Sunday, 4th October 2009

27th Sunday of the Year

Jesus said to the Pharisees – when talking to them about marriage and divorce: ‘They are no longer two therefore, but one body.’ A phenomenon, and one of the very sad features of our world today, is the number of marriages that break down. And we should have the greatest reverence for and compassion towards those people who are in this situation. However the challenge for us is to keep faith in marriage and to reverence the institution of marriage as a vitally important part of God’s plan for our humanity and as one of the sacraments of the Church. Marriage is under all kinds of pressure. It needs to also have all kinds of support from all of us whether we are married or not so that every couple will be encouraged to aim for and work towards the best possible marriage and not settle for mediocrity in their love.

Fr. Johnny Doherty, C.Ss.R.

Sunday 4th October 2009

27th Sunday in Ordinary Time - Day for Life.

First Reading Genesis 2: 18-24
Man and woman are created equally and as husband and wife become one body.

Second Reading Hebrews 2: 9-11
By God’s grace Jesus had to experience death for the salvation of all people.

Gospel Mark 10: 2-16
What God has united, man must not divide.

REV BRIAN DONNELLY PP
Tel 028 816 71393
patrick.doherty@derrydiocese.org

REV COLM O’DOHERTY CC
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

Living the Sunday Liturgy

PRAYER FOCUS

Forgive our failings.

Question: Do you believe that God loves you as you are?
Do you accept your own failings?

Questions for Action for the week.

For your marriage: How could you as a couple grow in and celebrate your love this week?

For others: Think of some group that is working for marriage. How could you support them this week?

W E E K D A Y M A S S E S

Dregish: Wednesday: 10.00am, Friday 10.00am

Drumnabey: Monday: 10.00am, Thursday 7.30pm

I encourage as many people as possible to attend our Weekday Masses.

Jesus calls on us to promote and safeguard the values
that enhance marriage and family life.

Today is the Universal Church’s annual Day for Life celebration, a day which was established by Pope John Paul II in 1995, to promote the dignity of life from conception to natural death. Day for Life this year promotes awareness of mental ill-health and, in particular, the pastoral outreach and support needed for those who have lost a family member through suicide. The Irish Bishops’ Pastoral Letter on Day for Life, ‘You are precious in my sight’ (Isaiah 43:4), can be accessed on a special feature on the website www.catholicbishops.ie.

THANK YOU for your generosity in last week’s collection:
Dregish £390, Drumnabey £295.

A Presentation Evening for Fr Paddy will be held in St Patrick’s Hall, Castlederg, on the evening of Friday 23rd October . Full details next week.

ST FRANCIS OF ASSISI PS, DRUMNABEY

The Board of Governors and staff of the school warmly invite all past and present pupils, parents and other family members, and members of the community, to the school this Thursday, 8th October, at 11.45am, for the Official Blessing of the school, dedicating it to the patronage of St Francis of Assisi. The date was chosen to coincide with the Feast of St Francis of Assisi, which is today, 4th October. (The Feast is not celebrated when it falls on a Sunday). Everyone in the parish is welcome to come along on Thursday and join in the Service of Dedication and, afterwards, to share in refreshments and meet with Bishop Hegarty.

STATION MASSES will take place this month as follows:
Envagh/Leglands: Ryan & Grainne McMenamin, this Thursday, 8th October. Mass will be at 8.30pm, with Confessions beforehand, at 8.15pm.
Tullymuck: Michael & Gertie McGuire, Wednesday 28th October.
Glassmullagh/Lisnacreight: Gerard & Claire Rodgers, Friday 30th October.

DISCOVER GARDENING

A six week Discover Gardening course will take place in Garden Creations Garden Centre, 31a Rash Road, Omagh. The course will cover: pruning, pest & diseases and organic gardening. For application forms or further details, contact Claire or Ann on 028 82 248 048 (working hours) or check out website www.gardencreationsomagh.com

A FIVE WEEK PROGRAMME for women, Beauty Secrets, will commence in the Tara Centre, Omagh, on Thursday 15th October, at 8.00pm, and in Community House, Omagh, on Friday 16th October, at 11.00am. The programme is designed to enhance the lives of women who suffer from low self esteem or lack in confidence, those who feel nervous, anxious or unfulfilled, those who are easily embarrassed or feel intimidated. For full details, contact 078 4581 73839.

DREGISH GFC Lotto: Numbers last week: 5, 4, 3, 2, 6, 1, 7. £50 shared between K Ferris, G McCrossan, K timoney and T O’Kane. Jackpot £1,500.

SPAMOUNT SWIFTS Lotto: Numbers last week: 8, 20, 22, 25 No winners. Jackpot £1,080.

OCTOBER is traditionally a month of special devotion to Our Lady and to the Rosary. The dedication of October to Mary and the Rosary dates back to 1883, when it was established by Pope Leo XIII.

October is also the month traditionally dedicated to Mission. Mission Sunday will be celebrated on Sunday 18th October. The Church’s mission is to proclaim the Gospel of Christ in word, in sacrament, in witness and in service. We, as Church members, share in the responsibility of the Church’s mission. We tend to associate Mission with missionaries and with far-away countries, yet each of us has a role to play in spreading the mission of the Church. Mission can take place within the home and, as part of this, I encourage parents, during this month of October, to make an extra effort to set time aside to pray as a family and, especially, to unite as a family to pray the Family Rosary. I ask too that you pray this month and give thanks for all our Irish missionaries, especially those from our own locality, who spread the gospel in different parts of the world.

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.