21st Sunday in Ordinary Time-Year C

26th August 2007

LIVING AUTHENTICALLY

Countless faiths have pondered on the idea of who will be saved? What about those who have never heard the Gospel? Are we on the right side? And all this talk of a ‘narrow door’ is a bit unnerving!

What matters is to act, to do courageously all that lies within our power to enter. Live authentically, it doesn’t matter if what you do is noticed or not. Ultimately you have to face yourself in the mirror. You have brains in your head, you have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose.

As schools return this week, a story from the East might _ help. An elderly sage was educating his young disciples about life. It tells of a dreadful battle that goes on in every person between two great lions. One lion is wicked: he is fear, rage, jealousy, sadness, greed, pride, self-pity, shame, hatred, weakness, lies, rivalry and superiority. The other lion is good: he is happiness, harmony, love, trust, sharing, peace, modesty, gentleness, compassion, friendship, understanding, charity, truth, kindness and loyalty. He was asked; Ôwhich lion will win?’ The answer: ÔThe one you feed the most’. Which of the two lions within you do you make the strongest?

Mass Intentions for this week:
Monday 10,00am - Anv. Mass John McGrath
Tuesday 10.00am - Anv. Mass Frank Goan
Friday 8,00pm -Month Mind Margaret Mackey
Saturday 8.00p.m.- Anv. Mass Margaret McGlinchey

Choir
Choir resumes at 11 am Mass on Sunday 2nd September. All new members would be most welcome.

Aghyaran Community Association AGM
AGM takes place on Tuesday 28th August in Aghyaran GAA Centre at 8pm.Ê Everyone welcome to attend.

The Time is NoW - North West Regional College (the new name for North West Institute and Limavady College) is now taking enrolments for full-time and part-time courses commencing in September. Enrol in person (Strand Road, Derry, Main Street, Limavady or Derry Road,Strabane) by post (download a form at www.nwrc.ac.uk) or by phone 028 7127 6000. Enrol early to secure your place.

Church Door & Car Park Attendants for September
Saturday Vigil Mass Patrick McSorley, Hugh Kelly & Joe McGlinchey
Sunday 9.00 am John McNabb, John Campbell & Mickey McCrory
Sunday 11.00 am Liam McGlinchey,Eamon Sweeney & James McMenamin

Altar Society for September 2007
Sara Moss, Mary Gallen & Kathleen Moss

Aghyaran Community Play group will reopen on Monday 3rd September at 9.30 am. All children must be at least three years old before they are eligible to attend

St. Eugene’s High School Castlederg School recommences:-
Monday 3rd September 2007 - First Years only
Tuesday 4th September 2007 - All Pupils

This Week’s Calendar
Monday 27 - St Monica, mother of St Augustness.
His conversion is attributed to her persevering prayer. Patron saint of mothers.

Tuesday 28 - St Augustness, Bishop and Doctor of the Church (354-430).
Converted at the age of 28 from a wild and frivolous way of life, he became Bishop of Hippo in North Africa. He preached the gospel with power and is the author of many spiritual writings, including his famous Confessions. His influence on the Church in the West continues to our time. Patron saint of theologians.

Wednesday 29
The Beheading of John the Baptist. Read the story of his martyrdom in Mark 6 and Matthew 14.

Thursday 30 - St Fierce (died c. 670)
An Irishman who travelled in mainland Europe in search of a hermitage. He eventually settled in Boreal, where he remained until his death.

Friday 31 - St Aid of Lindisfarne.

Saturday 1 September - Weekday ( 21st week in Ordinary Time).

Another Angle - Living authentically
Countless faiths have pondered on the idea of who will be saved? What about those who have never heard the Gospel? Are we on the right side? And all this talk of a ‘narrow door’ is a bit unnerving! What matters is to act, to do courageously all that lies within our power to enter. Live authentically, it doesn’t matter if what you do is noticed or not. Ultimately you have to face yourself in the mirror. You have brains in your head, you have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose.
As schools return this week, a story from the East might _ help. An elderly sage was educating his young disciples about life. It tells of a dreadful battle that goes on in every person between two great lions. One lion is wicked: he is fear, rage, jealousy, sadness, greed, pride, self-pity, shame, hatred, weakness, lies, rivalry and superiority. The other lion is good: he is happiness, harmony, love, trust, sharing, peace, modesty, gentleness, compassion, friendship, understanding, charity, truth, kindness and loyalty. He was asked; Ôwhich lion will win?’ The answer: ÔThe one you feed the most’. Which of the two lions within you do you make the strongest?

Naomh Dabh—g Achadh U’ Ara’n club notes
U-16
Monday 27th August: U-16 FL Aghyaran v Owen Roes @7pm Monday 3rd September: U-16 FC Drumragh v Aghyaran @6.45pm

U-13
U-13 training takes place every Wednesday evening at 6.30pm. Friday 31st August: U-13 challenge game Aghyaran v Strabane @7pm Thursday 6th September: U-13 FL Aghyaran v Augher @6.45pm

U-12
Monday 27th August: Newtownstewart v Aghyaran @7pm Thursday 30th August: Glenelly v Aghyaran @7pm Saturday 8th September: Peter Duffy Memorial U-12 Tournament in Strabane.

U-10
Saturday 1st September: Gerald O’Doherty Memorial U-10 Tournament in Strabane.

Saturday 8th September: U-10 Blitz in Castlederg; Teams taking ¨part: Aghyaran, Newtownstewart, Castlederg, Drumquin & Urney.

Saturday 15th September: Brian Penrose Memorial U-10 Tournament in Aghyaran. U-8

Saturday 1st September: U-8 Blitz in Aghyaran. Teams taking part: Aghyaran, Glenelly, Newtownstewart, Owen Roes, Castlederg, Urney, Dregish, Drumquin, Clann Na nGael.

U-12, U-10 & U-8 Training Coaching for U-12s, U-10s and U-8s continues every Monday and Wednesday from 6.30pm to 8pm. All new players welcome. Sympathy The club extends its deepest sympathy to the Dolan, Mackey, Mongan, Hegarty, Mongan (Tattyreagh), O’Neill (Castlederg), McCarron (Castlederg), Mannion (Castlederg) & McEniff (Bundoran) on their recent bereavements.

Website of the Week www.loughderg.org A place of pilgrimage near Pettigo in Co Donegal for more than 1000 years

Prayer for Those Who Suffer
For those who suffer,
and those who cry this night,
give them repose,
Lord; a pause in their burdens.

Let there be minutes where they experience peace,
not of man but of angels.
Love them, Lord, when others cannot.
Hold them, Lord, when we fail with human arms.
Hear their prayers and give them the ability to hear
You back in whatever language they best understand.

Marriage Preparation Courses.

2007

October 26th & 27th.
November 23rd & 24th.
December 8th & 9th 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