Parish News for Sunday 4th May 2008

The Ascension of the Lord

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

Reflection

By virtue of our calling as Christians, we are meant to be optimistic people, full of hope and deep rooted confidence about our future. The Ascension, which marks the final departure of Christ from his friends on earth, celebrates that hope. It proclaims that Jesus, who spent his life in Jerusalem and the surrounding countryside, achieved the work he was sent to do and is now in heaven in the company of God the Father, beyond the boundaries of death and decay.

What this feast does is to give us a glimpse of the destiny that awaits us. It spells out in no uncertain terms that our homeland is heaven. Where Christ has gone we hope to follow, once our earthly journey is over. The Ascension assures us that the longing for happiness and fullness of life which is deeply imprinted within every person can ultimately be realised.

Ascension Day

The ‘Confirmation’ Pledge

When Bishop Séamus Hegarty administered the sacrament of Confirmation on 20th April, the children were not offered a pledge to abstain from alcohol until the age of eighteen and from illegal drugs for the rest of their lives. Instead the children who wish to make such a commitment have the opportunity to do so next weekend.

Since Confirmation the teachers have been instructing the children on the nature of alcohol and its effects on the individual and the wider community. In these lessons alcohol was presented to them as:

• A gift from God.
• A gift which must be handled responsibly by all of us, regardless of age.
• A dangerous substance if not handled responsibly.
• A substance which can be particularly harmful if taken before a person reaches adulthood.

Next Sunday 11th May is Pentecost Sunday – recalling the occasion when the Holy Spirit came upon the apostles and gave them courage to preach the gospel to the ends of the earth. This great feast should remind this year’s Confirmation children of that day when the Holy Spirit came upon them in a very special way and offered them his guidance and strength to live as committed followers of Jesus.

Next weekend we are offering these young people an opportunity to make a commitment to abstain from alcohol until at least eighteen years of age, and also to abstain from illegal drugs for the remainder of their lives. If other young people wish to renew their pledge they too will be given the opportunity to do so. It’s a decision that should be discussed with parents and should be taken only if there’s a serious intention to be faithful to the promise.

Those who wish to make the commitment are invited to come to any one of the four Masses next weekend in Leckpatrick parish:

Sacred Heart Church – Saturday at 7.00pm and Sunday at 11.30am

St. Mary’s, Cloughcor – Sunday at 9.15am

St. Joseph’s, Glenmornan – Sunday at 10.15am

No one will be asked to identify himself or herself as the pledge is being offered. It will be a personal decision taken by those children who have thought about it, discussed it with their parents, and are determined to be faithful to it, no matter what pressures they may face to do otherwise.

We pray that the Holy Spirit will guide our children in making one of the most important decisions in their young lives.

Last week’s Collection was £1,463.00. Many thanks.

Blessing of Graves
The Blessing of Graves will take place at the Sacred Heart Cemetery next Sunday, 11th May at 5.00pm. Families are asked to bring their own holy water for the sprinkling of the graves.

Caring for our Graveyards
We would be grateful, as a mark of respect to our dead, if our three graveyards would be kept neat and tidy. We appeal to you to make use of the special containers to dispose of used flowers etc.

Sick and Housebound
The sick and housebound will be attended on the morning and afternoon of Tuesday next 6th May. This is a change of date because of the Priests’ Retreat next week.

Coffee Morning and Cake Sale
There will be a Coffee Morning and Cake Sale in Strabane Methodist Church Hall, Railway Road on Saturday 10th May 2008 from 10.00am until 12noon. Admission – £2. Everyone welcome.

Anniversary Mass
The First Anniversary Mass for the late Charlie McLaughlin, Milltown Park will be said in St. Mary’s Church, Cloughcor tomorrow (Monday) at 7.30pm.

First Communion
First Communion for children of Strabane Primary School will take place in the Sacred Heart Church next Saturday 10th May at 11am.

Calling all singers and musicians aged 15yrs-18yrs
The Derry Diocesan Youth Choir would love to hear from you. If interested contact the youth co-ordinator at ddcc@derrydiocese.org or telephone [028] 71264087.

Youth Mass
There will be a Diocesan Youth Mass on Sunday 11th May [Pentecost] in St. Columb’s Church, Chapel Road, Waterside, Derry at 6.00pm. Bishop Hegarty will be the main celebrant and all young people are invited to attend. The New Diocesan Choir will provide the music for the Liturgy of this Mass. Refreshments will be held afterwards in the adjacent Parish Centre. Everyone is welcome.

Padre Pio Devotions
Padre Pio devotions will take place in the Immaculate Conception Church, Strabane on Wednesday 7th May with the Rosary commencing at 6.45pm followed by Mass at 7.00pm.