Sunday 11th May 2008

Pentecost Sunday

EXAMPLE OF MODERATION - A TRUE GIFT AND LEGACY TO THE YOUNG

On this Pentecost day we celebrate with joy the coming of the Holy Spirit and we give thanks for all the gifts and fruits which we have received in Baptism and Confirmation. In particular we rejoice with the girls and boys of Primary 7 who have recently received the Sacrament of Confirmation. At 11.15am Mass this Sunday they will renew their Confirmation by promising to live out the commitments of their lives as young Christians by accepting, expressing and sharing the gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit.

Along with renewal of Confirmation we invite the young people to promise not to take alcohol until they are 18 and never to take illegal drugs. We live in an age where the gift of alcohol is abused and causes untold damage to family life and causes great anguish to many people of all ages. The use of illegal drugs is also a serious problem. Drugs ruin the lives of those who use them.

The peace and joy of normal living is also seriously devastated for a wide circle of people who have anything to do with the person who is the excessive drinker or drug user. In addition an endless series of ripples of destruction spread out through society in the form of violence, crime, fear and waste of talents and resources.

As a worshipping and caring Christian community we have been given the great privilege and responsibility of nurturing the precious lives of our young people. We are called to create an environment where they can develop all their God-given talents, find peace and joy in themselves, in the knowledge, love and service of God and experience life-giving relationships with other people. So on this joyful occasion of celebration we say:

To parents, sponsors and families:
Realise more clearly the great help that is there in the gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit. By treasuring and responding to these gifts and fruits you can make a real difference to the lives of your young people and to the whole community by supporting them by good example and by prayer.

To the young people:
Remember you have been given the great gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit. In particular the gift of right judgement enables you to see what is right and what is wrong. The gift of Courage equips you to do right and say no to what is harmful. If you do this you will grow in respect, peace, wonder and awe in God’s presence and in so many other beautiful aspects of life which is opening up before you.

To all the members of our parish community:
We all share in the responsibility to give good example. We need to look at our own behaviour and attitudes towards alcohol, our care and respect for the value of the life of each person and our need to at times make sacrifices for the sake of the greater good of our families and communities.

All of us need the continuing help of God’s Holy Spirit every day if we are to be able to respond to our responsibilities and truly become what God has called us to be - living witnesses to his presence in us and around us.

Prayer for Strength
Everyday I need you Lord, but this day especially,
I need some extra strength to face whatever is to come.

This day, more than any other day I need to feel you near me...
to fortify my courage and to overcome my fear.

By myself, I cannot meet the challenge of the hour…
How much frail human creatures need a Higher Power sustaining them in all that life may bring

And so dear Lord, hold my trembling hand…
Be with me, Lord this day, to know your guiding hand at work in all to know your Blessed Presence.
Ever Near

Pope John XX111

SYMPATHY
We offer our sympathy to the family and friends of Eamon McAdams 17 Kavanagh Court who died during the week. May he rest in peace.

BAPTISMS Our parish family welcomes
Keisha Caitlin McEleney
29 Corrib Court
Darragh John O’Hagan
96 Drumard Park
Caoimhin Charles John Coyle
3 Stephen’s Court

MAY DEVOTIONS today at 6.00pm in the Church.

HOLY FAMILY PADRE PIO PRAYER GROUP will hold their next meeting tomorrow Monday after 7.30pm Mass There will be a First Class Relic at the meeting.

SUNDAY COLLECTION 4th May amounted to £2107.50 and €190.15 Thank you for your generosity The collection this weekend is the Bishop’s Collection for the running expenditure of the Diocese.

ROSARY Members of the Legion of Mary will lead the recitation of the Rosary outside at the Grotto on weekdays after evening Mass throughout the month of May.

BOSNIA APPEAL would like to thank the people of Holy Family for your generosity last weekend. The amount raised was £1352.00

DIOCESAN YOUTH MASS will be celebrated in St. Columb’s Church Waterside at 6.00pm today Pentecost Sunday 11th May. The theme will be the same as the theme for World Youth Day this year. ‘You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you: and you will be witnesses’ (Acts 18). The Mass will be an opportunity for young people to come together in a spirit of fellowship and celebration. The recently established Diocesan Youth Choir ‘Rejoice’ will lead the music and Bishop Hegarty will be the main celebrant. Refreshments will be served after Mass in the parish centre and Bishop Hegarty will meet the young people there.

The Little Way Novena
The Little Way Novena will take place in the Cathedral from Saturday, 10th May until Sunday, 18th May. The Novena will begin at the 7.30 pm Mass on Saturday, 10th May. Monday to Friday there will be Novena Masses at 6.30 am and 10.00 am each morning and an evening service with a guest speaker at 7.30 pm each evening. The theme is ‘When I am weak then I am strong’. Everyone is welcome to the Cathedral for this time of prayer and petition

LOURDES HOSPITALITE COLLECTION to help send the sick and carers to Lourdes on the Diocesan Pilgrimage in July will be taken up after all Masses next weekend 17th and 18th May.

GARMENT OF SUFFERING
This Sunday Pentecost sees the end of the Easter Season. We will dispose of the Garment of Suffering. The Garment is made up of small pieces of material which represent our individual trials. Just as the Garment was draped around the Cross of Christ we ask the Lord Jesus to be with us in our sufferings. Now our disposing of the Garment symbolises our handing over of all our challenges, traumas and anguish to the love and care of the Crucified and Risen Jesus.

ENGAGED ENCOUNTER WEEKEND is a recognised form of marriage preparation. It is a communication workshop designed for couples preparing for marriage. The weekend is non-residential and will take place in Thornhill Centre on 14th-15th June. Early booking is advised. For information contact 71350612 or 27638512 after 4.30pm.

GRAND CHARITY DANCE in aid of Trocaire on Wednesday 14th May in An Grianan Hotel Burt Adm €5

LONG TOWER PARISH BINGO will relocate to St Mary’s Community Centre Fanad Drive Creggan on Sunday, 1st June from 8.30pm Thank you for your support

MEDJUGORJE IRISH CENTRE Located beside St. James Church, the Irish Centre is the meeting place for all Medjugorje Irish Pilgrims. Tel. :028 8224 1888

AWARE DEFEAT DEPRESSION Derry Support Group meets in their offices 10 Clarendon Street every Tuesday at 7.30pm. There is no charge and no need to register. Just come along. Tel 71260602 for further details. Aware Defeat Depression needs volunteers in the Derry area. By volunteering you will be supporting people experiencing or at risk of experiencing depression and their carers. Full training and support is provided. Tel. Pat Lynch 71260602 for details.

KNIGHTS OF ST.COLUMBANUS Private Members Draw will take place in St. Eugene’s Parish Hall on Sunday25th May. Tickets £5 contact Eugene Sherry 71348036
First Prize: Trip for 2 on Derry Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes on 16th July.