Sunday – 10 Isaiah and Peter are called. They each recognize their unworthiness but are reassured that God will be with them. We too received a call in baptism to build up God’s kingdom. With that comes the promise of God’s presence and his help.
This weekend we welcome among us Msgr. Eamon Martin, our diocesan administrator, who will be conferring the sacrament of Confirmation on 60 of our 6th class pupils. He will meet the children and their families afterwards in Scoil Eoghain.
Monday – 11 Our Lady of Lourdes. World day of prayer for the sick, instituted by Pope John Paul II in 1992. Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament after Mass until 9pm.
Wednesday – 13 Ash Wednesday: the season of Lent begins. A day to acknowledge our sinfulness and to hear the call to repentance. We begin the Lenten journey that is to bring us to the mystery of the Lord’s death and resurrection and to prepare us to celebrate it with hearts and lives renewed. A day of fast and abstinence. Fast means that we cut down on the amount we eat, abstinence means that we do not eat flesh meat. Ashes will be blessed and distributed at 10.00 Mass in St Pius X Church and 7.30 pm Masses in Ballybrack and Ballinacrae. Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament after Mass and distribution of ashes until 9pm.
Thursday – 14 St Cyril, monk, and St Methodius, bishop. Cyril (826-869) and Methodius (815-885) were brothers from Thessalonica in Greece. They preached the Gospel in Moravia, using their own translation of the Scriptures and the liturgy into Slavonic, the local language. Honoured as apostles of the Slavic peoples and declared patrons of Europe by Pope John Paul II in 1980.
Friday – 15 Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament after Mass until 11.30.
Saturday – 16 Confessions after 10 am Mass and 6.15 – 6.45. Vigil Mass at 7.00.
LENT Wednesday of this week is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent, our annual period of preparation for the celebration of Holy Week and Easter. During Lent we’re encouraged to take up something that will be good for ourselves and those around us, and/or give up something we consider to be a luxury or a habit.
This year the Pioneer Association has launched a “Dare to be alcohol-free” campaign and is encouraging people to take a short-term pledge (at least until Easter). Anyone wishing to do so can either contact the Pioneers directly at www.pioneerassociation.ie or by calling 01-8749464.
A pledge like this can be as public or as private as you wish. You may not want to discuss it with anyone, or take a formal pledge of any kind. Alternatively, you may wish to discuss it with family and friends and use the opportunity to talk about a drinking problem you or someone else may have. Many people simply give up drinking during Lent and offer it up as a private spiritual sacrifice.
Whatever you take on or give up this Lent, may the Lord bless you in your efforts and, through you, bless your family, your neighbourhood, your workplace and our parish community. Pledge cards are available in Church porches
Last week’s collection amounted to €3550. Thank you.
We welcome into God’s family Ailbhe Carmel Eibhlin Diver, Ballymacarthur.
Sympathy ~ we offer sincere sympathy to the family and friends of Terry Kelly, Poundtown and George Sweeney, Buncrana who died recently. May they rest in peace.
Readers for Sat/Sun 16/17 February
St Pius X Vigil Mass – Bernard Baker 9.30 am – Tiernan McDonald
12 noon – Emma McDermott
Anyone who wishes to have a Station Mass during Lent should contact the Parochial House.
One of the first projects that the Parish Pastoral Council, in conjunction with the Justice and Peace group, would like to undertake, is the publication of a directory of groups and organisations which are active in the parish, in the local community and surrounding area. If you would like to have your group included in the directory, please contact Mary at 9382289 or 085-1072475 with contact details and some information about what your group or organisation does. It is hoped to have the directory published before the end of March.
The “Welcome the Stranger” programme is an initiative of the Bishops’ Commission for Immigrants which is being supported by our parish Justice and Peace group. Training for anyone who wishes to be involved in the programme will take place in the Parochial House on Tuesday 12 February at 8.15pm.
GAA jackpot now stands at €1100. The monthly meeting takes place in the Clubhouse on Tuesday 12 February at 9pm.
Please contact Family Resource Centre if interested in a raised bed in the Community Garden. Cost €30 before 1 March.
Naiscoil Cois Feabhail Greencastle is now taking enrolment for September and has an open day on Thursday 14 February from 11am till 12.30. For further details and registration forms contact Stephanie 0862836609.
White Oaks Rehabilitation Centre is holding a one day support programme for those over 16 years who are affected by family or friend’s addiction. The course takes place on Saturday 23 February and costs €20. Booking is essential. Call 9384400 or email
whiteoaksrehabcentre@hotmail.com
Thornhill Centre is running three courses during Lent – Lenten Thursdays, Moments of Meditation and The Psalms: A Pathway to Prayer. For information and to book call 04871351233.
The monthly Latin Mass takes place in Long Tower Church, Derry, today, Sunday 10 February at 2pm.
This year’s Divine Mercy Conference will be streamed live from the RDS to the Plaza, Buncrana on Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 February. Doors open 9am each day. Mass will be celebrated on Saturday 16 at 5pm, and on Sunday 17 at 3.15pm. Details on www.divinemercyconference.com. book at btflan14@gmail.com or Marie at 0749362617, Brian at 0874196045 or Parish Office 0749361253. €5 per day at the door.
Serenity House: Telephone 074 9382945, serenityhouse@eircom.net or Facebook at serenityhouse@live.ie
Names are being taken for a five day trip to Westport in May.
Call to Serenity House to enrol in one of the many courses, including FAS funded courses. Places available on FETAC First Aid daytime course.
Names are being taken for a Web Page Design, Train the Trainer and First Aid courses.
Counselling service now available.
Active Retirement meeting on Wednesday 20 February at 2pm. (Note time)
Light exercise with Shane Canning every Monday at 10.30am.
Congratulations to the winners of the February Parish Draw:
Number Name Promoter
€700, 201, Rose McKevitt, Oonagh McDermott
€400, 680, Eamon & Frances Lake, Frances Lake
€250, 633, Charlie Cavanagh, Agnes Cavanagh
€150, 448, Laura & Tamara Byrne, Bridget McGhee
€70, 502, The Furlong Family, Helen Gillen
Greencastle Community Centre: Contact 9381054 /info@greencastlecentre.ie
AGM for Greencastle Community Development takes place on Monday 11 February at 7.30pm. If you would like to volunteer some of your spare time please attend.
Terry’s: Parent & Toddler Group – Monday 10am – 12noon; Fun Club – Wednesday 4.30pm – 5.45pm and Chess Club – Thursday from 4.30pm – 5.30pm. Contact Terry on 0861082110.
Reflexology, Pilates, Tai Chi ,Yoga, Money Management, Basic Computers, Bridge, Conversational Spanish, French and Irish, Child Protection and Computers for Seniors (Friday 22 February) courses begin subject to demand.
Names are being for one day Water Safety course on 23 February.
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