Sunday 8th July 2007

Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Reflection

When Jesus sent out the seventy-two disciples he said that their first words on entering a house were to be: ‘Peace to his house.’ They were to be ambassadors of peace and goodwill. Without peace nothing is possible. Peace is not a negative thing. It is not just the absence of war or enmity. Peace is a positive thing. It implies openness, friendship, tolerance, goodwill, hospitality, reconciliation. It disposes us to reach out to others. It helps to break down barriers of suspicion, fear, prejudice and bigotry.

The opportunities for sharing peace, for making peace, are many. We may not always succeed, because it takes at least two to make peace.

We have to accept that our peace will not always be accepted. It may come back to us like the echo of our own voice, but at least we ought to try.

***

CAUTION WITH BATHWATER

One day a student proudly informed his teacher that he no longer was a believer. "Ah, you've seen the light," replied the teacher. "That's wonderful, for those who believe only in themselves are indeed lost."

The student looked shocked. "Teacher, I wasn't talking about believing in myself."

"Excuse me," replied the teacher. "Well then, I affirm your new disbelief in science. Be an atheist of all that mumbo-jumbo about discoveries - they're just theories anyway. Science keeps changing what it teaches as verifiable truth. One century, it teaches one thing to believe in, and the next century scientists come along with some new discovery and begin to teach the opposite."

The frustrated student interrupted, "Teacher, I'm not talking about science. I am no longer a believer in religion!"

"Oh," answered the teacher with wide-eyed astonishment. "Why?"
"What do you mean, why?" replied the student whose face beamed with pride. "I no longer believe in all that nonsense I was taught as a child, that's why!"

"Ah," said the teacher, slowly nodding his head in agreement. "Yes, but be very careful, lest you throw out the baby with the bathwater, especially if you're the baby."

The holy bathwater of childhood isn't the real baptismal bath! As John the Baptist said, "I baptise with water, but the one who is to come after me will baptise in fire and the Holy Spirit." (Luke 3:16). Baby's bathwater is far too lukewarm for that fiery plunge of a lifetime. So, for many, the first step towards authentic conversion is to deepen the religion learned as a child. Then the deeper baptism can begin.

Blest are those who develop the religion of their childhood. More blest still are those who struggle with it then set out bravely to seek an adult religious faith. It may have the same name - having its source in the same birthing waters. But it will be a mature and dynamic - if not a dangerous - religious faith.

COLLECTION
We acknowledge last Sunday’s collection of £1802.00. Many thanks.

ANOINTING OF THE SICK
There will be a special Mass of the anointing of the sick in the parish this Sunday 8th July at 4.00pm.

ANNIVERSARIES
Ita Brown, Eddie Hegarty, Francis McGillian, James Duffy,
James McKenna, Ernie Hoynes, Patrick McDevitt, Tony Lynch,
Jim Lynch, Paddy McGinley.

DEATHS
We offer our deepest sympathy to the family and friends of:
Robert Campbell, Lisnafin Park,
Thomas Quigg, Dunamanagh,
Davy Kerr, Curley Hill Road,
Michael Coyle, Sion Mills. May they rest in peace.

MARRIAGES
We congratulate the following couple who were married in our parish recently:
Joanne Diver and Jonathan McSorley,
Gemma Murphy and Paul Conwell.

PRAY FOR PRIESTS
Last year 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 the following priests:
Fr. John Irwin, chaplain, Nazareth House, 8th July
Fr. Charles Kearney PP, Coleraine, 9th July
Fr. Stephen Kearney PP, N'stewart, 10th July
Fr. Lawrence Keaveny P.Em, Retired, 11th July
Fr. Michael Keaveny CC, Faughanvale, 12th July
Fr. Seamus Kelly PP,VF, Culmore, 13th July
Fr. Edward Kilpatrick PP, Lifford, 14th July

PARISH DRAW
We will be holding 2 Draws in July for the months of July and August. We therefore ask promoters to bring £10.00 per member when making their returns in July to cover both Draws. Please make your returns to the parish office on Monday 23rd July. Both Draws will take place on Thursday 26th July.

STRABANE & LECKPATRICK SENIOR CITIZENS ANNUAL OUTING
This year's annual outing will be held on Wednesday 18th July going to Donegal Town and Bundoran. Any senior citizens interested in going should leave their name and address at Vincent's shop, Barrack Street or telephone 02871384488 before 10th July. Tickets will be issued from 11th July onwards for those who have given their names.

ST. VINCENT DE PAUL LUCKY LOTTO DRAW
The numbers drawn were 5, 12, 17, 22. There was no Jackpot winner. There were 10 match 3 winners who shared £300.00: Thomas Collins, Sr. Rose Ann, Ciara McGill, Paulita McDermott, Carmel Moss, Mary Brown, Rita McDonnell, Ciara Kelly, Eddie Slavin, Bernie Henderson. Jackpot for August is £1200.00. Next Draw will take place on Sunday 5th August at 9.00pm at Melmount parish bingo.

