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.
ADVENT HOPE
Hope is one of the great themes of Advent. The scripture
readings are dripping with hope. Isaiah paints a picture
of a world where all the nations will be at peace
under God. This is the kind of world we hope for.
But can we still have hope, considering the state
of the world? It is precisely because we live in an
imperfect world that we need hope. If we lived in
a perfect world we wouldn't need hope. However, some
refuse to accept hope into their hearts. They become
cynical. Cynicism comes easy. It requires nothing
from us - no trust, no effort, no love. But cynicism
is the enemy of hope.
Hope is not the same thing as optimism. Optimism
is the expectation that things will get better, whatever
the situation. Hope is the trust that God will fulfil
the promise he has made to us in his way and in his
time.
Hope doesn't mean sitting back waiting for things
to happen. Hope spurs us into action. It is precisely
because we have hope that we work so hard. We believe
our efforts are worthwhile, and that they do make
a difference.
It is the task of Christians to keep hope alive in
the world, and to set an example. However, we must
not depend on results, but only the rightness and
truth of the work itself. We already have in embryonic
form what we hope for. Already the first fruits of
the kingdom are among us in the person and action
of Jesus. At the second coming of Christ all humankind
will see the salvation of God.
In the end, only God can fulfil our hopes. But God
has given us his word in Christ. That should be enough
for us.
CARMELITE RETREAT CENTRE
Advent Weekend Retreat. Registration
Friday 11 December at 7.30pm to Sunday 13 December.
A quiet residential weekend, which will be a spiritual
preparation for the feast of Christmas, will be conducted
by the Carmelite Fathers in Termonbacca, Carmelite
Retreat Centre, Derry. Tel: 71262512.
DEATHS
We offer our deepest sympathy
to the family and friends of:
Anna May Gallagher,
Ballycolman Estate
May she rest in peace.
ANNIVERSARIES
John McCallion, Philip McCrossan
Jim Quinn, Susan O'Brien
Annie Melaugh, Sara McCrossan
Teresa Conway, Nan Sharkey, Edward
Curran
PRAYER GROUP
The contemplative prayer group will meet on Monday
at 8.15pm in the Parochial House. Everyone welcome.
PRAY FOR PRIESTS
The diocese published a prayer
card with the names of all the Derry diocesan priests.
This week we ask you to pray for:
Fr. James McGlinchey, Retired, 6
December
Fr. Brian McGoldrick PP, Doneyloop, 7 December
Fr. Neil McGoldrick PP, Fahan, 8 December
Fr. Patrick McGoldrick CC, Moville, 9 December
Fr. James McGonagle PPVF, Culdaff, 10 December
Fr. James McCrory, Armagh, 10 December
Fr. Patrick McGuigan, Deceased, 11 December
EUCHARISTIC HEALING SERVICE
There will be Eucharistic Healing Service in the Church
every Sunday during Advent at 6.00pm. Everyone welcome.
PENITENTIAL SERVICE
Penitential Service and Confessions for Christmas
will be held in St. Mary's Church, Melmount on Sunday
20 December from 5.00pm to 6.30pm. There will be eight
priests available for confession.
PARISH DRAW
The Draw for the month of December will take place
in the parish office on Thursday 10 December at 2.30pm.
There will also be an extra Draw for fully paid members.
Promoters are asked to make their returns to the parish
office on Tuesday 8 December.
SACRED HEART MESSENGER
Subscribers please note the price increase of the
Sacred Heart Messenger magazine. From January 2010
the magazine will be £1.00 per edition.
CHURCH ROOF
We gratefully acknowledge the following donations
towards the repair of the church roof. £60.00
£40.00. Many thanks.
Marriage Preparation Workshops will
take place on the following dates in the
Thornhill Centre, Derry:
29/30 January 2010, 26/27 February
2010, 26/27 March 2010. Fridays 7.00pm - 10.00pm,
Saturdays 10.00am - 4.00pm. Booking forms available
from The Pastoral Centre, 164 Bishop Street, Derry
BT48 6UJ. Telephone 02871362475.
DERRY DIOCESAN LOURDES PILGRIMAGE
2010
Why not give someone an opportunity of going on the
Lourdes Pilgrimage 16 - 21 July 2010 as your Christmas
gift. Gift vouchers (£25.00 - £100.00)
are now available from the Pilgrimage Office, 164
Bishop Street, Derry. Office opens Tuesday 11.00am
- 1.00pm, Thursday 11.00am - 2.00pm and Saturday 11.00am
- 1.00pm. Telephone 71260293.
Marie Curie Cancer Care Community
Carol Service will take place in the Alley
Theatre on Monday 21 December at 8.00pm. Music by
St. Joseph’s Brass Band; singing led by Derg
Valley Choir. Tickets £5.00 available from the
Alley Theatre Box Office Tel: 02871384444 or www.alley-theatre.com.
