Sunday 10th February 2008

First Sunday of Lent

Reflection

The invitation of Lent is to draw closer to Christ and to renew within us the life of faith. Faith, of course, is a great gift of God. Through faith we are able to hear the Word of God as addressed to us and to place it at the centre of our lives.

Through faith we find the time meaning of our own existence and of the world around us. Through faith we are able to guide and shape our lives according to the will of God which has so graciously been shown to us. Through faith we place God at the centre of all we do. The first fruit of faith is prayer. A trusting prayer offered each day is the first sign of the life of a believer. Indeed, Jesus teaches us not only the importance of prayer but also how to pray, so it is not surprising that priority for each of us during Lent is to renew our life of prayer.

 

Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil.

Jesus is God. When the tempter came to him in the desert, Jesus’ powers were infinite, but he chose not to use them. Instead, he responded with directives to trust and worship God and to be nourished by God’s word. Each temptation Jesus rejected is significant in relation to his public ministry, but perhaps one overlooked focus is simply that he was tempted.

The choices Jesus made in today’s scene in the desert, in the villages where he taught and heeled, in the garden where he sweat blood, and on the cross where he gave up his life, were all made out of obedience to the Father and out of love for us.

Because we have free will – the ability to choose – we can and will be tempted. Is the way we use our gifts guided by obedience to the Father and love of our neighbour? It may be that we are most tempted to sin when it comes to our gifts. It is far too easy to use our talents in a self serving way and to ignore God’s call to serve. As always, we have the perfect model of Jesus to guide our choices. Are my gifts at the service of God and neighbour?

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.

 

LENTEN DEVOTIONS on Sunday at 6.00 pm.

BAPTISMS
We welcome Evan Michael Curran, 15 Harding Street, Rhea Gemma Johnstone, 25 Tamneymore and Abbie Patrica Smith, 40 Burnside Manor, who were all baptised recently.

DEATHS
We wish to express our deepest sympathy to the relatives and friends of
Roseann Hasson, 247 Lone Moor Road and
Martha McCallion, 189 Lone Moor Road.

VISITATION OF THE HOUSEBOUND

Father Mongan will visit the sick in his care on Tuesday/Wednesday, 12th/13th February in the following areas:

Tuesday 12th Feb St Columb’s Wells, Westland Street, Meenan Drive, Drumcliffe Avenue, Abbots Walk, Cable Street, Durrow Park.

Wednesday 13th Feb Maureen Avenue, Ivy Terrace, Lower Bennett Street, Belview Avenue, Mary Street, Moat Street, Abercorn Road, Abercorn Place, Sunbeam Terrace, Corporation Street, Barrack Street, Cooke Street, Windmill Terrace, Charlotte Street, The Metropole, Long Tower Court.

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

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?

CEMETERY SUNDAY
The Annual Service of Intercession for the Dead takes place in the City Cemetery on Sunday, 22 June at 6.00 pm.

CONCERNED ABOUT SUICIDE
An information evening entitled ‘Concerned about Suicide’ will be held in the City Hotel on Tuesday 19th February from 7.30 pm to 9.30 pm. This evening has been organised by representatives from the four main Christian Churches and will be led by Mr Barry McGale and Mrs Anne McGarrigle. Everyone is welcome.

MATTHEW MONDAYS
A four week beginners bible-study course on the Gospel of Matthew starts in Thornhill Centre on Monday 18 February. Bibles will be available for use. Suggested donation: £5 per morning. Time: 11.00 am - 12.45 pm. Please ring to book.

MONTHLY MASS FOR THE BEATIFICATION OF MATT TALBOT
People suffering from addiction and their families will take place in St Columb’s Church, Waterside on this Monday 11th February at 7.30 pm.

MONTHLY DEVOTIONS IN HONOUR OF THE DIVINE MERCY will take place this Tuesday 12th February in Nazareth House Chapel at 8.00 pm.

ST PATRICK’S MISSIONARIES would like to thank all those parishioners who donated used stamps over Christmas. The funds which these stamps generate help projects in the developing world.

ST JOSEPH’S YOUNG PRIEST SOCIETY monthly meeting on Monday 11th February at 8.30 pm. All welcome.

THE STAR RESIDENTIAL WEEKEND has been specifically designed to give young teens aged 11 to 14 the space they need to explore their faith and also build valuable friendships. The next Star Weekend will take place in Termonbacca Retreat Centre on Friday 15th February at 7.15 pm to Sunday 17th February at 1.00 pm. If you are aged 11 to 14, looking for something different, this weekend is not to be missed. Book early. Cost £30. Contact Oonagh on 077 1170 7365 or email oonaghtpp@yahoo.co.uk.

CATHOLIC TV is broadcast on SKY channel number 769. The channel is called EWTN – Eternal Word Television Network.

GOOD RESOLUTION: Pay a bill that you have been putting off.

DERRY GAELIC ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION – 2008 NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE Saturday 15th March Derry v. Kildare at 8.00 pm and Saturday 5th April Derry v. Tyrone at 8.00 pm. All games will be played under the new floodlights.

FOYLE YARNSPINNERS invite you to an evening of song and story with Declan Forde on Monday 11th February at 8.00 pm in the Verbal Arts Centre, Stable Lane, Bishop Street. Admission free. All welcome.

LAST WEEK’S RENOVATION COLLECTION £ 714.00

LAST WEEK’S ENVELOPE COLLECTION £ 2106.00