Fourth Sunday of Lent - Year A

Sunday 2nd March 2008

Reflection

In the Gospel story today Jesus gives the gift of sight to a blind man. But since we are not blind, we might think that the Gospel story has no relevance for us. It is precisely because we can see that it has relevance for us. The question is: how well do we see? There are many forms of blindness besides physical blindness. In some way these are just as crippling. Some examples: Selfishness blinds us to the needs of others. Insensitivity blinds us to the hurt we’re causing to others. Snobbery blinds us to the equal dignity of others

Parish Missal: Readings (Year A) p 100 & Proper p 1028

First Reading 1 Samuel 16: 1.6-7.10-13
God chose Daniel, the least of Jesse’s sons, to be king of Israel, while people look at appearances, God looks at the heart.

Second Reading Ephesians 5: 8-14
Paul tells the Ephesians that now that Christ has enlightened them, they must adopt a lifestyle in keeping with their new state.

Gospel John 9: 1-41
Jesus, the light of the world, not only gives sight to the physically blind, but the light of faith to the spiritually blind.

Mass Intentions for this week:
Thursday - 10.00 am - Anv Mass - Susan Doherty
Friday - 10.00am - Anv. Mass - Paddy Joe McMenamin
Friday - 8pm - Anv. Mass - Tommy Baxter
Saturday - 8.00 pm - Anv Mass - Tommy & Una Maguire

Confession Times:
Thursday Morning after 10.00am Mass
Saturday Evening after Vigil Mass

Legion of Mary Usual weekly meeting in the parish hall on Thursday at 8pm.

This Week’s Calendar

Monday 3 - Weekday (4th Week of Lent)
Tuesday 4 - Lenten Weekday
Wednesday 5 - St Kieran, bishop. Numbered among the pre-Patrician saints of Ireland, Kieran left his native Cape Clear in Cork and travelled to the continent where he was baptised and later ordained priest and bishop. He returned to his father’s territory, Ossory, where he seems to have lived as a hermit.
Thursday 6 - Lenten Weekday
Friday 7 - Saints Perpetua and Felicity, martyrs. Perpetua, a young upper-class woman and Felicity, a slave girl, were ma •rtyred in Carthage, in the year 203.
Saturday 8 - St Senan, bishop. Senan was born into a prosperous farming family near Kilrush, Co Clare. His vocation seems to have resulted from an experience of danger at sea. Also, St John of God, religious. St John of God, 1495-1550, devoted his life to the care of the poor and the sick. He is patron of nurses, the sick, heart patients, printers and booksellers.

The monthly devotions, in honour of Our Lady, will take place in the Carmelite Retreat Centre, Termonbacca, Derry on Tuesday 4th March starting with confessions at 7.30 p.m. followed by Rosary and Mass, finishing around 10.00 p.m.

A one day retreat for Senior Citizens and their friends from Derry and surrounding areas will take place at the Carmelite Retreat Centre, Termonbacca, Derry on Wednesday 5th March Registration from 10.30 a.m. finishing around 5.00 p.m. Cost £12stg or 18euro includes a four course lunch. Payment at the Centre on the day. To book Tel: Termonbacca Derry 71262512 during office hours only.

The Carolina Chocolate Drops - Sun 2 March @ 8.00pm, The Little Theatre, St Columb's Hall, Orchard Street, Derry/Londonderry. Three young African-American musicians performing black string band and jug band music of the twenties and thirties.Tickets £10.00 / £7.00. Contact the Box Office, Tel: 028 71268027.

Remembering our Babies and Children (Miscarriage; Neonatal Death; Stillbirth; Infant Death): As a tribute to those who have died and to their parents, families and friends, a Remembrance Service will be held in the Clinical Education Centre, Altnagelvin Area Hospital on Sunday 9th March 2008 at 3.00pm. For further information please contact (028) 7134 5171 ext. 3235.

Mothering Sunday
This Sunday we give thanks for all mothers and wish each and every one of them a happy and joyful Mothers Day. If you are one of the lucky ones who can have the company of your mother, spend the day with her, or gift her with something to make her feel special.

RECOMMENDED WEB SITE http://www.catholicroom.com/ Catholic news, inspirational stories, articles and links presented by topics

Questions people ask
Q. I’ve read that Mother Teresa suffered terrible spiritual darkness for years. Was this due to an absence of faith or a proof that faith is only imaginary?
A. For about forty years she experienced the absence of any feeling of nearness to God or consolation in prayer. But with prudent guidance from spiritual directors she accepted this as a call from Jesus to share in the darkness and dereliction he experienced in Gethsemane and on the cross. Yet, in the midst of all that conflict, loneliness and darkness, she wrote that she was perfectly happy once she accepted that this was what Jesus asked of her. Far from being a denial of faith, her whole life witnessed to a faith which went far deeper than feelings.

Women’s World Day of Prayer
The Castlederg committee for Women’s World Day of Prayer invite everyone to their annual Day of Prayer service in 1st. Castlederg Presbyterian Church, Garvetagh at 8pm on Friday 7th March.

SPECIAL DIOCESAN MASS
The Annual Diocesan Mass for those with special needs, and their families and friends, will take place in St. Joseph’s Church, Galliagh, Buncrana Road, Derry on Saturday 12th April 2007 at 3.00 pm. Bishop Lagan will celebrate the Mass. If you have a child who wishes to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation or First Communion at this Mass please contact the Catechetical Centre, Derry Tel. 028 7126 4087

THE PARISH BINGO
The parish bingo continues in the Parish Hall @ 9.00 pm on Friday evening. We look forward to the parish support.

Garvagh Hall: 25 Card Drive takes place on Monday 3rd March at 9.00 pm sharp. Over £200 in prizes. Admission £10 / Û 15. All proceeds in aid of Castlederg Patient Comfort and Terminally Ill Fund.

DANCE in Garvagh Hall on Friday 7th March 2008 Music by Edward & James

Prayer For Those Who Are Sick

O, God our Father,
bless and help me in the illness which has come upon me.
Give me courage and patience,
endurance and cheerfulness to bear all weakness and pain;
and give me a mind at rest,
which will make my recovery all the quicker.
Lord Jesus, come to me this day and at this time,
and show me your healing touch. Amen.

 

Prayer for Trust in Jesus

O Christ Jesus,
when all is darkness and we feel our weakness and helplessness,
give us the sense of Your presence,
Your love, and Your strength.

Help us to have perfect trust in Your protecting love and strengthening power,
so that nothing may frighten or worry us,
for, living close to You, we shall see Your hand,
Your purpose,
Your will through all things. Amen

Prayer of Solace

May Christ support us all the day long,
till the shadows lengthen
and the evening comes,
and the busy world is hushed,
and the fever of life is over
and our work is done.
Then in his mercy
may he give us a safe lodging,
and holy rest and peace at the last. Amen.

 

Marriage Preparation Courses.


2008

January 25th & 26th,
February 22nd & 23rd,
April 4th , 5th, and April 25th & 26th,
May 23rd & 24th,
June 13th &14th.
Numbers on courses are limited. The fee of £80 per couple must be included with completed application form and forwarded to the Accord office