Parish News for Sunday 11th Nov 2007

32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

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

The Defeat of Death

The first reading and Gospel of today are an invitation to take a close look at the fact of death.

In the last centuries of the Old Testament men and women were sensing that death was not a cessation of all life. They were beginning to see it as a transition to new life. This insight could make suffering even something as severe as martyrdom worthwhile.

This is the whole point behind today’s story of the Maccabees. And it is what lies behind Jesus’ almost contemptuous answer to the Sadducees’ silly contentious question in today’s Gospel. They were materialistic men with no belief in life after death, even though many of their own people had come to cherish that belief after centuries of reflection.

For Jesus, that belief was everything. It lay beneath his promise to us of everlasting life, and beneath his own cry on the cross when he commended his spirit to the Father.

Lord Jesus, make our belief in everlasting life with you vital and productive in our lives. Even in our fear of death, give us the confidence of life. And when the moment comes for each of us, listen to your mother as she prays for us “now and at the hour of our death”. You, Lord, defeated death. Make your victory ours.

Last week’s Collection was £1,574.00. Many thanks.

The recent collection for the Missions amounted to £1,730.00. Thank you.

November Service for the Dead
The November Services for the Dead will take place as follows;
St. Mary’s Church, Cloughcor today [Sunday] 11th November at 5.00pm.
St. Joseph’s Church, Glenmornan today [Sunday] 11th November at 5.00pm.

Derry Diocesan Society Mass
The 7.00pm Vigil Mass in the Sacred Heart Church next Saturday 17th November will be said for the deceased members of the Derry Diocesan Society.

Sick and Housebound
The sick and housebound will be attended on Tuesday morning and afternoon.

NI Blood Transfusion Service
A team from the NI Blood Transfusion Service will be collecting blood donations in St. Patrick’s Hall, Strabane on Monday 12th November from 1.30pm until 4.00pm and again from 5.15pm until 8.00pm. Both existing and new donors are welcome – you could save a life!

Knock Marriage Introductions Bureau
The aim of the Bureau is to introduce people considering marriage to a suitable marriage partner. For further information contact the Bureau at Knock, Co. Mayo. Phone [00 353] 94 93755960 or visit our website www.knockmarriageburaeau.com

Diocesan Mass for Deceased Young People
There will be a Special Diocesan Mass on Sunday 25th November at 3.00pm in the Holy Family Church, Ballymagroarty, Derry. The Mass will be an opportunity for family and friends who have lost young loved ones to come together in a spirit of prayer and hope. If you have been bereaved or affected by a young death we invite you in faith to come to remember the life of your loved one. All are welcome.

Diocesan Mass for Deceased Teachers
The Annual Diocesan Mass for deceased teachers will be celebrated in the Immaculate Conception Church, Strabane on Monday 12th November at 7.30pm. Bishop Hegarty will celebrate the Mass and all are welcome.

Trócaire
Trócaire would like to thank the parishioners of Leckpatrick for their recent donation of £1,000 towards their work in the developing world. Your continued support is much appreciated.

Returning to God
We are born in exile and die there too.
As soon as we set sail on the great voyage of life,
we begin our return.
When we die,
we do not so much go to God as return to him.
Like homesick cranes that fly night and day
back to their mountain nests,
so let all our lives take their voyage to you, O Lord.
For you have made us for yourself,
and our hearts will never rest, until they rest in you.
Only those who have flown home to You have flown at all.

Prayer for Priests

Eucharist: a prayer inspired by the Mass

O Lord!
Look into our hearts this day and read us
Look in our souls this day and hear us
When we thrust out our hands for help - hold us
When we open our arms for love - embrace us
When we bow our heads to thee - bless us
When we give of ourselves - come to us. Amen.
Judith Ann Pounder

Lord Jesus, bless all priests and give them grace to do your great work on earth. Keep them, Lord, close to your heart and under the shadow of your protection. Bless their labours for you and grant that their harvest of souls may be a source of joy and consolation to them during life and may merit an everlasting reward for them in death, that having led many souls to you they may see you to face to face. Amen.

Telephone numbers if you feel you cannot cope

Samaritans - 0845 790 9090

Zest - a counselling service offering free support to those who feel suicidal, friends and loved ones who have been affected by suicide and those who self harm. Telephone 7126 6999 or e-mail. zestni@yahoo.co.uk

Prayer for the Suicidal

O Eternal Father, we pray for all those who are suicidal.
May Your loving hand guide and protect them
so they receive the help they need,
preventing them from dying from suicide.
Let them know that we need them and love them,
show them Your love Lord Jesus.
Remind them that they are very special people,
filling their minds with beautiful memories.
Give them everything they need so as to ease their pain,
grant that they may find hope, comfort, guidance
and healing in every way possible.
Let them feel our love, and Your love,
carry them when they are weary.
Embrace them and let Your love
shine down upon them always. Amen.