AWARENESS

Awareness has long been a challenge for those desiring to pray. Being alert to who God is and to what stirs within us requires undivided attentiveness. The poet Kabir compares spiritual inattentiveness to a fish in the water that is thirsty. Rumi, another Sufi writer, parallels lack of awareness to that of going hungry even though there is a basket of bread on one's head. Jesus also encourages awareness by urging his followers to "look" and "listen".

The gospels tell us a great deal about the attentiveness of Jesus. He is both internally and externally aware. His parables and lessons contain details from everyday life, details he could only have gleaned by carefully observing birds, camels, fig trees, mustard seeds, flowers, needles, pearls, and other things around him. Likewise, Jesus is alert to the inner resonance of those who come to him. Scripture recounts how Jesus listened keenly and "realised the intentions of their hearts" (Luke 5:22; 6:8; 9:47). This inner awareness of Jesus is evident in countless encounters, including his perception of goodness in the Samaritan woman, his recognition of the jealousy and antipathy in his enemies' hearts, and his sensing someone had come up from behind him and touched the hem of his robe.

In order to be aware and listen closely to God, we need an alert attentiveness. Constant running and hurrying does not contribute to our spiritual well-being when it keeps us from paying attention to the deeper meaning inherent in life. Not all see it this way. In an article titled "Finding God in the Busyness," Canadian writer Maura Hanrahan challenges the need for retreats, as well as for definite times for personal reflection and prayer. She maintains that it is enough to be with God amid the busyness:

But there is also the implication that quiet and
withdrawal are pre-requisites for spiritual health. So many people have bought the notion
that is is only in silence and solitude that we can connect to the spiritual, to God. Consequently, there are people who sincerely believe that they have to disconnect from their
real lives to connect with God. But this is not so.

There is partial truth to Hanrahan's assertion that not everyone needs to go away to pray. Extended times of prayer, such as retreats, can be a marvellous help for developing our relationship with God, but this is not what is most vital for spiritual growth. Many people cannot leave home, family, or work for the luxury of a retreat, but everyone can find space in the day for a mini-retreat, a small portion of twenty-four hours allotted for personal prayer. Hanrahan too easily dismisses the essential element when she focuses on how God is found within the whirlwind of life. Without some quiet reflection, some solitude and stillness, our inner eyes will eventually be too blurred and weary to discover God in the rushing of our demanding days.

Hanrahan makes a good point about not having to disconnect from "our real lives" in order to pray. Relationship with God is not about one or the other – either retreating from busyness or finding God within the busyness. Both personal prayer and the fullness of life nourish our love for God and God's love for us. The rest of our life is not a block to this affectionate relationship. Rather, all of life is a doorway to the divine, but we need reflective awareness for these doors to open.

Joyce Rupp.

DEATHS

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

Bridget Crawford, Lifford.

May she rest in peace.

ANNIVERSARIES

Kathleen Bannigan, Kevin McCrossan
Bobby Coyle Snr, Tommy Allen
Bobby Coyle Jnr, Margaret Kearney
John McGlinchey, Sarah Hannigan
Joe Herron, Susan Millar
Brian Boggs, John Connolly Snr
Billy Wilson, John Quinn
John Mullen Snr, Patsy McNamee
Katie Slevin, Alicia McNamee
May Slevin, Patrick Flanagan
Jim Cooke, David McGranaghan
Patrick Donnelly, Oliver Jack
Shaun Donnelly, Andrew Curran
William O'Brie, n Mary Curran
Gerard McShane, Robert Devenney, Mary Calcutt

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

PRAY FOR PRIESTS

This week we ask you to pray for:

Fr. Patrick Doherty PP, Waterside, 13 June
Fr. Andrew Dolan PP, Bellaghy, 14 June
Fr. Brian Donnelly PP, Castlederg, 15 June
Mgr. Joseph Donnelly PPVF, Omagh, 16 June
Fr. Liam Donnelly CC, Limavady, 17 June
Fr. T Philip Donnelly Retired, 18 June
Fr. John Downey CC, Ballinascreen,19 June

BISHOP LAGAN'S GOLDEN JUBILEE
The Golden Jubilee Mass for Bishop Lagan will take place on Sunday 27 June at 3.00pm. All parishioners are welcome to attend this Mass. There will refreshments afterwards in the Parish Hall.

FR. JOHN DOHERTY'S GOLDEN JUBILEE
A special Mass for Fr. John Doherty’s Golden Jubilee will take place in the Sacred Heart Church, Derry Road on Sunday 20 June at 5.00pm.

MR MC DERMOTT AND MRS MCCRORY
There will be a special Mass on Thursday 17 June at 11.00am to mark the retirement of Mr Dominic McDermott as Principal of Barrack Street Boys' School and also for teacher Mrs Mary McCrory. Between them they have clocked up over eighty years of dedicated teaching and this Mass will mark this wonderful achievement.

PARISH DRAW
The Draw for the month of June will take place in the parish office on Thursday 24 June at 2.30pm. We ask all our promoters to make their returns to the parish office on Monday 21 June.

CONGRATULATIONS
Congratulations to all who turned up in such large numbers for Cemetery Sunday and for the way in which the graves were beautifully maintained. It was a great day and thank God the weather was dry and sunny. Well done everyone!

