BACK TO SCHOOL

At this time our teachers and children are making their way back to school after a dull and disappointing summer. Ironically the weather seems to get better when the schools reopen. We wish the children and the teachers all the best in their academic year. The teaching vocation is a very demanding one and we should take time out to thank God for the quality of our teachers and the calibre of our Catholic schools.

We extend a very warm welcome to the new principal of Barrack Street Boys' Mrs Bridget Wilders and wish her every blessing and success in her new and demanding role. We also think at this time of our Primary One children taking their first steps, those starting first year at secondary level, and those going on to third level education. These are critically significant times for all our young people and their families and we pray the wisdom of the Holy Spirit on all of them. It is quite a break for families whose children are moving away from home to start third level education and we must not underestimate the rupture and pain that this causes, as well as the excitement and joy. It may be the first break in the family unit and parents must be aware of how painful and difficult this transition might be. The values and principles they bring to a new level of education they have received from their homes and schools and parents should have pride and confidence that their offspring will be worthy ambassadors for their families and their catholic faith.

This is a time to thank god for our Catholic schools and the huge commitment of all our teachers. The school, home and parish are the three components of our religious and spiritual lives and each person must take responsibility to nurture and sustain all three. Education is more than mere knowledge and it essential that our children be educated in an environment and ethos where those Catholic values are handed on and displayed. Then our children will be equipped to face the many demands and challenges that modern life brings with it. Without this solid background they will be less able to cope in an increasingly godless society. We only have our children for a short while, and while the opportunity still exists, all efforts must be made to lay that solid foundation. Then we will have a confidence that, guided by the Spirit, they will achieve that fulness of personality towards which God calls them.

COLLECTION FOR PAKISTAN
Thank you for your donations towards the Pakistan appeal. A total of £2711.00 was sent to Trocaire from the Parish of Camus.

DEATHS

We offer our deepest sympathy to the family and friends of:

Willie Doyle, Sion Mills.

May he rest in peace.

ANNIVERSARIES
John Gallagher, Brendan Feeney
Danny McDaid, Johnny Montague
Frances Gallagher, Maria McElwee
Sarah Richmond, Teresa Winters
Elizabeth Parke, Julia Canning
Brian Harpur, Seamus McLaughlin
Patrick McGillian, Maggie Connolly
Denis Devlin Snr, Sarah McAteer

PRAY FOR PRIESTS
This week we ask you to pray for:
Fr. Seamus O'Kane, 5 September
Fr. Arthur O'Reilly CC, Banagher, 6 September
Fr. Desmond Polke CC, Doneyloop, 8 September
Fr. Michael Porter PP, Leckpatrick, 9 September
Fr. Anthony Quinn, Retired, 10 September
Fr. William Rafferty, Deceased, 11 September

PILGRIMAGE TO KNOCK
Pilgrimage to Knock on Saturday 11 September in honour of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal. Bus leaves Abercorn Square at 8.00am sharp. Fare £13.00 or €15.00. Contact Mary Hegarty 15 Patrick Street on 02871882886 for details.

KNOCK
The 4th National Grandparents Pilgrimage will take place to the Shrine of Our Lady of Knock on Sunday 12 September. Anointing of the Sick at 2.00pm, Pilgrimage Mass at 3.00pm followed by Eucharistic Adoration. Special guest singers: Michael English, Dana and Chloe Coyle. For more information telephone 003539824877 or visit website www.catholicgrandparentsassociation.com.

PARISH DRAW
The Draw for the month of September will take place on 30 September at 2.30pm in the parish office.

FOYLE HOSPICE
Host a Coffee Morning in aid of Foyle Hospice on Thursday 16 September or any suitable date in September! Foyle Hospice will provide a full coffee morning pack for your own event or you can also join us here at the Hospice on Thursday 16 September from 10.00am – 12.00pm. For further information or to request a pack please contact Rachel, Tel: 02871359888, email rachelbruce@foylehospice.com or visit www.foylehospice.com.
Foyle Hospice offers free adult counselling service on Tuesdays to help support those with a life limiting illness and their families/carers. Counselling is also available for the bereaved and there is a children’s bereavement support group. For further information please contact the Hospice on 02871351010.

SAMARITANS
Samaritans offer confidential non-judgemental emotional support, 24 hours a day, to anyone experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including those which could lead to suicide. Samaritans support people when they are worried, upset, confused or just want to talk to someone. The Derry Branch are currently recruiting new volunteers for their autumn training programme, and invite anyone who might be interested to come along to one of four Information Evenings.

