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

Sunday 28th June 2009

13th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Jesus said to his disciples: "Why is it that you are so frightened? How is it that you have no faith?" Over the past few years the Church has been going through a fierce storm. It has been a time of anxiety and worry for many. It has also been a time of deep hurt and anger for others. And there seems to be no end to it. The word of Jesus today is very timely for us. Even though the storm is real and we have to face the reality of it with all its implications, we have to remember that Christ is with us and he will bring calm again. However, this does not mean that we do nothing but wait. We have a real responsibility to work for that calm by the ways we love one another in our homes and in our community. This will take a lot of generosity with our time and our talents in building marriage and family life to their fullest and it will take a new commitment to building the parish as a community of faith and hope.

Fr. Johnny Doherty, C.Ss.R.

Sunday, 28th June 2009.

Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

First Reading Wisdom 1: 13-15.2.23-24
God did not make us for death but for life, now and hereafter.

Second Reading Corinthians 8: 7, 9, 13-15
St Paul is appealing to the Corinthians to contribute to a collection for the poor in the Church at Jerusalem.

Gospel Mark 5: 21-43
Both of the miracles related here are signs of God’s power, restoring life and health through Jesus.

Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Hospitality

People like to think of themselves as friendly and welcoming. But at least in the spontaneous, instinctive sense of hospitality, times have changed. Today’s would-be casual visitor should ring first, dodge the various TV soaps and sports, while being aware of the growing ‘early-to-bed’ regime. From gate developments to security lighting to doorbells that beckon fetchingly through a locked porch door, the edge has gone off “Ireland of the welcomes”.

But turning to the neighbour is simply turning to the Gospel: ‘Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me’. Ultimately hospitality is more about attitude than plenitude. The 19th century writer Thoreau put it this way: ‘I sat at a table where there were rich food and wine but sincerity and truth were not; and I went away hungry from the inhospitable board. They talked of the fame of the vintage; but I thought of purer wine, of a more glorious vintage, which they had not got, and could not buy.’

Christian hospitality is much more than cups of tea, it’s about buckets of tolerance and understanding. Those are the virtues that slake the deepest thirst.

Collection
Last week’s collection amounted to £1,862.50. Many thanks.

The School Holidays
As the academic year comes to an end once again and our exhausted children and members of staff begin their holidays, we wish them a happy and safe vacation and hope that they will return in September refreshed in body and spirit.

The Sick and Housebound
The sick and housebound will be attended on the morning and afternoon of Tuesday 30th June.

Thank You for the Music
Our choirs will now be taking a well-earned break for the summer. We have appreciated their commitment and dedication during the year, and look forward to being inspired by their music once again in September.

Rally for Life in Dublin

Pro-life rally on Saturday 4th July in Dublin City Centre. For further details, please contact the Rally for Life Committee on [028] 90278484.

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

SACRED HEART CHURCH:
Collectors:
Saturday 7.00pm:-
Manus McLaughlin, Liam Ward,
Lawrence Doherty and Tony McDaid.
Sunday 11.30am:-

Cleaners: Team B

ST. MARY’S CHURCH, CLOUGHCOR:
Collectors:
Matthew Patterson and Simon Patterson.

Altar Society & Cleaners:
Philomena Devine and Rosemary Devine.

ST. JOSEPH’S CHURCH, GLENMORNAN
Collectors:

Altar Society: Agnes McGonigle and Helen Devine.

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

Padre Pio Devotions

Padre Pio devotions will take place in the Immaculate Conception Church, Strabane on Wednesday 1st July with the Rosary commencing at 6.45pm followed by Mass at 7.00pm.

A July Saint

Saint Oliver Plunkett – 1st July

Oliver Plunkett came from an Irish noble family which supported King Charles I. He studied for the priesthood and was ordained in Rome in 1654. From then until 1669, when he was appointed Archbishop of Armagh, he was Professor of theology. Soon after his appointment to the See of Armagh, he was suspected of treason because of secretly practising as priest. He was tried in Dundalk in 1679, and moved to Newgate prison in London, where he was convicted and found guilty of treason against the state by ‘promoting the Catholic faith.’ He was condemened to a most cruel and public execution at Tyburn. He was the last Catholic to die for the faith at Tyburn and the first of the Irish martyrs to be beatified.

Hike to Croagh Patrick

Do you fancy a trip to Westport, Co. Mayo combined with a hike to one of Ireland’s most famous mountains ‘Croagh Patrick’. The trip will be on Saturday 4th July for those aged 16yrs-35yes and will cost approximately £25. This fee will include transport from Derry, a guide and dinner in a hotel in Westport. For further details or to book a place please contact the Catechetical Centre [028] 71264087 or email ddcc@derrydiocesse.org

Addiction – The First Step in Recovery

Learn from the past, plan for the future and live in the present.

Dependence on alcohol, other drugs or gambling presents life threatening physical and mental health challenges for individuals, stress and relationship difficulties in families, financial problems for all concerned, educational issues for children and young people, deaths on roads and crime on our streets.
An honest response to the following questions will confirm evidence of addiction.

- Have you ever felt that you should cut down on your use of alcohol, other drugs or the time and money spent on gambling?
- Have people annoyed you by criticizing your dependence on alcohol, other drugs or the time and money spent on gambling?
- Have you ever felt guilty about your dependence on alcohol, other drugs or the time and money spent on gambling?
- Have you needed alcohol or another drug first thing in the morning to steady your nerves or to get rid of anger?

If you are concerned about your dependence on alcohol, other drugs or gambling, we are glad to advise you that staff in White Oaks Rehabilitation Centre provide a confidential counselling service for individuals, couples or families. It has been said that a journey of 1000 Km begins with the first step. Begin the journey into recovery today.