Sunday 14th February 2010

Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Fixing his eyes on his disciples Jesus said: “How happy are you who are poor; yours is the kingdom of God. Alas for you who are rich; you are having your consolation now”. Isn’t this a very difficult teaching to accept, even when we know that it comes from Jesus? And because it is difficult, we can tend to ignore it and go on our way. Obviously Jesus is not promoting poverty. Rather he is saying that when we are poor we know that we depend on God. When we have riches we put our trust in them even though in reality we still depend totally on God for everything including our next breath. The task of every human person is to let go of our self-importance and enter into the wonderful love relationship God wants to have with us. We will then use our resources, material and spiritual, for the well-being of each other.

Fr. Johnny Doherty, C.Ss.R.

 

Sunday 14th February 2010

Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Day of Prayer for Temperance

First Reading : Jeremiah 17: 5-8
The prophet contrasts the life of the wicked with the life of the righteous.

Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 12: 16-20
St Paul stresses the reality of Jesus’ bodily resurrection, and the meaning of that resurrection for Christians.

Gospel: Luke 6: 17, 20-26
The Gospel passage assures us there is only one set of guidelines worth heeding.

 

VALENTINE’S DAY

I do not think my father ever gave my mother a Valentine’s Day card during his life—not that he did not love her. It was not the custom. In those days So a few years before she died I sent a card to her in hospital signed ‘Dominic’! I remember her smile when she opened it but she was not fooled—she knew I had sent it as he always signed himself ‘Daddy.’

Valentine was a priest who lived in Rome and was beheaded by the Emperor Claudius in 270 A.D. There is no connection between his life and this festival of love. It was originally as pagan feast, the day it was believed that birds began the courtship rites. From that the tradition grew of young men carrying the names of their loved ones on wood. St. Valentine’s feast was imposed upon the tradition by the early Christian church but the custom never died. It simply absorbed his name.

The psychology behind some of the sentimental verses on Valentine’s cards should not be taken as a sound base for a stable relationship. Sentimental words such as ‘my world had no meaning before we met’ or ‘without you I am nothing’ indicate an unhealthy immaturity a chronic neediness. Symptoms are possessiveness and jealousy. Relationships work best between two emotionally balanced people with good self esteem.

Don’t get me wrong! I love Valentine’s Day. It comes today as a beautiful celebration of love into the centre of this drab, cold month of February. Just as I catch a glimpse of the Father’s love in an uplifting song or an amber sunset. I see His face in the joy of a young couple holding hands (or an elderly couple with arms linked in silent trust). For a moment the clouds part and a ray of sunlight shines through

ASH WEDNESDAY falls this week. The ashes as you know, are from burnt palms of the previous year. Please leave your palms in the sacristy before Tuesday. Ashes will be distributed at all Masses on Wednesday.

Wednesday is a day of fast and abstinence.

During Lent there will be an extra Mass Monday—Friday at 5.00pm beginning on Ash Wednesday.

Stations of the Cross after evening Mass on Mondays and Fridays.

Lenten Healing Service on Sundays at 6.00pm.

 

THINKING OF GIVING UP SOMETHING FOR LENT? As Lent starts on Ash Wednesday 17th February it is again that time of year when people will be thinking of giving up something. Anyone going off alcohol is invited to take a short term Pioneer Pledge.

 

BAPTISM

Our Parish family welcomes

Riley William Nixon
31 Hawthorn Drive

Tieragh Louise Doherty
17 O’Connor Court.

Daibhai-og Aodhan Gill
44 Benview Estate

Daniel Aaron McConnell
11 Friel Close

Jake Harley 38 Sheelin Park

 

SUNDAY COLLECTION 7th Feb amounted to £2027.54 and €209.75

 

GROUP GUIDED PRAYER

Thursday 8.00pm - 9.00pm in the Upper Room. This group will meet each week to pray with Sunday Scripture readings. All welcome

LENTEN EXTRA BOOKLETS are on sale after all Masses this weekend.

 

Pro-Life Devotions Next Tuesday 16th February in St. Columb’s Church Waterside
commencing with Rosary at 7pm followed by Mass at 7.30pm everyone welcome

 

The Holy Family Adult Faith Group is hosting an inspiring series of video talks during Lent entitled: 'This is My Body Experiencing the Power of the Mass based on the book by Fr Ian Petit OSB Commencing Wednesday 10th February in the Upper Room at 8p.m. All welcome.

VOCATIONS INFORMATION DAY

Could you be called to Serve God and His people as a priest in the Diocese of Derry? A Day of Reflection on the theme of Vocation. Saturday 20th February 11.30am-4.00pm in Thornhill Centre. For further information contact one of the local priests, R.E. teachers or Fr. Paul Farren 71264087 or Fr. Colm O’Doherty 81661475

The Irish Children’s Pilgrimage Trust is taking children/young people with special needs (both physical and learning disability) from the ages of 9-21 years of age from all over Ireland to Lourdes on Easter Sunday (4th -10th April 2010). The IHCPT is looking urgently for nurses to travel with groups this Easter. If interested contact Mary on 00353877962047 Fare €640

 

DERRY DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES 16-21st July Application forms are available for any young person aged 14-15 who would like a place on the Diocesan Pilgrimage. For further information tel the pilgrimage office 164 Bishop St. Tel 71351233

BLOOD TRANSFUSION SERVICE

The next blood donation session will be held in Rafters carpark on

Monday 1st March 2-4pm & 5.15-8pm.

ST.COLUMB’S HALL proudly presents BAGATELLE 30th Anniversary Collection Concert for one night only in St. Columb’s Hall on Friday 26th February 2010 Tickets on sale at Parochial House, 18 Pump St or at the Sacristy. Price £12.50

GOOD MORNING NORTHWEST is back. They provide an invaluable service to the elderly and vulnerable. They urgently need volunteers to operate their telephone lines. If you have a few hours to spare on weekdays call Eileen on 71353694.

WHITEOAKS REHAB

The work of the centre can be viewed on You Tube. Log onto Whiteoaks Rehab Youtube

Age Concern Derry Good Neighbour Award

Do you know someone who is an exceptional neighbour to an older person? Why not nominate them for this prestigious award. To obtain nomination forms, please contact Age Concern Derry, Malvern House, Chapel Road, telephone 71 347 478. The closing date for nomination forms is Friday 26th February 2010.

 

FOUND We ask the lady who found a purse and handed it into the parochial last week to please contact the owner on 71377106

Foyle Hospice 70’s&80’s Night back by popular demand! Friday 19th February 9pm at the City Hotel. Tickets £6 available from Foyle Hospice Fundraising Centre 71359888 or City Hotel 71365800

 

Coffee Morning in aid of Foyle Hospice hosted by Café Mezzo, Austins, The Diamond, Wednesday 24th February 9:30 – 11:45am. For further information contact Austins 71261817 or Foyle Hospice Fundraising Centre 71359888.

Foyle Hospice Carer Support, “Take Timeout” for carers and family members looking after a person with a life limiting illness. Commences Tuesday 23rd February 2010 at 7:30pm – 9pm, Foyle Hospice Day Therapy Unit. Please contact Julia or Donna Tuesday-Thursday on (028) 71359888.

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

MEDJUGORJE PILGRIMAGE 30th May 7 nights £539 Tel Pat Mullan 71301474

SORENTO & SAN GIOVANNI 19th May Contant Sean Mulrine 71265926