Sunday 2nd November, 2008

The Faithful Departed

Jesus said: “Yes, it is my Father’s will that whoever sees the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and that I shall raise them up on the last day.” Remembering our dead is very important for various reasons. First of all, many of us have very affectionate memories of our loved ones who have died and it is good for us to call that to mind in a formal way at least once a year. Secondly, remembering our dead puts our own lives in context. All that we have has been given to us by others. This is particularly true of the gift of our faith and the values by which we are to live our lives. Can we look them in the eyes and know that our lives are in accordance with their expectations? Thirdly, remembering our dead puts us in touch with our own mortality. Death is part of the lives of each of us. But it is not our destiny. That destiny is eternal life. How are we preparing for that destiny now by the way we love in marriage, in family life, in our service to our faith community and to the world?

Fr. Johnny Doherty, C.Ss.R

Sunday 2nd November 2008.

The Commeration of all the Faithful Departed

First Reading Isaiah 25: 6-9
The Lord will destroy Death forever.

Second Reading Romans 5: 5-11
We have been reconciled, and may count on being saved by the life of oue Lord Jesus Christ.

Gospel Matthew 11: 25-30
Come to me, all you who labour and are overburdened, and I will give you rest.

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

Sunday 2nd November 2008
Feast of All Souls

WEEKDAY MASSES
St Francis of Assisi, Drumnabey:
Monday 10.00am, Thursday 7.30pm, with Exposition from 6.30pm
St Mary’s, Dregish:
Wednesday 10.00am, Friday 10.00am

WEEKLY EXPOSITION of the Blessed Sacrament every Thursday in St Francis of Assisi, from 6.30 to 7.20pm. The prayer intention for November is Prayer for the Faithful Departed.

VISITATION OF THE SICK AND HOUSEBOUND Fr O’Doherty will visit the sick and housebound in the Drumnabey area on Thursday and in Dregish on Friday.

ANNUAL DIOCESAN MASS FOR DECEASED TEACHERS in the Immaculate Conception Church, Strabane, on Wednesday 12th November, at 7.00pm. Bishop Lagan will celebrate the Mass and all are welcome.

ST JOSEPH’S GUIDES, OMAGH, invite you to their Opening Mass on Sunday 16th November, at 3.00pm, in Sacred Heart Church. Bishop Lagan will celebrate the Mass and the Derry Diocesan Youth Choir will provide the music. Patricia Lewsley, the NI Commissioner for Children and Young People, will speak at a function afterwards.

NOVEMBER is a month when we remember all those who have completed their Christian journey on this earth and, having passed through the gates of death, we hope and pray that they are now sharing in the eternal reward of Heaven. To be received into God’s friendship, however, we believe that the dead need to be purified of any personal sin which they have committed in this life. We have a custom, therefore, of praying for the souls of the faithful departed, urgently asking God to have mercy on their souls, to purify them with his boundless charity and to bring them to his Kingdom of life and light.

During the month of November, a Book of Remembrance will remain in our churches, into which you are encouraged to write the names of your loved ones who have died. They will be prayed for each time Mass is celebrated in the churches during the month of November.

INDULGENCES: From 12.00 noon on 1 November until midnight on
2 November, all who have confessed, received Holy Communion and prayed for the Pope’s intentions (one Our Father, one Hail Mary and a prayer of one’s choice), can gain a plenary indulgence by visiting a church, and there reciting one Our Father and the Apostles Creed.
All who visit the cemetery and pray for the dead may gain a plenary indulgence from 1 to 8 November.

CHRIST IN OUR TIMES (Aspiring to Holiness, Living in Simplicity) is the theme at the Iosas Centre and Celtic Prayer Garden, Bridgend, Co Donegal, next Sunday, 9th November, with Fr Jim Burke OP, from 2.00pm – 5.00pm, including Mass. For further information contact 0035374 9384866.

UMBRA COLLECTION, at St Patrick’s Church car park, Castlederg, on Tuesday morning (4th November). All types of clean, dry, ladies’, gents’ and children’s clothing, also bed linen, curtains, towels and shoes are welcome.

SET DANCING A set-dancing class has started in St Patrick’s Hall, Castlederg, on Wednesday nights, starting at ? Beginners welcome.

SPAMOUNT SWIFTS LOTTO Numbers last week: . £50 went to Jackpot £3,500.

DREGISH GFC Lotto: Numbers last week: 4, 6, 3, 2, 5, , 1. £50 shared between Denise McCaffrey, Gerard McCrossan and James McCrossan. Jackpot £350.

25 CARD PLAY in the clubrooms every Monday night, commencing at 8.30pm sharp! Everyone welcome.

MICHAEL CUSACKS YOUTH There will be training for all U12 – U15 players on Saturdays at 12.00 noon in Drumquin pitch. In poor weather it will be held in the Youth Centre. Coats and tracksuits are required and trainers for the Youth Centre. Parents are asked to organise transport.

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.