EASTER EGGS, LILIES AND TURTLES
To the many symbols of Easter, such as brightly coloured
eggs, lilies, sunrises and flowers, I would like to
suggest a new one: the turtle! The turtle can symbolise
that the spiritual journey that each of us is making
is a slow one. And there are no short cuts. At times
we can feel like we are making headway. We often wish
that we had more time to pray, to spend with God,
if only somehow the circumstances of life would stop
interfering and spoiling our good intentions.
We frequently set goals for ourselves - healthy activities
to engage in, books to read, spiritual practices to
perform - as our humanity longs to be completed, but
the grind of daily life seems to prevent us from these
goals. However, the everyday challenges of living
and loving one another can properly be seen as the
quest itself. To be human is to be a pilgrim - and
a slow one at that, as slow as a turtle. Many refuse
to start the journey, and some turn back because it
takes so long. others settle down halfway or try to
decide for themselves the route and the goal, ending
up going to the wrong place in search of the wrong
things.
The success of our journey to Life, undoing death,
depends not so much on courage or goodness of heart
as it does on obedience to the divine will as it unfolds
in the circumstances of our lives. We can be obedient
to the overall design of the search even though we
may not at all times understand what is happening.
At the same time we are called to use all our resources
to keep inching ahead. Easter is a feast that proclaims
patience with our gradual growth in becoming perfect
as our heavenly Father is perfect. Slowly the resurrection
is taking place in our flesh. Slowly, like the coming
of spring to the forest, we undo the stranglehold
of death in ourselves.
The resurrection of Jesus was not a private Easter
victory over a private Good Friday, but a step - a
giant one - toward the destruction of the universal
Good Friday. By our turtle-like daily undoing of the
power of death, we join with Christ in ending the
corporate Good Friday that holds humanity in its icy
grip.
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.
COLLECTION
We acknowledge last Sunday’s collection of
£1890.00. Many thanks.
DEATHS
We offer our deepest sympathy to the family and friends
of:
Larry Reilly, 17 Brookvale. May
he rest in peace.
ANNIVERSARIES
Jim Logue, William Duffy, Colm Doherty, Elizabeth
Sharkey,
George McDermott, Jackie McAteer, Neil Doherty, Margaret
Goan,
John Goan, Ellen Boyle, Patsy McGinley, Margaret Vaughan,
Alfred Vaughan, Johnny Logue, Martha Curran, Billy
Kearney,
Peggy Holland, Joe McCrossan.
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. Stephen McLaughlin PP, Creggan,
6th April.
Fr. Ignatius McQuillan, Ardmore, 7th April.
Fr. Peter Madden ADM, Desertmartin, 8th April.
Fr. Anthony Mailey CC, Iskaheen, 9th April.
Fr. Eamon Martin, St Columb's College, 10th April.
Fr. Gerard Mongan CC, Templemore, 11th April.
Fr. Colm Morris, Retired, 12th April.
DONATIONS TOWARDS STORM GLAZING
AND PA SYSTEM
We very gratefully acknowledge all
the donations we have received towards the storm glazing
of the stained glass windows in the church and the
PA system:-
Total amount donated £12346.00.
PARISH DRAW
The Draw for the month of April will take place in
the parish office on Thursday 24th April at 2.30pm.
Promoters are asked to make their returns to the parish
office on Monday 21st April.
PARISH SAVINGS SCHEME
The first quarter of the Parish Savings Scheme has
now been completed. As in previous years the Scheme
is going very well and we encourage all our savers
to continue their contributions and remind those who
have not saved for a while that they can start up
their savings at any time. We also thank our collectors
for their hard work. 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.
SPECIAL DIOCESAN MASS
The Annual Diocesan Mass for those with special needs,
and their families and friends, will take place in
Saint Joseph's Church, Galliagh, Derry on Saturday
12th April. Bishop Lagan will celebrate the Mass.
ALZHEIMER'S SOCIETY ANNUAL
OPEN MEETING
Meeting will be held on Thursday 10th April in the
White Horse Hotel, Campsie Suite, 68 Clooney Road,
Derry. Guest Speaker, Mairead Buckley, N.I. Court
Services, speaking on The Role of The Office of Care
and Protection. Everyone Welcome.
MARRIAGE WORKSHOP - Renew
Your Wedding Vows
Marriage Encounter is a weekend away (Friday 8.00pm
- Sunday 5.00pm) for married couples of all ages with
a stable relationship. Couples explore, in complete
privacy, how to come to a deeper mutual understanding
of each other. The dates for the next Marriage Encounter
weekends are:-
28th - 30th March, Dromantine Conference
Centre, Newry.
18th - 20th April, Emmaus Conference Centre, Swords.
Telephone 02890626503 for details.
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.
DERRY DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES 16th - 21st JULY
2008
Application forms are available for any young person
aged 14 - 15 years who would like a place on the Derry
Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes. Special arrangements
are made for the youth who will be lead by the Pilgrimage
Youth Team.
The Lourdes Pilgrimage would be grateful for volunteers
who are qualified nurses to work as part of the care
team. For further information please contact The Pilgrimage
Office, 164 Bishop Street, Derry BT48 6UJ, Tel:, 02871260293.
CONCERNED ABOUT SUICIDE
The Strabane Ethnic Community Council have organised
a public talk on suicide which will be held in the
Alley Theatre on Wednesday 9th April at 7.00pm. Speakers
will be Mr Barry McGale, Suicide Awareness Co-ordinator,
Western Health and Social Care Trust, and Mrs Ann
McGarrigle, North West Bereaved by Suicide Support
Group, who lost her son to suicide.
