Parish News for Sunday 27th April 2008

Sixth Sunday of Easter

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

The Spirit of Truth

Jesus said to his disciples: “I shall ask the Father and he will give you the Spirit of truth.” If someone ever says to you “I want to tell you the truth about yourself” stand well back because you can be almost certain that you will hear all the things that are wrong with you! That’s what we have done with the notion of truth. God’s idea of truth is just the opposite. It is about all that is good and wonderful about us. This week ban criticism from your life and practice the truth by speaking the good about yourself and also about one another and about those who share your home with you. Go out of your way to notice the good qualities of each person who makes up your life and let each one know the goodness you see in them. And look at your parish this week and make a list of all the good that is being done by your priests and by so many people and let them know what you see. Then you will be God’s people.

Fr. Johnny Doherty, C.Ss.R.

Turning Outwards, Not Inwards

Last Sunday was Confirmation Day in Leckpatrick. Varied memories of their Confirmation Day will live with the boys and girls for years. But is that all that will remain – memories?

Among many of us adults Confirmation is a neglected, under-used sacrament, associated more with completion of primary education than with the realities of adult life.

Through Baptism Christ shares his life with us. Through Confirmation we are given the task and the strength to go forward and share Christ’s life with others. Baptism draws us into the family of God, the Church. Confirmation marks us out, in public, to be people who take our places and our responsibilities among the community of faith which is our parish. Confirmation commissions us to be responsible for our neighbour and for our corner of the big world.

Too often we retreat into a private, homespun religion which ignores our social and public responsibilities. A totally ‘me féin’ approach to God and to religion contradicts the very meaning of Christianity and runs counter to the purpose and power of Confirmation.

May we draw upon and harness the power of the Holy Spirit daily. There is great work to be done. We are confirmed to do it.

Congratulations to our Newly Confirmed Children!
We congratulate the fifty-three children who received the sacrament of Confirmation last Sunday. We thank Bishop Séamus Hegarty for administering the sacrament and for relating to the children in a relaxed and friendly manner. We thank the parents and teachers for preparing the children for this very important occasion in their lives. We thank those who prepared the church and grounds and provided and arranged the flowers; those who took part in the ceremony; the sacristan and the stewards who directed the traffic. We are also grateful to all who prepared and served the refreshments in St. Patrick’s Hall and the lunch in the Parochial House. We thank the committee for the use of
St. Patrick’s Hall. We pray that the Holy Spirit may help and guide these children to be faithful friends of Jesus in the years that lie ahead.

Last week’s Collection was £2,143.00. Many thanks.

First Anniversary Mass
The first anniversary Mass for the late Christine McMenamin will be said in
St. Joseph’s Church, Glenmornan tomorrow [Monday] 28th April at 7.00pm.

The following are asked to assist as collectors and church cleaners during the month of May:

SACRED HEART CHURCH:
Collectors:
Saturday 7.00pm:-
Manus McLaughlin, Liam Ward, Lawrence Doherty and Tony McDaid.

Sunday 11.30am:-
Denis Hegarty
Cleaners: Team F

ST. MARY’S CHURCH, CLOUGHCOR:
Collectors:
Noel McDaid and Brian Farrell.
Altar Society & Cleaners:
Mary Devine, Ita Devine and Alicia Devine.

ST. JOSEPH’S CHURCH, GLENMORNAN
Collectors: –
Altar Society:
Nellie Doherty and Margaret Harte.

Our thanks are due to all who served the parish in any way during the month of April.

First Holy Communions

Saturday 3rd May 2008: First Holy Communion for the children of St. Mary’s Primary School in the Sacred Heart Church at 11.00am.
Sunday 4th May 2008: First Holy Communion for the children of St. Joseph’s Primary School in Glenmornan Church at 10.15am.
Saturday 10th May 2008: First Holy Communion for the children of Strabane Controlled Primary School in the Sacred Heart Church at 11.00am.

Owen Roe O’Neill’s GAC, Leckpatrick.
The closing date for payment of Adult and Youth memberships has now passed. All players and members are asked to please get their fees paid up for 2008 this week by either contacting Sean Devine, Joe Hegarty or paying their fees at the Clubrooms during opening hours or after training to their coaches. Remember – no membership means no insurance cover for playing matches or training, and no tickets for Tyrone’s Ulster Championship matches!!!!
Sunday 27th April - Division 3 ACL: Owen Roe’s v Brockagh (Reserves at 2:15pm and Seniors at 3:45pm).
Monday 28th April - U14 Ladies Championship: Fintona v Owen Roe’s at 7:00pm. All support from players, members and parents welcome.
For further club-notes please see the poster on the church notice-board.