THE SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION

You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and then you will be my witness to the ends of the earth. (Acts 1:8)

Next Saturday Bishop Hegarty comes to administer the Sacrament of Confirmation on our seventy-four P.7 children.

In Confirmation the Holy Spirit gives us the grace to follow Jesus. The Holy Spirit gives us the grace to become more loving, more forgiving, more holy. The Holy Spirit helps us to become more like Jesus.

Jesus wants us to follow him, one step at a time. He wants us to begin with the little things. He wants us to keep following him even when it is difficult. He wants us to follow him in everything we say and in everything we do.

In Confirmation we are called to bring credit and glory on the name of Jesus. We are called to be lights to the world. We are called to give witness that Jesus means a lot to us, and that we are proud to be his followers. Those who live like Jesus are said to be witnesses of Jesus.

We receive the Holy Spirit in Confirmation to help us to work for Jesus. We receive the Holy Spirit in Confirmation to help us to grow in friendship with Jesus. We receive the Holy Spirit to help us to root out the selfishness that lodges in our hearts. We receive the Holy Spirit in Confirmation to help us to give witness to Jesus.

The apostles never saw the Holy Spirit. But he came into their lives in a way that left a deep impression on them. Ideas about fire and wind helped them to express what the Holy Spirit had done for them. Fire, wind, the dove, help Christians to understand the action of the Holy Spirit in their lives.

Please pray for the following children who will make their

Confirmation next Saturday.

Gabrielius Andrislunas Marissa Maxwell
Darren Bonner , Jay McCay
Ruiari Boylan, Aimee McColgan
Orla Boyle, Aisling McCorkell
Molly Brennan, Catherine McDaid
Aoife Breslin, Blaine McDaid
Adam Caldwell, Chantelle McDermott
Aimi Caldwell, Leah McDonald
Shannon Caldwell, Karen McElroy
Adhamn Casey, Shane G McFadden
Demi-Nicole Clarke, Shane J McFadden
Jessica Clarke, Katie McGarrigle
Caitlin Connolly, Odhran McGarrigle
Ryan Connolly-Bjourson, Nicole McGonagle
Jamie Conway, Christopher McGrinder
Sarah Crawford, Hannah McGrinder
Cobhlaith Crossan-Robinson, Lewis McGrinder
Zara Curran, Niamh McIntyre
Anton Devine, Emma McKane
Kareena Devlin, Phoebe McLaughlin
Naomi Doherty, Eoin McNulty
Jamie Doran, Douglas McNulty
Kyle Edwards, Tara McNulty
Niall Elliott, Taome Mohan
Siobhan Fleming, Jade Molloy-O'Donnell
Chantelle French, Courtney Murray
Ellie Mae Gilloway, Dylan Murray
Sean Gormley, Marc Murray
Toni Graham, Tiarnan Nelson
Eoghan Harkin, Elisha Nicholl
Kavina Hegarty, Brooklyn O'Neill
Aoife Hume, Oran O'Neill
Tiarnan Kavanagh, Simone Parke
Caitlin Kelly, Chloe Porter
Tyrone Kelly, Laura Quigg
Niamh Kennedy, Tanya White
Sam Logue, Danni Wray.

PRAYER GROUP
The contemplative prayer group will meet on Monday at 8.15pm in the Parochial House. Newcomers very welcome. This is an opportunity to experiment with a new form of prayer, especially if you find that your present methods are unsatisfactory.

PRAY FOR PRIESTS

This week we ask you to pray for:

Fr. Desmond Polke CC, Doneyloop, 2 May
Fr. Michael Porter CC, Fahan, 3 May
Fr. Anthony Quinn, Retired, 4 May
Fr. William Rafferty, Deceased, 5 May
Fr. John Ryder, Retired, 6 May
Fr. Gerard Sweeney CC, Waterside, 7 May
Fr. Gary Wade, 8 May

DEATHS

We offer our deepest sympathy to the family and friends of:

Roger McLaughlin, Lisnafin Park

Bernard Tracey, Derry, brother of Sr. Margaret Tracey

May they rest in peace.

ANNIVERSARIES

Jenny McCauley, John McCrossan
Patrick McQuaid, Susan Boyle
Cassie McCrossan, Betty Mortimor
Elsie Sharkey, Willie McAleer
Betty Stewart, Harry McDevitt
Robert Hanna, John McElhinney
Tony O'Connor, Jim Hoynes
Patricia Gallagher, May O'Donnell
Josephine Gallagher, Seamus Mullen
Anna Maria Livingood (May Sturrock),
Lily Nelson.

PADRE PIO MASS

Padre Pio Mass will take place in the Church on Wednesday 5 May at 7.00pm.

Rosary at 6.45pm.

PARISH ENVELOPES

The new boxes of parish envelopes have now been distributed. The parish envelope weekly collection is the main source of income for our parish and it is vital that as many as possible use them. If it has not been your custom to use the weekly envelopes why not begin this year? If you would like a box of envelopes please contact the parish office, Tel., 02871882215.

GIFT AID

Gift Aid is a very simple method of helping the parish financially. If you are using a parish envelope and pay tax, for every £1 you pay to the Church, if you are in the scheme, the Church recoups 25p. There are no hidden snags and it doesn't interfere whatsoever with any other financial arrangements you may have. If you would like to contribute to the Gift Aid Scheme please contact the parish office, Tel., 02871882215.

