Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time - Year A

Sunday 3rd February 2008

This Week’s Calendar

Monday 4 - Weekday
Tuesday 5 - St Agatha, .
Wednesday 6 - ASH WEDNESDAY - Beginning of Lent (Day of fast and abstinence)
Thursday 7 - St Mel, bishop.
Friday 8 - St Jerome Emiliani. Following a military career, he founded the Clerks Regular of Somaschi for the care of orphans and the poor. He is patron saint of orphans.
Also St Josephine Bakhita
Saturday 9 - Lenten Weekday

A FEBRUARY SAINT St Mel (Mael) ¥ Died 488 ¥ 7 February Saint Mel was born in Britain. He came to Ireland with Saint Patrick, with whom he worked until he was ordained in Ardagh. For most of his life he had no fixed See and he spent his life as a travelling missionary and evangelist. He is one of the earliest Irish saints and gave the religious veil to Saint Brigid. He is the patron of the diocese of Ardagh and Clonmacnoise. He died in 488.

Mass Intentions for this week:
Monday 10.00am - Anv. Mass - John Mc Peake
Tuesday 10.00am - Anv. Mass - Eileen Connolly
Thursday 10.00am - Deceased Members of Derry Diocesan Society
Friday 8.00pm - Anv. Mass - Josie Connolly
Saturday 8.00pm - Anv. Mass - James Moss

Whom shall I send...? Could You Be Called To Serve God and His People as a Priest in the Diocese of Derry? Come and see - Vocations Information Day - Saturday 9th February from 11am - 4pm. Thornhill Retreat Centre, Derry. For further information contact any of your local priests or RE teachers or: Fr. Paul Farren 71264087 E-mail ddcc@derrydiocese.org or Fr. Colm O’Doherty 81661475 Email: collydoc2000@hotmail.com

Parish Bingo every Friday night in the Parish Hall at 9.00pm. Everyone welcome. Proceeds in aid of parish funds.

Legion of Mary meetings continue as usual every Thursday at 8pm in the parish hall.

THE SEASON OF LENT begins Wednesday 6th February It is a day of Fast and Abstinence when we are asked to abstain from all flesh meat and to fast for the day, which means to eat small. Ashes will be blessed at the 10.00 am Mass on Wednesday morning and distributed at the 10am and the 8pm Masses on Wednesday

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

Concerned About Suicide
An information evening entitled ÔConcerned About Suicide’ will be held in the City Hotel, Derry on Tuesday 19th February from 7.30pm-9.30pm. This evening has been organised by representatives from the four main Christian Churches and will be lead by Mr. Barry McGale and Mrs. Anne McGarrigle. Everyone is welcome.

Lenten Reflections
Omagh Prayer Guidance Team will facilitate 'Lenten Reflections’ on the theme of ÔThe Seven Last Words of Jesus from The Cross’ every Thursday morning after 10.00am mass commencing on Thursday 7th February. Please come and join with us and together we will allow the cross and the power that flows from it change us.

Garvagh Hall
Everyone associated with Garvagh Hall would like to express our sincerest condolences to Sharon, Eamon, Sean and Paul and the entire family circle on the tragic death of Emma and Eamon. Our thoughts and prayers will be with you all forever.

Garvagh Hall
Jiving lessons with Ruby will resume on Tuesday night at the new time of 9-10pm Youth club resumes this Friday night and every Friday night from 7-9pm.

St. Davog’s G.A.A. Centre

Presentation
The youth presentation has been cancelled until further notice.

Dinner Dance
The dinner dance has been rescheduled for early March.

Seniors
Senior men play Ballinascreen in the Ulster League at home on Sunday @ 12.30pm with possible reserve match to follow.

U-14 Training for U-14 boys continues every Monday & Wednesday evening from 6.30-8.00pm.Bring indoor & outdoor gear.

Ladies
Meeting on Saturday evening in the centre at 9.00pm. All girls 16 and over should attend.

Club Membership
Membership is now due and will be collected every Friday night during February in the centre from 8.30pm to 9.30pm - Adult £30, 18-21 & all full time students £10 & U'18's £5.00

Lotto
No winner of lotto jackpot nos; 16,24,25,28,35 £100 consolation prize goes to Gerard Byrne Laughmorris.

Questions people ask

Q. What is the best way to translate the Beatitudes? Is it ÔHappy’ or ÔBlessed are the poor in spirit.
A. Blessed is a much richer word. Happy suggests a feeling of well-being, satisfaction or contentment. Blessed recognises God’s presence in situations that may not be exactly happy. Most of the people addressed by Jesus regarded prosperity, power and success as proofs of God’s blessing whereas poverty, infirmity or failure were seen as a curse on sinful people. Jesus turned the concept of God’s blessing upside down when he declared that the poor, the powerless, victims of injustice, etc., were blessed and loved by God.

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