Sunday 15th March 2009

3rd Sunday of Lent

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

Christ, the Wisdom of God

Jesus said: "Stop turning my Father's house into a market." Isn't it amazing how we human beings can miss the point of even the things we treasure most. The Jewish people saw the Temple as the greatest treasure they had in their life of faith and yet they developed a system of abusing that sacred place in the very name of their religion. We do the same: when we call marriage a Sacrament and then have little care for the couple relationship except when it is in trouble; when we call our homes the Domestic Church and treat them as if Christ did not live there among us; when we talk about our parish as a community of faith but do very little to build community; when we are fed on the Body and Blood of Christ and yet refuse to love and respect many members of the Body of Christ.

Fr. Johnny Doherty, C.Ss.R.

Signposts for Living

‘They don’t know the Commandments any longer …’; perhaps not in the sense of having them off by heart, but what if we don’t know them but try to live the values behind the words?

The Ten Commandments end where they begin. We start with honour due to the Creator and continue with respect for ourselves and all made in His image.
The first three commandments are about the love of God – no idols, no lip service, no Sunday without worship of God. The next four – to honour our parents, not to kill, commit adultery or steal – focus on human relationships. And the last three tell us not to lie, or covet or envy others.

For some, the Ten Commandments in today’s Gospel seem to stress the negatives – what we ‘shall not’ do. But it is God’s love for us that is their essence. Being a Christian means trying to respond by loving God and other people in every situation and in all circumstances.

Last week’s Collection was £1,489.00. Many thanks.

Missionaries of Africa

We welcome Fr. Joe McMenamin, a member of the above missionary society and a native of Aghyaran, who will address the congregation at all the Masses this weekend. He will speak about the work of the ‘White Fathers’ in Africa. A collection will be taken up after the Communion of each Mass.

Solemn Annual Exposition

Solemn Annual Exposition will take place today [Sunday] in St. Mary’s Church, Cloughcor, beginning after the 9.15am Mass and closing with a Eucharistic Service at 5.00pm.

First Anniversary Mass

The First Anniversary Mass for the late Shane Caldwell will take place in
St. Joseph’s Church, Glenmornan on Friday 20th March at 7.30pm.

Thornhil Centre, Derry

An afternoon workshop for choirs of the Tyrone Deanery will be held from 2.00pm until 4.00pm on Saturday 21st March in St. Patrick’s Hall, Castlederg. Music to include pieces for Holy Week and Easter. Cost: £3 per person. To book, please ring [028] 8166 1475 or 71351233.

St. Patrick’s Day

Tuesday 17th March is St. Patrick’s Day, a holy day of obligation.

Masses as follows:

Sacred Heart Church
Monday 7.00pm and Tuesday 11.30am
St. Mary’s Church, Cloughcor
Tuesday 9.15am
St. Joseph’s Church, Glenmornan
Tuesday 10.15am

St. Patrick, Patron of Ireland

Patrick first came to Ireland as a slave, and his early years were spent as a herdsman. During that time he learned to pray, and while doing so he discovered God’s great personal love for him. He was directed towards a ship that would bring him out of captivity to his native land [probably Britain]. He began studies for the priesthood and, in a vision, heard the ‘voice of the Irish’ calling him to come and walk once more among them. He followed that call and returned to Ireland as a missionary, preaching and baptising all over the land. Within his lifetime conversions in Ireland multiplied. His influence in Ireland, mainland Europe, Australia and the Americas is incalculable.

St. Patrick’s Day Collection

The collection for Clerical Education and Ongoing Formation will take place at all St. Patrick’s Day Masses. Please use the envelope in your box of envelopes.

Derry Diocesan Mass

The Vigil Mass in the Sacred Heart Church on Saturday 21st March will be said for the deceased members of the Derry Diocesan Society.

Strabane Family History Society

Strabane Family History Society will meet in Strabane Community Library, Abercorn square on Thursday 19th March at 7.30pm. All members are requested to attend. New members very welcome.

Weekly Envelopes

The new weekly envelopes will be distributed within the next month. If you are not already receiving envelopes and would like a box for the coming year, please contact the secretary at the Parish Office [71882274] by Thursday.

Gift Aid Scheme

Those who are paying tax may wish to join our Gift Aid Scheme – at no extra cost to you. The Parish Gift Aid Scheme means that if you pay through the envelope system in your parish, the Church can recoup 25 pence in every £1 that you contribute. This is a very simple way of gathering extra funds. If interested please contact the parish office [028] 71882274. Many thanks for your co-operation.