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

Sunday, June 20th 2010

The 12th Sunday in Ordinary Time

He gave his life for us

Jesus said to his disciples: “If you lose your life for my sake you will gain it”. The world in which we live tells us that the most important thing is to look after ourselves. And there is some wisdom in this. Jesus tells us to look after one another and then everyone will be o.k. There is even more wisdom in this. It is only when we get caught up with ourselves that we become unhappy. When we are focused on the well-being of others we can achieve great happiness. That is the way of Jesus. We live out this way of love and self-emptying first of all in the intimate relationships of marriage and family life. Our homes should be places of mutual support and encouragement, places where each person can truly be at home. The only way this can happen is when we make it happen. The same is true of our faith community.

Fr. Johnny Doherty, C.Ss.R.

Sunday, 20th June 2010

Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time

First Reading: Zechariah 12:10-11
The prophet looks forward to a time when a new spirit will be poured out on the
people as happened at Pentecost and they will mourn over the death of Jesus.

Second Reading: Galatians 3:26-29
Our unity in Christ has done away with distinctions, and means that
Jesus and Gentiles alike are heirs to the promises made to Abraham.

Gospel: Luke 9:18-24
Jesus is revealed as the Messiah, but a suffering Messiah.
Suffering will be part of the lives of his followers too.

Fr. John Doherty’s Golden Jubilee

At last, the waiting is over! The day has arrived! The special Mass for Fr. John’s Golden Jubilee will take place in the Sacred Heart Church this [Sunday] evening at 5.00pm. The Mass will be followed by refreshments in Floyds Restaurant, Ballymagorry. All parishioners are cordially invited.

Other Golden Jubilarians

We congratulate Bishop Francis Lagan, Fr. Séamus O’Connell, who is parish priest of Maghera, and Fr. Michael Collins, who is parish priest of Limavady, who are also celebrating 50 years in the priesthood this year. Sadly, two other classmates are no longer with us – Fr. John Eddie Friel, who served in this parish from 1975 until 1982 and who died in April 1985, and Fr. Séamus Farrelly, who was parish priest of Cardonagh and who died in October 2008. May they rest in peace.

Last week’s Collection was £1,242.00.

Many thanks.

End of Year School Masses

An end of year School Mass will take place in St. Joseph’s Church, Glenmornan on Tuesday 22nd June at 10.00am. Everybody, especially parents and family members of the children will be welcome.

A similar Mass will be celebrated in St. Mary’s Church. Cloughcor on Wednesday 23rd June, also at 10.00am. Again, all are welcome.

Because of the above Masses, there will be no 10.00am Masses in the Sacred Heart Church on Tuesday or Wednesday.

Foyle Hospice Midnight Walk

Foyle Hospice’s Strabane Midnight Walk will take place on Friday 25th June 2010. This is a ladies only 3.5mile sponsored walk which commences at midnight! Come along for a fun night out on the town with a difference! Please get your entry forms in as soon as possible as numbers are filling up. For further information and entry forms please contact Foyle Hospice Fundraising Centre [028] 71359888, Strabane Shop [028] 71886241, visit www.foylehospice.com or email rachelbruce@foylehospice.com. Thank you for your support.

Termonbacca

A One Day Retreat for senior citizens and their friends will take pace at the Carmelite Retreat Centre, Termonbacca on Wednesday 23rd June for those from the Derry and Donegal areas. Registration from 10.30am finishing at around 5.00pm. Cost £15stg or €18euro includes a four course lunch. Payment at the centre on the day. To book telephone Termonbacca, Derry 71262512 during office hours only.

Healing Through Remembering:

Day of Private Reflection - Mon 21st June 2010. The Columba Community is making its premises at Columba House, Derry, St Anthony’s Retreat Centre, Burnfoot and the IOSAS Centre and Celtic Prayer Garden, Muff available to anyone who wishes to mark this day of individual reflection. Visit www.dayofreflection.com for more details about the day.

North West Regional College
North West Regional College Derry, Limavady and Strabane is now offering an exciting range of part-time courses which commence this September. A number of new courses will be offered this year in a range of subject areas. For a copy of its new Part-time Prospectus, contact the College: telephone [028] 71276000, or email infor@nwrc.ac.uk

Parish Envelopes – A Warning!
Please note that the new parish envelopes are now ‘peel and seal’.

Free Hearing Aid Support Sessions
Do you wear a hearing aid or know of someone who does? RNID is running a free monthly hearing aid support session in St. Patrick’s Hall, Barrack Street, Strabane. It will be held on the last Thursday of every month from 1.00pm until 2.30pm starting on 24th June. If you’re having trouble with your hearing aid, or need new batteries, or just need some advice, come along and talk to a trained RNID volunteer. They’ll be glad to help.

True glory
Some people have an excessive need of approval from others.
The great luminaries of stage and screen glow
under the adulation of their fans.
But when the curtain goes down, and the lights fade,
they often feel empty and lonely,
because they realise that they are valued,
not for themselves, but only for their talent.
Lord, grant that I may not get carried away when people praise me,
or become downcast when people ignore me.
Grant that I may have a little lamp of my own,
a lamp which will enable me to see the dignity which you have given me,
and which no one can take from me.