Sunday 7th December 2008

2nd Sunday of Advent

The Good News

It is written in the book of the prophet Isaiah: "A voice cries in the wilderness: Prepare a way for the Lord, make his paths straight." When we hear those words we automatically think of John the Baptist and they are certainly about him. But they are about us also. The task of each one of us is to prepare a way for the Lord so that he can enter into our world today; to make his paths straight so that he can enter into the heart of every human person, where he wants to live. Some of us, like John the Baptist, do this through preaching. The most important way though is through love. Our love needs to be active and growing whether it is in marriage or in family life. This takes commitment and effort every day so that those we love can know how special they are. And this love needs to be brought to the parish community so that everyone can find a home among us.

Fr. Johnny Doherty, C.Ss.R

Sunday, 7th December 2008

2nd Sunday of Advent

Parish Missal Readings (Year 2) p 401 & Proper p 986

First Reading Isaiah 40: 1-5.9-11
Prepare a way for the Lord. Isaiah asks us to declare with confidence our God is coming. He asks us to prepare our relationships, our places of work, our schools, our homes, and prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ.

Second Reading 2 Peter 3: 8-14
What we are waiting for is what he promised; the new heavens and new earth, the place where righteousness will be at home.

Gospel Mark 1: 1-8
‘Someone is following me, someone who is more powerful than I am, and I am not fit to kneel down and undo the strap of his sandals. I have baptised you with water, but he will baptise you with the Holy Spirit.’

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

‘I have baptised you with water, but He will baptise you with the Holy Spirit’

Tomorrow, 8th December, is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception and is a Holy Day of Obligation. Masses as on Sundays.

WEEKDAY MASSES

St Francis of Assisi, Drumnabey:
Monday (Holy Day) 11.30am
Thursday 7.30pm, with Exposition from 6.30pm
The Prayer Intention for December during the Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament is Prayer for the Families of our Parish Community.

St Mary’s, Dregish:
Monday (Holy Day) 10.00am
Wednesday 10.00am, Friday 10.00am

Sincere thanks to the donors of £10, £50 and £50 towards the cost of the new window for St Francis of Assisi. All donations are most welcome.

ADVENT HEALING SERVICE in St Patrick’s, Castlederg, this evening at 6.00pm.

OUR NEW EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS in St Francis of Assisi will be commissioned at our 11.30am Mass next Sunday. Thank you to everyone from Dregish and Drumnabey who attended the Training Night on Tuesday.

ADVENT REFLECTIONS on Thursday mornings, in St Patrick’s Church, Castlederg, after 10.00am Mass. Led by Omagh Prayer Guidance Team. Reflections are on the following Sunday’s readings. Everyone welcome.

OUR ANNUAL PARISH BAZAAR will take place in Dregish Hall tonight, starting at 8.00pm sharp and finishing at 11.30pm sharp. Collectors should bring the gifts collected to the hall today at 2.00pm. Anyone else who is available to come along to prepare the hall for the evening is most welcome. Your generous support of the Bazaar will be greatly appreciated. I look forward to meeting you all tonight.

ENVAGH PS Christmas Show will be held in Dregish Hall, on Monday 15th December, starting at 7.30pm. Adm: £3, Under 16s free. A great evening’s entertainment is promised; I ask you to come along to support our school and witness the talents and efforts of our children at Envagh.

PARISHIONERS’ SAVINGS, DREGISH: The savings will be paid out in the hall after Mass, today. The total collected this year was £63,505 (2007 £51,566). This is a fantastic effort and I thank you, again, most sincerely, for your generous support of the Savings Scheme. Sincere thanks also to all who have given of their time and helped run the scheme, not just this year, but down through the years, and a special thanks to all who have saved in the Scheme. Without you, this success would not have been possible. The Parishioners’ Savings Scheme here is in place since 1995.

PIONEER MEETING in Conference Room, St Patrick’s Church, Castlederg, tomorrow evening (Monday 8th), at 8.00pm. All Pioneers are invited to attend.

PIONEER RETREAT in Carmelite Retreat Centre, Termonbacca, on Sunday 21st December. Cost, including meals, £14. A bus is available, fare £10. For bookings, contact Brian Devenney on 816 79806. All Pioneers and friends are invited to attend.

ST PAT’S PLAYERS present Robin Hood in St Patrick’s Hall, Castlederg, on Sunday 28th, Monday 29th, Tuesday 30th December and Thursday 1st, Friday 2nd and Saturday 3rd January. Starting nightly at 8pm. Adm £5. Tickets can be purchased at Dinny McCrory’s, Castlederg.

DREGISH GFC Lotto: Numbers last week: 7, 2, 3, 1, 6, 5, 4. £50 shared between B O’Kane, A O’Kane, G O’Kane and S Collins. Jackpot £500.

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

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.