Sunday 7th March 2010

Third Sunday of Lent

God said to Moses: “Take off your shoes, for the place on which you stand is holy ground”. All religions designate certain places as holy places and rightly demand a certain level of reverence and respect. For ourselves as Catholics our sacred place is the church where the Blessed Sacrament is reserved. But the revelation of Christ is that the most sacred place of all is the company of another human being. He said that what we do to even the least person we do to him. Because of Christ, we are always standing on holy ground and our response always has to be one of reverence and respect. This has very far-reaching implications for us in the practice of our faith. The intimate relationship of husband and wife is a sacred place and calls for great reverence from all of us. And equally our homes and families and our faith community are places where we very often need a change of heart.

Fr. Johnny Doherty, C.Ss.R.

Sunday, 7th March 2010

3rd Sunday of Lent

First Reading : Exodus 3: 1-8.13-15
We are shown God’s concern for his oppressed people.

Second Reading: Corinthians 10: 1-6.10-12
What happened to the Israelites in the desert is a warning for Christians.

Gospel: Luke 13: 1-9
Jesus stresses the necessity of repentance and tells the people that time is running out.

MASSES

Monday : 7.30 pm Tuesday : 10.00 am

Wednesday : 7.30 pm Thursday : 10.00 am

Friday : 10.00 am

Saturday : 10.00 am and Vigil : 7.00 pm

Sunday : 9.00 am and 11.00 am

Confessions: Saturday after 10.00 am Mass and 6.00 pm - 7.00 pm

Sunday Collection: £ 1,373 and € 40

Thank you for your generosity

Legion of Mary meets every Monday at 6.30 pm in the meeting room in church. New members welcome

Eucharistic Ministers for March 13th and 14th
Vigil : Pat McLaughlin, Marie McSorley, Marie Devenney, Jean Coyle
9.00 : Maureen Lynch, Annette McAleer
11.00 : Pat O’Loughlin, Margaret Ann Gormley, Bridget Barrett, Kathleen Lynch

Offertory Procession for March
Vigil: Harper Family
9.00: Paddy Carlin and Peter McCullagh
11.00: Jimmy Duffy and John McCallion

Readers for March : Vigil: Maureen Lynch 11.00: Ann Marie Anderson

CHURCH CLEANERS THIS WEEK - Mary McAnea, Denise Gallagher, Bernie Breen, Annie Quinn, Vera Harvey, Geraldine McHale

CONFIRMATION DAY - We welcome Bishop Lagan today as he comes to administer the Sacrament of Confirmation to our senior primary school children. We are delighted to have him with us and also as celebrant of our 11 am Sunday Mass. May this Confirmation Day be an occasion of God’s blessing upon us all, particularly to our confirmandi, to their families and teachers

ST VINCENT DE PAUL - HELPLINE NUMBER : 028 71384488

SPECIAL DIOCESAN MASS - The Annual Diocesan Mass for those with Special Needs, and their families and friends, will take place in Saint Joseph’s Church, Galliagh, Derry on Saturday 24th April 2010. Bishop Lagan will celebrate the Mass. If you have a child who wishes to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation or First Communion at this Mass please contact the Catechetical Centre on 028 71264087 or email ddcc@derrydiocese.org

HOLY WEEK RETREAT - LORETO HOUSE - 28TH MARCH - 3RD APRIL - To book a place tel: 00353749362204 or email info@loretolinsort.com - Cost €380 Residential €200 non-residential - Prayer meetings every Monday in lent Beginning 22nd Feb from 8 pm - 9 pm

BOOKLETS for Lenten Reflection are available on the Bookrack in the Church

THE ROSARY

Is recited each weekday commencing 15 minutes before Mass

TRÓCAIRE BOXES - are available in the Church porch should a box not be delivered to you this week. Their Lenten Campaign is central to their work for the Third World

Bingo and Whist - We would appreciate your support for the Bingo
Bingo on Tuesday night at 9 pm Whist on Thursday night @ 8.30 pm

NEW MASS TIMES

Due to decline of priests, in age and number, and for the easy management of the Sunday routine should there be only one priest available in the Parish, from the weekend of March 20/21st 2010 the following Mass times for Sunday will take effect:

