A DEEPER VIRTUE
In our culture the image is everything. Appearances
are more important than the substance. But appearances
can be deceptive. A nut may have a large shell, and
yet be empty inside.
Jesus was able to see beneath the appearance to the
inner person. And to him it was the inner person that
mattered. This brought him into conflict with the
Scribes and Pharisees.
He wasn't taken in by their pious exterior. Piety
is no substitute for goodness. He had some hard things
to say about them. For instance he compared them to
whitewashed tombs. From the outside they appeared
to be upright people, but inside they were full of
hypocrisy and lawlessness (Mt 23:27-28).
However, the chief fault that he found in them was
that they lacked charity. For all their piety they
were cold-hearted. If one's heart is cold, how can
one be virtuous? He also made a stinging indictment
of their worship when he said, 'You honour God with
your lips, but your hearts are far from him' (Mt 15:8).
He made it clear that his disciples would have to
do better. To them he said, 'If your virtue goes no
deeper than that of the Scribes and Pharisees, you
will never enter the kingdom of heaven' - words we
find in today's Gospel.
Virtue is not exterior demeanour or conformity to
social manners. Genuine virtue is interior, that is,
rooted in conviction and desire. It is an expression
of the heart and the soul.
When all is said and done it is the heart that matters.
A person is what the heart is. Our chief concern,
then, must be to get the heart right. If the heart
is right, then our deeds will be true and genuine.
They will flow from what we are, as naturally as good
fruit from a good tree.
PRAYER GROUP
The contemplative prayer group will
meet on Monday evening at 8.15pm in the Parochial
House. Newcomers welcome.
ANNIVERSARIES
Mary McCosker, Sarah Devenney,
Kathleen McDaid, John Francis Gallagher,
Margaret Dunne, Katie Devine,
Michael Forbes, Maureen Casey,
John O'Brien, Kathleen O'Brien,
Willie Logue, Mary Ann Elliott,
Margaret Stewart, Mairead Stewart,
Mary Quinn, Willie Wray,
Frankie Wray, Jim Wilson.
DEATHS
We offer our deepest sympathy to the
family and friends of:
Helen McGoldrick,
Melmount Villas
Joseph Patton, Carlton
Drive
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:
Most Rev. Francis Lagan DD, 8 March
Fr. Charles Logue CC, Kilrea, 9 March
Fr. Paul McCafferty, Diocesan Secretary,
10 March
Fr. Bryan McCanny PPVG, Three Patrons,
11 March
Fr. Michael McCaughey CC, Waterside,
12 March
Fr. James McCrory, Retired, 14 March
THORNHILL CENTRE
Thornhill Centre is at present providing
the following courses: Lenten Thursdays, Lenten Scripture
Course, Dreams Workshop. For further details please
contact the Centre at 71351233.
PARISH MUSICIANS: An afternoon workshop
for choirs of the Tyrone Deanery will be held from
2.00pm - 4.00pm on Saturday 21 March in St. Patrick's
Hall, Castlederg. Music to include pieces for Holy
Week and Easter. Cost £3.00 per person. To book
please ring 81661475 or 71351233.
CHURCH FLOWER ARRANGERS
Please note that the date of the next
meeting has been changed to Thursday 26 March in the
Thornhill Centre.
WORKSHOP ON MARRIAGE
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, 27-29 March,
Dromantine Conference Centre, Newry. Telephone 02890
626503 or 02871 350612.
LENTEN PROGRAMME 2009
Masses:- Monday 7.00am 10.00am
Tuesday 7.00am 10.00am
Wednesday 7.00am 7.00pm
Thursday 7.00am 10.00am
Friday 7.00am 10.00am
Saturday 10.00am 6.30pm
Sunday 10.00am 12.00 noon
Stations of the Cross:- Wednesday
6.45pm and Friday 6.00pm
Eucharistic Healing Service:- Every
Sunday during Lent at 6.00pm. This takes place before
the Blessed Sacrament and we pray for the healing
of hurts, wounds, depressions, traumas and difficulties
of every kind, emotional or physical.
