Sunday 10th January 2010

The Baptism of Christ

John said to the crowd: 'He will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and with fire'. This week, as we celebrate the Baptism of Christ in the Jordan, we also remember and renew our own baptism into Christ in the Church. And the baptism that we have been promised is a baptism with the Holy Spirit and with fire. The Holy Spirit brings peace, joy, love etc. Is that how we live our faith or is it more with anxiety, fear, duty etc? Fire brings warmth, light, enthusiasm, hope. Is this how we present Christ to the world or is it more with coldness, lifelessness, joylessness? The challenge of this time is to change our ways and to let the world we live in know the power of Christ's presence among us by the enthusiasm of our lives of faith. This has to always begin in our homes and families and the community of faith we belong to.

Fr. Johnny Doherty, C.Ss.R.

Sunday, 10th January 2010

The Baptism of Christ

First Reading :
The glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all people shall see it.

Second Reading: Acts of the Apostles 10: 34-38
God’s grace has been revealed and taught us that what we have to do is to give up everything that does not lead to God.

Gospel: Luke 3: 15-16.21-22
John declared, I baptise you with water, but someone is coming, someone who is more powerful than I am will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

Baptism of Our Lord

The Season of Christmas closes today with the celebration of the Baptism of the Lord. The Baptism of Jesus prepared Him for his public life on earth of teaching, healing and liberating.

Today is also a day for us to reflect on our own baptism, the start of our life-long journey as God’s children and our call to be faithful witnesses to the Gospel. To mark the occasion, we will renew our baptismal promises at our Masses today.

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

SUNDAY MASSES:

DREGISH 10.00AM, DRUMNABEY 11.30AM

MASS SCHEDULE FOR THIS WEEK

DRUMNABEY: Thursday 7.30pm

DREGISH: Friday 7.30pm

THANK YOU for your generosity in last week’s collection:
Dregish £413, Drumnabey £407

CONFIRMATION in our parish this year will be administered by Bishop Lagan, on Sunday 7th March, at 11.00am in St Patrick’s Church, Castlederg.

VOCATIONS INFORMATION DAY

A Vocations Information Day in relation to vocations for diocesan priesthood will take place on Saturday 20th February, in the Thornhill Centre, Culmore Road, Derry, from 11.00am – 4.00pm. Further details in the coming weeks.

FOUNDATIONS IN LITURGY

A 12-week Liturgy Course will be held in Sion Mills Parish Centre, starting on Tue 19 January 2010, from 7.30 – 9.30pm. The course is led by the Thornhill Centre. Cost, £100, can be paid in instalments. For further details, contact the Thornhill Centre on 7135 1233.

ST EUGENE’S FRIENDS’ ASSOCIATION TABLE QUIZ on Friday 29th January in St Eugene’s High School. Tables of 4, £10 per table. Strictly 4 Adults or 4 Children or Family Table (2 Adults and 2 Children). Past pupils are especially asked to come along. Refreshments included. All support greatly appreciated.

DERRY DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES 2010: The Diocesan Lourdes Pilgrimage, led by Bishop Hegarty, will take place from 16th July - 21st July. Cost £629, inclusive of flights, full board hotel, airport taxes, insurance, coach transfers. Fares may be paid by any number of instalments. Booking forms available from the Pilgrimage Office, tel 7126 0293. Opening hours Tue, Thurs and Sat 11.am – 1pm. Special facilities are available for the sick. Full details can be obtained from the Pilgrimage Office.

To our young people: if you would like to be a member of the Diocesan Lourdes Youth Team, which accompanies those who are in need, please contact the Pilgrimage Office.

DREGISH GFC

Lotto Numbers for last two weeks:
3, 7, 5, 4, 2, 1, 6. GBI won £50.
2, 1, 5, 7, 3, 6, 4. £50 shared between Nicola McCrossan and Aidan McGuire.

Please note: 25 CARD PLAY cancelled for this week, due to weather conditions.

SPAMOUNT SWIFTS LOTTO Numbers last wee: 1, 4, 7, 10. No winners. Jackpot £1,320.

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.