7 pm (Saturday) Vigil Castlederg 9.30 am - Dregish

10.45 am - Castlederg 12 noon - Drumnabey

It is hoped that this new arrangement will not cause too much upset or inconvenience

THE ALL IRELAND TALENT SHOW - Semi-Final this weekend - Sunday 7th March at 6.30 pm. Please support Chloe and give her your vote

NEW SUNDAY ENVELOPES - Will soon be made available. Should you require a box or re-adjust names please contact the Parochial House as soon as possible. Your weekly contribution to your parish is deeply and gratefully appreciated

APOSTOLIC WORKERS: a meeting will be held in the meeting room of St Patrick’s Church on Wednesday 10th March at 6.30 pm

DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY AT KNOCK - SUNDAY 11TH APRIL 2010 - Bus leaving Chapel Carpark at 8 am. Fare adult - £14 - Child U16 - £8 - Booking contact : Derg Taxis 02881671344

FUND RAISING STEW NIGHT AND DANCE - In Spamount Community Centre - On St Patrick’s Night - Wednesday 17th March - Music by : The Crystals - Starting at 8.00 pm - Tickets £6 each -
All proceeds will go to Parish Funds

YOUTH 2000 RETREAT - ST PATRICK’S COLLEGE, BALLYMENA

12-14 March 2010
For 16 - 35 year olds. Newcomers are very welcome. The programme includes drama, music, workshops, inspiring talks, games etc. Donation only - Residential - so bring a sleeping bag. For more info contact : 07514820572 or www.youth2000.ie - booking essential

ST EUGENE’S HIGH SCHOOL - Presents “Grease” On Sunday 28th March - Monday 29th March and Wednesday 31st March @ 7.30 pm each night - Tickets - Adult £6 - Child £4 - Family 2AD+2CD £14 - Tickets on sale in school office

PILGRIMAGE TO MEDJUGORJE - 30th May - 7 Days - From Belfast - £499 - Leaders : Hilary and Kathleen Lynch 028 81671046

BARROWFIELD F.C.

LOTTO - 1, 6, 11, 20 - No winners - C Donaghey HVP wins £30

KEEP FREE - MONSTER WHIST DRIVE - Sunday 21st March - Monster Whist Drive in St Patrick’s Hall at 2.30 pm. Everyone welcome

CHARITY DANCE - IN AID OF CASTLEDERG CARE CENTRE - In Spamount Community Centre Friday 12th March - Dancing 9.30 to midnight. Music by : Country Sensations - Adm £5 includes refreshments

CHURCHTOWN COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION - are organising transport to The Novena of Hope 2010 at the Grann, Enniskillen on Wednesday 10th March and Saturday 13th March - £9 pp - to reserve your place contact :
816 70652 - places allocated on a first come first served basis

PAULA’S RUN & BREAST CANCER CAMPAIGN FRIENDSHIP WALK - on Sunday 14th March 5km/3 mile. Register on line www.paulasrun.com - Costs £5 /€5. Registration available Derg Valley Leisure Centre Sunday 14th March until 12.30. Please wear pink and help us raise funds for Castlederg Palliative Care and Comfort Fund and The Paula Gallen Pink Ribbon Tribute Fund at the Breast Cancer Campaign. It would be a great help if local people would pre-register on Saturday 13th March at the Leisure Centre from 3-5 pm. Many thanks

CAISLEAN NA DEIRGE G.A.C.

Lotto: Margaret Ann Gormley wins £100 - Next week jackpot £700

Seniors & Reserves : Training continues on Wednesday and Friday nights at St Eugene’s HS

Under 18s - Training on Thursday night 6-7pm out at the High School on the 3D pitch

Under 14s : Training on Tuesday night at 6 pm at the High School

300 CLUB - The Club is presently organising a 300 Club to raise funds. It is essential that members support this vital fund raiser. Please contact any Committee Member for details

Club Monthly Meeting : Monday 8th March at 8.00 pm in St Eugene’s HS - note change of venue

Finance Meeting : will be held before the monthly meeting at 7.30 pm