Parish News for Sunday 23rd May 2010

Vol.37 No.20

Pentecost Sunday

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

Veni Creator Spiritus - Come, O Holy Spirit -

Tar anuas, a Spioraid Naomh!

If we were to try and launch the Church now, it is not very likely that we would begin with a group of frightened, uneducated men who were so afraid of their fellow-citizens in Jerusalem after Jesus left them in his Ascension that they barricaded themselves behind locked doors.

Neither is it very likely that we would have chosen for our first audience a group of people who, on the surface, at least, did not seem very open to the message we were giving. The Jews gathered in Jerusalem on that first Pentecost had come from all over the known world to celebrate a Jewish feast. They had not gathered to learn that one of their own, a carpenter’s son from Nazareth who had been publicly put to death on a cross, was the promised Messiah.

Yet such was – and is – the power of the Holy Spirit that it was in these unpromising circumstances that the worldwide preaching of the Gospel of Christ began. The Spirit, symbolised by a powerful wind and tongues of fire, liberated the apostles physically from their self-imposed prison and spiritually from their fear and apprehension, and empowered them to bring the saving message of Christ to all peoples.

Let us not wait for some ideal time that will never come. Let us recognise the presence of the Holy Spirit within us and amongst us today and through the power he gives us witness to Jesus in what we think and say and do.

The Annual Diocesan Lourdes Hospitalite collection will be taken up as a retiring collection at all Masses next weekend, 29th/30th May. The Lourdes Hospitalite Fund is dependent on the monies raised from this one collection to support people who are sick and in need of medical care. The strength of the collection determines the number of sick and the number of medical helpers that they are able to bring. They thank you for having generously supported them in the past and hope that they can rely on your support this year again.

Derry Pilgrimage to Lourdes July 16th-21st 2010: The Pilgrimage welcomes general pilgrims but also provides particular support to those who might need care/assistance whilst in Lourdes. For further details contact the Pilgrimage Office at 71260293 which is open on Tuesdays 11.00 am to 1.00 pm; Thursdays 11.00 am to 2.00 pm and Saturdays from 11.00 am to 1.00 pm.

The Annual Service of Intercession for the Dead

takes place in the City Cemetery on Sunday, 20th June at 6.00 pm.

Ardmore/Altnagelvin/Ballyoan Cemetery Sunday. The Service of Intercession for the Deceased at Ardmore Graveyard will be held on Sunday, 6th June at 6.00 pm in Ardmore and 3.00 pm in Altnagelvin and Ballyoan Cemetery. Please bring Holy Water to sprinkle the graves of your relatives on that day.  Flower Sellers should notify Ardmore Cemetery Committee Members as usual by 1st June.  No Flower Sellers nor their vehicles permitted on Church Car Park on that day.  Their cooperation is very much appreciated.

Sympathy

We offer our sympathy to the family and friends of:

Chris McSheffrey, 6 Richmond Crescent.

May he rest in peace.

Anniversaries

We remember the anniversaries of:

Mary, William and Patrick McGeehan, Alan Roberts, James Caldwell, Paul Deehan,

Johnny McDevitt, Mary Ellen McKinney and Joe Cunningham.

May they rest in peace.

First Anniversary Mass of Fr Willie Rafferty

will be held in Doneyloop Church on Wednesday at 7.30 pm.

Readers

Weekdays

10.00 am Neil McMahon
07.30 pm Adele McCauley

Readers on duty next Weekend

06.15 pm Roísín Bonar
07.30 pm Blanaid Canavan
09.30 am Louise Davis
11.00 am Rebecca Doherty/
Sarah Henderson
12.30 pm Marie Canning

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

Mass in honour of Blessed Alexandrina Maria Da Costa

this evening (Sunday) in Termonbacca at 7.30 pm.

Commitment to Abstinence and Moderation

Over the next few weeks children from the schools in the parish who were confirmed this year will be asked to commit themselves to abstain from alcohol until eighteen years of age and illegal drugs for life. At this time in our society when there is so much abuse and misuse of alcohol and illegal substances it is important that we, as adults, by our good example be a source of support and encouragement.

Fr Canny acknowledges with thanks donations for:

St Pio: £20. Sisters of St John: £50, £20. Altar Flowers: £20. Cathedral Maintenance: £100.

Charity of Adm’s Choice: £20.

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

Last Week’s Collection amounted to £3,346.

Pastoral Youth Ministry Leader

The parishes of St Eugene’s Cathedral, St Mary’s, Creggan, and Holy Family in Derry are embarking on an exciting new project.  Investing in our young people, we are looking to employ an enthusiastic person to lead and direct youth in the three parishes in the ways of faith.  The Pastoral Youth Ministry Leader will be employed for a one year contract. The successful candidate must fulfil the following criteria:

· Be an active member of a Catholic Parish Faith Community

· Have experience of skilled leadership in a Youth Setting

· Have a third level qualification in a relevant discipline eg education, theology, youth work, community work OR one year’s experience of Youth Project Management

· Be competent in the use of ICT

The Pastoral Youth Ministry Leader will be based within the parishes of St Eugene’s Cathedral, St Mary’s, Creggan and Holy Family in Derry City.

The above criteria may be enhanced to facilitate short listing of candidates.

Application Form, Job Description and Personnel Specification may be obtained by telephoning 71264087 during normal office hours and completed applications must be returned to: Derry Diocesan Youth Commission, Derry Diocesan Catechetical Centre, The Gate Lodge, 2 Francis Street, Derry, BT48 7DS not later than 5.00 pm on 3rd June 2010.

Knock Summer Festival - 25th to 27th June - prayer, music, reflection, talks, workshops and more. Cost €70 (includes food and accommodation). To book visit their website www.knock-shrine.ie/youthfestival.

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