Parish News for Sunday 4th May 2008

Vol.35 No.18

The Ascension of the Lord

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

Poverty Today

Of course in Ireland poverty no longer exists - it is a thing of the past on our island, sure aren’t we one of the richest countries in the world! Yet the Central Statistics Office would claim that today in our country 815,000 people are living on low incomes and 285,000 are living in consistent poverty - by poverty they mean having an income and resources that are so inadequate as to prevent people from having a standard of living which is regarded as acceptable by Irish society generally and means that they are excluded from participating in activities which are considered the norm for other people in society. As Mary McAleese says ‘for those who seem to have missed the boat named the Celtic Tiger, modern Ireland can seem to be a very scary place, where all you can see in front of you are the far-off backs of those who are making progress in this new time of opportunity; many can tell what it feels like to be in a race where all the other runners have disappeared from view and you cannot get past the starting line because of the obstacles that stand in your way.’

The challenge facing us Christians in the years ahead will be to let it be known that there is still a very real problem with inequality, social exclusion and poverty in Ireland and elsewhere and to convince ourselves that for those who are poor it most certainly is not their fault. As John Paul II reminds us, ‘The poor should be seen not as a problem but as people who can become builders with us of a new and more human future for everyone’* and ‘to eradicate poverty, which is the source of violence, bitterness and scandal, is to do the work of justice and therefore of peace.’* The words of Frederic Ozanam (founder of the St Vincent de Paul Society) in 1840 still ring true, ‘The question which is agitating us today is a social one. It is a clash of opulence and poverty - between those who have not enough and those who have too much. Our duty as Christians is to throw ourselves between these two camps in order to accomplish, by love what justice alone cannot do.’ This prompts the question, ‘What in my lifestyle is increasing poverty among others?’

*Message for World Day of Peace 2004

Diocesan Commission for Justice and Social Affairs, Diocesan Pastoral Centre, 164 Bishop St, Derry

The Little Way Novena

Theme: When I am weak then I am Strong’

Saturday, 10th May to Sunday, 18th May

The Little Way Novena begins next Saturday, 10th May at the 7.30 pm Vigil Mass. Two of the most integral elements of the Novena are the morning Eucharist at 6.30 an 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 - Dean William Morton • Tuesday - Angela McIntyre
• Wednesday - Ann McGarrigle • Thursday - Dr Ann Doherty
• Friday - Fr Sean Conlon OCD

Healing Service and Anointing of those who are sick on Sunday, 11th May at 4.00 pm. Mass for the Dead on Saturday, 17th 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:
Jimmy McTaggart, 6 Eden Terrace.
Molly Cassidy, 44 Grafton Street.
Pat Healy, 28 Glenowen Park.
Noel Boyle, formerly Marlborough Street.
John Anthony O’Donnell, 138 Glenowen Park. May they rest in peace.

Baptism
We welcome as members of the Christian community
Leah Mina McShane,Flat 7, Shepherd’s View.
Kiera May McCafferty,Wellington, New Zealand.
Kate Mary Murphy,13 Westland Terrace.
Ronan Emmet Boyle,9 Academy Road.
Rory James Duffy,15 Auburn Terrace.
Adam Joseph Doherty,33 Florence Street.
John Anthony McNamee,18 Beechwood Avenue.
Darragh Finnbar Kennedy,34 Marianus Park.

Readers on duty next Weekend
06.15 Monica Garvin
07.30 Mona Tracey
09.30 Brendan Burns
11.00 Gráinne Nugent
12.30 Carita Kerr

Weekdays
10.00 Rita McCauley
07.30 Anna Peake

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.
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.

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

Cemetery Sunday - 22nd June at 6.00 pm

The Annual Lourdes Hospitalite Collection takes places at all Masses on 17th and 18th May 2008. This fund is used solely for the purpose of providing medical care and support to people of the Diocese who are sick and wish to go to Lourdes.

Rosary for the Holy Souls will be recited today (Sunday) in St Brigid’s Church Carnhill at 5.00 pm. All welcome.

Fr Canny acknowledges with thanks donations for:
St Joseph’s Young Priests: £25.
Fr Canny will forward donations totalling £155 to LASCO.

Last Week’s Collection amounted to £3,849.

Please note

The work to reorganise the layout of the
ground floor of the Parochial House
will begin on Monday.
Access to the Parochial House
will be via the door at Windsor Terrace.
Sorry for any inconvenience.