Parish News for Sunday 23rd Sept 2007

25th 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. 38

Be Shrewd

Usury, the levying of interest, was forbidden in Jewish law. Nevertheless, despite the prohibition the practice was common and widespread, although covert. The mark-up on products was often exorbitant as the steward, who was rather like a farm or estate manager, built in not just profit for his master but his own cut as well.

The practice of the day was for stewards to charge exorbitant interest to cover not just their wages but a little bit extra for a ‘rainy day’! By reducing his master’s debtors’ bills, the steward in Jesus’ parable was not technically cheating but reducing his own profit margin. Faced with the prospect of redundancy and a reduced income, he behaved shrewdly as one of his grateful debtors could be his new employer!

Jesus encourages us to be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves (Matt. 10:16), and this can be especially important when it comes to living the Christian life.

We need to be shrewd and strategic in serving God. Jesus was not counselling us to be dishonest or devious - of course not - he was teaching us to think in a way that seeks to maximize on our opportunities and take advantage of the situation we are in to live the life of the Spirit.

‘Lord Jesus, teach me to be shrewd for the kingdom. Teach me to invest in time for prayer, to mine the scripture for riches and treasure, and spend my time, my energy and my life in putting to death the old man so that the beauty of the new man may shine in my life.’

Stay with me, Lord

Excerpt from the Prayer of St Pio of Pietrelcina after Holy Communion

Stay with me, Lord, for it is necessary to have
You present so that I do not forget You.
You know how easily I abandon You.

Stay with me, Lord, because I am weak
and I need Your strength,  that I may not fall so often.

Stay with me, Lord, for You are my life, 
and without You, I am without fervour.

Stay with me, Lord, for You are my light, and without You, I am in darkness.

Stay with me, Lord, to show me Your will.

Stay with me, Lord, so that I hear Your voice and follow You.

Baptism
We welcome as members of the Christian community

Darragh Norrby, 39 Stoneybridge, Bridgend.
Shaun Joseph Long, 21 Wesley Street.
Laura Madeline Regina Wilson, 12 Marlborough Terrace.
James Martin Wilson, Newtowncunningham.
Farrah Claire Johnston Canning, 112 St Eithne’s Park
Emmett Matthew McBrearty, 1 Sheriffs View.

Readers on duty next Weekend
06.15 Roisin Bonar
07.30 Patrick Durkan
09.30 St Anne’s P S
11.00 Eugene McClintock
12.30 Ciara McDevitt

Weekdays
10.00 Terry Willman-Gallagher
07.30 Charlie McDermott

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

Thank you
Fr Canny acknowledges with thanks donations for:
LASCO: £40, £25, £20, £20. Trócaire: £10, £40, £100. St Pio: €10. Darfur: £40, £40. Niger: £40.

Thank you for your generosity to the Stipend Collection taken up last weekend.

The Sisters of Saint John have established a new convent in our Diocese and will be formally welcomed by Bishop Hegarty on Monday, 1st October at 10.00 am Mass here in St Eugene’s Cathedral.

St Eugene’s Cathedral Branch of St Joseph’s Young Priests Society will meet in the Choir Room, on Thursday at 8.00 pm.

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

Would you like to become involved in the work of the parish?
Do you have a few spare hours? There are many parish groups that would appreciate your time, involvement, experience and talent. Would you be interested for example in becoming a member of one of the Board of Governors, a Reader, Eucharistic Minister, joining the Baptismal Team or any of the other ministries? Please contact the Parish Office by e-mail steugenes@btconnect.com or phone 71262894/71365712 during office hours indicating your area of interest.

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 46
£1,000
(2347) B. McGowan, 4 Nassau Crescent.
£100
(1871) Don Morrison, 7 Elmwood Street.
£50
(3043) Frances Strunks, 4 Limewood Street.
(2155) Teresa Lynch, 2 Glenbrook House.
(2280) Mrs O’Hare, 20 Oakfield Road.
(3166) Eileen Doherty, 10 Wesley Street.
Promoter’s Prize: James McLaughlin, 4 Little Diamond.

St Eugene’s Scouts: Are you between the age of 6-11 years old, interested in making new friends and learning new skills? Beaver meetings are for children aged 6-8 years old in St Anne’s Primary School every Tuesday night from 7.00-8.00 pm. Cub meetings are for children aged 8-10.5 year olds. Cub meetings take place in St Anne’s Primary School every Tuesday night from 8.00-9.30 pm.

Legion of Mary Bus to Knock on Sunday, 30th September. Fare £13. Limited places available. For further details telephone 07753434610 or 07840105515.

Senior Citizens Dance in Abbey House on Thursday, 4th October at 9.00 pm. Admission £2. Tea and sandwiches included. Music by Junior McCauley.

Monthly Mass for the Beatification of Matt Talbot in St Columb’s Church, Chapel Road, Waterside on Monday at 7.30 pm.

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.