CLUTTERED PRAYER

Although we may not be able to get rid of unwanted clamour in the arena of our prayer, we can remove some hindrances, like trying to bring too much into it. A woman who has since become a dear friend of mine came to me years ago asking for help in learning how to use scripture for prayer. Her faithfulness to daily prayer was already remarkable. She never failed to rise early and pray in the solitude of predawn. During her years of doing this, she accumulated all sorts of little prayers created by others that she said each morning. In the course of her prayer time she went from one booklet to another with no gaps in between to breathe and listen to the voice of the Holy One. Word after word tumbled out of her, creating a landfill of chatter that interfered with her ability to hear the Spirit because she was too busy reading the extensive amount of written words. This cluttered prayer time kept her from moving deeper into her soul-space and listening to the mystery within it.

There is nothing wrong with written prayer and little prayer books. These can be helpful tools for communicating with God, but when they become one long string of continuous intercession and endless verbiage, with no space for silence, they prevent us from listening and receiving what the Spirit wants to communicate. When Jesus spoke about prayer he warned those he taught to not babble on and on (Matt. 6:7). This deeply prayerful woman gradually moved away from her stack of prayers to using just a few of them. In doing so, she now has time to find peace and guidance by attentively listening to the Holy One.

Cluttered prayer is topsy-turvy prayer in which one tumbles and fumbles. If prayer consists of numerous bits of this and that, then this lack of direction will be carried into the rest of the day in a similar vein – there will not be a strong link, a meaningful thread of thought and spiritual intention. No one has to give up booklets and rote prayers, but underneath those pieces each one needs an uncluttered inner space in order to find a focus and purpose for each day's journey.

Joyce Rupp.

PRAYER GROUP

The contemplative prayer group will meet on

Monday at 8.15pm in the Parochial House. Newcomers very welcome.

PRAY FOR PRIESTS

This week we ask you to pray for:

Fr. Fintan Diggan PP, Clonmany, 6 June
Fr. Brendan Doherty PP, Kilrea, 7 June
Fr. George Doherty CC, Buncrana, 8 June
Fr. James Doherty, Deceased, 9 June
Fr. John Doherty PP, Leckpatrick, 10 June
Fr. Joseph Doherty, Retired, 11 June
Fr. Michael Doherty PP, Melmount,12 June

DEATHS

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

Ann Barr, Birmingham.

May she rest in peace.

ANNIVERSARIES

Hugh Devine, Annie Kirk
Martha Madden, Gerald Parke
Bella McCrossan, Carol McCool
Adrian Doherty, Eileen Gallagher
James Gallagher, Raymond Logue
Tom McGee, Joe Gallagher
Michael Porter, Mary Ann Conway
Danny Shields, Maisie Gilloway
Liam Maguire, John Gallagher

PRAY FOR PRIESTS

This week we ask you to pray for:

Fr. Fintan Diggan PP, Clonmany, 6 June
Fr. Brendan Doherty PP, Kilrea, 7 June
Fr. George Doherty CC, Buncrana, 8 June
Fr. James Doherty, Deceased, 9 June
Fr. John Doherty PP, Leckpatrick, 10 June
Fr. Joseph Doherty, Retired, 11 June
Fr. Michael Doherty PP, Melmount,12 June

POPE'S COLLECTION
There will be two collections taken up at all Masses next weekend. As well as the usual Sunday Collection there will also be the Pope's Collection. You will find an envelope for this special collection in your box.

BISHOP LAGAN'S GOLDEN JUBILEE
Bishop Lagan's Golden Jubilee is taking place on Sunday 27 June and we wish to acknowledge this in a practical way by making a presentation to mark the big event. This weekend if you wish to be associated with this we ask you to take the special envelope marked "Bishop Lagan, Golden Jubilee, Sunday 27 June 2010" and return it next weekend. This special collection will be take up after communion at all Masses next weekend.

FR. JOHN DOHERTY'S GOLDEN JUBILEE
A special Mass for Fr. John Doherty’s Golden Jubilee will take place in the Sacred Heart Church, Derry Road on Sunday 20 June at 5.00pm.

FEAST OF THE SACRED HEART - 11 June 2010

There will be a special time of prayer and exposition of the Blessed Sarcrament in the church at 6.30pm on Friday 11 June where prayers and intercessions for the healing of the Church at this time will be made. People will be afforded the opportunity to express in writing, prayer, intentions or suggestions reflecting their feeling on the past, present and future Church response to child abuse.

THORNHILL CENTRE

Music Workshop: Tom Kendzia (US) is coming to Ireland to give the Church Music Summer School in Maynooth. He has been persuaded to come via Plumbridge to lead a workshop for singers/choirs on Wednesday 30 June from 7.30pm to 9.30pm in the Parish Hall Plumbridge. This is a fantastic opportunity for us here in the North West. For more details, contact Sr. Perpetua at 02871351233.

