THE NAZARETH SYNDROME
The Gospels tell us that Jesus did not work miracles
in his own home town. The reason was that his relatives
and neighbours did not believe in him. Jesus himself
said that a prophet is not with out honour except
in his native place. It's a situation which we might
call the Nazareth Syndrome.
It's strange that the citizens of Nazareth failed
to see in their carpenter anything divine. We could
ask, ''Didn't they see his halo? Didn't they experience
his gentle yet transforming care, his great love,
his profound wisdom or the force of his prayerfulness.
The townsfolk of Nazareth come under constant attack
because of their blindness. How could they have missed
someone so extraordinary, so divine?" The reason
is easy to understand if we see how the Nazareth Syndrome
operates.
For Jesus' neighbours, the extraordinary was extraordinary
and the commonplace was commonplace. Jesus, the carpenter
who lives down the street, was common. Because he
was common - just one of the folks - he couldn't be
special, he couldn't be the Messiah - and he couldn't
have a halo.
But where do halos come from? Halos are rings of
golden light that we tend to selectively put around
holy people and things. We invest in the sacred with
special importance; we set it aside, and then we believe
in it. Graced with our self-imposed halo, we have
"faith" in it, and as a result sometimes
miracles flow from it. Since we are always in search
of what is special, we tend to bypass the daily marvels
of our lives. What if all of creation were sacred?
Could we paint a halo around the whole earth?
If we are to "pray always," it will be
necessary to take up our brushes and gold paint and
go about our lives making halos! We should try to
see a halo around the stranger at the door, our marriage
partner, our children or parents. Try it and see the
marvellous and miraculous difference it makes in your
life. God has created a world of walls where the sacred
and ordinary are nicely separated. Rather, God has
invested the wonder of the divine presence into all
creation. God is indeed among us.
Without such a special halo-making kit, however,
we find it difficult to pray always. And without such
a special vision of what is common-yet-sacred, the
Nazareth Syndrome will prevent our lives from overflowing
with miracles.
COLLECTION
We acknowledge last Sunday’s collection of
£1916.00 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:
Bernie Duddy, Glasgow
Bridie Rouse, Ballycolman Avenue
Rose Harte, Orchard Road. May
they rest in peace.
ANNIVERSARIES
Packie Quinn, Cassie Quinn, Eileen
McBride, Robert McHugh,
Peggy Canavan, Catherine O'Brien,
Mollie O'Kane, David Gallagher,
Andy McGarrigle, Brendan Feeney, Johnny
Goan, Tommy Cullen, Frankie Connolly.
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. Gary Wade CC, Templemore, 14th
Sept.
Fr. John R Walsh PP, Buncrana, 15th Sept.
Fr. Alex Anderson, 16th Sept.
Fr. Patrick Arkinson PP, Killygordon, 17th Sept.
Fr. Patrick Baker CC, Maghera, 18th Sept.
Fr. Declan Boland PP, Strabane, 19th Sept.
Fr. Eugene Boland PP, Cappagh, 20th Sept.
PARISH DRAW
The Draw for the month of September will take place
on Thursday 18th September at 2.30pm in the parish
office. Promoters are asked to make their returns
to the parish office on Monday 15th September.
PARISH SAVINGS SCHEME
We have now reached the final stage of the Parish
Savings Scheme. As in previous years the Scheme is
going very well and we encourage all our savers to
continue their contributions and remind those who
have not saved for a while that they can start up
their savings at any time. We also thank our collectors
for their hard work. The Savings Scheme is vital for
offsetting any interest the parish owes to the bank
as well as being a very practical way of saving for
events at the end of the year. If you would like to
join the Scheme contact the parish office for the
name of the promoter in your area. We also remind
all our savers that they must have either a bank account,
building society account or credit union account so
that cheques can be lodged to their account at the
end of the year.
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.
ALZHEIMER'S SUPPORT GROUP
There will be a meeting of the Alzheimer’s
Support Group on Wednesday 17th September at 7.30pm
in Melmount Manor Care Home, 1 Orchard Road, Strabane.
The guest speaker will be Maureen Collins speaking
on ‘The Benefits System and Entitlements’.
Everyone welcome.
CONGRATULATONS TO SR BENEDICT
Our heartiest congratulations to Sr Benedict from
the local Convent of Mercy who celebrated her Diamond
Jubilee (60 years) as a professed sister last Wednesday,
10th September. Sr Benedict had a special Mass of
thanksgiving surrounded by her nieces, grand-nieces,
grand-nephews, members of the Mercy Order, local clergy
and special friends, followed by a celebration dinner.
