CHILD
PROTECTION
The Diocese of Derry values and encourages the participation
of children and young people in the parish liturgies
and in activities that enhance their spiritual, physical,
emotional and social development. We recognise and
uphold the dignity and rights of all these individuals
within our 'faith family' and we are committed to
their protection and support in a way that promotes
their human dignity and integrity as 'children of
God'. In keeping with this ethos, we undertake to
do all in our power in the Diocese of Derry to create
safe environments for children, young people and vulnerable
adults and to ensure their protection from physical,
sexual and emotional abuse.
We acknowledge that all involved in working with
children, young people and vulnerable adults have
a special duty of care towards them, and we undertake
to put in place policies and procedures through which
this care is put into effect so that their rights
as active participants in the life of the Church are
upheld. The Derry Diocesan Child Protection Committee
was appointed by the Diocesan Bishop. The Committee
works independently, developing, directing and managing
all aspects of policy, development, training and support
for parishes within the diocesan Church.
Each parish has been asked by the Child Protection
Committee to nominate two representatives who will
help them develop an awareness of 'best practice'
issues in working with children and young people in
Church settings. Our representatives for Camus parish
are Mrs Nuala Kerr and Mr Anthony Mc Garrigle from
Hillmount Grove. They are assisting in the parish
to draw up a policy statement and a code of basic
procedures, as well as ensuring that contact information
for child protection personnel is made known within
the parish. An audit will be carried out annually
of the child protection policies and procedures in
each parish and how they are being developed and implemented.
To ensure the well -being and protection of children,
young people and vulnerable adults, all personnel
involved in ministry with the groups in the diocese
will be subject to strict vetting procedures. (POCVA
- Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults (N.I.)
Order 2004).
A meeting in this regard will take place next Wednesday
night, 8th October at 8.15pm in St. Patrick's Hall.
All who work with children or vulnerable adults, whether
as employees of the parish or as volunteers are requested
to come along namely, parish administrators, housekeepers,
sacristans, those involved with altar servers, caretakers,
Eucharistic Ministers, collectors of Parish Savings,
collectors of Parish Draw, bingo committee, leaders
of music ministry, choirs, parent and toddler group
organisers, transport volunteers, home or hospital
visitors, pilgrimage organisers. This is not an exhaustive
list - it merely indicates the scope of the vetting
procedure process.
This is a very important meeting and we ask as many
as possible to attend. Our two Child Protection representatives
Mrs Nuala Kerr and Mr Anthony Mc Garrigle will address
the meeting. This vetting procedure is a civil as
well as a Church requirement and all parishes in the
Diocese are obliged to fulfil their obligation in
this regard.
COLLECTION
We acknowledge last Sunday’s
collection of £1704.00. 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:
Gerry McCauley, 2 O'Kane Terrace.
May he rest in peace.
ANNIVERSARIES
Mary Devenney, Jim Murray, Teresa
Murray, Mick Madden,
Charles McAteer, Mary McAteer, Paddy O'Kane, Kathleen
Deans,
Thora Doherty, Gay McNamee, Mary McGillian, Kevin
McIntyre, Dilla Doherty.
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. Patrick Crilly PP, Desertmartin,
5th Oct.
Fr. Brendan Crowley CC, Malin, 7th Oct.
Fr. Peter Deeney, 8th Oct.
Fr. Robert Devine, Retired, 9th Oct.
Fr. Brendan Devlin, 10th Oct.
Fr. Kieran Devlin , Retired, 11th Oct.
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.
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.
CHILDREN IN CROSSFIRE
Relay 2000. Help break a world record on Saturday
11th October at Meadowbank Sports Arena. Please get
in touch with Bernie Ryan at Children in Crossfire,
tel; 71269898 or www.relay1000.com
PARISH SAVINGS SCHEME
There are only eight weeks left in the Parish Savings
Scheme. All savers, including children who save with
the scheme, are reminded that cheques are crossed
therefore they must have a bank account, building
society account or credit union account into which
their savings cheque can be lodged. The name on the
account must be the same as the name on the cheque.
Please contact your collector now if a name has to
be changed as it will be too late when the cheques
are given out.
SICK AND HOUSEBOUND TO BE ATTENDED
Fr. Boland will visit the sick and housebound in
the following areas on Monday 6th October after 10.00am
Mass:
Bearney Road, Camus Road, Conthem Road, Upper Townsend
Street, Townsend Terrace, Marian Park, Fountain Street
and Innisfree Gardens.
HILL WALKING AND RAMBLING CLUB FOR STRABANE
There will be a meeting On Wednesday 8th October
at 8.00pm in Melvin Hall for all those interested
in joining the new Hill Walking and Rambling Club.
