Parish News for Sunday 3rd Feb 2008

Vol.35 No.5

Fourth Sunday In Ordinary Time

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

Vol. 35 No. 3

Day of Prayer for Temperance

The Day of Prayer for Temperance is celebrated today. “What a great legacy and gift it would be for our children in this new emerging country of ours if we would be the generation brave enough to promote and work for an attitude and culture of moderation rather than excess in our use of alcohol. This would help us all to live our faith fully.” This quote from the Pastoral Letter from the Irish Bishops’ Conference, “Alcohol: the Challenge of Moderation” (2007) sets the theme for this year’s celebration of Temperance Sunday. It comes at the end of Catholic Education Week and helps us reflect on the choices we make each day that shape the future for ourselves, our children and our country.

Alcohol confronts us with our own frailty and weakness. Even those who are not addicted need the support of a higher power in the journey through life if we are to avoid the peril of addiction.

What does this mean in practice? First, we must accept that ‘more is not always better’. Moderation is good news for health, relationships, for personal expenses and, most importantly, it is good for the human spirit. It brings satisfaction and a sense of well-being.

Second, we need the humility to receive support from others. We should not be shy to express our concerns about ‘the drink’ and to share our belief in the value of moderation.

Third, we can give and receive good example. Young people aspire to many of the behaviours of adults’ but young people can also inspire adults.

Practical Suggestions:
• Refrain from alcohol for the weeks of Lent.
• Reduce the intake of alcohol from what is your normal use.
• Encourage your friends to reduce alcohol intake.
• Encourage discussion with your friends about the dangers of excessive drinking.
• Initiate a discussion in the home about the dangers of excessive drinking.

If we could promote abstinence or moderation and create attitudes towards alcohol use that are conducive to a better and healthier way of life, then indeed we would be leaving a wonderful inheritance to future generations.

Ash Wednesday, 5th February
Masses at 8.00, 9.00, 10.00 am, 12.30 and 7.30 pm
Ashes will be distributed at all Masses

Ash Wednesday - A Day of Fast and Abstinence

There is an obligation to fast (one main meal and two light meals in the course of the day) and to abstain from meat. The law of fasting obliges all Catholics (except the sick) between the ages of 18 and 59 years. The law of abstinence obliges all Catholics over the age of 14 years.

Lent in St Eugene’s

• Lunch-time Mass: 12.30 pm Mass will be celebrated on Ash Wednesday and continue every week day (Monday to Friday) during Lent.
• Stations of the Cross: Wednesday and Friday after the 7.30 pm evening Mass.
• Parish Community Book of Prayer: We are invited to write down what we are doing for Lent. At the Cross we can say the prayer that we will be faithful to our commitment during the season and so be more prepared to celebrate the resurrection of Christ at Easter.

Forty Hours Adoration

The Forty Hours Adoration begins next Sunday after the 12.30 pm Mass.

Donations of flowers for the Altar would be much appreciated and can be left in the Sacristy next Friday and Saturday.

Sympathy - We offer our sympathy to the family and friends of:
Mary Coffey, 3 Abbey House.
Michael O’Kane, 1 Glasgow Street.
John McBride, 36 Limewood Street.
James McKendrick, 28 Lisfannon Park.
Patrick Brian McClelland, 1 Slievemore Park. May they rest in peace.

Baptism
We welcome as a member of the Christian community
Mollie Anne Doyle, 63 Francis Street.

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

Readers on duty next Weekend
06.15 Roísín Bonar
07.30 Stephen Orr
09.30 St Anne’s P.S.
11.00 Gatha McClintock
12.30 Piaras O’Meallain

Weekdays
10.00 Terry Willman-Gallagher
07.30 Anna Peake

Lenten Thursdays in Thornhill Centre. Reflection Mornings for Thursdays of Lent beginning at 10.30 am concluding with a light lunch at 1.00 pm. £5 donation per morning is suggested. Please phone 71351233 to book.

Time to Pray Day - on 1st Sunday of each month in Thornhill Centre from 3.00-6.00 pm. Evening Prayer of the Church is celebrated at 5.30 pm.

Fr Canny acknowledges with thanks donations for:
St Pio: £20. Moshi: £20.

Fr Canny will forward donations totalling £30 to LASCO.

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

The Folly of God

During Lent there will be another set of Stations of the Cross in the Cathedral. These fourteen prints are the work of Siweger Koder who is a Catholic priest in Germany. Before becoming a priest he fought in the Second World War and was a prisoner of war from 1944-45. Then he studied engineering and silversmithing. He was ordained in 1971. Koder uses his paintings in the way Jesus uses the parables. He shows a certain reserve in representing the figure of Jesus, who most of the time is outside the scene - in the position of the viewer - to convey the idea that Jesus is alive today in the person of the viewer.

Some of the fourteen pictures may not be immediately beautiful but they all lead us into a deeper awareness of the journey that our Saviour made to Calvary to save us and the world. Hopefully during Lent, we will take time to meditate on these pictures and read the reflection provided.

Parish Draw
If you wish to be a Promoter and have 5 members or more please
collect a promoter’s pack from the Sacristy after Masses or from the Parochial House, Monday to Friday during office hours. Contributions will be collected in the room above the Sacristy every first Friday from 6.30 - 8.30 pm.

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