RESTORATION
OF THE BAPTISTERY
On Friday evening the Baptismal font was returned
to its original location in the Baptistery. As part
of the centenary programme we are endeavouring to
restore the church to its original condition. When
the new Long Tower opened in 1909 the baptistery was
described as the gem of the church. It is indeed a
remarkable work of architecture and art. The baptismal
font itself is of the purest and rarest onyx, cut
out of one solid block of that precious stone. The
sculptor at the time, Mr Earley, described it as one
of the finest pieces of work that he ever turned out.
In 1989, by way of making space for the facsimile
of the Book of Kells which was to be donated to the
Long Tower, the font was moved out of the baptistery
and placed in the western transept of the church.
Now, twenty years later, and 100 years after the opening
of the church the font has come home. The Book of
Kells is due to go into Áras Cholmcille, the
new heritage centre being planned for the Wee Nuns
School. We invite you to take a look at the restored
baptistery. The first babies will be baptised there
this Sunday morning at 11 o’clock. We are very
grateful to the Restoration Group for their sterling
work in this historical project.
THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN IRELAND, NORTH AND
SOUTH, WILL CELEBRATE CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK from
Monday 26 January to Sunday 1 February 2009. The theme
is “Catholic Schools - A Vision for Life”.
The Bishops’ Conference Pastoral Letter ‘Vision
08 – A Vision for Catholic Education in Ireland’
will provide the central focus for the celebration.
The purpose of Catholic Schools Week is to promote
the contribution that Catholic schools make to our
society. Resources will be available in early January,
locally in schools and parishes, and on the homepage
of www.catholicbishops.ie
BAPTISMS
We welcome: Aimee Healy, 46 Southend Park, Roís
McLaughlin, 16 Summer Meadows, Maeve English, 45 Ardmore
Manor, Nicole Porteous, 5 Burnside Manor, Clare O’Donnell,
33 Grosvenor Road, who were all baptised recently.
REQUIESCANT IN PACE
We extend our sincere sympathy
to the family and friends of
Anna Villa, 3 Dunkeld
Avenue,
Harry Lynn, 66A Westland Street,
Louis McKinney, 14 Foyle Park,
Sister Aloysuis McVeigh, Pump Street
Convent,
Madeline Bond, 10 Foyle Park,
Anthony McGeady, 5 Greenwood Avenue
. May they rest in peace.
SCHOOL ENROLMENTS
LONG TOWER AND NAZARETH HOUSE PRIMARY SCHOOLS
– Enrolment for Nursery and Primary Education
for September 2009 Closing date for applications is
Wednesday 21st January 2009 at 12 noon. Application
forms are available in the school offices.
ST JOSEPH’S YOUNG PRIESTS SOCIETY MONTHLY MEETING
tomorrow, Monday 12th January at 8.30 pm. All welcome.
ROSARY for the Holy Souls in Purgatory
will be held on Sunday 11th January in St Brigid’s
Church, Carnhill at 5.00 pm. Everyone welcome.
BIG WINTER BINGO
ST MARY’S PARISH HALL
SUNDAY 25TH JANUARY 2009 AT 8.30 PM
Proposed Payout in Last House
£1000
THE HOLY FAMILY PADRE PIO PRAYER GROUP will
hold their monthly meeting in the Holy Family Church,
Ballymagroarty on Monday night starting with 7.30
pm Mass. There will be a 1st class relic of St Pio
at the meeting. Everyone is welcome.
ENGAGED? Getting married within the next
year? An Engaged Encounter Weekend is a recognised
form of marriage preparation. It is a communication
enrichment workshop designed for couples preparing
for marriage. The weekend is non-residential and will
take place in the Thornhill Centre, Derry on 21st-22nd
February. Early booking is advised. For information
contact 7930 0340 or 2763 8512 (after 4.30 pm).
ACCORD DERRY – MARRIAGE PREPARATION WORKSHOP
on 30th and 31st January 2009 in the Thornhill
Centre. On Friday 7.00 pm to 10.00 pm and Saturday
10.00 am to 4.00 pm. Booking forms available from
the Pastoral Centre or telephone 7136 2475.
GASYARD MINORS – New Club for
local children aged 5 to 1 years old. Games, arts
and crafts, fun information sessions and much more!
Every Saturday from 11.00 am to 1.15 pm in the Gasyard
Centre. For further information contact Carol on 7126
2812.
IRISH LANGUAGE CLASSES organised
by Cumann Gaelach Chnoc na Rós Doire began
on Tuesday 6th January @ 7.15 pm at St Anne’s
Primary School, Upper Nassau Street, Rosemount. For
more information call 7134 2906 or email cnocnaros1@btconnect.com.
TRADITIONAL MUSIC CLASSES will resume
on Tuesday 13th January from 6.30 pm to 7.30 pm in
St Brigid’s Parish Centre, Carnhill.
CÉILÍ DANCING traditional
music and craic every Monday night in the AOH Foyle
Street, Derry from 9.00 pm to 11.00 pm. Everybody
welcome. An enjoyable way to keep fit.
NEW COURSES AVAILABLE AT DOVE HOUSE
and other local centres. Enrolment at Dove House on
Thursday 15th January from 9.30 am to 7.00 pm, Friday
16th January from 9.30 am to 3.00 pm and Monday 19th
to Thursday 22nd January from 9.30 am to 7.00 pm.
For more information please contact Patti O’Hagan
on 7126 9327.
VOUCHERS FOUND IN LOCAL SHOPPING CENTRE
Please contact the Parochial House.
EXERCISE CLASSES AND MENS 55+ ACTIVITY CLUB
in the Gasyard Centre. Contact Donna on 7136 5330
for more information
ST CECILIA'S COLLEGE Pupils transferring
from Primary to Secondary School in September 2009,
and their parents, will be welcome to attend our Open
Day in St. Cecilia's College, Northland Road, on Sunday
18th January 2009 2.00p.m. – 5.00p.m. Principal's
address: 2.00p.m, 3.00p.m and 4.00p.m. Performing
Arts Workshops will take place on Wednesday 14th January
9.00 a.m. to 3.00 p.m. Those intending to apply for
a place in Sixth Form for September 2009 are also
welcome to attend.
LAST WEEK’S ENVELOPE
COLLECTION £2029.00
LAST WEEK’S RENOVATION COLLECTION £ 520.00
WE GRATEFULLY ACKNOWLEDGE
THE ANONYMOUS DONATIONS TO: £10, £5, £100,
£20, £20, £100, £20, £300.
SUICIDAL?
Counselling available
at ZEST, 15 Queen Street, 7126 6999.
P.S.
‘If people want to have hope and find meaning
in their lives, they need to take God out of the "parentheses".
(Pope Benedict XVI)
