Sunday 15th February 2009

6th Sunday of the Year

Jesus, friend of outcasts

“Whatever you eat, whatever you drink, whatever you do at all, do it for the glory of God.” We often think of faith and religion only in terms of prayer. The extraordinary thing about Jesus and his teaching, as seen in this passage from St. Paul, is that true religion is to be found in the ordinary things of life and true faith is to be lived in daily life. This is especially true in the day-to-day loving that is marriage. Each couple live out their spirituality in the ways they tenderly love one another. And in family life the quality of love is what makes people holy. In our life together in our parish we are called to the spirituality of being a community in which we care for one another. We need prayer as part of it all both to grow in the power to love and to celebrate the goodness of love. It is only through the power of God that we can love as we should.

Fr. Johnny Doherty, C.Ss.R

COMPASSION THROUGH ANGER?

There are two possible images of Jesus in today’s Gospel reading (Mark 1:40-45). The obvious one is the compassionate Jesus who pities a leper (v.41) and cures him. But then, why the ‘stern warning’ (v.43)? It’s not a warning to keep quiet, because that order comes after the stern warning. There’s no information on what Jesus warns him about. Hence the excuse to speculate.

The NRSV Catholic Edition has a footnote to v. 41 stating that ‘ other ancient authorities read anger. That’s anger instead of pity. This makes more sense in terms of ‘stern warning’.

The NRSV also notes that the terms leper and leprosy can refer to several diseases. Could the leper’s disease be caused by a particular lifestyle? Jesus recognising this perhaps is angry with him. Yet he cures him. Curing a leper who through no fault of his own contracts the disease warrants compassion. But Jesus’ compassion could be even greater than that because he shows compassion to someone who possibly contracted a disease through his own fault.

This is an even greater challenge for us today for it clearly shows that anger and compassion are not mutually exclusive. And that giving a stern warning about risky lifestyles is not out of order.

Could those who fashioned the final form of the Gospel of Mark have opted for the softer Jesus? If they did what criteria did they use for their preference? And if they did, were they correct? Could they have had difficulty with compassion flowing through anger? It’s an issue we too may have to face.

DERRY TRUST FUND PILGRIMAGES

Medjugorhe 25th April Holy Land 5th October Lourdes 10th June Contact Anna Dillon for details Tel 71359673

PILGRIMAGE

Rome San Giovanni 17th June Fatima 2nd July, Rome 2nd August San Giovanni 9th September Contact Sean Mulrine 71265926

SILVER JUBILEE PARISH BOOK

This very attractive publication contains reflections by all the priests who formerly served here, photographs and articles recalling the beginnings of our parish, . The book is on sale at any time from the sacristy or parochial house. Cost £5.

 

SYMPATHY

We offer our sympathy to the family and friends of

Owen Deery 14 O’Casey Court and

Jim Hannaway 39 Farmhill who died during the week.

May they rest in peace.

CONFIRMATION MASS for P7 children their parents and sponsors will take place in the church on Tuesday 17th at 7.30pm.

VISIT OF HIS EMINENCE CARDINAL KEITH O’BRIEN

The official visit to the Diocese will be held on Monday 23rd and Tuesday 24th February. He will be principal celebrant at Mass in St. Eugene’s Cathedral on Tuesday 24th February at 10.am and all are welcome to attend. Cardinal O’Brien will be available after Mass to meet and greet those who come along.

 

SUNDAY COLLECTION 8th February amounted to £2004.25 and €131.47

Thank you

NEXT SUNDAY’S READINGS
Isaiah 43:18-19, 21-22, 24-25
2 Corn 1:18-22 Mark 2:1-12

MONTHLY PRO LIFE DEVOTIONS on Tuesday 17th February in St. Columb’s Church Waterside commencing with Rosary at 7pm followed by Mass at 7.30pm. All welcome.

MASS in honour of Blessed Alexandrina on Sunday 22 February in Termonbacca at 7.30pm. All welcome.

