Parish News for Sunday 10th February 2008

First Sunday of Lent

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

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
Sunday - 9.15am

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

Confessions

Saturday
Sacred Heart Church at 11.30am and 6.15pm

First Sunday in Lent

Garden Stories

Our Lenten journey begins in the first reading’s Garden of Eden, and ends in a borrowed garden tomb in Jerusalem. Today we focus on the only two temptations recorded in the Bible:

• the temptation of Adam in the first reading, with his fall along with us into sin and death;
• the temptation of Christ in the Gospel ending with the fall of Satan and the rescue of humanity from sin and death.

Temptation itself is not sin. It usually begins with an assault on God’s Word. Like the serpent’s ‘Did God really say …?’ – a question posed to us and by us all the time. Did God really say: ‘Honour your parents,’ ‘Do not murder/steal/covet’. Did he really say that to us? Perhaps it doesn’t apply to our modern, enlightened world?

Temptation can tap into our human craving for food, independence and attention. The devil knew his ground when he tempted Jesus, turning stones into bread, giving him great possessions, getting great attention. It didn’t work with Jesus but the rest of us may be more prone. Lent is a time to watch out, as the devil may be leading us down the garden path.

Last week’s Collection was £1,738.00. Many thanks.

Solemn Annual Exposition
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament will begin today (Sunday) in the Sacred Heart Church after the 11.30am Mass, and will close with a Lenten Eucharistic Service at 5.00pm. Exposition will take place in St. Joseph’s Church, Glenmornan next Sunday.

Padre Pio Devotions
Padre Pio devotions will take place on Wednesday 13th February with the Rosary commencing at 6.45pm followed by Mass at 7.00pm.

World Day of the Sick – 11th February
In 1992 Pope John Paul instituted the World Day of the Sick to be held each year on the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. On that day in 1858, 150 years ago this year, Mary first appeared to Bernadette Soubirous. On Tuesday 11th February, we are invited to pray for the sick throughout the world, that they may receive healing and inner peace.

Sick and Housebound
The sick and infirm will be attended on the morning and afternoon of Tuesday 12th February.

Our Parish Website
Some parishioners may not be aware that a parish website was set up a few months ago, with the following address: www.leckpatrickparish.com It contains historical records of the parish, many items of parish news, reflections and prayers, and several photographs of the three parish churches. It is also updated each week. Some of our emigrants may be interested in keeping up to date with what is going on back home, so perhaps they would appreciate being given the above website address.

Special Diocesan Mass
The Annual Diocesan Mass for those with special needs, and their families and friends, will take place in St. Joseph’s Church, Galliagh, Derry on Saturday 12th April 2008. Bishop Lagan will celebrate Mass. If you have a child who wishes to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation of First Communion at this Mass please contact the Catechetical Centre on [028] 71264087.

Concerned about Suicide
An information evening entitled ‘Concerned About Suicide’ will be held in the City Hotel, Derry on Tuesday 19th February from 7.30pm until 9.30pm. This evening has been organised by representatives from the four main Christian Churches and will be led by Mr Barry McGale & Mrs Anne McGarrigle. Everyone is welcome.

Reflection

Pruning time
Pruning time is a painful time for a fruit tree.
The pruner rids it of all those suckers
which use up a lot of energy but produce no fruit.
However, the aim of this surgery is not to inflict pain,
but to help the tree produce more and better fruit.
Lent is a kind of spiritual pruning time.
There is much that is useless
and perhaps harmful in our lives,
which saps our energy,
and diminishes our spiritual fruitfulness.
Of what shall we prune ourselves this Lent
so that we may become more fruitful branches
of Christ, the true Vine?