Sunday, 13th December 2009

Third Sunday of Advent.

The people asked John: ‘What must we do?’ This question was in the context of John’s proclaiming the Good News of the coming of Christ. As we prepare for Christmas this year what a good question that is for all of us. ‘What must we do?’ If you are a parent, give time to your children rather than just giving them all the costly presents that you are planning. If you are married, give your wife/husband the gift of your attention and affection rather than spending all that time apart at Christmas parties. If you are young, give some of your time and energy to those in need rather than just looking for what you can get. If you are at odds with someone, make it up. If you are in bad form, change for the sake of those close to you. And for all of us, what we must do is put Christ at the heart of Christmas and have a wonderful time.

F r. Johnny Doherty, C.Ss.R.

Sunday, 13th December, 2009

Third Sunday of Advent
(Gaudete Sunday)

First Reading Zephaniah 3: 14-18
Jerusalem is urged to rejoice because God stands in her midst. We too can take heart from this message of hope.

Second Reading Philippians 4: 4-7
Paul urges us to rejoice in the Lord and to let go of anxiety by living in a spirit of prayer and thanksgiving.

Gospel Luke 3: 10-18
John the Baptist tells the people what they must do to prepare for the Lord’s coming and to escape his searching judgement.

Masses

Monday : 10.00 am - Tuesday : 10.00 am

Wednesday : 10.00 am

Thursday : 10.00 am

Friday : 10.00 am

Saturday : 10.00 am and Vigil : 7.00 pm

Sunday : 9.00 am and 11.00 am

NOTE CHANGE OF MASS ON MONDAY

MASS at 10.00 AM - No Mass at 7.30 pm

Confessions: Saturday: after 10.00am Mass and 6.00pm - 7.00pm

Sunday Collection: £ 1,582.00 and € 105

Thank you for your generosity

Legion of Mary

meets every Monday at 6.30 pm in the meeting room in church.

New members welcome

Eucharistic Ministers for December
Vigil : Margaret Ann Gormley, Pat O’Loughlin, Anthony Harkin, Avril Campbell
9.00: Maureen Lynch, Annette McAleer
11.00: Pat McLaughlin, Marie McSorley, Bridgett Barrett, Kathleen Lynch

Offertory Procession for December
Vigil: Eamon and Mary Coyle
9.00: Hilary and Kathleen Lynch
11.00: Vincent and Kathleen Duggan

Readers for December : Vigil: Marie Connolly 11.00: Philomena Doherty

CHURCH CLEANERS THIS WEEK - Mary McAnea, Denise Gallagher, Bernie Breen, Annie Quinn, Vera Harvey, Geraldine McHale

ALTAR SERVERS – – Group 3 –James Campbell, Lorcan McGuigan

CHOIR PRACTICE FOR CHRISTMAS - Monday 14th December 2009 at 8.00 pm after Mass

CONFIRMATION DAY - The Sacrament of Confirmation will be celebrated in this Parish by Bishop Lagan on Sunday 7th March 2010 at 11.00 am

DERRY DIOCESAN LOURDES PILGRIMAGE - led by Bishop Hegarty DD in 16th -21st July 2010 Fare £629 inclusive. Booking forms available in all parishes and from the Pilgrimage Secretary - Tel 028 71260293. Why not give someone an opportunity of going on the Lourdes Pilgrimage as your Christmas Gift - Gift Vouchers £25 - £100 are now available from Pilgrimage Office

ADVENT REFLECTIONS - “Waiting In Joyful Hope” Reflection and prayer on the Sunday Gospels of Advent - Facilitated by Omagh Prayer Guidance Team. Continues : 17th December

ST VINCENT DE PAUL

HELPLINE NUMBER

028 71384488

WHAT MIGHT I DO TO GET MORE OUT OF ADVENT? What a pity that Advent has been devoured by the commercial side of Christmas. Advent develops hope in the time of waiting, and hope is a virtue most needed to sustain our faith in the wilderness of scandals and recession. Try to let Christmas wait until Christmas. Let Advent be a time for more reflection and prayer. Get in tough with those areas of life where we struggle, where we experience our incompleteness, where we come to recognise our need of God. Christmas will be properly celebrated by those who know their need of God. Come, Lord Jesus, come

