Parish News for Sunday 21st February 2010

Vol.37 No.8

First Sunday of Lent

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

First Sunday of Lent

All three readings are concerned with faithfulness to God.

The First Reading describes the ceremony of the offering to God of the first fruits of the harvest. It was an occasion for the people to thank God, not only for the blessings of the harvest, but for all he had done for them in the past, and especially in the Exodus. The creed which the offerer recited is a summary of Israel’s early history and humble origins. The readings of the following Sundays will focus on significant moments of that history.

The Second Reading contains in its simplest form the Christian credo: Jesus is Lord; he died for our sins and was raised up for our justification. Obviously for this faith to be genuine, it must be professed not just with one’s lips but also with one’s life.

Luke’s account of the temptations follows closely that of Matthew, except that he deliberately changes the order of the last two temptations so that the series ends in Jerusalem. This is in keeping with his theological interest in the holy city. The three scenes serve to correct a false understanding of Jesus’ mission. Jesus repels the tempter by quoting from the book of Deuteronomy, which stresses God’s will for Israel.

Next Week’s Readings: Transfiguration

First Reading (Gen 15:5-12.17-18). We learn of the solemn convenant God made with Abraham which was the foundation of God’s relationship with the people of Israel. Through Christ we are the heirs to this covenant.

Second Reading (Phil 3:17-4:1). Paul urges his converts to remain faithful to Christ, and promises them that one day they will share in his glory.

Gospel (Lk 9:28-36). We hear Luke’s version of the transfiguration of Jesus on Mount Tabor.

A One Day Retreat for Senior Citizens

and their friends from Derry and surrounding areas will take place in Termonbacca on Tuesday. A One Day Retreat for Senior Citizens and their friends from Donegal and surrounding areas will take place in Termonbacca on Thursday. Registration from 10.30 am. Retreat concluding around 5.00 pm. Cost £15stg or €18euro includes a four course lunch. Payment at the Centre on the day. Phone Termonbacca on 71262512 during office hours only.

Sympathy

We offer our sympathy to the family and friends of:

Bernadette Mapp,
91 Academy Road.

Pat Gill,
10 Little Diamond.

Liam O’Kane,
Australia, formerly Westland Tce.

May they rest in peace.

Anniversaries

We remember the anniversaries of:

Bridie McMillan, Elizabeth Page, Edna Fines, Charles Morrison,

Susan Morrison, Mickey Carlin, Sally Glackin, Peter McCann, Gerard McLaughlin.

May they rest in peace.

Baptism

We welcome as members of the Christian community:

Callum Jay Moore,
11 Foyleview Appartments.

Shannon Geraldine Callaghan,
25 Kylemore Park.

Readers - Weekdays
10.00 am Thomas Gallagher
07.30 pm Adele McCauley

Readers on duty next Weekend
06.15 pm Monica Garvin
07.30 pm Christine McDevitt
09.30 am James Garvin
11.00 am Rebecca Doherty/
Sarah Henderson
12.30 pm Anna Peake

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

St Columb’s Cathedral

is to host a series of lunchtime talks on Thursdays at 1.05 pm. This year the chosen topic is: “The Millennium a Decade on: Where are we now?” A different invited guest speaker every Thursday will try to answer that question from his/her professional perspective. Thursday’s Talk: “The Economy” will come under focus from Mr John Simpson, a regular contributor on radio and television in Northern Ireland on matters in this regard.

Loreto House, Linsfort, Buncrana

Holy Week Retreat 28th March - 3rd April

Fr Colm Lavelle S.J. To book a place on this Retreat phone 00353749362204 or email info@loretolinsfort.com Cost €380 residential, €200 non-residential. Prayer Meetings every Monday in Lent beginning Monday from8-9 pm.

Fr Canny acknowledges with thanks donations for St Pio: £20.

Haiti: Donations received during the week:£1,410.

Flowers for Forty Hours: £5,£20, £20, £10, £60, £10, £5. Sisters of St John: £20. St Vincent de Paul: £200.

Fr Canny will forward a donation of £20 to LASCO.

Last Week’s Collection amounted to £3,570.

Lent in St Eugene’s

• Morning Prayer: 9.30am Monday to Friday.

• Lunch-time Mass: 12.30 pm Mass will be celebrated every week day (Monday to Friday) during Lent.

• Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament: after 10.00 am Mass until 12.30 pm Mass Monday to Friday during Lent beginning on Ash Wednesday.

• Stations of the Cross: Wednesday and Friday after the 7.30 pm evening Mass.

• Parish Community Book of Prayer: We are invited to write down what we are doing for Lent. At the Cross we can say the prayer that we will be faithful to our commitment during the season and so be more prepared to celebrate the resurrection of Christ at Easter.

‘Reflection Mornings’ for the Thursdays of Lent beginning on Thursday in Thornhill Centre. Each Thursday morning beginning at 10.30 am, includes a talk, quiet reflection, ritual and concludes with a light lunch at 1.00 pm. A donation of £5 per morning is suggested. To book telephone 71351233.

Please take a Trócaire box from the back of the Church

Trócaire works to bring about positive and lasting changes in some of the world’s poorest places. Programmes are carried out with partner organisations so local people drive the whole process and, in turn, their own development.

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