On September 10th 1934 Sr Benedict arrived as a young
girl to go to school here in Strabane and she was
professed a nun on 10th September 1948. After qualifying
as a teacher she was to spend her entire life teaching
infants in the local schools here, and she was adored
by the children, staff and parents. Her gentle, kind
and loving ways won her many friends down through
the decades and she is fondly remembered by generations
of women in the greater Strabane area. When she retired
from teaching she continued to help the community,
parish reader, member of the parish pastoral council,
visiting the sick and lonely and the homes of the
bereaved, training the altar personnel, looking after
the altar linens, and many other such duties. She
is truly a remarkable lady and a true Sister of Mercy.
May she have every blessing at this time of anniversary
and health and happiness to continue on her journey
of fidelity and love in the service of the Lord.
LEGION OF MARY
There will be a pilgrimage to Knock on Sunday 28th
September. Bus leaving Bowling Green at 8.15am sharp.
Please bring a packed lunch. For further details contact
Frances Conwell, telephone 02871882048.
PADRE PIO WEEKEND TO KNOCK
There will be a Padre Pio weekend to Knock on 20th
and 21st September. Contact Sean Mulrine, Derry, Tel.
02871265926 for details.
POPE JOHN PAUL 11 AWARD
If you ae aged 16-18 years old you are invited to
take part in the Pope John Paul 11 Award. This award
is for all young people who would like to get involved
in their local parish and community. There are 3 levels
to the award: gold, silver and bronze and successful
applicants are awarded with a medal and certificate.
This is a wonderful opportunity to get involved in
something new and worthwhile. Check out www.thepopejohnpauliiaward.com
or 71264087 for full details or to apply.
TAIZE PRAYER AND CHANT
Join us for an hour of meditative Taize Prayer and
Chant on Wednesday 17th September in the Day Chapel,
St. Mary's Church, Melmount from 7.30pm - 8.30pm.
Everyone welcome.
REJOICE
Derry Diocesan Youth Choir
'REJOICE' the new Diocesan Youth Choir founded in
May is now preparing for a new year of singing, worshipping
and performing. The choir is looking for new singers
and musicians (of all sorts) to join the ranks. Members
are to be aged 14-19 years old. The choir sings a
variety of sacred music from contemporary, folk and
Gospel, as well as traditional hymns and Irish repertoire.
If you'd like to be involved in the choir you are
invited to attend the initial gathering on:
Derry City - Monday 15th September at 4pm in St.
Mary's Creggan
Omagh - Tuesday 16th September at 4pm in Omagh Pastoral
Centre
Strabane - Monday 22nd September at 4pm in Holy Cross
College
Maghera - Tuesday 23rd September at 4pm in Maghera
Pastoral Centre
Contact rejoice@derrydiocese.org or 71264087 for
more information.
STRABANE FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY
The Opening Meeting of the new season of Strabane
Family History Society takes place in the Library,
Abercorn Square, on Thursday 18th September at 7.30pm.
Mr. Roddy Hegarty makes a return visit and it is hoped
there will be a good turnout of members as Roddy has
wide knowledge of our field and will be available
for advice and queries on the night. New members would
be most welcome.
STRABANE MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS
Strabane Multiple Sclerosis presents An Evening with
Strabane Concert Brass in St. Patrick's Hall on Friday
26th September starting at 8.00pm. Tickets £8.00
or pay at door.
STRABANE SIGERSONS GAA
The Club are appealing to everyone to get their flags,
bunting and colours out for Sunday week's All Ireland
Football Finals as Tyrone bid to win both Senior and
Minor titles. Strabane Sigersons are holding an All
Ireland Draw with six tickets up for grabs. Tickets
are available from any Club member at £10.00
each. The Clubs Senior footballers will travel to
play Clogher this Sunday afternoon. Throw-in time
is fixed for 1.00pm. All support welcome. Best wishes
to Strabane Shamrock's hurlers in the Tyrone Junior
Championship Final at Omagh this Sunday.
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 Lucky 4 Draw
The numbers drawn were:
5, 6, 11, 20
Next Week's Lucky 4 Jackpot is £2500.00
BIG BINGO
There will be Big Bingo in St. Patrick's
Hall on Sunday 28th September at 3.30pm. Prizes amounting
to £3500.00. All proceeds in aid of Foyle Hospice.
