Parish News for Sunday 1st February 2009

Vol.36 No.05

The 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time.

PRIESTS OF THE PARISH
Very Rev Michael Canny Adm
Rev David O'Kane CC
Rev Daniel McFaul CC

Jesus’ teaching

St Mark’s Gospel packs a powerful punch! In even a few brief verses we discover a wealth of rich treasure about Jesus.

Jesus took advantage of a custom that allowed visiting teachers to participate in synagogue worship on the invitation of the rabbi or ruling council. We shall see in St Paul’s ministry that he did the same (Acts 13:15; 14:1).

St Mark records for us that many times during his ministry Jesus’ teaching was received with awe and amazement (see 2:12; 5:20, 42; 7:37). What struck his hearers particularly was the innate and natural authority which he possessed. He had no need to quote human authority or to seek to impress with his credentials or his pedigree.

Jesus taught with God’s authority. We cannot know what subject Jesus was teaching about on this occasion. We do know, however, that the people recognised his teaching as new and original exclaiming. ‘What is this? A new teaching - and with authority!’ (v. 27 NIV).

The Holy Spirit is the One who keeps Jesus’ teaching always fresh, always original and always new in our minds and hearts. We encounter Jesus’ teaching in two distinct ways. First and foremost we hear the Scriptures being proclaimed at church or we read and meditate upon them for ourselves in the privacy of our own homes. The second way is through the teaching authority of the Catholic Church handed down through the ages from the apostles.
Excerpt from ‘Bible Alive’ - February Edition

The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord takes place on Monday, 2nd February. On this holy feast-day we each have an opportunity to consecrate our lives anew to the Lord. How do we do this? We can simply make a prayer of re-dedication to God which can take many forms. It can be a simple heartfelt prayer reaffirming our baptismal promises or a re-visiting of our religious or marriage vows. Or it can be a prayer which asks the Holy Spirit to renew our sense of vocation as a priest or religious or as a lay person in our chosen job, trade or profession.

Next Sunday at 11.00 am Mass all the children baptised in St Eugene’s Cathedral since January 2008 will be presented to The Lord in a special prayer of blessing. Their families and friends have also been invited to join with the Parish Community in this special ceremony.

Candles will be blessed at 8,00, 9.00, 10.00 am and 7.30 pm Masses
on Monday, 2nd February.

Baptism

We welcome as members of the Christian community

Rubie Sofia Stewart,
15 Causeway Meadows, Lisburn.
Farrah Eileen McDermott,
39 Francis Street.

Tuesday 3rd February is the Feast of St Blaise.
Throats will be blessed at 8.00, 9.00, 10.00 and 7.30 pm Masses.

Sympathy
We offer our sympathy to the family and friends of:

Patrick Kennedy,
24 Moyola Drive.
Christopher Wade,
100 Grangemore.
Bernadette Wilson,
79 Great James Street.

May they rest in peace.

Readers

Weekdays
10.00 am Eugene McClintock
07.30 pm Charlie McDermott

Readers on duty next Weekend
06.15 pm Mary McDowell
07.30 pm Mona Tracey
09.30 am Louise Davis
11.00 am Gatha McClintock
12.30 pm Anna Peake

Eucharistic Ministers
Team *A* begins its rota
at the 6.15 pm Vigil Mass
next weekend.

Regrettably, due to a prohibitive increase in cost, the
Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes will not take place this year.

Sick Visitation

Fr Michael Canny will visit the sick in his care this week:
Mon am: 10.00 Lisfannon Park.
Mon pm: 3.00 - William St, Columbcille Crt, Chamberlain St, Brewster’s Close.
Wed am: 10.00 - Westland Ave, Westland St, Glenfada Pk, Abbey Pk, Fahan St, Joseph Place, Cable St.
Thurs am: 10.00 - Limewood St, Beechwood St, Elmwood St.
Thurs am: 11.30 - Fr Mulvey Pk.
Thurs pm: 2.00 - Lisfannon Pk (Upper), Eglinton Tce, Blucher St, Little Diamond.

The Derry Diocesan Commission for Justice and Social Affairs was established in 2007. Its objective is to support the Bishop in promoting the social teaching of the Church and to advise on issues of social concern both nationally and internationally. The group is keen to ensure that it is informed by a wide range of views and opinions. Would you be interested in making a contribution? If so, you are welcome to come along to a meeting on Tuesday, 10th February in the Thornhill Centre, Culmore Road at 7.30 pm.

Fr Canny acknowledges with thanks donations for: St Pio: £20, £20, £50, £50. Concern: £20.

Father Canny will forward a donation totalling £200 to LASCO.

The priests of the parish
thank you for your generosity to the Stipend Collection taken up last weekend.

Vocations Information Day

Whom Shall I Send....? Could you be called to serve God and his people as a Priest in the Diocese of Derry? A day of reflection on the theme of Vocation on Saturday, 14th February from 11.00 am to 4.00 pm in Thornhill Retreat Centre. For further information please contact any of the priests or RE Teachers or Fr Paul Farren, telephone 71264087, email: ddcc@derrydiocese.org or Fr Colm O’Doherty, telephone 81661475, email: collydoc2000@hotmail.com

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