BLESSING OF GRAVES

The annual ceremony of the blessing of graves for the parish will be held on Sunday 6 June at 3.00pm.

CONFIRMATION FIRST HOLY COMMUNION AND FIRST CONFESSIONS

Confirmation for all P.7 pupils will take place in the parish on Saturday 8 May at 11.00am

First Holy Communion for all P.4 pupils will take place in the parish on Saturday 29 May at 11.00am.

First Confessions will take place on Wednesday 12 May at 7.00pm.

PARISH DRAW

The winners of the Draw for the month of April are:

£1000.00 John Simon Chloe Gallagher 150
Promoter Siobhan McDevitt

£300.00 Gary Hutton 671
Promoter Doreen Diver

£200.00 Isobel McElhinney 803
Promoter Mary Christy

£100.00 Deirdre & Roisin McMenamin 577
Promoter Kathleen Kelly
£100.00 Maura McLaughlin 639
Promoter Maisie Boggs
£100.00 Thomas Duffy 398
Promoter Carmel McGarrigle
£100.00 Sharon Maxwell 588
Promoter Doreen Diver
£100.00 Helen Doherty 641
Promoter Maisie Boggs

The winners of the Extra Draw are:

£100.00 Paula Ward 961
Promoter Eileen Canning

£100.00 Celine McIntyre 877
Promoter Sheila McGonagle

£100.00 Kevin Canning 901
Promoter Eileen Canning

£100.00 Joan Ferguson 377
Promoter Sheila McGonagle

£100.00 John Rogan 130
Promoter Maura Coyle

Are you interested in becoming a facilitator with Accord Catholic Marriage Care Service? Please contact Accord Derry, 164 Bishop Street, Derry BT48 6UJ.
Telephone 02871362475. Email derry@accordni.com

CARMELITE RETREAT CENTRE
The monthly devotions, in honour of Our Lady, will take place in the Carmelite Retreat Centre, Termonbacca, Derry on Tuesday 4 May starting with confessions at 7.30pm followed by Rosary and Mass, finishing around 10.00pm. All are welcome to attend.

Termonbacca Community 16th Annual Funday will be held on Sunday 30 May. We would be grateful for any items you may wish to donate, e.g., clothes, toys, bric a brac, books etc., for our Funday stalls. Please bring them along to the Retreat Centre. If you are willing to help in anyway you can contact us during office hours. Telephone Derry 02871262512.

THE FOYER OF LIGHT, CHARITY AND LOVE
The Foyer of Light, Charity and Love announce their life changing Five Day Silent Retreat programme. Drumalis Retreat Centre, Larne from 4 - 10 October. Also in six other venues in Ireland from April to October. One in the mother house in France and a sponsored youth retreat in Galway in July. For information brochure contact Hugh Donnelly on 02830830904 or email donnelly.hugh@virgin.net

INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTERS
This course will be held in Strabane Community Unemployed Centre, 13a Newtown Street, Strabane. It is a ten week course - two hours per week. Times are 10.00am - 12.00 noon on Monday or Thursday. This course is FREE. If you are interested call in at the Centre or telephone 02871383927.

ST. PATRICK’S HALL

Bingo and Lucky 4 Draw as usual this Thursday.
All our patrons are very welcome.

LUCKY 4 DRAW
The numbers drawn last week were:
6, 9, 20, 23
Next Week's Lucky 4 Jackpot is £2150.00

N.I. BLOOD TRANSFUSION SERVICE
A team from the N.I. Blood Transfusion Service will be in St. Patrick's Hall on Wednesday 19 May from 1.30pm - 4.00pm and 5.15pm - 8.00pm. The Blood Transfusion Service would appeal for the support of all existing blood donors and welcome new donors.

PRAYER CORNER

PRAYER FOR THE CHURCH IN IRELAND
God of our fathers,
renew us in the faith which is our life and salvation,
the hope which promises forgiveness and interior renewal, the charity which purifies and opens our hearts to love you, each of our brothers and sisters.

Lord Jesus Christ,
may the Church in Ireland renew her age-old commitment to the education of our young people in the way of truth and goodness,
holiness and generous service to society.

Holy Spirit, comforter, advocate and guide,
inspire a new springtime of holiness and apostolic zeal for the Church in Ireland.

May our sorrow and our tears,
our sincere effort to redress past wrongs,
and our firm purpose of amendment
bear an abundant harvest of grace
for the deepening of the faith
in our families, parishes, schools and communities,
for the spiritual progress of Irish society,
and the growth of charity, justice, joy and peace
within the whole human family.

MORNING OFFERING
O Lord, grant me to greet the coming day in peace. Help, me in all things to rely upon your holy will. In every hour of the day reveal your holy will to me. Bless my dealings with all who surround me. Teach me to treat all that comes to me throughout the day with peace of soul, and with the firm conviction that your will governs all. In all my deeds and words guide my thoughts and feelings. In unforeseen events let me not forget that all are sent by you. Teach me to act firmly and wisely, without embittering and embarrassing others. Give me the strength to bear the fatigue of the coming day with all that it shall bring. Direct my will, teach me to pray, pray in me.