Parish News for Sunday 18th July 2010

Vol.37 No.28

16th Sunday in Ordinary Time

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

The Carmelite Martyrs of Compiegne

On July 14th last week, the people of France celebrated their National Day – Bastille Day, named for the storming of the Bastille Prison in Paris at the height of the French Revolution (which began in 1789) and the liberating of those imprisoned within its walls. The great war cry of the Revolution was “Liberty, Fraternity, Equality”. These words are still engraved on all French coins. The execution of the King and Queen and the birth of the Republic were seen as the dawn of a new age in French history and the end of many centuries of privilege during which the weak and the poor were oppressed by the rich and the powerful.

The Church was seen as a bastion of the ancien regime, a defender of privilege, wealth and rank. To some extent this was true. However, in the Revolution as in so many other movements in history, things went from one extreme to the other. This was seen graphically in the execution of sixteen Carmelite nuns who were taken by force from their convent in Compiegne to prison in Paris. These women, whose life of prayer and simplicity, penance and silence was a threat to no one, were an easy target.

The sisters were offered their freedom if they were prepared to renounce their faith and their religious vows. This they steadfastly refused to do. Although they were forbidden to wear their religious habits while in prison, by a delicate design of Providence, they were dressed in them on the day they were taken to their deaths because their civilian clothing was being washed. Attired in the brown and cream habit of their order, they joyfully went to the scaffold, singing the Salve Regina (Hail Holy Queen). Their Prioress asked to be executed last that she might encourage her sisters to remain faithful. Gradually the singing became softer and softer as, one by one, these valiant women gave their lives for Christ and the Church. Their feast is celebrated on July 17th, the day after the feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, the patroness of their order.

Volunteering with Foyle Hospice. Foyle Hospice would welcome new members to their volunteer team.  There are a number of different areas where volunteers would be appreciated for example they have opportunities in Fundraising, Day-Care Unit or In-Patient Unit. For further information please contact Sharon Williams, Volunteer Co-Ordinator, 71359888 or 07590354364 or email  sharon@foylehospice.com.

Sympathy

We offer our sympathy to the family and friends of

Liam Doherty, 2 Glenbank Road.

May he rest in peace.

Anniversaries

We remember the anniversaries of: Daniel Boyle, Anthony McAteer, Lily Murray, Anne Hickey, Bernard and Agnes Ward, Mary Nicholas (nee McGinley) and Mary Cullen (nee Rice).
May they rest in peace.

Baptism

We welcome as members of the Christian community:

Lily Mary Ann McDermott,
Apt 603 Clipper Quay.

Kalen Gerard Kyle,
11 Brookdale Court.

Serena Erin Brown,
Pinerolo, Italy.

Orlaigh Marie Wilson,
67 Glenowen Park.

Reader - Weekdays
10.00 am Jimmy Doyle
07.30 pm Adele McCauley

Readers on duty next Weekend
06.15 pm Lauren Breslin/ Caite Burke
07.30 pm Christine McDevitt
09.30 am Louise Davis
11.00 am Adele McCauley
12.30 pm Michael Wilson

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

Pro-Life Devotions on Tuesday in St Columb’s Church Waterside

commencing with Rosary at 7.00 pm followed by Mass at 7.30 pm.

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

Fr Canny acknowledges with thanks donations for:

Trócaire: £10, £20. St Pio: £20, €20. Haiti: £50. Altar Flowers: £20, £20.

Fr Paddy McIntyre Missionary Work: £100. Parochial House Renovations: £100.

Last Week’s Collection amounted to £3,340.

Renovations Collection amounted to £979.

Adoption: Could you make a child happy again after a difficult start in life? Family Care Society is presently seeking adoptive families who would be interested in parenting children aged between 3 – 8 years and who need the love and attention of a caring and understanding family. For further information please contact Family Care Society on Belfast 90691133 or Derry 71368592 or email: email@familycaresociety.org  or visit their website www.familycaresociety.net.

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