BAPTISMS
We welcome: Eoghan Harron,
98 Broomy Lane, who was baptised recently.
REQUIESCANT IN PACE
We extend our sincere sympathy to
the family and friends of
Michael Black, Co
Leitrim and
Margaret Gallagher,
35 Long Tower Court. May they rest in peace.
THE LONG TOWER ONE HUNDRED
The final pay in night for the Centenary Draw is
on Monday 4th May 2009. If you need to check the balance
owing on a ticket or to pay the final instalment,
please do so at this time. Could any ticket holders,
who still hold ticket stubs, please return them on
the 4th May.
FIRST FRIDAY
Friday, 1st May is the 1st Friday
of the month.
READERS
St Matthew’s Team and EUCHARISTIC
MINISTERS Team A will serve for the month of May,
beginning on Friday.
VISITATION OF HOUSEBOUND
Fr Colhoun will visit the sick in
his care on Thursday/Friday, 30th April/1st May.
ENGAGED? Getting married within the next
year? Engaged Encounter is a recognised form
of marriage preparation. It is a communication enrichment
workshop designed for couples preparing for marriage.
It will take place in the Thornhill Centre, Derry
on 6th and 7th June. Early booking is advisable. For
information telephone 028 7930 0340 or 028 2763 8512
(after 4.30 pm).
UNDER-AGE DRINKING is a major social
problem. Wonderful young people are wasting their
God-given time and energy in consuming alcohol. Their
gifts and talents can be put to so many good purposes
with a simple change of direction. A lot of this drinking
is done in the streets and presents a problem to residents.
It makes the streets look dangerous and it causes
people to be uncomfortable when walking outdoors after
dark. No one likes walking past a group of drinkers.
The passers-by may come to no harm but they cannot
help feeling unwelcome in their own neighbourhoods.
The result is that we have anti-social behaviour in
residential areas. It is a human right to be safe
in your home and on the way to and from your home.
There are several fault-lines to be identified here
and so we appeal to various groups. We appeal first
of all to parents to assume full responsibility for
their children. If you are a parent you have a duty
to know where your children are, who they are with
and what they are doing. No one else can do this God-given
task for you. If you do your very best to make your
home a prayerful, peaceful and fruitful place the
children are more likely to use their time productively.
We appeal secondly to those who are in the licensed
trade. If you are a vintner you must make sure that
the alcohol you sell is not being channelled to those
who are under-age. It is not easy to be certain but
it is important to try. We appeal thirdly to the community
to work together in your own streets to ensure that
young people do not feel the freedom to drink in the
open air. Fourthly, we appeal to every member to the
community to practise the Faith that we are baptised
into. When we pray, confess our sins and attend Sunday
Mass faithfully, God keeps us in grace and preserves
us from many sins and difficult situations. Venerable
Matt Talbot, pray for us.
DIOCESE OF DERRY CHARISTMATIC RENEWAL ONE
DAY CONFERENCE in the Broomhill Hotel on
Saturday 16th May from 9.00am to 5.00pm. Further information
from Mona on 7126 9549.
WHO IS ST PAUL? This four-week course
on St Paul gives a wonderful insight into various
aspects of this great saint. Venue & Time: Thornhill
Centre on the Mondays of May beginning on 4th May
from 7.30 to 9.30pm. Cost: £30. To book, phone
7135 1233.
IRISH BAPTISMS STEADILY INCREASING
England and Wales also welcome more new Catholics.
(DUBLIN, Ireland, APRIL 2, 2009 (Zenit.org). The number
of baptisms in Ireland, both infant and adult, has
been increasing over the past decade.
CatholicIreland.net reported Wednesday that 67,191
babies were baptized in 2006, compared to a little
more than 65,000 in 1990. Statistics from the Annuarium
Statisticum Ecclesiae showed that baptisms of adults
and children older than seven years are also on the
rise. In 2006, there were 360 new members of the Church,
compared to 65 in 1990. The article noted that the
research and development council of the Irish bishops'
conference has yet to compare these numbers against
the general birth rate of the country, to assess the
nature of the trend.
The number of adult baptisms is also increasing in
England and Wales, and 3,636 new Catholics will join
the Church this Easter. Last year, there were 2,945
new members, an increase from 2,870 in 2007.
Monsignor Andrew Faley, the assistant general secretary
of the bishops' conference, told The Tablet that he
believes the economic crisis may have contributed
to the conversions. He said, "Often during a
time of uncertainty, financial and otherwise, people
take stock and re-evaluate their values, beliefs and
life situation."
FOYLE VALLEY RESIDENTS ARE HAVING AN ART
EXHIBITION in the Gas Yard Café Exhibition
Area. The exhibition will take place on Thursday 7th
May at 3.30pm, refreshments available. All welcome
and the paintings are for sale.
STAFF AND RESIDENTS OF FOYLE VALLEY HOUSE
are appealing for donations for a bumper sale in July.
Books, bric a brac, clothes, jewellery, unwanted gifts
and good quality crafts are very much appreciated
and can be left at the hostel on Foyle Road. All proceeds
go to the refuge’s ‘Comfort Fund’
which covers the cost of activities which offer an
alternative to alcohol, including hobbies, family
days, art materials and outings for residents.
AGE CONCERN DERRY ANNUAL OVER 60 PAIRS SNOOKER
COMPETITION will take place at Malvern House,
Chapel Road. This year’s competition will begin
Wednesday May 13th at 2.00pm. The entry fee for the
competition is £5 only. Should you require further
information and an application form, please contact
Age Concern at Malvern House, 20 Chapel Road, Derry
or telephone 7134 7478 or email dev.ageconcern@derrycityconnect.org.
The closing date for competition entries is Thursday
7th of May 2009.
SHIRT FACTORY
Reminiscence Evening in the Central Library, Foyle
Street on Thursday 30th April at 7.30 pm. Bring your
memories, enjoy the craic, have a cup of tea/coffee,
look at some photos and watch the live performance
of the ‘Parlour’ excerpt from the ‘Tillies’
play. Host for the evening will be Patsy Durnin, a
former Tillie & Henderson’s shirt cutter
and author of the ‘Tillies’ book and play.
Everyone welcome.
LAST WEEK’S RENOVATION
COLLECTION £ 660.00
LAST WEEK’S ENVELOPE
COLLECTION £1870.00
WE GRATEFULLY ACKNOWLEDGE
THE ANONYMOUS DONATIONS TO THE RESTORATION FUND: £10,
£5, £20, £10, £20, £10,
£5.
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)
