Sunday 22nd March 2009

4th Sunday of Lent

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

Christ, the Redeemer

"God sent his Son so that through him the world might be saved." We can become so familiar with a sentence like this that we miss the profound truth in it of how much God loves us and longs for us. We think of faith as meaning our belief in God. It is much more about God's intense belief in us and in our goodness and beauty and he wants us to come to a knowledge of that too. We have a serious responsibility to one another of constantly bringing that knowledge to one another in every way we can. One of the major tasks for every married couple is to help each other to know how much they are loved and treasured. This is done through affirmation and affection. Parents have this same responsibility towards their children. They can help each one be a truly successful human being by building up their goodness. And in the parish community we help one another by looking out for each other.

Fr. Johnny Doherty, C.Ss.R

Confirmation

Confirmation will be administered by Bishop Francis Lagan in the Sacred Heart Church on Monday 30th March at 5.00pm. The children to be confirmed and their sponsors should be in their places no later than 4.40pm. We would ask parishioners who intend to be present at that Mass to kindly leave the reserved places at the front of the church free for the children who are to be confirmed and their sponsors. The parents and families of the children would like to be placed in the seats behind the children and the sponsors.

After the ceremony Bishop Lagan will meet the children and their families in St. Patrick’s Hall, Strabane. We ask our usual helpers and any others who would like to offer their services to be in the hall by 5.00pm in order to make preparations for serving light refreshments.

Tomorrow [Monday 23rd March] there will be a very important rehearsal in the Sacred Heart Church at 7.30pm for the children and their sponsors. If a sponsor is unavailable, a parent should come to the practice instead.

Last week’s Collection was £1,276.00. Many thanks.

Derry Diocesan Society

New names for the Derry Diocesan Society should be handed in to the parish secretary by Thursday at the latest.

Questions People Ask

Q. Since religion is the cause of so much bigotry, hatred and war, wouldn’t the world be better off without it?

A. Religion is not the root cause of war. Stalin and Hitler, for instance, could hardly be said to represent any religion. It is true that people have used religious slogans to justify hatred, bigotry and so-called ‘holy-war’. Texts from sacred books are misused to divide people. But any religion worth the name will teach respect and try to establish the principles of justice in society. True religion seeks the eradication of evil and the establishment of peace.

Owen Roe O’Neill’s G.A.C., Leckpatrick

Sunday 22nd March – membership Night from 8.00pm until 9.30pm. Anyone still to pay their membership fees for 2009 can do so tonight. All Youth, Ladies and Adult members should be making an effort to get their fees paid as soon as possible as the closing date is 31st March. New members can also join on the night. Remember no membership means no playing football and no tickets for Tyrone matches. Fees can be left with Joe McAleer, Joe Hegarty or at the Clubrooms with your name and address. Log on at www.owenroe-leckpatrick.ie

The Experience of Being Lost

When as children we wandered away from the familiar street where we lived, we soon found that we were lost. And we did not like the feelings that surged up in us then; loneliness, fear, longing for someone – anyone – whom we knew. As adults, we can still become completely bewildered on a trip when the map and the reality are at odds; our feelings are amazingly similar to our childhood experience. Of course, when we’re older we have resources that children didn’t have then – for example, the telephone. Still, there are more pleasant experiences than being lost.

We would be wise to recall those feelings on this fourth Sunday of Lent. Today’s readings will make sense to us if we know how lost we have been. Without the Lord, we are lost – we have left our homes. Not only do we not know the way back, but we couldn’t even find it if we did.

Lord, during our lives we, like foolish children, have sometimes managed to get ourselves lost. Only someone who knows the geography of earth and heaven can lead us back home. And you are the one, Lord. But we will appreciate you only when we see how much of a mess we were in. Lord, give us a sense of right and wrong, because it is by sin that we wander. And give us a sense of your mercy. Then, Lord, we will know your salvation.

The Light of Christ

In Christ there is no trace of darkness.
His light shows up the darkness in us.
His truth shows up our lies.
His integrity shows up our falseness.
His generosity shows up our selfishness.
His peace shows up our conflicts.
His openness to others shows how closed we are.
However, we should not be afraid of his light.
Rather, we should rejoice in it.
Compared to his light other lights
are mere flashes in the night or candles in the wind.
Christ, radiant Light of the world,
guide our steps in the way of truth and goodness,
and lead us through the gloom of this world
to the kingdom of unfailing light.

Weekly Envelopes

The new weekly envelopes will be distributed within the next month. If you are not already receiving envelopes and would like a box for the coming year, please contact the secretary at the Parish Office [71882274] by Thursday.

Gift Aid Scheme

Those who are paying tax may wish to join our Gift Aid Scheme – at no extra cost to you. The Parish Gift Aid Scheme means that if you pay through the envelope system in your parish, the Church can recoup 25 pence in every £1 that you contribute. This is a very simple way of gathering extra funds. If interested please contact the parish office [028] 71882274. Many thanks for your co-operation.