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

Sunday, 7th February 2010

Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Christ makes us his disciples

‘Jesus said to Simon: “Do not be afraid; from now on it is people you will catch.” Then, bringing their boats back to land, they left everything and followed him.’ The image that Jesus uses has a very special relevance for those he was talking to. They were fishermen. But it continues to be relevant for us today because it simply means that our task is to make Christ attractive to and available for the people of our world. This is done first of all in our homes where the faith is handed on by parents in the ways they make their home a place of joy and gladness. This involves giving up their time and their own preoccupations for the sake of each other and their children. It also determines how a faith community is developed. The most important thing about any faith community should be that it is attractive for others. This will mean giving up our own comfort zones so that others can find a home among us.

Fr. Johnny Doherty, C.Ss.R.

Sunday, 7th February 2010

Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

First Reading : Isaiah 6:1-8
God calls Isaiah to be His prophet.

Second Reading: Corinthians 15:1-11
Paul’s mission is to preach the gospel of Christ.

Gospel: Luke 5: 1-11
Jesus calls the first apostles.

A Generous Response

All parents know the puzzlement of seeing how different their children can be from one another. We all sometimes wonder why one child can be so ready to help, so willing to do what is asked, so cheery and bubbly and good-humoured. Another can be so much the opposite: head like a rock, neck like iron, mouth always grave and unsmiling, and willingness seemingly set permanently on the “no” button. Why they are the way they are mystifies us. All we know is that one is so agreeable to live with, and the other is a cross. We love him, but he is still a cross.

There is something loveable about the generous, open-hearted, agreeable person. In today’s three readings we meet a number of people like that. At the end of the first reading, Isaiah pictures himself as a child bouncing up and down in front of the Father, begging to be sent forth. And in the second reading Paul recalls with some shame what he had been before the Lord knocked him down. But the point is that when the Lord called him, he, like Isaiah, responded generously. In the third reading, three other men were just as willing to say yes to Jesus. Peter, James and John saw his power, heard his call and were completely convinced. They left everything to follow him.

Lord, each one of us can wonder: “What kind of person am I?” Am I the agreeable, generous, ready person, or the everlasting no-sayer? If and when you call, what is my response? For, Lord, most of us have lived long enough to have fallen into habits of response, positive or negative. Either you are finding us delightful to work with, or you are shaking your head over us, loving us, but still finding us a cross on your shoulders.

Lord, your first cross was heavy enough. Don’t allow us to add to it. Help each of us to answer eagerly when you call.

Last Sunday’s collection was £1,459.00. Many Thanks!

Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes

Thursday 11th February is the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. On this day in 1858, Our Lady first appeared to the fourteen-year-old Bernadette Soubirous. Later, Bernadette was to learn that the mysterious lady was the Blessed Virgin and to hear from her lips, “I am the Immaculate Conception”. In 1992 Pope John Paul II declared this day as World Day of the Sick.

Derry Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes

16th-21st July 2010

Application forms are available for any young person aged 14-15 years old who would like a place on the Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes. Special arrangements are made for the young people who will be led by the Pilgrimage Youth Team. For further information please c0ntact: The Pilgrimage Office, 164 Bishop Street, Derry BT48 6UJ or telephone [028] 71351233.

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

Poetry Evenings

Samuel Taylor Coleridge described poetry as, “The best words in the best order.” Mary Murphy will explore how Coleridge’s poetry can help us reach within to describe the beauty of nature, the pain and joy of life and dimensions of spiritual experience. Dates 10th/24th February and 10th/24th March. Time: 7.30pm – 9.30pm. Venue: Thornhill Centre. Cost: £5 per night. Please phone 71351233 to reserve a place.

Q. Because of a physical disability I am in constant pain. I have been told to accept this as God’s will. Is it wrong if I ask God to take away the suffering?

A. Jesus asked the Father to take away his cup of suffering, if possible. We also read that Jesus answered the prayers of people for healing. So, the first Christian response to suffering is to seek healing from God and through medical remedies. However, if it happens that the suffering is unavoidable, then the Christian response is to accept the cup of suffering in union with Jesus. But it is never wrong to ask for healing.

Fr. Silvester O’Flynn OFM Cap

Irish Children’s Pilgrimage Trust

The Irish Children’s Pilgrimage Trust is taking children/young people with special needs [both physical and learning disability] from the ages of 9-21 years of age from all over Ireland to Lourdes on Easter Sunday [4th – 10th April 2010]. The IHCPT is looking urgently for nurses to travel with groups this Easter. if you would be interested in travelling please contact Mary on 0035387 962047 for further details. The cost of the fare is €640 [euro].

Vocations Information Day

A Day of Reflection on the theme Vocation on Saturday 20th February from 11.30am until 4.00pm in the Thornhill Retreat Centre, Derry. For further information please contact your local priests or your RE Teachers.

To Parents of a New Born Child

• Baptisms are normally celebrated in Leckpatrick on Saturday at 7.45pm or on Sunday at 12.15pm.

• Each sponsor must not be less than sixteen years of age and must be a practising Catholic.

• Please bring a baptismal garment to the ceremony. The infant should not be wearing it coming to the church, but will be clothed in it by the priest at the appropriate point in the ceremony.

• Please bring a reasonably substantial candle to the ceremony. It is preferable that each child in the family should have his or her own baptismal candle.

• Note that Canon Law states that ‘parents, sponsors and parish priests are to take care that a name is not given which is foreign to Christian sentiment.’

• Please make arrangements with the priest in good time, and see that the baptismal card is completed three or four days before the ceremony at the latest.

• Kindly remember that the church is a sacred space, and is worthy of reverence and respect at all times, including the period when photographs are being taken after the ceremony.

• Finally, congratulations on the birth of your child! Your child’s baptism will be a special occasion for you and your family. It will also be a special occasion for our parish as we welcome your new born baby into the Christian community.