Parish Newsletter – Sunday 16th February 2020


With the inclement weather we are experiencing this weekend with Storm Dennis, please keep safe when travelling to the church and any other destinations as there is a lot of rainfall and the roads may be risky in parts.

Your parish notes for this week:

Anniversaries
We remember in prayer those whose Anniversaries are at this time: Peggy Quinn-The Common,
Isobel Furey-St. Columba’s Grove, Elizabeth Harte-Corner House, Tony Crotty-Gallows Lane,
Bella Porter-Edenmore, Margaret Lannon-Ballina, Francie Barclay-Doneyloop, Mary Crawford-Grotto House,
Gerry O’Doherty-Derry, Madeline McMenamin-Cloughfin, Marie Laird-Cloughfin,
and Vincent, Anna & James Gallagher-Guystown. May They Rest in Peace

Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes, 2020 .. Thursday July 2nd – Tuesday July 7th, 2020. To make enquiries, or to
book, Tel: 028 7126 0293 (0044 287 126 0293 from the ROI) E-mail: 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.

Diocese of Derry Vocations Week, 2020 .. Sunday February 16th – Saturday 22nd
During this week or prayer centered on Vocations, Parishioners in all Parishes across the Diocese of Derry are encouraged to pray for hearts open to the presence of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit continues to provide the People of God with numerous gifts. Can we be brave and generous enough to respond to the promptings of God’s Spirit? Without the Holy Spirit there would be no ministries alive and active in the Church, helping to build the Body of Christ. During Vocations Week can we become aware of our role in God’s plan to heal and redeem a broken world? How can we use our gifts to promote the reign of God? How is God calling each one of us to live out our lives in response to His call? As we search our hearts, are we being called to Priesthood, Religious Life, married
or single life?

Medjugorie Pilgrimages .. With Marian Pilgrimages. Saturday May 9th. Ex. Belfast. Cost: £589. Priest to be
Confirmed.
Wednesday September 23rd. Ex. Belfast. Cost: £589. Priest will be Fr. John Gates.
Both dates. accommodation:
Pansion Tomato (50 meters from Church). Deposit of: £100 secures place. Call Group Leader Anne Duffy:
0044 773 600 5396 – 048 7188 0372 to book or for an information pack.

Forty Hours .. Will be held in St. Theresa’s Church, Sion Mills, on March 1st, after 11am Mass until 6pm.
Everyone welcome.

Life in the Spirit Seminars .. Will take place in Scoil Eoghain, Moville, on Sunday’s, from February 23rd until April 5th, from 4pm-6pm. There will be an introductory talk, given by Mr. Eddie Stones, in St. Pius X Church, Moville, from 2pm-6pm this Sunday February 16th.

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, County Donegal, on Sunday February 23rd
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: 028 7126 2407 to reserve your place.

Mass for those with Special Needs .. The Annual Diocesan Mass for those with Special Needs, and their
families, will take place in Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Steelstown, Derry, on Saturday April 25th, at 3pm. If you have a child who wishes to recieve the Sacrament of Confirmation or First Communion at this Mass, please contact the Catechetical Centre on: 7126 4087 or e-mail: ddcc@derrydiocese.org

Strabane History Society .. The Society meets on Thursday February 20th, at 7pm, in The Strabane
Community Library, Abercorn Square. (Note change of date). This month’s talk will be on Postcard Images of Strabane Area from the last century. This is an exciting subject area, and will bring us through many old and new recently acquired images of Strabane and surrounding towns etc. The speaker is a great friend of Strabane History Society – George Haire.

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

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:
MONDAY 10am Mass ..
TUESDAY 9.30am Mass ..
WEDNESDAY 10am Mass ..
THURSDAY 10am Mass ..
FRIDAY 10am Mass ..
SATURDAY No Morning Mass ..
6.30pm Vigil .. Sadie Gallagher-Liskey .. Anniversary
SUNDAY 9am Mass ..
11am Mass .. John & Mary Rose Colhoun-Ballindrait .. 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 16th March 1st, 15th & 29th
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.