OPENING UP TO THE GRACE
OF FORGIVENESS
(An Exercise)
Make yourself comfortable and get away from any distractions.
Let yourself be guided by the imagery. Take some time
to go inside yourself and connect with your symbolic
and sacred world. Close your eyes if this helps.
You are in a field of flowers bathed in sunshine.
Take time to contemplate the scenery and taste the
freshness of the surroundings.
In the distance, you see a house surrounded by an
unusual light. You head towards it. You discover a
stone staircase leading down into a basement. One
by one, you walk down the seven steps. There in front
of you stands a thick oak door with finely sculpted,
graceful motifs. Your curiosity overtakes you; you
push the door open and walk through it. You find yourself
in a room lit up by a strange glow. To your great
surprise, you see a double of yourself tied to a chair.
Take time to closely examine the bindings. Which parts
of your body are bound? What sorts of bindings are
holding them down? What are your bindings made of?
You are starting to realise how the offence you have
suffered is tying you down. Gradually, you become
aware that it really is you over there, bound to that
chair. You go inside yourself so that you are now
one with the person who is tied up.
Then you realise that you are not alone in the room;
you sense the presence of a powerful being. You recognise
Jesus. He asks you: "Do you want me to help you
release yourself?" Surprised by his offer you
ask: "Do I really want to be released?"
"What shall I become without my chains?"
"Will I be able to tolerate this new state of
freedom?" "What advantages are there to
me if I stay a prisoner?" Take a few moments
to discuss these important questions.
If you want to be released, tell Jesus. Tell him
about what's holding you down and preventing you from
forgiving your offender. As you gradually identify
each of the obstacles to forgiveness, watch Jesus
as he slowly undoes your bindings. Each time some
part of your body is released, stop to savour the
relief your new-found freedom offers.
As the bindings are gradually untied, let harmony,
serenity and peace overtake your whole being.
In this state of grace, where you feel empowered
by divine love, watch the person who offended you
come towards you. Can you begin to recognise that
something has changed in you? Look carefully into
this person's eyes. Do you feel you can say to him
in all honesty: "I forgive you"? If yes,
do so. If not, come back within yourself and ask yourself
which of your ties are still holding you down. You
can resume the dialogue with Jesus to ask him if he
could release you from these last few obstacles to
forgiveness. Or, you can stop here and resume this
guided imagery exercise later, so you can journey
farther down the path of forgiveness. The day will
come when, to your surprise, forgiveness will flow
like a stream from your heart.
If you were able to release all your bindings, ask
yourself what you will do with them in the future.
They may serve as symbols, reminding you of the valuable
lessons you have just drawn from this experience.
How will you now go about celebrating your freedom?
When you feel you are ready, get up and leave the
room. Open the oak door and walk up the seven stairs
to the light of day. Little by little, reconnect with
the outside world. Become aware of the sounds. Open
your eyes. You feel calm, relaxed, fresh and alert.
PRAYER GROUP
The contemplative prayer group will meet on Monday
evening at 8.15pm in the Parochial House. Newcomers
very welcome. This is an opportunity to experiment
with a new form of prayer, especially if you find
that your present methods are unsatisfactory.
COLLECTION
We acknowledge last Sunday’s collection of
£1634.00 and Diocesan Purposes Collection of
£500.00. Many thanks.
DEATHS
We offer our deepest sympathy to the family and friends
of:
Jim Early, Mourne Avenue.
Dessie Maguire, Laurel Drive.
Kathleen Lynch, Barrack Street. May
they rest in peace.
ANNIVERSARIES
Michael Porter, Owen Gallagher, Cassie
Gallagher, Susie McHugh,
Edward McDevitt, Paddy McCrossan, Liam Maguire, John
Barr,
Hugh Devine(Jnr), Tony O'Goan, Noel Parke, Annie Kirk,
Sarah Furey, Michael Furey, John Gallagher, Annie
Diver, Tommy Diver,
Mary Doherty, John(Bunny)Nelson, Rachel McElwee, Richard
Porter.
PRAY FOR PRIESTS
Last year 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. Peter Deeney CC, 1st June.
Fr. Robert Devine Adm, Killygordon, 2nd June.
Fr. Brendan Devlin, Retired, 3rd June.
Fr. Kieran Devlin PP, Gortin, 4th June.
Fr. Peter Devlin CC, Clonmany, 5th June.
Fr. Fintan Diggan PP, Clonmany, 6th June.
Fr. Brendan Doherty PP, Kilrea, 7th June.
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BLESSING OF GRAVES
The Annual Ceremony of the Blessing of the Graves
will take place in this parish on Sunday 15th June
at 3.00pm.
PARISH DRAW
The Draw for the month of June will take place on
Thursday 26th June at 2.30pm in the parish office.
We would ask all our promoters to bring their returns
to the parish office on or before Monday 23rd June.
PAYMENTS BY CHEQUE
The Bank have reminded us that all payments made
to the parish by cheque (for Parish Savings, Parish
Draw, Sunday and Special Collections etc.) must be
made payable to Church of the Immaculate Conception.
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.
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PADRE
PIO MASS
The Padre Pio Mass will take
place in the Church on Wednesday 4th June at
7.00pm. Rosary at 6.45pm.
