Parish Details Parish Societies Schools Information Parish Contacts Links to other sites The Parish News Online
 

Sunday, 19th July 2009

Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

First Reading Jeremiah 23: 1-6
The leaders of Israel are indicted for their neglect of the people, but better leaders are promised.

Second Reading
Ephesians 2: 13-18

By his death Christ broke down the wall between Jews and Gentiles, and united all the peoples as children of the one Father.

Gospel Mark 6: 30-34
We see the care of Christ for his apostles as well as his compassion for the ordinary people.

 

 

 

Mass Times

Saturday Vigil 6.00 pm

Sunday 8.00 am, 10.00 am
&
12.00 noon

Weekdays 8.00am, 10.00 am &
7.30 pm

Holydays as on Sunday but the vigil Mass on the eve is at 7.30 pm.

 

 



Sunday 19th July 2009

16th Sunday in Ordinary Time

“Jesus took pity on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd.” We are all aware of a lot of turmoil and trouble in the world in general and often in our own communities and even our own families. The temptation is to either despair or to ignore. For us as followers of Christ, the only way is to see the opportunity rather than the problem and to work together at bringing Christ into our world ever more fully. We do this firstly in our homes through love and prayer. Our homes should be places where each one is glad to be. This can only happen when we make it happen for each other. We do it in our community by working together to make the parish a community of faith and hope. And we do it for our world by becoming a sign of hope because we are a people among whom Christ lives.

 

Fr. Johnny Doherty, C.Ss.R.

 

THE GOOD SHEPHERD

The teaching Church is not there as a moral tyrant. She’s not there to tyrannise us and make life impossible for us. She’s there as an instrument of Christ’s love and concern. She’s there to bring out the best in us – to stretch us to our spiritual limits; to help us realise the fullness of our humanity; to lead us to rich pastures; to guide, motivate and encourage us, up the hillside, up the mountainside, to the high pastures of truth, generosity and love. And when we tumble down the hillside, as we do, when we stray from the flock, as we do, the Church is there to help us back! Our Lord himself said that if he had one hundred sheep and one of them strayed, he’d leave the ninety-nine and go after the one that was lost. In faithfulness to Christ, that has to be the Church’s attitude too. She’s there to reconcile us in Christ’s name. Reconciliation is her station. Forgiveness is her business. One of the loveliest gifts given to the Church is the Sacrament of Penance. We must never let the Church become the Church of the Six Sacraments. Let’s not forget the seventh – not meant to be an ordeal by whisper, but a joyful celebration of Christ’s incredible forgiveness. If we are in sin, or afraid of our sinfulness, or discouraged by our sinfulness, please remember the welcome we’ll get! Our Lord is out searching for us. It will be a great moment for him and for us when we meet in mercy!

Extract from ‘These Might Help’ – Archbishop Joseph Cassidy

 

 


BAPTISMS

We welcome: Kenzie O’Donnell, 15 Riverview Crescent, Katie Kelly, 2 The Gables, Zara Thompson, 95 Foyle Road and Luke Green, 4 Moat Street, who were all baptised recently.

 

REQUIESCANT IN PACE

We extend our sincere sympathy to the family and friends of

May Curran, 9 Glendara and

Jim Deehan, 36 Westland Street. May they rest in peace.

 

 

 

WE GRATEFULLY ACKNOWLEDGE THE ANONYMOUS DONATIONS TO THE RESTORATION FUND: £20, £10, £5, £10, £55.21.

LAST WEEK’S RENOVATION COLLECTION £ 643.00
LAST WEEK’S ENVELOPE COLLECTION £1816.00

 

 

FR MONGAN will visit the sick in his care on Monday/Tuesday, 20th/21st July.

 

 

MASS IN HONOUR OF ALEXANDRINA MARIA DA COSTA will be held on Sunday 26th July at 7.30pm in Termonbacca. All welcome.

 

ACCORD – MARRIAGE PREPARATION WORKSHOPS on 18th/19th September and 23rd/24th October in the Thornhill Centre. Friday from 7.00pm to 10.00pm and Saturday from 10.00am to 4.00pm. Booking forms available from the Pastoral Centre or telephone 7136 2475.

 

MUSIC FOR SUMMER MASSES

As the choirs take a well deserved break for July and August, we would like to offer the opportunity to other singers and instrumentalists to lead the music at Sunday Masses for the next two months. Can you sing or play an instrument? If you are aged 16-18 you could allocate the Masses served towards receiving the Pope John Paul II Award (www.thepopejohnpauliiaward.com). Would you be willing to give your time and talent on a voluntary basis to enhance the liturgy this Summer or for some Sundays of the Summer? Please give your name and contact details to the Sacristy or the Parochial House.

 


ST COLUMB’S HALL
BINGO continues every Sunday night in St Columb’s Hall from 8.30pm.

ST COLUMB’S HALL available to rent for functions, conferences, meetings etc. Please contact Mrs Oonagh Robinson on 7126 2301 for information regarding bookings.

 

 

GASYARD FÉILE FAMILY FUN DAY & INTERNATIONAL FOOD FAYRE from 1.00pm to 4.00pm on the 25th July. Admission £1.00, families £3.00. For further information contact Donna on 7136 5330.

 

MONTHLY PRO-LIFE DEVOTIONS on Tuesday 21st July in St Columb’s Church Chapel Road Waterside, commencing with Rosary at 7.00pm followed by Mass at 7.30pm. Everyone welcome to come and pray.

 

OLDER PEOPLES EVENTS FOR FÉILE 2009

All over 55s are welcome. The events will include a tea dance in the Tower Hotel on Monday 27th July from 2.00pm. Refreshments will be provided, entertainment by Midnight Sun. Admission £2.00. On Wednesday 29th July enjoy a trip down memory lane at the mayor’s parlour with free buffet lunch provided from 2.00pm. Admission free. Bingo with spot prizes and a snowball of £50.00 is organised for Thursday 30th July at 2.00pm in Pilots Row. Admission £2.00. For further details contact Mary on 7136 5330.

THE DVD OF THE CENTENARY MASS is available now at the Sacristy and the Parochial House. Featuring: Liturgical Reception of the Papal Legate, Concelebrated Mass of St Columba, Procession and Blessing of the Well by Cardinal O’Brien. The DVD also records some of the people at work in the preparations in the week leading up to the 9th June. Cost £10. A USA/Canadian version is now also available.

 

 

 

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)