REV COLM O’DOHERTY PP
16 Castlefin Road, Castlederg, Co Tyrone, BT81 7EB

Tel 028 816 71393, Mobile 07786115471 (028 816 61475 Messages may be left)

Email c.odoherty@btinternet.com Parish Website www.castledergparish.com

Neighbouring Priests: Fr J Gilmore, Aghyaran, 028 816 70728,

Fr K Mullan, Drumquin, 028 82 831 225 - Fr S Kearney, Newtownstewart, 028 816 61445

Sunday, 23rd October 2011 - Mission Sunday

First Reading: Exodus 22:20-26
If you are harsh with the widow, or with the orphan,
my anger will flare against you.

Second Reading: Thessalonians 1:5-10
You broke with idolatry and became servants of God;
you are now waiting for his Son

Gospel: Matthew 9:1-8
You must love the Lord your God and your neighbour as yourself.

Today is Mission Sunday. The Propagation of the Faith ( Mission Sunday) collection, will be taken up at all Masses today as a second collection.

The theme for Mission Month this year is ‘Together in Faith’. Together in Faith, as a parish community, we pray for everyone involved in missionary work, at home and abroad. We gratefully acknowledge the ongoing dedicated missionary work of the members of the Apostolic Work Society in our parish and that of the people who collect, and promote the collection of, stamps for the missions.

APOSTOLIC WORK SOCIETY Mass will be celebrated for living and deceased members this Wednesday, 26 October, at 7.30pm, in St Patrick’s Church, Castlederg. Everyone is welcome.

THANK YOU for your generosity in recent collections: Sun 9 Oct: Dregish £285, D’bey £480, C’derg £1,237. Sun 16 Oct: Dregish £330, D’bey £306, C’derg £1,291.

THANK YOU for £170, for parish funds, from our Thursday night Whist Drive in St Patrick’s Hall, Castlederg. If you can play Whist, or are interested in playing, you would be most welcome to the hall on a Thursday night.

MASS FOR THE SICK, with Eucharistic Blessing, will be held in the Carmelite Retreat Centre, Termonbacca, Derry, on Tuesday evening, at 8.00pm. A Weekend of Carmelite Spirituality will be held in the Retreat Centre from Friday (28th) to Sunday (30th Oct). To book, telephone 028 71 262512.

In preparation for the 2012 International Eucharistic Congress to be held in Dublin next June, seven local / neighbouring parishes are involved in a programme of reflections on the meaning of the Mass, focusing on each of the four parts of the Mass in turn. Dregish and Drumnabey have been involved in this programme. It began in Advent 2010 with a Eucharistic Novena in Christ the King, Strathroy, when we reflected on the first part of the Mass, the Introductory Rites, the Welcome and Gathering. In Lent 2011, we focused on the second part of the Mass, the Liturgy of the Word, listening to God's Word, in the Sacred Heart Church , Omagh.

In November, we will focus on the third part of the Mass, The Bread of Life: we will reflect on the Offertory, Preface, Eucharistic Prayer and Doxology (Through Him, And with Him...). Each of the seven parishes will hold Evenings of Reflection in their own parishes. In our parish, we will hold two Evenings in November, one in St Mary’s, Dregish, when we will focus on the Offertory and Preface and one in St Francis of Assisi, Drumnabey, when we will focus on the Eucharistic Prayer and Doxology. If you are interested in being part of a liturgy team to prepare for these Evenings, please let me know this week.

There will be a concluding gathering, in which all seven parishes will participate, in the Church of Christ the King, Strathroy, for the celebration of Mass on Monday 21 November at 8.00pm.

CONFIRMATION Bishop Lagan will administer the Sacrament of Confirmation in our parish on Sunday 12 February 2012, at the 10.00am Mass in St Patrick’s, Castlederg.

25 CARD PLAY in the clubrooms at Dregish, Monday nights, starting 8.30pm. Adm £5. Everyone welcome.

CHURCHTOWN COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION have asked me to let you know that representatives will call to homes this week seeking donations towards their Annual Community Halloween Event, which will be held on Friday 28 October. All donations and support greatly appreciated.

ST EUGENE’S HIGH SCHOOL, CASTLEDERG, presents Thank You for the Music this week, Monday 24, Tuesday 25 and Thursday 27 October, as part of their 50th Anniversary celebrations. Everyone welcome - come along to see our very own Super Troupers perform a production inspired by a wealth of Abba songs. The plot is a rollercoaster ride of family secrets, friendships and true love. Starts at 7.30pm. Tickets on sale from the school office, tel 816 71543. Adm: Adults £6, Children £4, Family ticket £16.

LOCAL FUNDRAISING: Tommy Maguire has donated £1,000 to St Vincent de Paul, £1,000 to Salvation Army and £1,000 to Fr Brendan McCarron for his missionary work, from recent concert and car boot sale.

Pat O’Loughlin and Jenny McMenamin will run in the Dublin Marathon, on 31 October, in aid of MS Research. All support greatly appreciated.

ANNUAL AUCTION AT DREGISH HALL on Saturday 12 November, starting at 12.00 noon. Viewing from 9.30am. Unused or unwanted household items wanted, including furniture, toys, ornaments, firewood. Contact Gerry Nugent, Cele McAleer, Sean Taggart or Charlie McGovern to arrange collection of donations. All proceeds raised will go to parish funds.

DREGISH GFC Lotto Numbers: 9 Oct: 4, 6, 3, 2, 7, 5, 1. James McCrossan, Gerard McCrossan and Denise McCaffrey shared the £50. 16 Oct: 5, 1, 3, 7, 2, 6, 4. Four people shared the £50. Jackpot £1,200.

CHURCH DUTIES FOR OCTOBER:

ST PATRICK’S, CASTLEDERG