It is intended that the Club will cater for all levels
of walks in the countryside. Everyone is welcome to
come along.
There will be a Marriage Preparation Workshop in
Thornhill Centre, Culmore Road, Derry on Friday 24th
October from 7.00pm - 10.00pm and Saturday 25th October
from 10.00am - 4.00pm. Booking forms available from
the Pastoral Centre, 164 Bishop Street, Derry, tel:,
02871362475.
LEGION OF MARY
Could you spare a few hours a week to visit the old
and the lonely? As well as our visits to Greenfield,
Woodmount and Melmount Manor, the Legion also visits
homes in the parish to promote the Rosary and the
Divine Mercy Chaplet. New members are urgently needed.
For further information please contact Margaret Harte
on 02871883159.
REPORT FROM RECENT PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL
MEETING
At the September meeting of the Parish Pastoral Council
the following topics came under discussion, security
at the Parochial House, parish savings, annual bazaar,
breakage of St. Patrick's Hall windows, visit of President
Mc Aleese to the Strabane Community Project , the
staging of West Side Story by the Hall Theatre Group,
the empty sites of the former Grammar and Our Lady
of Mercy schools, the resignation of Ronan Doherty
as choir leader and church organist at the 6.30pm
Mass on Saturdays, parish Christmas Cards (this year
they will feature a nativity scene from one of the
panels on the stained glass window above the main
altar), congratulations to Sr Benedict on her Golden
Jubilee. The Council was of the opinion that those
involved in the running of St. Patrick's Hall should
receive every assistance in attracting people to use
the Hall facilities and Brian Mc Callion and Raymond
Kirk have been invited to attend the next meeting
in October. A proposal was put forward that coeliacs
(those who are allergic to the gluten in the communion
hosts) should receive from a small chalice at the
baptistry. The present practice of coming to the main
altar is too public for some and this proposal which
was adopted, should suit everyone. This will start
from Sunday 12th October. Finally six members of the
group volunteered to attend a special meeting on parish
renewal to be held at Kelly's Inn Garvahy. A report
of this meeting will be presented at the October gathering
of the Pastoral Council. The members of the Strabane
Parish Pastoral Council are:-
Sister Carmel Sister Benedict
Mrs Carmel Gallagher Mr Declan McMenamin
Miss AnneMarie McMackin Mr Stephen Kennedy
Mrs Carmel Maybin Mr Jim Devlin
Miss Bernie McQuillan Mr Leo McDermott
Mrs Mary McCrossan Mr Paddy Stewart
Mrs Catherine O'Kane Mr Paul Kelly
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:-
£500.00.
Thank you for your continuing support.
SPANISH LESSONS
Lessons beginning Monday 13th
October for 6 weeks with a native speaker.
Improvers Class - Mondays 7.30pm - 9.00pm
Beginners Class - Tuesdays 7.30pm - 9.00pm
Cost will depend on the number of
participants. It may be possible, if there is sufficient
interest, that classes will continue after the first
six weeks. This is an ideal opportunity for anyone
interested in learning or improving their Spanish
to do so in the company of a native speaker. Individual
lessons can also be arranged if requested. For further
information contact Fr. O'Hagan at 71882651 or pgoh2111@gmail.com
or the parish office at 71383777 or melparish@aol.com
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.
ST. PATRICK’S
HALL
Bingo and Lucky 4 Draw as usual this
Thursday.
All our patrons are very welcome.
LUCKY 4 DRAW
Margaret
Porter was last week's Jackpot
winner.
Next Week's Lucky 4 Jackpot is £525.00
PRAYER CORNER
HOLY SPIRIT
Holy Spirit,
give us
tongues of fire and inspire us
to speak of justice without fear or prejudice.
Change us
so that the language of liberation may spread from
our lips
as we challenge the economies of oppression.
Teach us
to understand the sufferings of workers who are forced
to work in sweatshops round the world.
Guide us
to recognise the temptations of consumer choice and
to dedicate ourselves to universal human rights.
Make us
raise our voices by shouting out loud the good news
and proclaim global justice for all.
TEACH US TO LIVE
God of love - Forgive! Forgive!
Teach us how to truly live,
Ask us not our race or creed,
Just take us in our hour of need ,
And let us know You love us, too,
And that we are a part of You...
And someday may man realise
That all the earth, the seas and skies
Belong to God who made us all,
The rich , the poor, the great, the small.
And in the Father's Holy Sight
No man is yellow, black or white,
And peace on earth cannot be found
Until we meet on common ground
And every man becomes a brother
Who worships God and loves each other.
