Seventeenth Sunday In Ordinary Time 24th July 2022
World Day for Grandparents & the Elderly
‘Old age is not a time of life easily understood even by those of us who are already experiencing it. Even though it eventually comes with the passage of time, no one prepares us for old age, and at times it seems to take us by surprise. This makes it hard to look to the future and discern what direction to take. On the one hand, we are tempted to ward off old age by hiding our wrinkles and pretending to be forever young, while on the other, we imagine that the only thing we can do is bide our time, thinking glumly that we cannot “still bring forth fruit”.
Retirement and grown children make many of the things that used to occupy our time and energy no longer so pressing. The recognition that our strength is ebbing or the onset of sickness can undermine our certainties. The fast pace of the world – with which we struggle to keep up – seems to leave us no alternative but to implicitly accept the idea that we are useless. We can resonate with the heartfelt prayer of the Psalmist: “Do not cast me off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength is spent” (71:9).
Yet that same psalm – which meditates on how the Lord has been present at every stage of our lives – urges us to persevere in hope. Along with old age and white hairs, God continues to give us the gift of life and to keep us from being overcome by evil. If we trust in him, we will find the strength to praise him still (cf. vv. 14-20). We will come to see that growing old is more than the natural decline of the body or the inevitable passage of time, but the gift of a long life. Aging is not a condemnation, but a blessing!
Old age is no time to give up and lower the sails, but a season of enduring fruitfulness: a new mission awaits us and bids us look to the future.’
Excerpts from the Message of His Holiness Pope Francis for 2nd World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly Rome, Saint John Lateran, 3 May 2022, Feast of the Apostles Philip and James.
National Grandparents Pilgrimage at the Shrine of our Lady of Knock, also celebrating the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly, this Sunday 24th July. Anointing of the Sick 2.30pm. Mass 3.00pm, followed by Rosary. Children’s Prayer Appeal: Children are invited to write a prayer for their grandparent(s) or for someone in their life who is an ‘elderly person’. Prayers can be sent to Knock Shrine and all intentions will be remembered during the liturgy. May St. Joachim and St. Anne, Parents of Mary, Grandparents of Jesus bless you all the days of your life.
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 families and loved ones in our prayers.
Sunday 24th July 12Noon Geraldine Arnett
Monday 25th July 7.30pm Liam McSwine
Tuesday 26th July 7.30pm Paddy Barber
Thursday 28th July 10.00am Margaret & Hugh Dalton
Friday 29th July 7.30pm Daniel McGowan
Rest In Peace: We extend our sincere sympathy to the family and friends of; Dessie Hyndman- Upper Bennett Street, Damian Owens-Letterkenny Road, Freddie Cunningham- Beechwood Court.
Baptisms: We welcome into the family of God; Maria Gallagher
Baptisms: Please contact the Parish Office for dates.
LAST WEEK’S ENVELOPE COLLECTION AMOUNTED TO £1985.00
LAST WEEK’S RENOVATION COLLECTION AMOUNTED TO £736.00
Parish Office: You can contact the Parish Office by Phone on 028-71262301 or via email longtower@derrydiocese.org.
Visitation of the Sick. For urgent sick calls please contact the parish office on 028-71262301 or 02871262894.
The Net July 2022 Sharing the fruits of the faith in the Derry Diocese, the July 2022 edition of ‘The Net’ is now available on the Diocesan website – https://www.derrydiocese.org/publications/the-net/the-net-july-2022.pdf.
Bishop Daly Exhibition; ‘A Man for All Seasons’ (Monday 8th August—Sunday 14th August), Location -St. Eugene’s Cathedral Hall, Infirmary Road, Derry. The exhibition has been compiled to celebrate the life, influence, work and legacy of Bishop Edward Daly. The title of the exhibition, ‘A Man for All Seasons’, was chosen to pay tribute to the wide and varied contribution he made to peace and reconciliation in Ireland, to Derry and its Diocese, to the search for justice and to healing the differences that divide Northern Ireland. He lived out the words of Christ in his work. The project has been kindly supported by Derry and Strabane District Council. For more information, please visit www.steugenescathedral.com
“It is to the glory of my Father that you should bear much fruit and then you will be my disciples.” Anyone interested in studying for the diocesan priesthood is invited to attend a weekend “Come & See” retreat from 26-28 August. Please contact the Diocesan Vocations Director, Fr Pat O’Hagan, PP, Moville, at pgoh2111@gmail.com for more details and information.
