At this time our teachers and children
are making their way back to school after a very wet
and disappointing summer. We wish them all the best
in their new 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 think of our Primary One children
taking their first steps, those children leaving Primary
Seven, those who are getting ready for their exam
year and those who will be 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 might be the first big 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 the family 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
main 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 is essential that our children be
educated in an environment and ethos where those Catholic
values are handed on and displayed. Our children will
be equipped then 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 increasing
Godless society. We only have our children for a short
while, and while the opportunity still exists, all
efforts must be made to give them that background.
Then we will have a confidence that, guided by the
Spirit, they will achieve that fulness of personality
towards which God calls them.
COLLECTION
We acknowledge last Sunday's
collection of £1720.00
Many thanks.
DEATHS
We offer our deepest sympathy to the
family and friends of:
Joseph Maguire, Sion
Mills
Mary McGinley, Victoria
Bridge
Gerard Maguire, Glebe,
Sion Mills
May they rest in peace.
ANNIVERSARIES
Hugh Duncan, John Gallagher,
Brian Harper, Maimie O'Driscoll,
Lily Parke, Patrick McGillian,
John Gallagher (Sen), Sarah McAteer,
Brendan Feeney, Denis Connolly,
Danny McDaid, Sarah Richmond,
Johnny Montague, Frances Gallagher,
Maria McElwee, Jimmy McCauley (Sen),
Johnny McCauley, Peggy Canavan,
Seamus McLaughlin, Michael McElroy,
The Months Mind Mass for
Maureen MacIntyre, Riverside Terrace took place on
Wednesday 2 September at 7.00pm.
PRAY FOR PRIESTS
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. Arthur O'Reilly CC, Banagher,
6 Sept
Fr. Desmond Polke CC, Doneyloop, 8 Sept
Fr. Michael Porter CC, Fahan, 9 Sept
Fr. Anthony Quinn, Retired, 10 Sept
Fr. William Rafferty, Deceased, 11 Sept
Fr. John Ryder, Retired, 12 Sept
PARISH DRAW
The Draw for the month of September
will take place on Thursday 17 September at 2.30pm
in the parish office. Promoters are asked to make
their returns to the parish office on Monday 14 September.
ACCORD DERRY
Marriage Preparation Workshops will
take place on 18/19 September and 23/24 October 2009
in the Thornhill Centre, Culmore Road, Derry. Friday
from 7.00pm - 10.00pm and Saturday from 10.00am -
4.00pm. Booking forms available from the Pastoral
Centre, 164 Bishop Street, Derry, Tel. 02871362475.
THORNHILL CENTRE
Thornhill Centre has a number
of short and long courses starting in October and
November 2009.
Aspects of Faith: ‘So
what should we teach them?’ (1 term night course
- October/November).
Personal Development:
'Dreams Workshop' (1 term night course - October/November).
Pastoral Ministry:
'There is a Variety of Gifts' (8 Saturday Seminars
- Monthly).
Scripture: Saint
Luke (4 week night course - November).
Liturgy: 'Foundations
in Liturgy'. Contact the Thornhill Centre on 71351233.
ENGAGED ENCOUNTER WEEKEND
The next Engaged Encounter weekend
will take place in the Thornhill Centre, Derry on
12/13 September. This is a non-residential, two-day
weekend for engaged couples and we have some places
remaining. Accommodation can be arranged through the
Centre.
PILGRIMAGE TO KNOCK
Pilgrimage to Knock on Saturday 12
September in honour of Our Lady of the Miraculous
Medal. Bus leaves Abercorn Square at 8.00am sharp.
Fare £12.00 or €15.00. Please bring a packed
lunch. Contact Mary Hegarty 15 Patrick Street on 02871882886
for details.
LEGION OF MARY
The annual Legion of Mary pilgrimage
to Knock Shrine will take place on Sunday 27 Sept.
Details later.
Children in Crossfire need 100 people
on 19 September to zip 1000 feet across the River
Lagan, 140 feet high at 40mph. This is a truly thrilling
and safe experience, a challenge for everyone. For
more details and an application form please telephone
02871269898 or email events@childrenincrossfire.org
3rd TYRONE SCOUTS
3rd Tyrone Scouts will resume
in the Melmount Centre on the following dates:
The Cubs 8-10 years
Tuesday 8 Sept 7.00pm-8.30pm weekly
The Beavers 6-8 years
Thursday 10 Sept 6.00pm-7.30pm weekly
The Scouts 10-15 years
Thursday 10 Sept 7.30pm-9.00pm weekly
The Ventures 15-25 years
Thursday 10 Sept 8.00pm-9.30pm every 2 weeks.
CHURCH ROOF
The lower church roof on the Barrack
Street Boys' School side is in need of major attention.
You may have noticed the scaffolding that has been
erected to allow that section to be totally felted
and re slated. This section of the roof has caused
problems for many years with serious leaks occurring
after heavy rain and the time has come for a proper
and comprehensive overhaul. The cost, we are told,
will be around £15,000.00. The work should be
finished at the beginning of October.
CEILE DANCING CLASSES
Ceili Dancing Classes will commence
in the Melmount Centre on Wednesday 9 September from
8.30pm- 10.30pm. Admission £2.00. Everyone welcome.
LIAM BRADLEY TOURS
Killarney for 4 days 5 October. 3
Dinners, 3 B/B plus tours £189.00pps. Departs
Abercorn Square, Strabane at 8.20am. Telephone 71269109
anytime.
ST. PATRICK’S
HALL
Bingo and Lucky 4 Draw as usual this
Thursday.
All our patrons are very welcome.
Bingo Snowball £2500.00
LUCKY 4 DRAW
There were 2 match 3 winners in last
week's Draw
Walsh Family
Teresa Clarke
The numbers drawn were:
1, 3, 7, 19
Next Week's Lucky 4 Jackpot
is £1650.00
***************
PRAYER CORNER
REFLECTION
The disciples were sitting on
a bank of a river.
"If I fall off this bank will
I drown?" one of them asked.
"No," said the Master. "It isn't
falling in that causes you to
drown; it's staying in."
FOR SUFFERING
May you be blessed in the holy names
of those
Who, without you knowing it,
Help to carry and lighten your pain.
May you know serenity
When you are called
To enter the house of suffering.
May a window of light always surprise
you.
May you be granted the wisdom
To avoid false resistance;
When suffering knocks on the door of your life,
May you glimpse its eventual gifts.
May you be able to receive the fruits
of suffering.
May memory bless and protect you
With the hard-earned light of past travail;
To remind you that you have survived before
And though the darkness now is deep,
You will soon see approaching light.
May the grace of time heal your wounds.
May you know that though the storm
might rage,
Not a hair of your head will be harmed.
REFLECTION
The Master found it tiresome to speak
with people who were forever bent on
defending the existence of God or
discussing His nature while they neglected
the all-important task of self-awareness
which could alone bring them
love and liberation.
To a group of people who asked him
to
speak to them of God, he said, "What you
seek, alas, is to talk of God rather than
see Him; and you see Him as you think he
is, not as he actually is. For God is
manifest, He is not hidden. Why talk?
Open your eyes and see."
Later he added, "Seeing is the
easiest
thing in the world. All you need to do is
raise the shutters of you God-thoughts."
