GO AND TELL
Next Sunday, 19th October
2008 is Mission Sunday. The missionary command
of today's Gospel to 'go and tell' involves all the
baptised.
Our faith is strengthened when it
is shared with others. There are different callings
in the Church but all Christians are called to give
personal witness. Word and witness of life go together.
There is the special vocation of
the missionary in a foreign land who goes and tells
the Good News to the people hearing it for the first
time.
Missionaries stay and serve the people
entrusted to them in good times and in bad. During
the recent painful times in Kenya and Liberia, it
was the missionaries who were the 'unsung heroes',
often at risk to their own lives.
Missionaries need the primary support
of prayer. Many missionaries will tell you of special
strength received from an unknown source in times
of civil war, illness or natural calamity.
People can support missionaries by
offering their suffering of mind or body. St. Therese
of Lisieux offered every painful step to assist some
missionary in difficulty.
Missionaries, especially those from
the Young Churches, need financial support. The first
official collection for the Propagation of the Faith
took place in Ireland in 1838 and for 170 years people
have continued to be generous.
Every cent collected in Ireland on
Mission Sunday is sent to a missionary Church, not
yet self sufficient. This gift enables the formation
of native priests, sisters, brothers and lay catechists.
Some of these will be missionaries themselves.
The Mission Sunday gift is also used
for pastoral centres and the formation of lay leaders;
the building of simple mission churches and health
clinics for children; emergency aid in times of natural
disasters or civil war; assisting missionaries serving
refugees; and for pastoral and educational support.
People are hungry for God, not just
bread and freedom. As the Pope notes 'when we bring
people only knowledge, technical competency and tools,
we bring them too little'. On Mission Sunday, please
help missionaries to go and tell. May their efforts
bring people freely to conversation and faith.
COLLECTION
We acknowledge last Sunday’s
collection of £1746.00. Many thanks.
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.
DEATHS
We offer our deepest sympathy to the
family and friends of:
Eunice Albertus, London.
Mamie Devenney, Magirr Park
Annie Patton, Sion Mills.
Rosealeen Hunter, Mulvey House.
Peggy McGuinness, Derry. May
they rest in peace.
ANNIVERSARIES
Charlie Logan, Frankie Gallagher,
Michael Christy, Brendan Foley,
Annie Feeney, Harry McNulty,
Dickie McGavigan, Kathleen McGirr,
Frankie Hendron, Fanny Harte,
Fanny McDermott, Gary McElhinney.
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. Peter Devlin PP, Malin, 12th Oct.
Fr. Fintan Diggan PP, Clonmany, 13th Oct.
Fr. Brendan Doherty PP, Kilrea, 14th Oct.
Fr. George Doherty CC, Buncrana, 15th Oct.
Fr. James Doherty, Deceased,16th Oct.
Fr. John Doherty PP, Leckpatrick, 17th Oct.
Fr. Joseph Doherty, Retired, 18th Oct.
BLESSED SACRAMENT CHAPEL
Our Blessed Sacrament Chapel is open
every day from 10.00am until the Church closes. It
is located at the back of the Church - when you come
in the main door, turn left, then left again. This
is a sacred space where you can come and pray, ask
for your special intentions and rest a while in the
midst of a busy world.
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.
PARISH DRAW
The Draw for the month of October
will take place on Thursday 23rd October at 2.30pm
in the parish office. Promoters are asked to make
their returns to the parish office on Monday 20th
October.
PARISH SAVINGS SCHEME
All savers, including children who
save with the scheme, are reminded that cheques are
crossed therefore they must have a bank account, building
society account or credit union account into which
their savings cheque can be lodged. The name on the
account must be the same as the name on the cheque.
Please contact your collector now if a name has to
be changed as it will be too late when the cheques
are given out.
ANNUAL MASS FOR THE DEAD
Fr. Boland will celebrate the annual
Mass for the dead in the Church on Friday 16th November
at 7.30pm.
ANNUAL MASS FOR DECEASED TEACHERS
Bishop Lagan will celebrate the annual
Mass for deceased teachers of the Derry Diocese in
the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Strabane
on Wednesday 12th November at 7.00pm. Everyone welcome.
MISSION SUNDAY
Next Sunday is Mission Sunday and
the theme this year is Go and Tell. A special envelope
is provided in you envelope box for this collection
which will be taken up all all Masses next weekend.
DONATIONS TOWARDS SECURITY
AT PAROCHIAL HOUSE
Because of the recent break-in we
have been advised by the police to upgrade our security
immediately - cameras, lights and the present alarm
system at the parochial house. It is regrettable that
this has to be done but we have been left with no
other option.
We gratefully acknowledge the following
donations towards our new security measures:-
£100.00, £100.00
£60.00, £50.00
£40.00, £30.00
£20.00
Thank you for your continuing support.
