Sunday 23rd March 2008

Easter Sunday, The Resurrection of the Lord

Reflection

The acclamation of Jesus by the crowds as he enters Jerusalem contrasts sharply with the humiliation and suffering he endures in his Passion and death. We know that neither of these is the true destiny of Christ. His true destiny is the triumph and glory of the Resurrection. In this is reflected our own destiny and should help us to remember that both worldly success and human pain are things that pass and that our real hope lies in the eternal life of God’s Kingdom.

This Week’s Calendar
Monday 24 - Easter Monday
Tuesday 25 - Easter Tuesday
Wednesday 26 - Easter Wednesday
Thursday 27 - Easter Thursday
Friday 28 - Easter Friday
Saturday 29 - Easter Saturday

Mass Intentions for this week:
Monday - 10.00 am - Anv Mass Bridget & Mickey McHugh
Tuesday - 10.00 am - Anv Mass Kathleen McHugh
Wednesday - 10.00am - Anv. Mass Mary Palazzo
Saturday - 8.00 pm - Anv Mass Patrick McLaughlin

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

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

ST. DAVOG’S G A A

Seniors
Seniors played aÊfriendly last week with Trillick &Êwon 1-12 to 1-11.

U-14 Boys
The U'14 boys had there first league outing last week to Fintona a good performance by all which secured a win - 4-10 to 3-10. TrainingÊfor u14's Monday and Wednesday evenings 6.30pm to 8.00pm

U-12 & U14 Girls
All U’12 & U'14 girls wishing to play football this season please come along to the centre this Wednesday evening @ 8.00pm Parents are also welcome to come along. If you have not paid membership please bring it along with you.

Minor Girls
All minor girlsÊmust attend training as league is ongoing.

Cards
Cards continue every Thursday at 9pm Last week’s winner Pat Kelly runner-up Barney McGrath.

Lynch’s Coach Tours.
Trip to Knock on Divine Mercy Sunday 30th March 2008 Coach leaves from Castlederg at 8.00 am and Aghyaran at 8.15 am Adults £12. Children £7. Telephone 81671344 for bookings.

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

Legion of Mary
Usual weekly meeting in the parish hall onThursday at 8pm.

Church Envelopes for the Incoming Year. The envelopes will be ready for collection and distribution after all Masses next weekend at the committee room. Promoters are asked to come and collect for their area and have them delivered before April 6th the first Sunday of the new church year.

Baptism
We welcome into our Faith Community Lauren Cara Dolan who was Baptised and welcomed into the family of God recently.

Wedding in Aghyaran.
We pray for and congratulate Aidan McCarthy and Sarah McMenamin who were married in St. Patrick’s Church recently. We wish them many happy days and Gods’ blessing on their marriage as they begin a new life as Mr. & Mrs.

Pilgrimage to the Holy Land
A 10-Day Pilgrimage to the Holy Land takes place from 3rd to 12th September 2008.The cost is £850 stg. inclusive of all taxes. Direct flight from Belfast. For full details contact Ann Diamond on. 028 79 468134

Questions people ask
Q. In what way was the resurrection of Jesus different from the raising of Lazarus or people brought back to life by the apostles?
A. There is a difference between resurrection and resuscitation. Resurrection means going forward into a totally new level of life. Resuscitation means coming back in the old form of life. That’s what Lazarus experienced. Christianity is based on the belief that we are called to share in the new life opened up by the resurrection of Jesus. This belief far exceeds any theory of reincarnation. St Paul wrote, ÔIf Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith has been in vain.

The Deep End - Boldly

Going Believing that someone has risen from the dead is quite an achievement. It means that you have freed your mind from the limitations of reason. Human reason is limited, is it not? So, is it not desirable to boldly go where reason alone can’t take you? If we never take that step into what is seen as in a glass darkly we will not develop fully. We will be so fearful of appearing gullible, or stupid; so fearful of derision from those considered more ‘enlightened’ and intelligent, so afraid of drifting into insanity, that we will imprison our mind in shallowness and limit our ability to mature spiritually on his tomb. He does, wrapped in layers of loose cloth, except for his face, which would have been better wrapped too. He looked hideous. I thought that if that was what being raised to life meant, he’d have been better left as he was.

In today’s first reading (Ez 37:12-14) Yahweh says he will bring the house of Israel up from its grave and put his spirit within them so that they live. No ghoulish appearances there, no mummified creatures creaking around zombie-like as in a horror film. God gives his Spirit, beautiful, vibrant, and creative. Whoever opens up to that Spirit, in turn becomes beautiful, vibrant, and creative.

The body is often debased in today’s entertainment industry. Constant ex. As people of faith we have staked our life on what we believe. If Jesus has not risen then what’s the point in seeking Ôthe things that are above’? (Colossians 3:1-4) What’s the point in being a Christian if the highpoint of Jesus’ life was a lie, a non-event, a con-artist’s ruse? Then our faith would be a sham, our values mere delusion. Look into the eyes of your loved ones: wife, husband, son, daughter, and tell them they have no lasting value. Then see if you can ever look them in the eye again?

 

Easter Prayer.

"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.

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