Sunday 4th November 2007

31st Sunday in Ordinary Time

Reflection

The Gospel for this weekend puts before us the example of Zacchaeus, the wealthy tax collector, whose encounter with Jesus transforms his life. Climbing up a sycamore tree to catch a glimpse of Jesus as he passes, Zacchaeus finds himself being singled out by Jesus: ‘Zacchaeus, hurry down, because I must stay at your house’. In this moment the tax collector experiences the joy of a new life in Christ. But it is a joy not shared by everyone. Some bystanders grumble that Jesus is willing to stay ‘at a sinner’s house’. His retort to them is a direct challenge to the limitations we so often place on God’s universal love and his desire that all may be saved – ‘The Son of Man,’ he tells them, ‘has come to seek out and save what was lost.’

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WEEK DAY MASSES THIS WEEK
Monday - Friday 9.30am.
Saturday 10.00am

BAPTISMS Sundays at 1200 noon. Please contact the Parochial House prior to the Baptism

CONFESSIONS Saturdays 10.30-11.00 am and after the 6.00pm Vigil Mass

ANNIVERSARIES
Our prayers are asked for William Gallagher, Carmel Neill, James Bernard McLaughlin, Ethel Reid, Eddie Sharkey, Nano Treacy and Paddy Treacy whose anniversaries occur at this time.

DEATHS
We offer our deepest sympathy to the family and friends of:
Joe Fegan, 22 Ashcroft who died during the week.
May they rest in peace.

BAPTISMS
We welcome Zara Jean Watson and Ciara Louise Howard who were baptised into our Church community recently

PRESENTATION TO FR. OLIVER CRILLY
All Parishioners are invited to the Presentation for Fr. Crilly, Parish Priest of Ardmore for the past 8 years. The Presentation will be held in the Pastoral Centre this coming Wednesday 7th November at 8pm. A Concert will be held and light refreshments served.

MASS FOR THE DECEASED
The Annual Mass for the Deceased will be celebrated in this Church at 7.30pm on Tuesday 6 November. Candles will be lit in memory of all our deceased at the Mass

Exposition of the Blesed Sacrament for Extra Ordinary Ministers of the Eucharist and Ministers of the Word will be held this Monday 5th November at 8.00pm here in St. Mary’s Church

Extra Ordinary Ministers of the Eucharist for November Masses:
Vigil: Anne McGuinness and Michael McMenamin
9.00am: Dermot Chambers
11.00am: Les Hallows and Bridie McKenna

Ministers of the Word for next Sunday 11th November
Vigil Mass: Joan Lafferty
9.00am: Paschal Lawrance
11.00am Margaret Gallagher

PARISH DRAW WINNERS:
£1000 Patsy McAllister, Milldale Crescent (No: 1072)
£300 Patsy Gallagher, Glenmore Park (No: 1656)
£200 C. Kearney, Lettershandoney (No. 1435)
Promoters:Please note that the Draw cards for next year’s draw are available and can be obtained at the Pastoral Centre after all Masses today. More Promoters always welcome. Thanks to all who promote and are members of our fundaising Parish Draw.

Taize
Anyone interested in a Taize Group being set up n the Parish are welcome to an initial meeting in the Pastoral Centre on Monday 12th November at 8pm. This Taize meeting is open to all between the ages of 18-35. Those who play musical instruments are very welcome too.

Events
Pastoral Centre
TODAY SAT. 3rd & SUN 4th: Good Shepherd Fair Craft Sale after all Masses
MON. 5th. Building Community Meeting 7.30pm
TUES. 6th: PILATES: 6.30pm - 7.30pm
WED. 7th: Presentation to Fr. Oliver Crilly
THURS 8th: Fundraising Committee Meeting 8pm

PARISH BAZAAR - 18th November at 2.30pm . Donations and good prizes welcomed. Contact the Parochial House

CAKE SALE in aid of Parish Centre on Sunday 9 December at 2pm. All willing to bake or to donate cakes, pastries, bread - GET READY!!

Collection Details -Sunday 21st October Parish Collection - £1163.26 THANKS to all who contributed to the collection NovemberPioneer Pledge

Short Term Pioneer Pledge for November (the month of the Holy Souls). Pledge cards and temporary pins available in the Sacristy or from Bridie Tel: 71291231 or Kathleen Tel: 71347833

CRAFT SALE-TODAY Saturday 3rd& Sunday 4th November
The Good Shepherd Sisters are holding their 2nd Sharing Fair Craft Sale in the Parish Centre on Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th November after all Masses They ask for your support for their missionary sisters in Africa, Latin America and Asia helping to alleviate the hardships of women and girls by purchasing beautiful, high quality, hand- made crafts. Buy early for Christmas!

ST. COLUMB’S COLLEGE UNION ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Thursday 8th November at 7.30pm St. Columb’s College, Buncrana Road. Includes Mass for repose of souls of deceased members, past pupils and staff Meeting immediately after Mass

Foyle Hospice Craft Fair
Saturday 10th November at the Hospice Day Therapy Unit, 61 Culmore Road. Time: 10.00am - 4.00pm. Adm: £1. Children: Free Come and support local artists and craft workers

PRAYER FOCUS - May we live the faith we profess
Question: What does this prayer mean to you?
Conversion
Today’s first reading (Wisdom 11:22-12.2) sets the scene for the Gospel story of the conversion of Zacchaeus by telling us that God enables people to repent by overlooking their sins.
The story of the conversion of Zacchaeus, the hated tax collector, shows the power of God’s grace, and lets us see how compassionate and forgiving Jesus is.
Though we sin by not showing love Jesus never stops loving us. There is always ‘a welcome on the mat’ of God’s house. No one is ever turned away. Isn’t it a pity that we don’t always act like Jesus in the way we relate to others. How do you think people would change if we always behaved like Jesus?
What does this phrase mean: ‘The Son of Man has come to seek out and save what was lost’?