Sunday 20th January 2008

2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

THE GOOD WAY

Charm: you have it, until you know it. It’s the same with humility. Better that others be pleased with us for having it than we draw their attention to it in ourselves. If it’s there, it will out as will God’s purpose in human affairs.

Take, for example, the reading for the fourth Sunday in November: It is you who shall be shepherd of my people Israel, you who shall be ruler over Israel (2 Sam 5:2). Here we have God’s will for King David as ruler of his people Israel. He must act like a shepherd! Not the first model that springs to mind nowadays for civil power.

That same inscrutable intent is evident in today’s gospel reading. (Jn 1:29-34). God wants his Son to be like a lamb! How humble can you get? God really does things in strange ways You want a ruler. You get a shepherd! Someone comes on a world-changing mission and he is to act like a lamb! Doesn’t make sense. But then it’s not supposed to at least not by human reckoning.

God uses the lowly to confound the great. He always has, and always will. The ball is in our court.

ST. PETER’S HIGH SCHOOL Open Day- Sunday 20th January 3-5.00pm. And Open Night on Tuesday 22nd January from 7.30pm.

ST.BRIGID’S COLLEGE Year 12 Parent Teachers meeting is being held in St.Brigid’s college on Thursday 24th January 3.30-5.30pm

THORNHILL COLLEGE Open Days Wednesday 30th January 4.00-6.30pm. Talk by principal 4.15 and 5.15pm. A further opportunity to visit the school is Thursday 31st January 10am-12noon. All parents and prospective Year 8 students are welcome. Prospective Year 13 students are also welcome to come along and discuss A level or Applied GCE Courses.

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

PILGRIMAGE TO MEDJUGORJE 16th March 7 nights Fully inclusive. £419 departs Dublin. For details Ring Anna Dillon 71359673

LASCO LOTTO 14th January numbers drawn 4, 8, 21, 24 No jackpot winner 3 X £10 winners. Next weeks jackpot £3,350. Anyone wishing to join please contact LASCO 71374443

SYMPATHY We offer our sympathy to the family and friends of
Paddy McCauley Springvale Park and
Brendan Kelly Northland Road who died recently. May they rest in peace.

BAPTISMS
Our Parish family welcomes:
Abigale Grace Lynch 7 Gogarty Close
Ella Campbell - 15 Farland Way
Miai Hetty Brigid Cassidy - 25 Norburgh Park
Reece Michael O’Doherty - 12 Friel Close
Kalum James McBride - 29 Hawthorn Grove
Rhys Thomas McEleney - 503 Carnhill

CONFIRMATION MASS There will be a Mass for all P7 children and their parents on Tuesday 29th January at 7.30pm.

VISIT OF CARDINAL BRADY
His Eminence Cardinal Sean Brady will be making his first official visit to the Diocese on Wednesday 23 and Thursday 24th January. He will be principal Celebrant at 10.00am Mass in St. Eugene’s Cathedral on Thursday 24th January to which you are all welcome. Cardinal Brady will be available after the Mass to meet and greet those who come along.

SUNDAY COLLECTION 13th January amounted to £2570.73 and €165.73 Thank you for your generosity.

A Mass of the sick with Eucharistic Blessing will take place in the Carmelite Retreat Centre Termonbacca Derry on Tuesday 22nd January at 8.00 pm. All are welcome to attend.

VOCATIONS INFORMATION DAY A Day of Reflection on the theme of Vocation Saturday 9th February 11.00am-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

PRIMARY AND NURSERY SCHOOL Application Forms for entry to P1 and Nursery school in September 2008 are now available from the schools. Closing date for receipt of applications is Wednesday 23 January.

HOLY FAMILY KINDERGARTAN is now taking application for September enrolement. There are now two sessions. Morning 9.00-11.30am Mon-Fri. Child must be 3 before 1st July Afternoon 12.30-2.30pm Monday - Thursday Child must be 2 yrs 10 months between July 08 and 1 January 09 Application forms are available at the Kindergartan Shaw Court. Tel. 71271300

ST. BERNADETTE’S PLAYGROUP Application Forms for September 2008 are now available at the Playgroup. Forms must be returned by Wednesday 23rd January.

SAMARITANS
The Derry Branch of Samaritans are holding Information Evenings to recruit new volunteers Tuesday 22nd January and Thursday 24th January. The evenings will begin at 8.00pm and last about 1 hour.

ACCORD
Marriage Preparation Workshop 1st/2nd February in Thornhill Centre. Friday 7.00-10.00pm and Saturday 10.00am-4.00pm. Booking Forms available from the Pastoral Centre 164 Bishop Street or from the Parochial house.

JOB OPPORTUNITIES
Two Youth Outreach Worker (part time) and one Administrator (full time or part time) Please apply to Ballymagroarty Hazelbank Community Partnership 71271977. Closing date is Wednesday 23rd January at 1.00pm.

TEACHING POSTS
OnMyMarks.com is a new Derry based jobsite for N.I. Post Primary vacancies. There is no password Access to teachers is free.

NEXUS FAMILY EDUCATION AND SUPPORT GROUP
The Nexus Institute will be running a six week Family Education and Support Workshop from Wednesday February 6, 2008, 3pm to 4.30pm. This workshop is aimed at offering information and support to parents, carers and family members of survivors of sexual violence, recognising that they too can feel angry, confused and isolated particularly when the perpetrator is a family member or some other known and trusted person.
Topics addressed will include, what is sexual abuse? Consequences and effects of sexual abuse. Who abuses? Participants issues and self care. For further information, please contact Nexus on 02871 260566

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.

Daring Feet Youth
Dance Daring Feet Youth Dance group reconvenes on Wednesday 23rd January at 5.30pm for more weekly classes in performance styles and techniques, aimed at ages 13-20 years. Newcomers are always welcome. Annual membership is £5 with a weekly fee of £3.

Dance and Movement for Children
Starting on Tuesday 22nd January for 12 weeks plus a performance in April, these one-hour classes will be held at 4pm for ages 5-7 years and at 5pm for 8-12 year olds. The 12-week course £40. Families can avail of special offers and there are limited bursaries available. If interested visit the website www.echoechodance.com or Tel. Echo Echo in advance on 028 7134 2266

Try something new this New Year with Echo Echo’s adult or children’s courses.Echo Echo Dance Theatre Company’s new programme for 2008 caters for all. Contact Improvisation Starting on Monday 21st January, at 7.30pm. Each session lasts for two hours and the 8-week course costs just £40 with concession at £20. Meditation and Movement If the mind is what matters to you, then Ursula Laeubli’s 8-week Meditation and Movement course will appeal to you. The Friday morning classes will begin at 9.30am and consist of two sessions. The meditation practice (9.30-10.20am) Movement class (10.30am-12.30pm) This 8-week course costs £45 or meditation only for £15.