Sunday 12th July 2009

15th Sunday in Ordinary Time

“So they set off to preach repentance.” There are many strange contradictions in our world today. One of them is that so many of us have lost a sense of sin and yet the power of evil was never so obvious. Maybe this is a reaction to the past where sin seemed to be in everything. One of the major sins for most of us is in settling for so little when so much is on offer. This happens when a couple settles for mediocrity rather than a sense of adventure in their marriage; when a family settles for coexistence rather than love; when a parish settles for duty rather than building a real faith community. We may not be able to do a lot about the general evil that is in the world. We can do a lot about our own setting of limits and this in turn will affect the world we live in.

Fr. Johnny Doherty, C.Ss.R.

Sunday, 12th July 2009

15th Sunday in Ordinary Time

First Reading Amos 7: 12-15
God sent Amos to prophesy to the people of Israel.

Second Reading Ephesians 1: 3-14
God chose us in Christ to live through love in his presence

Gospel Mark 6: 7-13
Jesus sends the Twelve Apostles to preach and to heal.

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

Jesus summoned the Twelve and began to send them out

Sunday 12th July 2009

Fifteenth Sunday Ordinary Time

In today’s Gospel, Jesus empowers and authorises his disciples to share in His mission, by going out to preach repentance, to anoint and to cure the sick. Jesus made it clear that their focus was to be on this mission, not on their own comforts: the power and authority of the Gospel was their comfort and security. We too are empowered, through baptism, to spread the message of the Gospel. It is our duty, and our privilege, to carry out this mission, in our own homes, in our places of work, in our parish community and with all whom we encounter.

WEEKDAY MASSES

Dregish: Wednesday: 10.00am, Friday 10.00am

Drumnabey: Monday: 10.00am, Thursday 7.30pm.

BLESSING OF THE GRAVES IN CASTLEDERG takes place today, at 4.00pm.

Seamus Skeffington RIP

As a parish community we offer our prayerful support and sympathy to the family of the late Seamus Skeffington, and to the Ferris family circle, Tullymuck, on the death of Seamus. His Funeral Mass is taking place in Stewartstown today at 11.00am, and his remains will be brought to Dregish Cemetery between 1.15pm and 2.00pm today, for burial.
May he rest in peace.

THANK YOU for your generosity in last week’s collection:
Dregish £415, Drumnabey £365.

15TH ANNUAL PARISH GOLF CLASSIC will be held on Friday 31st July, at Newtownstewart Golf Club. Timesheet in operation. Teams of four, any combination. £100 per team, which includes energy bag and drinks. To book, contact the Golf Shop on 816 61466 (Ext 3) or 816 62242. The Golf Classic is the main source of fundraising for our parish this year, as the Parishioners Savings Scheme has been suspended. All sponsorship and contributions towards the prizes will be greatly appreciated and will be publicly acknowledged on the day at the Golf Club. For anyone who sponsors a hole at £100, there is a 25% discount for your team of four.

WATERFORD-OMAGH PEACE CHOIR have produced a CD of Sacred and Secular Music, entitled Songs for the Soul. Cost £10. It can be purchased from Fr O’Doherty or from Andy Miller, contact number 822 45155.

NATIONAL GRANDPARENTS PILGRIMAGE TO KNOCK on Sunday 13th September. Chief Celebrant: Cardinal Sean Brady, Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland. Anointing of the Sick at 2.00pm with Mass at 3.00pm, followed by Eucharistic Adoration. Guest singers: Fr Liam Lawton and Dana. All grandparents are warmly invited to join in this pilgrimage. See poster at the back of the church.

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

CLOTHING BANKS - St Vincent de Paul have asked us to remind you to please make use of the clothing banks that are situated in each of the car parks at the parish churches. This is a great source of income for them and we hope you will be as generous as you can be.

DREGISH GFC Lotto: Numbers last week: 1, 2, 4, 7, 6, 5, 3. £50 won by Fionnuala Scott. Jackpot £1,200.

SPAMOUNT SWIFTS Lotto: Numbers last week: 4, 5, 13, 15. No winners. 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.