Parish News for Sunday 23rd Dec 2007

Fourth Sunday of Advent

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

The Unexpected Happens

By Now, except for some fine details, our Christmas preparations are nearing completion. Lists have been checked, the perfect gift obtained and wrapped [receipts kept just in case]. Cards that we seriously meant to deliver on time have now been sent. Menus are in their final stages.

But things can and will happen. As one writer put it: ‘Life is something that happens to us as we’re busy planning for it’. What happens when we’re confronted with things beyond our control?

Mary had her own plans. Divine pregnancy and human accusations of infidelity and pleadings of innocence were not part of them. Joseph’s didn’t plan to feel lost, unable to understand the situation. If ever a reassuring angel was needed it was now. Familiarity has dulled the drama of the Gospel scene today. Misunderstandings, false assumptions, fear, and disappointment have their place in the jigsaw puzzle of our own lives.

Not the perfect situation for the Messiah to be born into. But it was the right one. God only wants a little room, a heart prepared to trust him even when the unknown, the unplanned, the unexpected happens. God is Emmanuel – God is with us.

Last week’s Collection was £1,567.00. Many thanks.

Mass Times for the Week
Sacred Heart Church
Monday 24th Christmas Eve
Mass – 10.00am
First Mass of Christmas – 9.00pm

Tuesday 25th Christmas Day
Mass - 9.00am and 11.30am

Wednesday 26th
Mass – 11.00am

Friday 28th
Mass – 11.00am

Saturday 29th
Vigil Mass – 7.00pm

Sunday 30th
Mass – 11.30am

St Mary's Church Cloughcor
Tuesday 25th Christmas Day
Mass – 9.15am

Sunday 30th
9.15am

St Joseph's Church, Glenmornan
Tuesday 25th Christmas Day
Mass – 10.15am

Sunday 30th
10.15am

CONFESSIONS
Please note there will be no confessions tomorrow [Monday 24th]
or on Saturday morning [29th December]

The Christmas Collection will be taken up tomorrow night [Christmas Eve] and on Christmas morning.

Saint Vincent de Paul Society
The St. Vincent de Paul Conference wishes to thank you very much for your generosity towards their recent collection.

St. Mary’s, Melmount
There will be a Penance Service and Confessions this evening [Sunday 23rd] from 5.00pm until 6.30pm. Several priests will be available for confessions.

Derry Diocesan Society
New names for the Derry Diocesan Society should be handed in by tomorrow at the latest.

Leckpatrick Pioneer Association
1st Annual Supper Dance will take place on Friday 11th January in St. Patrick’s Hall, Strabane. Supper served at 9.00pm. Music by ‘Country Legions’. Tickets £10 are available from Mary Hegarty, Patrick Street and John Devine, Cloughcor. Further details are on the poster at the back of the church.

North West Regional College
Part-time courses beginning in the New Year. Visit www.nwi.ac.uk for details.

Diocesan Commission for Justice and Social Affairs
During the year Bishop Hegarty set up this new Commission, with the key aim to raise awareness of the social teaching of the Church. The Commission will attempt to articulate our responsibility as concerned Christians in the modern world, with reference to key issues such as poverty, migration, family and marriage, violence in society, pro-life issues, global warming, and dealing with the conflict of the past, to name a few. Throughout the coming year we will offer some reflections on a number of these issues.

Our Thanks to You
As we come to the end of another year, we would like to thank you, our parishioners for the support and encouragement you gave us in 2007.
In particular we thank our teachers and school staff; our sacristans, altar servers, organists, instrumentalists, soloists and choirs; the readers and Eucharistic Ministers; the savings committee, savers and collectors; the Leckpatrick Development Committee and the Draw collectors. We are grateful to those who sell the Catholic papers; the St. Vincent de Paul Conference; those who provide flowers for the churches; the groundsmen and all who help in any way.

We wish you all a very happy and peaceful Christmas.

A Lesson from the Trees

Not long ago the trees were loaded with golden leaves.
Though pretty to look at, they robbed me of the world beyond.
but now that the leaves have fallen
I am able to look through the skeletal branches
to the deep blue sky beyond.
Teach us, God Lord,
how to take care of our material needs
without neglecting our spiritual needs;
how to take care of ourselves
without neglecting others;
and how to live joyfully in this world
without losing sight of the world to come.

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.