Wedding Bells in Star of the Sea

stellamaris@btinternet.comPrinted on FSC Certified paper from well managed forests.

Christmas Blessin

gs to

all.S tella M

arisIssue 38 Winter 2012

Inside this issue

Paula Dempsey & Malachy McGill Ria Doherty & Richard Carey

Jane Carey & John Kearney Valerie Audet & John McGuckian

Laura Morrison & Ryan Clarke

Iraqi ChristiansFr. Brian Had a Dream

Christmas Carols

Eoghan Rua

A Year of Faith

Another year - another logo. Each year Holy Mother Church seems to come up with another theme with a banner or a logo. In the recent past we had the Year

of Prayer for Vocations, then we had the Year of Prayer for Priests, last year we had the year of preparation for the Eucharistic Congress in Dublin and since October we have been in the Year of Faith. Pope Benedict called the Year of Faith to strengthen Catholics who go to church, reach out to those who have left but still yearn for God in their lives, offer a response to those who are searching for meaning and help those who think they do not need God. The Year marks the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council and the 20th anniversary of the publication of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Catholics are encouraged to study, profess and demonstrate their faith.The Year of Faith logo is composed of a square, bordered field on which a boat, symbolizing the Church, is represented as sailing on a graphically minimal representation of waves. The main mast of the boat is a cross from which sails are displayed in the form of dynamic signs which compose the first three Greek letters of the Holy name of Jesus (IHS). The background to the sails is a sun which, associated with the trigram, refers also to the Eucharist.

For those of us blessed with the gift of Faith, the season of Christmas can be a time of delightful renewal. The giving, the making of connections with others, the Carols, the worship can move us more deeply into the mystery of the ever-giving and welcoming Christ. Of course we can be superficial or even cynical about it all and become the personification of Dickens’ “Scrooge”. Celebration is a choice. We all have something to celebrate, the gift of our faith being one of them.

May you have a holy and a happy Christmas.

Father Austin

Page 1.

Changing TimesThe Stella Maris Magazine Team has undergone some changes since our last issue. With the departure of editor Bryan Rooney, and graphic designer Craig Wilson, went a range of expertise and know-how. A hard act indeed to follow. Assuming editorship will be challenging, and while I look forward to the opportunity it affords me to serve the parish, I also envisage a lively and spirited dialogue with parishioners.Please keep telling us what you want from your parish magazine. Perhaps use the opportunity to see yourself in print on a topic close to your heart, and close to the heart of our community. You might even consider sending us some photographs. The cover of to-day’s issue features God’s Crown of Glory which captures in such brilliance the splendour and glory of sky and ocean. Since the contributor will take no credit, we dedicate this scene of Portstewart to the memory of all those who have gazed upon it and saw therein God’s great majesty and power. We are happy to say that Deputy First Editor Eugene Kelly remains on the team, as does in-house photographer Aaron Doherty. Allan Offord is still with us as Artist in Residence. And joining the team as the new graphic designer is Adrian Hickey. You can reach us by letter: Stella Maris, St Mary’s Star of the Sea Parish Office, 4 The Crescent, Portstewart, BT55 7AB. By email: stellamaris@btinternet.com. Or you can contact me personally at email: farren@myway.com. Telephone: 70833042.Patricia Farren

Losing the Scottish Connection

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When founding Stella Maris editor Maurice McAleese announced his retirement after 10 years of work there was a brief period of panic as to who would fill his shoes. The panic deepened when I found out that most of the magazine committee were going with him. Help arrived in the persons of Bryan Rooney as editor and Craig Wilson as the Graphic Designer, both Scots, both talented and imaginative. Unfortunately their gifts have been taken from us during the summer as Craig and Cathy have moved back to Scotland while Bryan and Margaret have had some

unexpected family responsibilities thrust upon them. We’ll miss them both. Into the breach has stepped Patricia Farren as Editor and Adrian Hickey as Graphic Designer and we welcome them and their work on this their first edition and thank them for their generosity in serving the parish in this way. Fr. Austin

NoticesCarol Services: St Colum’s PS Thursday 13th Dec at 7.00pm.

