THE FASTING THAT IS PLEASING TO GOD
Fasting has always been associated with Lent. However,
when we hear the word 'fast' we automatically think
of fasting from food. But there is another kind of
fasting - fasting from wrongdoing.
At the time Isaiah was writing, fasting in the ordinary
sense was taken seriously by God's people. Fasting
is meant to be an outward sign of something that is
happening inside a person. Unfortunately their fasting
was just an outward show of religiosity. In reality
their hearts were turned away from God.
Even so, they complained that God took no notice of
their fasting. Isaiah told them why God took no notice
of their fasting. It was because even as they fasted,
they went on doing business on holy days, oppressing
their workers, quarrelling and squabbling with one
another, and exploiting the poor. That kind of fasting
was totally ineffective from a spiritual point of
view.
Then he went on to tell them the kind of fasting
that was pleasing to God. He told them to fast from
any form of wrongdoing against their neighbour. For
instance, they should stop exploiting their workers
and oppressing the poor.
True repentance involves ceasing to do evil. But
it also involves doing good - living what is at the
heart of religion: love, compassion, and justice.
Hence, the prophet went on to tell them that they
should feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, and
clothe the naked.
All this has great relevance for
us. Most of us undertake some penance for Lent. This
is a good and worthwhile practice. However, penance
is not an end in itself. The object of penance is,
firstly, to help us reform a sinful way of life, and
secondly, to make us more just and more compassionate
in our dealings with others.
PRAYER GROUP
The contemplative prayer group will
meet on Monday evening at 8.15pm in the Parochial
House. Newcomers welcome.
ANNIVERSARIES
Sarah Mullen, Una Christy,
Sarah Connolly, Mary O'Kane,
Ellen McDevitt, Annie Hegarty,
Edward McDevitt, Alice Duffy,
Alice Boggs, Michael Connolly,
Freddie Boggs, Charlie Breslin,
Michael Devine, Sadie McGowan,
David Devine, Charlie McGowan,
Thomas Moore, Babs Wheeler,
Lizzie Devlin, Mary Coyle,
Eugene McNulty, Edmund Connolly,
Jim McHugh Robert Connolly.
PADRE PIO MASS
The Padre Pio Mass will take place
in the church on Wednesday 4 March at 7.00pm. Stations
of the Cross at 6.45pm.
PARISH DRAW
The winners of the Parish Draw for
the month of February are:
£1000.00 Mickey Shiels
(Grandchildren) 540
Promoter Fr. Boland
£300.00 Geraldine O'Neill 977
Promoter Patricia McCrossan
£200.00 Marie McConnell 606
Promoter Mary & Danny O'Hagan
£100.00 Philomena McGarrigle
816
Promoter Mary Christy
£100.00 Aoife Glenn 818
Promoter Mary Christy
£100.00 Doreen Diver 709
Promoter Doreen Diver
£100.00 Columba Burns 245
Promoter Anne Mullen
£100.00 Ann McGowan 692
Promoter Fr. Boland
PRAY FOR PRIESTS
The diocese published a prayer card
with the names of all the Derry diocesan priests.
Many of you have these cards and every day a specific
priest is named.
This week we ask you to pray for:
Fr. John Irwin, Waterside, 1 March
Fr. Charles Keaney PP, Coleraine, 2 March
Fr. Stephen Kearney PP, Newtownstewart, 3 March
Fr. Lawrence Keaveny, Deceased, 4 March
Fr. Michael Keaveney CC, Faughanvale, 5 March
Fr. Seamus Kelly PPVF, Culmore, 6 March
Fr. Edward Kilpatrick PP, Lifford, 7 March
HOST FAMILIES REQUIRED
Have you 3 weeks to spare in July? Chernobyl children's
aid needs you. Could you give a Chernobyl child a
recuperating holiday? This can be one of the most
rewarding experiences. Weekly activities are organised
and translators are available at all times. Taking
a child out of a contaminated area for just one week
can boost their immune system up to one year. Contact
Dominic on 02871 383523 or 07980092493.
LENTEN PROGRAMME 2009
Masses:- Monday 7.00am 10.00am
Tuesday 7.00am 10.00am
Wednesday 7.00am 7.00pm
Thursday 7.00am 10.00am
Friday 7.00am 10.00am
Saturday 10.00am 6.30pm
Sunday 10.00am 12.00 noon
Stations of the Cross:- Wednesday
6.45pm and Friday 6.00pm
Eucharistic Healing Service:-
Every Sunday during Lent at 6.00pm. This takes place
before the Blessed Sacrament and we pray for the healing
of hurts, wounds, depressions, traumas and difficulties
of every kind, emotional or physical.
Exposition of the Blessed
Sacrament:- This takes place all day in the
Adoration Chapel (Oasis of Peace). The Adoration Chapel
is situated at the back of the church.
Book of Petitions:- This
book is situated near the Padre Pio statue and you
are invited to write all your prayers and special
requests in the book. These requests are remembered
at all Masses in the church.
SUNDAY READINGS
Thornhill Centre is holding Scripture evenings beginning
Wednesday 4 March from 8.00pm - 9.30pm. The course
will give participants some background on the Liturgy
of the Word for the Sundays of Lent. A donation of
£2.00 per evening is suggested. For details,
ring 71351233.
