give of their own meagre resources and it also took deep trust in God’s providence. A rational mind might suggest that one has to look after one’s own needs first - a bit like putting on the oxygen mask in an airplane before tending to others.

There is no place for such excessive caution in the Scripture passages presented to us today. God calls us to look to him first and while it is correct to be prudent with the use of our resources, we can never hold back from giving just in case we might not have enough for ourselves. God rewards generous self-giving and not careful self-preservation. In the straitened economic circumstances of the moment, the temptation to hold on to what we have ‘just in case’ is perhaps stronger than it had been in recent years.

However, we are called to follow the example of Christ in giving without counting the cost and in trusting in God to bring forth abundant fruit from our sacrifice. God does not promise us riches beyond our imaging, but he does assure us that he will look after our needs so that we have enough. In sharing what we have with lose who have less we discover the joy that fills the heart of God - the joy that lasts forever.

 

WELCOME

This weekend we welcome Fr. Frank Lynch to our parish. Fr. Frank has been appointed by Bishop Hegarty to work as a curate here in Holy Family.

Fr. Frank is a Dominican priest and he is originally from Lifford. He has worked up until recently in Peru and Argentina. Before that he worked in parishes in Newry, Dublin and Cork.

We offer Fr. Frank our warmest Holy Family welcome and we look forward to all that God in his goodness will do through him. We pray that Fr. Frank may find his time here very happy and fulfilling.

 

Ideals are like stars:
you will not succeed in touching them with
your hands, but like the seafaring man on the ocean desert of waters,
you choose them as your
guides, and following them,
You reach your destiny.

Carl Schurz
US (German-born) general & politician (1829 - 1906)

GROUP GUIDED PRAYER

Thursday 8.00pm - 9.00pm in the Upper Room.

This group will meet each week to pray with regard to Sunday Scripture readings.

All welcome

ANNUAL NOVENA TO OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL HELP will begin on Monday 16th November and will continue until Monday 21st December. The Novena will include all the usual elements, i.e. The Novena Prayer, Petitions, expressing our needs and intentions, Eucharistic Adoration, and the Blessing of the Blessed Sacrament with prayer of Healing.

ST. JOSEPH’S YOUNG PRIESTS SOCIETY

Meeting on Thursday 12th November at 8.00pm in the Upper Room. All welcome, especially new members.

DIOCESAN MASS FOR DECEASED YOUNG PEOPLE

There will be a Special Diocesan Mass on Sunday next 15th November at 3pm in the church. The Mass will be an opportunity for family and friends who have lost young loved ones to come together in a spirit of prayer and hope. If you have been bereaved or affected by a young death we invite you in faith to come and remember the life of your loved one.

SUNDAY COLLECTION

25th Oct amounted to £2101.54 and €174.00

Thank you.

 

MASS FOR THE BEATIFICATION OF MATT TALBOT will be celebrated in Termonbacca tomorrow Monday 9th November. at 7.30pm. All welcome

DIOCESAN MASS FOR DECEASED TEACHERS will be celebrated in St.Eugene’s Cathedral on Wednesday 11th November at 7.30pm. All welcome

Through the Eyes of St Luke: As St Luke’s Gospels will be used in the Sunday Masses of the coming year, this 4-week course will help us to appreciate the emphasis and focus of Luke’s account of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. Venue: Thornhill Centre. Dates & Time: Monday 9, 16, 23 & 30 November from 7:30 to 9:30 pm. Cost: £30 (payable in instalments). To book, phone 71351233.

Draw to promote Temperance in Ireland and in the Developing World is being organised by the Central Office of the Pioneer Assoc. It starts in mid-November £7 for 6 months or £40 for those who pay for 6 months in advance. Anyone who wishes to enter the draw should contact Andrew Doherty 71352285 or Danny Gorman 71352725 before 9th Nov.

 

SOCIETY OF ST. VINCENT DE PAUL urgently requires good quality clothes and household furniture. Please contact 71265489 for collection

DERRY DIOCESAN LOURDES PILGRIMAGE 16-21 July The Derry Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes will take place 16-21 July 2010 £629. 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.Tel 71260293

 

 

 

LASCO LOTTO . numbers drawn 26th October 2, 8, 12, 24 0 x £10 winners No Jackpot winner Next weeks jackpot £1250 Anyone wishing to join please contact LASCO 71374443

ARE YOU UNEMPLOYED OR ON BENEFITS?

Would you like help finding a job or improving your job prospects?
Community Kickstart Service available from Flat 14, Synge Court,

AGE CONCERN provide free computer tuition every Tuesday and Wednesday morning! Participants must be over 60 years of age and reside within Derry City Council area. To make an appointment please telephone (028) 71 347 478 or email dev.ageconcern@derrycityconnect.org

 

6 WEEK COMPUTER BASICS COURSES

Choose from anyone of the following locatiuons:

St. Anne’s Primary School Monday 9th Nov 7pm-9pm.
Rosemount P.S. Friday 13th Nov 9.30-11.30am.
Ballymagroarty Community CentreTuesday 10th Nov. 10am-12noon.

Ideal for those with No computer experience.

 

6 WEEK DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY COURSE
St.Anne’s P.S. starting Tuesday 10th Nov. 7.30-9.30pm Basic knowledge of computers required. Places are limited on all above courses so call Jennifer today to register. 07775732113

CHRISTMAS CRAFT FAIR Rosemount P.S. Helen St. are having a Christmas Fair on 25th November in the school assembly hall 7-9pm.They would like to invite crafters to book tables. Cost £10 Please contact school 71265605 for details.