Choral Concert: Star of the Sea Friday 14th December at 7.00 pm, presented by Causeway Chorale.

Penitential Service: Star of the Sea Tuesday 18th December at 7.30pm.Confessions Saturday 23rd Dec from noon until 1 pm and from 5 pm until 5.45pm.

Ecumenical Carols at the Window on the Prom: Friday 21st Dec at 8.00pm; Dominican College Wednesday 19th Dec at 7.30pm.

Christmas Masses: Midnight - 9.00am and 11.00am.

Inter-Church Travelling Service: Sunday 6th January at 11.30 am starting at Portstewart Methodist Church. Sunday Masses changed to 9.00am and 8.00pm.

Where do Christmas Carols Come From?The Oxford Dictionary defines a carol as a “religious song...associated with Christmas”. The word itself - carol - derives from the ancient Greek choros, which means, “to dance in a circle” and the old French word carole meaning a song to accompany a dance. So much for the linguistics, but how did carols, and the traditions attached to them, come to refer to Christian songs especially associated with the Christmas story?Part of the answer can be found in medieval times and early celebrations of the birth of Christ. Originally, many carols were specially written to accompany plays which depicted the nativity. Some were so popular that they continued to be sung even when no play was being performed. Later, it was St Francis of Assisi who introduced carols into church services in the 12th Century and many carols can be traced directly back to the middle ages, such as the Latin-titled Personent hodie (On this day earth shall ring) and Angels from the Realms of Glory.

In the 17th Century, the joyous themes for many traditional Christmas carols were banned by Oliver Cromwell who thought that Christmas should be a very solemn and even sombre time for Christians. As a result, many of the very old Christmas carols and songs were subsequently lost for all time.In Victorian times, carols once again became very popular and the traditions associated with carol singing were resurrected. Going carol singing from door to door can actually be traced back to the Middle Ages when such songs were banned from churches. In more recent years, it has been often seen as a way of bringing the joy of Christmas out of the churches and into the streets. One of the best-loved carols, Silent Night has a fascinating origin. An Austrian priest, Joseph Mohr, wrote it in 1818. He was told the day before Christmas that the church organ was broken and could not be repaired in time for Christmas Eve. Mohr could not imagine a Christmas without music so he sat down to write a carol that could

be sung by a choir to a simple guitar accompaniment. Later that night, the people in the little Austrian church sang Stille Nacht for the first time. The traditional period to sing carols is from St Thomas’s Day (Dec 21st) until the morning of Christmas Day. If Christmas Carols are played before December, or after Christmas Day (including on Boxing Day), it is considered to be extremely bad luck in many countries.However, nowadays most people – like Joseph Mohr - would find it hard to conceive of a traditional Christmas without carols such as O Come All Ye Faithful, Once in Royal David’s City, O Little Town of Bethlehem, Away in a Manger or some of the many other much loved special Christmas anthems. For many of us, caroling is the authentic sound of Christmas and an essential part of the way we celebrate our saviour’s arrival amongst us.

Bryan Rooney

Page 4.

He had a DreamMartin Luther King once said, “I have a dream!” The late Fr. Brian Mullan also had a dream. He wanted all the women in the parish of Portstewart to feel embraced by the parish irrespective of their social background, material status or their commitment to Sunday Mass. He wanted to offer support and encouragement to all women, especially to those who felt excluded or disenfranchised (for whatever reason) from Portstewart Parish and/or the wider community in Portstewart.In order to achieve this dream or vision, he enlisted the help of four women currently living in the parish at that time. They were of varying ages and backgrounds. I was privileged to be one of those four women chosen by Fr Brian to help initiate and launch the “Star of the Sea, Young Catholic Women’s Group”. Retrospectively when I think about it, Fr. Brian gave the name to the group, as he was most interested in encouraging, young women in particular to become proactive within the parish. The small committed group of committee members had great ideas for this potential development of a women’s group in the parish.We organised a variety of topics for talks, mostly but not exclusively delivered by women. Some speakers

