OUR DIVIDED, BROKEN WORLD
We are living in an incredibly beautiful
and exciting time. So many discoveries have been made
and continue to be made.
More people have access to education and medical
care, to new technologies and new forms of communication
than at any time in the history of our world. Yet
we are also living in a terribly painful time. It
is as if we are on the verge of universal peace or
universal destruction.
In the hearts of many people
there is a growing sense of the value and importance
of each person, whatever their culture, religion,
abilities or disabilities.
Yet, hugh divisions and fear remain
as new chemical and biological weapons are being developed,
and wars and genocides take their ever more horrible
tolls.
A global economy is emerging
where competition and rivalry are encouraged,
where the gap between rich and poor countries,
or the rich and poor within each country,
increases at an alarming rate.
These are the seeds of new conflicts.
Yet at the same time, there are also precious seeds
of peace.
In this passage from the gospel of John,
the beloved disciple is going to lead us
to the ultimate desire of Jesus: to bring peace.
It is a peace that will flow from his death
but also from and through death to cultural success
and power.
In order for peace to come in our
world,
don't we all have to come out from behind the walls
we have created around our hearts
and around the groups we belong to,
to discover the beauty and gifts of those who are
different and, together, discover our common humanity?
Jesus, king of peace
Jesus enters Jerusalem
just a few days after raising Lazarus from the dead
in Bethany, a few miles from Jerusalem.
This caused a great stir.
Many people were beginning to believe that Jesus was
the Messiah.
When word got around that he was approaching Jerusalem,
a crowd gathered and, waving branches of palm trees,
they welcomed and acclaimed him:
"Hosanna! Blessed is the
one who comes
in the name of the Lord -
the King of Israel!"
Excitement in the air.
Maybe some people feel that they are on a verge of
a liberation
from the power of the Romans.
Jesus finds a young donkey.
He does not enter Jerusalem triumphantly,
powerfully, in a chariot or on a horse,
but on a baby donkey.
The crowd calls him king
but he is not a worldly king;
he is a king of another world, the inner world of
love;
he is a humble king with no desire to exercise temporal
power.
He has come to lead us into an era of peace.
Jean Vanier.
Fr. Boland would like to thank all those who
sent get well cards or who phoned during his recent
bout of sickness. A particular thanks to Bishop Lagan,
Fr. Michael Doherty, Fr. Paul Farren, Fr. Pat O'Hagan
and Sisters Carmel and Benedict for their support
and help. He is now fully recovered and rearing to
go!!
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
£2364.00. Many thanks.
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. Charles Keaney PP, Coleraine, 2nd March.
Fr. Stephen Kearney, Limavady, 3rd March.
Fr. Lawrence Keaveny, Deceased, 4th March.
Fr. Michael Keaveny CC, Faughanvale, 5th March.
Fr. Seamus Kelly PPVF, Culmore, 6th March.
Fr. Edward Kilpatrick PP, Lifford, 7th March.
Most Rev. Francis Lagan, 8th March
LENTEN PROGRAMME 2008
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 12.00noon
Stations of the Cross:- Wednesday
6.45pm and Friday 2.00pm
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.
PADRE PIO MASS
The Padre Pio Mass will take place in the Church
on Wednesday 5th March at 7.00pm. Stations of the
Cross at 6.45pm.
DEATHS
We offer our deepest sympathy to the family and friends
of
Mary Doherty, Lower Main Street,
Michael Murray, Omagh and
Christine Wheeler formerly Babs McGettigan
of Curley Hill, who died during the week.
May they rest in peace.
ANNIVERSARIES
Catherine(Kitty)Madden, Teresa Logue, Michael Connolly,
Josie Harkin,
Thomas Moore, Sadie McGowan, Ann Friel, Charlie McGowan,
Edward McDevitt, Annie Hegarty, Ellen McDevitt, James
McHugh,
Edmund Connolly, Alice Boggs, Robert Connolly, Mary
O'Kane,
John O'Brien, Jim Wilson, Kathleen O'Brien, Katheen
McDaid,
Mary Coyle, Una Christy, Eugene McNulty, Sarah Connolly.
