Young People are invited to an Afternoon of Prayer and Reflection at IOSAS Centre (Lenamore Rd) on Friday beginning at 2.30 pm.

Celebrate with Columba Community for its Prayer and Work Of Healing and Reconciliation on Saturday from 2.30pm – 6.30pm in the Celtic Peace Garden (near White Oaks).

Celebrating Sobriety, Serenity & Renewal - White Oaks Centre celebrates its first reunion for ex-residents and friends next Sunday, 27th July beginning at 2.30 pm and concluding with Celebration of the Eucharist at 6.30 pm. The Centre opened in the autumn of 2001 and since then 800 residents and their families have participated in their 30-day residential treatment programme.

On Sunday 6 July, Fr. Daniel McFaul was ordained to the Priesthood for the Diocese of Derry, in St. Eugene's Cathedral, Derry.  Bishop Hegarty was the ordaining Bishop and he was accompanied by Bishop Lagan, Auxiliary Bishop of Derry, and Bishop Daly, Bishop Emeritus of Derry.  Approximately 70 priests concelebrated the Ordination Mass with Bishop Hegarty. 

A large congregation participated in the Mass, with many traveling from Fr. Daniel's home parish of Iskaheen and Upper Moville, in Co. Donegal.

In his homily, Bishop Hegarty presented, to Fr. Daniel and the congregation, the nature of the call to priesthood.  He emphasised the lifelong commitment to priesthood and its importance in the life of the church.

The Ordination liturgy was greatly enriched by the beautiful singing of the cathedral choir, under the direction of Sr. Perpetua McNulty.

Fr. Daniel was born in Iskaheen, Co. Donegal in 1975.  He applied to study for priesthood in 2001 and studied in St. Patrick's College, Maynooth.

 
Fr. Daniel - Ad Multos Annos!

To commemorate the 150th Anniversary of Apparations at Lourdes Bishop Hegarty has asked that there should be a special day of Prayer in each Deanery during the Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes. This day will be celebrated in the Derry Deanery on Thursday in Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Steelstown. It will begin with Mass by Bishop Daly at 10.00 am. This will be followed by Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament all day and will conclude with Mass at 7.30 pm.

The Diocesan pilgrimage to Lourdes is from Wednesday, 16th to Monday, 21st of July. This year is particularly special for all who will make a pilgrimage to Lourdes as it is the 150th anniversary of the apparitions of Our Lady in Lourdes. The 16th July is the date of the last apparition that Bernadette experienced and it is first day of the Diocesan pilgrimage to visit that most sacred sanctuary. Please God, there will be an abundance of grace experienced by all who, one hundred and fifty years later, will re-trace the pilgrim journey to the Grotto.

Many of our parishioners have made a financial contribution to the annual Hospitalité collection only a few weeks ago. This collection is your way of offering some support to the Diocesan Pilgrimage. The Pilgrimage Committee is very grateful to you for your support of their work. In essence, because the Diocesan Pilgrimage recruits nurses, handmaids, doctors and brancardiers, Care Teams can be put in place to facilitate sick, infirm and physically dependent people in going to Lourdes. Therefore, a significant number – over 170 - of the pilgrims on the Diocesan pilgrimage will be given particular care and support to travel and to be at the ceremonies in Lourdes. Many of these people would otherwise not be able to go to Lourdes.

Lourdes is also the European centre for World Youth Day which coincides with the Diocesan pilgrimage. There are eighty-three young people from our diocese who are coming on pilgrimage with us. They will participate in the Diocesan pilgrimage and also attend special ceremonies for the youth.

Please remember, in your prayers this week, our 900 people from the different parts of the diocese, those who are going seeking physical healing, seeking spiritual healing and all who seek inner peace. The Diocesan Mass at the Grotto takes place next Sunday, 20th July at 8.30 am. Let us unite our prayers with the prayers of our pilgrims in the coming week. Our Lady of Lourdes, help of the sick, pray for us all.

The following new courses are planned for Thornhill Centre next term.
For further details contact the Centre at 71351233.

Practical Theology & Spirituality (Monday nights) - 1 year course.
Foundations in Liturgy (Tuesday nights) - 1 year course.
Prayer in Daily Life (Thursday mornings) - 8 week course.
Understanding Saint Paul (Tuesday nights) - 4 week course.

For the next year in Long Tower we will celebrate the Mass or devotions on the evening of each 9th day of the month with a particular focus on St Columba. It will have a triple purpose. Firstly, we wish it to be a time of spiritual renewal for all those who are attending Mass regularly. Secondly, we intend it to be a “recruitment drive” to bring back to the Mass people who have fallen away. Thirdly, we will use the occasions to rededicate or unveil the various works of restoration.

On Wednesday we have two very special events in Long Tower.

Wednesday 9th July 2008

10:30am Unveiling of the tomb of Bishop John Keys O’Doherty
In 1907 Bishop Keys O’Doherty commissioned the building of the present Long Tower Church but died the day after the announcement. He is buried in front of the Calvary. The Restoration Committee is restoring his tomb in this, the 101st year after his death. The tomb will be unveiled and blessed after the 10 o’clock Mass on Wednesday morning. See below for a fuller article from the 1909 book.

7:30pm Mass of Anointing of the Sick
This will be a special time of prayer for healing. Those who are sick will be anointed with oil blessed during the Mass. The anointing is a Sacrament of the Church and not a simple blessing. Therefore, those eligible to receive the Sacrament should be genuinely sick in mind or body or be of old age. But we also extend a warm invitation to anyone who would simply like to receive a blessing by the priest for healing of mind or body, even if it be a minor affliction or worry. There will be Confessions available beforehand. All welcome!