Parish News for Sunday 22nd Nov. 2009

Vol.36 No.46

Last Sunday in Ordinary Time

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

The Deep End - Truth Reigns

Someone remarked that there are three sides to every story: your side, my side and the truth. In today’s Gospel reading (John 18:33-37) Jesus links the reign of his kingdom very closely with testifying to truth. Celebrating Jesus as universal king, means celebrating truth’s triumph over falsehood, the victory of good over evil.

However, lest triumphalism makes us cocky, we need to remember the cost of this triumph – nothing less than the torture and murder of God’s Son on earth. Sounds a bit strange put that way, doesn’t it? We’re more used to hearing about the passion and death of Jesus. Passion has become a sanitised word sounding less harsh than torture, even though the pain of it isn’t. Crucifixion, while a terrible word and an even more terrible reality, still sounds that bit more distant than murder does.

Jesus was murdered because he spoke the truth. Anyone who speaks as Jesus did risks the same fate ultimately. Yet, in spite of threats from those with vested interests who don’t want the truth to be told, truth will out and does prevail. That’s what we celebrate this day. But, not only do we celebrate the victory of truth, we also celebrate the fact that people are prepared to die for it. We have examples of that throughout history. We have martyrs for truth among us today. We will have them into the future too.

Today we celebrate the three sides to this story: I testify to truth, you testify to truth and truth triumphs, for all three become one.

Sharing Fair Christmas Sale: The Good Shepherd Sisters of Dungiven Road are holding their Christmas Sale in the room above the Sacristy here in St Eugene’s Cathedral after the Vigil Masses on Saturday, 5th December and Masses on Sunday, 6th December. They will be offering a wide range of beautiful and top quality household items, toys and Christmas gift items made by girls/women in self help projects associated with the Sisters of the Good Shepherd in the developing world.

Derry Diocesan Lourdes Pilgrimage 2010: Why not give someone an opportunity of going on the Lourdes Pilgrimage 16th-21st July 2010 as your Christmas Gift. Gift vouchers (£25 to £100) are available from the Pilgrimage Office, 164 Bishop Street. Office opens Tuesday 11.00 am to 1.00 pm, Thursday 11.00 am to 2.00 pm and Saturday 11.00 am to 1.00 pm.

Give Blood - Save Lives in Strand Road Presbyterian Church on Wednesday and Thursday, 2nd and 3rd December, 1.30 pm to 4.00 pm and 5.15 pm to 8.00 pm.

Sympathy

We offer our sympathy to the family and friends of:

Jim Bell,
Glassmullan, Dumfries.

Tom Canning,
7 Cashelmore Park.

Joan Flanagan,
84 Beechwood Avenue.

John Davidson,
25 Helen Street.

Otto Schlindwein,
8 West End Park.

May they rest in peace.

Anniversaries
We remember the anniversaries of: Frank Nugent, Aíne Grealy, Noel Barr, Willie Cullen, Bella Healy Hugh Barr and Kate McLaughlin.
May they rest in peace.

Baptism
We welcome as members of the Christian community:

Elliot John Paul Martin,
28 Oranmore Park.
Christopher Edward Campbell,
247 Kylemore Park.

Readers

Weekdays
10.00 am Thomas Gallagher
07.30 pm Mona Tracey

Readers on duty next Weekend
06.15 pm Garvin Kerr
07.30 pm Christine McDevitt
09.30 am Brendan Burns
11.00 am Terri Willman-Gallagher
12.30 pm Carita Kerr

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

St Joseph’s Young Priests Society will hold their last meeting before Christmas on Thursday at 8.00 pm in the Sacristy (upstairs in the Green Room).

Christmas Craft Fair in Rosemount Primary School, Helen Street on Wednesday from 7.00 pm to 9.00 pm. Everyone welcome.

Church Flower Arrangers Workshop will take place in Thornhill Centre on Tuesday from 7.30 pm to 9.00 pm.

Precious Life Monthly Mass in the Prayer Room, Termonbacca at 7.30 pm on Monday, 30th November.

Fr Canny acknowledges with thanks donations for:

Trócaire: £60. St Pio: £20. Sisters of St John: £20. Altar Flowers: £20.

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

Last Week’s Collection amounted to £3,564.

 One Day Retreat For Senior Citizens and their friends from Donegal and surrounding areas in Termonbacca on Wednesday. Registration from 10.30 am finishing around 5.00 pm. Cost £15 or €18 (includes a four course lunch). Payment at the Centre on the day. To book telephone 71262512 during office hours only.

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