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

Sunday, 27th December 2009

Feast of the Holy Family.

"His mother stored up all these things in her heart." One of the lovely things about a new young family is the excitement of recording every movement and sound of the newly born baby. Countless photographs are taken and produced on every occasion. Reports are sent around to family members and anyone else who will listen. This is the picture we have of Mary today as she marvelled at her newborn son Jesus. And this is where real holiness is found. We name Jesus, Mary and Joseph the Holy Family, not because they were pious but because of the great love that filled their hearts and their home. That is the challenge for every home and family. With the pressures of life the wonder of each person can be lost. The pressure of this feast is to get our priorities right, to put our love first and in this way make Jesus present.

Fr. Johnny Doherty, C.Ss.R

Sunday 27th December 2009

Feast of the Holy Family

First Reading : 1 Samuel 1: 20-22, 24-28
The prophet Samuel is dedicated by his mother to the Lord.

Second Reading: 1 John 3: 1-2, 21-24
We are called God’s children, and that is what we are.

Gospel: Luke 2: 41-52
Jesus is found by his parents in the Temple.

The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph

A Gift of Love

Many different kinds of families come together to make up our parish community. Some are newlyweds still discovering each other; others are elderly couples whose faithfulness and love have refined their faces with loveliness no makeup can give. Some live in large and noisy households; others live alone in the aching loneliness of widowhood or the independence of the single life. Every Sunday they gather to become one family in Christ.

A church full of families is a church filled with love. That is not to say it is not also a church full of people who have argued and hurt one another, been selfish and cruel to each other. Very few families exist without these strains. But, thankfully, very few families exist on fights, either. The air clears, sanity returns and the permanent bonds of love reassert themselves. The family is the everyday experience of God’s love.

Lord, keep our families secure in the bonds of love. Where there is anger and division, bring your healing. Where there is love and forgiveness, let your peace remain. With our hearts we embrace the families which produced us and the families which sustain us. Thank you for this gift of love.

Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God
Friday 1st January is the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God. We honour Mary, Mother of Jesus, during this Christmas season, and especially as the New Year begins. Today is also World Day of Peace.

Last week’s Collection amounted to £1,663.00. Many thanks.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR VERY
GENEROUS CHRISTMAS COLLECTION.

Children in Crossfire would like to thank all those who took an Advent calendar at the end of November. Donations can be returned to churches over the weekend 2nd/3rd January. Collection bins will be positioned at the entrances to churches for donations to be placed into on the way into Mass.

The St. Vincent de Paul Collection taken up at the Carol Service amounted to £85.

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

SACRED HEART CHURCH:

Collectors:
Saturday 7.00pm:-
Manus McLaughlin,, Lawrence Doherty and Tony McDaid.
Sunday 11.30am:- Denis Hegarty

Cleaners: Team B

ST. MARY’S CHURCH, CLOUGHCOR:

Collectors:
Donal O’Neill and William O’Neill.

Altar Society & Cleaners:
Hilary McColgan and Stephanie McColgan.

ST. JOSEPH’S CHURCH, GLENMORNAN

Collectors:
Hugh McGonigle and Jim Devine.

Altar Society:
Rosaleen Kelly and Rose-Marie Coyle.

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

Derry Diocesan Society
New names for the Derry Diocesan Society should be handed in by tomorrow [Monday 28th December] at the latest.

Prayer for Parents

Grant us children, O Lord,
who will be strong enough to know when they are weak;
who will be unbending in honest defeat,
yet humble and gentle in victory.

Lead them, we pray you,
not in the path of ease and comfort,
but rather in the path of difficulties and challenges.

Grant us children,
whose hearts will be clear,
whose goals will be high;
children who will master themselves
before seeking to master others.

And after all these things,
add, we pray, a sense of humour,
so that they can be serious,
yet never take themselves too seriously.
Give them the humility and sincerity of true greatness.
Then we, their parents, will dare whisper,
we have not lived in vain.

We wish you all a

very peaceful and happy New Year.