Sunday 19th July 2009

16th Sunday in Ordinary Time

“Jesus took pity on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd.” We are all aware of a lot of turmoil and trouble in the world in general and often in our own communities and even our own families. The temptation is to either despair or to ignore. For us as followers of Christ, the only way is to see the opportunity rather than the problem and to work together at bringing Christ into our world ever more fully. We do this firstly in our homes through love and prayer. Our homes should be places where each one is glad to be. This can only happen when we make it happen for each other. We do it in our community by working together to make the parish a community of faith and hope. And we do it for our world by becoming a sign of hope because we are a people among whom Christ lives.

Fr. Johnny Doherty, C.Ss.R.

Sunday, 19th July 2009

Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

First Reading Jeremiah 23: 1-6
The leaders of Israel are indicted for their neglect of the people, but better leaders are promised.

Second Reading Ephesians 2: 13-18
By his death Christ broke down the wall between Jews and Gentiles, and united all the peoples as children of the one Father.

Gospel Mark 6: 30-34
We see the care of Christ for his apostles as well as his compassion for the ordinary people.

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

‘He took pity on the crowd because

they were like sheep without a shepherd’

Today’s Gospel takes up where last week’s Gospel ended. The disciples come back to report to Jesus, with joy and enthusiasm, of the success of their mission of preaching and healing. Tired from their travels and work, they are looking forward to resting in peace. When Jesus sees the anxious and eager crowds still gathering, ‘like sheep without a shepherd’, he does not turn them away. Instead, he greets them and spends time with them, preaching the Good News. We ask ourselves today if we too show the compassion and generosity of Christ in our encounters with others, even when it is not convenient to do so.

WEEKDAY MASSES

Dregish: Wednesday: 10.00am

Drumnabey: Monday: 10.00am, Thursday 7.30pm.

I encourage as many people as possible to attend our weekday Masses.

Please note, there is no Mass on Friday of this week.

Seamus Cunningham RIP

As a parish community, we offer our prayerful support and sympathy to Ray and Olive Cunningham, Leglands, on the death of Ray’s father, in Dublin, this week. May he rest in peace.

THANK YOU for your generosity in last week’s collection:
Dregish £309, Drumnabey £318.

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. 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.

YOUTH 2000 SUMMER FESTIVAL IN CLONMACNOIS

Youth 2000 is hosting a Summer Festival in Clonmacnois, Co Offaly, from 13th – 16th August. This four day annual event is for 16 – 35 year olds and over a thousand young people are expected to attended. The festival will be packed with music, inspiring talks, workshops, concert, drama, celebration of the Eucharist, Adoration and a Reconciliation and Healing Service. The weekend is donation only, with food and basic accommodation provided. Nine free buses running from around the country. For further details, go to www.youth2000.ie or telephone Ronan Quinn on 077897 10299.

DREGISH GFC Lotto: Numbers last week: 4, 7, 3, 6, 5, 1, 2. £50 shared between Ella Baxter, Bridie Teague and Marcus Taggart. Jackpot £1,250.

SPAMOUNT SWIFTS Lotto: Numbers last week: 13, 14, 18, 25. No winners. Jackpot £3,500.

YEAR FOR PRIESTS

Pope Benedict XVI has established a special Year for Priests, from June 2009 to June 2010, to coincide with the 150th anniversary of the death of St John Vianney, the Curé of Ars. St John Vianney is the Patron Saint of priests, and the Holy Father has asked that all priests, this year, renew themselves in their commitment to bringing the Good News of Jesus Christ to the world, through their personal lifestyle and commitment to their priestly vows. We ask all parishioners to pray every day for all priests, especially the priests of our own parish and diocese.

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.