Parish News for Sunday 3rd May 2009

Vol.36 No.17

Fourth Sunday of Easter

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

Derry Diocese Child Protection

Annual Update

A lot of work has been accomplished in the area of Child Protection in the Diocese over the past number of years due to the commitment of personnel at all levels in the diocese from the Bishop through to dedicated Parish Representatives working on the ground in all parishes.

The Diocese of Derry continues to put in place those structures, personnel, policies and procedures that will try to ensure the protection and welfare of children and young people in a manner consistent with statutory requirements and Church guidelines. In the light of the teaching of the Church, Civil Legislation and Guidance, every part of the Church community must be committed to taking the necessary steps to:

• Demonstrate that the right of the child to protection from harm is paramount.
• Cherish and safeguard children and young people.
• Foster best practice.
• Support Church organisations and personnel in safeguarding children.
• Establish safe recruitment and vetting practices – aimed at preventing those who pose a risk to children from holding positions of trust.
• Maintain codes of behaviour – having clear guidelines that set out what is and is not acceptable behaviour as an essential part of keeping children safe.

The Diocese now has a Child Protection Committee, Diocesan Co-ordinator, two Diocesan Trainers and a network of Parish Representatives.

The trainers deliver information on “best practice” and raise awareness of child protection issues; they also provide support to parishes within the Diocese. In turn the Parish Representatives will pass on this information and raise awareness within their local parish communities. This is done through information evenings that have been and continue to be held throughout the Diocese.

Notices are displayed in our churches which include the Diocesan Policy Statement, contact numbers for statutory authorities for anyone with a concern in relation to child protection or who wish to make an allegation as well as the names and contact numbers of the diocesan delegates.

DAY OF PRAYER FOR VOCATIONS

In today’s gospel Jesus describes himself as the Good Shepherd who lays down his life for his sheep. It is one of the most beautiful and endearing images of Jesus. It is an image that Jesus’ listeners would have appreciated and related to. Shepherds with their flocks were a common sight in the Palestine of 2000 years ago. They still are today. In describing the relationship between him and his flock, Christ says that those who truly belong to him show this by certain signs; they listen to his voice; Christ’s first demand of any would-be follower is faith. To hear his voice means accepting Christ and his message. Those who do not submit in faith are like sheep that refuse to be guided by the shepherd. They know him. The word ‘know’ in the language of Christ has a deep meaning. It means union of personalities, a kind of identification. Christ is saying that his followers are intimately united with him, and share his ideals, attitudes and concerns. They follow him. Christ is the Way. He leads those who follow him faithfully along the narrow path to the rich pasture of eternal peace.

Today is a day of prayer for vocations. We remember the fundamental vocation of all Christians – to follow Christ, the Good Shepherd, and to place our entire lives in his hands. But we are asked today to pray especially for vocations to the priesthood and religious life. We are all aware that in the Western Church today the number of people entering priesthood and the religious life is in serious decline. Seminaries are almost empty. Religious orders have few young members. Parishes are increasingly short staffed. Seldom has the need been greater. This special day challenges us to look at our attitude towards religious vocations. How seriously do we want them? What are we doing to encourage them? Do we pray for them? Let us all pray today for the strength to live our vocation to the full, whatever it might be.

The Little Way Novena

Theme: ‘When I am weak then I am strong’

Saturday, 9th May to Sunday, 17th May

The Little Way Novena begins next Saturday, 9th May at the 7.30 pm Vigil Mass. Two of the most integral elements of the Novena are the morning Eucharist at 6.30 am and 10.00 am and the Evening Devotions at 7.30 pm.

There will be a guest speaker Monday to Friday at the 7.30 pm Devotions.
• Monday - Fr John McNamara OCD • Tuesday - Mark McConnellogue
• Wednesday - Breda Casserly. • Thursday - Sister Maureen James
• Friday - Rev Eric Lawson

Healing Service and Anointing of those who are sick on Sunday, 10th May at 4.00 pm.Mass for the Dead on Saturday, 16th May at 10.00 am.

