Parish of Ardstraw East Newsletter

Sunday, 1st April 2018 | Easter Sunday

CONTACTS AND CORRESPONDENCE

Rev. Roland Colhoun, CC, 41 Moyle Road, Newtownstewart, BT78 4AP

Tel: 028-8166 1445

Email: ardstraweast@gmail.com

Rev. Brian Donnelly, PP, Tel: 028-8164 8283

LITURGIES FOR EASTER WEEK

The Divine Mercy Novena will be prayed each day 30 minutes before Mass (finishing Easter Saturday, 7th April)

EASTER SUNDAY: Mass, Glenock, 11.00am

EASTER MONDAY, TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY AND EASTER FRIDAY Mass, Oratory, 12.00noon, Rosary 11.45am

EASTER THURSDAY: Mass, Oratory, 7.30pm: Adoration from 6.30pm

EASTER SATURDAY: Vigil Mass of Second Sunday of Easter, Oratory, 6.00pm

THIS DAY WAS MADE BY THE LORD – WE REJOICE AND ARE GLAD! (Ps. 117)

The Easter celebrations form the heart of our Christian living. We have journeyed in Holy week through the darkness of betrayal and abandonment towards the light of forgiveness and new life in the Resurrection of Christ. The Resurrection, the fulfilment of God’s love for us, means that Jesus is with us here and now, on our life’s journey. Our faith finds its real meaning in the Resurrection of Christ. As Easter people, we pray that the blessings, the joys, the wonders, the comforts and the challenges of this holy day will renew us in spirit and encourage us to be faithful witnesses and beacons of God’s love and mercy in our daily lives. Christ is risen! Alleluia! Alleluia!

O Risen Lord, the Way, the Truth, and the Life,

Make us faithful followers of the spirit of Your Resurrection.

Grant that we may be inwardly renewed,

dying to ourselves in order that You may live in us.

May our lives serve as signs of the transforming power of Your love.

Use us as Your instruments for the renewal of society,

bringing Your life and love to all, and leading all to Your Church.

This we ask of You, Lord Jesus, living and reigning with the Father,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God forever. Amen.

TRÓCAIRE BOXES Please return your Lenten box to the church/oratory this week, if you have not yet done so. For ease of counting, it would be appreciated if you changed coins to notes. Thank you.

SUNDAY COLLECTION £883.

Donations: Glenock £60, Flowers £50.

Thank you!

REQUIESCANT IN PACE

Our prayers are asked for the souls of those who have died during the week:

Mary Alice Byrne, 179 Beltany Road

And those whose anniversaries occur at this time: Margaret McDaid, Mary Ellen McFadden Patrick Maguire, Tommy Coyle, Annie Coyle, Lizzie Duffy, Barry McNally

PADRE PIO MITT – Easter Thursday, 5th April, Mass, 7:30pm Mass in the Oratory

VISITATION OF THE HOUSEBOUND Easter Friday, 6th April.

DIVINE MERCY DEVOTIONS – Next Sunday (8 April), St Eugene's Church, Glenock at 3pm, to celebrate the Feast of God’s Mercy. It will include blessing a new Divine Mercy picture. The Enthronement of the picture invites Christ to be King in our lives. In preparation for Divine Mercy Sunday (next Sunday) the Divine Mercy Novena is being prayed each day, Good Friday to Easter Saturday (7 April), 30 minutes before Mass. St Faustina, pray for us.

DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY AT KNOCK Sunday 8 April. Lynch Buses, 028-8167 1344.

PROJECT FOR THE WEEK – Repair of leaking sewer at Oratory (by NI Water)

PRAYER INTENTION of the Holy Father for April: For those who have responsibility in economic matters – that economists may have the courage to reject any economy of exclusion and know how to open new paths.

LIFE IN THE SPIRIT Seminars in Sacred Heart Church, Omagh, starting Easter Thursday, 5th April, 7.30pm, for seven Thursdays. Different speakers. See www.derrydiocese.org

MARRIAGE PREPARATION – Are you interested in becoming a facilitator with ACCORD Catholic Marriage Care Service? Professional training provided – Certificate in Marriage Education (Special Purpose Award) Accredited by: Pontifical University, Maynooth. Contact ACCORD Omagh, 028-8224 2439 Email omagh@accordni.com for further information.

CONTRIBUTING TO THE PARISH

Standing Order: Dear Parishioner, in the world today, most people pay their bills by Standing Order and we would like you to consider making your contribution to the parish in this way. It greatly helps us in that it ensures a regular income to meet the ongoing costs, maintain the Church buildings and continue the charitable work of the parish. It also means that if you are on holiday or away for any reason, the income of the parish continues. Contributing by Standing Order means we can reduce the cost of purchasing planned-giving envelopes. If you are willing to contribute in this way, please complete the Standing Order form in the porch. Standing Order is a secure method of payment.

Gift Aid: Whether you give to the parish by Standing Order or by envelope, if you pay Income Tax we would ask you to complete a Gift Aid form. This enables us to reclaim from the government 25% of all that you give. It costs you nothing extra and has the effect of increasing your donation to the parish. Please return your completed forms to the Parish Office or place in the box at the back of the Oratory. We are very grateful for your constant generosity. Thank you!

FREE TRAINING IN FOOD SAFETY – For catering level 2 in Glenelly House, Plumbridge, Saturday 28 April, 10am to 4pm. Tel 078-6408 1551 or email glenellyhouse@hotmail.com .

HAPPY EASTER TO EVERYONE

May the joys of the Resurrection fill your hearts and your homes with peace this Easter. Thank you for your ongoing witness to your faith and support of our parish.

We offer special thanks to all who helped or participated in any way to make our Lenten, Holy Week and Easter liturgies so reverent and uplifting.

May God bless you all. Happy Easter!

Fr Roland and Fr Brian