Sunday, 20th December 2009

Fourth Sunday of Advent.

Elizabeth said: 'Blessed is she who believed that the promises made to her by the Lord would be fulfilled'. This week we celebrate the wonderful feast of Christmas. Mary is by far the best person to teach us what it is about, as she was very central to the first Christmas. The first thing she teaches us is that Christmas is primarily about Christ. How obvious that should be and yet it is about so many other things for so many people today. The second thing Mary teaches us about Christmas is that it is about God's extreme love for us as we are. Each one of us is so precious in God's eyes that Christmas would have happened even if we were the only person ever to live. It is a time to let go to that love. And the third thing is that it is about family - our love for one another in our homes and being a family together in our parish community.

Fr. Johnny Doherty, C.Ss.R.

Sunday 20th December 2009

4th Sunday of Advent

First Reading Micah 5: 1-4
Out of you will be born the one who is to rule over Israel.

Second Reading Hebrews 10: 5-10
Here I am! I am coming to obey your will.

Gospel Luke 1: 39-44
Why should I be honoured with a visit from the mother of my Lord?

REV BRIAN DONNELLY PP
Tel 028 816 71393
patrick.doherty@derrydiocese.org

REV COLM O’DOHERTY CC
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 20th December 2009

Fourth Sunday of Advent

On this fourth and last Sunday of Advent, we reflect on the role that Mary played in the great Mystery of the Incarnation, as mother of Jesus.

CONFESSIONS FOR CHRISTMAS:
Dregish: Wednesday (23rd): 7.30pm – 8.30pm
Drumnabey: Thursday (24th): 12.00noon – 1.00pm

CHRISTMAS WEEK MASS SCHEDULE

DRUMNABEY: Monday 21 December: 10.00am
Christmas Eve: 7.00pm
Christmas Day: 11.30am

DREGISH; Wednesday 23 December 10.00am
Christmas Eve: 9.00pm
Christmas Day: 10.00am
Saturday, St Stephen’s Day: 12.00noon

June McCanny RIP (late of Omagh)

As a parish community, we offer our sympathy and prayerful support to Frank and Helen and the McCanny family, on the death of Frank’s mother, June, this week. May she rest in peace.

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

Dregish £355, Drumnabey £270.

USED STAMPS Please remember to save your used stamps over the Christmas period for the missions. There are boxes at the back of our churches in which to place them. Sincere thanks to the people from our parish who send the stamps off to the missions on our behalf.

CLOTHES BANKS The St Vincent de Paul Society are most grateful to everyone who uses the Clothes Banks in the car parks at our churches. Please continue to make use of these Clothes Banks.

Rose Gormley, Castlebane, will be celebrate her 100th birthday on Christmas Eve. Rose now resides in Parkview Nursing Home and, at the Home’s Annual Christmas Party on Wednesday, (23rd), starting at 6.00pm, Rose will be presented with a cake. On Christmas Eve, Fr Donnelly will celebrate Mass, in the Home, at 2.00pm, to mark the occasion. All of Rose’s neighbours and friends who can come along on the Wednesday or Thursday to these celebrations will be most welcome. As a parish community, we offer our warm congratulations to Rose on this very happy occasion and wish her every blessing in the years ahead.

DREGISH GFC Lotto: Numbers last week: 2,6, 1, 3, 5, 7, 4. £50 shared between K Nugent and S Taggart. Jackpot £1,750.

25 CARD PLAY in the clubrooms, every Monday night, commencing at 8.30pm sharp. All support greatly appreciated.

SPAMOUNT SWIFTS Lotto: Numbers last week: 5, 13, 14, 18. No winners. Jackpot £1,280.

Last opportunity to purchase our parish Christmas Cards after Mass today!

The priests of the parish wish you and your families every joy and blessing at this Christmas time and throughout 2010. Thank you all for your generous support to us at all times and especially for your prayers. God bless you all.

Fr Brian & Fr Colm

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.