Sunday 22nd February 2009

7th Sunday of the Year

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

Am I Faithful?

Fidelity is not the most respected word in the English language these days; at least, not respected in practice. It’s true that we give a lot of publicity to couples celebrating 50 or more years of marriage, and we are delighted when the man and his wife are still obviously in love with each other. Priests, too, are thankful when God has given them health and strength to continue serving their people into their seventies. But still many of us don’t always find fidelity an easy virtue.

Perhaps our difficulty is rooted in the age in which we live. We read of the casual marriages, divorces and living arrangements of famous people. We see television marriages in which bride and groom exchange vows to live together “as long as love shall last.” And we know that many people have walked away from lives of service so that they can, in today’s phrase, find self-fulfilment. Our world is not exactly crowded with examples of heroic fidelity.
The question for each one of us is, “Am I faithful, and will I remain faithful to one wife or one husband, to the priesthood or to the Church or to whatever good cause deserves my loyalty?”

Last week’s Collection was £1,603.00. Many thanks.

The Beginning of Lent
This Wednesday 25th February is Ash Wednesday – a day of fast and abstinence. Ashes will be distributed during all Masses. Trócaire boxes are available at the back of the church. Mass times for Ash Wednesday are as follows;

Sacred Heart Church: 10.00am & 7.30pm
St. Mary’s, Cloughcor: 7.00pm
St. Joseph’s, Glenmornan: 8.00pm

Reflection
Forgiveness is like the child’s dream of a miracle.
Through forgiveness what is broken is made whole again,
what is soiled is made clean,
and what is lost is found.
Nothing greater can happen to a human being that he or she is forgiven.
Those who are forgiven are no longer trapped in their past.
They are set free – free to move forward again.
The Lord not only forgives our sins,
but helps us to learn from them.
We learn about our own weakness.
We learn about the goodness of God.
And we learn to be compassionate towards others who sin.

Solemn Annual Exposition

Solemn Annual Exposition will take place in the Sacred Heart Church next Sunday [1st March] directly after the 11.30am Mass. Exposition will end with a Eucharistic Service at 5.00pm.

Kindly write your name in the appropriate space on the sheet a t the back of the church to signify your intention of being present on Sunday afternoon at a time you will find suitable. It is important that there are people present in the Church at all times during the period of Exposition.

Ards Friary – Lenten Retreat
Saturday 28th February – Sunday 1st March. Open to everyone. “share a Faith Journey” – make a journey of faith by giving time to reflect, pray and prepare oneself for Easter. Commences at 9.30am and finishes at lunchtime. Cost €85. Contact Ards Friary, Cresslough, County Donegal
[00 353] 74 7138909 or info@ardsfriary.ie.

Carmelite Retreat Centre, Termonbacca
A one day retreat for Senior Citizens and their friends from Derry and surrounding areas will take place on Thursday 26th February. Registration 10.30am, finishing around 5.00pm. Cost £15stg or €18euro, includes a four course lunch – payment on the day. Telephone 71262512 to book

Month’s Mind Mass

The Month’s Mind Mass for the late
Mary Maguire, Patrick Street, will take place in the Sacred Heart Church on Saturday 28th February at 7.00pm.

The Month’s Mind Mass for the late
Cissie McCay, Station Road, will take place in St. Mary’s Church, Cloughcor on Tuesday 24th February at 7.30pm.

North West Regional College

Leaving school this year? N.W.R.C invites you to attend its Open Night on Thursday 26th February 5.30pm until 8.30pm, running at its three main campuses in Strand Road, Derry, Main Street, Limavady and Derry Road, Strabane. Telephone [028] 71276022.