Fifth Sunday In Ordinary Time 9thFebruary 2020
Anniversary & Month’s Mind Masses
Mass will be offered for the following people on the occasion of an Anniversary or Month’s Mind. We remember them, their family and loved ones in our prayers.
Monday 10th February 10.00am Patrick Doherty
Monday 10th February 7.30pm Tommy McCay
Tuesday 11th February 7.30pm Del Prince
Saturday 15thFebruary 6.00pm Sheehan Family
Rest In Peace We extend our sincere sympathy to the family and friends of May McCartney – Formerly Long Tower Street, John Anderson – Lisfannon Park, John Kavanagh – Iona Court, Joseph Gallagher – Formerly Cable Street, Margaret Crockett – Meenan Drive & John Patton -Lone Moor Road.
Baptisms: We welcome: Ryan McDaid & Shay Hutchison.
The Annual Lourdes Hospitalite Collection will take place this weekend 8th & 9th February. We thank you for your generosity in the past and hope that as a Parish you will continue to support this valuable work.
Tuesday 11th February- Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes – World Day of the Sick; The theme of this year’s observance is “Come to me, all you who labour and are burdened, and I will give you rest,” Matthew (11:28). In his message Pope Francis explains that Christ’s words of solidarity, comfort and hope, is for very many people, the poor, the sick, sinners, those who are marginalized. The mercy and comforting presence of Jesus, he says, embraces people in their entirety, each person in his or her health condition, discarding no one, but rather inviting everyone to share in His life and to experience His tender love.
Fr Aidan will visit the sick in his care on 17th, 18th and 19th February 2020. Full details will be in next weekend’s bulletin.
Tastelessness
“You are the salt of the earth. But if salt becomes tasteless, what can make it salty again? It is good for nothing and can only be thrown out to be trampled underfoot by men.”
What has made us tasteless? Is it our selfishness, that we have no time to help each other or is it simply we have allowed ourselves to slip into vagrancy – to blindly roam with little root in our spiritual home. Being apart is not an option in the kingdom of God and if we have failed to understand to live with truth and integrity at our centre, then we will be trampled upon – we will become good for nothing to ourselves and each other. If we have committed to work together in this beautiful kingdom then let us examine our hearts and see if we have failed by our tasteless promises – the words that may have carelessly spilled from our inner salt mill. May we become good for something and find ways to taste salty again – for then our light will shine in the sight of others. Reference and further reading: Matthew 5:13-16
In Memory Programme
The ‘Do This In Memory’ Mass for those children who are celebrating their First Communion this year will take place this Sunday, 9th February 2020 at 12 noon.
The Creed: After the homily the priest invites us to stand and profess our faith. We do this by saying the creed. There are two creeds that can be said at Mass: The Apostles Creed and the Nicene Creed. The Creed tells us simply what we believe as members of the Church. We stand to show that we are proud to be followers and friends of Jesus.
Prayer of the Faithful:During this time we pray for all our needs, particularly for the Church, the leaders of our country, those who are sick and in need of God’s healing and those who have died. The prayer of the faithful is normally spoken by the minister of the Word on our behalf. At the end of each prayer there is a moment of silence and then the minister of the Word says “Lord hear us” or “We pray to the Lord”, and we answer : “Lord graciously hear us” or “Lord hear our prayer”.
Fr. Aidan gratefully acknowledges with thanks the individual donation of £250.00 to the Longtower SOS Project.
LAST WEEK’S ENVELOPE COLLECTION AMOUNTED TO £2182.00
LAST WEEK’S RENOVATION COLLECTION AMOUNTED TO £570.00
Derry Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes 2 – 7 July 2020: To make enquiries or to book, Tel 7126 0293 or Email: derrypilgrim@outlook.com . Doctors and nurses are invited to consider taking part in the pilgrimage to assist those in need. Contact the Lourdes Office for details.
Feast Of Our Lady Of Lourdes: Thornhill House, 121 Culmore Road, Derry – Open invitation for Prayer Intercession for the Sick on Tuesday 11 February (10:30am to 8:00pm). Exposition and Rosary as well as led prayers at 11:30am, 1:30pm, 3:30pm, 5:30pm and 7:30 pm. All welcome.
Holy Hour for Vocations to the Priesthood and Religious Life in the Diocese of Derry – Fr Daniel McFaul CC, St. Mary’s, Creggan, will lead a Holy Hour to pray for vocations to the Priesthood and Religious Life in the Diocese of Derry on Thursday 13th February at 8:00pm in St. Eugene’s Cathedral, Derry. All Welcome.
