Parish News for Sunday 29th July 2007

17th Sunday in Ordinary Time

PRIESTS OF THE PARISH
Very Rev Michael Canny Adm
Rev David O'Kane CC
Rev Gerard Mongan CC

Vol. 34 No. 30

Praying

Jesus’ followers ask him how to pray. Why hasn’t he taught them already, seeing that he spends long hours in prayer himself? He waits until asked before teaching about prayer. Why? Perhaps it’s because prayer is more for doing than for talking about. You learn by doing. Lesson number one.

Another possibility is that Jesus may have been waiting for his followers to mature enough spiritually to ask about prayer themselves. Prayer being from the heart, the heart must be ready for it. Until it is, prayer is not possible. Lesson number two.

Then when Jesus does teach prayer it’s surprising how simple it is. Lesson number three. No long words, tedious repetitions, or bowing and scraping. Prayer is for praising God, for opening up to his will, for learning to trust his goodness, for facilitating forgiveness, and for relying on his protection from evil.

We must not, as Adrain B. Smith writes in The God Shift, ‘presume in a God ... to answer our prayers to change the laws of nature in our favour, to bring about instant climatic changes, according to our whims’.

We are not fair-weather followers of Jesus.

Tom Cahill SVD, Divine Word Missionaries

Lough Derg One Day Retreats:
August: 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29. September: 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 10, 11, 12, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 22, 23. The retreats are open to all adults; they are not suited to children. Those unable to make the traditional Three Day Pilgrimage are particularly welcome. The retreats do not require fasting or walking bare-footed. Numbers are limited so advance booking is essential. Each retreat begins at 10 am and ends at approximately 5 pm. (Boats run continuously from 9.15 am until 10.15 am). Cost €27/£18.50 stg includes boat fare and lunch. Phone 00353719861518. Reservations essential for One Day Retreats.

Fr Canny acknowledges with thanks donations for: LASCO: £40, £50. St Pio: £60. Moshi: £30, £5. Mother Teresa’s Charities: £50, £50.

Last Week’s Collection amounted to £3,004.

Sympathy
We offer our sympathy to the family and friends of:
Laurence Mongan, Tattyreagh, Omagh.
Joseph Barr, 95 Glenvale Park.
Tara Mills, 601 Clipper Quay. May they rest in peace.

Baptism
Roddy Damian Quinn, 2 Marlborough Road.
Finn Dara Breslin, 84 Ashlea Grove, Killea.
Keisha Michelle Keeney, 5C Columbcille Court.

Readers on duty next Weekend
06.15 Piaras O Meallain
07.30 Kieran Kehoe
09.30 Gráinne Nugent
11.00 Terry Willman-Gallagher
12.30 Ciara McDevitt

Weekdays
10.00 Jimmy Doyle
07.30 Mary McGoldrick

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

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 38
£1,000 (2155 Teresa Lynch, 29 Glenbrook House.
£100 (1957) Maisie McKinney, 45 Ardfoyle.
£50
(2568) Stephen Deeney, 53 Rosemount Gardens.
(2965) B Curran, 23 Rossville Street.
(2930) Darby and Joan, c/o 19 Glenside Gardens.
(2766) C McDaid, 73 Marlborough Street.
Promoter’s Prize: Kevin Doherty, 3 Creggan Street.

Prayer for Priests

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.