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

Sunday 10th May 2009

Fifth Sunday of Easter

Christ the True Vine

Jesus said to his disciples: "It is to the glory of my Father that you should bear much fruit." When we think of faith we generally think of our faith in God. Jesus reveals God's faith in us, and the trust he puts in us to show his love to the world in which we live. We 'bear much fruit' for God by the way we love one another, first of all in our homes, and then in our community. Each of us has a great responsibility to practise all the qualities of love constantly - kindness, gentleness, compassion, understanding, forgiveness, encouragement, praise, thanksgiving and so on. Our homes and our parish community should be places where everyone can be glad to be and can know God's love and praise his name. In this way, the renewal of the Church is never completed but is something that is started fresh every Sunday.

Fr. Johnny Doherty, C.Ss.R

Sunday 10th May 2009

5th Sunday of Easter

First Reading Acts of the Apostles 9: 26-31
Saul (Paul) overcomes the suspicions of the other disciples and begins preaching.

Second Reading John 3: 18-24
Our love must be expressed not just in words, but in real action.

Gospel John 15: 1-8
Whoever remains in Jesus bears fruit in plenty.

Fifth Sunday of Easter

Only by the Grace of God …

A second-level teacher died and arrived at the gates of heaven. He was on his way in when Peter stopped him. Peter explained that they had just introduced a new system of assessment, which was based on the points system used for the entry of third level colleges. The number of points required was one thousand. He asked the teacher what he had done during his time down on earth. The teacher had been a very religious man, and he felt this was his big moment. ‘I went to Mass every day for the past fifty years,’ he proclaimed. Peter didn’t seem to be too impressed, as he made a day note on a writing pad, with the comment ‘Very good. That’s one point.’ The poor teacher was shocked. Peter asked him what else he had done. Once again the teacher reached for one of his trump cards as he announced, ‘I was involved in Third world agencies, in the Vincent de Paul Society, and in other charitable organisations.’ ‘OK,’ said Peter, ‘how much did you collect or contribute.’ ‘Over the years, I’d say I raised twenty or thirty thousand pounds.’ ‘Very good,’ says Peter, as he makes another note, ‘that’s another point.’ By this time the poor teacher was completely deflated, as he muttered to himself, ‘I think it’s only by the grace of God that I’m going to get in there.’ Peter heard him, and asked, ‘What’s that you said?’ ‘I said that I’m thinking it’s only by the grace of God I’m going to get in there.’ ‘Good man!’ says Peter, ‘If you really believe that, go on in, because that’s the thousand points.’ Yes, indeed, it’s only by the grace of God that you and I will win eternal life.’

Last week’s Collection was £1,426.00. Many thanks.

Cemetery Sunday
The Blessing of the Graves will take place in St. Joseph’s, Glenmornan next Sunday 17th at 3.00pm. Please bring holy water to be used at the sprinkling of the graves.

Caring for our graveyards
We are very grateful to those of you who do your best to keep the three graveyards in our parish neat and tidy. It’s a wonderful mark of respect to our loved ones who are buried there. We thank you for making use of the special containers to dispose of used flowers etc.

Derry Diocesan Mass
Mass in St. Mary’s Church, Cloughcor on Thursday 14th May at 7.30pm will be said for the deceased members of the Derry Diocesan Society.

Questions People Ask

Q. The Gospel mentions the brothers and sisters of Jesus. Did Mary and Joseph have other children?

A. The most likely explanation is that in the Aramaic language, brothers and sisters included the wider family of what we would call cousins. There are some clear instances in the Bible where cousins are called ‘brother’ or sister’. For instance, Abraham called his wife, Sarah, his sister. Tobias told his cousin, another Sarah, that he would call her his sister.

The doctrine of Mary’s virginity is based on Christian reflection on the unique place of Mary’s motherhood in the history of salvation.

Pioneer Meeting

The next meeting of the Pioneer Association will take place on Monday
11th May at 8.00pm followed directly by a meeting of the St. Vincent de Paul Society.

Owen Roe O’Neill’s G.A.C.

For details of club notes please refer to the poster on the noticeboard at the back of the church.

First Holy Communion 2009

We congratulate the children of Strabane Primary School who received First Holy Communion yesterday [Saturday] in the Sacred Heart Church, and we wish God’s blessing on the boys and girls from St. Joseph’s Primary School who are receiving First Holy Communion today in Glenmornan.

Children from St. Mary’s Primary School will receive Holy Communion for the first time next Saturday 16th May in the Sacred Heart Church at 11.00am.

We pray that all our First Communicants will remain special friends of Jesus all during their lives.

Reflection

Lord, you said:
‘I am the vine, you are the branches.
Separated from me you can do nothing,
but united with me you will bear much fruit.’
Thank you, Lord for the bond you formed with us.
And thank you for the bond that exists among us
because of our union with you.
Thanks to this bond we have invisible riches
to share with one another.
Grant that we may never be separated from you,
so that we may produce in the world
the fruits of faith, hope, and love.