Vocations Information Day on Saturday 22 February in Thornhill Retreat Centre, 121 Culmore Road, Derry, starting at 10.30am ending at 6.00pm. For further information on the Day, contact Fr Chris Ferguson, Diocesan Director of Vocations, on chris_j_ferguson@hotmail.com
The Net. The February edition of The Net is now available. For coverage of your parish or school faith activities just send an email to editorthenet15@gmail.com or ring/text 07809292852.
Donegal Hospice Bereavement Support, Tel.: 089-4402787
Sleep Out- Stay Awake for 15-18 year olds: We are inviting young people aged 15-18 to get involved in a Stay Awake/Sleep Out in solidarity with the homeless on Friday 28th February 2020 from 9pm until Saturday 29th February 7am. The event will take place in St. Eugene’s Cathedral, Derry. Parental consent forms and sponsorship forms can be found on the Diocesan website. www.derrydiocese.org. Registration for this event is compulsory before Friday 21st February. For more information or to book in please contact lizzie.rea@derrydiocese.org 0044 2871264087
ARISE event in Knock for young adults (18+) at Knock Shrine, Co Mayo: Catholic Youth Ministry Ireland (CYMI) invites young adults aged 18+ to join them for a faith event in Knock on Saturday 7 March. The event will involve workshops, fellowship, worship, speakers. It is hoped to provide transport for those who would like to attend, from the diocese. If you are interested in hearing more details of the 7 March event or would like to register your attendance, please contact Yvonne in the Derry Diocesan Catechetical Centre: yvonne.rooney@derrydiocese.org or Tel 0(044) 28 71264 087
Older People Northwest: On Tuesday 11th February from 1pm to 3pm, the O2 Guru will be holding a technical clinic in Malvern House. For issues with phones, tablets, apps book an appointment now. Ring 028 71 347 478 or email development@olderpeoplenorthwest.org
Anam Cara Donegal the organisation that supports bereaved parents, is holding a Bereavement Information Evening on 13th February at 7:00pm in the Raddison Blu Hotel, Letterkenny. This is a free event and open to all bereaved parents. As Anam Cara will need to confirm numbers for teas, coffees, etc, please RSVP to info@anamcara.ie before Wednesday 11th September or call 01 4045378.
Carmelite Retreat centre Termonbacca, John Pridmore-2 Day Retreat on Saturday 15th & Sunday 16th February 2020.
The Columba Community will hold a day of Prayer and Reflection on the theme of “Reconciliation: Healing Relationships” in St Anthony’s Retreat Centre, Dundrean, Burnfoot, Co Donegal, on Sunday 23rd February, beginning at 11am including celebration of Holy Mass at 3pm. All welcome to join with us in this sacred space in preparation for the Lenten season. Light lunch provided. Suggested donation £20. Please contact Columba House on 02871 262407 to reserve your place
There will be blood donation sessions in St Mary’s College, 35 Northland Road, Derry/Londonderry on Monday 24th & Tuesday 25th February 2020. The sessions will run from 1.30pm – 4pm & 5.15pm – 8pm.
Holy Family Pilgrimages 2020: Medjugorje: 30th May – 6th June Cost £589.00, Deposit £100.00 Lourdes: 3rd-8th July, Cost £699.00 Deposit £200.00. Please contact Margaret on 07732468511 for further details. Savings: Thurs: 8-9pm in Holy Family Parochial House.
Lenten Retreat Days in SMA Retreat Centre, Dromantine: Sat 14 March, led by Fr Damian Bresnahan and Sat 28 March, led by Fr John Gallagher. These Days of Reflection offer opportunities to prepare our hearts and minds to celebrate Holy Week and Easter. 9.30am – 5.00pm. Cost £25, including lunch. To book, email: sma.dromantine@sma.ie or Tel 028 30 821964.
Accord Derry Marriage Preparation Workshops: April 24th/25th 2020, May 15th/16th 2020 & June 19th/20th 2020 Venue: Thornhill Ministeries, Culmore Road, Derry BT48 8JF. Booking now online at www.accord-ni.co.uk.
Leap into Action for Air Ambulance NI. Join our HEMS paramedic Jason, in abseiling down the Tower Museum in Derry/Londonderry on Sunday 1st March 2020! It only costs £40 to sign up and once registered we will send you a fundraising pack to help you raise vital funds for Air Ambulance NI. Sign up now at: airambulanceni.org/upcoming-events/ or call Michelle on 07718483318 for more details.
The Joint Presbyterian & Methodist Men’s Club invite men from the Long Tower to our February meeting where the guest speaker will be the Lord Bishop Andrew Forster, the new Church of Ireland Bishop of Derry and Raphoe. The meeting will take place on Thursday 13th February in Clooney Hall at 7.30pm. We would be delighted if ou could attend.