were inspirational, others spiritual, some secular and we even had a fashion show. We held Spiritual Healing weekends, a story telling weekend in the Glens of Antrim, day trips to interesting venues, theatre outings and what was for me the highlight of the ten years since its’ inception, when the group had a most memorable trip to Áras an Uachtaráin and were invited to Christmas lunch with President Mary McAleese and her husband Martin. My fondest memory of that day was the look of astonishment and delight on Fr Brian’s face when outriders arrived to escort us through the Christmas Dublin traffic to meet the president. Just one month later Fr Brian was dead, but that memory for myself and the fifty women from Portstewart, was that we were privileged to be in the company of the President of Ireland and of a very holy man.Since Fr Brian’s passing the women’s group has struggled to maintain momentum, camaraderie and the spiritual dimension which I believe it enjoyed during those formative years. I believe that the prayer, which Fr Brian and the four women composed, encapsulated what we wanted for all the women in the parish. It is as necessary today as it was when we held that first meeting in the Parish Centre in

September 2002. If like me you believe that the need for the Women’s Group is as great today and wish it to continue, then please contact Maura Hickey Tel. 70832719 or Vera Graham Tel. 70836534.

Triangle Parishes Summer Scheme 2012The Triangle Parishes Projects Summer Scheme as the last event to be run by the project, ran from the 2nd – 6th July. Our team of dedicated volunteers had completed all preparations and were waiting for the kids to arrive. Everyone had the buzz of excitement that always goes along with the week of summer scheme as over eighty young people between the ages of 4 and 11 filtered into the parish centre for the beginning of the week. As always on the first morning of summer scheme there are a lot of anxious faces but within a half hour as games began, those faces are quickly replaced with the sheer energy that takes over the week. The theme for summer scheme this year was ‘Life’; the celebration of self, our gifts and talents, our family and friends, the nature around us and our relationship with God. Every day

activities were based around one of these themes. As the week proceeded everyone had an awesome time, the young people under our care were amazing and talented in so many ways and brought everyone involved much joy. I think it’s fair to say that we all deserved a good rest by Friday.The Triangle Parishes Project has run in our parish since 2005 with great success and support from many involved. It has been a joy to work for the project as a volunteer and leader for so many years. I’ve been through TPP from the beginning, my mother always supported and worked for it, my brothers and sisters have all been through it and I have made my closest friends through its programmes. The TPP has been a true blessing in not only my life but the life of many young people in our community and that of our parish.

For the summer scheme to be its final event was very fitting, as Jesus teaches; “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” (Luke 18:15-17)

Kerry Gottschalk, Youth Worker

PeaceWe talk about peace, pray for it, beg for it. We might even say ‘Give my head peace.’ In the political context peace has been referred to as a process. But, how much thought do we give to creating peace?I recall hearing a story once about a woman who sought peace. She found a quiet sunny spot in the park to spread out her rug, and lie down to meditate. Having composed herself her breathing became regular. The birds chirping in the background sounded melodic and peaceful.She became calmer, in harmony with the bird song, and she began to drift off. But soon she found that she couldn’t stay focused on her breathing, Instead of the melodic background, the birds began to squawk, and the more she tried to concentrate, the louder the squawking became.She jumped up and shooed the birds away. She lay back down and closed her eyes, but the moment she tried to meditate the racket started up again. Up she got again, this time flapping and waving her arms at them. They took flight, but again, the moment she lay down and closed her eyes, back came the birds. Next time she took a race at them, but that only worked for a few moments.Frustrated, she moved to another part of the park, but the story was the same. Every time she closed her eyes to meditate, the birds were back, squawking and screeching louder than ever, Eventually she gave up.Later on, she related the experience to a wise ‘guru’ who said, ‘but why didn’t you welcome the birds to join you?’

