St Eugene's Cathedral (Templemore) Parish Bulletin

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Triduum of Masses for Bishop Michael Router: As the diocese and parishes prepare to
celebrate the joyous occasion of the Installation of Bishop Michael Router as Bishop of
Derry on Sunday 20th September, a Triduum of Masses will be celebrated in parishes
throughout the diocese, on Friday 18th, Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th September. In our
parish, these Masses will be celebrated at 8am &7.30pm on Friday, 10am on Saturday and
at all the Masses on Sunday. All are welcome to attend as we come together as G od’s people
to pray for Bishop Router and the people of the diocese, that we may walk together in faith
and hope, guided by the Holy Spirit.
We thank God for the gift of Bishop Router and for his call to serve as Bishop of Derr y.
May he be blessed with wisdom, courage and compassion as he begins his ministry. May
he be a faithful shepherd, a voice of hope, and a servant of unity and peace. May his ministry
bear abundant fruit for the people of the Diocese of Derry, and may God guide and
strengthen him in all that lies ahead.
A short reflection on today’s Gospel Matthew 18:21-35
In today’s Gospel, Peter asks Jesus how often he should forgive someone who sins against
him. Peter suggests seven times, but Jesus goes beyond counting: forgiveness is not
something we measure; it is a way of life.
Jesus tells the parable of the unforgiving servant. A man owes his master an enormous debt,
far beyond anything he could repay. Yet when he asks for mercy, the master forgives the
whole debt. This reminds us of the generosity of God’s mercy towards us. But the servant
then refuses to forgive someone who owes him a much smaller amount. Having received
mercy, he fails to show mercy himself.
The message is challenging. We can receive God’s forgiveness while still holding on to
anger, resentment or hurt. Jesus reminds us that the mercy we receive is meant to be shared.
Forgiveness does not mean ignoring injustice or pretending that hurt does not matter.
Serious wounds may take time, prayer, wise counsel and appropriate boundaries. But we are
invited to place our hurts in God’s hands and not allow bitterness to have the f inal word.
At every Mass, we encounter God’s mercy. Christ gives himself for us and calls us to extend
that same love to others.
This week, perhaps we can bring one difficult relationship before the Lord and ask for the
grace to take one step towards forgiveness. Forgiveness is not simply something God asks
of us - it is something God first gives to us.
Lord Jesus, you have forgiven us more than we can ever repay. Teach us to receive your
mercy with grateful hearts and to share it with those who have hurt us. Give us the grace to
forgive, the wisdom to seek justice where needed, and the humility to place every wound
into your loving hands. Amen.
Prayer for Vocations to the Priesthood : In today's gospel Jesus teaches a powerful lesson
on forgiveness. We pray for the men called to priesthood that, as they celebrate the
Sacrament of Reconciliation with their people, they will help them to know and experience
the Lord who ".is compassion and love, slow to anger, and rich in mercy." (Responsorial
Psalm).
The St Dymphna Mass with Anointing of the Sick will be celebrated at St Eugene’s
Cathedral on Tuesday 15th September at 7.30pm. This Mass is to give thanks to God for
positive mental health and to pray for those who are struggling with mental health issues
and those who care for them.
Save the Date: Saint Carlo Acutis Day of Prayer. You are invited to come to St Eugene’s
Cathedral, Derry on Sunday 11th October from 2.00pm where we will have Veneration of a
First Class Relic of St Carlo Acutis, gifted to the Cathedral by Carlo’s mother, Antonia.
The Sacrament of Confession will be available from 2.00pm until Mass at 7.00pm, which
will be celebrated by Bishop Michael Router. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament will t ake
place in the Mother Teresa Chapel during the Celebrations. A short film on Carlo ’s life will
be shown in the Conference Room. Everyone is welcome to this special time.
Eucharistic Adoration: Derry Diocese is renewing and developing its Diocesan Adoration
Lay Committee in order to increase the practice of Eucharistic Adoration in parishes
throughout the diocese. You are welcome to attend an Information Meeting on Wednesday
30th September at 8.00pm, in The Drummond Hotel, 2 Main Street, Ballykelly. Registration
and light refreshments from 7.30pm.
Thank you
Fr Farren acknowledges with thanks the
following donations for:
Nepal Disaster: £20
St Thérèse: £50
Hungry Children: £50. £5
Cathedral Funds: £100
Water Aid: £100

