Parish News for Sunday 2nd Sept 2007

22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

PRIESTS OF THE PARISH
Very Rev Michael Canny Adm
Rev David O'Kane CC
Rev Gary Wade CC

Vol. 34 No. 35

In Jesus’ Time

In Jesus’ time, as in our own, social climbing and a thirst for esteem, affirmation and recognition were part and parcel of daily living. Jesus, ever observant and knowing what was inside us noticed how the guests (at a wedding banquet) jostled to get the best seats.

A common ploy by aspiring social climbers was to secure a prominent seat and then arrive late, so as to be shown to their place in full view of the gathering. Rather than condemned these people are to be pitied. The snob and social climber are preoccupied with what people think of them. The humble man or woman cares more about what God thinks. Jesus does not condemn outright this kind of behaviour but rather seizes the moment to teach about humility.

The principle of the kingdom is clear: if we exalt ourselves we will be humbled, and if we humble ourselves we will be exalted. To be proud of one’s humility is to defeat the purpose somewhat!

Self-knowledge makes us humble because of two key revelations: firstly, that God is God, the Lord and Creator, who is worthy of glory, honour and praise; and secondly, that we are fallen and sinful creatures but loved and redeemed by Christ. The humble do not seek the affirmation, recognition and esteem which the world offers because it is fleeting and does not satisfy.

‘Lord, teach me to humble myself that I may be exalted.’

September - the Month of New Beginnings
This week is a time for the routine of summer to be put to rest for another year. September has come and many are embarking on new beginnings, be it school, university, careers, many even retirement. The signs are all around us that a change of season is in the air with nature getting itself ready for autumn.

We think in a special way of the boys and girls who are beginning their school-life this week, and ask a special blessing on them in the years ahead. We think of all the families in the parish and we ask a special blessing on all our homes in the coming months as we go back to our normal routines. It is so easy to allow the routine of ordinary life to be the cause of us taking life and taking those closest to us for granted. This year may we try to avoid that happening.

Finally may we all renew our commitment to our relationship with God and His Church so that as the faith community of Saint Eugene’s, we will be renewed in our efforts in building up His kingdom, through our celebration of the sacraments and our prayerful support for one another.

Sympathy
We offer our sympathy to the family and friends of:
Hugh McKinney, 16 Marlborough Avenue.
Joseph Doyle, 1 Oakdale House. May they rest in peace.

Baptism
We welcome as a member of the Christian community
Caragh Marie Duffy, 102 Grangemore Park.

Readers on duty next Weekend
06.15 Rita McCauley
07.30 Kieron Kehoe
09.30 Louise Davis
11.00 Ruth Harley
12.30 Marie Canning

Weekdays
10.00 Gráinne Nugent
07.30 Mona Tracey

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

St Vincent de Paul Society will donate their entire weekend collection on the 22nd and 23rd September to the registered charity ‘Action with Effect’ in support of the building of a hospice for the terminally ill and lepers in India. Please support this worthy charity.

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.
*Wed pm: 2.00 - Limewood St, Beechwood St, Elmwood St. Lisfannon Pk (Upper), Eglinton Tce, Blucher St, Little Diamond.
*Please note change of day.

This Promise is for you - The Life-Changing Work of the Holy Spirit: Six week series of Seminars on Tuesday nights at 7.30 pm commencing 18th September to 23rd October inclusive in IOSAS Centre (near White Oaks). Contact: Helen 71358214.

ACCORD DERRY - Marriage Preparation Workshop 5th and 6th October in Thornhill Centre, Friday from 7.00 pm to 10.00 pm and Saturday 10.00 am to 4.00 pm. Booking forms available from the Pastoral Centre, 164 Bishop Street. Phone 71362475 or the Parochial House.

Fr Canny acknowledges with thanks donations for:
LASCO: £40, £60. Trócaire: £500, £5. St. Pio: £20. Foyle Hospice: £500. Darfur: £100. Concern: £20. Cathedral Gardens: £30. Altar Flowers: £30.

Last Week’s Collection amounted to £3,310.