PIONEER TOTAL ABSTINENCE ASSOCIATION

Most people try to give up things they like for Lent. Would you consider giving up alcohol for Lent? Why not take a temporary pledge for a limited period? This pledge could one of the means to practice self-denial during Lent and could be offered up to the Sacred Heart for sins of intemperance. Tel 71352725 or 71352285 or 71341647

YOUTH 2000 are having a Derry Youth Retreat in Termonbacca on 20-22nd Feb. Invitation is extended to those in 16-35 age range. Inspiring talks, music workshops and prayer. Contact Natasha 07791420037 or visit www.youth2000.ie Booking essential. Parental consent for u 18s

REMEMBER OUR CHILD will hold their annual Service of Rememberance in St. Columb’s Cathedral on Sunday 22nd February at 4.00pm. This ecumenical service is for parents/families who have lost children through any circumstances. For further information please contact the co-ordinator 02890 797975

GRASTA DE (Grace of God) committee invite you to an Evening of Style and Image presented by Jackie McGavigan in Da Vinci’s Hotel from 8-10pm on Thurs.5th March Tel. Sandra 71347220 for tickets £12 each. Limited amount.

COLMCILLE PILGRIMAGES

LOURDES PILGRIMAGE 22nd-29th July 2009 Cost £649 Deposit £100 secures seat For details tel. Margaret 07732468511

AGE CONCERN DERRY JIM GUY PERPETUAL SHIELD TABLE QUIZ 2008

The table quiz will commence on Monday 4th February and is one of the highlights of the year at Malvern House, Waterside. Anyone in the Derry area can field a team of four; the only stipulation being that ALL team members must be over the age of 60 years. For entry forms Tel: 71 347 478. Entry fee is £5 per team. Closing date 28th January.

LASCO LOTTO . numbers drawn 2nd February 4, 5, 11, 22 No x £10 winners No Jackpot winner Next weeks jackpot £3000. To join please contact LASCO 71374443

 

ST.EITHNE’S PARK HAZELBANK AND COLERAINE JOINT PROJECT

Night At the Races - Tinney’s Bar on Friday 20th Feb 9pm-1.00am Proceeds towards Youth going on a working project to South Africa

ENGAGED ENCOUNTER An Engaged Encounter Weekend is a recognised form of marriage preparation. The weekend is non-residential and will take place in Thornhill on 21-22nd February. Early booking is advisable. For information and booking contact 028 79300340 or 02827638512 after 4.30pm

Workshop on Marriage

Marriage Encounter is a weekend away (Fri.8pm-Sun 5pm for married couples of all ages with a stable relationship. Couples explore in complete privacy how to come to a deeper mutual understanding of each other. The dates ofr the next Marriage Encounter Weekends are 27th-29th March Dromantine Conference Centre Newry. Tel 02890 626503 for details.

Ulster Project 2009

Applications are invited from young people in Year 11 at post-primary schools for this year’s Ulster Project Participants will join with others from Derry on a month long visit to the United States in July 09.Application forms are available at your parish or from Fr Stephen McLaughlin, St Mary’s, Creggan, Tel: 71263152 or Email stephendoire@aol.com

NORTHWEST REGIONAL COLLEGE Open Day Thursday 26th February 5.30pm-8.30pm in Strand Rd, Limavady and Strabane

 

EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS FOR FEBRUARY
Vigil Mass Brendan Ferris,
Myra Merrigan, Mark McChrystal, Nell Smith,

9.30am Brigid McNutt
Peter McCourt, Bridie Gallagher, Kathleen Cullen

11.15am Gordan Hyndman,
Jackie Knox, Eileen Corcoran.

12.30pm Louise McCloskey,
Gerry McMonagle, Ann Lynch, Majella Heaney, Fidelma Coyle

 

READERS FOR FEBRUARY
6.00pm Sr. Ann

9.30am Ken Austin

11.15am Jackie Conway
Anna Begley

12.30pm Frank Quinn
Patricia Murphy