Sunday 9th December 2007

Second Sunday of Advent

ADVENT: LISTENING TIME

One of the prayers inherent in this season of Advent is the prayer of stillness. It was the prayer of Mary, the Mother of God. In her silent prayer she heard the voice of God telling her of the Great Mystery which had been planted within her womb. But listening is hard work. Full listening demands an openness to communication through our eyes as well as our ears. Indeed, messages are received through all the senses. Communications come by way of another's voice, eyes, posture, dress, attitudes and it comes in the most concentrated form of silence.

To hear another, we must be very still. Not only do we need to be still exteriorly, but we must be free of hearing only ourselves and our needs. Prayer purifies us. The prayer of stillness continually brings us back to the present moment. It brings us back to "what's happening here." And if we are aware of what's really happening, then something real is likely to happen! Our awareness opens into caring, into concern externalised. Such prayerful listening shifts our centre from self to God. And being one with God, we gracefully begin to act like God. We become compassionate; we become caring persons in the Gospel spirit.

Such divine manifestations are just as necessary today as they were in the days of Christ. Who cares? Truly, who cares about you? Who cares about what happens to you, to what you're feeling? Our first response, and the response we often hear in song and prayerful talk, might be: "Well naturally, God cares about you!" If that is true and if we are one with God, then we must care for those who stand within the circle of our lives. It is thus that social action flows out of, is supported and nourished by prayer. Such action or concern is alive; it is miraculous. Such caring is graceful because it flows naturally from the divine heart rather than out of a sense of duty or guilt. How often have we acted to assist another not because it was heartfelt, but because we were "supposed" to act that way.

To prepare oneself for social reformation by spending the time and effort necessary on the difficult road of daily meditation is hard work. It is much easier to run into the street and immediately try to "do good." But most "do-gooders" usually grow tired by the noontime of their apostolic kindness. By supper time they become disillusioned because of the ingratitude of those who were helped or the meagre financial rewards. And by nightfall, they are often convinced that they can't change the system. Tomorrow, they will stay indoors and watch television. True spiritual social action is a result of true hearing. It flows out of good listening that has now come full circle. The process usually begins with a struggle to move away from hearing only ourselves, our problems, our needs and our inner turmoils to truly listening to another's words. At some point we go beyond hearing words to hearing the Author of the words. The paradox is that having found a oneness with God in the discipline of listening, we begin to hear a cry of need as our own cry! We begin to hear others with a knowledge of the heart, we "know" what it's like when another is hungry or in need of liberation. Because of being one with the Divine Mystery, we come back to the place from which we started. We are again listening to ourselves, but now it is not the little I, it is the big I that hears the cry of my or another's need.

***

COLLECTION
We acknowledge last Sunday’s collection of £1952.00. Many thanks.

ANNIVERSARIES
Susan O'Brien, Jim Quinn, Peter McHugh, Evelyn Conwell, Michael Conwell, Nan Sharkey,
Teresa Conway, Annie Melaugh, Sara McCrossan, Attracta Harron, John McCallion,
Michael McGrinder

DEATHS
We offer our deepest sympathy to the family and friends of
Ann Hanley, Ballycolman Estate,
Patrick Bradley, Five Acres
Helen McDermott, Melvin View
who died during the week. May they rest in peace.

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. Patrick McGoldrick CC, Moville, 9th Dec
Fr. James McGonagle PP, Culdaff, 10th Dec
Fr. James McCrory, Armagh, 10th Dec
Fr. Patrick McGuigan, Deceased, 11th Dec
Fr. Edward McGuinness CC, Buncrana, 11th Dec
Fr. Kevin McKenna PPVF, Dungiven, 12th Dec
Fr. Sean McKenna PP, Ballymagroarty, 12th Dec
Fr. Con McLaughlin CC, Buncrana, 13th Dec
Fr. George McLaughlin, Retired, 13th Dec
Fr. Patrick McLaughlin CC, Lavey, 14th Dec
Fr. Peter McLaughlin PP, Sion Mills, 14th Dec
Fr. Stephen McLaughlin PP, Creggan, 15th Dec
Fr. Ignatius McQuillan, Adrmore, 15th Dec

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

PARISH DRAW
The Draw for the month of December will take place in the parish office on Thursday 13th December at 2.30pm. Promoters are asked to make their returns together with next year's list of names to the parish office on Monday 10th December.

EVISH PRIMARY SCHOOL
A meeting of all parents of the Evish area, present and past pupils and friends of the school will be held on Wednesday 12th December at 8.00pm in St. Patrick's Hall. This meeting is in connection with the consultation document on the provision of primary school education in the parish.

TAIZE PRAYER AND CHANT
Join us for an hour of meditative Taize Prayer and Chant on Wednesday 12th December in Fr. Pat O'Hagan's house, Melmount from 7.30pm - 8.30pm. Everyone welcome.

DERRY DIOCESAN SOCIETY
All members of the Derry Diocesan Society will be remembered at the 10.00am Mass on Friday 14th December.

EUCHARISTIC HEALING SERVICE
There will be a Eucharistic Healing Service in the Church this Sunday 9th December at 6.00pm.
Everyone welcome.

