First Sunday of Lent - Year A

Sunday 10th February 2008

Reflection

The invitation of Lent is to draw closer to Christ and to renew within us the life of faith. Faith, of course, is a great gift of God. Through faith we are able to hear the Word of God as addressed to us and to place it at the centre of our lives.

Through faith we find the time meaning of our own existence and of the world around us. Through faith we are able to guide and shape our lives according to the will of God which has so graciously been shown to us. Through faith we place God at the centre of all we do. The first fruit of faith is prayer. A trusting prayer offered each day is the first sign of the life of a believer. Indeed, Jesus teaches us not only the importance of prayer but also how to pray, so it is not surprising that priority for each of us during Lent is to renew our life of prayer.

First Reading Genesis 2: 7-9; 3: 1-7
Adam and Eve succumb to temptation and cause a rift between themselves and God.

Second Reading Romans 5: 12-19
By his obedience to God, Christ won back for us the gifts lost through the disobedience of Adam.

Gospel Matthew 4: 1-11
Jesus was tempted by the devil, but unlike Adam and Eve, he did not succumb.

 

Mass Intentions for this week:
Tuesday - 10.00 am - Anv Mass - Margaret Doherty
Thursday - 7.30pm - Months Mind - Sadie Dolan
Friday - 8.00pm - Anv. Mass - Winnie & Donnie Connolly
Saturday - 8.00 pm - Anv Mass - Paddy Byrne

This Week’s Calendar
Monday 11 - Our Lady of Lourdes. On this day in 1858, 150 years ago this year, Our Lady first appeared to the 14-year-old Bernadette Soubirous. Later Bernadette was to learn that the mysterious lady was the Blessed Virgin and to hear from her lips, ÔI am the Immaculate Conception’. In 1992 Pope John Paul II instituted the World Day of the Sick to be held on the commeration of Our Lady of Lourdes.

Tuesday 12 - Weekday (1st Week of Lent)

Wednesday 13 - Lenten Weekday

Thursday 14 - Saints Cyril and Methodius.

Friday 15 - Lenten Weekday

Saturday 16 - Lenten Weekday

TROCAIRE. Working for a Just World. Please take a Trocaire box home this Lent and add your donation for the Third World Poor.

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

Questions people ask
Q. Why do we take ashes at the start of Lent?
A. Ashes are a grimy reminder that our earthly bodies are destined for death and decomposition. ÔRemember that you are but dust and unto dust you shall return.’ An alternative formula at the imposition of ashes exhorts a person to repentance: ÔTurn away from sin and be faithful to the gospel.’ Taking the ashes is not a sort of lucky charm but it is meant to express a person’s intention to undertake some extra spiritual exercises during Lent.

Samaritans

Would you like to find out about the vital service that Samaritans provide? Maybe you could help us in our work. Come along to our information evenings on Tuesday 19th February at 7.30pm Clinton Centre Enniskillen Wednesday 20th February at 7.30pm Silverbirch Hotel, Omagh. For information/application form Tel. 028-82251530 or e-mail omagh.Samaritans@virgin.net

Umbra Collection Support The Poor in Africa.

Unwanted Clothes and Shoes will help the Children of Kitui, Kenya. All types of clean dry ladies, gents, children's clothing, ben linen, curtains, towels and shoes. Collection Friday 22nd February 2008 from 9.00 am until 12.00 Noon. The proceeds of these clothes are sold go towards the Education Fund For Orphans in the Diocese of Kitui in Kenya. A good time to clear out some of the clutter at the back of your wardrobe

Your Daily Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ, you came among us
Through Mary's 'yes' to God Help me this day
To say 'yes' to the Father's call to me,
so that in my words and actions,
in times of work and leisure,
you can be present in me
through the power of the Eucharist to heal,
to comfort and to sustain.

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.

Legion of Mary meetings continue as usual

every Thursday at 8pm in the parish hall.

Lenten Stations

Stations have been booked for 3 homes in the parish during Lent. These station areas are:
(1) Trienamongan, Legatogegan, Common, Lislaird, Mournebeg, Carricoughan, Aghyaran, Mullinabreen, Maghernageeragh.
(2) Meencarriga, Drumahon, Altgoland, Scraghey, Meencloghore
(3) Upper Killeter, Meenamullen, Gortnagross The dates will be issued in the bulletin next week

St. Davog’s G.A.A. Centre

Seniors Senior men had victory last week against Ballinascreen 1-10 to 0-8 This Sunday sees them travel to Derrygonnelly.

U'14’s Under 14 boys training Monday & Wednesday from 6.30pm to 8.00pm Bring outdoor and indoor gear.

Senior ladies Training for senior ladies every Monday & Thursday, if unable to attend you must contact management. Summer Camp This year the summer camp will be held from 7th July to 10th July.

Lotto No winner of jackpot £100 winner for 2nd week Gerard Byrne Laughmorris. Lotto numbers 1, 9, 22, 35, 36.

Cards Cards every Thursday night @ 9.00pm Last week’s winner Ellen Simmons. All welcome

Club Meeting Club meeting on Monday night @ 8.00pm sharp Everyone welcome. Registration Registration collected every Friday night during February in centre from 8.30pm to 9.30pm adults £30 18-21 & all full time students £10 andÊU'18's £5.

Dinner Dance The dinner dance is re-scheduled for the 1st MarchÊtickets will go on sale for one night only 23rd Feb. from9.00pm to 10.00pm in centre.Ê Anyone wishing toÊreturn tickets also come this night

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