STAYING FAITHFUL TO DAILY PRAYER

People are troubled when they cannot hold on to the consolations they desire in their efforts to pray. They want to constantly sense God's nearness so that personal prayer is cushy and undemanding. Instead of this, God moves through our prayer at a pace other than what we want or expect. When we do not accept this pace, there is a struggle year after year. When life gets full, the first thing to fly off the daily schedule is usually the time set aside for prayer. (Foregoing prayer is much easier to do when seemingly little fruit appears to be coming from it.)

Faithfulness is about finding a place of peace within us that trusts in God's nearness, no matter whether we feel this nearness or not. We go on praying whether the tide is in or out. We "let go and let God," who knows the intention of our heart. And that is enough.

When we pray, we cross a threshold into mystery. We enter openly, with an assurance that our life will continually take on the hue of the Holy One. In order to do this, we need quiet times, spaces in our day or evening when silence and solitude are given prominence in our schedule. Our culture does not promote this silence. On the contrary. We are constantly pulled this way and that by our overly active society. The electronic age seduces us with constant noise and frenetic, compulsive action. Only with steadfast determination will we create the space we need for daily, formal prayer.

At an early December retreat in northern California, I asked those present to name their greatest impediment to spiritual growth. Many of them spoke about "busyness" and "lack of time" as the central obstacles. Not surprising. This challenge has to be addressed if one is to be faithful to daily prayer. I've noticed how increasingly uncomfortable adults at retreats are with even a half hour of silence. Although I provide a whole page of scripture passages, a list of suggested questions and activities for the reflective time, they soon become restless and start carrying on conversations or talking on their mobile phones.

When we slow down and allow for quiet spaces, there are fewer barriers between us and the Holy One. In stillness, we come face to face with what we might otherwise miss or avoid. As we give ourselves to periods of silence and solitude, we uncover more of the truth that guides our life and are able to relish the goodness of the Beloved dwelling within the beauty of our soul.

Joyce Rupp

PRAYER GROUP
The contemplative prayer group will meet on Monday at 8.15pm in the Parochial House. Newcomers very welcome.

DEATHS

We offer our deepest sympathy to the family and friends of:

Rosita McGrath, Ashgrove Park

Annie May McGrath, Sion Mills

May they rest in peace.

ANNIVERSARIES

Billy Melly, Lida Duddy

John Moore, Pat Boyle

Lily Tobin, Bridget O'Donnell

Jim Dunnion, Annie Sproule

Herbert Dunnion, Sean Doherty

Mary Elizabeth Sturrock, Ivan Barr

PRAY FOR PRIESTS

This week we ask you to pray for:

Fr. John R Walsh PP, Buncrana, 9 May
Fr. Alex Anderson, 10 May
Fr. Patrick Arkinson PP, Killygordon, 11 May
Fr. Patrick Baker CC, Maghera, 12 May
Fr. Declan Boland PP, Strabane, 13 May
Fr. Eugene Boland PP, Killyclogher, 14 May
Fr. Francis Bradley, Diocesan Pastoral Centre, 15 May

HOLY FAMILY PADRE PIO PRAYER GROUP
The Holy Family Padre Pio Prayer Group will hold their monthly meeting in the Holy Family Church, Ballymagroarty, Derry on Monday 10 May starting with 7.30pm Mass. There will be two 1st class relics of St. Pio at the meeting. All are welcome.

BLESSING OF GRAVES
The annual ceremony of the blessing of graves for the parish will be held on Sunday 6 June at 3.00pm.

FIRST CONFESSIONS AND FIRST HOLY COMMUNION
First Confessions will take place on Wednesday 12 May at 7.00pm.
First Holy Communion for all P.4 pupils will take place in the parish on Saturday 29 May at 11.00am.

CONGRATULATIONS
Congratulations to the boys and girls who were confirmed this Saturday morning by Bishop Hegarty and also to their parents, families, teachers and school Principals.

