Parish News for Sunday 19th August 2007

20th Sunday in Ordinary Time

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

Vol. 34 No. 33

New Diocesan Appointments

In the new Diocesan Appointments made over the past few days Fr Gerard Mongan who has served here for the past year has been appointed to St Columba’s Church, Long Tower. We thank Fr Gerard for his work and dedication. We wish him every happiness in his new appointment and assure him of our prayers and support.

Fr Gary Wade has been appointed to St Eugene’s Cathedral in addition to being part time staff in St Columb’s College.

Ten Golden Rules for Prayer
There are different ways of praying. The best way for you to pray is the way that you find easiest. Here are a few suggestions which different people have found to be helpful.

1 Plan to pray; do not leave it to chance. Select a time and a place (a room at home, on the bus, taking a walk).

2 Decide on how long you will spend in trying to pray (five minutes, ten, fifteen, thirty or more).

3 Decide what you are going to do when you pray - e.g. which prayer to select to say slowly and lovingly.

4 Always start by asking the Holy Spirit for help in your prayers. Pray: “Come Holy Spirit, teach me to pray; help me to do it”.

5 Remember you are trying to get in touch with a Person, and that Person is God - Father or Son or Holy Spirit.

6 Don’t be a slave to one way of praying. Choose the one that you find easiest, and try some other method.

7 Don’t look for results.

8 If you have distractions, then turn your distractions into your prayer.

9 If you always feel dry and uninterested at prayer, then read a spiritual book or pamphlet.

10 Trying to pray is praying. Never give up trying.

Sympathy
We offer our sympathy to the family and friends of:
Kathleen Bierwas, 13 Glenvale Road. May she rest in peace.

Baptism
We welcome as a member of the Christian community
Kevin Allen Conlon, 82 Drumard Park.

Readers on duty next Weekend
06.15 Monica Garvin
07.30 Patrick Durkan
09.30 Louise Davis
11.00 Mary McDowell
12.30 Piaras O’Meallain

Weekdays
10.00 Terry Willman-Gallagher
07.30 Mary McGoldrick

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

Fr Canny acknowledges with thanks donations for:
LASCO: £40, £20, £10. Trócaire: £5. St Pio: £10, £20. Moshi: £20. Darfur: £100, £25.

Last Week’s Collection amounted to £2,906. Thank you.

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

St Eugene’s Parish Draw: Winners Week 41
£1,000 (3696) Emer Carlin, 13 Clarence Avenue.
£100 (2828) George Holmes, 118 Creggan Road.
£50
(2709) Chloe Anderson, 84 Lisfannon Park.
(1058) R. McCourt, 30 Northland Avenue.
(3054) C. O’Driscoll, c/o 6 Limewood Street.
(3573) Joan McGrory, 15 Aberfoyle Terrace.
Promoter’s Prize: Christine Curran, 52 Marlborough Street.

St Joseph’s Boys’ School: Interviews for all pupils wishing to return to Sixth Form will be held on: Thursday 23rd and Friday 24th and Monday 27th August from 10.00 am to 2.00 pm.

St Mary’s College: A meeting will take place on Friday, 24th August for all students seeking to enter Lower Sixth. Students seeking a place in 6th Form are asked to ring the College on or after 23rd August to arrange an interview. For further information or a Prospectus please contact the Sch ool. Please bring Record of Achievement to the meeting. ‘A’ Levels in History, Mathematics, Geography, English Literature, Music, Art, Technology. AGCE’s in Applied GCE Health & Social Care, Applied GCE Science, Applied GCE I.T. (Single), Applied GCE Engineering (Single), Applied GCE Business (Single).

Schools Re-opening

St Cecilia’s College: Year 8 & 14 pupils return on Friday, 31st August.
Year 12 pupils on Monday, 3rd September.
Year 9 & 11 pupils on Tuesday, 4th September.
Year 10 & 15 pupils return on Wednesday, 5th September.

St Mary’s College will re-open on Friday, 31st August for the following times:
8.45 am to 11.55 am - 1st Year and Sixth Formers only.
Buses will be provided to bring students to and from School. No canteen facilities.
1.00 pm to 3.10 pm - All other students.
Students coming to School at 1.00 pm must make their own way to School. Buses will be provided to take students home at 3.10 pm.

Thornhill College: Year 13 & 14 Registration Day on Friday, 31st August.
Year 8 on Monday, 3rd September.
Whole School except Year 8 on Tuesday, 4th September.

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.