Sunday 20th September 2009

25th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Sunday, 20th September 2009

Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

First Reading Wisdom 2: 12. 17-20
The godless plot to do away with the just one, because his blameless life is a reproach to them.

Second Reading James 3: 16 – 4: 3
Jealousy, ambition and self-seeking lead to disharmony and fighting. Gentleness, reasonableness and mercy lead to peace.

Gospel Mark 9: 30-37
Jesus tells his apostles he will suffer bitter humiliation and death, and says true greatness shows itself in service towards the weaker members of the community.

DESPITE OUR WEAKNESSES,

WE ARE CHOSEN TO BRING OTHERS TO GOD BY WORD AND EXAMPLE

Today’s Gospel Reading (Mark 9:30-37) makes you wonder what on earth possessed Jesus to choose the ones he did to become his disciples. He’s teaching them vitally important matters but not only do they not understand what he’s saying, they’re afraid even to ask him what he means. Why? Could they fear that He may tire of them and look for others more intelligent to replace them as his disciples?

Though slow on the uptake, they’re quick on the draw. Self-seeking calculation has them bickering about which of them is top dog. Not only are they a bit dense they’re also small-time glory seekers. Could any group of people be less likely candidates to become Jesus’ disciples!

Yet, he chose them knowing their calibre, and knowing what he was doing. Amazing! Even more amazing is the change in them after Jesus’ death and resurrection, a change that sees them proclaiming a most profound message and establishing a faith community that has spread throughout the world down to this present day. It was also a change that produced in them total commitment to God even to the point of death.

Bringing it closer to home is it not equally amazing the type of people God still calls today to do his work? I don’t mean priests and religious primarily but parents. What more precious task could be entrusted to a human being than to bring another into this world and introduce them to God?

We too can be dense and self-seeking, yet God has chosen us. How has the gift of life changed us

SYMPATHY

We offer our sympathy to the family and friends of

Tia Nagurski, McGill Court who died tragically last week.

May she rest in peace.

BAPTISMS

Our Parish family welcomes:

Ellie Grace Dixon O’Reilly, 45 Bracken Park

SUNDAY COLLECTION

12th Sept amounted to £2215.66 and €255.16 - Thank you.

SINCERE THANKS to anyone who donated or bought books to raise money for Eamon Melaughs charity Action With Effect. The total amount raised was £4245.

SISTERS OF NAZARETH wish to thank the parishioners for their most generous church collection of £1020 taken up on 15th August. All your intentions will be remembered in the prayers of the community.

 

The Holy Family Parish Adult Faith Group will meet each Wednesday evening in the Upper Room at 8pm and we invite everyone to Come and See what is on offer.
During this year we will be hosting a six week course on the Eucharist, the centre of any Catholic faith journey, we will announce dates later.

 

GROUP GUIDED PRAYER

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

40 HOURS will take place on 27th/28th September.

 

The Children's Liturgy Group will restart on Sunday 20th.Sept. at 12.30 Mass. All children are welcome, particularly those making First Communion in the coming year. We also welcome new leaders and helpers. If interested contact Fr.McKenna

 

 

PRECIOUS LIFE will hold their

Monthly Pro Life Mass in Termonbacca tomorrow Monday at 7.30pm.

LEGION OF MARY PILGRIMAGE TO KNOCK next Sunday 27th September. Bus will be in the church carpark at 8.20am. Cost Adults £12 Children £6 To book telephone Mary 71359378

 

"Youthlife is offering a new residential programme for young people who have been bereaved by suicide in the Residential Centre, Ulster American Folk Park from 8 pm on Friday 25th until 5 pm on Sunday 27th September Young people need to know that it's alright to show their grief in their own way The weekend is open to young people from the age of 11 upwards. For further information and application forms please contact Bridie or Pat at 71377227, email youthlife_be@hotmail.com or access our website on www.youthlife.btik.com"

GIVE BLOOD - SAVE LIVES

The Blood Donor Service will collect donations at Steelstown Gaelic Athletic Club tomorrow Monday 1.30-4.00pm and 5.15-8.00pm. New blood donors are needed more than ever.

St. Mary’s Parish Pilgrimage Lourdes 16th June – 23rd June 2010. Staying at Hotel Paradis. Cost 755 Euro. For further information please contact Eugene McDaid 71360572 or St. Mary’s 263152.

COSY Club

Classes now being run in the office, 12a Farland Way, Tel 7137019 The following are FREE for the over 50’s Quilting, Flower Arranging, Tai Chi Storytelling, Peace & Reconciliation training, .If you would like more information contact us on 71370196

Autumn Courses at Central Library-Creative Writing Class on Monday 21st September at 7.30pm. For details of these and other courses contact Central Library 71272310.

The credit unions in Northern Ireland have got together to organise an X Factor style singing competition for 12 to 19 year olds. The overall winner will receive £1,000. There are 16 heats, with a heat locally in Dungannon. Application forms are available in local credit unions or online at www.cufactor.com and the closing date for the return of completed application forms is Saturday 26th September.

 

TROCAIRE’S ANNUAL GLOBAL GIFTS offer the chance to purchase real Christmas gifts for the poor in developing countries- food, water, shelter, farm animals and many more. Trocaire are look for volunteers in Derry Diocese to help promote these life-changing gifts in the parish or community. If you have time to give to this rewarding work please contact Trocaire’s new N.W. representative Lawrence McBride on 71357298

STRICTLY COME DANCING

Learn the moves at the Beech Tree Bar on Tuesday nights 9-10.30pm. Cost £2

YOGA

New Session for pregnant women. Wednesdays 6.30-7.30pm in Shantallow Community Centre. Tel 07890318593 Suitable for women more than 14 weeks.

SEAN DAVIS INDOOR FUN SOCCER

Saturday mornings 10am-12noon at Sports Complex for boys and girls 5-17. For further info tel Sean Davis 71263044

Thornhill College will recommence night classes for parents and adults
in the local community.

Anyone can join now, the classes are free and it is intended to expand
the number and type of classes.

Cookery Classes commence on Thursday evening (24th September )
starting at 7p.m in Thornhill College, other classes will begin later.
These classes will continue until early December, resuming again in January.

 

COLMCILLE PILGRIMAGES

Pilgrimage to the Holy Land Including Egypt and the Pyramids, Ephesus in Turkey, Paphos in Cyprus Rhodes and Athens Price £1095 Travelling Derry-Stanstead-Athens

Returning Athens-Stanstead-Belfast. Seats limited to 16 1st-11th March 2010. Contact Margaret 07732468511

 

DERRY DIOCESAN LOURDES PILGRIMAGE 16-21 July

The Derry Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes will take place 16-21 July 2010 £629. Application Forms are available at the Parochial House or the Diocesan Pilgrimage Office 164 Bishop St. Special booking forms for pilgrims who are sick or are in need of care/help are available only from pilgrimage office. Tel 71260293

 

Aware Defeat Depression – Derry self-help group “If you, or a family member are affected by depression, Aware Defeat Depression can help. The self-help support group meets every Tuesday at 7.10pm in the Aware offices at 10 Clarendon St, New members always welcome – come along on the evening. For further info, telephone 71-260602 or e-mail: collette@aware-ni.org

Chernobyl Children's Project. are currently trying to recruit new families to come on board for next year. It entails hosting a child/children for a four week period around July. This is a very worthwhile cause which many expressed an interest in. Now is the time to plan for next summer. Can you please call Siobhan on 07588866865 or Ann 02871266768 before the end of October if you would like further information.