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

Sunday, 20th September 2009

25th Sunday of the Year

Christ the Son of God

Jesus said to his disciples: 'If anyone wants to be first he/she must make himself/herself least of all and servant of all.' Whoever said that religion is the opium of the people obviously never read the Gospels because if opium was nearly as difficult to take as some of the things that Jesus said there would be very few people taking it! And yet the truth is that only his way works. We all want to be first in so many different ways. We can see people in every sphere of life going around puffed up with their self-importance, often putting others down in order to keep their position. It is the opposite to the way of Jesus and can never lead to lasting happiness. This week again we are invited to practise putting other people first, especially in our families and communities, and know the joy that this brings.

Fr. Johnny Doherty, C.Ss.R.

Living the Sunday Liturgy

PRAYER FOCUS

May we love one another.
What does 'love one another' mean in your life right now?

Take time to wonder at the beauty of a baby or small child.
Could you babysit for someone this week?

“Anyone who welcomes one of these little children in my name, welcomes me; and anyone who welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me.”

Sunday, 20th September 2009

Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

First Reading Wisdom 2: 12. 17-20
The godless plot to do away with the just one, because his blameless life is a reproach to them.

Second Reading James 3: 16 – 4: 3
Jealousy, ambition and self-seeking lead to disharmony and fighting. Gentleness, reasonableness and mercy lead to peace.

Gospel Mark 9: 30-37
Jesus tells his apostles he will suffer bitter humiliation and death, and says true greatness shows itself in service towards the weaker members of the community.

True Greatness

Greatness is measured today by the nonsense that surrounds celebrities. The silly and empty aspects of their lives are put before us for admiration and even imitation. At times we drip-feed ourselves on this meaningless diet.

In today’s gospel the disciples argued among themselves about ‘which of them was the greatest.’ These special friends of Jesus were beautifully human: they looked for ambition, prestige and power among themselves. Titles, honours, the desire to be the centre of decisions and complacency in the authority entrusted to us are temptations to be found in many of us.

Today’s gospel reminds us that the mark of the disciple consists in being ‘the last of all and the servant of all.’ Anything else is a major perversion of the Gospel.

Collection
Last week’s collection amounted to £2,298.00. Many thanks.

Nuns’ Collection
The recent collection for the Sisters of Nazareth amounted to £1,125.00. On behalf of the sisters, many thanks.

Sacramental Preparation for Parents

The annual meeting for the parents of the children who hope to receive the sacraments of First Holy Communion and Confirmation will take place on Thursday 12th November 2009 at 7.30pm in the Sacred Heart Church, Derry Road.

Trócaire Global Gifts

Trócaire’s annual Global Gifts offer the chance to purchase real Christmas gifts for the poor in developing countries which are also items vital to simple survival, such as food, water, shelter, farm animals and many more. In 2009 Trócaire is looking for volunteers in the Derry diocese to help promote these life-changing gifts in your parish or community. If you or a friend can give a day or two to this rewarding opportunity, please contact Trócaire’s new NW representative, Lawrence McBride telephone [028] 71357288 or 1mcbride@trocaire.ie. Thank you.

IHCPT

Young People’s Pilgrimage to Lourdes Easter 2010

Around 500 young people from all over Ireland spend a week on pilgrimage in Lourdes with the Irish Pilgrimage Trust at Easter. [www.irishpilgrimage.com]
The Trust welcomes applications from young people with:

- A physical disability or illness/suffering/trauma/bereavement [aged 11yrs – 18yrs]
- A learning disability [aged 11yrs – 21yrs]
- Jet Set Group – Physical Disability [18yrs – 25yrs]
- Jet Set Disability – Learning Disability [21yrs – 30yrs]

The organisation also has family groups for very seriously ill children under the age of 9yrs, accompanied by a parent or a close relative.

The IHCPT covers the cost of those young people selected to travel. If there is a young person that you feel would be eligible and would benefit from a trip to Lourdes, or if you would like further information about the pilgrimage please contact Damian on 07968312770 or IHCPT, Kilcuan, Clarenbridge,
Co. Galway, at [00 353 91] 796622 for further details and an application form. The closing date for applications is
31st October 2009.

Urgent Pro-Life Petition

Precious Life urgently requires volunteers to help in their Petition Campaign to protect unborn children from the Department of Health Guidelines which will make abortion available in Northern Ireland. You can help by collecting petition signatures outside your church and in your community. For petition sheets, campaign leaflets, or further information, please contact Bernadette [028] 9027 8484.

Reflection

God’s inspiration is at work in everyone.
However, there are people in whom divine inspiration
seems to have no effect;
people who commit crimes cold-bloodedly,
and who never rejoice at the sight of the true and the beautiful.
Even though they may seem to prosper,
their punishment is assured even in this world.
The anxieties and fears that assail them
make their prosperity a bitterness to them.
As for the just, even though their passage through life
is often dogged by misfortune,
the inward satisfaction of obeying divine inspiration
gives them great strength,
and is sufficient reward for them.