Sunday 15th March 2009

3rd Sunday of Lent

Christ, the Wisdom of God

Jesus said: "Stop turning my Father's house into a market." Isn't it amazing how we human beings can miss the point of even the things we treasure most. The Jewish people saw the Temple as the greatest treasure they had in their life of faith and yet they developed a system of abusing that sacred place in the very name of their religion. We do the same: when we call marriage a Sacrament and then have little care for the couple relationship except when it is in trouble; when we call our homes the Domestic Church and treat them as if Christ did not live there among us; when we talk about our parish as a community of faith but do very little to build community; when we are fed on the Body and Blood of Christ and yet refuse to love and respect many members of the Body of Christ.

Fr. Johnny Doherty, C.Ss.R

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

Sunday 15th March 2009

3rd Sunday of Lent

First Reading Exodus 20: 1-17
The ten commandments are a map of life for a people that has a special relationship with God.

Second Reading 1 Corinthians 1; 22-25
Paul preached a crucified Christ. To some the idea made no sense. To others it was a sign of the wisdom and power of God.

Gospel John 2: 13-25
By chasing the money changers and sellers of sacrificial animals out of the temple, Jesus calls the people to purity of worship in God’s house.

Cleansing of the Temple

Jesus is protesting at Israel’s failure to fulfil her universal mission to reach out to all peoples, as the temple had become exclusive to Jews rather than a place of worship for everyone. He is reminding the people of Israel that what God wants, above all, is the worship of their lives, not the offerings of things.

St Patrick – Patron Saint of Ireland

Tuesday of this week, 17th March, is St Patrick’s Day. It is a Holy Day of Obligation. Masses as on Sundays. The collection taken up at Masses on St Patrick’s Day is for Education of Clerical Students and Ongoing Formation of Clergy. There is an envelope in your boxes.

WEEKDAY MASSES
St Francis of Assisi, Drumnabey:
Monday 10.00am, Tuesday 11.30am Thursday 7.30pm

St Mary’s, Dregish:
Tuesday 10.00am, Wednesday 10.00am, Friday 10.00am

THANK YOU for your generosity in recent collections:
Sunday 1 March: Dregish £385 Drumnabey £450
Sunday 8 March: Dregish £405 Drumnabey £271.

HEALING SERVICE in St Patrick’s Church, Castlederg, this evening at 6.00pm and every Sunday evening during Lent.

EXPOSITION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT every Thursday evening in St Francis of Assisi, from 6.30pm to 7.20pm. I encourage as many as possible to come along to spend some time of prayer and reflection in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament.

NEXT SUNDAY we welcome Fr Joe McMenamin of the Missionaries of Africa (White Fathers) to our parish, to do a mission appeal and talk about the work of the Order. He will speak at our Masses in Drumnabey and Dregish. There will be a second collection at these Masses to assist the Order in their missionary work. Your generosity will be appreciated.

ST PATRICK’S NIGHT FUNDRAISING DANCE will be held in St Patrick’s Hall, Castlederg, on Tuesday 17th March, commencing at 10pm. Music by Country Traditions. Adm £5, including refreshments.

All proceeds will go to Parish Funds. Tickets are on sale throughout the parish. There will be a draw on the night for unused tickets. Everyone welcome and all support will be greatly appreciated.

ST FRANCIS OF ASSISI

Work is well under way for the new inside toilet at St Francis of Assisi. It will be completed by Easter. Sincere thanks to those who are giving of their time to this project.

WORKSHOP FOR CHOIRS

An Afternoon Workshop for Choirs, or for anyone else interested in Church Music, will be held next Saturday, 21 March, in St Patrick’s Hall, Castlederg, from 2.00pm to 4.00pm. Music will include pieces for Holy Week and Easter. Cost £3 per person, including refreshments. It is hoped that as many as possible from our parish will attend this workshop. Please let Fr O’Doherty know the numbers attending, by Wednesday of this week.

LENTEN COURSES are currently being run at the Thornhill Centre, Derry. These include Lenten Retreats each Thursday morning and Scripture Courses. Contact Thornhill Centre on 71351233 for further details.

DREGISH GFC Lotto: Numbers last week: 5, 1, 3, 4, 7, 6, 2. £50 went to Niall Corry. Jackpot £800.
25 CARD PLAY tomorrow night at 8.30pm.

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.