The woman was a bit confused about how she was supposed to issue the invitation to the birds since she didn’t speak their language.‘Ome emam alavala’ or words to that effect, said the guru. Translated it means, I surrender to the will of God.The next fine day the woman went back to the park, spread out her rug, lay down, but the whole rigmarole with the birds started up again. She closed her eyes and mentally surrendered to the will of God. Squawk, screech, chanted the birds. The louder the birds squawked, the louder and louder in her mind she chanted her affirmation of the will of God. Louder and faster in her mind she kept her chant up. So fast that she became mentally exhilarated. It was then she noticed the silence, but she never opened her eyes to see whether or not the birds had just shut up, or had got fed up hanging around, She was at peace.If we want to experience peace, we do not ask for it from others, but must start ourselves from a position of peace. Peace is not a process. Peace is a position.

Patricia Farren

Ryan and Abigail Doherty from Portstewart Primary. Ryan is in P5 and Abigail is in P7. But the mystery is, how did they get inside the snow bubble?

PrayerGod our heavenly Father, we praise and thank you for the love you show us through Christ your Son. You have called us to be your children, to serve you in the Church and in the world, to be women of faith, compassion and courage. By the power of your Holy Spirit, enlighten and help us support one another in bringing the Good News to others. Make us instruments of peace, healing and encouragement for a world so often marked by despair and division. Through the intercession of Mary, Star of the Sea, a woman of deep faith and tender love, inspire us to be witnesses for Christ, her Son, who is forever our Way, our Truth and our Life. AmenMary Our Mother, pray for us.

Guess who’s “living it up” with the kids?

Page 6. Page 5.

In The Year of Faith booklet just published, we are reminded that one of the principal calls of the Second Vatican Council was for Catholics to rebuild relationship with brothers and sisters in other churches. It goes on to say that on the one hand much progress has been made in terms of the healing of old wounds. However it has to be admitted that many Catholics still feel unprepared for the task of entering into meaningful conversation with people of other Christian confessions and denominations.Interchurch relationships in Portstewart have always been very good and in order to continue to maintain and build up a greater understanding of each other’s faith, a group was formed in 2004 made up of members from Church of Ireland, Methodist Church, Portstewart Presbyterian Church and St Mary’s Star of the Sea, under the name “The Portstewart Churches’ Friendship Group.” Its aim was to encourage social interaction, to have bible and faith study development, and to have open learning and discussion groupsThe group is involved in The Travelling Service on the 1st Sunday in January, Lenten bible study talks, Irish School of Ecumenics Lenten talks, Quiet day at Knocklayde or

Kilcranney House and the Nativity window and carol service on the promenadeThe group meets bi- monthly in each church hall on a rotating basis. In order to build upon what has already been done we are very keen to welcome new members with fresh ideas to our meetings, which are notified in the Sunday bulletin.

Portstewart Churches’ Friendship Group

Meditations on the Rosary

With Eugene Kelly

Oops!“Ladies don’t forget the

rummage sale. It’s a chance

to get rid of those things

not worth keeping around

the house. Don’t forget your husbands.”

Outside t he Chapel GatesChristmas Family Appeal

Dear Mum and Dad,

I have decided to write this letter, even though we have kept in touch via skype and e-mail since I left six months ago. It was difficult to leave home but as you know it was impossible to find work at home due to the recession and there was work on the other side of the world. I can’t say that I miss my friends since most of them are out here and we are planning a get together for Christmas but it’s not the same as being at home. I will miss the buzz of preparing for Christmas. Being in the Chapel early to get a seat for the singing of the

carols before the midnight mass always started the celebration of the spirit of Christmas for me. To see all those young people returning home for the festive season to be with their families was particularly emotional. It makes it all the harder knowing that I won’t be there this year. The giving and receiving of presents after mass always gave me a warm feeling of being special. On Christmas Day the warm feeling of being greeted with the smells of cooking turkey and seeing the table set for the long awaited dinner gave me a real sense of belonging. No turkey this year! But maybe a barbecue on the beach will be exciting and help

brighten up the day. I even miss the children’s mass with Father speaking to the children and getting them to share their presents with the baby Jesus in the crib. There was nearly always a toy that went missing. Most of all I will miss being with you and the rest of the family on this special day. I remember that you always set an extra place at the table for someone who had to be away from home at Christmas. Little did I realise that I would be the one who would have to be away. Give my love to all

Your loving son ...........

