Sunday 14th September 2008

The Triumph of the Cross

Jesus said: “For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not be lost but may have eternal life.” People today struggle with the idea of whether there is a God at all. Our faith teaches us, not only that there is a God, but that God is passionately in love with each one of us. God wants everything that is good and best for each of us. That is why he sent his Son, Jesus Christ, not just as a teacher but as one who literally put his life on the line to show us the way to the fullness of life. The Triumph of the Cross is not the triumph of power but of love. Our love relationships will bring us through suffering too but they will lead us to life. So many people are lost in themselves. The only way to life for them and for all of us is the way of love. As Christians we have the responsibility of living that way in our families and in our faith community. That is the challenge week by week.

Fr. Johnny Doherty, C.Ss.R.

 

Long Tower One Hundred

MONSTER DRAW 2009

CLICK THE 'I' FOR MORE INFO

*** LIMITED NUMBER OF TICKETS REMAINING ***

To enter the Draw
Members of the committee will be available in the Sacristy after each Mass today to sign up new members and for giving out pre-booked tickets.

Tickets available: Daily 10.00-2.30 pm, Parochial House

Please! Please give the parish your enthusiastic support in this essential fund-raising venture. The priests of the parish will recite the Divine Office for the intentions and well-being of all the promoters and the members every day until the Centenary. Thank you!

 

REQUIESCANT IN PACE

We extend our sincere sympathy to the family of Sheila Browne, 146 Carnhill. May she rest in peace.

PRIESTS AND RELIGIOUS FROM LONG TOWER PARISH

We are seeking the names and addresses of all priests and religious who originally came from the Long Tower Parish, to invite them to our centenary celebrations in 2009. If you have contact details please leave them in either the sacristy or the Parochial House or telephone 7126 2301.

 

KNIGHTS OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT

Calling men to prayer!

A Knight of the Blessed Sacrament is a man who will be prepared and inducted for veneration and protection of the Eucharist when it is exposed on the altar. He will commit to one hour’s Adoration on a Wednesday, during which time he will wear a special garment of veneration that marks him out as a protector of the Blessed Sacrament. One definition of a knight is a man who stands for a just cause or a special lady. We readily think of holy men such as St Joseph and St John the Evangelist who both appeared with Our Lady in Knock. That level of sanctity will be beyond what most of us can reach but we need not be discouraged.

The calling to be a knight will have a lot of significance for our parish as we prepare for the Centenary. It invites men to be courageous in their faith, to show leadership in prayer, to give example to their families, to enhance their self-esteem, to claim their dignity as dutiful servants of Christ, to protect the Eucharist and to grow in love. True masculinity implies strength with gentleness, the kind of qualities that come from prayer.

Society tries to immerse men in a generally superficial style of living, in a culture of obsession with sports, of alcohol consumption and gambling. The Church invites men to counteract the social trend, to be truly earnest about their vocation as brothers, uncles, husbands, fathers and grandfathers and to enrich their lives with prayer and the Sacraments. A very profound way of doing this is to become a Knight of the Blessed Sacrament.

Long Tower is an ideal location for the Knights since it was here that St Columba formed his community of monks 14 centuries ago. That Columban spirit is alive and well in Long Tower because to this day many men here show great devotion to God. We would be very grateful to any men who will volunteer. The benefits are immediate and eternal.

Invitation to become a Knight:

Preparation – Set aside an hour for formation each Thursday of this month (September), 8:15-9:15 pm, in Long Tower Sacristy, beginning on Thursday 11th Sept.

Dedication – Devote a specific hour for Adoration each Wednesday.

Fidelity – Be living the Ten Commandments.

Age – Be 18 years or older.

To volunteer – Please collect a form in the Sacristy and return it by Tuesday.

LONG TOWER ONE DAY PILGRIMAGE TO LOUGH DERG on Tuesday 23rd September. Bus departs from the top of Abercorn Road at 8.00 am. Bus and island £30. Please contact the Parochial House on 7126 2301.

WE GRATEFULY ACKNOWLEDGE THE ANONYMOUS DONATIONS TO THE LONG TOWER RENOVATION FUND: £5, £10, £20, £20, £5, £20.

LAST WEEK’S ENVELOPE COLLECTION £1890.00

LAST WEEK’S RENOVATION COLLECTION £ 741.00

PRO LIFE DEVOTIONS on Tuesday 16th September in St Columb’s Church, Chapel Road, Waterside commencing with Rosary at 7.00 pm followed by Mass at 7.30 pm. Everyone welcome to come and pray for the unborn child.

'REJOICE' the new Diocesan Youth Choir founded last May is now preparing for a new year of singing, worshipping and performing. The choir is looking for new singers and musicians (of all sorts) to join the ranks. Members are to be aged 14-19 yrs old. The choir sings a variety of sacred music from contemporary, folk and Gospel, as well as traditional hymns and Irish repertoire. If you’d like to be involved in the choir you are invited to attend the initial gathering on Monday 15th September at 4.00 pm in St Mary's, Creggan. Contact rejoice@derrydiocese.org or 71264087 for more information.

Pope John Paul II Award

If you are aged 16-18 yrs you are invited to take part in the Pope John Paul 11 Award. This award is for all young people who would like to get involved in their local parish and community. There are 3 levels to the award: gold, silver and bronze and successful applicants are awarded with a medal and certificate. This is a wonderful opportunity to get involved in something new and worthwhile. For full details or to apply check out www.thepopejohnpauliiaward.com or contact 71264087.

TWO YEAR FOUNDATION TIER GCSE MATHEMATICS in Lumen Christi College. All resources (textbooks, examination fees etc) for this evening class will be provided free of charge. There will be a short meeting for registration in the school’s Sixth Form Study on Monday 15th September at 5.00 pm.

 

HOLY FAMILY SILVER JUBILEE PARISH RETREAT

20th-28th September 2008 Theme: ‘God is with us always’

A warm welcome is extended to anyone who would like to come along and take part in the Parish Retreat in Holy Family Saturday from 20th September to Sunday 28th September. The Retreat is being held to celebrate the Silver Jubilee of the Opening and Blessing of church on 25th September 1983. The retreat opens at the Vigil Mass on Saturday 20th September at 6.00 pm. For further details retreat leaflets are available at the doors of the Church.

PARENTS ADVICE CENTRE is currently seeking applications from people who would be able to offer a commitment of 4 hours per week. All volunteers are required to complete the Organisation’s Accredited Training Programme. Parenting Programme The centre is running a 6 week course, Handling Teenagers, Wednesday 24th September from 7.30 pm. This course is free and places are limited. For information telephone 7137 2006.

 

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)