Sunday 2nd August 2009

18th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Jesus said to the crowd: ‘Do not work for food that cannot last but work for food that endures to eternal life’. Every one of us has a whole variety of people and things that are important to us. And we don’t want to neglect any of them. However, we all have a great responsibility to set priorities, and to get those priorities right. That is what Jesus is calling us to this week. The most important things are those that last forever like love, faith, hope. And the most important people are those of our own families and communities. Married couples need to make their marriage their priority. Parents need to make their family their priority. As people of faith we need to make our parish our priority. All this means that other things and people become less important while not neglecting them.

Fr. Johnny Doherty, C.Ss.R.

Sunday, 2nd August 2009.

18th Sunday in Ordinary Time

First Reading Exodus 16:2-4.12-15
God feeds his people in the desert.

Second Reading Ephesians 4:17.20-24
Paul urges the Ephesians to live lives in keeping with their baptismal calling.

Gospel John 6:24-35
Jesus declares that he himself is the true bread from heaven.

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

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

‘I am the Bread of Life.

He who comes to me will never be hungry;

He who believes in me will never thirst.’

John’s Gospel continues this week on the theme of the Eucharist, the Bread of Life that nourishes the soul. The Eucharist is the sign of God’s love shown to us through the life, suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is the source and summit of our faith. To accept it as such gives meaning and direction to our lives.

WEEKDAY MASSES

Dregish: Wednesday: 10.00am, First Friday 10.00am

Drumnabey: Monday: 10.00am, Thursday 7.30pm.

I encourage as many people as possible to attend our Weekday Masses.
In particular, I encourage parents to bring your children along.

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.

Brigid Colton RIP, late of Tullymuck

We offer the sympathy and prayerful support of the parish community to the Colton and McGuire families on the death of Brigid, whose Funeral Mass took place in Dregish this week. May she rest in peace.

ANNUAL PARISH GOLF CLASSIC

Despite the very poor weather conditions, the Golf Classic was an even bigger success than in previous years. We are deeply indebted to all the sponsors and to all who gave donations. Sincere thanks to the organising committee for their hard work, and also to those who helped on the day and all who formed teams. Well done and thank you to everyone who braved the weather and came along, as planned, to participate in the competition. We are grateful, once again, to Newtownstewart Golf Club for their hospitality. The profit figure will be announced within the next couple of weeks. Thank you!

Congratulations to the winners, especially the 1st prize winners, with a magnificient score of 95 points: Bobby Glackin, Danny Glackin, Sean Glackin and Pauline Sloan.

ACCORD MARRIAGE PREPARATION COURSES 2009/10 in the Pastoral Centre, Brookmount Road, Omagh, on the following dates:
2009: 16 & 17 October, 13 & 14 November, 4 & 5 December
2010: 15 & 16 January, 5 & 6 February, 5 & 6 March, 16 & 17 April, 14 & 15 May, 11 & 12 June. Application Forms available from Fr O’Doherty or phone the Pastoral Centre on 8224 2439. Email: accordomagh@btopenworld.com Early booking advisable.

DREGISH GFC Lotto: Numbers last week: 1, 7, 4, 3, 5, 6, 2. £50 shared between D O’Kane, A O’Kane and T O’Kane. Jackpot £1,300.

SPAMOUNT SWIFTS Lotto: Numbers last week: 5, 7, 16, 18. Anna Semple won £50. Jackpot £3,500.

YEAR FOR PRIESTS

Pope Benedict XVI has established a special Year for Priests, from June 2009 to June 2010, to coincide with the 150th anniversary of the death of St John Vianney, the Curé of Ars. St John Vianney is the Patron Saint of priests, and the Holy Father has asked that all priests, this year, renew themselves in their commitment to bringing the Good News of Jesus Christ to the world, through their personal lifestyle and commitment to their priestly vows. We ask all parishioners to pray every day for all priests, especially the priests of our own parish and diocese.

In this Year for Priests, we ask that you pray, through St John Vianney, Patron Saint of Priests, for all priests and, in particular, for the priests of the parish and of the Derry Diocese, that our service to God’s people will reflect the virtues of St John Vianney.

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.