Sunday 28 March 2010

Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion

HOLY WEEK CEREMONIES 2010

REGIONAL PENITENTIAL SERVICE

PALM SUNDAY 28 MARCH

5.00pm - 6.30pm (9 Priests will be in attendance)

PALM SUNDAY 28 MARCH
Solemn blessing of Palms at 6.30pm at Saturday Vigil Mass.
Masses at 10.00am and 12.00 noon with simple blessing of Palms at these Masses.
Penance Service 5.00pm - 6.30pm

MONDAY 29 MARCH
Masses 7.00am, 10.00am and 7.00pm (Stations of the Cross before Mass)
CONFESSIONS after the evening Mass

TUESDAY 30 MARCH
Masses 7.00am, 10.00am and 7.00pm (Stations of the Cross before Mass)
CONFESSIONS 6.30pm - 7.00pm and after Mass

WEDNESDAY 31 MARCH
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 1 APRIL
Mass of Chrism in St. Eugene’s Cathedral, Derry 10.00am
Childrens Mass 3.00pm
Solemn Mass of the Lord’s Supper at 6.30pm
Eucharistic Hour from 9.00pm - 10.00pm.

GOOD FRIDAY 2 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 3 APRIL
Morning Prayer of the Church 10.00am
VIGIL MASS OF THE RESURRECTION at 9.00pm

EASTER SUNDAY 4 APRIL
Masses 10.00am and 12.00 noon

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

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. James McGrory, Armagh, 28 March
Fr. Patrick J McGuigan, Deceased, 29 March
Fr. Edward McGuinness CC, Buncrana, 30 March
Fr. Kevin McKenna, Retired, 31 March
Fr. Con McLaughlin PP, Donagh, 2 April
Fr. George McLaughlin, Retired, 3 April

ANNIVERSARIES

Katie McNulty, Shaun Donnelly

Daniel Hegarty, John Gallagher

John Charles McMenamin, Mary O'Kane

Patsy McGinley, Grace Toland

Willie McCauley, William Duffy

Trocaire boxes can be returned to the church during any of the Holy Week ceremonies. We would ask that you would exchange coins for notes where possible.

LOURDES 2010

The next meeting of the Lourdes Group will take place in

'The Den' on Wednesday 31 March at 7.30pm.

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., 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.

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.

PADRE PIO MASS

Please Note: The next Padre Pio Mass will take place in the Church on

Wednesday 14 April at 7.00pm. Rosary at 6.45pm.

PARISH DRAW
The winners of the Draw for the month of March are:
£1000.00 - Ursula O'Neill 964
Promoter - Eileen Canning
£300.00- James, Shannon, Catherine McGarrigle 408
Promoter - Carmel Mc Garrigle
£200.00 - Rita Casey 941
Promoter - Eileen Canning
£100.00 - Teresa Logue 374
Promoter - Mary & Danny O'Hagan
£100.00 - Jean Allen 340
Promoter - E. McNulty & M Cooke
£100.00 - Tommy McGirr 1040
Promoter - Sheila McGonagle
£100.00 - Eileen & Roy Houston 825
Promoter - Mary Christy
£100.00 - Finnuala McGrath 1028
Promoter - Sheila McGonagle

MILLENNIUM FORUM
The Priests with special guest Camilla Kerslake will perform in the Millennium Forum on Tuesday 15 June at 8.00pm. Ring Box Office 02871264455 for details.

MEDJUGORJE PILGRIMAGE –
MARIAN PILGRIMAGES DUBLIN
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.

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 LUNCHEON CLUB

St. Patrick's Luncheon Club are having a Social/Dance on Monday 29 March in St. Patrick's Hall. Music is by Dusty Trail. Doors open at 9.00pm. Admission £5.00/€6.00 (includes a light supper). Everyone welcome.

ST. PATRICK’S HALL
Bingo and Lucky 4 Draw as usual this Thursday.
All our patrons are very welcome.
Next Week's Lucky 4 Jackpot is £2300.00

PRAYER CORNER

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.