ALL SAINTS
On All Saints day we remember the men and women who
down through time have witness to the faith. They
often worked in difficult circumstances but through
perseverance and trust they won through. We remember
them on All Saints day, not just those canonised by
the Church but the many humble men and women in our
own locations who, by their example and witness, were
heroic witnesses to their faith. The spirit that encouraged
them is available to us in our day. It is our challenge
in our time no matter what the difficulties and setbacks
to give similar witness. In doing so we hand on the
faith to a new generation. It is the greatest gift
we can give to them.
ALL SOULS
(The Meaning Of Intercession for the Dead)
The Just encounter God in death. He calls them to
Himself so as to share eternal life with them. No
one, however, can be received into God's friendship
and intimacy without having been purified of the consequences
of personal sin. The Church gives the name Purgatory
to this final purification. The custom of prayer for
the souls of the faithful departed is an urgent supplication
of God to have mercy on the souls of the dead, to
purify them by the fire of His charity, and to bring
them to His kingdom of light and life.
This intercession is an expression of faith in the
communion of saints. Indeed the Church in its pilgrim
members, from the very earliest days of the Christian
religion, has honoured with great respect the memory
of the dead; and because it is a holy and wholesome
thought to pray for the dead that they may be loosed
from their sins, she offers her prayers for them.
These consist primarily, in the celebration of the
holy sacrifice of the Eucharist and in other spiritual
exercises such as prayers for the dead, alms deeds,
works of mercy and the application of indulgences
to the souls of the faithful departed. Popular devotions
to the dead take on many forms depending on place
and tradition:
1. Visits to the cemetery. This can be done privately
or with a parish group, e.g., Cemetery Sunday. We
go to the graves of our dearly departed ones to pray
and to decorate the graves with flowers and maybe
a small lamp.
2. Novenas for the dead.
3. Prayers for the dead. We can offer up the Rosary
or any other form of prayer for the souls of those
who have died. We can keep a memorial card with a
picture to remind us of our spiritual link with them.
They are part of the Communion of Saints.
4. Intercession for the dead through alms deeds,
works of mercy, fasting and especially prayers such
as 'Eternal rest grant unto them'.
COLLECTION
We acknowledge last Sunday’s
collection of £1470.00 Many thanks.
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.
DEATHS
We offer our deepest sympathy to the
family and friends of:
Fr. Seamus Farrelly, Carndonagh.
Grace Conroy, St. Colman's Drive.
Nora Quigley, Landsdowne Park.
Kathleen Hughes (nee McGowan), formerly
of Barrack Street who died in England.
May they rest in peace.
ANNIVERSARIES
Betty Porter, Madeline Whaley,
Julie Gallagher, Kathleen McDaid,
Kenny Boggs, Lena Lynn,
Jeannie Browne, John McElwee,
William Patterson, May Sillery,
Hannah Stewart, George Madden,
Kathleen McCay, Francis Cullen,
Catherine O'Goan, Ned Connolly,
Pat Kane, Annie Kane,
Colette McKeown, Hugh Moss,
Gerry Taggart, William Cooke.
PRAY FOR PRIESTS
This week we ask you to pray for:
Fr. Paul Farren, Catechetical Centre, 2 Nov.
Fr. Christopher Ferguson CC, Waterside, 3 Nov.
Fr. John P Forbes PP, Gortin, 4 Nov.
Fr. Edward Gallagher CC, Limavady, 5 Nov.
Fr. John Gallagher, Florida, 6 Nov.
Fr. John Gilmore PP, Aghyaran, 7 Nov.
Fr. Joseph Gormley CC, Three Patrons, 8 Nov.
ANNUAL MASS FOR THE DEAD
Fr. Boland will celebrate the annual Mass for the
dead in the Church on Friday 14th November at 7.30pm.
ANNUAL MASS FOR DECEASED TEACHERS
Bishop Lagan will celebrate the annual Mass for deceased
teachers of the Derry Diocese in the Church of the
Immaculate Conception, Strabane on Wednesday 12th
November at 7.00pm.
CONFIRMATION AND FIRST HOLY
COMMUNION 2009
Confirmation will take place on Saturday
21st February 2009 at 11.00am for all Primary 7 pupils.
First Holy Communion for all Primary
4 pupils will take place on Saturday 30th May 2009
at 11.00am.
PADRE PIO MASS
The Padre Pio Mass will take place in the Church
on Wednesday 5th November at 7.00pm. Rosary at 6.45pm.
DIOCESAN MASS FOR DECEASED YOUNG PEOPLE
There will be a special diocesan Mass
on Sunday 9th November at 3.00pm in Holy Family Church,
Ballymagroarty, Derry. The Mass will be an opportunity
for family and friends who have lost young loved ones
to come together in a spirit of prayer and hope. If
you have been bereaved or affected by a young death
we invite you in faith to come and remember the life
of your loved one.
BLESSED SACRAMENT CHAPEL
Our Blessed Sacrament Chapel is open every day from
10.00am until the Church closes. It is located at
the back of the Church - when you come in the main
door, turn left, then left again. This is a sacred
space where you can come and pray, ask for your special
intentions and rest a while in the midst of a busy
world.
PARISH SAVINGS SCHEME
We have now reached the final four weeks of the Parish
Savings Scheme. As in previous years the Scheme has
gone very well and we encourage all our savers to
continue their contributions. We also thank our collectors
for their hard work. We would like to take this opportunity
to thank all those who saved in our Parish Savings
Scheme for their support over the past year and we
look forward to that same continued support next year.
IMPORTANT UPDATE ON VETTING
FOR CHILD PROTECTION
As a result of information recently
received the following volunteers are now exempt from
the vetting process:
Savings Collectors
Draw Collectors
Money Counters
Choir Members
Eucharistic Ministers who do not take Holy Communion
to houses, nursing homes.
