Sunday 10th February 2008

First Sunday of Lent

The invitation of Lent is to draw closer to Christ and to renew within us the life of faith. Faith, of course, is a great gift of God. Through faith we are able to hear the Word of God as addressed to us and to place it at the centre of our lives.

Through faith we find the time meaning of our own existence and of the world around us. Through faith we are able to guide and shape our lives according to the will of God which has so graciously been shown to us. Through faith we place God at the centre of all we do. The first fruit of faith is prayer. A trusting prayer offered each day is the first sign of the life of a believer. Indeed, Jesus teaches us not only the importance of prayer but also how to pray, so it is not surprising that priority for each of us during Lent is to renew our life of prayer.

First Reading Genesis 2: 7-9; 3: 1-7
Adam and Eve succumb to temptation and cause a rift between themselves and God.

Second Reading Romans 5: 12-19
By his obedience to God, Christ won back for us the gifts lost through the disobedience of Adam.

Gospel Matthew 4: 1-11
Jesus was tempted by the devil, but unlike Adam and Eve, he did not succumb.

Newsletter Resources

Temptation

Oscar Wilde’s quip, that he could resist everything except temptation, contains a grain of wisdom. In a quirky way it is saying: careful how you fight temptation; you may not win. Oscar clearly didn’t. Neither did Adam or Eve.

Temptation trades in lies as today’s first reading shows (Genesis 2:7-9, 3:1-7). It is countered by truth, as today’s Gospel shows (Matthew 4:1-11). When tempted to turn stones into bread Jesus doesn’t ‘engage’ with the temptation. He confronts it with truth: God’s word is the source of life, not bread. When Satan tempts him a second time, Jesus warns him not to tempt God. No fear, or indecision, there. Satan ignores the warning and tempts Jesus again. His offer of all the kingdoms on earth to Jesus if only he would worship him is so preposterous that Jesus summarily dismisses him. And he goes.

Satan is not as powerful as he would like to be seen to be. While temptation to evil is a fact of life, so too is the victory of good over evil. Evil’s power has been definitively defeated. The Incarnation has seen to that.

Evil has a past, and a present, but no future. Neither do those who submit to it.
Fr Tom Cahill SVD, Courtesy of Intercom Magazine

This Week’s Saints - Week beginning Sunday 10th February
Monday 11 – Our Lady of Lourdes.
Thursday 14 – Saints Cyril and Methodius, patrons of Europe.

Mass Intentions
Sacred Heart Church 7.30pm Mass
Tuesday Polish Mass
Wednesday Rose Kelly – 1st Anniversary

Baptisms
Peter Oliver Gormley, 1 Dergmoney Court
Rhianna Elaine Barrett, 59A Tattysallagh Road
Jemma Paula Barrett, 59A Tattysallagh Road

Special Diocesan Mass
The Annual Diocesan Mass for those with special needs, and their families and friends, will take place in St Joseph’s Church, Galliagh, Derry on Saturday 12th April 2008. 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) 7126 4087.

Concerned About Suicide
An Information Evening entitled “Concerned About Suicide” will be held in the City Hotel, Derry on Tuesday 19th February from 7.30 – 9.30 pm. This evening has been organised by representatives from the four main Christian Churches and will be lead by Mr Barry McGale and Mrs Anne McGarrigle. Everyone is welcome.

IHCPT– The Irish Pilgrimage Trust
Church Gate Collection
Sat 16th & Sun 17th February
All proceeds will go towards taking a group of local young people with special needs to Lourdes on Easter Sunday. Your generosity is greatly appreciated.

Lenten Stations
There will be a Station Mass in the home of Joanne Colton, 192 Clanabogan Road on Friday 15th February at 7.30 pm. There will also be a Station Mass in the home of Tony and Anne McGarvey, 46 Dromore Road on Friday 22nd February at 7.30pm.

Derry Diocesan Society
The following names have been added to the list of Deceased Members of the Derry Diocesan Society:

Elizabeth Kirwan, 8 Centenary Park
Patrick McCann, 2 Montague Villas
Kathleen Bellaby McBride, Westview Terrace
Peter Thirlway, York
Roisin McSharry, Gortmore House (formerly of 29 Lammy Walk)
Patrick Campbell, 5 Ardmore Crescent
Colin Ratcliffe, 6 Lissan Drive
Betty Ratcliffe, 6 Lissan Drive
Paul McGale, formerly of 28 John Street
Kathleen McLaughlin, Dromore
John O’Callaghan, Fintona
Michael Kearns, Flat 11, St Julian’s House
James Logue, 82 Botera Road
James Daly
Brigid Daly
James Daly
Patrick Daly
Alice Daly
John Daly
Michael Daly
Edward Daly
Alphonsus Daly
Annie Daly
Charles Daly
John Gallagher
Patrick Gallagher
Michael Normoyle
That these and all who sleep in Christ find in your presence, light, happiness and peace.
Living Members
Mary Logue, 82 Botera Road