DIOCESAN PURPOSES COLLECTION
There will be an additional collection taken up next weekend for Diocesan Purposes. You will find an envelope for this collection in your envelope box.

ACCORD
Are you interested in becoming a facilitator with Accord Catholic Marriage Care Service? Please contact Accord Derry, 164 Bishop Street, Derry BT48 6UJ.
Telephone 02871362475. Email derry@accordni.com

CARMELITE RETREAT CENTRE
Termonbacca Community 16th Annual Funday will be held on Sunday 6 June. We would be grateful for any items you may wish to donate, e.g., clothes, toys, bric a brac, books etc., for our Funday stalls. Please bring them along to the Retreat Centre. If you are willing to help in anyway you can contact us during office hours. Telephone Derry 02871262512.

FOYLE HOSPICE MIDNIGHT WALK
Foyle Hospice’s Strabane Midnight Walk will take place on Friday 25 June. The walk is a 3.5 mile sponsored walk around the bypass and will start/finish at Heaton’s Car park, off Railway Road. The walk will commence at midnight and be a ladies only event. The registration fee is £6.00/€7.00. Participants will receive a Strabane Midnight Walk T-Shirt, Medal and on completion of the walk a Bacon Bap!

LOURDES HOSPITALITE
The Annual Diocesan Lourdes Hospitalite collection is scheduled to take place on the weekend of 29/30 May. The Fund is very dependent on the monies raised from this one collection to support people who are sick and in need of medical care. It is a vital source of revenue that makes the work of the Lourdes Hospitalite possible.

INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTERS
This course will be held in Strabane Community Unemployed Centre, 13a Newtown Street, Strabane. It is a ten week course - two hours per week. Times are 10.00am - 12.00 noon on Monday or Thursday. This course is FREE. If you are interested call in at the Centre or telephone 02871383927.

LIAM BRADLEY TOURS
12 July. Waterford 4 Days for £225.00. Departs Abercorn Square at 8.20am. To book telephone 71269109 any time.

ST. PATRICK’S HALL

Bingo and Lucky 4 Draw as usual this Thursday.
All our patrons are very welcome.

LUCKY 4 DRAW

There were 2 match 3 winners in last week's Draw

Mary Diver, E. McDaid

The numbers drawn were:
3, 5, 13, 23
Next Week's Lucky 4 Jackpot is £2175.00

ANNUAL PIONEER DANCE
The Annual Pioneer Dance will take place on Friday 14 May in St. Patrick's Hall. Music by Country Legends. Admission £6.00 includes tea. Tea served at 9.00pm.

N.I. BLOOD TRANSFUSION SERVICE
A team from the N.I. Blood Transfusion Service will be in St. Patrick's Hall on Wednesday 19 May 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.

CONGRATULATIONS.
Heartiest congratulations to all those who contributed in any way to the outstanding success of the Come Dancing event in the Hall last weekend. It was not only hugely successful but those who attended it had two wonderful evenings of fun and entertainment. A big Thank You to all our sponsors, the dancers, the dancing tutors, the Hall committee and the people from far and near who supported it.

PRAYER CORNER

HEAR OUR CRY

God our Creator,
God most high,
God immortal,
Hear our cry.

God all-merciful,
God most high,
God all powerful,
Hear our cry.

God invisible,
God most high,
God ever present,
Hear our cry.

I AM UNSURE

Lord, I am unsure:
The future is all unknown.
I do not know what to do,
Or what lies before me.
Let me know who is there.
Let me know you are here.

I do not know what will happen:
I cannot predict my path,
I often walk in the darkness,
I cannot see what is ahead.
Let me know who is there.
Let me know you are here.

I do not know where I shall go:
I am unsure of the road.
I do not know much of tomorrow,
Yet I know you and your love.
I know you will meet me there.

I am uncertain of the way:
I do not know where I am to travel,
I am so able to get lost.
Yet you are there as my guide.
I know you will meet me there.

I do not know how life will treat me:
I do not know if friends will leave me,
Or if health and strength will fail me.