Sunday, 16th November 2008

Trust in Christ

Jesus said to his disciples: "You have been faithful in small things, I will trust you with greater." Fidelity in every area of life is one of the most important elements for happiness in human life. It is only when we know that we can fully trust others that we are at peace. This is the virtue that Jesus holds up for our prayer and concern this week. It is especially important in the relationship of husband and wife and it is there that we can all learn what it means. Fidelity in marriage means more than simply staying together. It also means working at making life together wonderful and enjoyable. This is also true for the relationships within family life. Being faithful to one another means being willing to accept the differences and to love each one as she/he is. And in the parish we show our fidelity by taking an active part in its life.

Fr. Johnny Doherty, C.Ss.R

Sunday 16th November 2008.

Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time

First Reading Proverbs 31: 10-13. 19-20. 30-31
In the book of Proverbs the writer speaks of the perfect wife, but this could also be applied to the perfect husband, the perfect parents, the perfect children, the perfect employee or the perfect employer. What the writer is saying is: be the best at what ever it is you are called to do or called to be.

Second Reading 1 Thessalonians 5: 1-6
Preparation is very important. Preparing for Christmas, for birthdays and even sacramental preparation is very important but St Paul is reminding us to be careful that we don’t get caught up in the ‘importance’ of the preparation and miss out on the ‘importance’ of the event.

Gospel Matthew 25: 14-30
The gifts we receive from God should be used wisely and generously.

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 Fr E Graham 816 61445

CEMETERY SUNDAY COLLECTION: There is a special collection at our Masses next Sunday for the upkeep of our parish graveyards. There is an envelope in your envelope boxes. We ask you to be as generous as you can to enable us to continue to maintain our graveyards to the high standard to which they are upheld throughout the year. Sincere thanks to those who give of their time to the upkeep of the graveyards and to everyone for looking after their family graves so well.

WEEKLY EXPOSITION of the Blessed Sacrament every Thursday in St Francis of Assisi, from 6.30 to 7.20pm. The prayer intention is Prayer for the Faithful Departed.

THANK YOU for your generosity in last week’s collection:
Dregish £310, Drumnabey £380.

Sincere thanks to the donor of £100 towards the new window for St Francis of Assisi church.

Mrs Mary Nugent
We offer the sympathy of the parish community to Michael, Pat, Seamus, Gerald, and the Nugent family circle on the death of Mary, who died last Saturday. May she rest in peace.

ANNUAL PARISH BAZAAR - Our Bazaar will take place in Dregish Hall on the night of Sunday 7th December. The bazaar will commence at 8.00pm sharp and finish at 11.30pm sharp. I ask that all collectors and helpers do their usual tasks to ensure the success of the Bazaar. I appeal for your generous support.

PARISHIONERS’ SAVINGS, DREGISH: The final collection of the year will be on Sunday 30th November. The savings will be paid out, in the hall, after Mass, on Sunday 7th December. Please note: If anyone requires a certificate of their savings for the year to be issued, for tax purposes, please contact Fr O’Doherty.

ADVENT RETREAT in Ards Friary, Creeslough, from Saturday 29th November at 9.30am until Sunday 30th November at 4.00pm. Speaker: Fr Owen O’Sullivan OFM. Theme: Christ is born. Cost £70 stg or €85, including accommodation, meals and retreat. Tel 0035374 913 8909 or email info@ardsfriary.ie

CONFIRMATION

The Sacrament of Confirmation will be administered in our parish by Bishop Hegarty on Sunday 22nd February 2009 at 11.00am Mass in St Patrick’s, Castlederg.

ST EUGENE’S HIGH SCHOOL presents The Sound of Music on 17th and 19th December, at 7.45pm. Tickets available from the school office. Adults £5, children £4, Family ticket £12 (2 adults and 2 chidren).

SPAMOUNT SWIFTS LOTTO Numbers last week: 8, 14, 18, 25. Niamh Smith won £50. Jackpot £3,500.

DREGISH GFC Lotto: Numbers last week: 1, 3, 5, 2, 6, 4, 7. £50 went to Aideen Sweeney. Jackpot £400.

25 CARD PLAY in the clubrooms every Monday night, commencing at 8.30pm sharp! Everyone welcome.

Please continue to pray for the priests of our diocese. This week you are asked to remember in a special way:

Fr S Kearney, PP Newtownstewart – Sunday
Fr E Kilpatrick, PP Lifford – Thursday
Fr Lawrence Keaveney RIP – Monday
Bishop Francis Lagan DD, - Friday
Fr Michael Keaveney, CC Faughanvale – Tuesday
Fr C Logue, CC Kilrea - Saturday
Fr Seamus Kelly, PP Culmore – Wednesday

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.