A Letter From Overseas

Links to a Saint!In October Pope Benedict presided over the canonisation of seven new saints. By coincidence one of them, Mother Marianne Cope who cared for lepers in Hawaii., has tenuous links to Star of the Sea in Portstewart. When Fr John Keenan from Hawaii was here for his annual holidays ,he asked us to pray for her canonisation as he worked in the same community that she served. Father John has close family links here in our parish with Sr Anne Mc Laughlin ,her sister Rita and brother Eddy.

As we have all been aware the traditional Family appeal on behalf of the Salvation army and the SVP has once again been very successful . Part of the fund raising was the jig and reels competition organised by the Bannshes dance group For the second year running it was won by our very own Rosanna Morelli and Father Raymond, (pictured here). Is there no stopping this indomitable pairing? Well done all. Let us continue the spirit of giving by supporting SVP in the new year.

Parishioner Kieran Hill has written a new booklet to aid devotion to the rosary. It is designed to offer a new way of understanding and praying the Mysteries of the Rosary. Each decade contains a specific meditation, which can be read through slowly and thoughtfully before reciting the prayers. In such a way is a deeper connection to and understanding of the Rosary Mysteries facilitated. Also included are the prayers traditionally said before and after the Rosary. .Kieran has taken inspiration from the Japanese form of poetry known as the haiku – where a single thought or meditation is expressed succinctly.The Rosary combines structured prayer with a meditative element for each Rosary mystery taking us on a journey from the Annunciation through the birth, life, ministry, passion, death and resurrection of Jesus.

Thomas a Kempis (‘Imitation of Christ’ fame) spoke of how we are ‘lifted up’ from earthly matters on two wings: simplicity and purity. Simplicity is turning in the direction of God whilst purity is God revealing Himself to us in some way. Kieran reminds us that the The Rosary has two wings. Praying the prayers is simplicity itself helping us to turn to God at any time or place and in any situation. Meditating on each mystery draws us closer to the purity of where God reveals Himself and where we can be ‘lifted up’. These Rosary meditations are offered as a fresh approach to achieving a more focused ‘ flight’.Meditations on the Rosary is published by Veritas, and is available the Repository at Star of the Sea.

Kieran Hill

Spare a thought for those who have to be away from home this Christmas, whatever the reason.

One Year OnThe liturgical changes were officially introduced at the beginning of Advent 2011. They are firmly established here in Portstewart. However there still seems to be differences from diocese to diocese. It is also easy to slip into giving the old responses in certain parts of the mass. It is only one year on and for those of us who remember,it took considerably longer for the changes brought about by Vatican 2 to become really established.

Purple-VioletAs we progress through the Liturgical year l appear on the orb of each issue of Stella Maris symbolising the ecclesiastical calendar. Advent, from the Latin “arrival” or “coming”, signifies a time when we focus on preparation through penance for the coming of Christ.

Why purple? The liturgical colour purple symbolises penance and humility and is used also in Lent. The Violet flower bows its head and is a symbol of humility.Watch also, how the Star of David on the magazine banner follows the different seasons in the ecclesiastical year.

The Travelling Service 2011

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The season got off to a great start when the Camogs beat Ardrahan of Galway in the All-Ireland final in a thriller in Croke Park (insert date) The score: 2-8 to 0-12. That capped a brilliant series of successive Derry, Ulster and All-Ireland titles. Six in all, in just two seasons. Unfortunately the Camogs relinquished all their titles following a Derry championship semi-final defeat to Ballinascreen. They just missed out on the Premier league title after losing in the final play-off to county champions Slaughtneil. A number of the Eoghan Rua players did however go on to achieve success at county level as Gráinne McGoldrick, Meabh McGoldrick, Maureen Heneghan, Maria Mooney and Megan Kerr were part of the Derry Intermediate All Ireland winning squad, defeating Galway in the final after a replay. Gráinne had the honour of captaining the Derry team which also won National League Division II and the Ulster Championship.

