Sunday 1st February 2009

4th Sunday of the Year

PRIESTS OF THE PARISH
Rev John Doherty PP Tel: 028 7188 2274
Rev Paul Farren Tel: 028 7188 3247

Are Single People Overlooked?

‘We’re overlooked.’ This could well be a charge levelled against the Church by single persons. In fact, although they regularly frequent the church, they seldom get a mention there.

People lead the single life for varied reasons. For the majority it is a temporary state before marriage. For others it is a positive, life-long choice; while for yet others, circumstances dictate it, for life. The second and third groupings are the ones who feel second class citizens among the People of God.

Marriage, priesthood, religious life and single life are four strands of the one basic vocation. This fundamental call is to belong to Christ and to reach out in service of neighbours. This essential call is given at baptism and finds its specific flowering along one or other of the four vocational pathways.

A single person’s freedom of life opens up avenues of love and service which other people cannot travel in the service of God, of family and of community. Many channel that service as carers of those in need within their own family circles. Others are at liberty to be truly catholic in outreach; that is, they reach out to all and sundry without distinction or reservation. Still others enhance the Church and the world by the power and service of prayer.

The Christian community is all the richer for the single way of life and for those who answer with full and generous hearts.

Last week’s Collection was £2,222.00. Many thanks.

Vocations Information Day

Could you be called to serve God and his people as a priest in the Diocese of Derry? ‘Come and See.’ There will be a Vocations Information Day, a day of reflection on the theme of Vocation in Thornhill Retreat Centre on Saturday 14th February from 11.00am until 4.00pm. For further information please contact any of your local priests/RE teachers or:

Fr. Paul Farren at [028] 71264087, Email: ddcc@derrydiocese.org or
Fr. Colm O’Doherty at [028] 8166 1475, Email: collydoc2000@hotmail.com

Candlemas Day

Tomorrow, Monday 2nd February, is the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, also known as Candlemas Day. Candles will be blessed during the 10.00am Mass in the Sacred Heart Church.

Derry Diocesan Society Mass

The 7.30pm Mass on Thursday 5th February in St. Mary’s Church, Cloughcor, will be said for the deceased members of the Derry Diocesan Society.

Padre Pio Devotions

Padre Pio devotions will take place in the Immaculate Conception Church, Strabane on Wednesday 4th February with the Rosary commencing at 6.45pm followed by Mass at 7.00pm.

The next Pioneer Meeting will take place tomorrow [Monday] at 8.00pm, followed directly by a meeting of the St. Vincent de Paul Society.

Carmelite Retreat Centre, Termonbacca

Monthly devotions, in honour of Our Lady, will take place on Tuesday 3rd February starting with confessions at 7.30pm followed by Rosary and Mass, finishing around 10.00pm. All are welcome.

NI Blood Transfusion Service

A team from the NI Blood Transfusion service will be coming to St. Patrick’s Hall, Barrack Street, Strabane to collect blood donations on Monday 2nd February from 1.30pm until 4.00pm and again from 5.15pm until 8.00pm. Existing and new donors are welcome.

A Note from Trócaire

On behalf of the thousands of communities all over the world, which benefit from your generosity, I would like to thank you for your valuable contribution of £1,000 to Trócaire. I can assure you that your donation will have a real and lasting effect on the lives of poor communities throughout the developing world.
We are currently responding to the ongoing crisis in eastern Democratic of Congo where over 250,000 people have been forced to leave their homes as a result of fierce fighting between government and rebel forces. Another major focus for Trócaire is Zimbabwe, where the ongoing economics and political crisis, exacerbated by the recent outbreak of cholera, greatly inhibit people’s capacity to cope with poverty and illness. With the economy in a state of collapse, millions of people are dependent on international aid to meet their basic needs. Once again thank you most sincerely for your kind contribution.