St Eugene’s Parish Hall:
Sunday: Long Tower Bingo 8.30 pm.
Tuesday: Long Tower Bingo 9.00 pm.

St Eugene’s Parish Draw: Winners Week 43
£1,000
(3128) James Campbell, 7 Academy Road.
£100
(1742) Eamon Martin, c/o 25 Westland Avenue.
£50
(3235) Sylvia Laird, 2 Princes Terrace.
(3212) John Ferguson, c/o Glenfada Pk.
(3309) Davy Barr, 27 Northland Dr.
(2756) R. McCaul, 45 Marlborough St.
Promoter’s Prize: Kevin Doherty, 3 Creggan Street.

Found: Gold Cross in Cathedral on 26th August. Please contact Parochial House.

Schools Re-opening

St Joseph’s Boys’ School: Return to School Dates are as follows:
Year 8 - Thursday at 8.40 am - 12.45 pm.
Year 9 - Thursday at 1.30 pm - 3.10 pm.
Year 11 - Thursday at 8.40 am - 11.30 am.
Year 13 - Thursday at 8.40 am - 3.10 pm.
Year 14 - Thursday at 8.40 am - 3.10 pm.

Year 10 - Friday at 8.40 am - 11.30 am.
Year 12 - Friday at 8.40 am - 11.30 am.

St Cecilia’s College:
Year 8 & 14 pupils return on Friday.
Year 12 pupils on Monday, 3rd September.
Year 9 & 11 pupils on Tuesday, 4th September.
Year 10 & 15 pupils return on Wednesday, 5th September.

St Mary’s College will re-open on Friday for the following times:
8.45 am to 11.55 am - 1st Year and Sixth Formers only.
Buses will be provided to bring students to and from School. No canteen facilities.
1.00 pm to 3.10 pm - All other students.
Students coming to School at 1.00 pm must make their own way to School. Buses will be provided to take students home at 3.10 pm.

Thornhill College: Year 13 & 14 Registration Day on Friday.
Year 8 on Monday, 3rd September.
Whole School except Year 8 on Tuesday, 4th September.

St Peter’s High School Re-opening:
Year 9 pupils - Tuesday; Year 10 pupils - Wednesday;
Year 11 pupils - Thursday; Year 12 pupils - Friday.
All 6th form, including Year 13 students, begin on Monday, 10th September.

Prayer for Priests

Eucharist: a prayer inspired by the Mass

O Lord!
Look into our hearts this day and read us
Look in our souls this day and hear us
When we thrust out our hands for help - hold us
When we open our arms for love - embrace us
When we bow our heads to thee - bless us
When we give of ourselves - come to us. Amen.
Judith Ann Pounder

Lord Jesus, bless all priests and give them grace to do your great work on earth. Keep them, Lord, close to your heart and under the shadow of your protection. Bless their labours for you and grant that their harvest of souls may be a source of joy and consolation to them during life and may merit an everlasting reward for them in death, that having led many souls to you they may see you to face to face. Amen.

Hospital Visitation: If you would like a priest to visit a relative in hospital or in a nursing home, please fill in the card at the back of the Cathedral and leave it at the Parochial House. It is the only way we will have of knowing who is in hospital and who would like a visit.

New Parishioners: We welcome you to the parish and invite you to leave your name and address at the Parochial House and one of the priests will arrange to visit your new home for a chat and to bless the house.

Telephone numbers if you feel you cannot cope

Samaritans - 0845 790 9090

Zest - a counselling service offering free support to those who feel suicidal, friends and loved ones who have been affected by suicide and those who self harm. Telephone 7126 6999 or e-mail. zestni@yahoo.co.uk

Prayer for the Suicidal

O Eternal Father, we pray for all those who are suicidal.
May Your loving hand guide and protect them
so they receive the help they need,
preventing them from dying from suicide.
Let them know that we need them and love them,
show them Your love Lord Jesus.
Remind them that they are very special people,
filling their minds with beautiful memories.
Give them everything they need so as to ease their pain,
grant that they may find hope, comfort, guidance
and healing in every way possible.
Let them feel our love, and Your love,
carry them when they are weary.
Embrace them and let Your love
shine down upon them always. Amen.