LOURDES HOSPITALITE
The Lourdes Hospitalite collection amounted to £555.30. Many thanks.

CARMELITE RETREAT CENTRE
A one day retreat for Senior Citizens and their friends will take place at the Carmelite Retreat Centre, Termonbacca, Derry on Wednesday 23 June for those from the Derry and Donegal areas. Registration from10.30am finishing around 5.00pm. Cost £15.00stg or €18.00 Euro includes a four course lunch. Payment at the Centre on the day. To book Tel: Termonbacca Derry 71262512 during office hours only.

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 14 June starting with 7.30pm Mass. There will be two 1st class relics of St. Pio at the meeting. All are welcome.

THORNHILL CENTRE
Music Workshop: Tom Kendzia (US) is coming to Ireland to give the Church Music Summer School in Maynooth. He has been persuaded to come via Plumbridge to lead a workshop for singers/choirs on Wednesday 30 June from 7.30pm to 9.30pm in the Parish Hall Plumbridge. This is a fantastic opportunity for us here in the North West. For more details, contact Sr. Perpetua at 02871351233.

‘Taking the Time’: Mary Murphy with Sr. Perpetua will lead an ‘Exploration of the Journey Inward’, using some of the finest poetry and classical music, with reflections on the Psalms. This retreat-like experience is an invitation to touch into the creative imagination. Thornhill Centre - beginning Friday 2 July at 7.00pm and ending Saturday 3 July at 7.00pm. Further details: The Secretary, Thornhill Centre - 02871351233.

PIONEER ANNUAL OUTING
The Pioneer annual outing will take place on Saturday 26 June starting with Mass in Dromantine and then on to Newcastle for the day. Bus will leave Abercorn Square, Strabane at 8.00am. Cost £22.00 includes meal. To book contact Maura Coyle on 02881658440 as soon as possible.

YOUTH 2000 SUMMER FESTIVAL
Youth 2000 Summer Festival, Clonmacnois, Co. Offaly, Thursday 12 - Sunday 15 August. For young people aged 16 - 35, an opportunity not to be missed to experience the Catholic faith and meet many new friends. Donation only. Free buses available from around N. Ireland. For more information contact 075148200572 or www.youth2000.ie

TAIZE PRAYER AND CHANT
Join us for an hour of meditative Taize Prayer and Chant on Wednesday 16 June in St. Colman's Chapel, St. Mary's Church, Melmount at 7.30pm.

ST. PATRICK'S LUNCHEON CLUB
St. Patrick's Luncheon Club are having a Social/Dance on Monday 14 June in St. Patrick's Hall. Music is by Patsy Harte & Country Storm. Doors open at 9.00pm. Admission £5.00/€6.00 (includes a light supper).

FREE HEARING AID SUPPORT SESSIONS
Do you wear a hearing aid or know someone who does? RNID is running a free monthly hearing aid support session in St. Patrick’s Hall, Barrack Street, Strabane. It will be held on the last Thursday of every month from 1.00pm – 2.30pm, starting 24 June. If you’re having trouble with your hearing aid, or need new batteries, or just need some advice, come along and talk to a trained RNID volunteer.

NORTH WEST REGIONAL COLLEGE
Strabane Campus will be holding Information Sessions on Thursday 17 June from 10.00am - 12.00noon and 6.00pm - 8.00pm. Information on full time and part time courses beginning in September will be available. You can also complete your enrolments during this event . . . don't miss out! Call 02871382317 for more information.

FOUNTAIN ST. CDA FUNDAY
To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the opening of Fountain St. Community centre there will be a family fun-filled day this Sunday 13 June. FREE admission! Activities throughout the day will include outside Bouncing Castle, Face Painting, Mini Sports, Welly Throw, and Raffle.

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 Draw

Charlene McGrath
Eileen Hoynes
Eileen Burns

The numbers drawn were:

4, 5, 16, 22

Next Week's Lucky 4 Jackpot is £2300.00

PRAYER CORNER

COMMUNION REFLECTION

When you have received the Lord and are in his presence, try to shut the bodily eyes and open the eyes of the soul.

Do not lose such an excellent time for talking with Our Lord as the hour after Holy Communion. This is a good time for our Master to teach us and for us to listen to him. Beg him to show you how to pray and never to leave you.

We have no need to go and seek him somewhere a long way off. Delight to remain with him. Talk to him. It is as if we saw the Lord entering our poor abode. Let us enter into that abode with him.

If while Our Lord went about in the world, the sick were healed merely by touching his clothes how can we doubt that he will work miracles when he is within us? He will give us what we ask of him since he is in our house.

O my Lord, how little we profit from the blessings which you have granted us. Your majesty seeks methods and ways and inventions by which to show us what love you have for us.
Blessed forever so great a God.

Amen.

OPEN MY EYES

God open my eyes so I may see
And feel your presence close to me...
Give me strength for my stumbling feet
As I battle the crowd on life's busy street,
And widen the vision of my unseeing eyes
So in passing faces I'll recognise
Not just a stranger, unloved and unknown,
But a friend with a heart
that is much like my own...
Give me perception to make me aware
That scattered profusely on life's thoroughfare
Are the best gifts of God
that we daily pass by
As we look at the world with an unseeing eye.