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

Sunday, 24th January 2010

Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

Good News to the poor

Jesus read from the scroll: ‘He has sent me to bring the good news to the poor, to proclaim liberty to captives, and to the blind new sight, to set the downtrodden free, to proclaim the Lord’s year of favour’. Then he said: ‘this text is being fulfilled today, even as you listen’. This is surely the clearest statement about the purpose of the Church and of our part in it that could be made. We don’t just have a faith that is for us to make us comfortable. We have a power to transform the world we live in and living our faith is about doing just that. Our homes are to be places where each person finds healing and affirmation. The same has to be made true of the faith community we belong to. It is time to move away from a sense of duty in regard to our faith and move into a sense of adventure for the Kingdom of God.

Fr. Johnny Doherty, C.Ss.R.

Sunday, 24th January 2010

Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

First Reading : Nehemiah 8: 2-6.8-10
After Jesus returned from exile in Babylon, Ezra sought to re-establish the Jewish religion. Here, he reads the book of the law of Moses to the people.

Second Reading: Corinthians 12: 12-30
Just as the human body is one though made up of many parts, so the Church, though composed of different members with different gifts, form a unity in Christ.

Gospel: Luke 1: 1-4; 4: 14-21
Gods’ promises are fulfilled in Jesus, the long awaited Saviour of the poor and oppressed.

Who are the Poor?

In today’s gospel, Jesus says, “He sent me to bring good news to the poor.”
But who are the poor?
The poor are the hungry and the thirst.y
The poor are those who go about in rags.
The poor are the homeless.
The poor are the sick and the housebound.

The poor are the physically and mentally handicapped.
The poor are those who are old.
The poor are the imprisoned.
The poor are the sad and depressed.

The poor are those who suffer injustice.
The poor are the unemployed and those on low wages.
The poor are the rejects and the unwanted.
The poor are the lonely and the unloved.

The poor are the alcoholics and the drug addicts.
The poor are those who live on bread alone
and who never hear the Word of God.
The poor, in one way or another, are we ourselves.
Before God we are all poor.
May we never see poverty as a curse from God.
Rather may we know that when we are poor in spirit
the Kingdom of Heaven is ours.

Last Sunday’s collection was £1,886.00. Many Thanks!

Collection for Victims of Earthquake in Haiti

This weekend we are having a second collection at all Masses for the victims of the Haiti Earthquake disaster. The collection will be taken up after Communion. The suffering endured by millions of people is indescribable – we know that you will be as generous as you can.

Church Unity Week 2010

The week of prayer for Church Unity began on 18th January and will continue until tomorrow [Monday 25th]. To mark this period of prayer there will be an Ecumenical Prayer Service in Christ Church, Bowling Green next Sunday
31st January at 3.00pm. Everyone will be most welcome.

Derry Diocesan Society Mass
The 10.00am Mass in the Sacred Heart Church on Friday 29th January will be said for the deceased members of the Derry Diocesan Society.

4E’s – What is it all about?

Do you want to gain skills that will help you to find real employment?
Do you want to learn in a friendly supportive environment?
Do you want to get qualifications and learn in a way that is suited to you and at a pace that you will feel comfortable with?
If you can answer ‘yes’ to the above questions then take a leaflet from the back of the church or contact Patricia on [028] 71886253.

First Anniversary Mass
The 9.15am Mass today [24th January] in Cloughcor will be said for the late
Cissie McCay, Station Road on the occasion of her first anniversary.

Month’s Mind Mass
The 10.15am Mass in St. Joseph’s Church, Glenmornan next Sunday 31st January will be said for the late Pat Rouse on the occasion of his month’s mind.

Holy Cross College Open Day
All Primary 7 pupils, and their parents are invited to attend our Open Day in Holy Cross College on Saturday 30th January 2010. Principal’s Address will be at 10.00am and 1.00pm [choose one of the two sessions]. Parking in the College Grounds.

IHCPT Derry Group

30th Anniversary Celebration Dinner Dance

To celebrate 30 years of taking young people with special needs on their annual Easter Pilgrimage to Lourdes, Group 110 of the Irish Pilgrimage Trust (The 'Derry' Group) will be holding a celebration dinner dance in the City Hotel on Saturday 27th February 2010, music by the Odyssey band. The group would like to invite anyone who has travelled with us over the years, young people or group carers, their families and all those who have supported and helped us in anyway to join us in what should be a great evening to meet old friends and relive memories of some very special times. Tickets - £25, contact Stephen Browne at 07912500195.

A Prayer for Unity

Lord Jesus, make us appreciate the unity we have with you and with one another.
Help us to see the futility of some of the issues we fight about.
Grant us hearts open enough to know the wisdom of the old advice:
to strive for unity in essentials,
liberty in peripherals
and love in all things.
Do not allow us to squander the richness of the Spirit
by indulging in contentiousness that divides and embitters us.
We are one body, Lord.
A body at war with itself simply makes no sense!

To Parents of a New Born Child

• Baptisms are normally celebrated in Leckpatrick on Saturday at 7.45pm or on Sunday at 12.15pm.

• Each sponsor must not be less than sixteen years of age and must be a practising Catholic.

• Please bring a baptismal garment to the ceremony. The infant should not be wearing it coming to the church, but will be clothed in it by the priest at the appropriate point in the ceremony.

• Please bring a reasonably substantial candle to the ceremony. It is preferable that each child in the family should have his or her own baptismal candle.

• Note that Canon Law states that ‘parents, sponsors and parish priests are to take care that a name is not given which is foreign to Christian sentiment.’

• Please make arrangements with the priest in good time, and see that the baptismal card is completed three or four days before the ceremony at the latest.

• Kindly remember that the church is a sacred space, and is worthy of reverence and respect at all times, including the period when photographs are being taken after the ceremony.

• Finally, congratulations on the birth of your child! Your child’s baptism will be a special occasion for you and your family. It will also be a special occasion for our parish as we welcome your new born baby into the Christian community.