Parish Newsletter – Sunday 2nd February 2020


Happy Saint Brigid’s Day to all our parishioners.

Here are your notes for the week ahead from this weekend the 1st and 2nd February 2020.

Anniversaries
We remember in prayer those whose Anniversaries are at this time: Pat Doherty-Cloughfin,
Seamus Gallagher-Coneyburrow, Joe & Alice McCullagh-Ballindrait, John Harte-Ballyduff,
William Doherty-Ardnasool, Kieran Crawford-The Common, Geraldine Melaugh McGarrigle-Dublin/Ballindrait.
May They Rest in Peace.

Parents Meeting .. Meeting for all parents as part of the Parish Confirmation Preparation Programme, will be held in Murlog National School, on Monday February 3rd, from 7pm-7.45pm.

Visitation of the Sick & Housebound .. Will be held on Wednesday February 12th.

Lourdes Hospitalite Collection .. Will be taken-up as a Second Collection on February 8th/9th. This
Collection enables us to provide for those Pilgrims who wish to go to Lourdes on the Diocesan
Pilgrimage, and who need care.

World Day of the Sick, and the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes .. Takes place between February 3rd and
February 11th. Novena Prayer Cards are available, and I encourage you to take one and pray during this time.

Thornhill Ministries, Holy Land Pilgrimage Retreat ..There are a few places remaining on our Pilgrimage/Retreat (Sep. 24th-Oct. 2nd, 2020), and it would be a great help if those wishing to travel would return their application forms in the next few weeks. For information, contact: 048 7135 1233
or: thornhillministries@derrydiocese.org Website: www.thornhillministries.co.uk

Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes, 2020 .. Led by Bishop Donal McKeown, Thursday July 2nd – Tuesday
July 7th, 2020. Cost: £679 (deposit: £100 – non-refundable) including full board, and transfers to Lourdes. The Pilgrimage Office in the Diocesan Pastoral Centre at, 164 Bishop Street, Derry, BT48 6UJ. Will be open for enquiries, and bookings each Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, 11am -1pm, from Tuesday January 14th.
Tel: 028 7126 0293 (087 126 0293 from the ROI) E-mail: derrypilgrim@outlook.com

Marian Movement of Priests .. There will be a cenacle of The Marian Movement of Priests, in St. Columba’s
Church, Long Tower, on Friday February 7th, 8pm. Followed by refreshments. All welcome.

Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes .. Thornhill House, 121 Culmore Road, Derry .. Open invitation for Prayer
Intercession for the Sick, on Tuesday February 11th (10.30am to 8pm). Exposition and Rosary as well as led prayers at 11.30am, 1.30pm, 3.30pm, 5.30pm, and 7.30pm. All welcome.

Save Our St. Joseph’s Hospital Action Group Committee .. Wish to invite you to a public meeting to be held on Sunday, February 2nd, at 3pm, in The Villa Rose Hotel, Ballybofey. To discuss the ongoing uncertainty around the future of long-term residential beds, Dementia beds, short-stay Medical Assessment beds, and other concerns in St. Joseph’s Hospital, Stranorlar.

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 February 28th (from 9pm), until Saturday February 29th (7am). The event will take place in St. Eugene’s Cathedral, Derry. During the Vigil, there will be reflections, music, speakers from local charities, activities, and time outside. Parental consent forms, and sposorship forms can be found on the Diocesan Web-site: www.derrydiocese.org

All proceeds will go to De Paul, Damien House, Methodist City Mission, Clarendon Night Shelter, and the Simon Community. Registration for this event is compulsory before Friday February 21st. For more information or to book-in please contact: lizzie.rea@derrydiocese.org
or: 0044 287 126 4087

Alone .. Are seeking to recruit volunteers in the Ballybofey, Stranorlar, Killygordon, Castlefin, Lifford, Convoy,
Raphoe, and St. Johnston Area’s. We have a telephone befriending and visiting befriending services which we
rely on volunteers to roll-out. An hour a week to befriend an older person to tackle Loneliness and isolation?
Make visits, enjoy mutual hobbies, interests, and accompany them on short outings and activities locally?
Volunteers must be over 18-years-of-age, Garda vetted, training and support will be provided. A very worthwhile
one hour a week to help others. To apply, please contact Support Co-odinator Sarah Breslin ..
on: 086 785 8799 or e-mail: sarah.breslin@alone.ie

Shared Living Donegal .. Offers a home from home for vulnerable elderly people who cannot manage living in their own home. The HSE is looking for home-owners who may be interested in providing this care in their own home. An information evening is taking place on Tuesday February 11th, at 7pm, in the Clanree Hotel, Letterkenny. Contact Sean on: 087 646 8540 for more information.

Anam Cara, Donegal .. The organisation that supports bereaved parents, is holding a Bereavement Information Evening, on February 13th, at 7pm, in the Raddison Blu Hotel, Letterkenny. This is 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 February 12th or call: 01 404 5378

Aware Overcoming Depression, Changing Lives Support Group .. Will hold their next meeting on Thursday January 23rd, and every fortnight after, in Room 1, Strabane Library at 6.30pm. Tel: 048 7126 0602
Web: www.aware-ni.org

Masses This Week:

Please note a change in mass schedule for Monday.

MONDAY NO Mass .. St Blaise .. Blessing of the Throats
TUESDAY 9.30am Mass .. The blessing of the throats will take place after this mass.
WEDNESDAY 10am Mass ..
THURSDAY 10am Mass .. Mass for Members of the Derry Diocesan Society
FRIDAY No Morning Mass ..
SATURDAY No Morning Mass ..
6.30pm Vigil .. Olive McCullagh-Ballinabreen .. Anniversary
SUNDAY 9am Mass ..
11am Mass .. Brendan & Fonsie Brolly-Cloughfin .. Anniversary

Confessions .. Will be held from 5.30pm until 6.15pm every Saturday night.

Upcoming Parish Events
Ash Wednesday .. February 26th
St. Patrick’s Day .. March 17th
Palm Sunday .. April 5th
Good Friday .. April 10th
Easter Sunday .. April 12th
Confirmation .. April 25th
First Holy Communion .. May 9th
Blessing of the Graves .. May 11th

Parish Baptisms
February 2nd & 16th
Please confirm the Baptism with either the Parochial House or Parish Office. Baptism Registration
Cards, available from the Parish Office or the Parochial House, or the Sacristy, should be collected
before-hand, and returned on the occasion of the Ceremony.