Sunday 5th April 2009

Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion

My God, why have you forsaken me?

Jesus said: "I am the resurrection and the life. Do you believe this?" The central reality of our faith as Christians is that Christ has risen from the dead and that he lives among us. Holy Week is the celebration of Christ's journey into this new life; a journey that we are also invited to travel, knowing that he has gone before us, and that he travels with us. It is important to make this week a special time of prayer and reflection. This is done in the frequent gatherings in Church. But we need to take time at a family level and also at a personal level to get in touch with the most inspiring and life-giving love story ever told. Talk to each other this week about all the good things the Lord has done for you. If you are a parent, let each of your family know what she/he means to you. And take a full part in the parish Liturgy.

Fr. Johnny Doherty, C.Ss.R.

 

HOLY WEEK ARRANGEMENTS 2009

REGIONAL PENITENTIAL SERVICE PALM

SUNDAY 5 APRIL 5.00pm - 6.30pm (8 Priests will be in attendance)

MONDAY 6 APRIL
Masses 7.00am, 10.00am and 7.00pm (Stations of the Cross before Mass)
CONFESSIONS after the evening Mass

TUESDAY 7 APRIL
Masses 7.00am, 10.00am and 7.00pm (Stations of the Cross before Mass)
CONFESSIONS 6.30pm - 7.00pm and after Mass

WEDNESDAY 8 APRIL
Masses 7.00am, 10.00am and 7.00pm (Stations of the Cross before Mass)
CONFESSIONS 6.30pm - 7.00pm and after Mass.

NO CONFESSIONS DURING THE EASTER TRIDUUM
Confessions will end on Wednesday night of Holy Week
HOLY THURSDAY 9 APRIL
Mass of Chrism in St. Eugene’s Cathedral, Derry 10.00am
Childrens Mass 3.00pm

GOOD FRIDAY 10 APRIL
Morning Prayer of the Church 10.00am
Solemn Celebration of the Lord’s Passion at 3.00pm
Stations of the Cross 7.00pm

HOLY SATURDAY 11 APRIL
Morning Prayer of the Church 10.00am

VIGIL MASS OF THE RESURRECTION at 9.00pm

 

TROCAIRE BOXES - PLEASE BRING BOXES TO
ANY OF THE CEREMONIES

EASTER SUNDAY 12 APRIL

Masses 10.00am and 12.00noon

EASTER WEEK

Mass - Monday at 10.00am
Eucharistic Service - Tuesday Wednesday Thursday
and Friday at 10.00am

Mass on Saturday morning at 10.00am

 

HOLY WEEK

This week is one of the greatest weeks in the Church's calendar. On Palm Sunday we celebrate the triumphal entry of Christ into Jerusalem. On Holy Thursday morning there is the Chrism Mass in St. Eugene's Cathedral, Derry. At that Mass the priests of the diocese renew their priestly commitment and ask a blessing on their ministry. It is a time to pray for your priests, those who presently serve you, and those who have moved on to different parishes, not forgetting those who have gone ahead of us on our journey of faith to God.

On Thursday evening there is the evening Mass of the Lord's supper when we remember in a special way the great gift of Jesus in the Eucharist.

On Good Friday we celebrate the Lord's Passion and on Holy Saturday we celebrate the Easter Vigil where we proclaim Christ's triumphant victory over death. We then begin the joyful and hope filled days of Easter.

As this is a special week you are encouraged to participate in all the ceremonies and to make this a time of opportunity and grace. Lent is nearly over and it is up to each one of us to take stock and as a community to celebrate these very significant events in the life of Christ.

Make this week a kind of mini retreat where we do our best to stay tuned to the graces we are being offered. Be renewed individually this week, be renewed as a family, be renewed as a community. These are the days the Lord has made, let us be glad and rejoice.

PRAYER GROUP

There will be no prayer meeting this Monday evening. The prayer group will resume after the Easter break.