Anniversaries

Please pray for the repose of the souls

of:
John Carlin
Susie Crowley
Elizabeth Gillespie
Shara Walker
Nora Griffin
Isobel Higgins
Danny Doherty
Brendan Duffy
May they rest in peace Collection
Weekly Collection: £4,933
Parish Development: £980
Thank you for your generosity
Readers for 19th /20th September
6.15pm Claire O’Kane
7.30pm Stephen Orr/Karl Orr
9.30am Barry McDaid
11.00am St Eugene’s PS
12.30pm Michael Wilson
7.00pm Marian Boyle
Sacrament of Marriage
We congratulate
Claire Carlin & Christopher Dowson
Dara McCartie & Kurtis Campbell
who celebrated the Sacrament of
Marriage recently in the Cathedral
May God bless you abundantly in love,
joy and happiness
Sympathy
We offer our sympathy to the family
and friends of:
Eileen McLaughlin
Lily Doherty
May they rest in peace St Eugene's Cathedral (Templemore) https://steugenescathedral.com

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St Eugene’s Beavers and Cubs are back! Both groups return on Monday, 14th
September, and should arrive for 6.30pm. New members are very welcome! We’re also
looking for new leaders. If you’re 18 or over and interested in getting involved, please
contact Maria on 07955 549818. Training is provided, so no previous experience is
necessary. We look forward to seeing you all on Monday!
Faith in Fire - an exhibition from the Persecuted Church in Nigeria. In Christ Church 14th
-20th September 10.30am -4pm every day. Admission free. All welcome.
The Columban Young Adults are a new group for those aged 18 - 30 in the diocese,
who are seeking a community of like-minded young adults who have Christ at the
centre of their lives. Our September event will be a Holy Hour and meditation on Thursday
17th September, 7.00pm at our Lady of Lourdes Church, Steelstown, Derry, delivered by Fr
Declan McGeehan. The meditation will be followed by Solemn Benediction and light
refreshments. We are actively seeking new members- please come along and bring a friend!
Northlands Annual Coffee Morning - Saturday 19th September in Shantallow Community
Centre. Drop in anytime between 10am -1pm for some tea & coffee, cakes (gluten free
available), community and conversations. This is a great way to celebrate recovery, positive
change and community. This is a family friendly event, and everyone is welcome.
Alzheimer’s Society Memory Walk - The Alzheimer’s Society Memory Walk takes place
on Monday 21st September at 6.30pm. The 5K walk will begin on the Quay, next to
PureGym, and continue down to the lower deck of Craigavon Bridge, along the Greenway,
across the Peace Bridge, before returning to the starting point. Everyone is welcome to join
us. We look forward to seeing you there and walking together in support of those affected
by dementia.
Host for Hospice: October is officially Foyle Hospice Coffee Morning Month. We are
calling on supporters to help us raise vital funds by hosting a Coffee Morning. Whether it’s
at home, work or in your local community, you can support your local hospice by bringing
your friends together and putting the kettle on - it’s a piece of cake! To request your FREE
host pack or for more info, please call Ailbhe McDaid, Community Fundraiser, Foyle
Hospice, on 028 7135 9888 or email: ailbhe@foylehospice.com
St Eugene’s Cathedral is monitored by CCTV cameras and by two live streaming
cameras. Live streaming can be viewed online at www.churchservices.tv,
www.watchmcnmedia or the parish website. The Diocese of Derry Privacy Notice is
displayed on the parish website and Cathedral notice board, or you may obtain a copy from
the Parish Office.
Safeguarding Notice : If you have any concerns with regard to the Safeguarding of children
within the Church please contact Marie O’Kane, the Diocesan Designated Liaison Person
(DLP) on +447596500793 or email: dlp@derrydiocese.org
Northern Ireland emergency services: PSNI (Police Service of Northern Ireland): 101 Soci al
Services: Gateway Services, Western HSC Trust: 028 7131 4090 (and ask for the Duty
Social Worker), Gateway Services, Northern HSC Trust: 028 9442 4459, Regional
Emergency Social Work Services: 0800 1979 995. Republic of Ireland emergency services:
Garda Síochána Buncrana: 00353 749 320 540 Letterkenny: 00353 749 167 100, TUSLA
(ROI) Child and Family Agency: 00353 749 102 23
Vol 54 No 36
Twenty-Fourth Sunday
in Ordinary Time
13th September 2026
Priests: Fr Paul Farren, Fr Shaun Doherty