Sunday 30th August 2009

22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Sunday, August 30th 2009

22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time.

First Reading Deuteronomy 4:1-2.6-8
Moses presents the Law to the people of Israel.

Second Reading James 1:17-18.21-22.27
You must do what the word tells you, and not deceive yourselves.

Gospel Mark 7:1-8.14-15.21-23
Jesus teaches that the Commandment of God is more important than human traditions.

GOD’S GRACE FREES AND REDEEMS US DEEP WITHIN

Our sinful and superficial nature leads us, a fair amount of the time, to rely upon external appearances and impressions. We succumb easily to believing that if what we do comes across well then it must be sound enough, or something which is widely praised must indeed be wholesome. The roar of the crowd can, therefore, become a significant influence in the priorities of any of us who might prefer popularity to reality.

Tiring of emphasis upon externals, Jesus lays into those who would bicker over dining table customs. They merely represent, however, a whole approach to the sacred which lacks depth and authenticity and which has never been the particular preserve of the scribes and Pharisees. So Jesus appears anxious to get all the people thinking about those aspects of their lives hidden from public gaze, especially the world ‘within’.

It is sobering to note the range of perversions which Christ identifies as lurking near the heart of man and woman. Perhaps that’s why he had extended the scope of his moral teaching so radically in the Sermon on the Mount, famously including those thoughts and emotions which he identifies as evil, even where they never develop in physical action. The list offered here is equally humbling and gives us good reason for looking carefully at what is going on in our deeper selves. That is a place which, most of the time, may remain outside the notice of others and beyond the reach of the law. It is known to God, however, and can help provide a much fuller picture of ourselves than we might care to acknowledge.

St. James also sees this inner life as, in many ways, the battleground for our salvation; ‘Accept the word which has been planted in you and can save your souls’. Deep within us the word is sown and with it, therefore the potential for so much good. Alongside it, however, the possibility of much that could be harmful remains. We human beings are a curious mix, it seems, and not that clear-cut in many respects. No wonder we depend so much upon the grace and mercy of God.

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

BAPTISMS

Our Parish family welcomes:

Cara Summer Ferguson
51 Knockalla Park

Finlay Lorcan McLaughlin-Henry
4 Ennis Place

Christopher Charlie Gillen-Conaghan
65 Cashelmore Park

Ellie Louise MacFarland
73 Rosskeen Park

 

FIRST FRIDAY

Friday is the first Friday of September. The sick in Hazelbank who are visited after 3.00pm will be visited on Thursday 3rd Sept. The sick in Templegrove and remainder of Hazelbank will be visited on Friday 4th September.

Confessions will be at the usual times on Thursday. There will be a Holy Hour on Thursday from 8-9.00pm

 

EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS for September Group A

Vigil: Maire Kivelehan, Rita Duffy, Anne O’Doherty, Leonard Nicell

9.30am Brian Boyle, Marian Boyle
Claire Caldwell, Paul McElhinney,

11.15am Stephen McCafferty
Patricia Murphy Jim Quigg

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

 

READERS for September

Vigil Sister Paula

9.30am Michael Roddy

11.15am Joe Morrison
Lorraine Conway
12.30pm Kathleen Corrigan
Jackie Knox

 

 

Pope John Paul II Award

The Social Day will be held on Saturday 5th September. The venue is the Creggan Country Park and the first event starts at 10.00am."

SUNDAY COLLECTION

22nd August amounted to £1946.20and €158.30 Thank you.

 

The Monthly Devotions, in honour of Our Lady, will take place in Termonbacca, on Tuesday 1st September starting with Confessions at 7.30 p.m. followed by
Rosary and Mass, finishing around 10.00 p.m. All are welcome to attend

 

 

ACCORD MARRIAGE PREPARATION WORKSHOP will take place on 18th/19th September and 23/24th October in Thornhill Centre Culmore Road. Booking forms available from the Pastoral Centre Bishop Street Tel 17362475.

 

 

STUDY THEOLOGY FROM HOME

The Dominicans are offering a theology programme specifically for lay people, offered by Distant Learning. This means you can study for a certificate, diploma or degree in theology - all from the comfort of home. For further information contact The Priory Institute, Tallaght Village Dublin 24. Tel: (01) 404 8124/7, or email; enquires@prioryinstitute.com

 

ZEST to raise vital funds to continue providing a service to those affected by self harm or suicide are hosting a Derry City Legends VS Zest Select. Match on 5th Sept @ 4pm at the show grounds. To play Tickets cost £30, 1st 20 tickets pulled out by Liam Coyle will represent Zest. There will be 5 more tickets pulled which will receive prizes. A day for the whole family. Refreshments afterwards in Tower Hotel. For info Tel 07864973222

 

LASCO LOTTO . numbers drawn 24th August 5, 11, 17, 24 0 x £10 winners No Jackpot winner Next weeks jackpot £800 Anyone wishing to join please contact LASCO 71374443

 

African Children’s Choir St Mary’s Ardmore will be hosting an evening of music by the African Children’s Choir on Sunday 13th September at 7.30pm. No tickets required, donation at door. For further info visit www.africanchildrenschoir.com or tel Parish Secretary on 71349490.

 

GET ON COURSE

North West Regional College is offering an exciting range of full-time and part time courses. Part time Enrol & Advice Sessions from Tuesday 1st Sept, visit www.nwrc.ac.uk for details Places are still available and enrolements are now open Tel 71276000

Memory Walk have fun, raise money and fight dementia every stepof the way! Join Alzheimer's Societys biggest fundraising event and have a fun day out with friends and family while raising funds. Visit memorywalk.org.uk to find your nearest walk and register online

 

BOOK SALE of new and used books in aid of Action With Effect today Sunday 11am-6pm at The Junction Bishop St. Tel 71266346

CULLEN SCHOOL OF IRISH DANCING under the direction of Lorraine Cullen. Classes will resume on 31st August. Beginners Monday and Wednesday 4.30pm in Marian Hall Steelstown Tel 71264548.

 

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”

 

U3A

The new Autumn Programme has been launched. The extensive programme will definitely have something to keep you challenged, busy fit and content. Enrolements will take place on Tues 1st Sept- Thurs 3rd from 10am-2pm in Pascal McDonald House Gransha Park Tel. 71860123