Reflection on today’s Gospel: John: 1-5, 9-14

In the beginning was the Word

In today’s Gospel we are established as people of eternity; we are established, each one of us, as expressions of the Word of God – as, indeed, everything which exists is an expression of the Word of God from the beginning of time. It is a powerful and beautiful Gospel which lifts us out of the ordinary and mundane into the extraordinary and glorious; it liberates us from the rags and tatters of mortal time and shows us the face of eternity, our true home. It reveals to us the face of Love which is the light of the world, the light which shines in the darkness and which can never be extinguished. Our yearning for that light is born anew with the first breath of each and every human life entering into the world.

Opening ourselves to the full glory of God’s love which is made manifest by the life, death and resurrection of His beloved son, Jesus, is to secure our entitlement to be called His sons and daughters.

Let us give thanks to our loving Father, the perpetual light which shines through the darkness and guides us towards bliss.

Thank you, loving Father, for the gift of your Son, Jesus, full of grace and truth, our Saviour, and our way to eternal life in the glory of your presence.

Feast of the Epiphany – Monday, 6th January 2020

The Epiphany tells the story of the Wise Men (Magi) from the East who followed the star until it led them to Bethlehem where they adored the new born, Jesus. The word “epiphany” means appearance or manifestation.

Mission is at the very heart of the feast of the Epiphany because it reveals how those who do not know Christ can be moved, compelled and convinced by the gospel to bow down and worship. In fact, every effort we make at mission - sharing our faith and giving witness by deeds - is nothing less than an epiphany. Why? Because when we do this, God’s work is manifested and fulfilled in the world.

Mass times for the Feast of the Epiphany, a Holyday of Obligation:

Monday: Masses at 7.00 am, 9.30 am, 11.00 am, 12.30 pm and 7.30 pm.

There will be a collection for Parish Missionaries Overseas at all Masses on the Feast of the Epiphany. If you wish to nominate a priest or nun who has family connections in the Parish for financial support, please email their name and contact details to stuegenes@btconnect.com.

Matt Talbot Freedom from Drugs Mass and Relic of Matt Talbot: The next Matt Talbot Freedom from Drugs Mass will take place at 7.30 pm on Monday, 6th January here in St Eugene’s Cathedral. The Cathedral is honoured to be hosting a Relic of Matt Talbot at this Mass. At the end of the Mass the congregration will be invited to venerate the Relic. We welcome everybody to come, to pray and to show support for our community. For further information please email emmett.mullan@derrydiocese.org.

Sympathy

We offer our sympathy to the family and friends of:

Paul Coyle, 39 Garden City.

Denis Villa, 69 St Eithne’s Park.

May they rest in peace.

Anniversaries

John Cauley, Esther Cauley, Breege Campbell, James Sharkey, 

Rose McCauley, Manny Carlin, Mary Callan, Lawrence Moran, 

John Gibson, Phyllis and Tommy Carlin.

May they rest in peace.

Baptisms

We welcome as a member of God’s family

Sarah Jean McMahon, Vancouver, Canada.

Readers for the Feast of the Epiphany

Monday, 6th January

09.30 am Anna Peake

11.00 am Anna Begley

12.30 pm Charlie McDermott

07.30 pm Leah Morrison

Readers for next weekend

06.15 pm Mary Murphy/Jackson Gallagher

07.30 pm Helen Sweeney/Majella Coyle

09.30 am Barry McDaid/Rachel Doherty

11.00 am Children’s Liturgy

12.30 pm Kevin Finan/Claire O’Kane

07.00 pm Kay McGinn/Ava McGinn

Eucharistic Ministers

Team *A* begins its rota at the 6.15 pm Vigil Mass next weekend.

Blood Donation Sessions in the Guildhall on Wednesday and Thursday, 8th and 9th January from 1.30 pm to 4.00 pm and 5.15 pm to 8.00 pm.

The Older People North West’s Walking Group resumes on Monday, 6th January at 1.00 pm with a walk along the Greenway by St Columb’s Park. A bus leaves Malvern House at 1.00 pm sharp. For further information please contact 028 71347478 or development@olderpeoplenorthwest.org.

Thank you

Fr Farren acknowledges with thanks donations for: St Vincent de Paul: £50, £100, £40. Trócaire: £50, £20, £30, £20, £25, £40. Charity of Adm’s Choice: £40, £10. Flowers: £20.

Last Week’s Collection amounted to £4,520.

Parish Development Collection amounted to £973.

‘Do This in Memory’- First Communion Programme

The Readings: The Minister of the Word goes to the ambo to read. The first reading is usually from the oldest part of the Bible called the Old Testament. In the Easter Season the first reading comes from the New Testament. The stories that we hear during the first reading are the same stories that Jesus would have heard when he was a child. Some of the stories from the Old Testament are thousands of years old. They remind us of how long people have been listening to God’s word. They also tell us how much God loves us. Even though the stories are very old, they still have an important message for us today.

The Psalms: The psalms are different from the other readings from the Bible. They were written as poems or songs. There are 150 psalms altogether. Sometimes the psalm is sung. Between each verse there is a response which we are all invited to say. The psalm allows us to reflect on the reading that we have just heard.

Second Reading: This reading always comes from the part of the Bible called the New Testament. The reading is taken from the books that are found directly after the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

Our Response to the Readings: At the end of each of the readings the Minister of the Word finishes by saying, ‘The Word of the Lord’ and we all respond with the words, ‘Thanks be to God.’ This is our way of saying thank you to God for these stories which help us to grow together as members of God’s family.

Excerpt from ‘Learning About the Mass with Kath and Quemen’

St Mary’s College Open Day – Saturday, 11th January from 10.00 am to 1.00 pm. Principal’s address at 10.00 am and 11.00 am

St Cecilia’s College Open Day – Thursday, 9th January from 5.00 pm to 8.00 pm. Principal’s address at 5.00 pm and 6.15 pm.

Lumen Christi College Open Evening – Monday, 13th January from 4.00 pm to 6.30 pm. Principal’s address at 4.00 pm and 6.00 pm.

Children in Crossfire Advent Boxes will be also collected next weekend, 11th/12th January. Your support will make a huge impact on the lives of children suffering from severe acute malnutrition in Ethiopia.

St Eugene’s Cathedral is monitored by CCTV cameras and by a live streaming camera. Live streaming can be viewed online at www.churchservices.tv or the parish website at www.steugenescathedral.com.

The Diocese of Derry Privacy Notice is displayed on the parish website and Cathedral notice board or you may obtain a copy from the Parish Office.

If you have any concerns with regard to Safeguarding children or adults in need of protection within the Church please contact: Noel O’Donnell, Diocesan Pastoral Centre, 164 Bishop Street, 71362475, mobile 07596500793 or Celine McKenna, Diocesan Pastoral Centre, 164 Bishop Street, 71362475, mobile 07707311358 or PSNI (Police Service of Northern Ireland) 101 or Social Services: Gateway Services, Western HSC Trust, 71314090 and ask for the Duty Social Worker.