Lough Derg Re-Opens: Lough Derg welcomes Pilgrims again with a full Pilgrimage programme this summer. Three Day Pilgrimage: 1st June – 15th August. Booking advised. Concessions available for students, seniors and groups. One Day Retreats and guided Pilgrim Path experience: dates in May and late August through September. Booking essential. All booking information at www.loughderg.org, email info@loughderg.org or telephone 0(0353) 71 9861518.
Mary’s Meals – Annual ‘Step by Step to Feed the next Child’ sponsored ‘Two Bridges Walk’ takes place in Derry on Sunday 7th August, at 12noon (beginning in Sainsbury’s car park, across the Foyle Bridge, along the Waterside and back over the Peace Bridge, finishing in the Sainsbury’s car park). The distance is approx.. 6 miles or 9.5 Km. Walkers will meet in Sainsbury’s Car Park at 11.45 in preparation for 12 noon start. If you would like to join in for all or part of the walk, you can register online (for free) at www.tinyurl.com/mmstepbystep or on the day. If you have any questions, please contact Helen Quinn on 0781 444 1701. Everyone is welcome. If you are not walking, then please keep us in your prayers, and watch out for our walkers and their blue collection buckets and support our campaign to feed the next hungry child. You can find out more about Mary’s Meals and the work we do at http://www.marysmeals.org.uk
The Youth 2000 Summer Festival: Join over 1000 young people between 16 and 35 this August at the Youth 2000 Summer Festival. The festival takes place in Clongowes Wood College, Clane, Co Kildare from Thursday 11th August to Sunday 14th August 2022. For more information and to book your place go to www.youth2000.ie
Upcoming Blood Donation Sessions in Guildhall Building, Derry on Wednesday 10th & Thursday 11th August from 12.30pm – 4pm & 5pm –7.30pm. Booking by appointment only, please call-08085 534 653 to book.
Live By Faith Pilgrimages: Pilgrimage to Knock Shrine; Sunday 2nd October- Monday 3rd October, Cost £125 per person sharing. Single room supplement £75. Package includes Bus, Bed, Breakfast and Evening meal, Knock Musem, full pilgrimage itinerary plus a goodie bag. For more information contact LiveByFaith Pilgrimages on Facebook or call 07508897429.
Accord’s free and confidential ‘Relationships Support Phone Line’ for marriages, families and relationships offers support to those experiencing extra pressure due to social restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The three numbers are: Accord CLG – 01 531 3331, Accord Dublin – 01 905 9555, Accord NI – 028 9568 0151 or 00353 1 531 3331.
The Iosas Centre Cafe in Muff (adjacent to White Oaks) is starting a Sunday Carvery starting on 3rd July, serving meals from 12.30pm-3.00pm. Delicious starters, mains and desserts, using our own organic vegetables. Booking is recommended and take away is available. (1 course €12.50/2 courses €15.50/3 courses €19.50). Tel:- 0749384866. Why not finish your afternoon with a walk in our beautiful Celtic Prayer Garden.
Radio Maria Ireland is an Irish-run Catholic Talk-Radio Station. Prayer, Catechesis, Uplifting music, Talks, Interviews and Testimonies – Listen via TV on Saorview – Channel 210 and Freeview – Channel 826; Download our FREE APP – “Radio Maria Ireland”, streaming on www.radiomaria.ie or via PHONE – get live radio feed by telephoning +353 (0) 1 437 3277 (no extra charges apply). Please join our growing faith family.
Webcams Around the country, some parish churches and cathedrals have installed webcams for the broadcast of Mass and these can be accessed on the following websites; https://www.churchmedia.tv/ https://www.mcnmedia.tv/cameras// https://www.parishwebsites.ie