VACANCY FOR PARISH ORGANIST
Due to heavy working commitments
Ronan is unable to continue playing the organ and
leading the senior choir. It is with deep regret that
we have to let him go but we are very aware of the
hugh workload he is carrying. The news is not all
bad though, because he will play on Sundays alternating
at the 10.00am and 12.00 noon Masses. We thank him
sincerely for his work done and his continuous commitment
to the parish.
This now means that we are looking for someone to
play the organ at the 6.30pm Mass and to lead the
choir. Those interested please contact Fr. Boland
at the parochial house or Amanda at the parish office.
LEGION OF MARY
Could you spare a few hours a week
to visit the old and the lonely? As well as our visits
to Greenfield, Woodmount and Melmount Manor, the Legion
also visits homes in the parish to promote the Rosary
and the Divine Mercy Chaplet. New members are urgently
needed. For further information please contact Margaret
Harte on 02871883159.
VOLUNTEERS REQUIRED
Are you aware of older people in
your community? People who are confused, lonely, fearful
and cut off from society. Could you spare 1 - 2 hours
per week with travel expenses and be a friend? Volunteers
are required for this vital work across the area.
Please Contact Danny or Karen at Strabane Community
Project on 02871883102.
TAIZE PRAYER AND CHANT
Join us for an hour of meditative
Taize Prayer and Chant on Wednesday 15th October in
St. Colman's Chapel (formerly the Day Chapel), St.
Mary's Church, Melmount from 7.30pm - 8.30pm. Everyone
welcome.
IONA CARMELITE RETREAT CENTRE
Sr. Josephine Walsh Weekend Retreat
with emphasis on forgiving, healing and making a new
start, will take place at The Carmelite Retreat Centre,
Termonbacca from Friday 24th October to Sunday 26th
October. For further details tel: Derry 71262512 during
office hours only.
ALZHEIMER'S SUPPORT GROUP
There will be a meeting of the Alzheimer’s
Support Group on Wednesday 15th October at 7.30pm
in Melmount Manor Care Home, 1 Orchard Road, Strabane.
The guest speaker will be Helen Anderson speaking
on ‘Directs Payments’. Everyone welcome.
AWARE DEFEAT DEPRESSION
Strabane Self-Help Support
Group
The above group will recommence on
Tuesday 14th October at 8.00pm in Strabane and Lifford
Women's Centre, 11 Railway Road, Strabane, for all
those affected by depression. Meetings, which are
open to men and women, will continue every Tuesday
evening. There is no need to register - just come
along. For further information telephone 02871260602
or email info@ aware-ni.org
MEDJUGORJE 2008
A word of thanks to Anne Duffy for
her leadership and care while on pilgrimage to Our
Lady Queen of Peace, September 27th - October 4th.
Our Lady Queen of Peace, pray for us.
SPANISH LESSONS
Lessons beginning Monday 13th October
for 6 weeks with a native speaker.
Improvers Class - Mondays 7.30pm
- 9.00pm
Beginners Class - Tuesdays 7.30pm - 9.00pm
Cost will depend on the number of
participants. It may be possible, if there is sufficient
interest, that classes will continue after the first
six weeks. This is an ideal opportunity for anyone
interested in learning or improving their Spanish
to do so in the company of a native speaker. Individual
lessons can also be arranged if requested. For further
information contact Fr. O'Hagan at 71882651 or pgoh2111@gmail.com
or the parish office at 71383777 or melparish@aol.com
ST. VINCENT DE PAUL LUCKY
LOTTO DRAW
The numbers drawn were 4, 7, 8, 11.
There was one Jackpot winner who won
£1700.00
Mrs Rose McGrinder, Legfordrum
Jackpot for November is £1000.00.
Next Draw will take place on Sunday 2nd November at
9.00pm at Melmount parish bingo.
VINCENT'S ANNUAL TOY SALE
Vincent's Annual Toy Sale will be
held at Barrack Street shop from Wednesday 15th to
Friday 17th October starting at 10.00am.
PINK LADIES NIGHT
Pink Ladies Night will be held in
Strabane Golf Club on Tuesday 14th October at 8.00pm.
Donations in aid of breast cancer will be taken at
the door. Wear Something Pink!
ST. PATRICK’S
HALL
Bingo and Lucky 4 Draw as usual this
Thursday.
All our patrons are very welcome.
LUCKY 4 DRAW
There were no match 3 winners in last
week's Draw
The numbers drawn were:
4, 6,12, 22
Next Week's Lucky 4 Jackpot is £550.00
PRAYER CORNER
HOLY SPIRIT
Holy Spirit,
give us
tongues of fire and inspire us
to speak of justice without fear or prejudice.
Change us
so that the language of liberation may spread from
our lips
as we challenge the economies of oppression.
Teach us
to understand the sufferings of workers who are forced
to work in sweatshops round the world.
Guide us
to recognise the temptations of consumer choice and
to dedicate ourselves to universal human rights.
Make us
raise our voices by shouting out loud the good news
and proclaim global justice for all.
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.
