Parish News for Sunday 24th May 2009

Vol.36 No.20

The Ascension of our Lord

PRIESTS OF THE PARISH
Very Rev Michael Canny Adm
Rev David O'Kane CC
Rev Daniel McFaul CC

The Feast of the Ascension

On her deathbed Florence Nightingale is reputed to have opened her eyes in alarm and said ‘I smell burning!’ moments before dying. One can only hope this was not a foretaste of things to come for her. The dying Oscar Wilde is famously supposed to have complained from his deathbed, ‘Either that wallpaper goes or I do!’ before conceding to the décor. We have a fascination for ‘famous last words’ and what a person says immediately before passing on carries significant weight.

In the case of Jesus his ‘passing on’ was his ascension into heaven, the last event recorded by the synoptic evangelists. We may suppose that his words on this occasion constitute the all important message the gospel writers wish to leave with us about Jesus.

The message Christ came to give must be preached to the whole world ‘beginning from Jerusalem’. The content of the message is, briefly, ‘that the Christ would suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that, in his name, repentance for the forgiveness of sins would be preached to all nations’. Repentance goes hand in hand with believing and those who come thus to conversion are to be baptised into the life of the Trinity. Authority for preaching this Good News and baptising believers comes to the apostles directly from Jesus who guarantees to remain with them in this work always and will confirm their teaching ‘by the signs that accompany it’.

(Extract from “The Pastoral Review” Volume 5 Issue 3)

Diocesan Youth Mass & Blessing for Young Drivers. Next Sunday, Pentecost Sunday, 31st May there will be a Diocesan Youth Mass & Blessing for Young Drivers in St Columb’s Church, Chapel Road, Waterside at 7.00 pm.  All young drivers are invited to bring their licence or car keys to this Mass for a special blessing. ‘Rejoice’ the Diocesan Youth Choir will lead the music and Bishop Hegarty will be the main celebrant.  Refreshments will be served in the parish centre after Mass.

50th Anniversary Retreat in St Mary’s, Creggan beginning today (Sunday) with Rosary Procession at 5.00 pm. Monday, 25th to Friday, 29th Mass each morning at 6.30 am and Mission at 7.30 pm with Guest Speakers. Anniversary Mass on Sunday, 31st May at 3.00 pm. All welcome.

Sympathy
We offer our sympathy to the family and friends of:

Molly Clarke,
formerly Westland Avenue.
Grace Rooney,
11 Helen Street.
Terri Mellon,
20 Hatmore Park.
Billy McCleery,
98 Beechwood Avenue.
Joseph Madden,
The Cottage, Clarendon Street.

May they rest in peace.

Baptism
We welcome as members of the Christian community:

Ciara Roisin Harkin,
The Old Forge, Caheragh.
Alexandra Bernadette Martin Ward,
19 Benview, Cosquin.
Conor Liam Carlin,
51 Malin Gardens.
Eva-May Renaut,
15 Carmoney Park, Campsie.

Readers

Weekdays
10.00 Terri-Willman Gallagher
07.30 Adele McCauley

Readers on duty next Weekend
06.15 pm Monica Garvin
07.30 pm Stephen Orr
09.30 am Brendan Burns
11.00 am Geraldine Uí Meallain
12.30 pm Adele McCauley

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

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

The Society of St Vincent de Paul urgently requires good quality clothes and household furniture. Please contact 71265489 or 71268325 for collection.

Mass in honour of Blessed Alexandrina Maria Da Costa today (Sunday) in Termonbacca at 7.30 pm.

The Annual Service
of Intercession for the Dead
in Ballyoan and Altnagelvin
Cemeteries on Sunday,
14th June at 3.00 pm and
in Ardmore Cemetery at 6.00 pm.

The Annual Service
of Intercession for the Dead
takes place in the City Cemetery
on Sunday, 21st June at 6.00 pm.

Last Week’s Collection amounted to £3,995.

Lough Derg 2009 Three Day Pilgrimages: You may begin your pilgrimage on any day of the week from Friday, 29th May until Thursday, 13th August. Advance Booking is not necessary. Cost €50 includes boat fare and accommodation. For further information telephone 00353719861518 or visit their website at www.loughderg.ie

In the Palm of Your Hand

You helped me when I was down,
When I lifted my hands to you
In earnest pleading.

Lord, give me the grace
To be gracious
And generous
To the pleading hands
Of our suffering world.
Help me to be like you,
You who stretched out your hands
On the Cross
And gave your all.

Help me to be like you,
For you hold me
In the palm of your hand.

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