BLESSING FOR PENTECOST
May the enthusiasm of the Spirit leap incessantly
within you and help you to live a vibrant life.
May the warmth of Spirit's fire be extended through
your concern and care for all those who need your
love.
May the blaze of the Spirit's courage enable
you to speak the truth and to stand up for respect,
dignity and justice.
May the undying embers of Spirit's faithfulness
support you when you feel spiritually dry and empty.
May the strength of Spirit's love sustain your
hope as you enter into the pain of our world.
May the clear light of Spirit's guidance be a
source of effective disconcernment and decision-making
for you.
May Spirit's patient endurance be yours while
you wait for what is unknown to be revealed.
May the steady flame of Spirit's goodness within
you convince you every day of the power of your presence
with others.
May the joyful fire of Spirit dance within you
and set happiness ablaze in your life.
May the spark of your relationship with Spirit
catch afire in the hearts of those with whom you live
and work.
May you be mindful of the Eternal Flame within
you. May you rely on this Source of Love to be your
constant ally and steady guide.
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.
COLLECTION
We acknowledge last Sunday’s collection of
£1742.00. Many thanks.
DEATHS
We offer our deepest sympathy to the family and
friends of:
Patricia Gallagher, Mill Street.
Tony O'Connor, Meetinghouse Street.
Joe Devine, (Roger), Lisnafin
Park. May they rest in peace.
ANNIVERSARIES
Annie Sproule, Billy Canning, John
Moore, Joseph Doherty, Lily Tobin
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:
Fr. Patrick Arkinson CC, Killygordon, 11th May.
Fr. Patrick Baker CC, Maghera, 12th May.
Fr. Declan Boland PP, Strabane, 13th May.
Fr. Eugene Boland PP, Cappagh, 14th May.
Fr. Francis Bradley, Pastoral Centre, 15th May.
Fr. Manus Bradley, Canada, 16th May.
SICK AND HOUSEBOUND TO BE
ATTENDED
Fr. Boland will visit the sick and housebound in
the following areas on Monday 12th May after 10.00am
Mass: Courtrai Park, Barrack Street, Lower Townsend
Terrace, Mount Carmel Heights, Springhill Park, Mill
Street, Newtownkennedy Street, Lower Main Street,
Glenview Park, Church View, Tristan Road.
Fr. Boland will visit the sick and housebound in
the following areas on Thursday 15th May after 10.00am
Mass: Bearney Road, Camus Road, Conthem Road, Upper
Townsend Street, Townsend Terrace, Marian Park, Fountain
Street and Innisfree Gardens.
CAPPAGH PILGRIMAGE TO ROME
AND ASSISI 29th AUG - 5th SEPT 2008
There are still a few places left on the above pilgrimage.
If you are interested, please collect a booking form
in Cappagh Parish Office, 14 Killyclougher Road, Omagh,
tel: 02882243375. The pilgrimage will be led by Fr.
Eugene Boland and Fr. Francis Bradley. Price £700.00
(B&B).
BLESSING OF GRAVES
The Annual Ceremony of the Blessing of the Graves
will take place in this parish on Sunday 15th June
at 3.00pm.
LOURDES HOSPITALITE COLLECTION
The Annual Diocesan Lourdes Hospitalite collection
will take place on the weekend of 17th /18th May.
The Lourdes Hospitalite Fund is very dependent on
the monies raised from this one collection to support
people from the diocese who are sick and in need of
medical care. Thank you for having generously supported
us in the past. We hope we can rely on your support
this year again.
CONFIRMATION
There will be a Confirmation practice in the church
on Thursday 15th May at 7.30pm for all P.7. pupils
and their sponsors. Confirmation will take place on
Sunday 18th May at 3.00pm.
YOUTH MASS
There will be a Diocesan Youth Mass today, Pentecost
Sunday, 11th May in St. Columb's Church, Chapel Road,
Waterside, Derry at 6.00pm. Bishop Hegarty will be
the main celebrant and all young people are invited
to attend. The new Diocesan Youth Choir will provide
the music for the Liturgy at this Mass. All young
people studying this year for their exams are also
most welcome. Refreshments will be served afterwards
in the adjacent Parish Centre. Everyone welcome.
