Parish News for Sunday 19th April 2009

Vol.36 No.15

2nd Sunday of Easter, Divine Mercy.

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

Doubting Thomas

The scripture readings this weekend lend themselves to examining the question of why a Christian believes in this 21st century. In the Gospel of St John we read of the episode of Thomas who declares “Unless I see the holes that the nails made ..... I refuse to believe.” In the Acts of the Apostles we hear of a Christian community completely at one with itself. In the reading in between we find St Peter speaking of being “Plagued by all sorts of trials”, a faith being tested.

Most of us can easily imagine a courtroom scene. If we have not had personal experience we have seen court scenes on our TV screens. In a court of law a case will stand or collapse on the credibility of the witnesses who come forward.

If we were to subject the Resurrection stories to similar scrutiny we would have a very interesting court case. Some of the closest friends of Jesus, who would have to be considered as credible witnesses, failed in the first instance to recognise him. One thought she was seeing a ghost and another supposed him to be the gardener. It is the story of Thomas, known as Doubting Thomas that brings concrete evidence to the stories. The evidence of Thomas is able to link the Risen Jesus to the one who was crucified. The crucified and the Risen Lord is the same person. The holes in his hands and feet as well as the marks on his side are proof positive that the one who was crucified is now risen.

Like the other disciples Thomas is disillusioned after the death of Jesus but by all accounts more so even to the extent that he does not gather with the others for evening meal. It is at this meal that Jesus appears but Thomas is missing. The next day they go looking for him and tell him that Jesus is Risen and has appeared to them and it is in this context that we can hear Thomas in almost complete exasperation saying “I don’t believe a word of it. I saw him die, wise up he is dead”. Peter pleads with him but Thomas is cold and then says “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it.”

The gospel scene then moves on a full week and by this time Thomas must have settled and he is with the other disciples and we are told that Jesus stands among them and speaks “Peace be with you”. The gospel tells us that Jesus speaks directly to Thomas and asks him to “Put your finger here, see my hands.” Thomas we are told falls to his knees and makes the greatest profession of faith of all time. “My Lord and my God” he says putting into words for the first time the truth that Jesus is both Lord and God.

Sympathy

We offer our sympathy to the family and friends of:

Sean Paul Campbell,
12 Limewood Street.

Annie O’Neill,
76 William Street.

Charles Gallagher,
19 Kingsfort Park.

Edward Brady,
41 Grafton Street.

Dessie Duffy,
3 Baronscourt.

May they rest in peace.

Baptism

We welcome as members of the Christian community

Katrina Marie McGahey,
17 Elmvale.
Taylor Rose Ann Coyle,
75 Academy Road.
Phoebe May Ryan,
6 Glenside Gardens.
Jake Michael Mitchell,
61 Rosemount Gardens.
Ava Kate O’Hagan,
6 Baldrick Crescent.
Darragh Séan Mooney,
92 Victoria Gate.

Readers

Weekdays
10.00 Neil McMahon
07.30 Adele McCauley

Readers on duty next Weekend
06.15 pm Garvin Kerr
07.30 pm Mona Tracey
09.30 am Michael Roddy
11.00 am Jemma McGlinchey/
Rebecca O’Doherty
12.30 pm Don Clarke

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

A Word of Thanks

We would like to thank sincerely all those who helped in the Holy Week and Easter Ceremonies. Kevin Glackin and assistant Sacristans; Sister Perpetua, Conor McLaughlin, the Choir, Cantors and Musicians, Ann McCay and the Folk Group, Ray McGinley and Choir, Gráinne Nugent and the Readers, Eucharistic Ministers and Altar Servers; those who took part in the Offertory Processions and the Washing of the Feet, those who prepared the Church and Easter Garden and the Trócaire collection counters.

Annual Special Diocesan Mass will be celebrated by Bishop Hegarty for those with special needs and their families and friends in St Joseph’s Church, Galliagh on Saturday, 9th May at 3.00 pm. If you have a child who wishes to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation or First Communion at this Mass please contact the Catechetical Centre on 71264087.

Fr Canny acknowledges with thanks donations for:

St Pio: £20, £20. Concern: £20. Upkeep of Cathedral: £100. St Thérèse Statue: £20. India: £20. Donations for Flowers totalling £215. Sponsorship for the Parish Walk of the Two Bridges bringing the total to £4,378.

Last Week’s Collection amounted to £3,707.

Next week’s collection is the
Stipend Collection for the
Priests of the Parish.

Fr Canny will forward donations totalling £40 to LASCO.

St Vincent de Paul acknowledges with thanks a donation of £200.

On your visit to the Cathedral these days you may notice the Ten Stations of the Salvation Story. Each Station represents an event in the history of our salvation. They begin with the Creation story; through the call of Moses and the prophets and conclude with the Resurrection of Christ. They are an aid to help us meditate on the wonders of our salvation and a call to ponder the way God has intervened in human history. They are also an appropriate follow-up to the Stations of the Cross which adorned the Cathedral during Lent.

Divine Mercy: The Image of Divine Mercy will be solemnly Enthroned in Long Tower Church by Bishop Hegarty today (Sunday). The Devotions will begin at 3:00 pm.

University of Ulster Choir, under the direction of Shaun Ryan, will perform a concert at St Patrick’s Church, Pennyburn, on Tuesday, 28th April at 8.00 pm. The programme includes a specially commissioned setting of Robbie Burns’ My love is like a red, red rose , John Rutter’s folksong cycle The Sprig of Thyme and the hauntingly beautiful Lux Aeterna by Morten Lauridsen. Admission is free (with an optional retiring collection).

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

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

Bulletin News for Sunday 19th April 2009

St Patrick’s Mission, Kiltegan - Please put your used postage stamps in the box at the back of the Church. The money raised goes a long way in helping the St Patrick’s Missionary work.

Who is St Paul?: This 4-week very successful course on St Paul gives a wonderful insight into various aspects of Paul. The Course will be held in Thornhill Centre on Mondays of May beginning 4th May from 7.30 pm to 9.30 pm. Cost: £30 (payable in instalments). To book phone 71351233.

An exploration of the Dream World from the Christian Perspective begins Thursday from 7.30 pm to 9.00 pm. For more details phone Thornhill Centre at 71351233.

Age Concern Derry Gardening Competition is open to all gardeners, over the age of 60, living in the Derry City Council Area. Prizes awarded for the best gardens, window boxes and hanging baskets, vegetable plots, enclosed yard or patio garden. Closing date is Friday, 8th May. The competition’s judges will visit gardens in the last week of June and first week of July. Further details and entry forms contact Age Concern, Malvern House, Waterside by telephone 71347478 or by email at dev.ageconcern@derrycityconnect.org