Parish News for Sunday 18th January 2009

Vol.36 No.03

The Baptism of Jesus.

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

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity - 18th to 25th January 2009
Theme: “that they may be one in your hand’ (Ezekiel 37:17)

Inspired by the witness of churches from a divided country, Christians throughout the world will be praying “that they may become one in God’s hand” during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2009.

For this year’s week of prayer, a group of representatives from the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Korea and the National Council of Churches in Korea chose as the basis the vision of Ezekiel (Ezek. 37:15-28) that depicts two pieces of wood, symbolizing the two kingdoms into which Israel had been divided. They found it offered some compelling parallels to their own situation within a divided country and to a divided Christendom.

The materials for the week of prayer are rooted in the experience of the churches in Korea. In their context of national division they have turned for inspiration to the prophet Ezekiel, who also lived in a tragically divided nation and longed for the unity of his people. According to Ezekiel the division of the people reflected - and resulted from - their sinfulness and alienation from God. They may become again one People by renouncing their sins, undergoing conversion, and returning to God. Yet ultimately it is God who unites God’s people by purifying, renewing and liberating them from their divisions. For Ezekiel this unity is not simply the joining of previously divided groups; it is rather a new creation, the birth of a new people which should be a sign of hope to other peoples and indeed to all of humanity.

The week of prayer mobilizes countless congregations and parishes around the world. During that week, Christians from different confessional families get together and - at least on that occasion - pray together in special ecumenical celebrations.

To celebrate the beginning of the
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity there will be a service at 8.00 pm this evening (Sunday) in the
Carlisle Road Methodist Church.

Prayer for Christian Unity

God of compassion, you have loved and forgiven us in Christ, and sought to reconcile the entire human race in that redeeming love. Look with favour upon us, who work and pray for the unity of divided Christian communities. Grant us the experience of being brothers and sisters in your love. May we be one, one in your hand. Amen.

Sympathy
We offer our sympathy to the family and friends of:

Ruth Angela Banks, Westhoughton, Bolton,
formerly Marlborough Street.

May she rest in peace.

Baptism

We welcome as members of the Christian community

Éabha Rachel Redden,
137 Galliagh Park.

Jude John Green,
29 Northland Avenue.

Readers

Weekdays
10.00 am Gráinne Nugent
07.30 pm Anna Peake

Readers on duty next Weekend
06.15 pm Roísín Bonar
07.30 pm Kieran Kehoe
09.30 am Michael Roddy
11.00 am Eugene McClintock
12.30 am Marie Canning

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

Fr Daniel McFaul will celebrate Mass in Lavery Fold on Wednesday at 3.15 pm.

Monthly Pro-Life Devotions will take place in St Columb’s Church, Chapel Road, Waterside on Tuesday commencing with Rosary at 7.00 pm followed by Mass at 7.30 pm.

Sincere Thanks to ALL who contributed in any way to the Christmas Raffle in aid of the poor in Africa, India, Chile, Cambodia and Fiji by buying Raffle lines, giving donations, etc. The total amount raised to date is £18,591.16 plus €860 plus 100 Australian Dollars for the six Charities. This money will be divided and sent to the different sisters for their work. Mass is being offered for you ALL in thanksgiving. May God reward and bless each one of you in a special way.

Sister Ann and Gerry Deeney

A Mass for the sick with Eucharistic Blessing on Tuesday at 8.00 pm in Termonbacca.

St Vincent de Paul Society wish to acknowledge with thanks a donation of £100.

Fr Canny acknowledges with thanks donations for:
Trócaire: £100, £20, £50. St Pio: £50. Sr Patricia McLaughlin’s Missionary Work: £100. Altar Flowers: £40. Concern: £50. Cathedral Funds: £50, £1000. Parish Missionaries Overseas: £500. Gaza: £50.

Last Week’s Collection amounted to £3,900.

The Collection for
Parish Missionaries Overseas
amounted to £4,761.

Two sample messages of thanks received from Parish Missionaries who received donations during the year

Sister Maureen Coyle e-mailed to say thank you for your generosity to her missions in Peru. ‘I will take the money out tomorrow as we have a “ Chocolatado “ (Hot chocolate and Paneton) for the children of our parish on Sunday and so will be able to buy the needed sugar, milk, breads etc. God is always so good to us. We were short this year and your donation comes along. Really, God takes care of us always. We planned this hoping that we would be able to give all the children something to eat. Here there is no such thing as Santa Clause or toys but it is the custom to give the poor (old people and children) something to eat and the get together is always good to build community among us. Thanks again for your help.‘

Sister Lily McKenna who works in Brasil used her donation to pay for electricity and food for HIV positive children who were abandoned at birth by their parents who suffer from drug addition. Her Sisters (known as the Killyshannon Sisters, Co Cavan) have managed to buy a home in Sao Paulo and renovated it for the children, which is run by a group of women voluntarily.

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