Sun 21st Oct - Vol. 24 No 41

‘Reflect God’s Love’

Fr. Pat Maguire is an SMA priest who will be going to Uganda with Fr. Sean later this week. He has written the following reflection:

Joe, a kid with a distended stomach and spindly legs was a frequent visitor to my mission house in Nigeria. He would share what ever food I had and then wander off to feed his hens, a difficult task for him. When I was leaving Africa, Joe brought me eleven eggs which were carefully collected from his hens. I did not need them, and I knew he needed them, but his mum told me: ‘Take them or you will kill him in his heart’.

I often think of Joe, giving his whole self - all of his eleven eggs. I cannot see God. Looking at the Crucifix reminds me of God’s great love. But I also see his love reflected through a wee boy who gave me all he had so that I would know I was loved.

How often have you reflected God’s love? Have you experienced God’s love through others?

NOVENA TO OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL HELP
Do you have a special intention that you want granted?
Have you a favour to ask God?
Has someone you love asked you to pray for them?

If you can answer ‘yes’ to any of these questions please come along to our annual Novena to our Lady of Perpetual Help, which begins on Monday 5th November at 7.30pm.

Our church here in Holy Family is celebrating 25 years on 25th September 2008. Our annual Novena has been running for most of those years. So as a beginning of our build-up to the 25th Anniversary of the parish the Novena will focus on a different sacrament each Monday night from 5th November and will end on Monday 17th December with our traditional Penitential Service. Our Church is at the heart of our parish and by highlighting the sacraments which are celebrated in our church at each stage of life, we will be celebrating the living experience of our faith in a worshipping community and acknowledging God’s presence within us and among us..
Further details in the coming weeks.

A pure and generous love is the best witness to the God in whom we believe and by whom we are drawn to love.
Know and love Jesus, so that you can become capable of true love and be a foundation of living water in the midst of a thirsting world.
Pope Benedict XV1

SUNDAY MASS TIMES
Saturday Vigil 6.00pm
Sunday 9.30am 11.15am, 12.30pm
Weekdays 10.00am, 7.30pm

CONFESSIONS
Saturday: 10.30am, 12noon and before evening Mass
Eve of Holydays & eve of First Fridays: 10.30am, 12noon, before evening Mass
Weekdays: before evening Mass.

DEVOTIONS
Sundays of Lent, May and October 6.00pm.

BAPTISMS Times
Saturday at 7.00pm

OCTOBER DEVOTIONS will take place today Sunday at 6.00pm.

SUNDAY COLLECTION for 21st October amounted to £2277.31 and €80 Thank you for your generosity

Fr Jim Burke OP USA. will concelebrate Mass and pray for healing in Columba House, 11 Queen Street, Derry on Thursday October 25th at 7.30pm. He will also concelebrate Mass at IOSAS Centre on Sunday October 28th at 3.00pm For further information contact Ann or Tommy at Columba House 02871 262407

DIOCESAN PIONEER MASS will be celebrated at 3.00pm on Sunday 21st September in St. John The Baptist Church Swatragh by Bishop Hegarty. All Pioneers and their families are invited to attend.
Please note change of venue

A Mass with Healing Service will take place in the Carmelite Retreat Centre, Termonbacca, on Tuesday 23rd October at 8.00 pm. All are welcome

LASCO LOTTO
8th Oct. numbers drawn 15, 20, 22, 23 No jackpot winner No £10 winner. Next weeks jackpot £2,700. Anyone wishing to join please contact LASCO 71374443

Mary’s Meals Ireland are having an evening of testimony, music and talks on Friday 26th of October, in Termonbacca, at 7.30p.m. Speakers include John Pridmore, Author of From Gangland to Promise Land.

Sr. Josephine Walsh Weekend Retreat with emphasis on forgiving, healing and making a new start, will take place in Termonbacca from Friday 26th October to Sunday 28th October. For further details tel: Derry 71262512 during office hours only.

URGENT PRAYER ALERT
Precious Life has called for three days of prayer and fasting for a strong pro-life vote in the N.I. Assembly supporting a motion against abortion. The motion opposing guidelines on abortion issued by the Dept of Health is expected to be debated on 22/23rd Oct. Please offer your Masses, Rosaries and sacrifices for the success of this most important motion.

HOLY FAMILY LOURDES PILGRIMAGE 150TH ANNIVERSARY 23rd July 2008 Savings scheme in Parochial House on Thursdays 8.30-9.00pm. For details contact Margaret 07732468511

POETRY EVENINGS
Mary Murphy will help us gently explore the poetry of Emily Dickinson as prayer. Dickinson’s Poetry give voice to life’s deepest uncertainties while revealing a Divine presence which upholds our darkest moments. Dates Wed. 24th Oct and 7 & 21November. Venue Thornhill Centre. Time 7.30pm. Cost £20 for series. Phone 71351233 to book

HAZELBANK RESIDENTS ACTION ASSOCIATION
Information Drop-In Centre for Lone parents - Mondays 10am-12noon. Full Welfare Rights Service available on Mondays 10am-2.00pm. Call in at 23 Inchview Hazelbank during the above times. Home visits can also be arranged by calling 71377504

COSY CLUB is beginning a Tai Chi class in the area soon. Please contact us to register your interest. We also continue to run our social club every Tuesday and Thursday morning, a weekly Flower Arranging Class and Line Dancing every Friday night. These programmes are designed for both men and women aged over 50 and all are welcome. For further information contact Christy or Michaela 71370196

HAZELBANK RESIDENTS ACTION ASSOCIATION
Introduction to Computers 7-8.30 (8 week course) Literacy and Numeracy Courses 2pm-4pm 7pm-9.pm Welfare Rights Monday 9am-2pm Weekly. Kick Boxing, Computer Courses, Dance, Drama, Drumming and a lot more. All enquires 23 Inch View or call 71377504

An introduction to “The Work of Byron Katie” on 26 -28th October 2007 Friday 7 pm -9.30pm , Saturday 10am to 4.30pm Sunday 10am -1pm in Pastoral Centre, Letterkenny Cost: €120 (bursaries available) Resentments, conflict with others, dealing with loss, ill health, work and family stresses can consume us and leave us little energy for enjoying life. You will learn in this workshop a method that is simple, powerful and clears the mind. It gets to the root of all suffering and will leave you with a lifelong tool.to transform any stress.. For more information on this approach ring Tony or visit www.thework.org

PAINTING & DECORATING
The Resource Centre Carnhill offers a painting & decorating service to elderly and people with disabilities. Tel. 71352832

LIAM BRADLEY TOURS
New Year trip to Galway 1st January for 4 days, 4 Dinners 3 B/B Dancing Departs City Hotel 8.30am. Cost £199 per person sharing. Tel 71269109 for details and booking.