The Parish of Aghyaran (Termonamongan), Derry Diocese, IRELAND.

St. Patrick's Church, Aghyaran.

Parish Priest: Fr. J. Gilmore

Telephone 8167 0728

Divine Mercy Sunday, 11th April 2010

Second Sunday of Easter

Thomas said: “Unless I see the holes that the nails made in his hands and can put my finger into the holes they made, and unless I can put my hand into his side, I refuse to believe”. Thomas has gone down in history with the nickname Doubting Thomas and is often referred to in relation to those who are always questioning. And that is one of his roles, to assure us that questions and doubts are an important part of true faith. We can so easily look only for certainty and perfection and then we will believe and hope and love. Our call is to believe in the setting of uncertainty, to hope even though there is insecurity, to love in spite of a lack of perfection. And there can be no doubt that all of these are present in our lives and our Church today. It is often because we can see the gaping holes in the Body of Christ left there by so many scandals, or because we are asked to put our hands into his side opened by the sins of one another that we find it difficult to believe. And unfortunately many give up.

Fr. Johnny Doherty, C.Ss.R.

Sunday, 11th April 2010

Second Sunday of Easter, Divine Mercy Sunday

First Reading : Acts of the Apostles 5: 12-16
The success of the disciples’ mission.

Second Reading: Apocalypse 1: 9-13. 17-19
John has a vision of the Risen Christ.

Gospel: John 20: 19-31
The Risen Lord appears to his disciples.

"Happy are those who have not seen and yet believe!"

Mass Times from Sunday 21st March for the parishes of Aghyaran and Castlederg

THE CELEBRATION OF EASTER IS A FIFTY-DAY CELEBRATION AND LASTS FROM EASTER SUNDAY UNTIL PENTECOST. IT IS KNOWN AS 'THE GREAT SUNDAY'. ALLELUIA!

"The angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door. His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: And for fear of him the keepers did shake...And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for He is risen." St. Matt. 28: 2-6.

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

Confirmation in the parish will take place on Sunday May 16th when Bishop Hegarty will be here in the parish to celebrate the 10.00 am Mass and administer the Sacrament of Confirmation to the Year Seven children in the parish.

Confirmation Dinners for May 16th Now taking bookings 4 course meal followed by music in the lounge & bouncing castle in main hall. For Booking Contact (028816 70385)) (07590765103)

Foyle Hospice’s Bark in the Park, a sponsored dog walk, will take place on Sunday 9th May 2010 in St Columb’s Park, Limavady Road, at 2pm. Registration fee £5 per dog and includes a certificate and goodie bag for your pooch on the day. For further information and registration packs please contact Foyle Hospice Fund-raising Centre on (028) 71359888 or email rachelbruce@foylehospice.com.

The BIG Saunter, a sponsored riverside walk for those aged 55+, will take place Wednesday 19th May 2010 at 1pm. The walk will commence from Sainsbury’s along the path of the River Foyle and finish off at the Guildhall. All monies raised will go to Foyle Hospice. For further information please contact Stephanie English, Old Library Trust, Creggan, Tel: (028) 71373870

The Year Four children of the parish will receive the Sacrament of the Eucharist for the first time on Sunday 30th May at the 10.00 am Mass.

To comply with Diocesan policy we the parish of Aghyaran are required to have a Parish Pastoral Council in place to assist in the running of the parish. In order to get this up and running I am inviting you to nominate someone from your Station area whom you think would be good to serve on such a body, it can be male or female no restrictions.

STATION AREA ......................................................................................

NOMINATION ........................................................................................

When you have completed your nomination you can either put it in your church envelope or just drop it into the basket next Sunday when the basket passes or drop it into the Parochial House anytime. Thank you for your help

The seniors will travel to play Errigal Ciaran on Tuesday evening at 6.45pm in their first outing in the senior league. Minors The minors were beat on the score 2-12 to 1-12 away to Omagh on Wednesday evening last. Their next game is at home to Castlederg tonight (Sunday) at 6.30pm.

The 2nd Semi Final tonight (Sat) 10th at 10.30pm. Couples are Eamon & Jenny, Denis & Annmarie Dolan, Kieran & Carmel Dolan, Johnny & Lucy, and Neil & Mary Martin. Music by Frankie & Francie. Final next Saturday night 17th April music by Keep it Country.

The North West’s got talent competition will commence with heat 1 on Saturday 24th April.

The clubs monthly meeting will take place on Monday night 12th April at 8.30pm. Planning of upcoming events and festival. All with ideas welcome. Centre committee must attend.

The 14th Annual Pioneer Ball takes place in the Cavan Crystal Hotel, Cavan on Saturday 8th May 2010. Mass will be celebrated in St. BrigidÕs Church, Kilgarry at 7.30pm. Dinner 8.30pm sharp. Tickets cost Û30. For further details contact SuZann Scott - 087 2392993 or Gary OÕCallaghan - 087 2310458. For ticket bookings contact Patsy OÕCallaghan, Carnin, - 049 8544191 email national.ball@ptaa.ie

Gift Aid - Anyone intending to sign up to Gift Aid should pick up one of the white envelopes on the table at the back of the church. When completed we ask you to please return to the parochial house before Thursday 8th April (if possible) This is to facilitate in the completion of the 2009 tax period and the commencement of 5th April 2010 records.

God of our fathers,
renew us in the faith which is our life and salvation,
the hope which promises forgiveness and interior renewal,
the charity which purifies and opens our hearts
to love you, and in you, each of our brothers and sisters.
Lord Jesus Christ,
may the Church in Ireland renew her age-old commitment
to the education of our young people in the way of truth and goodness,
holiness and generous service to society.
Holy Spirit, comforter, advocate and guide,
inspire a new springtime of holiness and apostolic zeal
for the Church in Ireland.
May our sorrow and our tears,
our sincere effort to redress past wrongs,
and our firm purpose of amendment
bear an abundant harvest of grace
for the deepening of the faith
in our families, parishes, schools and communities,
for the spiritual progress of Irish society,
and the growth of charity, justice, joy and peace
within the whole human family.
To you, Triune God,
confident in the loving protection of Mary,
Queen of Ireland, our Mother,
and of Saint Patrick, Saint Brigid and all the saints,
do we entrust ourselves, our children,
and the needs of the Church in Ireland.
Amen.

A leaflet, ‘Why Marriage Matters’, has been published by the Irish Bishops’ Conference, in support of marriage and family life. The leaflet summarises key elements of Catholic teaching on marriage and reiterates the importance of the family as the natural primary and fundamental unit of society. It is available on the Irish Bishops’ Conference website www.catholicbishops.ie. Parishes can also order copies from Veritas, through the Diocesan Office.

Accord - 8224 2439
Al-Anon Famly Groups - 9086 2368
Alcoholic's Anonymous - 9043 4848
AWARE - 7126 6602
Care for Cancer - 8224 6599
CRUISE - 8224 4414
Drugs Anonymous - 8224 6177
Gamblers Anonymous - 7135 1329
The Samaritans - 8224 4944
Women's Aid - 8224 5998
Parkinson's Disease - 8224 2889