A CHILD OF THE SNOW
Following upon the success of the Sacred Christmas Concert 'A Child of the Snow' which was performed in the Church of the Immaculate Conception in December 2005, local composer Ronan Doherty has produced an album of original music featuring material first aired in that initial concert. The CD features the talents of soloists and choirs from the Northwest performing extracts from 'A Child in the Snow'; songs, instrumentals and bible texts which celebrate the essential Christian essence of the Christmas message. CDs can be purchased at the parish office, the parochial house, the Foyle Hospice shop in Church Street or from Ronan directly (Tel: 02871884827).
CD's cost £10.00 and all proceeds will go to the Foyle Hospice.

SACRED HEART MESSENGER
Next year's subscription for the Sacred Heart Messenger magazine is now due. All Sacred Heart Messenger promoters should make their returns to the parish office as soon as possible.

ST. VINCENT DE PAUL LUCKY LOTTO DRAW
The numbers drawn were 1, 4, 9, 20 There was one Jackpot winner, David Connolly who won £1600.00. Jackpot for January is £1000.00. Next Draw will take place on Sunday 6th January 2008 at 9.00pm at Melmount parish bingo.

CARMELITE RETREAT CENTRE
An Advent Retreat from Friday 14th December until Sunday 16th December will be conducted by the Carmelite Fathers in Termonbacca, Derry. For further details and bookings Tel., 71262512.

PENITENTIAL SERVICE AND CONFESSIONS
There will be a Penitential Service and Confessions in St. Mary's Church, Melmount on Sunday 23rd December from 5.00pm - 7.00pm. Eight priests will be available for confessions.

ALZHEIMER'S SUPPORT GROUP
The Group will meet on Wednesday 12th December at 7.30pm in Melmount Manor Care Home, Orchard Road, Strabane. Everyone welcome.

ST PATRICK’S HALL

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

ST. PATRICK'S HALL ANNUAL BAZAAR
This year's bazaar will be held on Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th December from 8.00pm 'til late.
Star prizes to be won!!
Much sought after Nintendo Wii (including four new games).
Playstation 3's, PSP's and Nintendo DS!!
Electrical Goods: Washing Machines, Dishwashers, Televisions and lots more.
Toys, Bikes, Hampers, Wine and many, many more fantastic prizes for all the family including pick of the stage!!!
**Star Prize**
1000 litres of Heating Oil donated by McHugh's Oil
Everyone Welcome

PARISH WEBSITE
Visit our website at www.strabaneparish.com

PRAYER CORNER



PRAYER FOR HEALING

Jesus, you are Lord. You are Lord of the whole universe; and you are my Lord, the Lord of my life. I take you now, once again, as Lord of my life; I profess you as my Lord.
I put my life under your lordship, into your hands. Each positive relationship in my life I put under your lordship. Each person that I hold dear, both the person and the relationship with that person, I place into your hands. Straighten out anything in that relationship that needs straightening or healing. Make any crooked ways straight, fill in any low points, level off any egoism or selfishness or possessiveness on my part in that relationship. Heal each one of these good and positive relationships in my life. Thank you, Lord.

Jesus, I put any and each negative relationship in my life under your lordship. Where you see in my heart resentment or anger of coldness toward the other person, put understanding and compassion. Where you see jealousy or envy put gladness for the other person. Where you find in me fear of that other person, put courage and confidence in myself and the necessary assertiveness.

Lord, you are the lord of my future. I put all my future into your hands, under your lordship. I give over to you, Lord of my future, the rest of today, all of tomorrow, the rest of this week, what remains of this year, the rest of my life, and after my life on earth. I hand over to you each one of my worries about the future, for myself and those dear to me. I trust in you, Jesus, increase my trust, increase in my heart my hope in you. Amen.


PSALM FOR PRAYING

O, Beloved, Heart of my heart,
I call to You for my help by day;
I cry out in the night.
Let my prayer come before You,
bend your ear to my cry!
For my soul is full of troubles, and my life sees like dust,
I have fallen into a pit of despair;
I have no strength and I feel powerless,
Like one from whom You have turned, like the soil people walk upon.
You alone can comfort me in the deep pit,
in the darkness of fear.
Separation from You is an agony,
hopelessness threatens to overwhelm me.
Through You alone can I pray for my enemies, for those who ignore my plight.
I am in a prison chained by fear;
I am weary of tears.
Every day I call upon You, O Beloved;
I lift up my hands in supplication.
Will You raise me from this living death?
Will You mend a broken heart?
Let not your steadfast love pass me by;
have mercy on me, O Comforter!
Reach Your hand into the darkness of my fears,
by your saving grace forgive my unholy ways.
O Merciful Redeemer, I cry to You;
each day my prayer comes before You.
Let not separation keep me from your Heart;
be my strength as I face the darkness inside.
Too long have I let fear control me,
projecting onto others the demons dwelling within.
Let Your Love circle and envelop me;
in Your mercy raise me up.
Let peace become my companion all day long;
By night free me from the bonds of fear.
Let me be reconciled with family and friends;
and may I know You
as Loving Companion Presence
as in days of old.
Amen.

COMPASSION FOR YOURSELF

I want to forgive myself
for reaching for the unreachable star
for being fragile
for being ashamed of my pain
for blaming myself for my misery
for striving after unattainable perfection
for turning against myself along with my persecutor
for closing my heart to myself
for rehashing hurtful accusations
other made against me
for not being able to anticipate everything
for hating myself.
In short, I want to forgive myself for being human.