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

Sunday, 29th August 2010

22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Jesus said: “Those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted”. Sometimes we think that to be humble means that we think that we are no good and that rightly does not fit well with us because it does not mean that at all. We have a right to know how good we are and a responsibility to help others to know how good they are. Pride means making ourselves the centre of our world and insisting that everything revolves around us. Humility means making others the centre of our lives and our energy and care are given to them. In this sense another word for humility is love. The message of Jesus again today and for this week is that if we want to be really happy we have to learn to forget about our own petty preoccupations and ourselves and give ourselves generously to God and to one another.

Fr. Johnny Doherty, C.Ss.R.

Sunday 29th August 2010

22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

First Reading: Ecclesiasticus 3: 17-20.28-29
Behave humbly, and then you will find favour with the Lord.

Second Reading: Hebrews 12: 18-19.22-24
You have to come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God.

Gospel: Luke 14: 1.7-14
Everyone who exalts themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.

Fr. John and Fr. Paul say Goodbye

It was an emotional occasion for Fr. John Doherty and Fr. Paul Farren as they concelebrated their final Masses in the parish. Most people already knew that Fr. John was going to retire to the former curate’s house in Melmount, but it came as a surprise to many to learn that Fr. Paul would be moving to Trench Road in the Waterside. He will be continuing his diocesan work, but will be offering his help at the weekends to the parish priest of Glendermott.

Both priests spoke at the weekend Masses. Fr. John thanked the parishioners for their exceptional kindness to him personally over the last twenty-one years. He said, “I have met you when you were celebrating happy moments in your lives, and I have had the privilege of sharing the dark times as well. In fact, we’ve all experienced dark and difficult times in recent years, but through it all your faith, your courage and your support have been inspirational”.

The parish priest then thanked the people for their faithfulness to the parish, and spoke of the dedication of all those who exercised any form of ministry. He then said that the good people of the parish and friends who lived elsewhere had contributed over one million pounds to carry out refurbishments and repairs to all the parochial buildings. “That is a magnificent achievement, because those works could not have been done without your help.”

He then paid tribute to Fr. Paul Farren, thanking him for the wonderful support he had given him since he came to the parish six years ago. He wished him every blessing in his new residence in the Waterside.

He then informed the members of the congregation that a former native of the parish was beginning his studies for the priesthood in a very short time. Christopher McDermott is originally from Burndennett, and Fr. John asked the people to keep him in their prayers.

Finally, he said, “On behalf of Lily my housekeeper and Rita my sister, thank you once again for all your kindness and generosity. God bless you.”

Fr. Paul began his address by saying that his appointment by Bishop Hegarty six years ago to work in Leckpatrick at weekends was a gift. “They have been very happy years. As you know, my main work in the diocese is with the schools and young people. It is very challenging and rewarding work. I have no doubt that being in this parish for the past six years helped me to do this work better. I loved saying Mass in the parish. I loved being here at Easter and Christmas and doing the First Confessions and the First Communions. I thank you for allowing me to be part of yur parish family.”

Fr. Paul then thanked Fr. John in a very special way, saying that he could not have asked for a better parish priest. “One of my greatest moments will be the memory of Fr. John’s Jubilee last June. Everything about it was joyful. The preparation and the day itself was a great example of the spirit of the parish. As I leave the parish to live in the Waterside in Derry I ask you to continue to pray for me as I will for you that we will continue to grow more and more in friendship with Jesus and that we will serve him faithfully an all that we do.”

Our New Parish Priest

The new parish priest of Leckpatrick will be Fr. Michael Porter, who is a native of Buncrana, and has served in Burt for the past thirteen years. He will be inducted by Bishop Hegarty during the 9.15am Mass in St. Mary’s Church, Cloughcor today (Sunday). We welcome him and pray that he may have a long and happy ministry in Leckpatrick parish.

Last week’s Collection was £1,708.00 Many thanks.

Pilgtrimage to Knock
There will be a pilgrimage in honour of the Miraculous Medal to Knock on Saturday 11th September, 2010. A bus will leave Abercorn Square at 8.00am. For further details please contact Mary Hegarty, 15 Patrick Street (Phone 71882886).

No Daily Masses
There will be no daily Masses during the coming week.

Back to School – A Student’s Prayer

O Lord, the holidays are over, and I’m going back to school again. I thank you for everyone who has taught me and for all I have learned up until now. Help me to use this term wisely and to use it well. Help me to use to the full the opportunities of learning that will come to me in the future. All through this term help me to be friendly to my fellow pupils and respectful towards my teachers. Help me to work hard and to play fairly, so that I may be a good citizen of my school. I make this prayer through Christ our Lord. Amen.