PA SYSTEM
We would like to advise that we are currently working
on the PA system in the church and that the loop system
and radio handsets are temporarily out of service.
We hope to resume service as quickly as possible.
PARISH DRAW
The Draw for the month of May will take place in
the Parish Office on Thursday 22nd May at 2.30pm.
Promoters are asked to make their returns to the Parish
Office on Monday 19th May.
PAYMENTS BY CHEQUE
The Bank have reminded us that all payments made
to the parish by cheque (for Parish Savings, Parish
Draw, Sunday and Special Collections etc.) must be
made payable to Church of the Immaculate Conception.
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
ENGAGED ENCOUNTER WEEKEND
Engaged? Getting married within the next year?
An Engaged Encounter Weekend is a recognised form
of marriage preparation. It is a communication workshop
designed for couples preparing for marriage. The weekend
is non-residential and will take place in the Thornhill
Centre, Derry on 14th - 15th June. Early booking is
advised. For information contact 02871350612 or 02827638515.
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.
ST. JOSEPH'S BRASS BAND GALA
CONCERT
A hearty congratulations to all who took part in
the Gala Concert in the church on Sunday evening.
It was indeed a memorable occasion and the Band and
their guests treated us to a magnificent display of
music and marked a fitting end to the year's celebration
of their sixtieth anniversary. The talent on display
was a wonderful tribute to Strabane and the great
musical genius that is present in our community. Well
done to each and every one who did our town and parish
so proud.
ST. VINCENT DE PAUL LUCKY
LOTTO DRAW
The numbers drawn were 10, 14, 17,
18.
There was no Jackpot winner: There were 7 match 3
winners who shared £300.00:
Charlie Fleming, Kathleen Forbes, Anne Kee, Bridget
McAleer, Mary McAleer, Adrian Brolly, Gavin Fleming.
Jackpot for June is £1300.00. Next Draw will
take place on Sunday 1st June at 9.00pm at Melmount
parish bingo.
STRABANE FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY
The final meeting of the season of Strabane Family
History Society will take place at the local Community
Library, on Thursday 15th May, at 7.30pm. A full turnout
of members is expected to help arrange a programme
for the new season commencing in September.
ST. PATRICK’S HALL
Bingo and Lucky 4 Draw as usual this
Thursday.
All our patrons are very welcome.
LUCKY 4 DRAW
There were 3 match 3 winners in last
week's Lucky 4 Draw
Mary Hegarty.
Philomena O'Kane.
Sheila Klam.
The numbers drawn were:
6, 11, 16, 17.
Next Week's Lucky 4 Jackpot is £2025.00
BARRETT SCHOOL OF IRISH DANCING
Classes each Tuesday and Friday at 4.00pm in St.
Patrick's Hall. Age - from 3 years upwards. New pupils
welcome.
N.I. BLOOD TRANSFUSION SERVICE
A team from the N.I. Blood Transfusion Service will
be in St. Patrick's Hall on Wednesday 21st 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.
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PRAYER CORNER
COME, HOLY SPIRIT
Come, Holy Spirit,
Help me to replace the busyness of
my life with a simpler lifestyle,
so I will focus on the "deeper things" in
life and allow time for others.
Nourish my yearnings to understand
and to appreciate myself;
keep me from being too self-orientated and unmindful
of other's needs.
Fill me with trust in your consoling
presence.
Calm me when I am anxious and troubled about many
things.
Help me to have the courage to empty
myself of everything that does not contribute to the
transformation of this world.
Continue to create a deep hunger for
you within me.
Feed me with the "finest wheat" of your
joy, peace and love.
Often replenish my weary spirit with
an enthusiasm and energy
that comes from surrendering my life to you.
Be my wisdom as I search for meaning
in a world
fraught with pain, suffering, hostility, and division.
Keep me hungry for you, Source of
Life,
so that I will always ache and yearn a bit for you.
HOLY SPIRIT, RENEW US!
Come, Holy Spirit,
Renew us with your gifts!
Heal our brokenness
Wash our guilt away;
Pour down your wisdom,
Guide us when we stray.
Instill your peace within us,
Watch over us in need,
Move our hearts to goodness,
Inspire our every deed. Amen.
