Sunday 29th March 2009

5th Sunday of Lent

Our forgiving God

“Anyone who loves her/his life loses it; anyone who hates her/his life in this world will keep it for the eternal life.” At first glance that statement from Christ in this Sunday’s Gospel is hard to take. But it is God’s wisdom and we must listen to it. It’s really about our priorities. If our priorities are all just about the here and now and our own gratification we will lose everything. If we set our sights on what God wants for us we will gain far more than we ever imagined possible. And what God wants for us is love, peace, joy, freedom, full life - all of which can only be gained by giving ourselves fully to one another. Marriage and family life are the two great schools for learning self-giving. In marriage each person has to deliberately choose what is good and best for their life together. In family life parents especially have to constantly give of themselves. That is how people grow to maturity.

Fr. Johnny Doherty, C.Ss.R

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

WEEKDAY MASSES

St Francis of Assisi, Drumnabey:
Monday 10.00am Thursday 7.30pm

St Mary’s, Dregish:
Wednesday 10.00am, First Friday 10.00am

HEALING SERVICE in St Patrick’s Church, Castlederg, this evening at 6.00pm and every Sunday evening during Lent.

THANK YOU for your generosity in last week’s collection:
Dregish £264, Drumnabey £246.

TOTAL PROFIT from the Parish Dance on 17th March was £1,335 and €107. Thank you!

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.

CHURCH DUTIES ROTA

Readings, Offertory Gifts, Cleaning & Flowers:

Thank you to the Coolcreaghy / Garvetagh area for this month’s duties in Drumnabey and the Dunteague area for this month’s duties in Dregish. In April, Drumnabey Road area is on duty in Drumnabey, and the Glasmullagh/Lisnacreight area in Dregish.

PALM SUNDAY

Next Sunday is Palm Sunday. Please bring palms along for blessing; the blessing will take place at the start of our Masses.

HOLY WEEK AND EASTER ARRANGEMENTS: Please see schedule for Holy Week and Easter ceremonies on the noticeboard at the back of the church. A copy of the schedule will be available for everyone next Sunday.

STATION MASS in the home of Brian Devenney, for the Ergenagh area, on Tuesday 7th April. Mass will commence at 7.30pm, Confessions from 7.00pm.

THE DERRY DIOCESAN YOUTH CHOIR, established last year, is keen to get more members, from across the diocese. Fr Peter O’Kane has asked that if anyone in our parish between the ages of 15 and 23 is interested in joining, as a singer or musician, please contact him on 71342303 or contact Yvonne Murray on 71264087. If you meet the criteria, I encourage you to consider joining!

DERRY DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES 2010

As you know, the Annual Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes is not going ahead this year, due to a substantial increase in cost (mainly caused by the change in the Euro/Stg exchange rate). The organising committee has confirmed that the Diocesan Pilgrimage will take place next year. To assist pilgrims in meeting the cost of next year’s pilgrimage, the committee has set up a ‘paying in’ scheme. You can register your interest in taking part in the 2010 pilgrimage and find out more about the paying-in scheme by contacting the Pilgrimage Office on 71260293. Office opening hours: Tues 11am-1pm: Thurs 12pm-2pm: Sat 11am – 2pm.

CONRADADH NA GAEILGE wish to thank all who contributed to the Irish Language collection on St Patrick’s Day. The total raised was £900.

SCHOLARSHIPS – Anyone from the parish attending the Gaeltacht should apply to Maoliosa McHugh, Castlefin Road, Castlederg, or Geraldine McHugh, Silverhill Road. Application in Irish, please, before 30th April.

Silverdale Care Home, Castlederg, is hosting a cake sale/ coffee morning/afternoon tea on Thursday, 2nd April, from 10am – Noon; 2.00pm – 4.00pm. Everyone welcome.

ART EXHIBITION by the Border Artists, at Watts Shoe Shop, Castlederg, for one week from 1st April. Everyone welcome. Adm Free.

SPAMOUNT SWIFTS Lotto Numbers last week: 1, 19, 24, 25. No winners. Jackpot £3,500.

DREGISH GFC Lotto: Numbers last week: 5, 1, 4, 6, 2, 3, 7. £50 went to Paul O’Kane. Jackpot £850. 25 CARD PLAY tomorrow night at 8.30pm.

ANNUAL 25 CARD DRIVE in aid of parish funds and Dregish GFC, will take place this year, in Dregish Hall, on Monday 6th April, at 9.00pm sharp. £500 in prizes! Tea served. There will be draws for unplayed tickets. Tickets, £10, on sale. All support greatly appreciated.

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.