Sunday, 6th September 2009

23rd Sunday of the Year

God does all things well

“He (Jesus) makes the deaf hear and the dumb speak.” In the Gospels we can hear a real sense of awe among the people who witnessed the miracles of Jesus. It wasn’t just for the fact that he cured people but also it was because of the wonderful gentleness and compassion that he showed towards those who were suffering. That same power and those same qualities of his love are there for us today. They are given to us to transform the quality of life in our homes and community. We will know that we have been touched by him this week if we let our ears be opened to hear the needs of those in our homes and community and respond to them. Equally we will know his touch if we let our tongues be loosened to speak to one another words of love, of praise, of comfort, of encouragement.

Fr. Johnny Doherty, C.Ss.R.

Sunday 6th September, 2009

23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

First Reading Isaiah 35: 4-7
The ears of the deaf will be unsealed and the tongues of the dumb sing for joy.

Second Reading James 2: 1-5
It was those who are poor according to the world that God chose.

Gospel Mark 7: 31-37
Jesus opens the ears of the deaf man.

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

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.

Mass in Dregish on Wednesday morning is the Start of School Year Mass for Envagh Primary School. I encourage as many people as possible to come along to this Mass, as we ask God’s blessing on the pupils, staff and everyone associated with the school community, during this coming school year.

CHOIR – ST MARY’S DREGISH

The choir in Dregish will resume next Sunday. There will be a choir practice on Friday night (11th), at 8.15pm. The choir welcomes new members. If you would like to join the choir, please come along to the choir practice on Friday night. We look forward to having the choir again, after their summer break.

Sincere thanks to the donor of £100 towards the cost of the new lighting in St Francis of Assisi, Drumnabey.

THANK YOU for your generosity in last week’s collection:
Dregish £380, Drumnabey £426.

ST FRANCIS OF ASSISI PRIMARY SCHOOL, DRUMNABEY

As you know, Drumnabey Primary School has been re-named St Francis of Assisi Primary School, Drumnabey, as from 1st September. The dedication of our school to St Francis of Assisi is an endorsement of the Catholic Ethos that our school promotes at all times and a pledge to continue serving the parish community as a provider of Catholic education for many years to come. To mark this major event in our school and parish communities, a blessing to officially re-name and dedicate the school to the patronage of St Francis of Assisi will be conducted by Bishop Hegarty, on Thursday 8th October, at 12.00 noon. Further details will be announced in the coming weeks.

RE-OPENING OF SPAMOUNT & DISTRICT CROSS-COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION HALL: A Barbecue and Dance will be held this Friday night, 11th September, to mark the re-opening of the hall. Music by The Logues. Adm £5. BBQ will be served at 9.30pm. All support greatly appreciated.

2009 NATIONAL GRANDPARENTS’ PILGRIMAGE TO KNOCK SHRINE on Sunday 13th September, commencing with Anointing of the Sick at 2.00pm. Chief Celebrant: Cardinal Sean Brady, Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland. Guest singers: Fr Liam Lawton and Dana.

All Grandparents warmly invited to participate in this pilgrimage. For further information, tel 0035398 50290 or email info@nationalgrandparentspilgrimage.com

The purpose of this pilgrimage is to acknowledge and honour the important role that grandparents play in families and the unique relationship that they have with their grandchildren. Most of all, this pilgrimage is to honour grandparents for the part they play in passing on the Catholic faith from generation to generation.

Children’s Prayer Appeal: Grandchildren are invited to write a prayer for their Grandparents. All prayers presented will be blessed at the pilgrimage.

ARDS FRIARY, CREESLOUGH: Carers Retreat (Open to Everyone): Starting at 9.30am on Saturday 12th September and finishing after lunch on Sunday 13th September. Conducted by Fr Owen O’Sullivan OFM Capuchin. Cost: Euro 85 (residential), Euro 60 (non-residential). Contact Ards Friary on 0035374 913 8909 or email info@ardsfriary.ie

THORNHILL CENTRE, DERRY: Courses, aimed at people interested in developing their faith a little more, will start in the Thornhill Centre in October and November, covering Pastoral Ministry, Foundations in Liturgy, Scripture, Aspects of Faith. For further information, telephone 7135 1233.

DREGISH GFC Lotto

Numbers last week: 4, 5, 3, 6, 2, 1, 7. £50 won by Thomas O’Kane. Jackpot £1,400.

SPAMOUNT SWIFTS

Lotto numbers last week: 8, 16, 24, 25. Congratulations to Elaine Maxwell, Drunabey Park, on winning the jackpot, £3,500! Jackpot now resumes at £1,000.

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.