Sunday 22nd June 2008

Twelth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Do not be afraid

Jesus said: “Do not be afraid.” In the Scriptures, fear is identified as the single greatest enemy of life and love. That statement “do not be afraid” is spoken 365 times in the Scriptures. The greatest fear that grips people is of what it is going to cost to really believe, to love, to enjoy. Fear of the cost can make us set limits to our love. And fear can make us set limits to our willingness to let God into our lives. As always, we need to think about this word of Christ in terms of the relationships of our lives and our faith. In every community very many people don’t get involved in anything other than the minimum. This doesn’t mean that these people are bad natured but it is mostly because of this fear. Men particularly are afraid of developing the intimate relationships of marriage and family life for the same reason – they are afraid of the cost to themselves and they miss out on the rewards. Listen to Christ’s word this week.

Fr. Johnny Doherty, C.Ss.R. - http://www.loveisforlife.com

12th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Sunday 22nd June 2008

Parish Missal Readings (Year 1) p 305 & Proper p 1064

First Reading Jeremiah: 20: 10-13
The Lord supports and protects the righteous.

Second Reading Romans 5: 12-15
The power of Christ overcomes sin and death.

Gospel Matthew 10: 26-33
God cares for those who are faithful to Him.

 

Masses during the coming week

Weekend Masses:

Vigil Mass, Saturday evening 8.00 pm
Sunday morning 9.00 am & 11.00 am

Masses during the coming week

Monday & Tuesday 10.00 am
Wednesday 7.00pm
Thursday & Friday 10.00am

Confession Times:
Saturday Evening after Vigil Mass

 

Mass Intentions for this week:

Monday 10.00am - Anv. Mass Mary Brigid & Myles McGlinchey

Tuesday 10.00am -- Anv. Mass Cassie Byrne

Friday 10.00am - Anv. Mass Brigid & Patrick Kelly

Saturday 8.00 pm - Anv. Mass Hugh Browne

This Week’s Calendar

Monday 23 - Weekday (12th Week in Ordinary Time)

Tuesday 24 - The Birth of John the Baptist. Solemnity. We rejoice at the coming of John the Baptist, a man of self-denial, integrity of life and purpose, and an uncompromising prophetic voice. This feast relates to the summer solstice, when the days begin to grow shorter, recalling John’s words, ‘He must increase, I must decrease’.

Wednesday 25 - Weekday

Thursday 26 - Weekday

Friday 27 - St Cyril of Alexandria, bishop and doctor of the Church. Cyril, 370-444, was patriarch of Alexandria and fought against Nestorianism at the Council of Ephesus, 431, which proclaimed Mary, Mother of God.

Saturday 28 - St Irenaeus, bishop and martyr. Irenaeus lived just after the time of the apostles and knew those who had seen and talked with them. He became bishop of Lyon, the largest trading centre in Gaul. The note of moderation, the desire to win people to Christianity by love rather than fear, was apparent in all of Irenaeus’ work.

The Swilly Players presents Moll - A comedy about life in an Irish country presbytery, Moll is a beautifully observed and hilarious tale from the pen of John B. Keane. Tues 24 June - Thurs 26 JuneÊ@Ê8.00pm, The Little Theatre, St Columb's Hall, Orchard Street, Derry/Londonderry.Tickets: £10/7.ÊOpening night offer - Buy One, Get One Free. Contact: The Playhouse Box Office, Tel: 028 71268027.
DANCE in Colcreaghy Hall on Friday 27th June 2008. Music by ‘Country Legends’

DVD or Video Tapes

Anyone wishing to purchase DVD’s or video tapes of Fr. Willie’s Golden Jubilee celebrations should give their name and £10 to Anne McNamee. Anne can be contacted at St. Eugene’s High School after 11am from Monday to Friday. DVD’s not available in the shops - made to order only!

Spirituality Course: A one-year Practical Theology course, ÒPoints of IntersectionÓ will be held in Thornhill Centre each Monday from 7:30 to 9:30 pm beginning 6 October 2008. This course is an opportunity to search out who we are, who we are called to be and how we relate to God and one another. For more details please telephone 71351233.

Legion of Mary

Usual weekly meeting in the parish hall on Thursday at 8pm.

Knock Summer Youth Festival takes place from 24th-27th July 2008 at Knock Shrine. This is an opportunity for young people to take time out to reflect on their lives and what God is offering....’Living Life to the Full’ Age strictly 18-35 years Cost is Û 55 Free buses. Bring a sleeping bag. Places limited so book now! For more information and details contact Youth Ministry Office 094 9375035 or Shrine Office 094 9388100 or Web www.knock-shrine.i.e/youthministry

Carmelite Pilgrimage to Knock, Sunday 20th July 2008. Coach leaves Termonbacca at 7.30a.m. with a pick up point at Melmount Centre at 8.15a.m. Returning to Derry at approx.11.00 pm. Return coach, snack on the way down and evening meal. Fare £30.00 stg. or Û40 Euro. For further information, telephone Termonbacca, at Derry 71262512 during office hours only.

 

Termonbacca Community Fun Day will be held on Sunday 13th July. We need Bric-a-Brac of all sorts. If you are willing to help in any way please contact us during office hours 10.00a.m. to 5.00p.m Monday to Friday. Tel: 71262512

Hairdressing and Beauty Therapy promotional evening will be held in North West Regional College, Derry Road, Strabane Campus on Monday 23rd June at 7.00pm. Everyone welcome. For information contact 028 7138 2317

Questions people ask

Q. Making the Sign of the Cross we touch the forehead, chest and shoulders. Why these parts? Are there any variations when other parts are touched?

A. This lovely prayer-in-action recalls the cross of Christ while invoking the blessing of the Blessed Trinity. The forehead represents our thinking. The chest or heart is the centre of love. Touching the shoulders is a prayer for strength in our activities or in carrying our crosses with Christ. Before proclaiming the gospel we sign the forehead, lips and heart, praying that the Lord be in our minds, lips and hearts. In anointing the sick, forehead and hands are signed. It is a simple but profound form of prayer when performed with reverence.

The Deep End - A Two-Edged Question

Several years ago I was listening to a religious debate on radio between people of different faiths, and none. One of the participants, a Jew, asked a Christian a troublesome question. How could he (the Christian), he asked, pray to God when sick to ask for health, or worse, to be so trivial as to ask God to find something that was lost, when that God ignored the plight of six million Jews under Nazi tyranny.

Not an easy one that, especially in the light of today’s Gospel reading (Mt 10:26-33), where Jesus tells us that even the hairs on our head are all counted (v. 30). Furthermore, he assures us, that not one sparrow falls to the ground without the Father noting it. Sort of difficult to reconcile that with what happens in life at times. Isn’t it?

We ask where God is when the innocent suffer; when a child dies, or is born disabled; when Nature blindly kills and people kill with open eyes; when sickness strikes; when someone takes their life. The list goes on and on. But do we thank God when things go well, when a child is born healthy, when our luck is good, when we achieve success, when we live long and well, when we love and are loved, give and receive kindness? This list, too, could go on and on. Our constant question to God is: ‘Why do you allow evil?’ Our rare question to ourselves is: ‘Why do we commit it?’

Recommended Website> www.yourvocation.ie The new website for the Year of Vocation.

Prayer for Vocations

Dear Lord, the fields are white with the harvest and the labourers are very few. We beseech you to inspire young men and women with a desire to work for you, courage to deny themselves for you, and a love that will lead them to leave home for your name’s sake.

 

Marriage Preparation Courses.


2008


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