Parish News for Sunday 16th Dec 2007

Third Sunday of Advent

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

Questioning Voices

Step into a dank, rat-infested dungeon in Judaea. Peer through the cell’s only window. Consider the plight of the man on the floor. His words have triggered a revolution that will span two millennia. He’s been described as courageous, noble, prophetic and visionary.

What do you see? A hero? He appears anything but: cheeks hollow, beard matted. Perhaps with bewilderment etched on his face. John the Baptist had never known doubt. Hunger, yes. Loneliness, often. But doubt? Never. Only raw conviction, straight talking and unvarnished truth. Until now.

Now the sun is blocked. Now his courage wanes. Now the clouds come. Maybe he sniffed anxiously for a touch of that sulphur and brimstone he expected of the Messiah. Now, as he faces death, he raises not a victory but a question of Jesus. ‘Find out if Jesus is the One, the Son of God, or not’.

Had he forgotten the Jordan, where he announced Jesus as the Lamb of God and the skies opened? Apparently we all do. We are anxious to know if the efforts we make have any meaning.

John’s puzzled question is echoed by many who do not see an offspring, a plan or a movement working out exactly as anticipated. Nobody wants to be duped. The response to heartfelt questioning is the same: Trust in him, have courage and steadfastness in your daily task. Do not lose heart.


Last week’s Collection was £1.623.00. Many thanks.

Christmas Confessions Wednesday 19th December:
Sacred Heart Church:
Confessions after 10.00am Mass
Confessions at 7.00pm

Friday 21st December:
Sacred Heart Church:
Confessions after 10.00am Mass
Confessions at 7.00pm

Cloughcor Church:
Confessions at 7.30pm

Glenmornan Church:
Confessions at 8.00pm

Saturday 22nd December:
Sacred Heart Church:
Confessions at 11.30am
Confessions at 6.15pm and after the Vigil Mass

Parish Savings Scheme
The Parish Savings Scheme for 2008 will begin on Saturday 29th December 2007. Those who would like to become new members of the scheme should give their names and addresses to one of the collectors or contact the parish office [71882274] by tomorrow [Monday] at the latest. Collectors are also asked to submit amended lists to the Parish Office by tomorrow. We are very grateful to all those who saved with us during the past year. A special word of thanks is due to the collectors and to the Savings Committee who give so much of their time to do this very necessary work. New sheets will be available for collection at the Parish office from Thursday 20th December 2007.

Penance Service in Melmount
There will be a Penance Service followed by confessions in St. Mary’s Church, Melmount next Sunday 23rd December, from 5.00pm until 6.30pm. Several priests from surrounding parishes will be available.

Carol Service
A Carol Service will be presented by St. Mary’s Primary School, Cloughcor on Thursday 20th December at 7.30pm in the Sacred Heart Church.
Everyone will be welcome.

Times of Christmas Masses in Leckpatrick
Sacred Heart Church:
First Mass of Christmas at 9.00pm on Monday 24th December
Dawn Mass at 9.00am
Day Mass at 11.30am

St. Mary’s Church, Cloughcor:
Dawn Mass at 9.15am

St. Joseph’s Church, Glenmornan:
Day Mass at 10.15am

Youth Team - Derry diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes
16th – 21st July 2008. Places are available for those aged 14 or 15years old in July who would like to be members of the Youth Team. Places are available for those aged 17 or 18 in July who would like to be members of the ‘Leader-in-Training Group’ [LIT]. Cost £449Stg. Application forms are available from the Pilgrimage office. Telephone [028] 71260293.

Nazareth House
Thank you very much for your letter and generous church collection of £1,122.00 which we recently received. The Sisters are most grateful. May God bless and reward each one of you in His own special way for your great generosity. Our project this year is to replace the water tanks. Thanks to your generous support we can now continue with this work.

A Lesson from the Trees

Not long ago the trees were loaded with golden leaves.
Though pretty to look at, they robbed me of the world beyond.
but now that the leaves have fallen
I am able to look through the skeletal branches
to the deep blue sky beyond.
Teach us, God Lord,
how to take care of our material needs
without neglecting our spiritual needs;
how to take care of ourselves
without neglecting others;
and how to live joyfully in this world
without losing sight of the world to come.

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.