Monday 13 September, Sacred Heart Office, Carndonagh Church at 7.30pm
Tuesday 14 September, Samaritans, 16 Clarendon St Derry at 7.30pm
Wednesday 15 September, The Diamond Centre, Claudy at 7.30pm
Thursday 16 September, Samaritans, 16 Clarendon St Derry at 7.30pm

ST. VINCENT DE PAUL END OF SUMMER DINNER AND DANCE
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Strabane is proud to announce their Senior Citizens’ End of Summer Dinner and Dance to be held in The Fir Trees Hotel on Wednesday 22 September from 7.30pm - 12.00 midnight. Those who wish to attend should give their name and contact details into Vincent’s, Barrack Street or to any member of the society as soon as possible in order to finalise numbers.

ACCORD DERRY
Accord Derry will hold Marriage Preparation Workshops on 24/25 September and 22/23 October in the Thornhill Centre, Culmore Road, Derry. The course will run from 6.45pm to 10.00pm on Friday and from 10.00am to 4.00pm on Saturday. To book a place contact Rosemary on 02871362475 (Monday - Thursday 9.30am - 1.30pm).

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.

PLEASE NOTE: All payments for St. Patrick's Hall should also be made payable to Church of the Immaculate Conception.

THANK YOU - We gratefully acknowledge the donation of £900.00 from St. Patrick's Bowling Club. Many thanks.

ST. PATRICK’S HALL

Bingo and Lucky 4 Draw as usual this Thursday.
All our patrons are very welcome.

ST. PATRICK'S HALL THEATRE GROUP
STRABANE PARISH
Calling all budding actors and actresses for our up and coming Pantomime 'Peter Pan'!
Auditions will be held on Saturday 11 September 1.30pm - 3.00pm for 9 - 11 year olds
3.00pm - 5.00pm for 11 - 14 year olds
Auditions will be held on Sunday 12 September
2.30pm - 4.00pm for 15 - 17 year olds
4.00pm - 5.00pm for adults.
For more information telephone 02871882473.

ST. PATRICK'S BOWLING CLUB
The Bowling Club will reopen on Monday 6 September at 8.00pm, Hoping to see all the old members back. New members will be very welcome.

PRAYER CORNER

THE POWER OF GOD
God the Almighty is the power of my life:
I need not be anxious or afraid.
God is a fortress about me:
I need not be overcome.
I dwell in his presence:
Nothing can take him from me.
He hides me in his shelter:
When troubles are about me.
He offers me this help
When I am weak or distressed.
He will never leave or forsake me.
Nothing can separate me from him.
I dwell in his presence,
And he dwells in me.

LORD, OPEN US TO YOU
Open our eyes, Lord, to the beauty of this day.
Open our eyes to the glory of your presence.
Open the eyes that have narrowed their vision.
Open the eyes that are clouded with familiarity.
Open the eyes that are blinded to beauty.
Open the eyes that are weary with watching.
Open the eyes that distorted with sorrow.
Open the eyes that are only able to see the greyness.
Open the eyes that are selective in their seeing.
Open the eyes that are shut through fear.
Open the eyes that are closed in the sleep of death.
Lord, open the eyes of our hearts.
Enlarge our vision,
Increase our awareness,
Make us more sensitive,
Open our eyes to your presence and to you.

PRAYER OF ABANDONMENT
Father, I abandon myself into your hands;
Do with me what you will.
Whatever you may do, I thank you;
I am ready for all, I accept all.
Let only your will be done in me and in all your creatures.
Into your hands I commend my soul:
I offer it to you with all the love in my heart,
For I love you Lord, and so need to give myself,
To surrender myself into your hands
Without reserve and with boundless confidence,
For you are my Father.

***************

MAKING CONCLUSIONS

A little old Jewish lady sits down in a plane next to a big Swede and keeps staring at him. Finally she turns to him and says, "Pardon me, are you Jewish?"
He says, "No."
A few minutes later she turns to him again and says, "You can tell me, you know – you are Jewish, aren't you?"
He says, "Most certainly not."
She keeps studying him for some minutes, then says again,
"I can tell you are Jewish."
In order to get rid of the annoyance, the man says, "Okay, so I'm Jewish!"
She looks at him again, shakes her head, and says, "You certainly don't look it."

We first make our conclusions – then find some way to arrive at them.