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

Sunday, 31st January 2010

Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Jesus said: “I tell you solemnly, no prophet is ever accepted in his own country”. The word prophet conjures up the image of someone who foretells the future, a bit like a fortune-teller. No! A prophet is someone who gets to the deepest reality of human life and is able to proclaim that this deepest reality will come to the surface sooner or later and calls us to make it sooner. Generally people don’t like to hear about these deepest realities because they get used to the way things are. A good example of this is: the deepest reality of marriage is that it is a sacrament, a source of Christ’s presence in and salvation of the world we live in. Couples need to do a lot more to bring their love to that pitch. Every home is a Domestic Church, a sacred place. Every parish is the living Body of Christ. We have a lot of change to work on.

Fr. Johnny Doherty, C.Ss.R.

Sunday, 31st January 2010

Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

First Reading : Jeremiah 1: 4-5.17-19
Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you came to birth I consecrated you; I have appointed you as prophet to the nations.

Second Reading: Corinthians 12: 31 – 13:13
There are three things that last: faith, hope and love; and the greatest of these is love.

Gospel: Luke 4: 21-30
Jesus’ message is meant for all people.

Partner in Love

The Church in these last few years has tried to become very sensitive to people who are receiving its sacraments. It has tried to give them a rich assortment of biblical texts to chose from as they prepare for each sacrament. And perhaps no text is chosen by young couples for their marriages more often than our second reading today. This is Paul’s description of love. And a marriage filled with the love that Paul describes will indeed endure until death.

But young newlyweds have all their lives yet to live. Those who have been married for more than just a few months know that the strains of getting to know each other, of accommodating themselves to each other, of forgiving burnt toast and weak coffee, forgotten anniversaries and angry words – they know that all these strains and thousands more like them make a patient and kind love very difficult. They know that a spouse’s unexplained absence can arouse the green-eyed devil of jealousy. They know that they can fight with each other and brood over their hurts until healing becomes indescribably difficult.

They know all these strains, Lord, because they are two imperfect people exposing their weakness. Still, Lord, they cling together. And very probably you have more to do with that than they could possibly imagine. For they brought their wishes for a total married love to your altar, and they made you a partner in their lifelong union. And with you comes strength and peace and joy.

Lord, we thank you and bless you for your constant help!

Last Sunday’s collection was £1,679.00. Many Thanks!

Feast of St. Brigid
Tomorrow, (Monday), 1st February, is the Feast of St. Brigid, secondary patron saint of Ireland.

Feast of the Presentation of the Lord
Tuesday, 2nd February, is the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord. Candles will be blessed.

Feast of St. Blaise
Wednesday, 3rd February, is the Feast of
St. Blaise. Throats will be blessed.

Padre Pio Devotions
Padre Pio devotions will take place in the Immaculate Conception Church, Strabane on Wednesday 3rd February with the Rosary at 6.45pm followed by Mass at 7.00pm.

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

SACRED HEART CHURCH:

Collectors:
Saturday 7.00pm:-
Brian Edwards and Declan Carlin.
Sunday 11.30am:-
John Mahon, Stephen Barrett.
Noel Carlin, Terry McCallion and Patsy McNulty.

Cleaners: Team C

ST. MARY’S CHURCH, CLOUGHCOR:

Collectors:
Joe Vaughan.

Altar Society & Cleaners:
Mary Harkin and Kathleen Roulston.

ST. JOSEPH’S CHURCH, GLENMORNAN

Collectors:
Michael Mullen.

Altar Society:
Patricia Kelly and Rose McCrossan.

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

Inter-Church Service
As announced last weekend, the annual Ecumenical Service will take place this (Sunday) afternoon in Christ Church, Bowling Green, at 3.00pm. All are welcome.

Owen Roes Anniversary
Congratulations to Owen Roe’s GAC which is celebrating its fortieth anniversary this year. The 7.30pm Mass on Friday in St. Joseph’s Church, Glenmornan will be said for the deceased members of the Owen Roe’s GAC. All are welcome.

Catholic Schools’ Week
There will be a Mass to celebrate Catholic Schools’ Week in St. Eugene’s Cathedral on Thursday 4th February at 12.30pm. The theme for the week is “Catholic School – a Light for Every Generation”.

Haiti Earthquake Collection
So far the Haiti Earthquake Collection for Leckpatrick has realised the magnificent amount of £10,810.00. This includes £754.00 donated by the pupils of St. Mary’s Primary School, Cloughcor. Your generosity is very much appreciated.

Health Awareness Evening
A Health Awareness Evening will take place at Bready Cricket Club on Wednesday 3rd February from 7.00pm until 9.00pm.

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.