Parish News for Sunday 2nd March 2008

Fourth Sunday of Lent

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

Reflection

In the Gospel story today Jesus gives the gift of sight to a blind man. But since we are not blind, we might think that the Gospel story has no relevance for us. It is precisely because we can see that it has relevance for us. The question is: how well do we see? There are many forms of blindness besides physical blindness. In some way these are just as crippling. Some examples: Selfishness blinds us to the needs of others. Insensitivity blinds us to the hurt we’re causing to others. Snobbery blinds us to the equal dignity of others.

Mass Times
Sacred Heart Church, Derry Road
Weekdays
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday – 10.00am

Sundays
Vigil: 7.00pm, 11.30am

St. Mary’s Church, Cloughcor
Tuesday 7.00pm, Sunday - 9.15am

St. Joseph’s Church, Glenmornan
Friday 7.30pm, Sunday - 10.15am

Confessions

Friday: Sacred Heart Church at 9.30am and
St. Joseph’s, Glenmornan at 7.00pm
Saturday: Sacred Heart Church at 11.30am and 6.15pm

In His Light

The Lord is the light of the world. He warns us to walk while we have the light, because the night will come when no one can walk or work.

Of course, we have modern conveniences that his world knew nothing about. We can light up our city streets; we can put headlights on our cars; we can keep our factories working 24 hours a day. We seem to have come to the point where we have conquered night and darkness.

But blackouts in places like New York City show us how vulnerable we are when our eyes can no longer see. The city winds down to immobility, and strange and evil forces emerge. Even without blackouts, evil stalks the darker streets and the unprotected parks. We have long since learned that the best protection against crime is a well-lighted house or parking lot.

Lord, you are the light which is the best protection against all evil. You are the light which enters into the deepest crannies of our hearts to illuminate the darkness of hatred and selfishness.

You are the light by which husbands and wives can say: “We need one another; we need our children; everything else is secondary.” You are the light which tells a parish that it is a success when its people pray and love. you are the light which guides the young to chose a life and a career of peace-making, justice and kindness over one that wants nothing except self-gain.

Lord, you are the light. Help us never to close our eye to you. Without you we can only stumble together through the darkness.

Last week’s Collection was £1,872.50. Many thanks.

Solemn Annual Exposition
Solemn Annual Exposition will begin this [Sunday] morning in St. Mary’s Church, Cloughcor after the 9.15am Mass, and will continue until 5.00pm when there will be a Eucharistic Service.

In order to ensure that the church will never be empty during the hours of adoration, please write your name on the sheet on the notice board to indicate a time which will be suitable for you.

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

Padre Pio Devotions
Padre Pio devotions will take place on Wednesday 5th March with Stations of the Cross commencing at 6.45pm followed by Mass at 7.00pm.

Month’s Mind Mass
The 7.00pm Vigil Mass next Saturday 8th March will be offered for the late
Joe Slevin, Railway Road, on the occasion of his Month’s Mind.

Women’s World Day of Prayer Service
A Prayer Service will take place in the Immaculate Conception Church, Strabane on Friday 7th March at 8.15pm. Guest Speaker: Mrs Marie Lindsay [Principal of St. Mary’s College, Derry]. Everyone is welcome.

Weekly Envelopes
The new weekly envelopes will be distributed within the next month. If you are not already receiving envelopes and would like a box for the coming year, please contact the secretary at the Parish Office [71882274] as soon as possible.

Thornhill Centre, Derry
An Evening for Church Flower Arrangers will take place in Thornhill Centre, Derry on Thursday 6th March from 7.30pm until 9.00pm.

Carmelite Retreat Centre, Termonbacca
The Monthly Devotions in honour of Our lady, will take place on Tuesday 4th March starting with confessions at 7.30pm, followed by Rosary and Mass, finishing around 10.00am. All are welcome.

A One Day Retreat for Senior Citizens and their friends from Derry and surrounding areas will take place on Wednesday 5th March. Registration from 10.30am finishing around 5.00pm. Cost £12stg includes a four course lunch. Payment at the centre on the day. To book telephone 71262512 during office hours.

Owen Roe O’Neill’s G.A.C. – see the poster at back of church.

The Alzheimer Society of Ireland
Join us at Lifford Greyhound Stadium on Friday 7th March for an evening of entertainment/a draw and an optional meal in aid of the Alzheimer’s Society of Ireland. For further details and to book please see poster at the back of the church.

Sean Mulrine Pilgrimages 2008
7 nights in Rome – 17th March 2008
7 nights in Rome, Assissi, San Giovanni –
6th June 2008
15 nights in Cattolica and San Giovanni – 31st July 2008
7 nights in San Giovanni and Sorrento –
3rd October 2008
For further details contact Sean Mulrine [028] 71265926

Reflection

Time for adoration
The Gospels show clearly that Peter was a man of action;
he always needed to be doing something.
So on Mount Tabor, instead of contemplating in silence and wonder the glory of his Lord,
he wanted to build three tents.
There is a time for stillness,
for contemplation, for wonder,
for adoration in the presence of God.
A time to heed the words of the psalmist:
‘Be still, and know I am God’.
Sometimes we are too busy.
We would be better to be silent,
to be listening, to be wondering,
to be adoring in the presence of God.