And not to let it all away with the Seniors, at county level a number of Eoghan Rua’s young Camogs tasted success. Forming the Derry panel that won the All Ireland Minor B Championship were Megan Kerr, Rosanna McAleese, Eilis McNamee and Clare Tracey.

Mixed Fortunes in a busy season for Eoghan RuaSports Update

In September pilgrims from Ballymoney and Coleraine joined others from Portstewart on the annual Legion of Mary pilgrimage to Knock. Introductions made, old and new acquaintances enjoyed the banter and craic, prayed the rosary and watched the countryside speed by on what was turning out to be a beautiful start to a wonderful day.Through Donegal and on to Bundoran, where we made our first stop. And then past ‘bare Ben Bulben’ through Sligo and on to Knock, where our bus joined countless others in the bus park. Knock is a beautifully serene and peaceful location. In the grounds of the shrine we visited the museum which tells the story of the apparition. From the Church of the Apparition, the Basilica, blessed by Pope John Paul in 1979, and the Adoration Chapel we proceeded to the gardens where we did the Stations of the Cross. Then we joined a huge throng of people queuing for confession in the beautiful Chapel of Reconciliation – an uplifting experience. We attended mass and received holy communion in the Basilica, during which priests moved through the congregation anointing pilgrims with holy oils. The singing of the choir during mass was outstanding. There were over five thousand pilgrims in the congregation, from all over Ireland, Scotland, Wales and England as well as many from further afield making it a truly amazing spiritual day.When it was time to leave we boarded our bus tired and

ready to relax after being on our feet for most of the day. On our way home several of our companions entertained us and shortened the journey with their songs. Once more we stopped for refreshments in Bundoran which, for some, included the inevitable fish’n chips. Home late but overjoyed and very blessed to have visited Knock in the company of great friends. Our thanks to the Legion for having organised it all. Maureen Mullan

Pilgrims to Knock

Iraqi Christians under SiegeRecently I had the opportunity to participate in a conference in Kirkuk, one of Iraq’s major cities. The conference discussed the theme of societies emerging from conflict. At the conference I met a member of the Kirkuk Provincial Council, a lady by the name of Sylvanna. She is the only Christian on the Council, the majority of whose members are Kurdish Muslims. The Council is responsible for many public services, including education and health, in one of the country’s most disputed areas. The rich oilfields of the area are one of the major sources of the disputes between the central government in Bagdad and the regional authorities in Kirkuk. However, Sylvanna‘s concerns are not so much with the ‘high politics’ of the region as ensuring that her fellow-Christians are fairly treated and their right to freedom of religion is upheld, especially as far as worship and education are concerned. Most of Iraq’s Christian communities trace their origins back to the very early years of the Church. Among those in union with Rome are Christians of the Chaldean, Syriac and Melkite traditions. Some speak Aramaic, the language Jesus spoke. Strange as it may seem there were

more than twice the number of Christians in Iraq before 2003, when Saddam Hussein was overthrown, than there are today. Then, there were well over one million Christians compared with today’s figure of approximately 400,000. While Saddam Hussein’s dictatorship has been replaced by democratically elected institutions, the forces unleashed since his overthrow have not all displayed tolerance to Iraq’s minorities, among them Christian communities that have lived in the region for centuries. From 2003 to May 2012, some 900 Christians were killed, while 200 were kidnapped, tortured and ultimately released for exorbitant ransoms. One of the worst atrocities against Christians occurred in October 2010 when 44 worshippers and two priests were killed in an attack on a Syriac Catholic church in Baghdad, an atrocity claimed by Al-Qaeda. Such attacks and frequent displays of intolerance towards Christian minorities have been the root cause of the exodus of so many of their members. Many have left to find refuge in neighbouring countries, in the USA, in the UK and elsewhere in Europe. Of those who have remained, many have congregated into their traditional areas,

especially areas in Kurdish controlled provinces. There they feel greater security in numbers. In one such area which we visited family homes display large crosses on balconies and doors to denote their Christian affiliation. Sylvanna and her party colleagues are doing their utmost to defend their community’s rights and they feel they are making some progress. At the next elections to the Provincial Council she is confident of improving her party’s representation by at least one, possibly two additional members. We pray they are successful and the right to freedom of religion will be fully respected as Iraq, like ourselves, struggles to achieve a full and lasting peace.

