Parish News for Sunday 30th Nov 2008

Vol.35 No.49

1st Sunday of Advent

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

“Belief and trust in God can move mountains. Don’t be discouraged by circumstances”.

First Sunday of Advent

Advent is a time of waiting, conversion and of hope:

• waiting-memory of the first, humble coming of the Lord in our mortal flesh; waiting-supplication for his final, glorious coming as Lord of History and universal Judge;

• conversion, to which the Liturgy at this time often refers quoting the prophets, especially John the Baptist, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand’ (Mt 3:2);

• joyful hope that the salvation already accomplished by Christ (cf. Rom 8:24-25) and the reality of grace in the world will mature and reach their fullness, thereby granting us what is promised by faith, and ‘we shall become like him for we shall see him as he really is’ (Jn 3:2).

Popular piety is particularly sensitive to Advent, especially when seen as the memory of the preparation for the coming of the Messiah. The Christian people are deeply conscious of the long period of expectation that preceded the birth of our Saviour. The faithful know that God sustained Israel’s hope in the coming of the Messiah by the prophets.

Various expressions of popular piety connected with Advent have emerged throughout the centuries. These have sustained the faith of the people, and from one generation to the next, they have conserved many valuable aspects of the liturgical season of Advent.

The Advent Wreath: Placing four candles on green fronds has become a symbol of Advent in many Christian homes, especially in Germanic countries and in North America.

The Advent wreath, with the progressive lighting of its four candles, Sunday after Sunday, until the Solemnity of Christmas, is a recollection of the various stages of salvation history prior to Christ’s coming and a symbol of the prophetic light gradually illuminating the long night prior to the rising of the Sun of justice (cf. Mal 3:20; Lk 1:78).

Morning Prayer in Advent every morning Monday - Friday at 9.30 am.

Sympathy

We offer our sympathy to the family and friends of:

Billy Caldwell, 33 Lavery Fold.

May he rest in peace.

Baptism

We welcome as members of the Christian community

Bébhinn Mary Magee, 8 Marlborough Street.
Cara Grace O’Neill, 74 Springvale Park.
Shay Pio Logan White, 11 Meadowview Crescent.
Caragh Toni Catherine McDermott, 9 Glenbank Park.
Conall Jack Hugh McCauley, 20 Joseph Place.

Readers on duty next Weekend

06.15 Monica Garvin
07.30 Mona Tracey
09.30 Brendan Burns
11.00 Gráinne Nugent
12.30 Michael Wilson
Weekdays
10.00 Jimmy Doyle
07.30 Adele McCauley

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

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

Sick Visitation

Fr Michael Canny will visit the sick in his care this week:
Mon am: 10.00 Lisfannon Park.
Mon pm: 3.00 - William St, Columbcille Crt, Chamberlain St, Brewster’s Close.
Wed am: 10.00 - Westland Ave, Westland St, Glenfada Pk, Abbey Pk, Fahan St, Joseph Place, Cable St.

Thurs am: 10.00 - Limewood St, Beechwood St, Elmwood St.

Thurs am: 11.30 - Fr Mulvey Pk.

Thurs pm: 2.00 - Lisfannon Pk (Upper), Eglinton Tce, Blucher St, Little Diamond.

Advent Morning on Thursday, 4th December, Thornhill Centre is holding a ‘Reflection Morning’ for Advent beginning at 10.30 and concluding with a light lunch at 1.00 pm. Time includes a talk, quiet reflection and prayer. A donation of £5 per morning is suggested. Please ring 71351233.

Fr Canny acknowledges with thanks donations for:

Charity of Adm’s Choice: £800, £95. Trócaire: £100, £110, £100. St Pio: £50, £5. Moshi: £20. St Joseph’s Young Priests Society: £135, £210. Congo: £100, £5, £100, £100, £100. Hunger Relief: £5. Cathedral Renovations: £500, £120. Cathedral Upkeep: £200, £250. The Good Shepherd Sisters: £20. Donation for Flowers: £10. Ethiopia: £100.

Father Canny will forward donations totalling £70 to LASCO.

Last Week’s Collection amounted to £3,483.

St Eugene’s Cathedral Folk Group have released their new CD entitled ‘Where Love Is - Music in Sacred Time’ containing 19 inspirational tracks The CD is keenly priced at £10, and will be on sale after Masses over the next few weeks and at some local outlets. All proceeds to St Eugene’s Parish.

Derry Diocesan Lourdes Pilgrimage 2009: Why not give someone an opportunity of going on the Lourdes Pilgrimage 16th-21st July 2009 as your Christmas Gift? Gift vouchers (£25/£50) are now available from the Pilgrimage Office, 164 Bishop Street. Office opens Tuesdays and Thursdays 11.00 am - 2.00 pm and Saturdays 11.00 am - 1.00 pm and 2.00-4.00 pm.

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