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.
GET A GRIP ON YOURSELF, NOT
LIFE
When you feel you're losing your patience, pray
to the Spirit. A liberation lifestyle calls us to
"live by the Spirit," to be as free as the
Spirit. That Divine Energy is the Spirit of "love,
joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness,
gentleness and self-control." Whenever we are
losing our ability to respond properly to life, we
need to pray for that spirit-gift of self-control.
In painful circumstances beyond our control, remember
that the only thing we can control is our response
to the situation. In this unmanageable world of unexpected
accidents and stock market crashes, of the loss of
employment and health care, of destructive tornadoes
and hurricanes, of unpredictable terrorism and violence,
the only thing over which we can exercise any control
is ourselves. Each mature person has the power to
control how he or she thinks, speaks and acts. We
have the final say as to what we judge as good or
evil and how we respond to life's unexpected situations.
As you pray, seek after patience using another of
its names, "endurance," since God oozes
with patient endurance. God lovingly and faithfully
hangs on with us regardless of our circumstances.
The patient are truly Godlike. Petition God for that
divine gift of tenacity and endless endurance by which
you may take yourself beyond your present limits and
boundaries, and ultimately become fully free.
Being personally responsible for your behaviour
means learning mature self-control. It is a key to
opening the iron gates of countless prisons. As Jainism,
an ascetical religion of India, teaches, "It
is difficult to conquer one's self. But when that
is conquered, everything is conquered." Rejoice
each time you overcome any temptation to be impatient,
for you have taken another large step toward your
ultimate liberation.
PADRE PIO MASS
The Padre Pio Mass will take place
in the Church on
Wednesday 7 October at 7.00pm. Rosary
at 6.45pm
DEATHS
We offer our deepest sympathy
to the family and friends of:
Madge Doherty, Columban
Terrace
Mary Gormley, Colman
Fold
May they rest in peace.
ANNIVERSARIES
Mary Devenney, Charles McAteer,
Edward Quigley, Mary McAteer,
Margaret Quigley, Mary Devenney,
Teresa Murray, Nancy Mullen,
Patrick O'Kane, Kathleen Deans.
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. Oliver Crilly PP, Greenlough, 4 Oct
Fr. Patrick Crilly, 5 Oct
Fr. Brendan Crowley CC, Malin, 6 Oct
Most Rev. Edward Daly, 7 Oct
Fr. Robert Devine, Killygordon, 9 Oct
Fr. Brendan Devlin, 10 October
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.
PARISH DRAW
The Draw for the month of October will take place
on Thursday 22 October at 2.30pm in the parish office.
Promoters are asked to make their returns to the parish
office on Monday 19 October.
Trocaire's annual Global Gifts offers
the chance to purchase real Christmas gifts for the
poor in developing countries which are also items
vital to simple survival - such as, food, water, shelter,
farm animals and many more. In 2009 Trocaire is looking
for volunteers in the Derry diocese to help promote
these life-changing gifts in your parish or community.
If you or a friend can give a day or two to this rewarding
opportunity, please contact Trocaire's new North West
representative Lawrence McBride on 0287135788 or email
lmcbride@trocaire.ie
DO THIS IN MEMORY
This year we are starting a new programme for our
P.4 children in preparation for First Holy Communion.
It is called DO THIS IN MEMORY. It is a parish based
programme for First Eucharist. The parents play a
very important role in the religious education and
faith development of their children. Our hope for
this parish programme is that it will offer an opportunity
to become more actively involved in the work of preparing
your child for the celebration of First Eucharist
(First Holy Communion). The programme also aims to
prepare children for a lifelong preparation in Eucharist.
We will have our information evening programme in
the Church of the Immaculate Conception at 7.30pm
on Thursday 8th October. All the parents of our P.4
children are asked to come along. The meeting will
last around 30 minutes.
Strabane parish Co-ordinating
Group for the programme:-
Denise McDonald, Caroline Clarke, Ann Marie Mc Mackin,
Lucia Dooher, Ann Marie McMenamin, Sr. Carmel, Sr.
Benedict, Fr. Boland.
BARRACK STREET BOYS' SCHOOL
AND
ST. ANNE'S PRIMARY SCHOOL
Swine Flu - Relief Job Cover
In school we have difficulties if
any of our non-teaching staff are hit with Swine Flu
in that we do not have a register of people available
to stand in incase of illness. With vetting now necessary
we are looking to establish a register of people who
would be willing to go through the vetting process
and fill in as caretaker, secretary, classroom assistant,
dinner supervisor or cleaner should the need arise.
