Sunday, 23rd August 2009

21st Sunday of the Year

Simon Peter said to Jesus: 'Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the message of eternal life, and we believe'. We are conscious today of the many people who give up the practice of their faith. This happens for all kinds of reasons but it is always sad especially when it is people whom we love. This puts more responsibility on the shoulders of those of us who stay with Christ to live our faith ever more fully so that people can see him in us and be attracted to him through us. Christ is the very centre of our faith, as the one who teaches full human living. And his way is the way of love. To love God with our whole heart and to love one another as he loves us is the true practice of our faith. We need the Eucharist in order to live that way. As always the places where we live this faith most urgently are in our homes and our parish.

Fr. Johnny Doherty, C.Ss.R.

Sunday, 23rd August 2009.

21st Sunday of the Year

First Reading Joshua 24:1-2 15-18
Joshua confronts the people with an initial decision, to serve the one true God or to serve false gods.

Second Reading Ephesians 5:21-32
St Paul urges the image of a marriage relationship to express the bond that exists between Christ and the Church.

Gospel John 6:60-69
The disciples are faced with an initial decision to stay with Jesus or to leave him.

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

W E E K D A Y M A S S E S

Dregish: Wednesday: 10.00am, Friday 10.00am

Drumnabey: Monday: 10.00am, Thursday 7.30pm

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

Kevin McGrath RIP

We offer the sympathy and prayerful support of the parish community to Patsy and Teresa McGrath and the McGrath and Baxter families on the death of Kevin last weekend. May his soul rest in peace.

THANK YOU for your generosity in last week’s collection:
Dregish £320, Drumnabey £290.

STUDY THEOLOGY FROM HOME

The Dominicans are offering a theology programme specifically for lay people, offered by distance learning. This means that one can study for a certificate, diploma or degree in theology and, even more importantly, become more educated in one’s faith, all from the comfort of home. For further information, contact The Priory Institute, Tallaght Village, Dublin 24, Tel 003531 404 8124, or email enquiries@prioryinstitute.com. Visit website on www.prioryinstitute.com

Thank you and Farewell.

This week, as you probably all know by now, we are saying goodbye to our Parish Priest, Father Paddy Doherty, who has been appointed as the new Parish Priest of Glendermott (Waterside), Derry. We ask God’s blessing on Fr Paddy as he takes up this new appointment. He has been in our parish for the last five years and, during that time, he has shown great spiritual leadership and support to our parish community as a whole and to many individuals and families.

I ask you all to pray, not only for Father Paddy, but for all the priests of our diocese who are taking up new appointments this week as part of the annual clerical changes.

On a personal note, I would like to record that it has been my privilege and blessing to have worked with Father Paddy these last three years. Not only has he been a brother priest, but he has also been a good friend to me. I am sure all of us will have our own fond memories of Fr Paddy but we will all remember him for his gentleness, his spirituality and his kindness. We are grateful to him for all he has done for our parish.

We also acknowledge the kindness that Mary (Mc Carron), Father Paddy’s housekeeper, has shown to us as she carried out her particular ministry here in the parish. We remember her, too, in our prayers in a special way.

We look forward next week to welcoming our new Parish Priest, Fr Brian Donnelly.

Father Colm O Doherty CC

ST EUGENE’S HIGH SCHOOL, CASTLEDERG GCSE results are available this Thursday, 27th August, in the school office, from 9.00am. School resumes on Tuesday 1st September for Year 8 pupils only and on Wednesday 2nd September for all pupils. School Jerseys, Shorts and Socks are available in the school office for purchase.

ENVAGH PRIMARY SCHOOL re-opens on Tuesday 1st September.

ST FRANCIS OF ASSISI PRIMARY SCHOOL DRUMNABEY, re-opens on Thursday 3rd September.

DREGISH GFC Lotto

Numbers last week: 3, 5, 7, 2, 6, 1, 4.

£50 won by Paul Collins. Jackpot £1,350.

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.