HOUSE OF PRAYER, ACHIL
Bus leaving Strabane on 28th July for House of Prayer, Achil. £10.00 deposit. Contact 07762363834 for details.

N.I. BLOOD TRANSFUSION SERVICE
A team from the N.I. Blood Transfusion Service will be in St. Patrick's Hall on Wednesday 18th July from 1.30pm - 4.00pm and 5.15pm - 8.00pm. The Blood Transfusion Service would appeal for the support of all existing blood donors and welcome new donors.

IONA CARMELITE RETREAT CENTRE
Shared Scripture Reading and Prayer will take place in the Carmelite Retreat Centre, Termonbacca, Derry on Tuesday 10th July at 8.00pm. Conducted by Fr. Sean Conlon OCD. All are welcome to attend.

A Mass in honour of Our Lady of Mount Carmel will take place in the Carmelite Retreat Centre, Termonbacca, Derry on her Feast Day Monday 16th July at 7.00pm. All are welcome to attend.

CEILI
Ceili in St. Patrick's Hall on Sunday 8th July. Dancing 8.00pm - 11.00pm. Music by Gallagher and Logue. Admission £5.00, includes supper.

ST. PATRICK'S LUNCHEON CLUB
St. Patrick's Luncheon Club are holding a dance/social on Monday 16th July in St. Patrick's Hall. Music is by Patsy Harte and supper is at 9.00pm. Admission is £3.00 or 5 Euro (includes supper). Everyone is welcome.

ST PATRICK’S HALL

Bingo & Lucky 4 Draw Every Thursday

There were no winners in last week's Lucky 4 Draw
1, 5, 18, 23

Hugo Conaghan won the draw

Next Week's Lucky 4 Jackpot is £1025.00

Bridge Every Monday Evening at 8.00pm
New members welcome

PRAYER CORNER

LOVE POEM TO GOD

I love you, gentlest of Ways,
who ripened us as we wrestled with you.

You, the great homesickness we could never shake off,
you, the forest that always surrounded us,
you, the song we sang in every silence,
you dark net threading through us,
You began yourself so greatly
on that day when you began us -
and we have so ripened in your sunlight,
spreading far and firmly planted -
that now in all people, angels, madonnas,
you can decide: the work is done.

Let your hand rest on the rim of Heaven now
and mutely bear the darkness we bring over you.

HOLY SPIRIT, MAKE ME HOLY
Holy Spirit, reveal yourself to me
In the depths of my being,
In the working of my mind,
In the feelings in my heart.
Purge my inner self
That I may be filled
With the wonder of your love;
Sanctify my every thought,
That I may be enfolded
In the splendour of your goodness;
Purify my every feeling,
That I may be worthy to behold your glory.
Come, Holy Spirit, come!

HEAVY BURDENS
Jesus, Rest for the Weary,
the heaviness of my burden overwhelms me.
the immensity of this situation
presses down upon me.
The weight of the pain I carry
crushes my hopeful vision of life.
I long for an easing of my distress.
Let me hear again
your promising words of comfort.
Speak them to my heart:
"Come to me all of you who are weary,
and carrying heavy burdens,
and I will give you rest"(Matt.11:28).
I lean my burdened life
of the bosom of your love
and wait to be consoled.

GOD'S EMBRACE
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 that it holds.
You are always ready
to embrace me,
no matter how hurt or desolate
my heart may be.
I will trust you with my pain.
I will rest in your solace.
I will take refuge in your love.

TEACH US TO LIVE
God of love - Forgive! Forgive!
Teach us how to truly live,
Ask us not our race or creed,
Just take us in our hour of need ,
And let us know You love us, too,
And that we are a part of You...
And someday may man realise
That all the earth, the seas and skies
Belong to God who made us all,
The rich , the poor, the great, the small.
And in the Father's Holy Sight
No man is yellow, black or white,
And peace on earth cannot be found
Until we meet on common ground
And every man becomes a brother
Who worships God and loves each other.

GOOD EXAMPLE
Parents cannot be content just to tell our children the right way to live; they must set the example themselves. It's no use parents warning teenagers about the dangers of drink if parents cannot control the use of drink themselves. It's no use expecting children to be responsible about food, money or clothes if parents are self-indulgent and spendthrift themselves. Instead of just telling children what the Christian way is, parents must live the Christian way with them.

Dear parents, you are the parents over your children. You are also Christians with them. Children will get their ideas about what it means to be a Christian much more from how they see their parents living than from what their parents tell them, or from what they are taught in school, or even what they hear in church.