Sunday 8th February 2009

5th Sunday of the Year

CHRIST WHO HEALS US

“The fever left her and she began to wait on them.” One of the lovely features of the Gospels is the number of healing stories they contain. Nothing is too big or too small to bring to Jesus. He raised Lazarus from the dead; he healed Peter’s mother-in-law from a fever. That same Jesus is with us and among us with the same power and the same longing, to heal us into wholeness. All we have to do is ask him for what we need for ourselves and for one another and know that he will answer. We all need his healing power in so far as we set limits to our love for one another because his great commandment is to love. Husbands and wives often need to stretch their love into forgiveness if they are to go forward together. Parents need to grow in understanding of their children. And in our parish we need Christ’s power to help us to take true responsibility for those in need.

Fr. Johnny Doherty, C.Ss.R.

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

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

‘He went all through Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out devils’

WORLD DAY OF THE SICK

Wednesday of this week, Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, (11th February) is designated by His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI, as World Day of the Sick. It is a day when we are asked to remember, in a very special way, the needs of all who suffer from any form of sickness.

At our Mass in St Mary’s, Dregish, on Wednesday morning, we will have a short Service of Light, when we will offer special prayers for all who are sick from our own parish community – we will remember especially those who are undergoing treatment or surgery, those who are awaiting test results, those who are housebound, in hospital,, in nursing homes or sheltered accommodation, those who suffer from any form of mental illness and all who are worried about their health or have asked for our prayers. We will also pray for all those who care for the sick – our doctors, nurses, care workers and all who look after sick family members or relatives at home.

I ask that as many as possible come along to our Mass and short Service of Light, on Wednesday morning, to unite in prayer, through the intercession of Our Lady of Lourdes, for all our sick.

WEEKDAY MASSES

St Francis of Assisi, Drumnabey:
Monday 10.00am, Thursday 7.30pm

St Mary’s, Dregish:
Wednesday 10.00am, with Service of Light, for the Sick
Friday 10.00am

THANK YOU for your generosity in last week’s collection:
Dregish £367, Drumnabey £439.

Sincere thanks to the donors of £50 and £80 this week, towards the cost of the new window in St Francis of Assisi.

CONFIRMATION CHILDREN AND PARENTS

As part of the preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation, there will be a Talk for Confirmation children and their parents in Drumnabey PS tomorrow night (Mon 9th), at 7.30. It is hoped that there will be a full attendance. Please continue to remember in your prayers the children in our parish who are preparing for Confirmation. Bishop Hegarty will administer the Sacrament of Confirmation in our parish on Sunday 22 February, in St Patrick’s Church, Castlederg, at 11.00am Mass.

PIONEER MEETING in the Conference Room in St Patrick’s Church, Castlederg, this Wednesday night (11th Feb), at 8.00pm. All Pioneers are invited to attend.

VOCATIONS INFORMATION DAY will take place next Saturday, 14th February, in the Thornhill Centre, Culmore Road, Derry, from 11.00am – 4.00pm. For further information about the event, please contact Fr O’Doherty.

EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS

A Day of Prayer and Reflection, for all the Eucharistic Ministers of our parish, will be held in the Thornhill Centre, Derry, on Saturday 7th March, as part of the ongoing formation in your ministry. Eucharistic Ministers, please note the date in your diaries. Further details will be available in the coming weeks.

DREGISH GFC Lotto: Numbers last week: 2, 3, 5, 7, 1, 4, 6. £50 shared between P Dooris, G Doherty and K McAleer. Jackpot £700.
25 CARD PLAY tomorrow night at 8.30pm.

SPAMOUNT SWIFTS LOTTO Numbers last week: 1, 8, 13, 22. Fiona Arbuckle won £50. Jackpot £3,500.

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.