EASTER MESSAGE

I would like to take this opportunity to wish all our parishioners every blessing, joy and peace on this Easter Sunday. May the life of the risen Christ remain forever in your hearts.

A heartfelt thanks for the way you witnessed to your faith during Lent. It was most heartening to see the great number of people who attended daily Mass. The 7.00am, 10.00am and 7.00pm Masses were very well attended.

The early morning Mass witnessed a large increase this year (a big thanks to three great altar boys who were there every morning, Anthony, Jason and Jack) and a very special thanks to Bishop Francis who celebrated the 10.00am Mass. To Billy, Columba his assistant and Jonathan we are also very grateful. Our gratitude also to all those who attended the Eucharistic Healing Services. A special thanks to Nuala and Ciara for once again looking after the Mass for Children on Holy Thursday afternoon. This has now become a very important feature of our Holy Thursday celebrations. To Maria and the choir, (Maria travels twice a week from Derry to look after the choir), Noel, who leads our very talented Traditional Irish Group, St. Joseph’s Brass Band, readers, extraordinary ministers of the Eucharist, altar personnel, those who cleaned the chapel, Monica, Tommy, Jimmy and the team for the magnificent Easter Garden in the sanctuary.

Well done everyone.

Srs Carmel and Benedict continue to do great work for the parish in many obvious and not so obvious ways. Selling the Easter and Christmas Mass cards, helping with the liturgy, assisting with the confirmation meal at the parochial house and other such occasions, leading the Contemplative Prayer Group, Eucharistic Services, participating in the Parish Pastoral Council, bringing comfort to the those bereaved, St. Vincent de Paul, hospital visits, looking after the altar linen, and many other smaller things besides. They bring a wealth of experience, wise counsel and a whole range of contacts to the pastoral scene in our parish and we owe them both a great debt of gratitude. Long may they have the health to continue their invaluable work.

Since this time last year our bell is fully automated and we have relocated the oil tank away from the church to the parish field, and people continually tell us how much the PA system makes such a difference at Mass. Michael Kielty is always at hand to help and assist and we are very grateful to him as well. Brian, Jimmy, Ted, John and Declan have kept the church in good condition and Stephen McGonagle is still a very “bright spark!” Again many thanks. Our debt continues to fall and our weekly envelope collection remains very high indeed.

The Parish Pastoral Council is now well established and the Finance Committee and the members are working very well together for the good of the community. We are very grateful for their commitment. We would like our parishioners to avail more of the superb facilities in St. Patrick’s Hall.

In the meantime enjoy the Easter break with your families and friends. May the light of this season shine forever in your hearts.

PRAYER GROUP

There will be no prayer meeting this Monday evening.

The prayer group will resume after the Easter break.

PADRE PIO MASS

Padre Pio Mass will take place in the Church on Wednesday 14 April at 7.00pm.

Rosary at 6.45pm.

DEATHS

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

Sammy McDermott, O'Nolan Park

Josephine Kelly, Newtownkennedy Street

Paddy Kimble Kelly, Fountain Street

May they rest in peace

ANNIVERSARIES

Jim Logue, Philomena Adair, Margaret Vaughan, Margaret Goan, Alfred Vaughan

John Goan, Katie Quinn, George McDermott, Joe McCrossan, Colm Doherty

Gregory Doherty, Sarah Devine, Tommy Connolly, Mary McGinley, Patrick McGinley

PRAY FOR PRIESTS

This week we ask you to pray for:

Fr. Patrick McLaughlin CC, Lavey, 4 April
Fr. Peter McLaughlin PP, Sion Mills, 5 April
Fr. Stephen McLaughlin PP, Creggan, 6 April
Fr. Ignatius McQuillan, Ardmore, 7 April
Fr. Peter Madden PP, Desertmartin, 8 April
Fr. Anthony Mailey CC, Iskaheen, 9 April
Fr. Eamon Martin, 10 April

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.

This is also a time to register a very sincere "THANK YOU" to all our parishioners and friends of the parish who support us by their generosity and presence. This witness is deeply appreciated and we ask you for your continuing support at this time.

PARISH BULLETIN
Please note there will be no parish bulletin until Sunday 18 April.

MEDJUGORJE PILGRIMAGE
September 19 - 26. 7 nights Cost £535.
Full religious programme. See poster on notice board at church porch. Payment scheme available. For details phone Anne Duffy on 71880372 or 07736005396.

CARMELITE RETREAT CENTRE
The monthly devotions, in honour of Our Lady, will take place in the Carmelite Retreat Centre, Termonbacca, Derry on Tuesday 6 April starting with confessions at 7.30pm followed by Rosary and Mass, finishing around 10.00pm. All are welcome to attend.

KNOCK 2010
The Main Pilgrimage Season to Knock Shrine will begin on Sunday 25 April and will continue until Sunday 10 October. See poster at the church porch for timetable. For all enquiries telephone 0949388100 email info@knock-shrine.ie or visit the website www.knock-shrine.ie

OUR LADY OF KERRY TOWN
A Bus is leaving Barrack Street car park on Sunday 11 April at 11.00am. Cost £12.00. Please bring a packed lunch. Contact Jonathon McGhee on 07563987919 for details. Everyone is welcome.

OUR LADY OF KNOCK
A Bus is leaving Barrack Street car park on Sunday 6 June at 8.00am in honour of Corpus Christi. Cost £12.00. Contact Jonathon McGhee on 07563987919 for details. Everyone is welcome.

NOTICES FOR PARISH BULLETIN
In order to facilitate printing we ask that all notices and anniversaries for the parish bulletin are either given to the sacristan or left at the parish office by Wednesday morning at the latest.

PAYMENTS BY CHEQUE
The Bank have reminded us that all payments made to the parish by cheque (for Parish Draw, Sunday and Special Collections, etc.) must be made payable to Church of the Immaculate Conception.

PLEASE NOTE: All payments for St. Patrick's Hall should also be made payable to Church of the Immaculate Conception.

ST. PATRICK’S HALL

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

LUCKY 4 DRAW
There were no winners in last week's Draw

The numbers drawn were:

3, 17, 20, 24

Next Week's Lucky 4 Jackpot is £2325.00

PRAYER CORNER

AN EASTER PSALM
" Christ is risen, Alleluia!"
cries out the chorus of creation
"Christ is risen, Alleluia!"
sing the supple winds of spring.
"Christ is risen, Alleluia!"
ring out lilies in silent splendour.

The feast of feasts,
the festival of hope,
the mother of all Sundays,
luminous in the full moon of spring,
radiant in the rising of the sun,
Easter dances upon my rooftop
and plays like a newborn child
in the cradle of my heart.

I rejoice like all of creation,
sailing on springtime's seed-bearing breezes,
and like the lily's trumpet,
I open wide my throat and my heart
to join with all of heaven and earth
in singing out the symphony of joy
at Easter's annual return.

I take hope in Christ's victory over death,
hope that, one with him,
I will also have my easter morning
when I will be freed from the prison,
the decaying dusty tomb,
of my marrow and stony spirit.
I trust that I too will spring-like arise
to a fullness of living and loving,
to a life beyond all time and space,
to a life one with you, my God.

"Christ is risen, Alleluia!"
Alleluia, Alleluia!

REFLECTION
An excellent Eastertide reflection would be to take time to appreciate all the sources of happiness that are ours today. Be grateful for good health, shelter, clothing, good friends, family, our new found peace,
and that most precious of all gifts: life. Easter is the feast of New Life. And if we could truly appreciate what a gift it is to simply be alive how could we help but be happy?

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.