Sunday 9th August 2009

19th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Jesus said to the crowd: ‘I am the bread of life. And the bread that I shall give is my flesh for the life of the world’. By far the most extraordinary gift that God has given to his people is the Eucharist. In it we are invited constantly to receive the Body and Blood of Christ as our nourishment for the journey of life. In it we celebrate the salvation of the world and renew that salvation every time we celebrate it. This week is a time to reflect on our appreciation of this wonderful gift and renew our enthusiasm for it. Because it is so accessible we can get used to it and take it for granted and we can lose the joy of our celebration. In the Eucharist God speaks most clearly of the extent of his love and how special each of us is to him. To live as a people of the Eucharist we need also speak clearly of our love for one another in our homes and in our parish community.

Fr. Johnny Doherty, C.Ss.R.

Sunday, 9th August 2009.

19th Sunday in Ordinary Time

First Reading Kings 19:4-8
Fed by an angel, a broken and dispirited Elijah is able to walk all the way to the mountain of God.

Second Reading Ephesians 3:30-5:2
The Ephesians are urged to walk in the way of love and live up to their calling.

Gospel John 6:41-51
Jesus is the new manna from heaven. Those who eat this food will live for ever.

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

Nineteenth Sunday Ordinary Time

Continuing on the theme of the Eucharist, Jesus is presented to us in this week’s Gospel as

‘the living bread which has come down from heaven.’

“In order to live man needs food and drink. In order to gain eternal life man needs the Eucharist. This is the food and drink that transform man’s life and open before him the way to eternal life. By consuming the Body and Blood of Christ, man bears within himself, already on this earth, the seed of eternal life, for the Eucharist is the sacrament of life in God. ”

Excerpt from the homily of Pope John Paul II, at the
46th International Eucharistic Congress in Wroclaw, Poland, 1997

FEAST OF THE ASSUMPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Next Saturday, 15th August, is the Feast of the Assumption of Our Blessed Lady, when, at the end of Mary’s earthly life, she was taken, body and soul, into Heaven, where she reigns as Mother of Christ and Mother of the Church.

It is a Holy Day of Obligation. Masses in our churches as on Sundays.

THANK YOU for your generosity in collection of Sunday 26th July:
Dregish £270, Drumnabey £392.

In this Year for Priests, we ask that you pray, through St John Vianney, Patron Saint of Priests, for all priests and, in particular, for the priests of the parish and of the Derry Diocese, that our service to God’s people will reflect the virtues of St John Vianney.

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

Dregish: Wednesday: 10.00am, Friday 10.00am, Saturday 10.00am

Drumnabey: Monday: 10.00am, Thursday 7.30pm, Saturday 11.30am

I encourage as many people as possible to attend our Weekday Masses.
In particular, I encourage parents to bring your children along.

LOUGH DERG Thursday of this week (13th) is the last day this year for beginning the three day pilgrimage to Lough Derg.

One Day Retreats resume on Wednesday 19th August and run on various dates until 22nd September. Saturday 29th August is a ‘Family Day’ and Wednesday 2nd September is a ‘Quiet Day’.

For further information, check websigte www.loughderg.org, email info@loughderg.org or telephone 0035371 9861518.

ANNUAL PARISH GOLF CLASSIC

The net profit from our 15th Parish Golf Classic, held on Friday 31st July, was £5,000. This was a fantastic effort and, again, sincere thanks to everyone who supported it in any way.

CLONMACNOIS SUMMER YOUTH FESTIVAL, from Thursday 13th August to Sunday 16th August. There will be free buses available, with pick-ups in Strabane and Omagh. Under 18's require parental consent. Sleeping bag required. It is a donation only event. For more details or to book contact the Diocesan Catechetical Centre on 71264087 or check out www.youth2000.ie

SALE OF PRE-SIGNED MASS CARDS The priests of the diocese have been asked to inform the faithful of new legislation in the Republic of Ireland, effective from 1 September 2009, regarding the sale of pre-signed Mass Cards in shops. Under this new legislation, announced by Minister of State, John Curran TD, retailers will be liable to prosecution for selling pre-signed Mass Cards:

“The sale of pre-signed Mass Cards in shops, as opposed to directly from the Catholic Church, has been a matter of public concern for some time. The concerns are twofold: One, will a Mass will actually be offered in respect of the specific intentions offered. Two, is there an element of profit behind the sale of such cards? The commencement of these provisions will enable the public to ascertain from those selling the Mass cards whether they have an arrangement in place with the Church to sell such cards. A Mass Card is purchased in good faith, and often at times of great sorrow, to demonstrate a person’s empathy and concern for others. It is an inherently decent act. I believe people in such circumstances should have no doubt whatsoever that a Mass will be offered for their intentions. It is not my intention to stymie the sale of genuine Mass cards, but to enhance public confidence and to ensure that people’s good faith is not taken advantage of.”

DREGISH GFC Lotto: Numbers last week: 2, 1, 3, 7, 4, 6, 5 . £50 won by Seamus Nugent. Jackpot £1,300.

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.