Sunday 26th April 2009

Third Sunday of Easter

Our advocate with the Father

Jesus said: “You are witnesses of all I have said.” Over the past few years we have become very aware of the human frailty of the Church, often to the point of keeping our heads down and hoping that it will all go away. And we have good reasons for being ashamed and afraid and even at times resentful. But we also have a great responsibility to witness boldly to Jesus who has risen from the dead and is alive in us and in his Church. We do this, not so much by preaching, as by how we live our lives in joy and hope and love. Our families, our community and our society badly need the witness of people who are happy, content, forgiving, thoughtful, prayerful, caring. If we work at it together we can make a difference. That’s our call this week as husbands and wives, parents and children, and as a community of faith.

Fr. Johnny Doherty, C.Ss.R.

Sunday, 26th April, 2009

3rd Sunday of Easter

First Reading Acts of the Apostles 3: 13-15.17-19
This reading is an early explanation of the Passion and an example of the early witness to the resurrection.

Second Reading John 2: 1-5
We show that we know God by keeping his commandments. But when we fail, Christ intercedes for us with the Father.

Gospel Luke 24: 35-48
Jesus appears to the apostles, and commissions them to preach the Gospel to all nations.

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

‘Lord Jesus, explain the scriptures to us.
Make our hearts burn within us as you talk to us’

WEEKDAY MASSES

Drumnabey: Monday 10.00am, Thursday 7.30pm

Dregish: Wednesday 10.00am, First Friday 10.00am

VISITATION OF THE SICK AND HOUSEBOUND Fr O’Doherty will visit the sick and housebound this week: in the Drumnabey area on Thursday and in Dregish on Friday.

THANK YOU for your generosity in recent collections:
Sunday 12th April: Dregish £375, Drumnabey £597.
Sunday 19th April: Dregish £230, Drumnabey £381.

CHURCH DUTIES ROTA – Readings, Offertory Gifts, Cleaning & Flowers:
Thank you to the Drumnabey Rd area for this month’s duties in Drumnabey and the Glassmullagh/Lisnacreight area for this month’s duties in Dregish. In April, Drumnabey Pk is on duty in Drumnabey, and the Envagh/|Leglands area in Dregish.

WHO IS ST PAUL? Four-week course on St Paul in Thornhill Centre, Culmore Rd, Derry on the Mondays of May, commencing 4th May, from 7.30pm – 9.30pm. This course gives a wonderful insight into various aspects of this great saint. Cost £30. Tel 7135 1233 to book or for further information.

MAY ALTAR ST MARY’S, DREGISH

Next Sunday is the first Sunday of May. In St Mary’s, Dregish, we will adorn the area around the statue of Our Lady with flowers and plants, to form a May Altar. I ask that each family brings along a plant (maybe one you have in the house) or a bunch of flowers or floral arrangement, to the church next Sunday - please do not go to much expense. If you leave your contribution for the May Altar at the back of the church as you come in, the children who are out at Mass will be invited to form a procession with the flowers and plants to the statue of Our Lady in the Sanctuary.

We will have a Prayer Intention box at the May Altar and I invite you to place your prayer intentions during the month of May in the box. As you pray at the Altar, I ask you to remember the prayer intentions that are placed there.

DERRY DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE TO KNOCK on Sunday 7th June. This year is the 130th anniversary of the apparition at Knock. For the first time, the organising committee, with the help of the Lourdes Hospitalite team, is arranging facilities at Knock on the day so that the Sick of the diocese can be part of the pilgrimage in a special way. I am hoping that we as a parish will make a big effort to participate in the Knock pilgrimage this year. A bus will be available, with pick-up points at Drumnabey PS, at 8.00am, and McGuires, Envagh, at 8.20am. Adult fare £12, children under sixteen £7. To book the bus, please put your name on the sheet at the back of the church or phone Brian Devenney on 816 79806. See itinerary for the day on poster at the back of the church.

PIONEERS

Any pioneer wishing to celebrate their silver or golden jubilee as a pioneer, by receiving their silver or golden pin, please give your name to Ann Harkin, Tel 816 70693. The pins will be presented at the Regional Meeting and Mass on Wednesday 17 June, at 7.30pm, in St Patrick’s Church, Castlederg.

IOSAS Centre and Celtic Peace Garden , Derryvane, Muff, Co Donegal: Fr Neal Carlin invites you to visit the Iosas Centre and Celtic Peace Garden, if you welcome some time of peace and tranquillity, quiet prayer and reflection. Celtic spirituality. Bird Sanctuary. For further information contact 0035374 938 4866. Open Mon – Fri 9.00am – 5.00pm, Sat & Sun from 1.00pm – 5.00pm.

ULSTER PROJECT Fundraising car wash at Jim Love’s Car Wash, Castlegore Rd, Castlederg, next Saturday, 2nd May from 10.00am – 4.30pm. The organisers would appreciate your support.

SPAMOUNT SWIFTS Lotto Numbers last week: 14, 16, 17, 22. No winners. Jackpot £3,500.

DREGISH GFC Lotto: Numbers last week: 2, 5, 3, 6, 7, 1, 4 . £50 went to Damian McDevitt. Jackpot £950.

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.