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

Sacred Heart Church, Derry Road

(we will rotate the church images each week)

Sunday, 22nd November 2009

Last Sunday of the Year.

Christ the King

Jesus said to Pilate: 'All who are on the side of truth listen to my voice'. We celebrate Christ as King, not in the sense of the world around us, which would look to power and strength, but as the one who has the true power of truth. In him we know God as one who loves us so much that he has given us his only Son to bring us to a knowledge of his love. In Christ we also come to know the deepest truths about ourselves - that every human person is made in the image of God; that each of us is a dwelling place of God's Holy Spirit; that we are destined for eternal life; that the only way to live human life fully is to love God with our whole hearts and to love our neighbour as ourselves. It has been said that Christianity has not so much failed, as it has never been tried!

Fr. Johnny Doherty, C.Ss.R.

Sunday, 22nd November 2009

Our Lord Jesus Christ, Universal King

First Reading Daniel 7: 13-14
The prophet Daniel foresees the coming of one who will have dominion over all peoples.
Christians see this as a reference to Christ, the Universal King.

Second Reading Apocalypse 1: 5-8
Christ will take full possession of his Kingdom only at the end of time.

Gospel John 18: 33-37
Jesus declares before Pilate that he is indeed a King,
but that his Kingdom is not like the kingdoms of this world.

A Higher Kingdom

Few have seen the coronation of a monarch. It is an occasion of pomp and ceremony. The monarch vested in cloth of gold with the golden orb and sceptre in each hand, processes solemnly to the throne accompanied by the sound of trumpet and organ. The crown, studded with priceless stones, dazzles everyone.

It’s so impressive, that many miss a simple symbolic act at the core of the ceremony. The future ruler is anointed with holy oil – head, heart and hands. It’s a sign that he or she is wedded to the people – head, heart and hands. The monarch is now a protector, defender and guide to the people. But as historians have noted, things never quite worked out that way in practice.

Since a coronation is a rare sight, it seems strange for the Church to give Christ a crown creating this Feast in 1925, when most earthly kings were losing theirs. But His is a higher and an inner kingdom.

It’s no accident that we stand for the ‘Our Father’ when we pray ‘Thy kingdom come’. It’s on our feet that we work for that kingdom in the very practical, everyday work of living authentic and true lives. If we are not loyal to God we are not likely to be loyal to anybody. In the words of the Preface of today’s Mass,

As King he claims dominion over all creation,
that he may present to you, his almighty Father,
a kingdom of truth and life, a kingdom of holiness and grace,
a kingdom of justice, love and peace.

Last week’s Collection amounted to £1,434.00.

Many thanks.

Priests’ Retirement Collection
The above collection will be taken up after the Communion of all the Masses this weekend.

First Anniversary Mass
Mass will be said on Friday 27th November at 7.30pm in the Sacred Heart Church for the late Mary Harley on the occasion of the first anniversary of her death.

Carol Service

A Community Carol Service will take place in the Alley Theatre on Monday
21st December at 8.00pm. The charity which will benefit from the service is the Marie Curie Foundation. Everyone is welcome.

Strabane History Society
Strabane History Society will meet in the Library, Railway Road, Strabane on Thursday 19th November at 8.00pm. Lecture by Dr. Eamon O’Cairdha from the University of Ulster, Magee on Raparees and Outlaws in West Ulster in the 17th century. Visitors are welcome.

North West Tyrone Pioneer Association
The Annual Retreat in Termonbacca Retreat Centre will take place on Sunday 6th December 2009. For further details please contact Mary Hegarty, at
15 Patrick Street, Strabane. Telephone [028] 71882886.

Derry Diocesan Lourdes Pilgrimage 2010
Why not give someone an opportunity of going on the Lourdes Pilgrimage 16th until 21st July 2010 as your Christmas Gift. Gift vouchers [£25-£100] are now available from the Pilgrimage Office, 164 Bishop Street. Office opens Tuesdays from 11.00am until 1.00pm, Thursdays 11.00am until 2.00pm and Saturdays 11.00am until 1.00pm. Please contact [028] 71260293.

Taize
Join us for an hour of meditative prayer and Taize chant this Wednesday 25th November in St. Colman’s chapel [formerly known as the Day Chapel], Melmount from 7.30pm until 8.30pm. Everyone is welcome.

Good Relations Diversity & Planning Day

Reconciling racial, political and religious differences and celebrating diversity with speakers from: Community Relations Council, N.I. Council for Ethnic Minorities, Rainbow and Derry Travellers Support Group. In the Fir Trees Hotel, Strabane on Wednesday 2nd December 2009 from 9.30am until 4.00pm.

CLIC Sargent Northern Ireland

Caring for Children with Cancer

This Christmas you can help:

- Volunteering – volunteers bring much needed skills, experience, energy and passion, and play a vital part in helping children with cancer.

- Collections – by choosing CLIC Sargent as a collection beneficiary, you will help bring families affected by childhood cancer together this Christmas.

For more information contact:
Katie Setterfield, 31 Bruce Street, Belfast BT2 7JD. Telephone [028] 90 725780 or
e-mail: katiesetterfield@clicsargent.org.uk

Knights of St. Columbanus

There will be a special Mass for all the deceased members of the Strabane Council of the Knights of St. Columbanus on Monday evening 23rd November at 7.00pm in St. Mary's Church, Melmount. (This is the feast day of St. Columbanus). All present and past members are invited to attend.