Parish News for Sunday 21st Oct 2007

29th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Mission Sunday

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

Proclaim the Message

The Society for the Propagation of the Faith was founded in 1822 by a French laywoman, Pauline Jaricot. She wanted to help not only French missions and French missionaries but all missions and missionaries, especially the poorest.

In 1922 it became the primary organisation of the Church for supporting the activity of missionaries. Pope Pius X1 instituted Mission Sunday in 1926 and ordered that it be observed in all churches and oratories throughout the world as a day of prayer and material support for missionary activity.

It was Pauline Jaricot who drew up the basic plan of the Society. It is one of prayer, offering of suffering and making a financial contribution for the spread of the Faith. Please help missionaries to REFLECT GOD’S LOVE to the millions who have yet to hear about Jesus and the Gospel message.

At all Masses this weekend there will be a second collection for the Missions.

Last week’s Collection was £1,657.00. Many thanks.

Marriage Encounter
A Marriage Enrichment Workshop, presented by Marriage Encounter will take place in Dromantine Conference Centre outside Newry on 2nd November until the 4th November and in the Lake Hotel, Killarney on 9th until 11th November. The weekend is open to all married couples and payment is by anonymous donation. For information and booking please phone Liam and Angela Sheppard at [028] 90626503. Early booking is recommended.

The Wizard of Oz
St. Patrick’s Hall Theatre Committee presents ‘The Wizard of Oz’ from Friday
2nd November until Sunday 11th November commencing at 7.30pm nightly. Admission £7 per adult and £5 per child. Booking available at St. Patrick’s Hall, Telephone [028] 71882483 from Monday 22nd October – Friday 26th October from 1.00pm until 4.00pm.

Precious Life
Urgent Prayer Alert – Precious Life has called for three days of prayer and fasting for a strong pro-life vote in the Northern Ireland Assembly supporting a motion against abortion. The motion opposing guidelines on abortion issued by the Department of Health is expected to be debated on 22nd/23rd October. Pray for the success of this most important motion.

Carmelite Retreat Centre
A Mass with Healing Service will take place on Tuesday 23rd October at 8.00pm. All are welcome to attend.

Mary’s Meals Ireland are having an evening of testimony, music and talks on Friday 26th October at 7.30pm. Speakers include John Pridmore, author of ‘From Gangland to Promise Land’.

Sr. Josephine Walsh Weekend Retreat with emphasis on forgiving, healing and making a new start, will take place from Friday 26th October until Sunday 28th October. For further details telephone [028] 71262512 during office hours.

Owen Roe O’Neill’s GAC, Leckpatrick
A child’s jacket has been found in the Clubrooms, possibly left behind after coaching. Please contact Joe Hegarty [0771 266 8329] for details.

Saturday 27th October – ‘Deal or No Deal’ where £250 jackpot could be won followed by music with Danny McGilloway. Tickets are now on sale.
Inter-Provincial Finals in Croke Park under lights – football final at 5.15pm followed by the hurling at 7.00pm.

Friday 9th November – Charity Quiz Nite in aid of Guide-dogs for the Blind.

Saturday 17th November – Annual Owen Roes Dinner Dance. Tickets on sale soon.

The following are asked to assist as collectors and church cleaners during the month of October:

SACRED HEART CHURCH:
Collectors:
Saturday 7.00pm:-
Brian Edwards and Declan Carlin.
Sunday 11.30am:-
Stephen Barrett, Noel Carlin and Terry McCallion.

Cleaners: Team E

ST. MARY’S CHURCH, CLOUGHCOR:
Collectors:
Phonsie Monteith and Aidan McGonagle

Altar Society & Cleaners:
Pauline Monteith and Gabrielle Dooher.

ST. JOSEPH’S CHURCH, GLENMORNAN
Collectors:
Hugh Devine.

Altar Society:
Patricia Houston and Anne Marie Kelly.

Our thanks are due to all who served the parish in any way during the month of September.

Saying the Rosary
The month of October has long been associated with the Rosary. However, not everybody finds it easy to handle the Rosary. Some find it monotonous; others find it hard to concentrate.

Haste, or a ‘rattling off’ of the Rosary is not helpful. It is a prayer which calls for a clam, gentle pace. It is not necessary to try to concentrate on every word spoken. It may be better to select one phrase or line and to give thought to it during each decade prayed: for example, ‘Mary, full of grace,’ or ‘Pray for us sinners,’ or ‘Thy will be done.’ Let your mind skip the other words of the Hail Mary and Our Father.

Another approach is to link each Mystery to present-life: Annunciation and some good or bad news you have heard recently; Visitation and a visit you have made or will make soon; Agony in the Garden and the worry or upset of someone known to you – or your own.

Concentration on the words is not ‘the name of the game.’ Too intense an effort to focus on words and meanings can become, itself, a distraction.
When spoken aloud, the rhythm of the repeated Hail Marys form a kind of ‘back-ground music’ which allows an awareness

IHCPT
Young Peoples’ Pilgrimage to Lourdes Easter 2008
Around 500 young people from all over Ireland spend a week in Lourdes with the IHCPT every Easter. Experienced adult carers visit the young people prior to the pilgrimage and accompany them throughout the week in Lourdes.
The Irish Pilgrimage Trust welcomes applications from young people of any religious denomination with:
• A physical disability or illness [aged 9-18]
• A learning disability [aged 11-21]
• Very seriously ill children under the age of 9 [accompanied by a parent of close relative]
• Young adults between the age of 20 and 25 with a disability or illness.

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 please contact the IHCPT office at 00 353 91 79 6622 for contact details of your local group or an application form. Please note closing date for application is 31st October 2007.

Prayer for Priests

Eucharist: a prayer inspired by the Mass

O Lord!
Look into our hearts this day and read us
Look in our souls this day and hear us
When we thrust out our hands for help - hold us
When we open our arms for love - embrace us
When we bow our heads to thee - bless us
When we give of ourselves - come to us. Amen.
Judith Ann Pounder

Lord Jesus, bless all priests and give them grace to do your great work on earth. Keep them, Lord, close to your heart and under the shadow of your protection. Bless their labours for you and grant that their harvest of souls may be a source of joy and consolation to them during life and may merit an everlasting reward for them in death, that having led many souls to you they may see you to face to face. Amen.

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.