St Thérèse candles will be on sale at the back of the Cathedral

Sympathy

We offer our sympathy to the family and friends of:

Una Bannon, late of Mount Street.

May she rest in peace.

Baptism

We welcome as members of the Christian community

Mollie Jenna Cavanagh,
13 Eglinton Terrace.
Sophie Claire Lynch,
82B Brookdale Park.

Readers

Weekdays
10.00 Gráinne Nugent
07.30 Mona Tracey

Readers on duty next Weekend
06.15 pm Roísín Bonar
07.30 pm Charlie McDermott
09.30 am Brendan Burns
11.00 am Vanessa McGeehan/
Blanaid Barr
12.30 pm Piaras O’Meallain

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

Mass and Healing Service in honour of St Peregrine O.S.M. (Patron Saint of Cancer Patients) in St Columb’s Church, Waterside on Wednesday, 13th May at 7.30 pm. Bring along a small bottle of Olive Oil and have it blessed in honour of St Peregrine.

The Monthly devotions in honour of Our Lady in Termonbacca on Tuesday with confessions at 7.30 pm followed by Rosary and Mass, finishing around 10.00 pm.

Sick Visitation

Fr David O’Kane will visit the sick this week as follows:

Mon 10.00 am: The Village, Rosemount Gdns, Montrose Gdns, Ernest St, Rosemount Ave, Academy Tce, Northland Parade; Tutor Close, Northland Way, De Burgh Tce.

Mon pm: Lower Nassau St, Glen Road, Ardglen Pk, Glenbank Rd, Northland Road, Edanmount Park.

Tues am: Meadowview Cres, Osborne St, Norcross St: Baldrick Cres, Cedar St, Argyle St, Argyle Tce, Glasgow Tce, Glenview Ave.

Tues pm: Glenbrook House.

Fri am: William Street Home.

Fr Daniel McFaul will visit the sick as follows:

Mon am: Forest Pk, Helen St, Kerrs Tce, Oakfield Rd, Marlborough Ave, Marlborough Rd, Oakfield Ave, Beechwood Ave, West End Tce, Marlborough Tce.

Mon pm: Creggan St, Queen St, Princes St, Great James St, Clarendon Manor, Crawford Square.
Wed pm: 3.15 Confessions and Mass in Lavery Fold.

The Western Health & Social Care Trust’s Annual Service in memory of babies who have died following a miscarriage, stillbirth, or neonatal death is on Sunday, 10th May at 3.00 pm in Altnagelvin Area Hospital’s Clinical Education Centre.

The Annual Diocesan Mass for those with special needs will take place in St Joseph’s Church, Galliagh on Saturday, 9th May at the new time of 4.00 pm. Bishop Hegarty will celebrate the Mass and everyone will be most welcome.

Thank you

Fr Canny acknowledges with thanks donations for:
Trócaire: £100, £20, £10. St Thérèse Statue £5. Sisters of St John: £5. Flowers: £20. Zimbabwe: £50. St Joseph’s Young Priests Society: £10. Concern: £100. Moshi: £10

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

Knock Celebrates 130th Anniversary

On Sunday, 7th June the people and priests of the Diocese are invited to lead the prayers and worship at Knock Shrine starting at 2.30 pm. It would be great if as many as possible could travel to Knock that day.

Provision of Care for Knock Pilgrims: Anyone who has poor mobility or is in need of assistance who would like to participate in the Diocesan Pilgrimage to Knock on Sunday, 7th June is invited to register for assistance by phoning the Pilgrimage Office on 71260293. Staff from the Lourdes Hospitalite will be available in Knock to provide care.

Music at Knock: Any individual, choir members or musicians who would like to contribute to the music at Knock on Sunday, 7th June please contact Sr Perpetua on 71351233 for music and rehearsal details.

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