31st Sunday in Ordinary Time-Year C

4th November 2007

REFLECTION

The Gospel for this weekend puts before us the example of Zacchaeus, the wealthy tax collector, whose encounter with Jesus transforms his life. Climbing up a sycamore tree to catch a glimpse of Jesus as he passes, Zacchaeus finds himself being singled out by Jesus: ‘Zacchaeus, hurry down, because I must stay at your house’. In this moment the tax collector experiences the joy of a new life in Christ. But it is a joy not shared by everyone. Some bystanders grumble that Jesus is willing to stay ‘at a sinner’s house’. His retort to them is a direct challenge to the limitations we so often place on God’s universal love and his desire that all may be saved – ‘The Son of Man,’ he tells them, ‘has come to seek out and save what was lost.’


Mass Intentions for this week:
Monday 10.00am - Anv. Mass Catherine Baxter
Tuesday 10.00am - Deceased Members of Derry Diocesan Society
Thursday 10.00am - Anv. Mass Margaret Baxter
Friday 10.00am - Anv. Mass Willie Dolan/Brigid Logue
Saturday 12 Noon - Month Mind Hugh Patrick McHugh
Saturday 8.00pm Anv. Mass Susan McGlinchey

This Week’s Calendar
Monday 5 - Weekday (31st Week in Ordinary Time)
Tuesday 6 - All the Saints of Ireland. Today we celebrate the holy lives of Irish men and women through the ages, giving thanks to God for the witness of their faith.
Wednesday 7 - Weekday.
Thursday 8 - Weekday
Friday 9 - The Dedication of the Lateran Basilica. This church in Rome is known as the Mother and head of all the churches in the city and the world’.
Saturday 10 - St Leo the Great, Pope and Doctor of the Church.

Diocesan Mass For Deceased Young People
There will be a Special Diocesan Mass on Sunday 23rd November at 3pm in Holy Family Church, Ballymagroarty Derry. The Mass will be an opportunity for family and friends who have lost young loved ones to come together in a spirit of prayer and hope. If you have been bereaved or affected by a young death we invite you in faith to come remember the life of your loved one. All are welcome.

Baptism.
We welcome into our Faith Community
Caoimhe Moss who was Baptised and welcomed into the family of God recently.

THE PARISH BINGO
The parish bingo continues in the Parish Hall @ 9.00 pm on Friday evening. It is hoped for a good attendance from the parish for this parish function.

The Playhouse Players in association with the Waterside Local History Group presents TILLIES. An affectionate epitaph to the women and men who sewed, sweated, laughed and cried in Derry's shirt factories down the decades. Thursday Ist - Sunday 4th November - @ 8.00pm in The Little Theatre, St Columb's Hall. Tickets: £10.00 / £7.00. Tel: Playhouse Box Office: 028 71268027

Masses during the coming week
Monday to Friday 10.00 am each day

Weekend Masses:
Vigil Mass Saturday evening 8.00 pm
Sunday morning 9.00 am & 11.00 am

Confession Times: Saturday Evening after Vigil Mass

Church Door & Car Park Attendants November 2007
Sat. Night: John McElhill, Gerard Hilley & Paedor Byrne
Sunday 9.00 am: Felix McAteer, Patsy Anderson & Francie McMenamin
Sunday 11.00 am: Tommy Dolan & Jonathan Dolan

Altar Society for November 2007
Elizabeth Connolly, Paula Connolly, Kathleen McGoldrick & Siobhan McHale

Cancer Research, Castlederg Local Committee, Winter Sale, Aghyaran Centre, Castlederg, Beginning Monday 5th November and ending on Friday 9th November 2007. 11 am - 9 pm daily. Items of clothing, household goods, furniture or bric-a-brac. All support will be greatly appreciated.

Olive Dawson will be speaking in Doneyloop parish on Wednesday 7th November after 7.30pm Mass. Olive has been given the Grace of living only on the Eucharist since September 1999. Olive will speak of her experience of living only on the Eucharist and of Our Lady’s Message of Mercy to the World.

Knock Marriage Introductions Bureau
The aim of the Bureau is to introduce people considering marriage to a suitable marriage partner. For further information contact the Bureau at Knock, Co. Mayo. Phone 094-9375960 or visit their website at www.knockmarriagebureau.com

150th Anniversary of the Apparitions at Lourdes
The Derry Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes will take place from 16th - 21st July 2008. Fare £449.00 Stg. Application forms can be obtained from the Parochial House or from the Diocesan Pilgrimage Office, 164 Bishop Street, Derry. Special booking forms for pilgrims who are sick or in need of help/care are only available from the Pilgrimage Office. Opening times are Thursdays 11am to 2pm. Saturdays 11am to 1pm and 2pm to 4pm. Telephone Derry 71 260293 Helping Those Who Are Sick If you are 18 years or over and would like to be a member of the Lourdes Hospitalite Team as a doctor, nurse, carer, or if you would like to be a member of the Diocesan Lourdes Youth Team which accompanies those who are in need, should contact the Diocesan office on 71260293 for details.

The monthly devotions, in honour of Our Lady, will take place in the Carmelite Retreat Centre, Termonbacca, Derry on Tuesday 6th November starting with confessions at 7.30 p.m. followed by Rosary and Mass, finishing around 10.00 p.m. All are welcome to attend.

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 onThursday 15th November.Registration from10.3a.m.finishing around 5.00 p.m. Cost £12stg or Û 18 includes a four course lunch. Payment at the Centre on the day. To book Tel: Termonbacca Derry 71262512 during office hours only

THE ANNUAL PARISH BAZAAR.
This year the Bazaar will take place in the Aghyaran Centre on Sunday 2nd December 2007. The annual parish collection will take place within the next few weeks, when promoters will be going around the parish to receive your donations which will be greatly appreciated. It is hoped you will be ready for them when they call.

Diocesan Mass For Deceased Teachers
The Annual Diocesan Mass for deceased teachers will be celebrated in Immaculate Conception Church, Strabane on Monday 12th November 2007 at 7.30pm. Bishop Hegarty will celebrate the Mass and all are welcome.

Sunday November 4th at 7.00 pm. Service of Remembering. We gather for a period of quiet reflection and prayer when we can spend time in peace and thanksgiving, and reflect on a loved one.

SMALL BEGINNINGS

Many if not all great undertakings
begin in small and often hidden ways.
Seeds need the darkness, isolation and cover of the earth in order to germinate.
Therefore, for something to begin small, hidden, anonymous, is an advantage.
It means it can develop away from publicity.
There are no pressures. No burden of expectations.
It can develop at its own pace. There is no hurry.
Hurry ruins so many thing.
Hence the importance of beginnings,
of taking care of things in the beginning,
of the small in the accomplishment of the great.

Marriage Preparation Courses.

2007

October 26th & 27th.
November 23rd & 24th.
December 8th & 9th 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