Sunday 6th January 2008

The Epiphany of the Lord

A NEW YEAR'S GREETING

We are almost one full week into this year, and we have already begun to wonder whether this is really going to be a happy new year. While our problems tend to increase like our taxes, as we add up our holiday debts and look at our credit bills, we might seriously question how happy this year of our lives will be.

The Chinese celebrate their New year in February at the new moon. Confucius, a saintly Chinese sage, had an expression that holds the secret to how our new year can be both good and happy. Confucius said, “The gem cannot be polished without friction, nor any person perfected without trials.”

No one of a sane mind would ask for troubles, but we know that the days of this new year will have their fill of minor and major problems, troubles and trials. If the gem of God’s presence within each one of us is to be made brighter and more beautiful by these problems, we will need to recall the words of another holy man, Francis de Sales. He said, "Do not look forward to what may happen tomorrow; the same everlasting Father who cares for you today will take care of you tomorrow, and every day. Either God will shield you from suffering, or God will give you unfailing strength to bear it. Be at peace, then, and put aside all thoughts and imaginations.”

A realistic view of the coming weeks and months tells us that we will have times of trial. But we should recall the counsel of the saintly Francis de Sales to “put aside all anxious thoughts” and “be at peace.” One way to be at peace as we hear the newest trial ringing our doorbell is to remember as well the words of Confucius; “The gem cannot be polished without friction ... without trials.”

Each time you respond to a difficulty using the compass of the Gospels -- meeting hate with love, greeting anger with peace and holding the pain of others with compassion - that hidden gem within your heart grows brighter and brighter. So perhaps the best greeting for the new year is to wish that the flame of love in our hearts would kindle a fire in the hearts of all whom we meet - then we truly become ( as our master ) a light to the waiting world.

***

COLLECTION
We acknowledge last Sunday’s collection of £1620.00. Many thanks.

PRIEST'S CHRISTMAS COLLECTION
Fr. Boland would like to thank everyone for their very generous Christmas Collection this year which was taken up at all Masses on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

PRAYER GROUP
The contemplative prayer group will meet this Monday 7th January 2008 at 8.15pm in the Parochial House. Newcomers very welcome.

DEATHS
We offer our deepest sympathy to the family and friends of Danny Molloy, Fountain Street and Rose-Anne Carlin, Lifford who died recently. May they rest in peace.

ANNIVERSARIES
Seamus McAteer, Michael Campbell, Bertie Casey, Ruby Arbuckle,
Annie Winters, Vera McEnhill, Edward McEnhill, Frances Kearney,
Kate Roddy, Cassie Dunnion, Barney McGuinness, Jack Kelly

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. Francis Bradley, Pastoral Centre, 6th January
Fr. Manus Bradley, Canada, 7th January
Fr. Shane Bradley, 8th January
Fr. Brian Brady PP, Malin, 9th January
Fr. Bernard Bryson, Retired, 10th January
Fr. Thomas Canning CC, Omagh, 11th January
Fr. Michael Canny ADM, Cathedral, 12th January

PARISH SAVINGS SCHEME
The Parish Savings Scheme for this year commenced last Monday. The Savings Scheme is vital for offsetting any interest the parish owes to the bank as well as being a very practical way of saving for events at the end of the year. If you would like to join the Scheme contact the parish office for the name of the promoter in your area.
It is most important that savers are aware of the following banking regulations:
1. No saver may save more than £5000.00 in an individual name.
2. All savers must have a bank account, building society account or credit union account as cheques issued at the end of the year will be crossed and will have to be paid into a bank account.
3. If you are saving for a child, the child must also have a bank account as their cheque will be crossed and cannot be put into any other account. If the child has no bank account and you want to save for them you should put their savings along with their parent's savings or in the name of the parent who has a bank account. It is recommended that you do this now rather than wait until the end of the year.
Please be aware that the Bank are very strict regarding this legislation.
If you have any queries you can contact the parish office, Tel., 71882215.

THANK YOU FROM JOHN MCGRANAGHAN
As you are aware John McGranaghan our organist for nearly twenty five years retired last September. He had given unstinting and loyal service during that long period and has established a solid and secure church music tradition in our parish. At that time we expressed our heartfelt thanks to him for all his sterling work.
Just before Christmas the parish made a presentation to John of a cheque and a gold watch to acknowledge his contribution as church organist. There was a very special evening in St. Patrick's Hall attended by members of the choir, past and present, and John's good wife Anna. Patricia McCallion as usual put on a magnificent spread and everyone thoroughly enjoyed the evening. John himself would like to thank all the choir members (on that evening we remembered those who had gone to God) the parishioners of Camus for all their support and generosity over the years, but in particular for their gifts to mark his retirement. In his usual modest way he said he was "overwhelmed" by all their expressions of kindness to him. He has a certain sadness as he leaves us, but this is far outweighed by the pride, satisfaction and contentment he feels in being able to lead the church music for so long. Once again we wish him well as he leaves us and we hope he knows that he will always have a treasured place of affection in our hearts.

A CHILD OF THE SNOW
Following upon the success of the Sacred Christmas Concert 'A Child of the Snow' which was performed in the Church of the Immaculate Conception in December 2005, local composer Ronan Doherty has produced an album of original music featuring material first aired in that initial concert. The CD features the talents of soloists and choirs from the Northwest performing extracts from 'A Child in the Snow'; songs, instrumentals and bible texts which celebrate the essential Christian essence of the Christmas message. CDs can be purchased at the parish office, the parochial house, the Foyle Hospice shop in Church Street or from Ronan directly (Tel: 02871884827).
CD's cost £10.00 and all proceeds will go to the Foyle Hospice.

CONFIRMATION AND FIRST HOLY COMMUNION 2008
Confirmation for the parish of Camus will be held on Sunday 18th May 2008 at 3.00pm. First Holy Communion will take place on Saturday 31st May 2008 at 11.00am.

AA TYRONE
13th Annual Convention will be held on 18th/19th/20th January 2008 in the Mellon Country Inn. AL ANON will be in attendance.

BARRACK STREET PRIMARY SCHOOL
Application forms for Barrack Street Primary School are now available at the school office.

NORTH WEST REGIONAL COLLEGE
North West Regional College, Derry, Limavady and Strabane is now offering an exciting range of new part-time courses, beginning this month. So, if you are looking for something new this year call 028 71276000 or visit www.nwi.ac.uk

EVISH PRIMARY SCHOOL
There will be a meeting in the Parochial House on Wednesday 9th January at 8.00pm for the Board of Governors of Evish Primary School and the recently elected parents group.

ST PATRICK’S HALL

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

PARISH WEBSITE
Visit our website at www.strabaneparish.com

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!