Seán Farren

Rosemary McElhill, President, and Sheila Conway of the local Praesidium of the Legion of Mary, who organised the pilgrimage to Knock.

Pope Benedict XV1 meets Iraqi Christians

First Came the Camogs

And then Came the HurlersAfter a difficult enough season Eoghan Rua’s senior hurlers ended their campaign on a high by winning the Derry reserve championship. They beat Lavey and Slaughtneil reserves on their way to grabbing the title with a 4-12 to 4-9 win over Na Magha in the final.

Followed by the FootballersEoghan Rua’s senior footballers were beaten by eventual finalists, Slaughtneil, in the first round of the Derry championship. They beat Glen fairly comfortably in the first round qualifiers before losing narrowly to Dungiven in the last twelve. In a season that has seen a number of experienced players plagued by injury, both short and long term, the senior footballers finished in a solid mid-table position in Division 1. For the second year in a row, Eoghan Rua’s senior footballers took part in the Kilmacud 7’s football tournament in Dublin. They were narrowly beaten at the semi-final stage by the eventual winners, sevens specialists St Galls from Belfast.

Eoghan Rua’s ‘veteran’ footballers did come up trumps however as earlier in the season they annexed the Nobby McLaughlin Cup, the Magilligan club’s annual competition for ‘Over 35’s’.The highlight of a wide range of under-age activity for the club was the Under-18 footballers winning the Derry ‘B’ league when they beat Loup in a thrilling play-off final. That was a small measure of revenge for the footballers as they had lost out to Loup in the county ‘B’ championship final. Late in the season there was success for Eoghan Rua’s Under-13 footballers when they beat Glenullin in the final of the Elite Performance & Fitness sponsored ‘B’ final.

For the first time Eoghan Rua competed at a competitive level in Ladies football, entering Under-12 and Under-14 teams in county competitions. Both the Under -12 and Under-14 girls played in Croke Park. Not bad for your first season in competitive action! The girls also travelled to Monaghan where they played a challenge match with Doohamlet and met the Monaghan County senior team. An indication of the progress being made in their debut season seen Brenda Grant playing in midfield for Derry in the LGFA Under 14 inter county blitz and championship.

Kevin Mullan

And the Girls are Back

Minor footballers winners of Derry ‘B’ League

It has been a season of mixed fortunes for Eoghan Rua GAC. Going from the high of the senior Camogie team retaining their All-Ireland Intermediate title, to the low of an agonising Derry senior football championship defeat in the second round of the qualifiers. Around all of that there has been a whole range of activities, both on and off the field. Play that has kept members and supporters busy and well entertained throughout the past year.

Page 8.

Eoghan Rua camogs Maria Mooney, Meabh McGoldrick, Grainne McGoldrick (captain), Megan Kerr members of All-Ireland winning Derry team

St. Colum’s Primary School Art competition

Page 9.

1st Prize - Anna Campbell (centre) 2nd prize - Lucy Shields (left) 3rd prize - Caoilinn Egan (right)

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This competition has now become firmly established within the school and as a feature in every issue of the Stella Maris magazine.Leading up to this very special time of year it was the turn of the P.4 class to express their imaginative ideas and create their view of how the ‘First Christmas’ may have looked. The results were really interesting and varied and, as always, it proved very difficult to judge winners from the group. However the three pictures that were eventually selected showed a great deal of individual flair and skill as can be seen from the accompanying photographs. The whole class seems to have enjoyed the competition and I look forward to returning to them in P.7 to see how their art-work has progressed.Our thanks to the staff of St. Colum’s, in particular class-teacher Mr. Shaw, for finding the time to fit this in to their busy teaching days.

Allan Offord