Sunday, 27th September 2009

26th Sunday of the Year

God’s Spirit in the world

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Anyone who is not against us is for us’. One of the temptations for us as human beings is to try to control everything. We do it in the close relationships of marriage and family life. And we do it in the context of our life of faith with one another in the parish and in the Church generally. And when we try to exercise control in these areas we set limits to the wonderful possibilities that are there for us. The greatest effort of faith is always to give control back to God and live the ways God wants us to live. This has huge implications for marriage and family life in that God’s way is one of love and affection; of joy and gladness; of peace and forgiveness. It also has very big implications for our faith community, which is called to grow in such a way that there is room for everyone.

Fr. Johnny Doherty, C.Ss.R.

Sunday 27th September 2009

26th Sunday in Ordinary Time

First Reading Numbers 11: 25-29
Are you jealous on my account? If only the whole people of the Lord were prophets!

Second Reading James 5: 1-6
Your wealth is all rotten.

Gospel Mark 9: 38-43.47-48
Anyone who is not against us is for us.
If your hand should cause you to sin, cut it off.

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

Living the Sunday Liturgy

PRAYER FOCUS

Continue to fill us with your gifts of love.
Can you remember experiencing the gifts of God’s love during last week?

Questions for Action.

For your marriage: Think of ways to show your wife/husband that you are not taking her/him for granted. Put those into practice this week.

For others: Think of one personal quality you have. How can you use that quality for others this week?

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.

SISTERS OF NAZARETH COLLECTION

The Sisters of Nazareth in Derry have written to thank the parish very much for the generous contribution to the annual collection that was taken up on 15th August. The parish raised £1,860 in total, which is going towards the replacement of one the boilers at Nazareth House.

FORTY HOURS ADORATION in St Patrick’s Church, Castlederg, next Sunday, starting with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament after 11.00am Mass, and concluding with a Holy Hour from 6.00 – 7.00pm. Everyone in the parish is encouraged to come along.

STATION MASSES: If anyone wishes to host a Station Mass in their home during the month of October, please contact Fr O’Doherty this week.

ST FRANCIS OF ASSISI PRIMARY SCHOOL, DRUMNABEY

Bishop Hegarty will visit the school on Thursday 8th October, at 12.00 noon, to conduct a short service, officially re-naming and dedicating the school to the patronage of St Francis of Assisi. Everyone in the parish is welcome to come along and join in the Service of Dedication and, afterwards, to share in refreshments and meet with Bishop Hegarty.

CHURCH DUTIES ROTA – Readings, Offertory Gifts, Cleaning & Flowers:
Thank you to the Coolcreaghy / Lisleen area for this month’s duties in Drumnabey and the Envagh / Leglands area for this month’s duties in Dregish. In October, the Drumnabey Road area is on duty in Drumnabey, and the Tullymuck area in Dregish.

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.

CLOTHING BANKS

Please remember to use the Clothing Banks in the car parks at our churches. These are to help the work of the St Vincent de Paul Society.

ROYAL NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR THE BLIND (RNIB) NI is holding a sponsored Five Mile White Cane Walk, on Saturday 10th October, in aid of the services they provide for the blind and visually impaired people in our local community. Starting point: McGurks Bar (beside Lidl), Omagh, at 11.00am, with registration from 10.00am. For further information contact RNIB NI on 8225 0220 or email ian.ross@rnib.org.uk

DERRY DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES next year, 2010, from 16 – 21 July. Cost £629, can be paid in instalments. Application forms available at the Parochial House or from the Pilgrimage Office in Derry, Tel 7126 0293. Application forms for those in need of care or for those aged 80+ available only from the Pilgrimage Office.

NORTHERN IRELAND BLOOD TRANSFUSION SERVICE

The next blood donation session will be held in Castlederg High School (Castlegore Rd) this Tuesday, 29 September, from 2.15pm – 4.00pm and 5.15pm – 8.00pm. The Blood Transfusion Service need the support of new donors, in addition to existing donors. I encourage you to give their request your consideration.

DREGISH GFC Lotto:

Numbers last week: 3, 6, 4, 2, 1, 7, 5. Paul O’Kane won the £50. Jackpot £1,500.

SPAMOUNT SWIFTS Lotto:

Numbers last week: 19, 22, 23, 25. Lauren Doherty and Mary McMenamin shared £50. Jackpot £1,060.

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.