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

Sunday 14th June 2009

The Body & Blood of Christ

"Take this and eat", Jesus said, "This is my body. This is my blood, the blood of the covenant which is to be poured out for many." What an extraordinary love Christ has for us that led him to give us this wonderful sacrament through which he is our food and drink. And yet we become so used to the knowledge of it that we can even see it as a burden. But we do the same with our love for one another. In marriage and family life many people feel burdened by the demands of love. In parish life we can settle for a minimum. This week is a very special time to renew the sense of awe that should be ours when we think of the extent of God's love for us and the privilege of our love for one another. It is a week to cry out: "My Lord, and my God" and to say again to each other "I love you".

Fr. Johnny Doherty, C.Ss.R.

Sunday 14th June 2009

The Body & Blood of Christ

First Reading Exodus 24: 3-8
This is the blood of the Covenant that the Lord has made with you.

Second Reading Hebrews 9: 11-15
The blood of Christ can purify our inner self from dead actions.

Gospel Mark 14: 12-16, 22-26
Jesus took some bread said the blessing broke it and gave it to them: ‘Take it this is my body’. He took the cup; he said to them, ‘This is my blood’.

The Body & Blood of Christ

Corpus Christi

Those of you who are older will remember the words Corpus Christ from the Latin Mass, as you were about the receive Holy Communion. You will recall the Corpus Christi processions that are still held in parts of the country and throughout the world – a reminder of the true presence of Jesus in the sacred host. That is why we receive Holy Communion with reverence and devotion and why many people adore the Lord in the Blessed Sacrament.

We need the sacrament of the Eucharist. It’s not an optional extra, where we starve ourselves to death spiritually for weeks on end. In receiving Holy Communion, we are nourished, healed and revitalised. ‘If you do not eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you’. [John 6:53].

Having recognised Christ in the breaking of the bread, we must also recognise him in the poor, broken, marginalised members of his body. We stop focusing on our own problems and open our hearts today to the hurting members of our families and communities.

Collection
Last week’s collection amounted to £1571.00. Many thanks.

Peter’s Pence
Two collections will be taken up at all Masses next weekend – the weekly envelope collection and, after Communion, the collection marked ‘Peter’s Pence’ – for the Pope and papal charities.

End of Year School Masses

The end of year School Mass will take place in St. Joseph’s Church, Glenmornan on Tuesday 23rd June at 10.00am. Parents and family members of the children will be welcome.

A similar Mass will be celebrated in
St. Mary’s Cloughcor on Wednesday
24th June, also at 10.00am.

Month’s Mind Mass

The Month’s Mind Mass for the late Margaret McDaid, Artigarvan will take place tomoroow [Monday] in St. Mary’s Church, Cloughcor at 7.30pm.

Eucharistic Congress 2012

His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI has announced that Ireland will host the 50th International Eucharistic Congress in Dublin in 2012.

At the March meeting of the Irish Episcopal Conference, it was decided that an annual National Collection, towards the costs of planning and hosting the Eucharistic Congress, would take place in parishes throughout the country on the weekend of Corpus Christi, each year from now until 2012.

Parishioners are asked to contribute whatever they can afford in a second collection which will be taken up after Communion at all Masses this weekend.

Blessing of Graves

The annual Blessing of Graves for the parish of Camus will take place this [Sunday] afternoon at 3.00pm.

The Blessing of Graves for the parish of Clonleigh will take place tomorrow [Monday] evening at 7.00pm.

Congratulations

Our congratulations and best wishes are extended to Fr. Pat O’Hagan, Melmount on the occasion of his silver Jubilee.
Ad multos annos!

Taizé – Join us for an hour of meditative prayer and Taizé chant on Wednesday 17th June at 7.30pm in St. Colman’s Chapel.

Night at the Races

In aid of Columban Charities there will be a night at the races in St. Patrick’s Hall, Strabane on Friday 19th June 2009 at 9.00pm sharp!

North West Regional College
Considering College this September …Strabane Campus, North West Regional College invites all pupils, parents and friends to a Special Information evening on Tuesday 16th June from 6.00pm until 9.00pm.
Advice, support, tours and guidance on courses will be available at Derry Road, Strabane. For information telephone [028] 71276084 or visit www.nwrc.ac.uk

Blessed are the Hungry

‘Blessed are the hungry; they shall have their fill.’
It is in our emptiness that we are filled.
It is in our confusion that we are guided.
It is in our weakness that we are strengthened.
It is in our sins that we are forgiven.
It is in our hunger that we are fed.
We believe that God has a homeland prepared for us where all our hungers will be satisifed and all our hpoes will be fulfilled.
This belief makes it possible for us to travel onwards with an ache in our hearts and an unquenchable longing in our souls.

Parish Savings Cheques

Please contact the parish office [028] 71882274 if your cheque has expired.

Addiction – The First Step in Recovery

Learn from the past, plan for the future and live in the present.

Dependence on alcohol, other drugs or gambling presents life threatening physical and mental health challenges for individuals, stress and relationship difficulties in families, financial problems for all concerned, educational issues for children and young people, deaths on roads and crime on our streets.
An honest response to the following questions will confirm evidence of addiction.

- Have you ever felt that you should cut down on your use of alcohol, other drugs or the time and money spent on gambling?
- Have people annoyed you by criticizing your dependence on alcohol, other drugs or the time and money spent on gambling?
- Have you ever felt guilty about your dependence on alcohol, other drugs or the time and money spent on gambling?
- Have you needed alcohol or another drug first thing in the morning to steady your nerves or to get rid of anger?

If you are concerned about your dependence on alcohol, other drugs or gambling, we are glad to advise you that staff in White Oaks Rehabilitation Centre provide a confidential counselling service for individuals, couples or families. It has been said that a journey of 1000 Km begins with the first step. Begin the journey into recovery today.