LEGION OF MARY
Legion of Mary meets each Thursday morning after Mass
at 10.30am in the Church Conference Room. Work consists
of Rosary promotion in the parish, also visitation
of residential nursing homes in town and Lifford hospital.
New members welcome.
TROCAIRE GLOBAL GIFT
This Christmas why not give a gift
that can change someone’s world for the better.
A gift that conveys the true meaning of Christmas,
that is not just thoughtful but is also genuinely
life-changing. A gift that will continue to be appreciated
for many Christmases to come - this Christmas please
give a Trocaire Global Gift. There are 9 gifts to
choose from. The order forms are available at the
back of the church.
INTERCESSORS OF THE LAMB RETREAT
One Day Retreat in
Ards Friary
A new Religious Order was founded
in 1976 by Mother Nadine Brown who was a contemplative
nun for many years. Their main charism is the call
to holiness for each person and is Gospel based with
a strong emphasis on intercessory prayer. Two of their
members are in ministry in the House of Prayer, Drumkeen,
Co.Donegal until Christmas 2009. This is a unique
retreat allowing you to focus on the power and importance
of prayer.
The Order is holding a One Day Retreat in Ards Friary,
Creeslough, Co. Donegal on 12 December 2009. Commencing
at 9.30am and finishing at 7.00pm. Cost E40/£36
includes lunch, supper and refreshments. All are welcome.
Contact Ards Friary Retreat and Conference
Centre on 0749138909 or 00353749138909 for booking
or email info@ardsfriary.ie Web www.ardsfriary.ie
PICTORIAL DVD
'A Year in the Life of Camus Parish'
A pictorial DVD entitled 'A Year in the Life of Camus
Parish' is now available to buy. You can get your
DVD at the parochial house, the Church or from St.
Vincent de Paul. Price £10.00.
ST. PATRICK’S
HALL
Bingo and Lucky 4 Draw as usual this Thursday.
All our patrons are very welcome.
Bingo Snowball £2500.00
ST. PATRICK'S HALL ANNUAL
BAZAAR
This year's bazaar will be held on Saturday 5 and
Sunday 6 December from 8.00pm 'til late.
Star prizes to be won!!
Games Consoles, Toys, Hampers, Electrical Goods and
many, many more fantastic prizes for all the family
including pick of the stage!!!
Everyone Welcome.
PRAYER CORNER
THE SHINING WORD "AND"
"And" teaches us to say yes
"And'' allows us to be both - and
''And'' keeps us from either - or
''And'' teaches us to be patient and long-suffering
''And'' is willing to wait for insight and integration
''And'' does not divide the field of the moment
''And'' helps us to live in the always imperfect now
''And'' keeps us inclusive and compassionate toward
everything
''And'' demands that our contemplation become active
"And" insists that our action is also contemplative
"And" keeps us from the false choice of
liberal or conservative
"And" allows us to critique both sides of
things
"And'' allows us to enjoy both sides of things
"And" is far beyond any one nation or political
party
"And" helps us face and accept our own dark
side
"And'' allow us to ask for forgiveness and to
apologise
"And" is the mystery of paradox in all things
"And" is the way of mercy
"And'' makes daily, practical love possible
"And" does not trust love if it is not also
justice
"And" does not trust justice if it is not
also love
"And" is far beyond my religion versus your
religion
"And" allows us to be both distinct and
yet united
"And'' is the very Mystery of Trinity
FOR SELF-FORGIVENESS
Today I am overcome with a sense of failure.
I am painfully aware of dreams not fulfilled,
of ambitions not realised, of work left unfinished,
of people not cared for, of bridges not mended,
of promises not kept.
I feel that I have wasted the days of my years.
Awaken within me an acceptance of
myself as I am.
Quieten the voice of excessive self criticism within
me.
Awaken in me a forgiveness that is unconditional.
Lead me to the conviction that:
in you all is forgiven,
in you all is understood and accepted,
in you the prodigal is welcomed home.
ADVENT PEACE PSALM
O Prince of Peace,
whose Advent we seek in our lives,
come this day and show us
how to beat our swords into ploughshares,
tools of life instead of instruments of fear.
May your love strip us
of all weapons and strategies of conquest
which are not the tools of lovers,
wise ones and God's children.
Let us not lust for power
but rather strive for the insight
to be guided on the Way of Peace.
Let us not yearn for a victory
that requires a sister's sorrow
or a brother's shameful defeat.
Let us be Advent adventurers and peacemakers,
hammering swords into shovels,
filling holes and levelling peaks.
Let us be disarmed and vulnerable,
for only through such open hands and hearts
can Emmanuel come.
