Parish News for Sunday 8th November 2009

Vol.36 No.44

32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

PRIESTS OF THE PARISH
Very Rev Michael Canny Adm
Fr Peter Raftery CSSp
Rev Daniel McFaul CC

The Deep End - The Widow’s Mite

The widow’s mite symbolises generosity. A small gesture bursting with meaning grabs the imagination and immortalises itself. Today’s Gospel reading (Mark 12:38-44) notes that the widow has two coins. She could give one, keep the other, and still be considered generous. But no! Her generosity is not half measure. Her reverence for God and her respect for the Law and its requirements are total.

The spotlight is on the quality of her giving. We don’t know what happens to her afterwards. But somehow we just know she’s not going to die of starvation. We can’t prove it, of course. But God doesn’t respond to generosity with punishment. What kind of a god would that be! It’s the same for us. When we respond generously to life’s demands we’re not punished for doing so. Here are some more things we can’t provide, but which are true nonetheless: the more we give the more we discover we have to give; and, not only are those who receive enriched, so too are those who give.

When I worked in Indonesia as a missionary occasionally I gave money to people in need, or spent it for medical treatment on their behalf. To my surprise, on several occasions I received money out of the blue from home in the form of Mass offerings within weeks of having given help to others. Like the jar of meal and the jug of oil in today’s First Reading (1 Kings 17:10-16) my small jar was never empty either. It really does work that way. Try it and see.

Children in Crossfire is launching their 2009 Advent campaign here in St Eugene’s Cathedral, the proceeds from which will help vulnerable children and young people in Ethiopia and Tanzania. They are recruiting volunteers to help distribute boxes at weekend Masses on 21st/22nd and 28th/29th November and to help collect/count donations after Advent. If you would like to volunteer telephone 71269898 or email mark.mcmahon@childrenincrossfire.org

Advent Retreat (open to everyone) at Ards Friary Retreat and Conference Centre, Creeslough on Saturday and Sunday, 28th and 29th November given by Fr Owen O’Sullivan OFM Capuchin. What is Advent about? What are we waiting for? Commences at 9.30 am, finishes after lunch. Cost: €85 Residential or €60 Non Residential. Contact: Ards Friary 00 353 74 9138909 or info@ardsfriary.ie or visit their website www.ardsfriary.ie

As November is a special month of prayer for the dead, there is a book in which you can enrol the names of your deceased family and friends. At the Masses each day during the month, there will be a special prayer for those enrolled.

Sympathy

We offer our sympathy to the family and friends of:

William Organ, 15 Columbcille Court.

May he rest in peace.

Anniversaries:

We remember the anniversary of:

Maureen McGinley.

May she rest in peace.

If you wish to have the name of your loved one placed in the newsletter contact the Parish Office before 12.00 noon on Thursdays.

Readers - Weekdays

10.00 am Brendan Burns
07.30 pm Adele McCauley

Readers on duty next Weekend

06.15 pm Monica Garvin
07.30 pm Mona Tracey
09.30 am Brendan Burns
11.00 am Gatha McClintock
12.30 pm Piaras O Meallain

Eucharistic Ministers

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

Monthly Mass for the beatification of Matt Talbot will be celebrated on Monday at 7.30 pm in Termonbacca.

The Mass for the deceased teachers of the Diocese will be celebrated here in St Eugene’s Cathedral on Wednesday at 7.30 pm.

St Vincent De Paul Society

acknowledge with thanks a donation of £220.

Sick Visitation

Fr Daniel McFaul will visit the sick in his care this week as follows:

Mon 10.00 am: Rosemount Gdns, Montrose Gdns, Ernest St, Rosemount Ave, Lower Nassu St, Academy Tce, Northland Parade, Tutor Close, De Burgh Tce.

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

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

Tues pm: Glenbrook House.

Fr Peter Raftery will visit the sick in his care 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: 2.00 pm Confessions and Mass in Lavery Fold.

Fr Canny acknowledges with thanks donations for:
Trócaire: £50. Concern: £40. Altar Flowers: £20, £20.
Fr McIntyre’s missionary work: £40.

Thank you for your generosity
to the Retired Priests Collection taken up last weekend
which amounted to £4,662.

The Holy Family Padre Pio Prayer Group will hold their monthly meeting in Holy Family Church, Ballymagroarty, on Monday night starting with 7.30 pm Mass. There will be two 1st class relics of St Pio available at the meeting.

A One Day Retreat for Senior Citizens and their friends from Derry and surrounding areas in Termonbacca on Tuesday. Registration from 10.30 am finishing around 5.00 pm. Cost £15 includes a four course lunch. Payment at the Centre on the day. To book telephone 71262512 during office hours.

A Mass will be celebrated for all the deceased young people of the Diocese in Holy Family Church, Ballymagroarty on Sunday, 15th November at 3.00 pm. The Mass will be an opportunity for the familes and friends of young people who have died to come together in a spirit of prayer and consolation.

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