Sunday 1st March 2009

The Kingdom of God is Close at Hand

Jesus said: "Repent and believe the Good News". At the beginning of Lent, this call of Christ sets the agenda for the next six weeks. The first thing we have to do is 'repent'. What does that mean for us? It simply means 'let go' - let go of the things and the ways of living that limit our freedom to love God with our whole heart and strength and our neighbour as ourselves. Secondly Christ calls us to 'believe the Good News'. This means to live the Good News, to practise being happy, to bring joy and peace and healing to all those we live with and those we meet. This obviously has huge implications for married couples in their relationship; for families in their life together; and for every parish community. Lent is not just about giving things up but rather about changing in ways that will bring life to others. Six weeks practice should make a profound difference to our lives.

Fr. Johnny Doherty, C.Ss.R.

REV PATRICK DOHERTY
Tel 028 816 71393
patrick.doherty@derrydiocese.org

REV COLM O’DOHERTY
Tel 028 816 61475
07786115471 (emergencies only)
c.odoherty@btinternet.com

NEIGHBOURING PRIESTS:
Fr K Mullan 82 831225 Fr J Gilmore 816 70728 Fr E Graham 816 61445

Parish website: www.castledergparish.com
Derry Diocesan website: www.derrydiocese.org
Derry Diocesan Catechetical Centre: www.catecheticalcentre.org
Irish Bishops’ Conference: www.catholicbishops.ie

Sunday 1st March 2009

First Sunday of Lent

Jesus begins His ministry by proclaiming the Kingdom of God is close at hand, and He calls for repentance: a repentance to bring about peace and a repentance to show true loyalty to God.

The theme for the Trocaire Lenten Campaign this year is Forced to Flee from Conflict. Trocaire boxes are being delivered to your homes. Your usual generous support of the Trocaire Lenten Campaign will be appreciated. Please encourage children, in particular, to participate in contributing to this vital cause.

WEEKDAY MASSES

St Francis of Assisi, Drumnabey:
Monday 10.00am, Thursday 7.30pm

St Mary’s, Dregish:
Wednesday 10.00am, First Friday 10.00am

CHURCH DUTIES ROTA – Readings, Offertory Gifts, Cleaning & Flowers:
Thank you to the Crew area for last month’s duties in Drumnabey and the Tullymuck area for last month’s duties in Dregish. This month, the Coolcreaghy / Garvetagh area is on duty in Drumnabey, and the Dunteague area in Dregish.

HOLY COMMUNION in Dregish and Drumnabey will be distributed under both species today and at every Sunday Mass from now onwards, in both churches. Up until now, for pastoral reasons, Communion under the species of Bread alone has been legitimately established as the most common form of Communion under the Latin rite. However, the sign of Communion is more complete when given under both species, since, in that form, the Eucharistic meal appears more clearly.

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION in Dregish and Drumnabey: Sunday 17th May.

VISITATION OF THE SICK AND HOUSEBOUND

Fr O’Doherty will visit the sick and housebound this week, in the Drumnabey area on Thursday and in Dregish on Friday.

EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS

Day of Prayer and Reflection in the Thornhill Centre, Derry, this Saturday, 7th March, commencing at 11.00am and finishing at 4.00pm. Lunch will be provided. Please confirm attendance, by Wednesday of this week, with Fr O’Doherty.

THANK YOU for your generosity in recent collections:
Sunday 15th February: Dregish £305 Drumnabey £382
Sunday 22nd February: Dregish £302 Drumnabey £308

EXPOSITION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT every Thursday evening in St Francis of Assisi, from 6.30pm to 7.20pm. I encourage as many as possible to come along to the church during this period, to spend some time of prayer and reflection in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament.

STATION MASSES

Anyone who wishes to host a Station Mass in their home during Lent, please contact Fr O’Doherty, this week.

APOSTOLIC WORK

Honorary membership subscriptions for apostolic Work are collected annually. Envelopes available at the Church door of St Francis of Assisi today. They will be collected next Sunday. Living and deceased family members can be enrolled. The usual donation is £2. Mass will be offered during Lent for all Honorary Members. All your donations and fundraising by Apostolic Work is given directly to the missions.

Tickets for the Apostolic Work Easter Draw are available at the back of St Mary’s, Dregish, today. Cost £0.50 or three tickets for £1.00. The draw will be held on 31st March. Your support will be greatly appreciated.

DREGISH GFC Lotto: Numbers last week: 3, 2, 7, 1, 5, 4, 6. £50 shared between Jackie Breen and Johnny Timoney. Jackpot £750.
25 CARD PLAY tomorrow night at 8.30pm.

SPAMOUNT SWIFTS LOTTO Numbers last week: 7, 19, 23, 25. Mary McMenamin won £50. Jackpot £3,500.

PLEASE NOTE: Notices for the parish bulletin are welcome; however, they need to be with Fr O’Doherty by Thursday afternoon at the latest, for inclusion.