Sunday 2nd March 2008

Fourth Sunday of Lent

Reflection

In the Gospel story today Jesus gives the gift of sight to a blind man. But since we are not blind, we might think that the Gospel story has no relevance for us. It is precisely because we can see that it has relevance for us. The question is: how well do we see? There are many forms of blindness besides physical blindness. In some way these are just as crippling. Some examples: Selfishness blinds us to the needs of others. Insensitivity blinds us to the hurt we’re causing to others. Snobbery blinds us to the equal dignity of others.

 

FAMILY ROSARY FOR LENT - We are inviting families to pray the Rosary in the home each day of Lent as a spiritual preparation for Easter. Rosary leaflets are available at the church doors. Each day Fr Colhoun and Fr Mongan will pray the Divine Office for the families who are able to make this commitment. If you would like to write your family name (address not necessary) on the page at the church doors the priests will put your intentions before God each morning of Lent. If you live alone and would like to introduce the Rosary to your home, you too can add your name to the list.

 

FIRST FRIDAY 7th March is the First Friday of the month.

VISITATION OF THE HOUSEBOUND Fr Colhoun will visit the sick in his care on Thursday and Friday (6th and 7th March) this week.

THE CEREMONY OF LIGHT for the Primary 7 children (and their families) of the Long Tower Primary School will take place on Saturday (8th March) at the Vigil Mass (6.00 pm).

YOUTH 2000 group meets in Long Tower on Wednesdays at 8.00 pm. Prayer, praise and craic! Tea and coffee afterwards. 16-35 year olds welcome. Why not join us for Lent?

MURALS are being planned for painting in the area under the Flyover. The murals on the cemetery walls will be of St Columba while the illustrations on the Flyover walls will bear good civic messages. The purpose is to cover up the graffiti, clean up the area and improve the image of the locality. Young people of the community will take part in the project.

CHAIN LETTERS AND CHAIN PRAYERS have no validity in Church teaching. Many of these letters and prayers are in circulation, promising a definite answer to the prayer within a specific time-frame, and sometimes threatening bad luck if the recipient does not fulfil the conditions. The usual instruction given is to put a certain number of copies of the prayer in a church every day. This warning is most unfair because it instils fear and only ensures that the malpractice thrives and continues. Such letters and prayers are closer to superstition than to faith and are to be discouraged. Genuine prayers and novenas are certainly heard and answered by God but do not give a definite time-frame and are without any instruction to pass them on to a specific number of people or to place them in churches. Let us pray with faith not with fear or superstition.

YOU DON’T BRING ME FLOWERS In keeping with the penitential character of Lent, flowers are not usually placed in the Church during this season. Accordingly, we would ask you to postpone the donation of flowers until the great season of Easter.

BAPTISMS We welcome Kellen Heavern, USA, Owen Mitchell, Dublin and Shannon Canning, Ballykelly, who were baptised recently.

We gratefully acknowledge the following anonymous donations to the Long Tower Renovation Fund: £20, £5, £25, £5, £10, £20, £5, £20, £10, £60.

ROSARY for the Holy Souls in Purgatory will be held on Sunday 2nd March in St Brigid’s Church, Carnhill at 5.00 pm. Everyone welcome.

WOMEN’S WORLD DAY OF PRAYER on Friday 7th March in the Salvation Army Citadel at 7.30 pm. Speaker: Mrs Alex O’Hara. All welcome.

LAST WEEK’S ENVELOPE COLLECTION £1709.00
LAST WEEK’S RENOVATION COLLECTION £ 736.00

MOTHERING SUNDAY

CONGRATULATIONS to all the mothers today. By your love, prayers and constant giving you reveal the love of God and the generous perseverance of the Mother of God. Thank you!

REMEMBERING OUR BABIES AND CHILDREN (Miscarriage, neonatal death, stillbirth, infant death). As a tribute to those who have died and to their parents, families and friends a REMEMBRANCE SERVICE will be held on Sunday 9th March at 3.00 pm in the Clinical Education Centre, Altnagelvin Hospital. For information telephone 7134 5171 (Ext 3235).

ST CECILIA’S CAR BOOT SALE on Saturday 8th March from 10.00 am to 12 noon in the Car Park of St Cecilia’s College, Northland Road. Car £5 and Van £10.

PURSE FOUND Elderly person left a purse in Sweeney’s Chemist, Strand Road before Christmas. Please call to the chemist to collect.

BISHOP STREET COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION would like to inform the residents of Greater Bishop Street/Foyle Road area that a Welfare Rights worker will be available to advise people on Wednesday 5th March in Bishop Street Community Centre (old BOC) from 10.00 am to 1.00 pm.

FOYLEVIEW 55+ GROUP would like to invite you to join their bingo session with refreshments on Tuesday from 12.30 pm to 2.00 pm in Habinteg House, 8 Old City Court. Art Class at 2.15 pm.

GRAND DRAW for a holiday for two in Cancun, Mexico. Flights and all inclusive hotel. All proceeds go to building an orphanage in Mexico. The students from the schools are currently selling tickets @ £5 each or 5 for £20. Tickets are also for sale in Long Tower Parochial House. The Draw takes place on Friday 4 April.

THE MONTHLY DEVOTIONS, in honour of Our Lady, will take place in the Carmelite Retreat Centre, Termonbacca, Derry on Tuesday 4th March starting with confessions at 7.30 pm followed by Rosary and Mass, finishing around 10.00 pm. All welcome.

A ONE DAY RETREAT FOR SENIOR CITIZENS AND THEIR FRIENDS FROM DERRY and surrounding areas will take place at the Carmelite Retreat Centre, Termonbacca, Derry on Wednesday 5th March Registration from 10.30 am finishing around 5.00 pm. Cost £12 or €18 includes a four course lunch. Payment at the Centre on the day. To book Tel: Termonbacca at 7126 2512 during office hours only. With sincere thanks for your continued help and support.

TIME TO PRAY DAY On the first Sunday of each month, Thornhill Centre is open from 3.00 to 6.00 pm for those who wish to come and pray in the beauty and quiet of the house. Evening Prayer of the Church is celebrated at 5:30. ‘Prayers for Mothers’ will be part of this Sunday’s time. All welcome.

FREE STRESS MANAGEMENT PROGRAMME Are you a community worker, volunteer or some one who others turn to for advice or support feeling stressed and in need of relaxation? The Foyle Tranquilliser Initiative is organising a free one day stress management programme on Thursday 3rd April.08 in the Old Library Trust. For further details please contact Mary on 71365330.