Fifth Sunday of Lent - Year A

Sunday 9th March 2008

Reflection

The miracle of Lazarus’ resurrection from the dead which we read about in the Gospel for this Sunday, prepares us for Jesus’ resurrection on Easter Sunday morning. It is also a sign that points to what we have undergone in baptism where we died to sin and rose to divine life through the pouring on of water. But it is also a sign that points to the definitive resurrection of the just at the end of time when their bodies will rise from this earth and be reunited with their souls in heaven.

Sunday 9th March 2008 - FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT.

The Third Scrutiny is celebrated today

Parish Missal: Readings (Year A) p 107 & Proper p 1030

First Reading Ezekiel 37:12-14
I shall put my spirit in you, and you will live.

Second Reading Romans 8:8-11
The Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you.

Gospel John 11:1-45
I am the resurrection and the life.

Masses during the coming week
Monday to Friday 10.00 am each day Friday Evening Mass 8.00pm

Mass Intentions for this week:
Friday - 8pm - Anv. Mass - James Hegarty
Saturday - 8.00 pm - Anv Mass - Margaret & Joe McHugh

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

Confession Times: Saturday Evening after Vigil Mass

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.

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

Saturday March 15th - The Feast of Our Patron, Saint Patrick.
Mass on Saturday Morning at 10.00 am.
The 8.00pm Mass on Friday Evening is not the Vigil Mass for Saturday 15th.

This Week’s Calendar
Monday 10 - Weekday (5th Week of Lent)
Tuesday 11 - St Aengus, bishop and abbot. Aengus was a monk in Clonenagh, Co Laois. He was renowned for his devotion to both foreign and native saints and composed two martyrologies. He died around 830.
Wednesday 12 - Lenten Weekday
Thursday 13 - Lenten Weekday
Friday 14 - St Joseph, Husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Saturday 15 - ST PATRICK, BISHOP, PRINCIPAL PATRON OF IRELAND

Carmelite Retreat Centre, Termonbacca, Derry
Three evening retreats in preparation for Easter on Mon. 17th Tues. 18th Wed. 19th March (7.30 p.m. -10.00 p.m.) An opportunity to spend some time in quiet adoration, receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation and celebrate Mass. All are welcome to attend.

A one day retreat for Senior Citizens and their friends from Donegal and surrounding areas will take place at the Carmelite Retreat Centre, Termonbacca, Derry on Thursday 13th March. Registration from 10.30 a.m. finishing around 5.00 p.m. Cost £12stg or Û18 Euro includes a four course lunch. Payment at the Centre on the day. To book Tel: Termonbacca Derry 71262512 during office hours only.

Easter Weekend Retreat Friday 14th March (8.00 p.m.) - Sunday 16th March A quiet residential weekend, which will be a s piritual preparation for the feast of Easter, will be conducted by the Carmelite Fathers in Termonbacca, Carmelite Retreat Centre, Derry. All are welcome to attend. For further details and bookings Tel 71262512

The Lenten Stations Monday 10th March - Martin & Jacinta Dolan Upper Killeter, Meenamullan, Gortnagross Wednesday 12th March - Seamus & Ann Gallen Meencarriga, Drumahon, Altgoland, Scraghey, Meencloghore

Legion of Mary meeting as usual on Thursday at 8pm in the Parish Hall.

St. Patrick’s Well. The Rosary will be prayed at St. Patrick’s Well at 3.00 pm on Saturday 15th March The Band will be leaving the Glen at 2.30 pm.

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

ST. DAVOG’S G A A
U'14's training continues every Monday & Wednesday 6.30 to 8.00pm.
Senior men had a good win last week against Ballyshannon 1.10 to 1.05 good performance by all, the senior men have friendly on sunday @ homeÊ1.30.
The minor girls also had good win last week in minor league beating Edendork 5.07 to 5.01. The minor girls have a home game Sunday @ 12 o'clock all support welcome.
Cards continue every Thursday @ 9.00pm last weeks winner Mick Ennis runner-up Sally McHugh.
The clubs 45th Dinner Dance was held last week a good night was had by all congratulations to all who received awards on the night, Mens Senior Anthony Dolan, Reserve Terence Byrne, Minor Adian Connolly, U'16 Ronan McNamee, Ladies Senior Lucy Meehan/Anona McKay, Ladies Minor Roisin Moss/ Eimear O'Hare U'16 Ciara Gallen.
No winners of lotto nos; 2,9,11,13,36 £100 goes to Annette McMenamin Killeter.

Workshop on Marriage:
Renew Your Wedding Vows: Marriage Encounter is a weekend (Friday 8pm to Sunday 5pm) for married couples of all ages with a stable relationship. Couples explore, in complete privacy, how to come to a deeper mutual understanding of each other. The dates for the next Marriage Encounter weekends areÊ28th-30th March, Dromantine Conference Centre, Newry.18th-20th April, Emmaus Conference Centre, Swords Phone: 028 90 626503 or 07528460621 or visit www.marriageencounter.ie

Questions people ask
Q. Lazarus was dead for three days before Jesus brought him back to life. Where was his spirit during that time? Did he face his final judgement or was it was postponed for a while?
A. Normally a person is pronounced dead when the vital organs cease to function and are beyond repair. However, the departure of the spirit or soul on its journey into God’s revealing light may take longer, especially in the case of sudden death. On that basis the Church advises prayers of absolution or anointing over somebody who has been pronounced dead. The reason underlying the traditional wake is to accompany the departing spirit on its journey from this life. Perhaps we should say of Lazarus that he was dead but not yet departed.

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