Parish News for Sunday 9th Dec 2007

Second Sunday of Advent

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

Vol. 34 No. 49

Repentance
Second Week of Advent

In the Gospels John the Baptist is presented as quite a tough, hard and harsh figure. He was an ascetic who had emptied himself entirely to follow God in a most radical and dramatic way. His clothes were rugged and rough (made of camel’s hair and tied with a leather belt), and his diet was very simple (locusts and wild honey). His message reverberating down through the centuries still speaks to those who will listen

But what is repentance? The Greek word for ‘repentance’ is metanoia, which means literally to be travelling in one direction and then to turn 180 degrees to go in the completely opposite direction. Repentance, then, is much more than a sense of sorrow for sin or contrition. Repentance is all about change.

The problem is, however, that we cannot achieve the required change in our own power and strength - only in God’s. If you find within your heart a movement towards repentance, take heart, be encouraged, thank God, because this is a work of the Holy Spirit. St Ignatius of Loyola said: ‘When feelings of repentance arise in your heart, God looks upon you with pity.’ Acknowledging our sin and wanting to change is a wonderful work of grace in our lives and is something in which we ought to rejoice. If this is your experience during this season of Advent, rejoice, praise God and be grateful.

Sympathy
We offer our sympathy to the family and friends of:
Paul Anthony McGeehan, 111 The Meadows.
Martin Dunleavy, 9 Meadowbank Avenue.
Jean Clifford, 14 Rossville Street.
May they rest in peace.

Baptism
We welcome as members of the Christian community
Victoria Anne Doherty, 85 Glen Road.
Rebecca Eileen Lynch, 64 Kingsmere Gardens.
Cloideach Patricia Gallagher, 5 The Coppice, Thorley.
Logan Charles Davis Moran, 111 Creggan Road.
Lewis Patrick Henry, 54 Carn Manor.

Readers on duty next Weekend
06.15 Louise Davis
07.30 Mona Tracey
09.30 St Anne’s P.S.
11.00 Geraldine Uí Meallain
12.30 Ciara McDevitt

Weekdays
10.00 Rita McCauley
07.30 Mona Tracey

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

St Vincent de Paul Society
During the year 2007 St Eugene’s Conference St Vincent de Paul received over £21,000. This consisted of £18,000 through the boxes at the Cathedral doors, over £1,000 in public donations and £2,000 from Area Council. Cash assistance for families who requested help accounted for £13,000, purchase of furniture, fridges etc. used a further £5,000 with £3,000 spent on heating fuel. It can be seen that there is still a great need for financial help in the community and your generosity will go towards easing the financial burden on those less well off. St Eugene’s Conference St Vincent de Paul Annual Christmas Collection is next Saturday/Sunday (15th/16th December). Thank you for your generosity at this time of year.

Advent meditations for young people
Fr Gary Wade invites young people between the ages of 17 and 30 to join him for meditations on the theme of Advent in preparation for Christmas on Thursday from 8.00 – 9.00 pm in the Choir Room above the Sacristy.

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 pm: 2.00 - Lisfannon Pk (Upper), Eglinton Tce, Blucher St, Little Diamond.

Fr David O’Kane will visit the sick this week as follows:
Mon 10.00 am: The Village, Rosemount Gdns, Montrose Gdns, Ernest St: Grafton St, Park Ave, Rosemount Ave, Academy Tce, Tutor Close, Creggan Rd, Forest Pk. Nicholson Tce. Northland Drive.
Mon pm: Lower Nassau St, Glen Road, Ardglen Park, Glenbank Rd, Glenside Rd, Northland Road, Edanmount Park.
Tues am: Meadowview Cres, Osborne St, Norcross St: Baldrick Cres, Upper Nassau St, Cedar St, Glasgow Street, Argyle Tce, Argyle St..
Tues pm: Glenbrook House.
Fri am: William Street Home.

St Eugene’s Cathedral Carol Service
Wednesday 19th December at 7.30 pm
This promises to be an enchanting evening of song, prayer and readings as we prepare to celebrate Christmas. As is customary, we invite children to bring presents of new toys to the altar to make Christmas a happy time for other children in the area. St Vincent de Paul Society appeal for donations of new toys from children who wish to help other children less fortunate than themselves. Adults are invited to donate sweets, biscuits, vouchers or cash (no other foodstuffs) for similar distribution. Please identify wrapped gifts with gender and age.

Thank you
Fr Canny acknowledges with thanks donations for:
Parochial Purposes: £255.
Bangladeshi Floods: £50.
Darfur: £25.
Ethiopia: £25.
Donation to Charity of Adm’s choice: £100.
Moshi: £20.
St Pio: £20.

Fr Canny will forward donations totalling £50 to LASCO.

Thank You
Last Week’s Sunday’s Collection amounted to £3,337.

Friends of St Eugene’s Cathedral ‘£100 Ticket’ 2008 Parish Draw
Draw will take place in 21st November 2008

1st Prize: £25,000.
2nd & 3rd Prize: £5,000.
4th – 8th Prize: £2,000.
9th – 18th Prize: £1,000.
19th – 28th Prize: £500.
Total prize payout - £60,000.

If you would like to become a Promoter of this Draw please contact
the Parochial House. Your support would be greatly appreciated.

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

Prayer for our deceased loved ones

We seem to give them back to thee, O God, who gavest them to us. Yet as thou didst not lose them in giving, so do we not lose them by their return. Not as the world giveth, givest thou, O lover of souls. What thou givest, thou takest not away, for what is thine is ours also if we are thine. And life is eternal and love is immortal, and death is only an horizon, and an horizon is nothing save the limit of our sight. And while thou dost prepare a place for us, prepare us also for that happy place, that where thou art we may be also for evermore. Amen.

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.