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SION MILLS INDOOR MARKET
Something a little bit different for Sion Mills.
. . Indoor Market this Sunday 1st June in St. Theresa's
Parish Hall, Sion Mills from 2.pm - 5.pm. A myriad
of items on sale including books, DVDs, games, jewellery,
handbags, cosmetics, household items, clothes, home
baking and much more. Why not relax and take a break
with a hot drink and try out our fresh crepes in our
authentic French-inspired creperie!!!
LOURDES 2008
The next meeting of the Lourdes group will take place
on Wednesday 4th June in The Den 7.30pm - 8.30pm.
Any queries contact G.McBrearty, telephone no. 02871884029.
N.W.T.P.A. wish to thank everyone who supported the
recent Charity Dance in St. Patrick's Hall. We raised
£2450.00 for two charities, the Oncology Unit
in Altnagelvin Hospital and White Oaks Rehabilitation
Centre in Derry.
ANNUAL OUTING
N.W.T.P.A. annual outing will be to Enniskillen on
Saturday 28th June. Cost £20.00, trip and meal
only. There will be an optional trip to Devenish Island
at a cost of £7.00 per head. This trip will
last approx. 2hrs. We require numbers as soon as possible
to confirm boat bookings so please contact Maura Coyle
on 02881658440.
PILGRIMAGE TO MEDJUGORJE AND
ROME
Three nights in Medjugorje bed & breakfast &
evening meal. One night on ferry including evening
meal. Four nights in Rome bed & breakfast. Flying
from Knock Airport, return Belfast International Airport.
Departs Saturday 4th October 2008, return Sunday 12th
October 2008. All inclusive price £699. For
further information contact Martina O'Neill at 02871358519.
KNOCK SUMMER YOUTH FESTIVAL
Living life to the full? Looking for something more?
This is what you're looking for! Time out for you.
. . Knock Summer Youth Festival July 24th - 27th,
Our Lady's Shrine, Knock, Co. Mayo, 18-35 years. For
more information and to book your place contact (094)
9388100/0876927850 or check out www.knock-shrine.ie/youthministry
CONGRATULATIONS
Congratulations to the boys and girls
who made their First Holy Communion on Saturday and
also to their parents, families, teachers and school
Principals.
PARTICIPATION AT MASS.
Our Eucharist (Mass) is not something static. The
congregation are not spectators, while the priest
leads the assembly in prayer. Both priest and people
are participants in the love of Jesus for his Father
through the power of the Holy Spirit, actively involved
in worship. In prayer we do not only use our minds
and hearts, we also use our bodies which house the
Indwelling God. The liturgical norms for Mass recommend
that the congregation stand, kneel and sit at various
times. In an attempt to further participation at Mass
the congregation have been asked to stand at three
times when they would normally be kneeling.
1. At the start of Mass until the conclusion of the
Opening Prayer.
2. During the Preface (the prayer before the Holy
Holy Holy).
3. For the Concluding Prayer.
This has been going on for the past number of weeks
and has been well received by the congregation. Some
have commented how it singles out special moments
in the Mass and helps to focus attention. This practice
is widespread on the continent and in many parts of
Ireland. It is hoped that these new measures will
assist people to become more actively involved in
worship and deepen the sense of participation. Obviously
it goes without saying that anyone who finds standing
difficult for any reason whatever should sit without
hesitation or worry or any sense of embarrassment.
The old maxim for prayer holds true here " pray
as you can, not as you can't ''.
ST. PATRICK’S HALL
Bingo and Lucky 4 Draw as usual this
Thursday.
All our patrons are very welcome.
LUCKY 4 DRAW
Next Week's Lucky 4 Jackpot is £2100.00
PRAYER CORNER
PARENTS
When asked about Jesus' injunction to
his disciples to hate their parents,
the Master said, ''You will rarely
find a greater enemy than a parent.''
And he told how he once met a woman
at the supermarket pushing a pram
with two little boys in it.
"What cute little kids you have,"
said the Master. ''How old are they?
''The doctor ,'' said the lady, ''is three
and the lawyer is two.''
FOR THE BREAK-UP OF A RELATIONSHIP
Now you endeavour
To gather yourself
And withdraw in slow
Animal-woundedness
From love turned sour and ungentle.
When we love, the depth in us
Thrusts itself forward until
The empty space between
Becomes gradually woven
Into an embrace where longing
Can close its weary eyes.
Love can seldom end clean;
For all the tissue is torn
And each lover turned stranger
Is dropped into a ruin of distance
Where emptiness is young and fierce.
Time becomes strange and slipshod;
It mixes memories that felt
The kiss of the eternal
With the blistering hurt of now.
Unknown to themselves,
Certain small things
Touch nerve-lines to the heart
And bring back with colour and force
All that is utterly lost.
This is the time to be slow,
Lie low to the wall
Until the bitter weather passes.
Try, as best you can, not to let,
The wire brush of doubt
Scrape from your heart
All sense of yourself
And your hesitant light.
If you remain generous,
Time will come good;
And you will find your feet
Again on fresh pastures of promise,
Where the air will be kind
And blushed with beginning.