BALLROOM DANCING CLASSES
There will be Ballroom Dancing Classes in St. Patrick's
Hall on Thursday evenings from 7.30pm - 9.00pm. Everyone
welcome.
ST. PATRICK'S HALL THEATRE
GROUP
The production for 2008 is West Side Story. One of
the greatest musicals ever with songs including Maria,
Tonight, Somewhere, I Feel Pretty and America. The
modern day version of Romeo and Juliet set in New
York's West Side involving two gangs, the native Jets
and the Sharks from Puerto Rico. The story has very
relevant racial tensions contemporary to all cities
and towns throughout the world today.
Call backs on Sunday 14th September at 2.00pm
ST. PATRICK'S LUNCHEON CLUB
St. Patrick's Luncheon Club are having a Social/Dance
on Monday 22nd September in St. Patrick's Hall. Music
is by The Cannon & Ramsay Band. Doors open at
9.00pm. Admission £5.00 or €7.00 (includes
a light supper). Everyone is welcome.
N.I. BLOOD TRANSFUSION
SERVICE
A team from the N.I. Blood Transfusion Service will
be in St. Patrick's Hall on Wednesday 24th September
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.
PRAYER CORNER
ACCEPTANCE
'' How can I change myself?"
''You are yourself - so you can no
more change yourself that you can walk away from your
feet.''
''Is there nothing I can do then?"
"You can understand and accept
this."
"How will I change if I accept
myself?"
"How will you change if you don't?
What you don't accept you do not change, you merely
manage to repress."
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REACHING OUT AND REACHING IN
With every creature, Meister Eckhart
says,
according to the nobility of it nature,
the more it indwells in itself, the more it gives
itself out. A metaphor may clarify his meaning.
Imagine some object, a book,
leaning out over the edge of a table.
There comes a moment when it will overbalance
if it leans any further.
Its reaching out must be balanced by its reaching
in.
If I have only a shallow inreach -
interiority - in my life, then my outreach to others
will be full of hazards.
The way to reach further out is to reach further in.
If I am reluctant to live from the full interiority
of my spirit, then I will have little to bring to
others,
no matter how much I involve myself in their lives.
While, on the other hand, there are people who can
enter another's life for half-an-hour and leave it
transformed.
I think of these people as having
some of the depth and power that Jesus had.
This human experience of inreach and outreach is a
chink through which we can glimpse the mystery of
God's life.
It is because God has fathomless inner life
that God can reach so far out in creation.
All creatures, then, have a double
depth.
Their being shows God's outreach to us,
and we feel the fascination of this.
But creatures also manifest God's inner life,
and this should fascinate us no less.
*************************
DON'T BE CLEVER!
Here is a tale the Master told a philosopher
who demanded to know why cleverness was an obstacle
to enlightenment.
There were only three passengers
in the plane - Big Brain, a Boy Scout
and a Bishop. The plane developed
engine trouble and the pilot
announced he was bailing out;
there were only three parachutes
and he was taking one. The others
would have to decide which of them
was going to be saved. The Big Brain
said, ''Since I am necessary
to the country I take it for granted
that I should have a parachute.''
So he grabbed one and jumped out.
The Bishop looked at the Boy Scout
and said, ''Son, I have lived a long time
so I think it fitting that you should have
the remaining parachute. I am ready to die.''
''That won't be necessary, Bishop,''
said the Boy Scout. ''There are two
parachutes here. Big Brain just jumped
with my haversack.''
Added the Master, ''Cleverness ordinarily
leaves no room for awareness.''
*************************
THE DIFFICULTY OF HAVING POWER
Jesus, by washing the disciples feet,
is saying something about the distinction so common
in humanity and throughout the history of humanity
between master and slave,
between those in power and the powerless,
between superiors and inferiors.
In many cultures, slaves did all the really difficult,
strenuous, hard manual labour,
and were forced to work horribly long hours.
They were the ones who built the pyramids
and the palaces of the emperors.
They were the ones on whose shoulders
industrial societies depended, as they worked in inhuman
conditions and for a pittance.
Then, as now, immigrants in Europe did the work that
others refused, just as factory workers in the South
provide designer-label products for consumers in the
North.
Jesus came to make things new.
For Jesus, each person is precious,
each one is loved by God,
each is called to become the 'home' of God;
each has a gift to bring to others,
each one should be deeply respected.