ANNIVERSARIES

Jim Logue, Patsy McGinley
Grace Toland, Willie McGirr
George McDermott, Colm Doherty
Jackie McAteer, Joe McCrossan
Margaret Goan, John Goan
Tommy Connolly, Sarah Devine
Johnny Logue, Martha Curran
Cassie Connolly, Joseph Connolly
Annie Connolly

 

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

Brigid Devine, Dunamanagh

May she rest in peace

 

PRAY FOR PRIESTS

The diocese published a prayer card with the names of all the Derry diocesan priests. Many of you have these cards and every day a specific priest is named.
This week we ask you to pray for:

Fr. Peter McLaughlin PP, Sion Mills, 5 April
Fr. Stephen McLaughlin PP, Creggan, 6 April
Fr. Ignatius McQuillan, Ardmore, 7 April
Fr. Peter Madden Adm, Desertmartin, 8 April
Fr. Anthony Mailey CC, Iskaheen, 9 April
Fr. Eamon Martin, 10 April
Fr. Gerard Mongan CC, Templemore, 11 April

PARISH ENVELOPES

The new boxes of envelopes will soon be 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., 71882215 .

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.

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 28p. 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., 71882215.

BLESSING OF GRAVES

The annual ceremony of the blessing of graves for the parish of Camus will be held on Sunday 14 June at 3.00pm.

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION

First Holy Communion for all P.4 pupils will take place in the parish on Saturday 30 May. First confessions will be arranged at a later date.

 

SPECIAL DIOCESAN MASS

The Annual Diocesan Mass for those with special needs and their families and friends will take place in St. Joseph’s Church, Galliagh, Derry on Saturday 9 May at 3.00pm. Bishop Hegarty will celebrate the Mass. If you have a child who wishes to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation or First Holy Communion at this Mass please contact the Catechetical Centre on 71264087.

 

LEGION OF MARY

Legion of Mary meets each Thursday morning after Mass at 10.00am in the Church Conference Room. Work consists of Rosary promotion in the parish, also visitation of residential nursing homes in town and Lifford hospital. New members welcome. For details contact Margaret Harte on 02871 883159.

 

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.

PARISH DRAW

The Draw for the month of April will take place in the parish office on Thursday 30 April at 2.30pm. Promoters are asked to bring their returns to the parish office as soon as possible. We remind all our subscribers that all those who are fully paid members by April will be entered into an extra Draw.

 

ST. PATRICK’S HALL
Bingo and Lucky 4 Draw as usual this Thursday.
All our patrons are very welcome.

LUCKY 4 DRAW
There was 1 match 3 winners in last week's Draw
David and Ross Wilders
The numbers drawn were:
10, 13, 16, 18
Next Week's Lucky 4 Jackpot is £1125.00

LIFFORD PLAYERS
The Lifford Players with their award-winning play, "The Black Stranger" will be appearing in St. Patrick's Hall on 19 April. Admission £6.00 or £5.00 Concessionary. Doors open at 7.30pm.

 

N.I. BLOOD TRANSFUSION SERVICE
A team from the N.I. Blood Transfusion Service will be in St. Patrick's Hall on Wednesday 22 April 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.

 

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PRAYER CORNER

SEEKING GUIDANCE

Far- Seeing One,
this change in my life
is very difficult for me.
The familiar patterns
of my world
are tossed askew.
The strongholds
and insecurities
that gave me control
are unraveling.
It is time to let go.
It is time to trust
that you know the way.
It is time to allow you
to be my guide.

THE COMFORT OF OTHERS

Companion of the Suffering,
the touch of your embrace
comes to me in the gift
of those who stand with me.
How grateful I am
for the compassionate ones
who wrap me in their care,
and console me with their kindness.

Source of All Love,
what encouragement is mine
in those you have given to me.
Thank you for their thoughtfulness,
their patience, their empathy.
When they stand with me,
I know in a more certain way
that you have not abandoned me.

GOD'S EMBRACE

Guardian of the Wounded,
wrap me in your embrace.
Hold me close to your heart
and assure me of your love.
Protect my sore spirit.
Ease the pain that it holds.

You are always ready
to embrace me,
no matter how hurt or desolate
my heart may be.
I will trust you with my pain.
I will rest in your solace.
I will take refuge in your love.

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.