FORGIVENESS
AT
THE HEART OF THE MESSAGE OF JESUS
The Word became flesh not to reward
or even compensate people
for all the good things they have done during their
lives,
but to lead people from darkness to light, from death
to life.
"God so loved the world
that he gave his only Son
so that whoever believes in him
is not lost
but has eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world
to judge the world,
but so that the world might be saved by him."
Jn 3:16-17
The names of God revealed by Jesus
are Compassionate, Mercy, Forgiveness, Goodness, Kindness
and Tenderness, Light and Truth.
He did not come to judge or condemn,
but to reveal to each one how beautiful they are and
can become.
The Greek word for "to forgive" also means
to liberate,
to bring people out of danger and into life.
This liberation implies an acceptance on our part.
God is love and yearns to give himself in love.
Love is never imposed; love is offered.
Jesus invites; he does not violate our freedom.
We are called to open the door of our hearts.
Why do we refuse love?
How is it that we can choose death
rather than life,
depression rather that healing,
prison rather that freedom?
There is no easy answer.
This touches on the secret freedom of each person.
For some it seems just not possible.
They do not know Jesus as a healer and liberator.
Those who have known only a possessive love
cannot believe that there is such a thing as a liberating
love.
Some want to remain in the depression
they have learned to live with.
Some have been taught that success is the only value;
in order to be they must win;
they must be strong like God.
For them, to be weak means to be bad.
For others, it is better not to think personally,
but just to do what they are told, to obey the culture
and so on.
The way Christian life has been taught and lived over
the centuries, and even today,
has often blurred the healing, liberating message
of Jesus.
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.
DEATHS
We offer our deepest sympathy
to the family and friends of:
May Stewart, Fountain
Park
Joseph O'Donnell,
Sion Mills
Dale Alexander, Sion
Mills
Margaret Daly, Dublin,
formerly of Meenashesk Place
May they rest in peace.
ANNIVERSARIES
Raymond Logue, Bella McCrossan,
Mary Frances Madden, Tom McGee,
Annie Gillespie, Carol McCool,
Mary Ellen Conway, Martha Madden,
Joe Gallagher, Liam Maguire,
John Nelson, Mary Ann Conway,
Danny Shields, Robert Coyle Jnr,
Robert Coyle Snr.
BLESSING OF GRAVES
The annual ceremony of the blessing
of graves for the parish of Camus will be held next
Sunday 14 June at 3.00pm.
PARISH DRAW
The Draw for the month of June will
take place in the parish office on Thursday 18 June
at 2.30pm. Promoter are asked to make their returns
to the parish office on Monday 15 June.
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. 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
Fr. Patrick Doherty PP, Castlederg, 13 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.
SILVER JUBLIEE CELEBRATION
Fr. Pat O'Hagan who served our parish so well for
five years is celebrating the silver anniversary of
his ordination at a special Mass in St. Mary's Church,
Melmount, on Sunday 14 June at 5.00pm. He sends an
open invitiaion to all who would like to attend. We
wish Fr. Pat every blessing ad multos annos.
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.
FR. PATRICK PEYTON CSC MEMORIAL
CENTRE MAYO
A bus will leave Barrack Street Car
Park, Strabane on Sunday 5 July 2009 at 9.30am for
Mass at the Centre at 1.30pm. Meals must be booked.
Teas and coffees will be served courtesy of the Centre.
Fare £26.00 to be paid within 1 week of booking
your seat. Contact bus leader Jonathon McGhee on 07881510043.
NEW EXPERIENCE FOR SURVIVORS
OF TRAUMA (NEST)
Are you burdened by feelings of guilt
or shame? Do you suffer from depression, anxiety and/or
low self esteem? If you were able to break free from
the pain of what has happened to you, would your life
be different? The NEST Programme will enable you to
do just that and also give you resources to deal with
present and future life tasks. For more details telephone
The Pastoral Centre, Maghera 02879642983 or Derry
02871347220 for assessment for Autumn course, September
2009.
NORTH WEST TYRONE PIONEER TOTAL ABSTINENCE
ASSOCIATION
The annual outing this year will be
to the Newry, Warrenpoint/Rostrevor area. We will
start our day with Mass in Dromantine. The trip will
be on Saturday 4 July. Buses will leave Strabane at
7.45am picking up at the usual places to arrive in
Omagh at 8.15am and onwards to Dromantine for 10.00am
Mass. The evening meal has been booked for 5.30pm
in Newry.
NORTH WEST REGIONAL COLLEGE
North West Regional College, Derry,
Limavady and Strabane, is now offering an exciting
range of new part-time courses, which commence this
September. A number of course prices have been reduced
for the year ahead. For a copy of the new Part-Time
Prospectus, telephone 02871276022 or email info@nwrc.ac.uk
SOCIAL EVENING
There will be a social evening in
Mulvey House on Wednesday 10 June from 8.30pm - 11.30pm.
Music is by Jerry Callan. Admission £3.00. Tea
served.
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 3 match 3 winners in last
week's Draw
Joan Devenney
Jean Conway
Maura Conway
The numbers drawn were:
3, 14, 16, 17
Next Week's Lucky 4 Jackpot is £1300.00
JOAN HOUSTON MEMORIAL WHIST
DRIVE
The Joan Houston Memorial Whist Drive
will be held in St. Patrick's Hall this Sunday 7 June
commencing at 3.00pm sharp. Proceeds in aid of St.
Vincent de Paul Society and St. Patrick's Luncheon
Club.
STRICTLY COME DANCING PRESENTATION
DANCE
Presentation Dance in aid of Foyle
Hospice and Strabane parish will be held on Friday
12 June in St. Patrick's Hall. Dancing to Thomas Gillespie
and Friends. Doors open at 8.30pm. Admission £5.00.
***************
PRAYER CORNER
A PRAYER FOR HEALING
Healing God,
come to my hidden corners.
open the doors to my soul rooms
that are tightly locked.
Awaken in me.
Bring to life all my deadness.
Enthuse the depressed emotions.
Reenergise my inner weariness.
Bathe the grime of my ego-centeredness.
Clarify my confusions.
Fire my neglected loves.
Brush off my dusty dreams.
Nurture my spiritual hungers.
Ease my sore relationships.
Deepen my sense of self esteem.
Stir up my connection with the world.
Tenderly gather in your arms
all that still needs healing,
all that remains wounded and wanting.
May I grow each day into greater wholeness
with a stronger, purer inner freedom.
CAR
PARKING IN CHURCH GROUNDS
At a recent meeting with the Parish Pastoral Council
concern was raised about the volume of cars parked
in the church grounds. It has been decided that after
the weekend of 20/21 June only those vehicles carrying
the sick, invalid or immobile will be allowed into
the church grounds. This is necessary because the
paving around the church is being damaged by the number
of cars passing through. We would also ask that taxis
stay at a respectable distance from the main door
so as not to obstruct parishioners on their way into
and out of the church entrance. The car park at Barrack
Street Boys' school will be open for parking and the
full extent of the avenue including the front of the
parochial house is fully available. We will mention
this over the next few weeks to allow people to be
fully informed.
