Sunday 22nd March 2009

4th Sunday in Lent

First Reading
2 Chronicles 36: 14-16.19-23

Second Reading
Ephesians 2: 4-10

Gospel
John 3: 14-21

 

If ever there was a summary statement of the Scriptures we have it in today’s Gospel: ‘Yes, God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not be lost but may have eternal life.’ And so our entry into eternal life is firmly rooted in our belief in Christ Jesus. But it is not simply a matter of saying that we believe, we must live according to that belief.

The most deeply moving truth that the Church teaches is that we are forever loved by God. At the core of our faith is the conviction that God’s love reaches to every human being that ever was and is. God loves each one of us as if there was no one else to love.

We being to grasp the magnitude of God’s love for us by looking at the crucifix. All life’s cruelties, hatreds and injustices are concentrated in that cross planted on the hill of Calvary. ‘The Son of Man must be lifted up’. The cross, once a sign of shame and humiliation, becomes a channel of healing grace. The tree of death becomes the tree of victory.

As we approach the half-way mark of our Lenten Season it is a good time to review our journey toward the light of Christ. Is Christ’s love finding expression in the way that I live? What habits need changing in my life? Who do I need to be reconciled with?

Today’s Gospel is both challenging and consoling - challenging in that it tells us that we cannot have it both ways, we cannot say we believe and then act in a manner contrary to that belief. And it is consoling in that it reminds us that no one who believes in him will be condemned.

SYMPATHY

We offer our sympathy to the family and friends of

Stella Fean 2 Whitehall

who died last week. May she rest in peace

 

 

BAPTISMS

Our Parish family welcomes.

Cormac John O’Neill
75 The Branch
Amy Bernadette Curran
37 Benview Estate
Laurie Aine Glenn
9 Belvedere Park
Eva Rachel McLaughlin 187 Carnhill

 

SUNDAY COLLECTION

8 March amounted to £2194.37and €359.09 Thank you.

STATIONS OF THE CROSS

after evening Mass on Monday, Wednesday and Fridays of Lent.

 

 

MASS OF HEALING & RECONCILIATION for parents & families who have lost a child. This Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday 25 March at 7.30pm for parents who have grieved after a miscarriage, abortion or death of a young child. Parents are invited to hand them over to the loving care of the Father during Mass. White flowers to be brought to the altar will be available. Anyone wishing to enrol their baby’s name in the Memorial Book may do so at the Sacristy.

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

READINGS FOR NEXT SUNDAY

Jeremiah 31:31-34 Hebrews 5:7-9 John 12:20-30

Appreciating the Passover – This evening is a great opportunity to understand the Jewish Passover and the significance it has for Christians in this Holiest of Weeks. Date: Tuesday 7 April; Time: 7:30 – 9:30 pm; in Thornhill Centre; Suggested Donation: £7.

Dreams Workshop –– Exploration of the Dream World from the Christian Perspective (8-session course). Evenings begin Thursday 23 April from 7:30 to 9:30 pm in Thornhill Centre. Places limited. Cost - £50. For more details telephone 71351233.

 

ST VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY urgently requires good quality household furniture (tables, chairs, bedroom furniture, suites) also bedding and kitchen utensils. Please contact 71265489 or 71268325 for collection.

CHURCH FLOWER ARRANGERS

The date of the next meeting has been changed to Thursday 26 March at 7.30 in Thornhill Centre.

FLOWER CRAFT FAIR

St. Eithne’s School will present an Evening of flower arranging by Caroline on Wednesday 1st April at 7.30pm. Light refreshments will be served. Tickets £3 available from the school.

 

LASCO LOTTO . numbers drawn 16th March

7, 8, 16, 17

1 x £10 winners No Jackpot winner Next weeks jackpot £3250. To join please contact LASCO 71374443

 

LASCO LOTTO - numbers drawn 9 March

2, 5, 10, 19

no £10 winner No Jackpot winner Next weeks jackpot £3200. To join please contact LASCO 71374443

Age Concern Derry are holding the last programme in the present reminiscence and local history evenings schedule. “History of Salmon Fishing” will be facilitated by local historian George Mc Laughlin on Tuesday 24th of March 2009 at 7.30pm in Malvern House , 20 Chapel Rd . ALL are welcome to attend and refreshments will be served. For further details, please contact Age Concern Derry by telephone (028) 71 347 478

COLMCILLE PILGRIMAGES

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

10 DAY PILGRIMAGE To Holy Land flying direct from Belfast. Saturday 19 - Tuesday 28 Sept £1090 or €1240. Spiritual Director Fr Michael Porter. For info contact Charlie at 07533330756

DERRY TRUST; FUND PILGRIMAGES Medjugorje 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

MEDJUGORJE with Marian Pilgrimages Dept 6th June 7 nights £499 fully inclusive. Tel Colette Carter 71352560

MEDJUGORJE 2-9 May 7 Days £499 contact Mairead 77722121

PILGRIMAGE MEDJUGORJE AND SAN GIOVANNI 2nd - 9th May 2009. Departing Belfast. Cost: Medjugorje & San Giovanni £689.00. 7 nights Medjugorje £499. An addional part of the trip will travel mid week (2 days) to San Giovanni. Padre Pio’s Body will still be present during May in San Giovanni. Contact Pat 71 301474 or Marie 074 936165 for further details

 

WORKSHOP ON MARRIAGE renew your wedding vows: Marriage Encounter is a weekend away (Friday 8pm -Sunday 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. Dates for next weekends are 27th-29th March, Dromantine Conference Centre Newry Tel 028 90 626503 or 028 71350612

 

PARENTS ADVICE CENTRE Free parenting courses - Building Self Esteem, 27 March 9.30 -12.30 & Handling Teenagers, 8 wk course commencing 22 April 7pm-9pm.

BIG BINGO

St Columb’s Hall every Sunday at 8.30pm.

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, contributions by parishioners, children’s artwork and accounts and pictures about groups and individuals who together have woven the colourful tapestry which is the story of Holy Family past and present. The book is on sale at any time from the sacristy or parochial house. Cost £5.