DONATIONS TOWARDS STORM GLAZING
AND PA SYSTEM
We very gratefully acknowledge all
the donations we have recently received towards the
storm glazing of the stained glass windows in the
church and the PA system:-
£500.00, £200.00, £150.00
Total donated to date:- £6967.00.
Thank you for your continuing support.
PARISH DRAW
The winners of the Draw for the month of February
are:
£50.00 Frances Jack
£50.00 Olivia O'Kane
£50.00 Sadie Gallagher
£100.00 Agnes & Rose Devenney
£100.00 Mary Hegarty
£100.00 Tommy & Sadie McCrossan
£100.00 Josie & Hugh Doherty
£100.00 Margaret Gallagher
£200.00 Anne Caldwell
£1000.00 Kathlleen Graham
REMEMBERING OUR BABIES AND
CHILDREN
(Miscarriage, Neonatal Death, Stillbirth,
Infant Death).
As a tribute to those who have died and to their
parents, families and friends, a Remembrance Service
will be held in the Clinical Education Centre, Altnagelvin
Area Hospital on Sunday 9th March at 3.00pm For information
please contact 028 71345171 (Ext 3235).
SEAN MULRINE PILGRIMAGES 2008
Rome: 7 nights, 17th March.
Rome, Assisi, San Giovanni: 7 nights, 6th June.
Cattolica, San Giovanni: 15 nights, 15th July.
San Giovanni, Sorrento: 7 nights, 3rd October.
For further details contact Sean Mulrine
at 028712659926.
TIME TO PRAY DAY
On the first Sunday of each month Thornhill Centre
is open from 3.00pm - 6.00pm for those who wish to
come and pray in the beauty and quiet of the house.
Evening prayer of the Church is celebrated at 5.30pm.
'Prayers for Mothers' will be part of this Sunday's
time. Everyone is welcome.
WOMENS' WORLD DAY OF PRAYER
Womans' World Day of Prayer will
take place on 7th March in the Church of the Immaculate
Conception at 8.15pm. Guest Speaker is Mrs Marie Lindsay.
Everyone is welcome.
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 Savings, Parish
Draw, Sunday and Special Collections etc.) must be
made payable to Church of the Immaculate Conception.
SHRINES OF FRANCE/LOURDES
The next meeting for the above pilgrimages will take
place on Wednesday 5th March in The Den between 7.30pm
and 8.30pm. For further information contact G McBrearty,
02871884029.
MOUNT MELLERAY GROTTO
A bus will leave from Barrack Street car park, Strabane
on Saturday 24th May at 1.00pm for an all night vigil
at the grotto. Breakfast at 7.00am in The Pilgrim's
Rest Hotel. Mass at 10.00am in the Abbey. Price £20.00.
Payments before Monday 10th March. Contact Jonathon
McGhee on 07881510043.
SIX DAY SILENT HEALING RETREAT
Fr. Joseph K. Bill V.C. 6 Day Silent
Healing Retreat. Knock 6th - 12th April, Newry 11th
- 17th May. Contact 0866175162 or 02825892600.
STRABANE FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY
The next meeting of the Strabane
Family History Society will be on Thursday 13th March
in the Local Library Abercorn Square at 7.30pm. Please
note earlier date and time for this meeting. Members
are reminded of the proposed trip to the Public Records
Office Belfast on Thursday 6th March bus leaving Bus
Station at 9.45am.
ST. PATRICK’S HALL
Bingo and Lucky 4 Draw as usual this
Thursday.
All our patrons are very welcome.
LUCKY 4 DRAW
There were 3 match 3 winners in last
week's Lucky 4 Draw
John Conway
Pauline Casey
Mrs Gallagher
The numbers drawn were:
3, 9, 10, 13
Next Week's Lucky 4 Jackpot is £1850.00
BRASSED OFF
As part of their 60th anniversary celebrations St.
