Parish News for Sunday 27th Jan 2008

Vol.35 No.4

Third Sunday In Ordinary Time

PRIESTS OF THE PARISH
Very Rev Michael Canny Adm
Rev David O'Kane CC
Rev Gary Wade CC

Vol. 35 No. 3

EDUCATION IN FAITH SUNDAY

Theme: Living Faith Fully

Education in Faith Sunday has been celebrated during the month of February since 2003. However, this year because Lent is early, it is being celebrated today and the chosen theme is “Living Faith Fully”. This year Seán Cardinal Brady has requested that Catholic Education Week flow from Education in Faith Sunday. In this way there will be the opportunity for a national focus and celebration of Catholic education. The theme “Living Faith Fully” is common to both celebrations.

Both Education in Faith Sunday and Catholic Education Week challenge us to recognise that as members of the church we are all teachers under the guidance of the Spirit and share in the responsibility of furthering the Reign of God. The Gospel for Education in Faith Sunday opens with an account of Jesus preaching out in the open. Up to this moment Jesus has remained practically silent. From now on it is time for him to speak, to proclaim that the Reign of God is at hand, at this crossroads of the nations, Galilee.

Catholic Education Week finishes on Sunday, 3rd February – designated as a day of prayer for Temperance. It is timely on the Sunday before the beginning of Lent to remind ourselves of “what a great legacy and gift it would be for our children in this new emerging country of ours if we would be the generation brave enough to promote and work for an attitude and culture of moderation rather than excess in our use of alcohol” – Pastoral Letter from the Irish Bishops’ Conference, Alcohol: The Challenge of Moderation (2007).

Could You Be Called To Serve God and His People as a Priest in the Diocese of Derry?

Vocations Information Day

A Day of reflection on the theme of Vocation on Saturday, 9th February from 11.00 am - 4.00 pm in Thornhill Retreat Centre, Derry. For further information contact any of your local priests/RE Teachers or Fr Paul Farren at 71264087, Email: ddcc@derrydiocese.org or Fr Colm O’Doherty at 81661475, Email: collydoc2000@hotmail.com.

EWTN (Catholic Television) will be recording five retreat talks in Long Tower Church tomorrow (Monday) for broadcast in Lent. It will be uplifting to see Derry beamed around the world in Holy Week. The Long Tower would like a congregation to come and hear the talks live. The talks will last 26 minutes each and will be recorded at the following times: 11.00 am to 1.00 pm and 2.00 pm to 5.00 pm. If you would like to be in the congregation for global broadcast you are very welcome to any or all of the talks. Do bear in mind that since it is a TV recording there may be stops and starts in the process. Even if you cannot stay for the full duration, please feel free to come along at any stage during the day. It will also serve as a day-retreat.

Sympathy
We offer our sympathy to the family and friends of:
Jim McDaid, 26 Lavery Fold. May he rest in peace.

Baptism
Aoife Orna Lafferty,224 Hatmore Park.
Phoenix Green,13 Grove Place.
Seosamh Michael McKeever,198 Hatmore Park.

Readers on duty next Weekend

06.15 Garvin Kerr
07.30 Kieran Kehoe
09.30 Rosemount P.S.
11.00 Ruth Harley
12.30 Ciara McDevitt

Weekdays
10.00 Jimmy Doyle
07.30 Mona Tracey

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

Fr Canny acknowledges with thanks donations for:
St Pio: £10, £10.

Fr Canny will forward donations totalling £155 to LASCO.

Last Week’s Collection amounted to £3,399.

Sr Josephine Walsh Weekend Retreat with emphasis on forgiving, healing and making a new start, from Friday, 1st to Sunday, 3rd February in Termonbacca. For further details phone 71262512 during office hours.

Lenten Thursdays beginning on Thursday, 7th February, Thornhill Centre is hosting a series of ‘Reflection Mornings’ for the Thursdays of Lent. Each morning begins at 10.30 and concludes with a light lunch at 1.00 pm and includes a talk, quiet reflection and ritual. A donation of £5 per morning is suggested. Please phone 71351233 to book.

Time to Pray Day: On the first Sunday of each month Thornhill Centre is open from 3.00 - 6.00 pm for those who wish to come and pray in the beauty and quiet of the house. Evening Prayer of the Church is celebrated at 5.30 pm. This month prayers are offered for the sick. All welcome.

St Vincent de Paul acknowledges with thanks an anonymous donation of £200.

St Joseph’s Young Priests Society: The Annual Congress will take place in Monaghan on Saturday, 1st March and will commence with Mass in St Macartan’s Cathedral at 11.00 am. Bus from John Street at 8.30 am (taking Strabane/Omagh route - journey time 2 hours). Bus fare £7.00. To book telephone 71265415.

St Eugene’s Parish Hall: Sunday: Long Tower Bingo 8.30 pm. Tuesday: Long Tower Bingo 9.00 pm.