Coffee and Tea will be served.
STRABANE SIGERSONS G.A.A.
The Club's senior team will open their O'Neill's
Sportswear Tyrone ACL campaign this Sunday 6th April
at home to Dregish. Throw-in time is 3.45pm. Club
Membership Fees are now overdue, all outstanding fees
should be paid as soon as possible. It is very important
that all fees are paid immediately especially in the
case of players/managers/coaches with the playing
season now up and going. Details on all the Club's
youth games and training (boys and girls) can be accessed
via the club website at www.strabanegaa.org Many thanks
are extended to everyone who contributed to the recent
Sigersons Ladies Flag Day held in the town centre.
ST. PATRICK’S HALL
Bingo and Lucky 4 Draw as usual this
Thursday.
All our patrons are very welcome.
PRAYER CORNER
A PET PARROT IS GREAT FOR
SELF-CONFIDENCE
The renowned French impressionist
painter Paul Cezanne once acquired a bright green
parrot. He taught his pet to repeat one phrase over
and over again: "Cezanne is a great painter...
Cezanne is a great painter"!
As the classic cartoon character
Pogo once said, "We have met the enemy and he
is us." Everyone has a pet parrot. We have inner
parrots that repeat again and again the voices we
heard as children. Let Cezanne be an example of how
you should train your parrot to only speak messages
that affirm your value.
Like Cezanne, select a single sentence
today and repeat it over and over to your pet parrot.
Then, like the famous pirate in Treasure Island, Long
John Silver, let your pet parrot ride on your shoulder
wherever you go - whether to work, play or prayer.
THE GREAT ART CRITIC
Huang Erh-nan, a distinguished Chinese
artist of the 1920's, is known for his ink masterpieces
of butterflies and lotus flowers. His unique technique
for creating beautiful works of art didn't even require
a traditional brush. Huang would fill his mouth with
black ink and then paint delicate strokes with his
tongue!
You personally have at your disposal
a similar "brush" with which to paint works
of art - or make ugly graffiti. Fill your mouth each
morning with love and your tongue will create beautiful
works of art. Fill your mouth each morning with thanksgiving,
and by day's end you will have made your world an
art museum.
Perhaps at the final judgement, the
only thing God will ask to see is your paintings!
A PSALM OF PARDON
Pardon is your name,
Forgiveness your eternal title,
by "Mercy as vast as the universe" are you
known.
Grant me, O Gracious One,
your great gift of pardon.
I have searched for it
in every pocket and hiding place;
I cannot find it, your gift of Self.
I know it is here,
buried beneath my pain,
somewhere in a back corner of my heart:
but for now it is lost.
Make me your messenger
of the good news I cannot now speak.
Give to me words of forgiveness,
the healing touch of pardon,
the one that weds two as one.
I know that to forgive is divine,
but I am no deity,
and I fear I will be a demon,
who, by failing to forgive,
will spread the kingdom of darkness.
Remind me ten times and more
of all that you have forgiven me-
without even waiting for my sorrow,
the very instant that I slipped and smiled and sinned.
Remind me ten thousand times and more
of your endless absolution,
not even sorrow required on my part,
so broad the bounty of your love.
Yes, I can - I will - forgive
as you have forgiven me.
PRAYER
The purpose of all prayer is to uplift
the words,
to return them to their source above.
The world was created
by the downward flow of letters:
The task of man is to form those letters into words
and take them back to God.
If you come to know this duel process,
your prayer may be joined
to the constant flow of Creation -
word to word, voice to voice,
breath to breath, thought to thought.
The words fly upward and come to Him.
As God turns to look at the ascending word,
life flows through all the worlds
and prayer receives its answer.
All this happens in an instant
and all this happens continually;
Time has no meaning in the sight of God.
The divine spring is ever-flowing;
one who is ready can make himself into a channel
to receive the waters from above.
LORD, MAY YOUR SPIRIT BURN
WITHIN ME
Lord, you burn like a flame within
us,
Flame of energy and inspiration,
Living flame of love.
Yet like a flame you can be quenched
by our pride,
Smothered by our selfish ways, our sins.
There are times we prefer other things,
When we prefer to live without
The glow of your love within,
The flame of your goodness shining on us,
The light of your presence,
Times when we prefer
The ways of darkness.
Yet how can we live without your love,
Lord?
Help me to hold on to what is good.
Help me not to quench your Spirit.
May your Spirit burn within me.
PRAYER OF ST. PATRICK
May the strength of God pilot us,
May the power of God preserve us,
May the wisdom of God instruct us,
May the hand of God protect us,
May the way of God direct us,
May the shield of God defend us,
May the host of God guard us,
against snares of evil
and the temptations of the world.
PSALM FOR PRAYING
You take delight , O Radiant One,
in gracing me with new life!
O Beloved, come and renew me!
Let me face my weaknesses and all
that confuses me, that keeps me from joy!
I seek forgiveness for my wrong doings,
I desire only You!
Let me begin anew, a as child
at its mother's breast, who basks in love.
May all who seek You rejoice and be glad!
May all who surrender to You say evermore,
"My joy is in the Beloved!"
Yet I am lowly and fear-filled;
hasten to me, Beloved!"
You are my strength and my joy;
O Beloved, come and renew me!
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!