‘Taking the Time’: Mary Murphy with Sr. Perpetua will lead an ‘Exploration of the Journey Inward’, using some of the finest poetry and classical music, with reflections on the Psalms. This retreat-like experience is an invitation to touch into the creative imagination. Thornhill Centre - beginning Friday 2 July at 7.00pm and ending Saturday 3 July at 7.00pm. Further details: The Secretary, Thornhill Centre - 02871351233.

ANNUAL PIONEER OUTING
The Pioneer annual outing will take place on Saturday 26 June starting with Mass in Dromantine and then on to Newcastle for the day. Bus will leave Abercorn Square, Strabane at 8.00am. Cost £22.00 includes meal. To book contact Maura Coyle on 02881658440 as soon as possible.

SVP BARRACK STREET STRABANE
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is pleased to announce the reopening of the Barrack Street shop on Thursday 10 June at 10.00am and look forward to the reopening of Market Street in the not too distant future. We thank you for your understanding and continued support.

THE PRIESTS IN CONCERT
"The Priests" in Concert with Special Guest Rebecca Nelson, Millennium Forum Derry 15 and 16 June at 8.00pm. For Ticket sales Tel: 02871264455 or go online www.millenniumforum.co.uk(Booking Fees/Charges may apply). Tickets going fast.....

YOUTH 2000 SUMMER FESTIVAL
Youth 2000 Summer Festival, Clonmacnois, Co. Offaly, Thursday 12 - Sunday 15 August. For young people aged 16 - 35, an opportunity not to be missed to experience the Catholic faith and meet many new friends. Donation only. Free buses available from around N. Ireland. For more information contact 075148200572 or www.youth2000.ie

FOYLE HOSPICE MIDNIGHT WALK
Foyle Hospice’s Strabane Midnight Walk will take place on Friday 25 June. This is a ladies only 3.5 mile sponsored walk start/finishing at Heaton’s Car Park, Railway Road and will commence at midnight! Come along for a fun night out on the town with a difference! For further information and entry forms please contact Foyle Hospice Fundraising Centre (028)71359888, Strabane Foyle Hospice Shop (028)71886241, visit www.foylehospice.com or you can email Rachel at rachelbruce@foylehospice.com.

MOUNT MELLERAY GROTTO
A bus will leave Barrack Street car park at 1.00pm on Saturday 14 August for an all night vigil at the grotto. Mass at 10.00am. Breakfast will be served afterwards in Flynns Guest House. Please bring a packed lunch. Cost £32.50. Contact J McGhee on 07881510043.

PARISH SPORTS DAY
A meeting will be held at Evish Primary School on Wednesday 9 June at 8.30pm to determine if a Parish Sports Day is feasible again this year. Anyone interested either in the town or country area is very welcome to come along.

RUMMAGE
Rummage Charity Shop urgently requires donations of good quality clothes, clothes for recycling, furniture, unwanted gifts and bric-a-brac. All proceeds from donations go towards the care and support of older people in Strabane. Rummage is a charity shop of Strabane Community Project - providing Luncheon Club, Meals on Wheels, and Good Morning service. For more information or to arrange a collection telephone 02871883102.

ST. PATRICK’S HALL

Bingo and Lucky 4 Draw as usual this Thursday.

All our patrons are very welcome.

Next Week's Lucky 4 Jackpot is £2275.00

PRAYER CORNER

COMMUNION REFLECTION

When you have received the Lord and are in his presence, try to shut the bodily eyes and open the eyes of the soul.

Do not lose such an excellent time for talking with Our Lord as the hour after Holy Communion. This is a good time for our Master to teach us and for us to listen to him. Beg him to show you how to pray and never to leave you.

We have no need to go and seek him somewhere a long way off. Delight to remain with him. Talk to him. It is as if we saw the Lord entering our poor abode. Let us enter into that abode with him.

If while Our Lord went about in the world, the sick were healed merely by touching his clothes how can we doubt that he will work miracles when he is within us? He will give us what we ask of him since he is in our house.

O my Lord, how little we profit from the blessings which you have granted us. Your majesty seeks methods and ways and inventions by which to show us what love you have for us.
Blessed forever so great a God.

Amen.

OPEN MY EYES

God open my eyes so I may see
And feel your presence close to me...
Give me strength for my stumbling feet
As I battle the crowd on life's busy street,
And widen the vision of my unseeing eyes
So in passing faces I'll recognise
Not just a stranger, unloved and unknown,
But a friend with a heart
that is much like my own...
Give me perception to make me aware
That scattered profusely on life's thoroughfare
Are the best gifts of God
that we daily pass by
As we look at the world with an unseeing eye.