Sunday 17th May 2009

Sixth Sunday of Easter

Sunday 17th May 2009

6th Sunday of Easter

First Reading Acts of the Apostles 10: 25-26
The baptism of Cornelius, the first pagan to receive the grace of baptism, shows that God’s salvation is offered to all.

Second Reading John 4: 7-10
This reading contains what is probably the most important statement ever made about God.

Gospel John 15: 9-17
Jesus leaves his friends the supreme commandment of love.

 

WHERE CHARITY AND LOVE ARE; THERE IS GOD - LOVE IN WORD AND ACTION

The readings this month place a pronounced emphasis on love. In western culture it has become fashionable and socially acceptable to express emotion. We are encouraged to openly express our feelings of love and affection. Some people can’t verbalise their love for others. For all sorts of reasons - upbringing, personality, circumstances,- for many people the most important words can be left unsaid. This can cause bitterness and bewilderment to family members. Yet when we look closely we see that people who don’t express their feelings well verbally, often express their love in other ways. The poet Robert Hayden captured this other sort of love in his poem Those Winter Sundays.

As he reflects on his life he sees his emotionally reserved father did in fact show his love for his son in an ordinary but important way. This distant father was the same father who rose early on cold winter mornings to light a fire so that the house would be warm when the rest of the family awoke.

‘ Sundays too my father got up early and put his clothes on in the blue black cold, then with cracked hands that ached from labour in the weekday weather made banked fires blaze. No one ever thanked him’

This Sunday may be an opportunity may be an opportunity to broaden our minds in our understanding of the various guises in which love lurks. For the silent doers also reflect the love of God the Father.

In God, word and action are the same. May we appreciate God’s love in the words and actions of all who imitate the open, honest and self-giving love of Jesus.

PRAYER FOR THOSE DOING EXAMS

Now at this time of exams our parish community in conjunction with the Pope John Paul II Award Group extend an open welcome to anyone who would like to take part in a time of prayer in the Upper Room Each Monday from tomorrow 11th May to the end of June . There will also be a brief social dimension to the gathering. The prayer will take place from 8pm-8.30pm and there will be a glass of lemonade and a small snack from 8.30-9.00pm

DERRY CITY SCIENTIFIC LTD Maths/Science teachers not yet employed can register on the new Derry based NWMathssciencetutors.com site opening in September. Ring Mary 71269602 Mon-Fri for information

 

 

BAPTISMS

Our Parish family welcomes

Charlie Claire Smith
14 Stephen’s Court
Kayla Grace Lynch
97 Drumard Park
Michael Og Doherty
6 Merriman Court
Tiernan Kevin McDaid
110 Drumard Park

LEGION OF MARY members will recite the Rosary at the Grotto after evening Mass Monday -Friday for the month of May

 

BISHOP’S COLLECTION 10 MAY amounted to £2274.14 and €210.23 Thank you.

 

LORD JESUS help us to turn to you in times of difficulty and place our trust in your goodness and love.

Thank you Jesus that you will help me relax and be still and to sit at your feet in prayer.

Help me to realise Lord, that taking time to pray is as important as taking time to eat or rest.

Thank you Jesus that you will draw me into deep union with yourself as I pray and that you will open me to the full outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

 

 

BLOODMOBILE will be in Rafters car park on Monday 1st June 2pm-4pm and 5.15pm-8pm. The Blood Transfusion Service need the support of not only existing donors but also new donors.

ST. BERNADETTE PLAYGROUP ONE DAY SHOP/CAR BOOT SALE on Friday 22nd May at 11am. All sellers welcome Donation £5 Buyers come free

SOCIETY OF ST. VINCENT DE PAUL urgently requires good quality clothes and household furniture. Please contact 71265489 or 71268325 for collection

 

SISTERS OF ST. JOHN invite you to a Day Retreat at Whiteoaks on Saturday 23rd May on the Apocalypse of St. John and what it has to do with Knock, led by Fr. Alain Marie from the Community of St. John. Starts at 10am finishes at 8.30pm. Contact the Sisters at 71343414

BUS TO KNOCK 6th 7th June Overnight stay for Patrick Peyton Rosary Day and Derry Diocesan Pilgrimage Cost €90 Tel.0035386241516

KNOCK CELEBRATES 130th Anniversary

On June 7th the people and priests of the Diocese are invited to lead the prayers and worship at Knock Shrine starting at 2.30pm. It would be great if as many as possible could travel to Knock that day.

PROVISION OF CARE FOR KNOCK PILGRIMS

Anyone who has poor mobility or is in need of assistance who would like to participate in the Diocesan Pilgrimage on Sunday 7th June is invited to register for assistance by phoning the Pilgrimage Office. Tel. 71260293. Staff from Lourdes Hospitalite will be available in Knock to provide care. Anyone who would like to contribute to the music at Knock please contact Sr. Perpetua at 71351233 for rehearsal details.

 

DIOCESAN YOUTH MASS AND BLESSING FOR YOUNG DRIVERS will take place in St. Columb’s Church Chapel Road at 7.00pm on Pentecost Sunday 31st May. All young drivers are asked to bring their licence or car keys to the Mass for a special blessing. Bishop Hegarty will be main celebrant and ‘Rejoice’ the Diocesan Youth Choir will lead the music. Refreshments will be served in the parish centre after Mass

 

COLMCILLE PILGRIMAGES

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

ST. MARY’S CREGGAN 50th Anniversary Retreat Beginning Sunday, 24th May with Rosary Procession at 5pm. Monday (25th) to Friday (29th) Mass each morning at 6.30am and Mission at 7.30pm with guest speakers. Anniversary Mass on Sunday 31st May at 3pm. All Welcome.

 

GROUP GUIDED PRAYER will begin on Friday 29th May at 8.00pm in the Upper Room. This is a group which will meet each week to pray with Scripture. At this first meeting an arrangement will be arrived at as to what day and time suits best. All welcome.

MASS FOR THE SICK WITH EUCHARISTIC BLESSING will take place in Termonbacca on Tuesday 19th May at 8.00pm. All welcome.

MASS in honour of Blessed Alexandrina Maria De Costa will be celebrated in Termonbacca on Sunday next 24th May at 7.30pm.

 

Termonbacca Community Fun Day Sunday 31st May We would be grateful for any items you may wish to donate, clothes, toys bric-a-brac of all sorts. If you are willing to help in any way please contact us during office hours Monday to Friday. Tel: 71262512

THORNHILL COLLEGE Transfer 2010

This notice is for the attention of parents/guardians of children transferring to secondary school in 2010. You are invited by the Board of Governors, Principal and staff to a meeting in the school on Tuesday 19th May at 7.30pm

 

ADDICTION

The First Step in Recovery, Dependence on Alcohol, other drugs or gambling present life threatening physical and mental health challenges for individuals, stress and relationship difficulties in families, financial problems for all concerned, educational issues for children and young people, deaths on the roads and crime on our streets. If you are concerned about your dependence on Alcohol, other drugs or gambling staff at Whiteoaks Rehabilitation Centre provide a confidential counselling service for individuals, couples or families. Tel. 003537493 4400 for help.

YOGA FOR PREGNANCY ongoing Wednesdays 6.30-7.30 Shantallow Community Centre Tel. 07890318593 Classes suitable for women over 14 weeks pregnant

AWARE DEFEAT DEPRESSION Self Help Support Group meets every Tuesday at 7.30pm at 10 Clarendon Street New members always welcome. For further information tel. 71260602