Parish News for Sunday 10th February 2008

First Sunday of Lent

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

Mass Times
Sacred Heart Church, Derry Road
Weekdays
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday – 10.00am

Sundays
Vigil: 7.00pm, 11.30am

St. Mary’s Church, Cloughcor
Thursday - 7.30pm : Sunday - 9.15am

St. Joseph’s Church, Glenmornan
Friday - 7.30pm : Sunday - 10.15am

Confessions

Saturday
Sacred Heart Church at 11.30am and 6.15pm

Second Sunday in Lent

Light From Within

Sometimes we awake on a winter’s morning and look out on a world transformed during the long night by snow. It puts caps on posts, delicately contoured lips on hills, overhanging blankets on roofs. It blots out all colours and unites them in the one colour that contains them all: white. It leaves nothing untouched. And when the storm is finished and before a stunned world begins to stir, there is a deep quiet unlike any other stillness we ever experience. It is a transformation, a transfiguration.

But lovely as it is, it only hints at the transfiguration the Lord experienced in today’s Gospel. Snow covers things; it is beauty laid on. The difference between this beauty and the Lord’s is that his came from within. All the deepest reality that he is shone for a few minutes through his body and even through his clothing. For an instant three men glimpsed eternity.

Lord, you became a prism through whom shone all the beauty of humanity which had surrendered itself completely to divinity. Yes, Lord, your transfiguration came from within the depth of your being.

And during this Lent you invite us to be transformed into your image. You are not interested in our assuming some kind of overlay of seeming virtue. You want us to be so open to you that your goodness can become ours where it really counts: in our hearts and our spirits. Lord, transfigure our darkness into your own wonderful light!

Last week’s Collection was £1,416.00. Many thanks.

Solemn Annual Exposition
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament will begin today (Sunday) in St. Joseph’s Church, Glenmornan after the 10.15am Mass, and will close with a Lenten Eucharistic Service at 5.00pm. Exposition will take place in St. Mary’s Church, Cloughcor on Sunday 2nd March.

Taize
Join us for an hour of meditative prayer and Taize chant on Wednesday 20th February in the Day Chapel, Melmount from 7.30pm until 8.30pm. All welcome.

Owen Roe O’Neill’s G.A.C.
The Club is currently looking for coaches for all its Youth teams at U-8, U-10, U-12 (boys and girls), U-14, U-16 (boys and girls) and Minors. It would be ideal if each team could have at least 3 or 4 persons looking after them. If any of last year's coaches would still like to continue coaching or if any new people are interested in helping out please contact Joe Hegarty ASAP.

If any local business would like to renew their sponsorship or to take on sponsorship of one of the Club's teams they are asked to contact Club Secretary Joe Hegarty (0771 266 8329). Sponsors are currently being sought for the Club’s Reserve, Minor, boys & girls’ U-16 and theU-14 teams.

Alzheimer’s Support Group
The Alzheimer’s Support Group will meet on Wednesday 20th February at 7.30pm in Melmount Manor Care Home, 1 Orchard Road, Strabane. Guest speaker will be Rita Henderson [Ward Manager, Specialist Unit] who will be speaking on ‘Challenging Behaviour’. Everyone is welcome.

Month’s Mind Mass
The Month’s Mind Mass for the late Teresa Doherty, Calhame will take place in the Immaculate Conception Church, Strabane on Wednesday 20th February at 7.00pm.

Thornhill Centre, Derry
Matthew Mondays – A 4-week beginners bible-study course on the Gospel of Matthew starts on Monday 18th February from 11.00am until 12.45pm. Bibles will be available for use. Suggested donation: £5. Please telephone [028] 71351233 to book.

Reflection

Time for adoration
The Gospels show clearly that Peter was a man of action;
he always needed to be doing something.
So on Mount Tabor, instead of contemplating in silence and wonder the glory of his Lord,
he wanted to build three tents.
There is a time for stillness,
for contemplation, for wonder,
for adoration in the presence of God.
A time to heed the words of the psalmist:
‘Be still, and know I am God’.
Sometimes we are too busy.
We would be better to be silent,
to be listening, to be wondering,
to be adoring in the presence of God.