Bingo and Whist - We would appreciate your support for the Bingo
Bingo on Tuesday night @ 9 pm Whist on Thursday night @ 8.30 pm

THORNHILL CENTRE, DERRY - Foundations in Liturgy : A 12 week Liturgy course to be held in Sion Mills Parish Centre beginning Tuesday 19th January from 7.30 - 9.30 pm. Course : cost £10 contact 71351233

TRÓCAIRE GLOBAL GIFT - Instead of giving Christmas Gifts, you can sponsor a gift to Trócaire for the person and send the gift card. Cards are available in the church. Your gift can make a world of difference - Various gifts which range in price from £9 to £180

CHILDREN IN CROSSFIRE - ADVENT CAMPAIGN FOR 2009 - Advent packs containing their unique two-in-one Advent calendar/collection box are available in the church porch - They will be collected over the weekends 8th/9th January

THE ALL IRELAND TALENT SHOW - Sunday 7th February - RTE 1 at 6.30 pm - Congratulations to Chloe Coyle (Student at St Eugene’s H S) who has qualified for the above competition and is now in the last 8 for the North. We all wish her good luck - please give Chloe your support & vote

CROSS COMMUNITY CONCERT

TUESDSAY 15TH DECEMBER IN CASTLEDERG HIGH SCHOOL

At 8.00 pm - This concert features KINTRA, a new stage show which is a mix of Irish and Scottish music, song and dance. Supporting artists include : Cultural Connections a local group started by Border Arts and a combined effort from St Eugene’s High School and Castlederg High School

BRITISH HEART FOUNDATION N.I. - in partnership with the WHSCT, NI Ambulance Service and NI Cardiac Services network have launched a Heart Attack awareness campaign which will run over the next 6 months. Its aims are to highlight the signs and symptoms of a heart attack and to call 999 immediately

PIONEER CALENDARS - Will be on sale this weekend

ST PATRICK’S P.S. - PRIMARY 1 ENROLMENT FORMS - available from the School Office - Children born between 2/7/05 - 1/7/06 - All forms to be returned by 12 noon on 20th January 2010

ST PATRICK’S PRIMARY SCHOOL - CAROL SERVICE - On Monday at 7.30 pm in the Church

ST EUGENE’S HIGH SCHOOL - CAROL SERVICE - Thursday 17th December at 8.15 pm. Everyone welcome - Admission - Free of Charge

ECUMENICAL CAROL SERVICE - In Castlederg 2nd Presbyterian Church (opposite Vivo) on Friday 18th December at 7 pm. OUR PARISH CHOIR WILL BE SINGING AT THIS EVENT. Everyone welcome

CHURCHTOWN COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION

Christmas Coffee Morning at their Centre on Friday 18th December from 11.30 am - 1.30 pm. Free refreshments and Music. Everyone welcome

BARROWFIELD F.C.

LOTTO - 2, 15, 16, 19 - No winners - Aidan Lynch wins £30

“YOU ARE PRECIOUS IN MY SIGHT” - If you are concerned about someone with suicidal feeling phone the Samaritans or consult your GP - Samaritans 0845 9090 90

ST VINCENT DE PAUL ANNUAL CHRISTMAS COLLECTION - will be collected at ALL MASSES THIS WEEKEND. Please give generously. Your continued support is greatly appreciated. Many thanks to St Patrick’s Primary School for their Smarties Box Appeal

CAISLEAN NA DEIRGE G.A.C.

G.A.A. Lotto: 08/12/09 ( 5,2,) 6,1,7,3,4 - 6 winners receive £20 each - Next week Jackpot £550

Scor na nOg- Congratulations to Faolan Friel who won with his recitation in Ulster Semi Final last weekend. We wish him good luck in the Ulster Final on 16th January in Galbally Community Centre. We are thinking about running a bus to this event - anyone interested contact : Teresa Corry 81670963 or Berlinda Logue 81679369

The 1st round of Senior Scor takes place 22-24 January 2010. Anyone wishing to book a seat contact: Teresa or Berlinda as soon as possible

Merchandise : Excellent Christmas Gifts - Jerseys, Hoodies, Tracksuits, Shorts/Socks, Bags - Contact: Jo Lynch