Joseph's Brass Band are presenting the staged adaptation
of the acclaimed film in the Alley Theatre on Tuesday
4th and Wednesday 5th March at 8.00pm nightly. Tickets
are available from the theatre Box Office, telephone
02871384444 and are priced at £8.00 and £6.00
concessionary.
STRABANE SIGERSONS G.A.A.
The Club's Senior footballers will play their first
game of the season at home to Gortin this Sunday 2nd
March in the O'Neill's Sportswear sponsored O'Nolan
Cup. Throw-in time is fixed for 1.00pm.
Sigersons Ladies will be holding a Flag Day in the
town on Easter Saturday and are appealing to everyone
for their support. Coaching for many of the Club teams
(male and female) is now underway, for further details
check the local press or visit the club website at
www.strabanegaa.org
Club Membership Fees for 2008 are now due for renewal
and can be paid to Aidan McGrath, Cha Stewart or left
at the Social Club.
PRAYER CORNER
THE NEW YEAR
Ever Faithful God
in this new year I pray:
to live deeply with purpose,
to live freely, with detachment,
to live wisely, with humility,
to live justly with compassion,
to live lovingly with fidelity,
to live mindfully with awareness,
to live gratefully with generosity,
to live fully, with enthusiasm.
Help me to hold this vision
and to daily renew it in my heart,
becoming ever more one with you,
my truest Self.
I ARISE IN THE NEW YEAR
I arise with amazement at the presence
of the Holy One.
I arise with gratitude for life.
I arise with hope that all shall be well.
I arise with courage to meet what will be difficult.
I arise with conviction to do what is life-giving.
I arise with eyes ever alert for beauty.
I arise with openness to greater truth.
I arise with desire for continued transformation.
I arise with compassion for the hurting ones in the
cosmos.
I arise with grief still settled in my spirit.
I arise with a sense of kinship with all whom I love.
I arise with determination to make good choices in
using my time.
I arise with willingness to help those who will need
my care.
I arise with hesitation as I think about the pain
that may come.
I arise with longing for ever greater inner freedom.
I arise with happiness, knowing that I am invited
to live life more fully.
I arise with love for the Holy One, my Intimate Companion.
Compassionate God and faithful Friend,
thank you for the opportunity to walk into another
year of life. Help me to be faithful, to be generous,
to be yours.
PSALM 71
In You, O my Beloved, do I take refuge;
Let me never feel separated from You!
In your compassion come and refresh me;
listen to my cry,
answer my plea!
Be to me a rock, a tower of strength,
a strong arm to uphold me,
as I abandon myself into your hands.
Be a very Presence to me as fear grips
me.
For You, O Friend, are my hope,
my strength, since I was but a child.
Upon you have I trusted from my birth,
You, whom I knew before my mother's womb.
I continually sing praises to you.
I have been a burden to many;
In you alone will I trust.
I am filled with gratitude and
sing your praises all the day.
Do not abandon me in my old age;
desert me not when my strength is
spent, or
when my mind plays tricks with me.
For fears rise up to confuse me,
doubts and forgetfulness
band together,
And say,"the Beloved no longer dwells with you;
there is no one to stand by you."
O Friend be not far from me;
O Beloved come and enfold me
in your Presence!
Help me to release my fears.
Hear my prayer that they may be transformed,
O You, who are my Counsellor.
As I surrender myself into your hands,
I praise you more and more.
I tell others of your goodness
of your compassion and grace
all the day;
for your glory is beyond my understanding.
As I grow in inner peace and serenity,
I sing songs of praise,
to You my Friend!
You who have done wondrous things.
O Beloved, who is like You?
You who have seen me through many fears,
strengthen me again:
From the depth of despair
You renew my spirit,
You increase my trust, and You comfort me.
Blessed be the Beloved, who dwells
in all hearts!
