Cappagh Parish, Derry Diocese, Ireland.

Fourth Sunday of Easter

The Lamb will be our shepherd

Jesus said: “The sheep that belong to me listen to my voice”. One of the big questions of today for people is: “Who am I?” and there are all kinds of self-awareness courses around to help us answer that question. It is an important question and many of these courses are helpful. But it is not the most important question for us. Much more important is the question: “To whom do I belong?”. Belonging is of the essence of being human and our belonging is identified by and lived out through the voices that we listen to. Some people listen to the voice of the world around which tells us to put ourselves first and they belong to the world. Others listen to the voice of Christ telling us to put others first and by so doing they belong to him. In the struggle between the two, Christ invites us to listen to his voice.

First Reading : Acts of the Apostles 13: 14.43-52
I have made you a light for the nations, so that my salvation may reach the ends of the earth.

Second Reading: Apocalypse 7: 9. 14-17
The Lamb will be their shepherd and will lead them to springs of living water.

Gospel: John 10: 27-30
The sheep that belong to me listen to my voice; I know them and they follow me.

Heavenly Father, Bless our diocese with the grace of many vocations to the priesthood and religious life.
Through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, grant those You have called the willingness and generosity of spirit to give themselves
in devoting their lives and their talents to the service of our Lord and to His Church.
Increase the faith of everyone in our diocese, and particularly the Faith
of those You have called and will continue to call.
We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen.

A mother who had lost her only son went to the priest in her village and said: "Is there anything you can give me to reduce the pain that I feel?" "Yes," he said. "There is a wonderful thing you can do. I want you to go and get me a mustard seed from a home that has no problems. Such a mustard seed can ward off all problems. When you find it, bring it to me and I will use it to relieve your pain." So the mother started out and came to a big mansion. Nothing could possibly be wrong here! She knocked on the door, told what she was looking for, and they answered, "You've come to the wrong house." And then they told her all their problems. As she was listening to their problems, she thought, "I know something about problems... Maybe I can help these people with theirs." So she listened to them; and this helped people. She kept on searching for her magic mustard seed. But no matter where she went, she could not find that seed. Everyone everywhere had some kind of troubles.

But she really did find the magic mustard seed, because in
trying to help others solve their problems, she forgot all about her own.

PRAY FOR PRIESTS
This week we ask you to pray for the following priests:
Fr. David O’Kane Monday 26th April
Fr. Patrick O’Kane Tuesday 27th April Fr. Peter O’Kane Wednesday 28th April
Fr. Seamus O’Kane Thursday 29th April
Fr. Arthur O’Reilly Friday 30th April
All other priests Saturday 01st May
Fr. Desmond Polke Sunday 02nd May

Katrina Fulton, Mulllaghmore Drive
Mary Delaney, Hospital Road
Patrick McFarline, Crevenagh Road
Terry Kelly, Hospital Road
Kathleen Curley, Irvinestown
Mary McBride, Castlederg

May they enjoy a long and happy union and may the grace of the
Sacrament sustain them in the years ahead.

The next draw in our fundraising effort will take place on Monday 3rd May at the Bingo. All returns must be taken to the Cappagh Parish Centre on Thursday 29th April between 7.30 and 8.30pm. No money will be accepted on the night of the draw.

A relic (the heart) of the Curé of Ars, St Jean Marie Vianney, is visiting Ireland later this month. The relic is being displayed for veneration in four centres in Ireland during this visit, Dublin, Knock, Cork and Armagh. The visit of the relic to Armagh takes place on Wednesday 28 April. The relic will arrive in St Patrick’s Cathedral for Mass at 12.30 pm. There will be short prayer services every hour, between 2.00 pm – 7.00 pm. The Sacrament of Reconciliation will also be available throughout this period. A second Mass will be celebrated at 7.30 pm, and the relics will depart the Cathedral at 9.00 pm. All are welcome to participate.

Vigil Mass: (1) Matt Swift (2) Terry McGinn (3) Sean Deehan (4) Danny McCusker (5) Brian McGlone (6) Pat Livingstone 9.00 am: (1) Raymond Fox (2) Ennis Dobbin (3) Aidan McPhillips (4) Patrick Campbell (5) Niall Duffy (6) Brian McMenamin 11am: (1) Frank Donaghy (2) Bob Lingwood (3) Tony McKenna (4) Martin McGrath (5) Gerry Kelly (6) Eamon McGlone.

Killyclogher Counters - May : Maureen McGinn and John Smith, Mr. & Mrs. Pat McParland. Others welcome.

Knockmoyle Collectors – May: Eunan Kerlin, Declan McGrath, Olly McGirr and Frank Devlin

Killyclogher Readers for May: Vigil - Pauline McDonald: 9am - Colette McAleer and 11am - Maeve McDermott. Daily Readers: Monday & Tuesday Mary Keane, Wednesday & Thursday Ethna Scallon & Friday & Saturday Jim McGinn.

Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes - July 16th - 21st 2010. The pilgrimage is anxious to have the assistance of 3 more nurses to help in the provision of care for those registered for medical support. There are also places available for
general pilgrims. Please contact the Pilgrimage office on 028 7126 0293.

Camogie: Calling girls (all age groups) who are interested in playing Camogie to contact Paula on 07849393992 or Roisin on 07858698362.

Star Breakers Special Olympics Club is holding a 5K walk and a 1K fun walk at An Creagán Centre on Bank Holiday Monday 3rd May. Registration takes place between 11am -1pm. Adults £5. Children under 12 free. Come along and enjoy your walk and support our fund raising event with all proceeds going to help with the cost for 5 of our athletes who are participating in our National Games which take place in Limerick in June 2010. Enquiries to 80767377/155.

Why not join us for a 5 Mile Walk and 5 Mile Fun Run on Sunday 25th April starting at Knockmoyle Hall. All proceeds to Alzheimer’s Society Omagh Branch. Suggested donation - £5 per person or £10 per family.

Day Trip to Lough Derg on Sunday 9th May. Bus leaves Mountfield at 8.30am via Killyclogher and Omagh. Fare for bus and boat £35. Call 07767413601.

Children in Crossfire need 20 runners for the Budapest Half Marathon on September 5. A deposit of £150 is requested and minimum sponsorship applies. Call Sarah on 7126 9898 or e-mail events@childrenincrossfire.org for more information.. They are also seeking participants in the Derry Half Marathon on September 12.

Bishop Séamus invites all who will have been confirmed this year to an open air Mass in Celtic Park, Lone Moor Road, Derry on Thursday 10 June at 11.30am.

Last week’s collections: Church collection £3,326.
Refurbishment Collection £1,468.
Trocaire £20,053.