Parish of Ardstraw East Newsletter
Sunday, 28th January 2018 | 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time
CONTACTS AND CORRESPONDENCE
Rev. Roland Colhoun, CC, 41 Moyle Road, Newtownstewart, BT78 4AP
Tel: 028-8166 1445
Email: ardstraweast@derrydiocese.org
Rev. Brian Donnelly, PP, Tel: 028-8164 8283
LITURGIES FOR THIS WEEK
Sunday: Mass, 11.00am, Glenock
Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday: Mass, 10.00am, Oratory
Thursday – Feast of St Brigid: Mass, 7.30pm, Oratory. Adoration
6.30pm, Confessions 7:05pm. Padre Pio Mitt at this
Mass Blessing of St Brigid’s Crosses at Mass
First Friday – Presentation of the Lord (Candlemas Day) Mass, 10.00am. Blessing of Candles at Mass
Saturday (3rd February): Vigil Mass, 6.00pm, Oratory (Month's Mind Mass for
Joe McMenamin, RIP). Saturday is the Feast
of St Blaise: Blessing of throats at 6.00 Mass
YOUCAT – Youth Catechism on Thursdays at 5:15pm,
Sacred Heart Room, Oratory
Catholic Television – EWTN – Sky 589
THE AUTHORITY AND EMPOWERMENT OF JESUS GOSPEL – ST MARK 1:21-28
It is believed that the Gospel of St Mark
was the first of the four main Gospels (St Matthew, St Mark, St Luke and St John)
to be written. St Mark begins with his account of the Baptism of the Lord (which
we heard on the first Sunday of January). It then continues with his account of
Jesus announcing the meaning and purpose of His work on earth and the calling of
His first disciples. Then it develops into his account of Jesus’ public life and
ministry. Today we hear St Mark’s account of Jesus’ first reported day in public
life. The account could be described as a fairly stark example – it contains all
the main characteristics of Jesus’ ministry – joining in public worship, teaching,
healing, driving out evil spirits. St Mark also very powerfully presents the impact
that Jesus makes, introducing us to the astounded reaction of the ordinary people,
who look on Him as a person of authority.
The word ‘authority’ comes from a Latin noun
auctor, which gives us in English "author"
meaning the master or leader. As Author of creation, Jesus has authority on earth.
His mission to build the kingdom of God was revealed through His authoritative preaching,
teaching, healing and praying. In all of this, we note that one of the first things
Jesus did was to engage disciples who would serve the mission. In effect, He was
empowering people to build God’s kingdom.
Authority, therefore, is not about having power but about empowering.
We ask God today for the grace to be wholly
receptive to the Good News of the Gospel with a desire in our hearts and minds to
live out its values. From the authority of Christ, Christians can be authoritative in witness, example and faith
practices, beacons of light to others in their faith journey, and thereby build
the kingdom of God on earth.
REQUIESCANT IN PACE
Our prayers are asked for the souls of those who have died during
the week:
Pat McLaughlin, 82 Mourne Park
Those whose anniversaries
occur at this time: Barney McNamee, John McNamee, Isobella Quinn, Mary McNamee (Gallon), John James Toland, Aidan McKernan, Annie Devine, Patrick McAnenny.
SUNDAY COLLECTION £1,071.
Donation for
Glenock: £20.
Thank you very much!
PROJECT FOR THE WEEK
New electric lights
and socket in the Store Room (Oratory).
CHOIR
Practice on Tuesday,
7:30pm, Oratory. All welcome!
READERS FOR FEBRUARY
Vigil: Noelle Donnelly
Morning:
Ciara McSorley
EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS,
FEBRUARY
Vigil: Anne McDonnell
Morning: Anna Harkin
GRANDPARENTS DAY – Wednesday 31st January.
St Patrick's Primary School, 2pm.
PADRE PIO MITT – Thursday 1st February,
Mass, 7:30pm, in the Oratory.
VISITATION OF THE HOUSEBOUND
– First Friday, 2nd February.
DIOCESAN CELEBRATION
OF THE FAMILY – next Saturday, 3rd February, St Mary's College, Derry. In preparation
for the World Meeting of Families, the Diocese of Derry will hold this one-day gathering.
Please leave completed application form in the sacristy or parish office by Tuesday
at the latest, if you wish to attend. The parish will cover the cost.
DIOCESAN VOCATIONS INFORMATION
EVENING – Tuesday 27th February, 6pm–9pm, Parochial House, St Eugene’s Cathedral,
Francis Street, Derry, BT48 9AP. Contact Diocesan Vocations Director: Fr Paul Farren,
Tel 028 7126 4087 or email ddcc@derrydiocese.org
PRAYER INTENTIONS of the
Holy Father for February: That those who have material, political or spiritual
power may resist any lure of corruption.
DIOCESAN LOURDES PILGRIMAGE
– led by Bishop Donal
McKeown, Sun-Fri, 1-6 July. Cost £669. Contact the pilgrimage office at 164 Bishop
Street, Derry, Tel 028 7126 0293, email: derrypilgrim@outlook.com Tuesday, Thursday
and Saturday 11am-1pm.
GETTING MARRIED IN 2018/19 – Do your Marriage Preparation
Course with Accord Omagh. Bookings can be made online at www.accord-ni.co.uk. Course
dates available in 2018 are: 11th & 12th May, 1st & 2nd June, 22nd &
23rd June. Welcome!
OVERSEAS VOLUNTEERING – Viatores Christi runs
Overseas Volunteer training weekend courses in Dublin. If you are interested in
becoming an overseas volunteer or want to learn more about social justice at home
or away, call 00-353-1-868 9986 or email apply@viatoreschristi.com.
GAA
Alphalotto numbers: N,
T, U, Z. Five people with two letters: P Roche, A Maguire, S Glackin, T Watson,
S & L Jones. Jackpot now £4,600.
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
Sunday 28th January to Saturday 3rd February:
Catholic Schools Week 2018
Thursday 1st February: Feast of St Brigid,
Patroness of Ireland. Blessing of St Brigid’s Crosses at 7.30pm Mass. Bring
along any crosses you have made, to be blessed
Friday 2nd February: Presentation of
the Lord in the Temple (Candlemas Day) with Blessing of Candles at 10.00am
Mass
Saturday 3 February: Feast of St Blaise,
Patron Saint of throat ailments: Blessing of throats at 6.00pm Mass
Saturday 3rd to Sunday 11th February: Novena to Our Lady of Lourdes, for the Sick
and Housebound: Novena Prayer Cards in the porch (church and oratory). Please
take one.
Sunday 11th February: World Day of Prayer for the Sick
Sunday 11th March: Confirmation (P7), 11am
Monday 12th March: First Confessions (P4), 6:30pm
Sat. 19th May: First Holy Communion, 11am
Sunday 1th June: Blessing of Graves, Glenock Cemetery,
3pm