CARMELITE RETREAT CENTRE
A one day retreat for Senior Citizens
and their friends from Donegal and surrounding areas.
will take place at the Carmelite Retreat Centre, Termonbacca,
Derry on Wednesday 4 March. Registration from 10.30am
finishing around 5.00pm. Cost £15stg or €18
Euro includes a four course lunch. Payment at the
Centre on the day. To book Tel: Termonbacca, Derry
71262512 during office hours only.
WOMENS WORLD DAY OF PRAYER SERVICE
This year's Service will be held on
Friday 6 March in the Church of Ireland Hall, Bowling
Green, Strabane.
This year's theme is 'In Christ There
Are Many Members Yet One Body'. Prepared by the Christian
Women of Papua, New Guinea.
ST. PATRICK’S HALL
Bingo and Lucky 4 Draw as usual this
Thursday.
All our patrons are very welcome.
Bingo Snowball £2500.00
LUCKY 4 DRAW
There were 4 match 3 winners in last
week's Draw
Eileen Cairns
Kevin Melaugh
Helen Dunne
Marie McNulty
The numbers drawn were:
6, 10, 20, 21
Next Week's Lucky 4 Jackpot is £975.00
CEILI
There will be a Ceili in St. Patrick's
Hall on Sunday 1 March. Dancing 8.00pm - 11.00pm.
Music by Gallagher & Logue. Admission £5.00
includes supper.
STRICTLY COME DANCING
We are organising a 'Come
Dancing' competition to start in early March.
If you are interested in taking part there will be
lessons one night per week for six weeks. For further
details contact Raymond Kirk on 02871 382452 or Brian
McCallion on 02871 882483.
All proceeds will be divided between the Foyle Hospice
and Strabane Parish.
NOTICES FOR PARISH BULLETIN
In order to facilitate printing we
ask that all notices and anniversaries for the parish
bulletin are either given to the sacristan or left
at the parish office by Wednesday morning at the latest.
PAYMENTS BY CHEQUE
The Bank have reminded us that all
payments made to the parish by cheque (for Parish
Draw, Sunday and Special Collections etc.) must be
made payable to Church of the Immaculate Conception.
PRAYER CORNER
SPEAKING TO MARY
Mary, you have been there before me,
weary and worn out from the long vigil,
saddened by the pain of your loved one,
heartbroken over what you could not change.
Your valiant stance beneath the cross
tells me of your unceasing love.
Long years of unfailing faith upheld you.
Kind friends by your side sustained you.
I, too, am standing with a loved one
who hangs upon the cross of suffering.
I, too, am powerless to help.
Teach me how to stand beneath this cross.
Woman of Compassion, Mother of Sorrows,
I draw inspiration from your journey.
I, too, can move through the pain of my present situation.
Your faith and courage lead me to my own.
STRENGTH TO ENDURE
Enduring Love,
now is the time
for me to stand strong,
to remain vigilant,
to stay with the pain,
to continue to be present.
Giver of Strength,
firm up the wobbly legs
of my faltering faith,
reinforce my trust in you.
Intensify my ability
to not give up.
With your grace
I can remain faithful.
No matter how powerless
or hopeless I might feel,
I can be a compassionate presence
as I stand beneath the cross.
Guardian of the Wounded, wrap me in
your embrace,
Hold me close to your heart and assure me of your
love. Protect my sore spirit. Ease the pain it holds.
Like the leper I beg for healing and deliverance from
the emotional drain and the unending sadness that
the losses of life have brought me.
Let peace return.
Let hope begin.
Let comfort be mine.
BE ALERT AND ALIVE
"Some people claim here is no
life after death,"
said a disciple.
"Do they?" said the Master
noncommittally.
"Wouldn't it be awful to die
- and never again see or hear or love or move?"
"You find that awful?" said
the Master. "But that's how must people are even
before they die."
LIVE FOR TODAY
A disciple decided to be more personal
and direct.
"Do you believe in life after
death?" she asked.
"Strange that you should be so
stuck to that topic!"
said the Master.
"Why would you think it strange?"
"Here you have this glorious
day in front of you,"
said the Master pointing to the window.
Like a child who refuses to eat today because he
does not know what tomorrow will bring.
You're starving. Eat your daily bread!"
SLEEPWALKING
"Congratulate me!"
"Why?"
"At last I've found a job that
offers
excellent prospects for advancement."
Said the Master sombrely, "You
were a
sleepwalker yesterday. You are sleepwalking today.
You will sleepwalk till the day you die.
"What sort of advancement is that?"
"It was a financial advancement
I was
talking about, not spiritual advancement."
"Ah! I see. A sleepwalker with
a bank account
that he isn't awake to enjoy!"
WAKE UP!
Enlightenment, said the Master when
asked about it, is an awakening.
"Right now you are asleep and do not know it."
Then he went on to tell them of the
recently
married woman who complained
about her husband's drinking habits.
"If you knew he drank,
why did you marry him?" she was asked.
"I had no idea he drank,"
said the girl,
"till one night he came home sober!"
