Cappagh Parish, Derry Diocese, Ireland.

Sunday, 23rd May 2010

Pentecost Sunday

Jesus said to his disciples: “I shall ask the Father and he will give you another Advocate to be with you forever.” As we celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit on the Church it is good to ask the questions: How do we let the Spirit be actively present? and, How do we exclude the Spirit? We should ask these questions in the two contexts of our homes and our faith community. The Spirit is present when we are at peace with one another; the Spirit is absent when we are divided. The Spirit is present when we are living in joy; the Spirit is absent when we are settling for dullness. The Spirit is present when we are being creative and changing; the Spirit is absent when we are trying to keep things the way they always were. The Spirit is present especially when we are building relationships of love in our homes and parish.

Fr. Johnny Doherty, C.Ss.R.

First Reading : Acts of the Apostles 2: 1-11
The Holy Spirit descends upon the apostles.

Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 12: 3-7
There is a variety of gifts but always the same Spirit.

Gospel: John 20: 19-23
As the Father sent me, so am I sending you: receive the Holy Spirit.

Pentecost is one of the prominent feasts in the liturgical year commemorating the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples of Christ. Pentecost is celebrated seven weeks (50 days) after Easter Sunday, hence its name.

On the day of Pentecost all the Lord’s followers were together in one place. Suddenly there was a noise from heaven like the sound of a mighty wind. It filled the house where they were meeting. Then they saw what looked like fiery tongues moving in all directions, and a tongue came and settled on each person there. The Holy Spirit took control of everyone, and they began speaking whatever languages the Spirit let them speak.

The apostles received the Holy Spirit and were miraculously enabled to go out into Jerusalem prophesying and speaking in languages that all the visitors to Jerusalem could understand.

Many religious from every country in the world were living in
Jerusalem ... they were hearing everything in their own languages.
The noise and activity attracted a huge crowd and the Apostle Peter preached a sermon to the crowd with great effectiveness.

Cliodhna Rose McCusker, 6, Farmhill Meadows
Caleb Joseph Garrity, 97, Meelmore Grove
Nico Trotsyuk, 4B Oakland Road
Ellie Mai Robinson, 18, Killybrack Mews
Rebecca Josephine Morrison, 71, Shergrim Glen
Jamie Brendan Morrison, 71, Shergrim Glen

First Anniversary Mass of Fr Willie Rafferty will be held in Doneyloop Church on Wednesday, 26th May at 7.30 pm.

Ellen McColgan, Strathroy Road
Sylvia O’Brien, Strathroy
Marie McCamphill, Knockcarra Grove
Patrick McBride, Circular Road
Leo Devine, Gleannan Park
Frank McKillion, Slievecoole Park
Eileen O’Lone, Reaghan Road
Dell McCullagh, St. Julian’s Court
Thomas Curran, Arvalee
Agnes Early, Arvalee
Charles McCausland, Lisanelly Heights

Fr. Roland Colhoun Wednesday 26th May
Fr. Michael Collins Thursday 27th May
Fr. Oliver Crilly Friday 28th May
Fr. Patrick Crilly Saturday 29th May
Fr. Brendan Crowley Sunday 30th May

Medjugorje Irish Centre Grand Prize: Every week for a year we are giving away one weeks free apartment accommodation for up to four people. Text the word pilgrim followed by your name and county to 53030 in Ireland and 60777 in N.I. and UK or phone us and we can enter you into the free draw. Special introductory offer €260. tel: N.I. and UK 028 82241888 or Ireland 04882241888.

Mass for deceased members of the INF will be held on Thursday 27th May 2010 @ 7.30pm in the INF Hall. Everyone welcome.

The Annual Diocesan Lourdes Hospitalité collection is scheduled to take place on the weekend of May 29th/30th. The Lourdes fund is very dependent on the monies raised from this one collection to support people who are sick and in need of medical care. The strength of the collection determines the number of sick and medical helpers we are able to bring. Pease give generously.

Attention Gortmore Park 1950-2010: www.gortmoreat60.org.uk: Gortmore Park is celebrating its 60 years with a programme of events planned for the weekend of 12 & 13 June 2010. If you are a resident, past or present and have any photographs or memorabilia we would like to hear from you. Contact Allison 07718327117 or Betty 8225 0084.

Camphill Community Clanabogan: Open Day on Saturday 29th May 2010 from 2pm-5pm. Lots of fun and activities: On sale Bar-B-Que, ice-cream, waffles and bakery items. Everyone Welcome. Great Family Day Out.

A Pastoral Youth Ministry Leader is to be appointed for the parishes of St. Eugene’s Cathedral, St Mary’s Creggan and Holy Family in Derry City. Application Form, Job description and Personnel Specification available by calling (028) 71264087 during office hours and completed forms should be returned to Derry Diocesan Youth Commission, Derry Diocesan Catechetical Centre, The Gate Lodge, 2, Francis Street, Derry, BT48 7DS not later than 5pm on 3rd June.

Cappagh GAA are hosting a Tyrone Summer Camp from 5th to 8th July in Ballinamullan. Application Forms will be available from www.tyronegaa.ie , www.killycloghergaa.com and will be made available through the schools in the parish. Come along and join in the fun. For information contact Cappagh Youth Officer, John Coney on 07581264004.

New Hip-Hop class starting on May 21st in Strathroy Community Centre (and continuing every Friday). Tutor Alison McElhatton. All welcome.

Omagh Gateway Club presents “Grease” - the Musical: Don’t miss this remarkable stage production of Grease the Musical performed by amazing people with a learning disability from the Omagh Gateway Club and produced by young Millennium Volunteers in kind association with Omagh Youth Centre. Support your local Gateway Club. Tickets (£10) on sale directly at Strule Arts Centre, box office tel: 8224 7831 or online www.struleartscentre.co.uk. Show commences 8pm, Thursday 24th June. Early booking recommended to avoid disappointment. For further information contact Pearse on 028 8224 0772.

GAA Weekly Bingo: Each Monday evening in Cappagh Parish Hall at 9 pm. Weekly Lotto Numbers 5, 10, 21, 23 and 25. Two winners, Colm Meenagh and Seamus McGarvey each received £50.00. Two jackpots have now been capped at £5,000. New jackpot now stands at £3,225.

Church collection £3,693: Refurbishment Fund £1,442
Diocesan Purposes finished at £1,808: Trocaire finished at £20,829.
Thank you very much.