Sunday 4th May 2008 - Ascension of the Lord

Reflection

By virtue of our calling as Christians, we are meant to be optimistic people, full of hope and deep rooted confidence about our future. The Ascension, which marks the final departure of Christ from his friends on earth, celebrates that hope. It proclaims that Jesus, who spent his life in Jerusalem and the surrounding countryside, achieved the work he was sent to do and is now in heaven in the company of God the Father, beyond the boundaries of death and decay.

What this feast does is to give us a glimpse of the destiny that awaits us. It spells out in no uncertain terms that our homeland is heaven. Where Christ has gone we hope to follow, once our earthly journey is over. The Ascension assures us that the longing for happiness and fullness of life which is deeply imprinted within every person can ultimately be realised.

 

 

SUNDAY 4TH MAY 2008: ASCENSION OF THE LORD
World Communication Day

 

Parish Missal Readings (Year 1) p 268 & Proper p 1046

 

First Reading Acts of the Apostles 1: 1-11
Describes the Ascension of Jesus into heaven, and his promise to send the Holy Spirit to his disciples.

 

Second Reading Ephesians 1: 17-23
Paul describes the meaning of the Ascension: God raised Jesus above all earthly powers and made him Head of the Church and Lord of creation.

 

Gospel Matthew 28: 16-20
Jesus commissions the apostles to preach the Gospel to all nations, and promises to remain with them always.

 

LAST WEEKS COLLECTION – thank you for your generosity
St Joseph’s will be added to this weeks and reported next week
St Peter & St Paul’s £551 and £155

READERS FOR ST. JOSEPH’S
Sat 10th May Rachel Farren, Aisling Devine
Sun 11th May Ryan Hegarty, Diane McCormick
(Readings for Pentecost Sunday – Year A Part 2 pages 22 & 23 brown book –
please collect your new book for Sunday readings in the sacristy after Mass
this weekend. It is very important to return any other book you might have.

READERS FOR ST PETER & ST PAUL’S
Sat 10th May Gerard McCloskey
Sun 11th May Elaine Feeney

ALTAR SERVERS FOR ST JOSEPH’S
Sat 10th Team 1 – Lauren Mullan, Rory Archibald, Cahan Brolly, Shane Murphy
Sun 11th – Team 2 (weekdays) – Shay Mullan, Sorcha O’Hara

ALTAR SERVERS FOR ST. PETER & ST PAUL’S
Starting Sun 10th May – team 1 – Ailish Kerlin, Tiarnan Lynch and Tiarnan Burke

 

PRIESTS TO REMEMBER THIS WEEK
Sun 4th Fr Patrick McLaughlin
Mon 5th Fr Peter McLaughlin
Tues 6th Fr Stephen McLaughlin
Wed 7th Fr Ignatius McQuillan
Thurs 8th Fr Peter Maddan
Fri 9th Fr Anthony Mailey
Sat 10th Fr Eamon Martin

 

BAPTISM – we welcome into God’s family through the Sacrament of Baptism
Lisa-Marie O’Hara, 11 Barnault Park, Claudy; and
Alisha Marie Irwin, 22 Umrycam Road, Feeny

SYMPATHY - we extend our sympathy and prayers to the family and friends of Kathleen Kerlin, Altagarron Road, Claudy. Eternal rest grant upon her.

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DATES TO KEEP FREE – Blessing of the Graves in St Joseph’s, Banagher on 1st June at 11.00am Mass. Please bring a bottle of Holy Water to sprinkle your own graves at the appointed time during the ceremony.

 

First Holy Communion on 8th June at 11.00am Mass

 

Banagher Parish Golf Day – we are having our Annual Parish Golf Day again in Moyola Park Golf Club on Friday 30th May 2008. Teams of 4 – any combination (Stableford). Entry £120 per team which includes meal. Tee time bookings: 07740459908 or 07711133475. Book early to avoid disappointment at tee times are taken up very quickly.

 

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Fr John has had some correspondence from grandchildren of “Lizzie and Mick Hampson” who are buried in Banagher. Mick died in 1945 and Lizzie in 1962. They are not sure of the exact grave but are 90% sure. They would like to place a temporary cross on the grave. If anyone has claim to the grave please let Fr John know. The cross will be erected in the next couple of weeks.

 

THANKS – Fr John wishes to thank the anonymous donor of £20 given to the Parish Building Fund.

 

SPONSORED WALK IN AID OF ALZHEIMER’S SOCIETY – ON Sunday 11th May at 12 noon. From Feeny Community Centre to Klondyke Bar and back to the Community Centre. We are trying to raise awareness of Alzheimers while raising much needed funds. Please give us your support by joining with us on our walk. Men and Women - Maybe even make it a family walk. Registration £5. Sponsor sheets available. For more information please contact Jean on 77781576 or Lucy on 77781804

POST OFFICE CLOSURES - people who use Feeny and Park Post Offices and wish them to remain open have until Monday 12th May to send in their written objections to: “Freepost, Consultation Team” (address available at the Post Office). Outlining the problems they will face with the difficulty of traveling to Claudy or Dungiven and any other points they wish to make based on the Consultation Document available at both Post Offices.

THE STAFF AND PUPILS OF ST CANICE’S PRIMARY SCHOOL - would like to thank everyone for their terrific support last Sunday on the occasion of the School’s 50th anniversary. We trust you all had a great day and enjoyed the festivities. If you did not get a chance to view the photographs on display please feel free to come in and do so. Once again, thank you to all for helping to make this day a memorable occasion for all.

DIOCESAN YOUTH MASS – “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses” (Acts 1:8) There will be a Diocesan Youth Mass on Pentecost Sunday, 11th may, in St Columb’s Church, Chapel Road, Waterside, Derry at 6.00pm. Bishop Hegarty will be the main celebrant and all young people are invited to attend. The new Diocesan Youth Choir will provide the music at this Mass. All young people studying for their exams this year are most welcome. Refreshments will be served afterwards in the adjacent Parish Centre. Everyone is most welcome.

CLAUDY HIGH SCHOOL 10 YEAR RE-UNION – Did you leave St Patrick’s and St Brigid’s High School in 1998 or were you a fellow pupil of Big Brother Star Seany O’Kane? If so, there will be a 10 year celebration event held on Saturday 10th May in Peoples Bar, Claudy. For tickets, please contact Laura Ann O’Neill on 0786 7793686 or 02871 361696. All teachers and staff are especially welcome.