Parish News for Sunday 30th Sept 2007

26th 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. 39

Good versus Evil

Whoever you are, you have choices. True, some people have more choices than others, but the act of choosing - the power to select a product, a lifestyle, a person, a religion, a political party, etc - is yours. The challenge with choices, rather like actions, is that they have consequences and implications. The reason we have choice is because God created us with free will. We can choose the good but reject evil. The parable of the rich man and Lazarus is all about freedom and choice.

We know that Lazarus, despite being poor, lived a good and righteous life because he is welcomed into heaven. We know that the choices the rich man had made separated him from God during his life on earth but this separation continued after death.

Lewis put it like this: ‘There are only two kinds of people in the end: those who say to God, “Thy will be done” and those to whom God says, in the end, “Thy will be done”. All that are in hell choose it. Without the self-choice there could be no hell.

‘Lord Jesus, may I reject evil and choose good
and in doing so choose life eternal.’
Excerpt from Bible Alive, September 2007

New Religious Order comes to the Diocese of Derry

The Sisters of St 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. There will be a cup of tea after Mass.

The Sisters have set up a temporary convent at 10 Belvoir Park, Culmore, Derry. The Sisters are comtemplative - their lives are dedicated to prayer rather than pastoral ministry. Their intention is to build a new convent in the Diocese.

Their telephone number is 71353414 and the Sisters may be telephoned Monday to Friday 2.00 pm until 4.30 pm and 7.30 pm until 9.00 pm and they welcome visitors, who wish to speak to a Sister, Monday to Friday from 2.00 pm until 5.00 pm.

Mass is celebrated in the convent on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 8.30 am and on Saturdays at 4.00 pm. Evening Prayer is Monday to Friday at 5.45 pm. Eucharistic Adoration is on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 6.15 pm until 7.15 pm, Thursday 7.30 pm until 9.00 pm and Saturday 9.00 am until 3.30 pm. All are welcome to Mass, Evening Prayer and Eucharistic Adoration. The Superior is Sister Mary Magdalene. For information on their life and Order: www.www.stjean.com or contact the Sisters directly in Belvoir Park.

Sympathy
We offer our sympathy to the family and friends of:
Archie Henderson, 17 Glenbank Road.
Terence McCauley, 99 Strand Road.
Patricia O’Doherty, 13 West End Park. May they rest in peace.

Baptism
We welcome as members of the Christian community
Eva Rose Graham, 19 Ernest Street.
Nia Henry, 31 Florence Street.
Faolán Patrick Campbell, 73 Grangemore Park.

Readers on duty next Weekend
06.15 Louise Davis
07.30 Mona Tracey
09.30 St Eugene’s P S
11.00 Mary McDowell
12.30 Piaras Ó Meallain

Weekdays
10.00 Eugene McClintock
07.30 Mona Tracey

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

Mass is honour of the Blessed Alexandrina Maria Da Costa in Termonbacca on Sunday, 7th October at 7.30 pm.

Sick Visitation
Fr Gary Wade will visit the sick in his care on Friday from 3.00 pm.
West End Tce, Marlborough Ave, Oakfield Drive, Marlborough Rd, Helen St, Creggan St, Clarendon Manor, Crawford Court.

Fr Canny will visit the sick in his care from Monday, 15th October.

St Eugene’s Spred Group urgently require male or female volunteers who can give approximately two hours every Tuesday night during the school year. For further details telephone 07918107497.

Mass and Blessing of Roses in honour of St Thérèse of Lisieux in Termonbacca on Monday at 8.00 pm.

The monthly devotions in honour of Our Lady in Termonbacca on Tuesday starting with confessions at 7.30 pm followed by Rosary and Mass, finishing around 10.00 pm.

Senior Citizens Dance on Thursday at 9.00 pm in Abbey House. Music by Junior McCauley. Admission £2.00.

Veritas, Butcher Street ‘Customer Appreciation Day’ on Thursday - 20% discount off all purchases. Opening hours 9.30 am – 5.30 pm.

Thank you
Fr Canny acknowledges with thanks donations for: Trócaire: £5. Sudan: £20.Sisters of St John: £20. Darfur: £10. Concern: £50.

Last Week’s Collection amounted to £3,402.

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 47
£1,000 (3130) Annie Corcoran, 87 Academy Road.
£100 (3210) George Campbell, 50 Glenfada Park.
£50 (2645) Megan Meenan, 30 Little Diamond. (1522) Ann-Marie Cunningham, 11 Hawthorn Terrace. (3275) Bernie Murray, 22 Blucher Street. (3661) N. Bullock, c/o 1 The Village. Promoter’s Prize: Fr Canny, c/o St Eugene’s Cathedral.

My Song of Today

Oh! how I love Thee, Jesus! my soul aspires to Thee -
And yet for one day only my simple prayer I pray!
Come reign within my heart, smile tenderly on me,

Today, dear Lord, today.

But if I dare take thought of what the morrow brings -
That fills my fickle heart with dreary, dull dismay;
I crave, indeed, my God, trials and sufferings,

But only for today!

O sweetest Star of heaven! O Virgin, spotless, blest,
Shining with Jesus’ light, guiding to Him my way!
O Mother! ‘neath thy veil let my tired spirit rest,

For this brief passing day!

Soon shall I fly afar among the holy choirs,
Then shall be mine the joy that never knows decay;
And then my lips shall sing, to heaven’s angelic lyres,

The eternal, glad today!
Poem by Saint Teresa of Lisieux, June 1894

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.