Sunday 28th February 2010

2nd Sunday of Lent

Peter said to Jesus: “Master, it is wonderful for us to be here”. As we gather for Mass this Sunday, how many of us can say those words of Peter from our hearts? And yet we have a right to be able to say them. Unfortunately for so many Catholics, Mass has become a burden rather than a joy and a source of enthusiasm and energy. We need to help each other to gain that grace. And as we return home from Mass this Sunday, how many of us can say those words of Peter in relation to our family life? At best, so many can only say it is not bad, it is ok. But can we say it is wonderful? And yet we have a right to be able to say that. It takes a lot of working at the relationships in our home, the relationships of marriage, of family, of neighbourliness, to make those words possible and to ring true. But it is in those two places that the practice of faith takes place.

Fr. Johnny Doherty, C.Ss.R.

 

Sunday, 28th February 2010

2nd Sunday of Lent

First Reading : Gensis 15: 5-12.17-18
God makes a covenant with Abraham.

Second Reading: Philippians 3: 17-4:1
Christ will transfigure our bodies into copies of his glorious body.

Gospel: Luke 9: 28-36
The disciples witness the Transfiguration of Christ.

 

AN UNQUENCHABLE LONGING

All of us experience moments of great joy because in his goodness God allows us to taste on earth the joys of the world to come, ‘intimations of immortality’ as the poet Wordsworth called them

However these moments, no matter how wonderful, will never satisfy the human heart.

What we long for is a permanent state of happiness. But that is unattainable here.

So what must we do? Like desert travellers we go forward from one oasis to another nourished with times of exquisite bliss and celebration when the sun shines for us and all is well in our world and peak times of ecstasy and beauty which we would wish to last forever. This is what Peter wanted when he asked permission of Jesus to build tents so as to stay on- to hold on to that, ‘what ever it was’, mystical experience that touched him at the core of his being.

We journey with the conviction that God has a homeland prepared for us at the end. This conviction will make it possible for us to travel onwards with an ache in our hearts and an unquenchable longing in our souls.

 

SYMPATHY

We offer our sympathy to the family and friends of

Sharon Daly Shanreagh Park

who died during the week. May she rest in peace.

 

BAPTISM

Our Parish family welcomes

Jake Pearse Callaghan Ferry, 133 Ardgrange

Cahir McCourt, 85 Rossnagalliagh

 

FIRST FRIDAY

Friday is the first Friday of March. The sick in Fr. O’Kane’s care will be visited on Thursday and Friday as usual. The sick in Coshquin, Buncrana Rd., Whitehouse Park, The Branch will be visited on Thursday and Ballymagroarty, and Foylesprings, will be visited on Friday. Confession will be at the usual times on Thursday. There will be a Holy Hour on Thursday from 8-9pm

During Lent there will be an extra Mass Monday—Friday at 5.00pm
Stations of the Cross after evening Mass on Mondays and Fridays.
Lenten Healing Service on Sundays at 6.00pm.

 

SUNDAY COLLECTION 21st Feb amounted to £2111.89 and €241.45 Thank you.
We need more counters. If you would be willing to help please contact Fr. O’Kane

 

EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS for March
Vigil Marie Kivlehan, Rita Duffy,
Anne O’Doherty, Leonard Nicell

9.30am Brian Boyle, Marian Boyle
Clare Caldwell, Paul McEleney

11.15am Patricia Murphy,
Jim Quigg, Stephen McCafferty

12.30pm Sean Grant, Aiobhean Quigg, Declan O’Doherty,
Hester Mahon

READERS for March

Vigil Paddy Breslin

9.30am Michael Roddy

11.15am Martin Doherty
Kathleen Quinn

12.30pm Delia McFarland

STATIONS OF THE CROSS

We have a set of alternative Stations on display for those who wish to meditate on Christ’s passion during Lent, a practice which we encourage for all.

 

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

MONTHLY DEVOTIONS in honour of Our Lady, will take place in the Carmelite Retreat Centre, Termonbacca, Derry on Tuesday 2nd March starting with confessions at 7.30 p.m. followed by Rosary and Mass, finishing around 10.00 p.m. All are welcome to attend

MASS IN HONOUR of Blessed Alexandrina Maria Da Costa will be celebrated in Termonbacca today Sunday 28th February at 7.30pm.

 

BLOOD TRANSFUSION SERVICE

The next blood donation session will be held in Rafters car park on

Monday 1st March 2-4pm & 5.15-8pm.

COSY CLUB

You dont have to be over 50 to come along to the Richmond Hall on a Friday evening from 7 to 9. We have line dancing for all ages.

Tai Chi for everyone in Farland Way on a Monday from 7 to 9. This is free and everyone is welcome. Places are limited For Further information phone Geraldine 71370196

COLMCILLE PILGRIMAGES LOURDES PILGRIMAGE 21st-28th July 2009 Cost £659 For details tel. Margaret 07732468511 There will be a savings scheme in operation on Thursdays from 8-9pm in the parochial house

HEALTH DROP IN 12 week health programme. Monday 11.30am-1.30pm 23 Inch View, Thursday 11.30am– 1.30pm at BYC Shaw Court. Weight management, nutritional advice and blood pressure. Action Cancer bus Friday 19th March for breast checks and health MOT’s. Book early. Call for a chat and a cup of tea. Tel 71271977 for further information.

FOYLE HOSPICE presents Borderland Reunion Night with music by Midnight Showband! Saturday 27th March 2010 at the City Hotel, Derry. Tickets £8 available from Foyle Hospice 71359888 or the City Hotel 71365800.

 

PARAXIS CARE the charity promoting mental health, needs male and female volunteers in Derry to visit those lonely and isolated due to mental health. If you feel you could befriend someone and give a commitment of 2-4 hours a week please contact Phyllis on 71308020.

DERRY CREDIT UNION YOUNG PEOPLE’S AWARDS Nomination forms for the 6h Annual DCU Young People’s awards are now available. Anyone may nominate a young person who makes a valuable contribution. Deadline for nominations is 5th March. Forms are available in Derry Credit Union or may be downloaded from www.derrycu.com Winners will be announced on Monday 29th March.

 

DERRY DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES 16-21st July Application forms are available for any young person aged 14-15 who would like a place on the Diocesan Pilgrimage. For further information tel the pilgrimage office 164 Bishop St. Tel 71351233

 

ACTION WITH EFFECT

A collection will be done in Sainsbury’s car park on Sunday 28st Feb from 1pm to 4pm on behalf of for a good as new shop. Any unwanted goods welcome and greatly appreciated.

 

Engaged Encounter is designed for couples preparing for marriage and seeking to enrich communication in all aspects of their relationship. It fulfills diocesan requirements for marriage preparation. The next weekend will take place on 20-21st March 2010 in Dromantine Conference Centre, Newry. Booking essential before 8th March Phone 048 7930 0340 or visit www.marriageencounter.ie.

 

EXHIBITION AND SALE of paintings by Creggan Artists in the People’s Gallery, Rossville St. continues until end of February. All are welcome.