Sun 9th Dec - Vol. 24 No 48

ADVENT THEMES

TRUE COURAGE
Christians today face a difficult task in a secular and sceptical world. We have to decide how open to be about our faith when we are with people who profess no belief - in fact conversation is sometimes easier with people of other faiths because we share some common ground.

Some will decide not to mention their faith because it’s a bit embarrassing, some because we feel we will be judged harshly. I also find that there are many preconceptions out there about Christians - what we believe, how we behave.

Some Christians take refuge in a fundamentalism which expresses itself as complete certainty. Some hide behind others, ‘I do go to church, but it is just for the wife/kids.’ Others still will never mention it at all once outside the safety of home or church.

Being a Christian is not a comfortable option. It is not a quiet life. And we will have to come to terms with the fact that in a world that finds faith difficult to understand we will increasingly be judged by how we live as Christians, not by what we say.

‘Grant me the courage and wisdom, Father, to make the right choice in conversation and action’.

GENUINE PEACE
Advertisements promoting self-help, be it a new job or a product to buy will often start, ‘Stressed? Busy? Tired all the time? Then they promise inner peace, and lasting harmony.

But do they go to the root causes of our lack of ease? That sounds paradoxical, because all our modern lifestyle choices are offered as ways of making things easier. But many of us are experiencing profound dissatisfaction. Rather than making life easy, contemporary lifestyles demand full-on diaries.

Yes, during Advent we are called to be awake and to be prepared. But, again paradoxically, I think this means slowing down, not speeding up. If we are to live in harmony, and at peace, then we cannot always be thinking about grabbing at the next thing that comes along, or reacting to the barrage of choice that comes our way.

We need to spend time with ourselves, and with God. Breathing slowly and deeply. Loving both ourselves and our neighbour.

‘God, help me to live in the moment of ‘now’ and not worry about yesterday or tomorrow’.


ST.VINCENT DE PAUL - Financial Report
INCOME
Church Collections £11838.17
Donations 1628.40

Total Income £13466.57

EXPENDITURE
Cash Grants £ 2691.98
Food 9870.22
Furniture 11541.00
Fuel 2391.53
Outing 657.93
Expenses 55.00

Total Outlay £27,207.66

The Deficit was funded by the Area Council Grant.
Approximately over 600 visits to homes for this period.

The Annual Collection for St.Vincent De Paul Society will be taken up after all Masses next weekend


MASSES
Saturday Vigil 6.00pm
Sunday 9.30am 11.15am, 12.30pm
Weekdays 10.00am, 7.30pm

CONFESSIONS
Saturday 10.30am, 12noon and before evening Mass
Eve of Holydays & eve of First Fridays:
10.30am, 12noon, before evening Mass
Weekdays: before evening Mass.

DEVOTIONS
Sundays of Lent, May and October 6.00pm.

BAPTISMS
Saturday at 7.00pm

BAPTISMS
Our Parish family welcomes:
Rachel Marie Therese Duddy, 21 Farmhill
Jade Dee Masterton, 16 Marianus Park
Joseph Shaun Gormley, 11 Pinetrees

NOVENA TO OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL HELP will continue tomorrow (Monday) at 7.30pm. The Focus this week will be: Marriage
Speaker Alec Bradley
Please bring your own Petition or pick up a petition card at the main door of the church and place it in the special petition box at Our Lady’s Altar.

CAROL SERVICE
Our Parish Carol Service will take place on Sunday next 16th December at 6.00pm. All our church and school choirs will take part. We invite the children to bring gifts for the poor which will be distributed by St.Vincent De Paul Society.

PENITENTIAL SERVICE
Monday 17th December at 7.30pm The final night of our Novena will be our Penitential Service - an opportunity to go to Confession - an essential part of preparation for Christmas

ST. VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY ANNUAL COLLECTION takes place this weekend. Please give generously.

SUNDAY COLLECTION 18th November amounted to £2368.86 and € 160.74.
Thank you.

YOUNG PRIESTS SOCIETY
Meeting on Thursday 13th December at 8.00pm in the Upper Room.

HOLY FAMILY PADRE PIO PRAYER GROUP will hold their monthly meeting on Tuesday after 7.30pm Mass. There will be a First Class Relic at the meeting.

MONTHLY DEVOTIONS in honour of Divine Mercy will take place in Nazareth House Chapel on Tuesday 11th December at 8.00pm. All welcome. Individual blessing with the relic of St. Faustina will take place after Devotions

Carmelite Retreat Centre, Termonbacca, Derry Three Advent Evening Retreats in preparation for Christmas on Mon. 10th, Tues. 11th, Wed. 12th. December (7.30 pm. -10.00 p.m.) An opportunity to spend some time in quiet adoration, receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation and celebrate Mass. All welcome.

ADVENT WEEKEND RETREAT
Registration Friday 14th 7.30p.m. to Sunday 16th December. A quiet residential weekend, which will be a spiritual preparation for the feast of Christmas, will be conducted by the Carmelite Fathers in Termonbacca, All welcome For further information Tel 71262512

MASS in honour of Blessed Alexandrina today Sunday 9th December in Termonbacca at 7.30pm. All welcome.

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

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

PRECIOUS LIFE’S
Annual Candle-Light Rosary Procession will take place today Sunday 9th December assembling at the Guildhall at 4.30pm. You are invited to join us and carry a ‘Light for Life’ and to pray for the protection of Ireland’s unborn children from abortion. Candles will be supplied. For further information contact Precious Life 90 278484.

LASCO LOTTO 8th Oct. numbers drawn 13, 17, 19, 20, No jackpot winner No £10 winner. Next weeks jackpot £3,050. LASCO 71374443

VIATORES CHRISTI (Catholic Lay Missionary Development Workers) has aimed to respond to needs overseas and at home by giving people an opportunity to share their lives and skills with those in need. People from all backgrounds and professions join Viatores Christi - people who want to challenge themselves to make a difference in the world. If interested come along to our information and recruitment session in Derry on Tuesday 11th December at 7.30pm.in the Pastoral Centre 164 Bishop St.

FOYLE HOSPICE LIGHT UP A LIFE APPEAL is now underway. You are invited to sponsor a light on the special Christmas Tree in the grounds of the Hospice in memory of a loved one. Each light costs £5 On Thursday 13th Dec. there will be an interdenominational service in the Hospice followed by the switching on of the Christmas tree lights. If you wish to be part of this special time of remembrance contact Foyle Hospice 71351010 between 9.00am-5.00pm.

DERRY LOURDES TRUST FUND
The One Day shop in the Upper Room raised £307 Anna Dillion wishes to thank the priests and parishioners of Holy Family.