REV COLM O’DOHERTY PP
16 Castlefin Road, Castlederg, Co Tyrone, BT81 7EB

Tel 028 816 71393, Mobile 07786115471 (028 816 61475 Messages may be left)

Email c.odoherty@btinternet.com Parish Website www.castledergparish.com

Neighbouring Priests: Fr J Gilmore, Aghyaran, 028 816 70728,

Fr K Mullan, Drumquin, 028 82 831 225 - Fr S Kearney, Newtownstewart, 028 816 61445

Sunday, 15th January 2012

Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

Sunday, 15th January 2012

Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

First Reading: Samuel 3:3-10,19
Speak, Lord, your servant is listening.

Second Reading: Corinthians 6:13-15.17-20
Your bodies are members making up the body of Christ.

Gospel: John 1:35-42
They saw where he lived, and stayed with him.

Reflection

Love of Jesus, fill us,
Joy of Jesus, surprise us,
Peace of Jesus, flood us,
Light of Jesus, transform us,
Touch of Jesus, warm us,
Strength of Jesus, encourage us.
O Saviour, in your agony, forgive us,
In your wounds, hide us,
And in your risen life take us with you,
For your love’s sake.

WEEKEND MASS SCHEDULE SAT/SUN 21 / 22 JANUARY

Vigil Mass - St Patrick’s, Castlederg - 6.00pm
Vigil Mass - St Mary’s, Dregish - 8.00pm

Sunday - St Patrick’s, Castlederg - 10.00am
Sunday - St Francis of Assisi, Drumnabey - 11.30am

PLEASE NOTE THE WEEKDAY MASS SCHEDULE FOR THIS WEEK

Wednesday Castlederg 7.30pm with Service of Light
Thursday Drumnabey 7.30pm
Friday Castlederg 10.00am

There is no Weekday Mass in the parish on Monday or Tuesday of this week. There is no Mass in Dregish on Wednesday morning. At the 7.30pm Mass in St Patrick’s, Castlederg, on Wednesday, we will have a Service of Light for all children taking the Sacrament of Confirmation, their parents/guardians and sponsors.

SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM in St Patrick’s, Castlederg, will be administered today, Sunday, at 1.30pm. Baptism next month will be on Sunday 19 February, at 1.30pm. Completed Cards should be returned to the sacristy by Sunday 12 February.

THANK YOU for your generosity in last week’s collection,

which amounted to £2,304.

CHILDREN IN CROSSFIRE wish to thank everyone who supported their 2011 Advent Appeal. Advent Calendar Boxes or other donations should be returned today. Proceeds will benefit children suffering from severe malnutrition in Ethiopia. For further information visit www.childrenincrossfire.org/advent

GIVE BLOOD in Castlederg High School on Monday 16 January, from 1.30pm-3.45pm and 5.00pm-8.00pm.

REVISED MASS SCHEDULE

I met with the members of the Parish Council on Monday night, as planned, to review the Weekend Mass schedule. Starting the weekend of 25 / 26 February, which is the first weekend of Lent, the new Weekend Mass schedule will be as follows:

Vigil Mass: St Patrick’s, Castlederg 6.00pm
Sunday morning: St Patrick’s, Castlederg 9.00am
St Mary’s, Dregish 10.45am, St Francis of Assisi, Drumnabey 12.00noon

I think we are all in agreement that, despite our best efforts, it is very difficult, with three churches in our parish, to draw up a schedule that suits everyone’s needs. I do hope and pray, however, that this new schedule will be suitable for as many people as possible. Our three churches are very vibrant and beautiful and it would be my desire that celebration of Sunday Mass in each of them would continue for as long as physically possible. It was my proposal to discontinue the second Vigil Mass (8.00pm), for a few reasons, and, instead celebrate three Sunday morning Masses. Celebration of three Sunday morning Masses, on a regular basis, is outside of liturgical norms. I have had to obtain express permission from the diocese to celebrate three Sunday morning Masses in our parish, one in each church, on the grounds that they are required to meet the pastoral needs of the parishioners. Permission has been granted by the diocese, protem, to be reviewed by the diocese in twelve months’ time, or earlier, if a new bishop is appointed.

To celebrate three Sunday morning Masses, one in each church, I need to start the first Mass at 9.00am. For practical reasons, especially in the winter months, Castlederg is the only viable venue for the 9.00am Mass. I realise that 9.00am may be early for some people. If this is the case, I do hope that the 12.00noon Mass in Drumnabey will suit your needs. Likewise, for people from Drumnabey who consider 12.00noon too late, hopefully the 9.00am Mass in Castlederg or the 10.45 in Dregish will meet your needs. I ask for your patience, support and prayers as we embark on this new schedule.

I also intend to alter the Weekday Mass schedule, as follows: starting that same week (27 Feb), the Monday morning Mass in Drumnabey will discontinue and Mass on Monday will be in Castlederg at 7.30pm. The Thursday Mass in Drumnabey will change to 10.00am during school term, to allow the schoolchildren to attend. Outside of school term, it will revert to 7.30pm. The 10.00am Mass in Dregish on Wednesdays will be celebrated during school term only. The 7.30pm Mass in Castlederg on Wednesdays will discontinue. The First Friday Mass in Dregish will discontinue. In normal weeks, the new Weekday Mass rota will be as follows:

Monday: Castlederg 7.30pm, Tuesday: Castlederg 9.30am, Wednesday: Dregish 10.00am during school term, Thursday: Drumnabey 10.00am during school term (7.30pm outside of school term), Friday: Castlederg 10.00am. In the event of there being a Funeral Mass in the parish on a weekday, it will replace any scheduled morning Mass in the parish on that day.

Sincere thanks to the members of the Parish Council for your input into Monday night’s meeting and to all who passed on their views. I appreciate your support and your encouragement. Thank you also to the many people who supported us in prayer.

SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION will be administered by Bishop Lagan on Sunday 12 February at the 10.00am Mass in St Patrick’s, Castlederg.

OPEN NIGHT in St Eugene’s High School on Monday 23 January, from 7.30pm-9.00pm. Parents and P7 Transfer Pupils are warmly invited. Principal’s address will take place at 7.30pm.

MASS FOR THE SICK with Eucharistic Blessing will be held in the Carmelite Retreat Centre, Termonbacca, on Tuesday evening, 17th January, at 8.00pm. Everyone welcome to attend.

ENVAGH PS Completed Enrolment Forms for Reception and P1 in September need to be returned to the school by 12noon on Wednesday 18 January. Children currently in Reception do not need a Form completed.

DREGISH GFC: Lotto Nrs 8 January: 3, 4, 1, 5, 2, 6, 7. Jo Sweeney and Frank McCanny shared the £50. Jackpot £1,500. 25 Card Play in the clubrooms every Monday night, commencing at 8.30pm sharp. Tea served.

CAISLEÁN NA DEIRGE Club Dinner Dance will be held on Friday 3 February, in the Smugglers Inn, Clady, starting at 7.30pm. Music by T Junction. Tickets, £20, will be on sale at the clubrooms on Monday 9th, 16th & 23rd January between 7.00 and 7.30pm. Only 110 tickets on sale – first come, first served basis.

CHURCH DUTIES FOR JANUARY:

ST PATRICK’S, CASTLEDERG

CHURCH DUTIES ROTA, DREGISH AND DRUMNABEY: Thank you to those who carried out the church duties in the Drumnabey Park and Dunteague areas this month. In December, the Glasmullagh and Gamble Park areas are on duty. Thanks also to the co-ordinators.