Parish News for Sunday 20th April 2008

Vol.35 No.16

Fifth Sunday of Easter,

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

CLICK HERE FOR THE 2007 FINANCIAL REPORT

Do not let your hearts be troubled

Anxiety and worry are very much part of being human. Who does not worry or get anguish about all sorts of things? Jesus addressed the issue of a fearful or anxious heart head on in his teaching. In his Sermon on the Mount he urges us not to worry about our life in terms of food, drink and clothing, explaining that none of us by worrying can add a single hour to our lives on earth. In other words, worrying is futile. For proof he points to nature, specifically the lilies of the field which neither toil nor spin but yet are the most beautiful of flowers.

Jesus’ teaching is grounded in the revelation that God is our loving Father who knows all our anxieties and worries and has promised to take care of all our needs and wants. Worry could be described as carrying a burden God never intended us to bear. So often it is the case that today is the tomorrow we worried about yesterday! We can’t change the past but we can ruin the present by worrying about the future.

Jesus is explicit about the cure for this ailment of the heart. We are invited - not forced or compelled but simply encouraged - to trust in God and trust in Jesus. ‘Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, trust also in me’ (today’s Gospel) The great orator and teacher of the faith Bishop Fulton Sheen spoke these words against the sin of anxiety: ‘All worry is atheism, because it is want of trust of God.’ Harsh but true. Today, turn your life over to the Lord, trust him with every detail of your life, cast all your anxiety on him and you will know his love and providence.

Excerpt from Bible Alive - Easter edition

Derry Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes, 16th - 21st July 2008. Application forms are now available at the Parochial House or the Pilgrimage Office, 164 Bishop Street, phone 71260293 (open Tuesday and Thursday from 11.00 am - 2.00 pm and Saturday 11.00 am - 1.00 pm and 2.00 - 4.00 pm.) Price £449. Persons in need of care or aged 80 or over can obtain special application forms from the Pilgrimage Office.

World Youth Day Experience in Lourdes: As an alternative to World Youth day in Sydney, Lourdes has been nominated the European Centre for WYD and the Diocese will be taking a youth group to experience these days of celebration. The trip will be from 16th – 21st July for 20-35 year olds and will travel as part of the larger Diocesan Pilgrimage. The cost is £449. There will be a set program for this group for the five days including live screen link-up to Sydney, International Youth Masses, concerts, drama and much more. If you are interested in going or finding out more please contact the Pilgrimage Office on 71260293 or pick up a form from the Parish Office.

Sympathy
We offer our sympathy to the family and friends of:
Leo Doherty,6 Forest Park.
Bertie Barrett,10 Chamberlain Street. May they rest in peace.

Baptism
We welcome as members of the Christian community
Charlotte Anna McDaid, 33 St Eithne’s Park.
Trístan Cleere Moran, 24 Turasmore Park.
Cathal Sean McGuinness, 63 Glenowen Park.
Finn Brendan Tilley-Holmes, Moness, St Johnston.

Readers on duty next Weekend
06.15 Brendan Burns
07.30 Stephen Orr
09.30 St. Eugene’s P.S.
11.00 Eugene McClintock
12.30 Michael Wilson

Weekdays
10.00 Jimmy Doyle
07.30 Charlie McDermott

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

Mass in honour of Blessed Alexandrina Maria Da Costa in Termonbacca next Sunday at 7.30 pm.

Exhibition of Greek Icons in the Gordon Gallery, Pump Street has been extended until 5th May. The Icons have been painted by the Panhellenic Society of Iconographers and Dimitris Kolioussis. It is a wonderful exhibition of religious art and well worth visiting. The Gallery is open from Tuesday to Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm.

Monthly Mass in Polish for the Polish community here in St Eugene’s Cathedral on Friday at 9.00 pm.

Fr Canny acknowledges with thanks donations for:
St Pio: £10. St Thérèse Statue: £5.
Fr Canny will forward donations totalling £25 to LASCO.

The priests of the parish wish to thank you for your generosity to the Stipend Collection taken up last weekend.

Parish Draw
To purchase a ticket by instalments or full payment contact Matt McColgan at 71268997. Promoter’s pack available from the Sacristy after Masses or from the Parochial House, Monday to Friday during office hours. Parish Draw contributions will be collected every First Friday from 6.30 - 8.30 pm in the room above the Sacristy.

St Eugene’s Parish Hall: Sunday: Long Tower Bingo 8.40 pm. Tuesday: Long Tower Bingo 9.00 pm.

Please note

The work to reorganise the layout of the
ground floor of the Parochial House
will begin on Monday.
Access to the Parochial House
will be via the door at Windsor Terrace.
Sorry for any inconvenience.