Sunday 27th April 2008

Sixth Sunday of Easter.

The Spirit of Truth

Jesus said to his disciples: “I shall ask the Father and he will give you the Spirit of truth.” If someone ever says to you “I want to tell you the truth about yourself” stand well back because you can be almost certain that you will hear all the things that are wrong with you! That’s what we have done with the notion of truth. God’s idea of truth is just the opposite. It is about all that is good and wonderful about us. This week ban criticism from your life and practice the truth by speaking the good about yourself and also about one another and about those who share your home with you. Go out of your way to notice the good qualities of each person who makes up your life and let each one know the goodness you see in them. And look at your parish this week and make a list of all the good that is being done by your priests and by so many people and let them know what you see. Then you will be God’s people.

Fr. Johnny Doherty, C.Ss.R.

GOD IS WITH US ALWAYS

Today’s Gospel reminds us that God is near. Jesus Christ has come into our world to reveal to us the nature of God’s love. While the life of the historical Jesus comes to an end, Christ has promised that he will not leave us on our own. The Spirit of God will remain to guide us, sustain us and direct us.

There are challenges to belief in God in our modern lives. There is the shortage of time, there is the ever-present noise, there is the demand for efficiency, there are targets to be achieved and the economy drives much of human action and interaction. To dwell in God, to allow God to enter our hearts and our lives requires time, silence and perseverance. We cannot come to know the life of the Spirit if we have no time to connect with the life-giving Spirit. We need silence to allow God to speak to us in the quiet of our inner lives. We need perseverance in the life of faith because following God is not about experiences of delight and experiences of peace at all times. Yes there are those points of deep inner peace and serenity; but there are also moments of challenge when we wonder where God is and how God is present. But so much of our lives of faith is about the normal routine, the faithful attentiveness. Thomas Merton was once asked at a press conference what was the greatest threat to the spiritual life in our modern world. His answer indicated that it could all be summed up in one word - efficiency. What Merton was saying was that in our lives of faith, we cannot always see concrete results, we do not see change even after time spent in prayer.

Spending time with God, ‘wasting’ time with God may not make us feel any different. There is no definite result or achievement to which we can point. The life of faith is about allowing God to be God. We can speak to God; we can relate to God; we can experience God. Perhaps the best thing we can do is to be present to the God who is ever present to us.

HOLY FAMILY SILVER JUBILEE

This year we celebrate our 25th Anniversary. If you have any memorabilia or photographs of the opening of the church in September 1983 or any photographs or material about anything to do with the story of our parish especially in the early years we would be grateful if we could borrow them. As part of our celebrations we are planning an exhibition in the church around the time of the anniversary. To enable us to gather material together and prepare it for presentation please leave photos and memorabilia in the parochial house as soon as possible. These will be returned to you later on.

ART EXHIBITION Primary school children from our parish are invited to take part in an Art Exhibition . Theme: ‘God is with us’ 24/7 This invitation is open to all young people from the parish. Draw, or paint a picture on this theme. The art work will be part of our 25th Anniversary celebration

BAPTISMS Our Parish family welcomes:
Mia Louise Quinn, 11 O’Connor Court
Emily Therese McCourt, 25 The Meadows
Oran Christopher Jones-Radcliffe, 2 Gogarty Close.

FIRST FRIDAY Friday is the first Friday of May. Fr. McKenna will visit the sick in his care on Wednesday and Thursday. Fr. Page will visit the sick in his care as usual. There will be Confession at the usual times on Thursday. There will be a Holy Hour on Thursday from 8-9.00pm

CONGRATULATIONS to all the boys and girls who received the Sacrament of Confirmation yesterday from Bishop Hegarty. We thank the teachers who prepared the children and the church for the ceremony. We thank the parents for turning the children out so well. We thank the sacristans, church cleaners, flower arrangers, and housekeepers. It was indeed a special day of celebration for our parish. The memory of which will remain in the minds of our children for many years to come.

YOUNG PRIESTS SOCIETY Meeting on Thursday 8th May at 8.00pm in the Upper Room. All welcome.

SUNDAY COLLECTION 20th April amounted to £2008.92 and €338.19 Thank you for your generosity

EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS for May:

Vigil Mass Brendan Ferris
Myra Merrigan Mark Mc Chrystal
Nell Smyth

9.30am Brigid Mc Nutt
Peter Mc Court Bridie Gallagher
Kathleen Cullen

11.15am Gordon Hyndman
Diane Hume Jackie Knox
Eileen Corcoran

12.30p.m. Majella Heaney Louise Mc Cl oskey Ann Lynch
Gerry Mc Monagle Fidelma Coyle

READERS FOR MAY St. Matthew’s Group
Vigil Sister Paula

9.30am Michael Roddy

11.15am Joe Morrison
Lorraine Conway

12.30pm Kathleen Corrigan
Jackie Knox

MASS in honour of Blessed Alexandrina will be celebrated today Sunday 24th April at 7.30pm in Termonbacca. All welcome.

BOSNIA APPEAL
A Church Gate collection will be taken up this weekend 26th/27th April for new homes for the elderly and young orphans in Bosnia.

PARISH SOCIAL EVENING
There will be a Social evening for everyone who contributes to parish life on Friday next 2nd May. There will be a meal at 8.30pm and a dance in Rafters as a token of gratitude and as an opportunity to get together socially for the many people who make this parish community what it is. As far as we know we have contacted all who contribute to parish life. However if you have not been contacted please phone the parochial house as we really want to make every effort to include everyone.

LASCO LOTTO . numbers drawn 21st April 1, 15, 16,21 No Jackpot winner Park 2 £10 winners. Next weeks jackpot £900. Anyone wishing to join please contact LASCO 71374443

AWARE DEFEAT DEPRESSION Derry Support Group meets in their offices 10 Clarendon Street every Tuesday at 7.30pm. There is no charge and no need to register. Just come along. Tel 71260602 for further details.
Aware Defeat Depression needs volunteers in the Derry area. By volunteering you will be supporting people experiencing or at risk of experiencing depression and their carers. Full training and support is provided. Tel. Pat Lynch 71260602 for details.

KNIGHTS OF ST.COLUMBANUS Private Members Draw will take place in St. Eugene’s Parish Hall on Sunday 25th May. First Prize: Trip for 2 on Derry Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes on 16th July. Tickets £5 contact Eugene Sherry 71348036

SURE START Vacancy for Childcare Leader 10 hours per week. Childcare leader will be required to work as part of the Surestart team in partnership with the local community towards the development and delivery of new developments.
Vacancy for Child Care Assistant 8 hours per week. For further information and application packs for above please apply in writing enclosing a S.A.E. to the value of 44 to Human Resources Team, Ballymagroarty Hazelbank Community Partnership 19 Merriman Court Ballymagroarty or email surestart@btinternet.com for the attention of Dympna

A NIGHT AT THE RACES in An Grianan Hotel Burt on Friday 2nd May at 9.00pm. in aid of Donegal and Foyle Hospice.

LIFE DERRY are holding a 6 week programme for women who are grieving following a miscarriage, commencing 30th April. Total cost £100 Tel. 71264751 for details.