Sunday, 31st January 2010

Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Jesus said: “I tell you solemnly, no prophet is ever accepted in his own country”. The word prophet conjures up the image of someone who foretells the future, a bit like a fortune-teller. No! A prophet is someone who gets to the deepest reality of human life and is able to proclaim that this deepest reality will come to the surface sooner or later and calls us to make it sooner. Generally people don’t like to hear about these deepest realities because they get used to the way things are. A good example of this is: the deepest reality of marriage is that it is a sacrament, a source of Christ’s presence in and salvation of the world we live in. Couples need to do a lot more to bring their love to that pitch. Every home is a Domestic Church, a sacred place. Every parish is the living Body of Christ. We have a lot of change to work on.

Fr. Johnny Doherty, C.Ss.R.

Sunday, 31st January 2010

Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

First Reading : Jeremiah 1: 4-5.17-19
Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you came to birth I consecrated you; I have appointed you as prophet to the nations.

Second Reading: Corinthians 12: 31 – 13:13
There are three things that last: faith, hope and love; and the greatest of these is love.

Gospel: Luke 4: 21-30
Jesus’ message is meant for all people.

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

Sunday 31st January 2010

Fourth Sunday Ordinary Time

• Tomorrow, 1 February, is the Feast of St Brigid, Patroness of Ireland. Mass in Drumnabey tomorrow morning will be the Mass of St Brigid.

• Tuesday of this week, 2nd February, is the feast of the Presentation of the Lord. We celebrate the Presentation of the child Jesus in the Temple and the Purification of the Virgin Mary. It is also Candlemas Day. We celebrate Christ our Light, who revealed God to the nations.
There will be a Service of Light at the 7.30pm Mass in St Patrick’s Church, Castlederg, on Tuesday evening, for the children from the parish who are making their Confirmation, and their families.

• Wednesday of this week, 3rd February, is the Memorial of St Blaise. Since the 8th century, St Blaise has been venerated as patron of those who suffer from ailments of the throat. Throats will be blessed at the 10.00am Mass in Dregish on Wednesday morning.

MASS SCHEDULE FOR THIS WEEK

DRUMNABEY: Monday 10.00am, Thursday 7.30pm

DREGISH: Wednesday 10.00am, First Friday 7.30pm

Blessed candles will be available for purchase in Dregish and Drumnabey
during the coming week.

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.

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK, a national celebration of the contribution of Catholic Schools to the common good of society, commences today. As part of the celebrations for it, there will be a Mass in St Eugene’s Cathedral, Derry, this Thursday, 4 February, at 12.30pm. The schools from our parish will be represented at this Mass. Everyone is welcome to attend this Mass.

Angela Ward RIP
We offer our sincere sympathy and the prayerful support of our parish community to Rosie and Patricia Gormley, Leglands, and the Gormley family circle, on the death of Angela this week. May her soul rest in peace.

Charles Lynch RIP
We offer our sincere sympathy and the prayerful support of our parish community to Rosie Lynch, Lettercarn, and the entire Lynch family, on the death of Charlie this week. May his soul rest in peace.

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

AN INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT, detailing the income and expenditure in Dregish and Drumnabey during 2009, is displayed on the Notice Boards in our churches. Please take time to read this, at your convenience.

VOCATIONS INFORMATION DAY in relation to vocations for diocesan priesthood will take place on Saturday 20th February, in the Thornhill Centre, Culmore Road, Derry, from 11.00am – 4.00pm.

ALL IRELAND TALENT SHOW Chloe Coyle, a student at St Eugene’s High School, will be singing, for the North, on the show next weekend. We wish Chloe Good Luck and ask for your support for her.

OLD TYME DANCING CLASSES in Spamount Cross Community Hall, starting on Saturday 6th February, 8.00pm – 10.30pm. All age groups welcome.

DREGISH GFC Lotto Numbers for last week: 6, 1, 3, 7, 4, 2, 5. Seven people shared the £50. Jackpot £1,850. 25 CARD PLAY every Monday night, 8.30pm.

SPAMOUNT SWIFTS Lotto Numbers for last week: 6, 12, 17, 21. Barry Devenney won £50. Jackpot £1,400.

Thursday 11th February, Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, is World Day of Prayer for the Sick. To mark the occasion, a special Mass will be held in St Francis of Assisi, Drumnabey, on that date, at 7.00pm, during which the sick will be anointed and carers of the sick will have their hands blessed. I hope that as many of our sick as possible can attend, as well as those who care for the sick in any capacity.

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.