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament:-
This takes place all day in the Adoration Chapel (Oasis
of Peace). The Adoration Chapel is situated at the
back of the church.
Book of Petitions:- This book is
situated near the Padre Pio statue and you are invited
to write all your prayers and special requests in
the book. These requests are remembered at all Masses
in the church.
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.
PAYMENTS BY CHEQUE
The Bank have reminded us that all
payments made to the parish by cheque (for Parish
Draw, Sunday and Special Collections etc.) must be
made payable to Church of the Immaculate Conception
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.
STRABANE SIGERSONS G.A.A.
Strabane Sigersons are encouraging the people of
Strabane and the surrounding areas to come out and
show their support for the annual St. Patrick's Day
parade in the town. This year's parade will have a
special G.A.A. theme owing to the 125 celebrations.
The deadline for Club Membership Fees has been extended
until St. Patrick's Day. These can be paid to Aidan
McGrath, Cha Stewart or left at the Social Club.
STRABANE
COMMUNITY PROJECT
Service Provision Statistics
Luncheon Club 745 meals cooked
in January '09
Approximately 186 meals per week or 37 per day
Meals on Wheels 1559 meals
cooked in January '09
Approximately 390 meals per week or 78 per day
Respite Care for Carers (Sitting
Service)
40.5 hours for January '09
Flexicare Services which include
Shopping, Chaperoning and Transport
116.5 contacts (hours) for January '09
Approximately 29 contacts per week or 9 per day
Good Morning Strabane 2200
calls in January '09
Approximately 550 calls per week or 110 per day
ST. VINCENT DE PAUL LUCKY LOTTO DRAW
The numbers drawn were 3, 6, 9, 18.
There was no Jackpot winner. 24 matched 3 numbers:
Martin French, Carmel Nelson, Marie Maxwell, Ryan
Fleming, Lisa Patton, Stephen Barrett, Paul Diver,
Frances O'Kane, Kathleen McCay, Noeleen Gallagher,
Stim Hughes, Margo Coyle, French Family, Tess McCrory,
William Doyle, Patrick Doherty, Mary McElwee, Deborah
Logue, Marcella Edginton, John Doherty, Anne McGlynn,
Oliver Rouse, Michael Forbes, Anthony Callaghan. Jackpot
for April is £1100.00. Next Draw will take place
on Sunday 5 April at 9.00pm at Melmount parish bingo.
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 was 1 match 3 winner in last
week's Draw
Eddie McKelvey
The numbers drawn were:
4, 8, 17, 22
Next Week's Lucky 4 Jackpot
is £1000.00
STRICTLY COME DANCING
We are organising a 'Come Dancing' competition to
start in early March. If you are interested in taking
part there will be lessons one night per week for
six weeks. For further details contact Raymond Kirk
on 02871 382452 or Brian McCallion on 02871 882483.
All proceeds will be divided between the Foyle Hospice
and Strabane Parish.
PRAYER
CORNER
WHEN SOMEONE VIGILS WITH US
Jesus, Son of Mary,
you knew how much pain and grief
your situation caused your mother.
Even as her presence comforted you,
you looked upon her great sorrow.
When I feel guilty or selfish about
those who stand beneath my cross,
when I want to shut them out,
or try to keep them away
so they won't hurt so much,
remind me to let them in.
They need to be there for me,
and also for themselves.
Let me be big-hearted enough
to welcome those who want help.
THE HEART OF COMPASSION
Compassionate God,
your generous presence
is always attuned to hurting ones.
Your listening ear is bent
towards the cries of the wounded.
Your heart of love
fills with tears for the suffering.
Turn my inward eye to see
that I am not alone.
I am a part of all of life.
Each one's joy and sorrow
is my joy and sorrow,
and mine is theirs.
May I draw strength
from this inner communion.
May it daily recommit me
to be a compassionate presence
for all who struggle with life's pain.
***
Guardian of the Wounded, wrap me
in your embrace,
Hold me close to your heart and assure me of your
love. Protect my sore spirit. Ease the pain it holds.
Like the leper I beg for healing and deliverance from
the emotional drain and the unending sadness that
the losses of life have brought me.
Let peace return.