Derry Diocesan Service Committee for Catholic Charismatic Renewal Development Plan

Lenten Scripture Course
“Speak Lord, your servant is listening” (1st Samuel Chapter 3v10)

Date Theme `Facilitator Venue Time
19/02/08 “Matthew’s Fr Seamus Kelly Portglenone Monastery 7.00 pm
Gospel”
28/02/08 “Wrestling with Fr Kevin McElhennon Pastoral Centre, Omagh 7.30 pm
God”
02/03/08 “The Holy Spirit Mr Stephen Doherty St Brigid’s Resource 7.30 pm
in the Church” Centre, Carnhill, Derry
10/03/08 “Reflections on Fr Paul Farren Melmount Centre, 7.30 pm
The Stations of the Strabane
Cross”
Everyone Welcome - Cost £20 for Full Programme or £5 per Session
Contact 028 8224 2092 (Office Hours)

Parish Draw Winners February 2008
£2,000 - Ronan Doherty, c/o Promoter
Promoter – John Rafferty
£1,000 - Joan Kelly, 13 Brookmount Crescent
Promoter – Kevin McCrory
£500 – Alice McNamee, 2 Ashbourne Close
Promoter – Malachy McNamee
£250 – Collen McCullagh, 26 Sperrin Park
Promoter – Malachy McBride
£100 – Stephen McCanny, 2 Cannondale
Promoter – Carmel Tierney
£100 – Oisin, Tiernan & Michael Sally
Promoter – Ignatius Sally
£100 – Geraldine O’Kane, 6 Clontarf Heights
Promoter – Mary McGlone
£100 – Monnie McGovern, Fireagh Road.
Promoter – Maggie Quinn
£100 – John Nathanielsz, Surrey
Promoter – Charlie McLaughlin
£100 – Beasie Gormley, 15 Brookmount Road
Promoter – Fr Canning
£100 – Jim McGrenaghan, Dublin Road
Promoter – Babs Barrett
£100 – Hugh McAleer, c/o Rozella Kelly
Promoter – Siobhán Taggart
£100 – Una Scully, 24 Gortmore Gardens
Promoter – Jean McCrystal
£100 - Ryan McGread, Tattysallagh
Promoter – Jim McGread
Promoter’s £100 Prize – Violet Sweeney

N.I Blood Transfusion Service
The next blood donation sessions will be held in Omagh College at the following times:
Mon 11 February
1.30 pm – 4 pm & 5.30 pm – 8 pm
Tues 12 February
1.30 pm – 4 pm & 5.30 pm – 8 pm
Wed 13 February
1.30 pm – 4 pm & 5.30 pm – 8 pm
Please come along – you could save a life.

Pioneer AGM
The Annual General Meeting of the Pioneers will take place on Thursday 14th February at 8 pm. It is important for all members to be there.

Alcoholics Anonymous
Killyclogher Group
Public Information Meeting
St Mary’s Primary School,
122 Old Mountfield Road, Killyclogher
Wednesday 13th February @ 8.30 pm
Everyone welcome – Free Admission
Non-alcoholic refreshments will be served.
If you want to drink it’s your problem.
If you want to stop, it’s ours!

St Joseph's Hall
Church Street, Omagh
Tel. 8225 2920, 8225 2892
Contact: Tommy on 07753 936701

Coming Soon to St Joseph’s Hall
Hal Ketchum & His American Band
Support – Anthony McBrien
Friday 4th April 2008
Tickets on Sale from Tommy at the Hall, Top News & McCrory’s
Call 07753 936 701

Dance

St Joseph’s Hall, Omagh
Friday 15th February
Music by Country Traditions
10 pm – 12.30 am
Please come along and support your Parish Dance

FOUND
Pair of Rosary Beads in St Colmcille’s P.S. Grounds. Contact the school on 8224 4140.

Charity Dance
Friday 15th February 2008
Dún Uladh Centre, Ballinamullan
Music by Melody Sounds
Admission £5
Proceeds to Housing Aid, Bosnia

Tattyreagh GAC
The club will hold two membership registration nights in the clubrooms. Wednesday 13th February - 8-9pm youth registration, 9-10pm adult membership. Wednesday 20th February, same times for youth and adult membership registration. Only fully paid up members can apply for match tickets. Order forms will be available for new kit at these sessions. All kit must be paid for in advance before order is processed.

St Joseph’s Hall
Mon 6.30pm - Iyengar Yoga
7.15pm - Kellie Aerobics/ Fitball
Tues 3.00pm - Colmcille Club
9.00pm - Bingo - Jackpot £1000
Wed 10.00-12.30pm - Weightwatchers
10.30am - Coffee Morning
6.00pm - Baxter School of Dancing
8.00pm - Ladies Club
Thur 4.30pm - Ballet Dancing
7 - 8pm - Traditional Music class
7.30pm - Bowls
8.30pm - Line Dancing
Sat 1.45pm - Groogan O’Doherty Class