If any parent or someone you know, is interested please
contact the relevant school by Friday 9 October where
we will provide you with further information.
JEAN VANIER
'Choosing your Future' -
a conference with Jean Vanier will be held in the
Millennium Forum, Derry on Wednesday 21 October from
10.00am - 1.30pm. This conference is for young people
but there are a limited number of tickets available
for adults costing £15.00. Please contact the
Derry Diocesan Catechetical Centre on 02871264087
or email ddcc@derrydiocese.org
FOYLE HOSPICE
There will be a sponsored walk/run
in aid of the Foyle Hospice this Sunday 4 October.
Start/Finish Fir Trees Hotel, Melmount Road, Strabane.
Time 1.30pm.
N.I. LEUKAEMIA RESEARCH FUND
A meeting will be held in the Church
of Ireland Church Hall, Bowling Green, Strabane on
Monday 5 October at 7.30pm. Speakers are Professor
Terry Lappin and Professor John Bridges. All are welcome
to attend.
KNOT AGAIN!
At times some of our relationships
seem to have us in knots. Just thinking of certain
people can produce recurring feelings of stress, resentment,
hurt, anger or fear. Based on the work of Byron Katie
this workshop in the Pastoral Centre, Letterkenny
on Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 October from 9.30am -
4.30pm will teach you how to untie these knots and
bring peace into your life. Cost €90.00. To reserve
a place or for further information email tony.carlin@btinternet.com
or telephone 00447843587757.
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 was 1 match 3 winner in last week's Draw
Sean Curran
The numbers drawn were:
3, 6, 17, 18
Next Week's Lucky 4 Jackpot is £1725.00
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST
St. Patrick's Hall Theatre Group, Strabane, are delighted
to announce that due to the success of our previous
productions "The Wizard of Oz" and last
year's "West Side Story", we will be staging
"Beauty and the Beast". We would therefore
like to take this opportunity to invite all those
interested in auditioning for both chorus and principal
roles to come along to St. Patrick's Hall on Saturday
10 October at the following times:
2.00pm for children aged 10 - 13 years
3.00pm for the 14 - 18 year group
4.00pm for all the adults (for principal roles, chorus
and smaller parts)
The show opens on Saturday 16 January
2010 so put it in your diary now as well as the audition
date and look forward to the best ever panto in Strabane.
PRAYER CORNER
MEETING PHYSICAL PAIN
Crucified One,
you endured tremendous physical pain.
My body too, cries out for relief.
I look upon your experience and remember
that the Holy One will give me the power
to be with my suffering.
Teach me how to live with pain that
cannot be alleviated.
May I find what is needed to tolerate it.
When possible, may I lean into this pain and learn
its lessons.
Let me not be resentful of those whose bodies are
free from pain.
When I rise each day without a release from my bodily
hurt,
turn my head toward you to draw strength from you.
When I try to sleep at night and the pain does not
ease,
embrace me with the comfort of your presence.
Listen and draw near to me, Compassionate God.
WALKING WITH SOMEONE WHO SUFFERS
Attentive and caring God,
you hear the cries of those in pain.
There are people everywhere who walk
a path filled with suffering and sorrow.
I have the privilege and challenge
of journeying with ____________.
It pains me to be unable to take away the hurt.
It saddens me to be unable to alleviate his/her burdens.
Help me not to be afraid to be there with the pain.
Let me not run from what distresses and disturbs me
when this suffering invades my peace and happiness.
I want to be generous with my attention
and my care.
May your spirit guide me so that I will make good
choices
about how much I can be and do for ____________.
Do not allow me to become so engulfed with the suffering
that I lose my balance and my ability to be with his/her
pain.
Bless all who walk with someone who suffers.
ENCOUNTERING DEPRESSION
Giver of Life,
I am in the wasteland of depression.
I cry out to you, Source of Solace,
as I meet this empty void within me.
Sustain me as I try to exist
in this day-to-day dying
of my energy and vitality.
Wrap your arms around me.
Carry me through this bleak journey.
Help me to stay open to your love.
I rely on you. I lean on you.
I trust you to hold me close
as I stumble on this joyless path.
