Sunday 27th September 2009

26th Sunday in Ordinary Time

My sins, Lord, are dulling my conscience.
I get used to evil very quickly:
A little self-indulgence here,
A small unfaithfulness there,
An unwise action farther on,
And my vision becomes obscured;
I no longer see stumbling-blocks,
I no longer see other people on my road.
Lord, I beseech you, keep me young in my efforts,
Spare the bondage of habit, which lulls to sleep and kills.

(Michael Quoist)

Sunday 27th September 2009

26th Sunday in Ordinary Time

First Reading Numbers 11: 25-29
Are you jealous on my account? If only the whole people of the Lord were prophets!

Second Reading James 5: 1-6
Your wealth is all rotten.

Gospel Mark 9: 38-43.47-48
Anyone who is not against us is for us.
If your hand should cause you to sin, cut it off.

PS: I Thank You!

I came across a prayer some time ago that caught my attention. Can’t remember where, but here’s the prayer:

Dear God, we rejoice and give thanks for earthworms, bees, ladybirds and broody hens; for humans tending their gardens, talking to animals, cleaning their homes and singing to themselves; for the rising of the sap, the fragrance of growth, the invention of the wheelbarrow and the existence of the teapot, we give thanks. We celebrate and give thanks. Amen

In the light of today’s readings (Num 11:25-29; Mark 9:38-43, 45, 47-48) that prayer makes me ask how often I give thanks to God for the fine things that others do - especially if they seem to be muscling in on my turf. Jealousy is often quicker off the mark than generosity. But not always.

In today’s readings Moses and Jesus wish that everyone be filled with God’s Spirit. The more that Spirit is active in our world the better. It doesn’t matter through whom the Spirit works. Criticising someone for doing good is like telling the Holy Spirit whom he may work with. Now that would be arrogant.

In 1 Cor 13:4 Paul writes:’...love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude’. If we love it will not be as an afterthought, as a PS: I love you. If we are happy to acknowledge God’s freedom to do as he wishes and choose whom he will for his purpose then neither will our thanks be a mere afterthought, a PS: I thank you!

Fr. Tom Cahill

Announcements

First Friday

Friday of this week is the First Friday. Confessions will be on Thursday after 10.00am Mass and on Friday from 6.15pm - 6.45pm.

Dates for Baptism

The following are the dates for the Sacrament of Baptism during the months of October, November and December:

October: Sunday 4; Friday 9; Friday 16; Sunday 25.

November: Friday 6; Sunday 15; Sunday 22; Friday 27.

December: Sunday 6; Friday 11; Sunday 20.

Times for Baptism: Sunday 1.15pm; Friday 7.20pm.

We welcome into God’s Family through the Sacrament of Baptism:

Megan Anna Harkin
Emma Nicole Patton
Conor Stephen Devine
Thomas Christopher Logue

First Holy Communion 2010

There will be a meeting in St. Mary’s Girls Primary School on Monday 28 September at 7.30pm for all parents of First Holy Communion children of St. Mary’s Girls Primary School, St. Mary’s Boys Primary School and Gaelscoil.

Confirmation 2010

There will be a meeting in St. Mary’s Boys Primary School on Monday 5 October at 7.30pm for all parents of Confirmation children of St. Mary’s Girls Primary School, St. Mary’s Boys Primary School and Gaelscoil.

Solemn Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament (40 hrs)

The Annual Solemn Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament will take place on Sunday 11 October beginning after 12.30pm Mass and concluding at 8.00pm.

Legion of Mary

The Legion of Mary will recite the Rosary during the month of October before evening Mass at 6.30pm.

Parish Draw 2009

Promoters should make their returns for October to the Parish Office on Monday 19 October from 2.00pm - 4.30pm and from 7.30pm - 8.30pm. The Draw for October will take place on Thursday 22 October at 10.30am in the Parish Office.

Trocaire’s Advent Global Gifts

Trocaire’s annual Global Gifts offer the chance to purchase real Christmas gifts for the poor in developing countries which are also items vital to simple survival such as food, water, shelter, farm animals and many more. In 2009 Trocaire is looking for volunteers in the Derry Diocese to help promote these life-changing gifts in your parish or community. If you or a friend can give a day or two to this rewarding opportunity please contact Trocaire’s N.W. representative, Lawrence McBride on 71357288 or email lmcbride@trociare.ie.

May they Rest in Peace - Deaths

Ann Graham, 3 Owenreagh Drive

John McElroy, 78 Railway Road

Mary Gormley, Dunamanagh

Tony Clifford, Birmingham

Anniversaries

Gerard Connolly, Pat Doherty, Martin Lynch, Patsy Lynch, Ned Connolly, Josie Gallagher, Steve Devlin, Carmel Lee, Thomas French, Bridget French, Pat French, Robert James Brolly, Nancy Mullen.

Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes

The Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes will take place from 16 - 21 July 2010. Cost £629.00. Payable in instalments. A few forms are available at the Parish Office, 71383777 or at the Pilgrimage Office. Forms for those in need of care or those aged 80+ are available only from the Pilgrimage Office 028 71260293.

The Thornhill Centre, Culmore Road, has a number of Autumn Courses available around adult faith development. For details contact the secretary on 71351233.

Free Seniors Information Day

Free Seniors Information Day will take place on Friday 2 October from 11.00am - 2.00pm in St. Patrick’s Hall, Barrack Street. This is a special day aimed at senior citizens! Advice and information on health issues, controlling energy costs, help with local transport, volunteering and how to get free benefit entitlement checkups. Free lunch and refreshments with live entertainment from ‘Dance Unlimited’. Contact Sarah Jane Goldring on 71271017 for more details.

Foyle Hospice Sponsored Walk/Run

on Sunday 4 October. Beginning at 1.30pm at the Fir Trees Hotel. Entry forms are available from the Foyle Hospice Shop, 5a Church Street. Tel. 71886241.

Gaelscoil Ui Dhochartaigh,

St. Mary’s Boys P.S. and St. Mary’s Girls P.S.

In school we will have difficulties if any of our non-teaching staff are hit with swine flu in that we do not have a register of people available to stand in incase of illness. With vetting now necessary we are looking to establish a register of people who would be willing to go through the vetting process and fill in as caretaker, secretary, classroom assistant, dinner supervisor or cleaner should the need arise. If any parent, or someone you know, is interested please contact the relevant school where we will provide you with further information.

Melmount Centre

Parish Bingo Sunday 27 September.

September Draw

£500: 1102 Josephine McGinn - Margaret McLaughlin
£250: 1355 Christine Gallagher - Paul Gallagher
£250: 1125 Seamus Bradley - late Kathleen Monaghan
£250: 1202 Mary Gillespie - Ann Bell
£150: 1455 Caroline Boylan - Michael McGrath
£150: 1473 June Potts - Michael McGrath
£150: 1295 E. McGranaghan - Carol Ann Stewart
£100: 1546 Kathleen Magee - Sheila McGonagle
£100: 1414 Dolores Houston - Helen Foster
£100: 1054 Pauline Wilson - Pauline Wilson