A poster containing details of the
Diocesan Policy Statement and important contact details
is now on display at the front door of the Church.
IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR PARENTS
OF P.4 AND P.7 CHILDREN
There will be a meeting for parents of P.4 and P.7
children from St. Anne's, Evish, and Barrack Street
Boys' Primary Schools on Wednesday 12th November at
8.00pm in St. Anne's P.S. At that meeting Fr. Paul
Farren and his team from the Derry Diocesan Catechetical
Centre will give a talk on the three Sacraments. Because
of the importance of this event we encourage a full
turn out from our parents.
SICK AND HOUSEBOUND TO BE ATTENDED
Fr. Boland will visit the sick and housebound
in the following areas on Thursday 6th November
after 10.00am Mass: Courtrai Park, Barrack Street,
Lower Townsend Terrace, Mount Carmel Heights, Springhill
Park, Mill Street, Newtownkennedy Street, Lower Main
Street, Glenview Park, Church View, Tristan Road.
Fr. Boland will visit the
sick and housebound in the following areas on
Friday 7th November after 10.00am Mass: Bearney Road,
Camus Road, Conthem Road, Upper Townsend Street, Townsend
Terrace, Marian Park, Fountain Street and Innisfree
Gardens.
DONATIONS TOWARDS SECURITY
AT
PAROCHIAL HOUSE
Because of the recent break-in we
have been advised by the police to upgrade our security
immediately - cameras, lights and the present alarm
system at the parochial house. It is regrettable that
this has to be done but we have been left with no
other option.
We gratefully acknowledge the following
donations towards our new security measures:-
£50.00 £100.00
Thank you for your continuing support.
THORNHILL CENTRE
An evening for Church Flower Arrangers will take
place in Thornhill Centre on Thursday 6th November
2008 from 7.30pm to 9.00pm.
Who is St Paul?: This is a 4-week
course exploring various aspects of Saint Paul’s
life – conversion, mission, prayer, his teachings
and theology. The course begins on Tuesday 4th November
from 7.30pm to 9.30pm in the Thornhill Centre. To
book phone the Thornhill Centre on 71351233.
Enneagram Weekend: 7th - 9th November.
A London-based team of facilitators will visit the
Thornhill Centre to lead this personality profiling
workshop. The Enneagram helps people to identify for
themselves their personality type and to appreciate
the implications of their type interacting with others.
Cost: £100.00 For more details phone 71351233.
OUR LADY OF FATIMA
The statue of Our Lady of Fatima, blessed by Pope
Paul VI for Ireland, will be in the Church of the
Immaculate Conception from 5th -12th November.
VOLUNTEERS REQUIRED
Are you aware of older people in your
community? People who are confused, lonely, fearful
and cut off from society. Could you spare 1 - 2 hours
per week with travel expenses and be a friend? Volunteers
are required for this vital work across the area.
Please Contact Danny or Karen at Strabane Community
Project on 02871883102.
AWARE DEFEAT DEPRESSION
Public Talk in Strabane
Aware Defeat Depression is organising a public talk
and information event in The Fir Trees Hotel, Strabane
on Tuesday 4th November at 8.00pm. Guest speaker is
Marie Dunne, Health Promotion Officer, Western Health
Trust and the title of her talk is ‘Beating
the Blues’. Information will also be given about
the organisation’s self-help support group,
which meets in Strabane Women’s Centre, Railway
Street every Tuesday at 8.00pm. For further information
telephone 02871260602. Admission is free and all are
welcome to attend.
SOCIAL EVENING
There will be a social evening in St. Patrick's Hall
on Monday 24th November at 9.00pm. Music is by Country
Features and admission is £5.00 or €7.00
(light supper provided). Proceeds are in aid of St.
Patrick's Luncheon Club.
DANCE DANCE DANCE
Are you tired of sitting at parties?
Want to put your skills to the test and learn how
to jive, waltz or even cha cha cha?
Then come along and learn how to ballroom dance.
Lessons in St. Patrick's Hall every Thursday night
from 7.30pm - 9.00pm. Admission £5.00.
Come along and join in the fun.
ST. PATRICK’S HALL
Bingo and Lucky 4 Draw as usual this
Thursday.
All our patrons are very welcome.
LUCKY 4 DRAW
There was one match 3 winner in last
week's Draw
Richie Porter
The numbers drawn were:
6, 13, 18, 22
Next Week's Lucky 4 Jackpot is £625.00
PRAYER CORNER
FOR SOLITUDE
May you recognise in your life the
presence,
Power and light of your soul.
May you realise that you are never alone,
That your soul in its brightness and belonging
Connects you intimately with the rhythm of the universe.
May you have respect for your individuality and difference.
May you realise that the shape of your soul is unique,
That you have a special destiny here,
That behind the facade of your life
There is something beautiful and eternal happening.
May you learn to see yourself
With the same delight,
Pride and expectation
With which God sees you
in every moment.
A BLESSING OF ANGELS
May the Angels in their beauty bless
you.
May they turn towards you streams of blessing.
May the Angel of Awakening stir your heart
To come alive to the eternal within you,
To all the invitations that quietly surround you.
May the Angel of Healing turn your wounds
Into sources of refreshment.
May the Angel of the Imagination enable you
To stand on the true thresholds;
At ease with your ambivalence
And drawn in new directions
Through the glow of your contradictions.
May the Angel of Compassion open your eyes
To the unseen suffering around you.
May the Angel of Wildness disturb the places
Where your life is domesticated and safe,
Take you to the territories of true otherness
Where all that is awkward in you
Can fall into its own rhythm.
