BAPTISMS
Friday: 6.30pm Sunday 12.45pm
MODELS OF FORGIVENESS IN OUR OWN TIME
Besides the example of Pope John Paul 11 there are
other outstanding present-day models of forgiveness.
In El Salvador there is a bungalow where Oscar Romero
lived. It is just a short three-minute walk from the
chapel where he was murdered. In the front room of
the bungalow there is a closet. Hanging in that closet,
clearly visible behind a glass door, are the shirt
and alb which Romero was wearing when he was shot.
There is a small, almost imperceptible, hole in the
chest area of the alb and the shirt. The hole could
easily be mistaken for a tiny, unmended rip, but it
shows the entry point of the bullet that ended the
life of this modern-day saint. The alb with Romero's
dried blood caked on it in rust-coloured blotches
remains as a poignant symbol of the profound witness
to the life and death of this exceptional man. Transfixed
by these haunting reminders of this terrible atrocity,
we recalled the words of this selfless saint, which
he uttered just two weeks before his death, "You
can tell them, if they succeed in killing me, that
I pardon them."
Archbishop Romero echoes the prayer of forgiveness
uttered by Jesus just prior to his death on the cross,
"Father forgive them for they know not what they
do." Both Jesus and Romero both proclaim forgiveness
for those who savagely take their lives.
However, it was not only the story of this martyred
prelate which had such a profound impact on us during
the visit. We heard countless stories of many other
Salvadoran people who offered a similar witness of
divine forgiveness. These were the people whose families,
friends and neighbours had been murdered during the
violent, blood-filled times in this Central American
country. These individuals, like Romero, challenge
all of us to look at the place of forgiveness in our
lives. Most people will not experience the extreme
tragedies and losses that were part of the lives of
the Salvadoran people, but sometimes it seems equally
challenging to forgive even the relatively inconsequential
offences in one's life.
Another profound witness of forgiveness
is Joseph Cardinal Bernardin of Chicago. Three years
prior to his death, Cardinal Bernardin was publicly
accused of sexual abuse by a young man dying of AIDS.
Bernardin later talked about how devastating this
accusation had been for him. When the young man was
close to death, Bernardin flew to his bedside to forgive
him personally for the erroneous accusation and to
attempt reconciliation. Monsignor Kenneth Velo, who
preached Bernardin's eulogy praised the Cardinal for
his extraordinary act of virtue and quoted from the
prayer of St. Francis, asserting that Bernardin knew
that "it is in pardoning that we are pardoned."
COLLECTION
We acknowledge last Sunday’s
collection of £1477.00. Many thanks.
PRAYER GROUP
The contemplative prayer group will
meet on Monday evening at 8.15pm in the Parochial
House. Newcomers very welcome.
DEATHS
We offer our deepest sympathy to the family and friends
of:
Alison Cavanagh,
Abercorn Cottages
Frances O' Boyle
(nee Quigley), Aberdeen and formerly of The American
Bar, Castle Place
Irene Caulfield,
St. Colman's Drive
May they rest in peace.
ANNIVERSARIES
David Aiken Jnr, Tom Melaugh,
Geraldine Magill, Willie Wray,
Baby Geraldine Magill, Mary Elliott,
Kathleen McFarland (Kim), Joseph Madden,
Elizabeth Harte, Denis McElroy,
Geordie Devenney, John Cairns,
Elizabeth Cairns, Nellie Duffy,
Annie Mary Kearney, Johnny Kelly,
Davy Foley, Tony Wray.
PRAY FOR PRIESTS
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. John Farren, PP, Iskaheen, 15
Feb
Fr. Neil Farren PP, Ardmore, 16 Feb
Fr. Paul Farren, Catechetical Centre, 17 Feb
Fr. Christopher Ferguson CC, Waterside, 18 Feb
Fr. John P Forbes PP, Gortin, 19 Feb
Fr. Edward Gallagher CC, Limavady, 20 Feb
Fr. John Gallagher, Florida, 21 Feb
PRACTICE FOR CONFIRMATION
A practice for Confirmation will take
place in the church on Wednesday 18 February at 7.30pm
for all P.7 pupils and their sponsors. Confirmation
is on Saturday 21 February at 11.00am.
SICK AND HOUSEBOUND TO BE
ATTENDED
Fr. Boland will visit the sick and
housebound in the following areas on Monday 16 February
after10.00am Mass: Bearney Road, Camus Road, Conthem
Road, Upper Townsend Street, Townsend Terrace, Marian
Park, Fountain Street and Innisfree Gardens.
Fr. Boland will visit the sick and housebound in the
following areas on Thursday 19 February 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.
PARISH DRAW
The Draw for the month of February
will take place in the parish office on Thursday 26
February at 2.30pm.
Promoters are asked to bring their returns to the
parish office as soon as possible. New subscribers
are still welcome to join our Parish Draw.
MEETING FOR ALL READERS
There will be a meeting for all readers
on Wednesday 18 February at 7.30pm in the Conference
Room, Church of the Immaculate Conception. If any
reader cannot attend this meeting please contact Sheila
on 02871 885115.
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.
PAYMENTS BY CHEQUE
The Bank have reminded us that all
payments made to the parish by cheque (for Parish
Draw, Sunday and Special Collections etc.) must be
made payable to Church of the Immaculate Conception.
AWARE DEFEAT DEPRESSION
The Aware Defeat Depression Strabane
Support Group meets in Hillside Day Centre, Dillon
Court, Church Street Strabane every Tuesday at 8.00pm.
New members are always welcome and you do not need
to register – just come along on the evening.
For further information, telephone 02871 260602.
ALZHEIMER'S SUPPORT GROUP
There will be a meeting of the Alzheimer’s
Support Group on Wednesday 18 February at 7.30pm in
Melmount Manor Care Home, 1 Orchard Road, Strabane.
The guest speaker will be Nuala Shiels, qualified
nurse and reflexology practitioner, speaking on 'Reflexology
for Carers'. Everyone welcome.
TAIZE PRAYER AND CHANT
Join us for an hour of meditative
Taize Prayer and Chant on Wednesday 18 February in
St. Colman's Chapel (formerly the Day Chapel), St.
Mary's Church, Melmount from 7.30pm - 8.30pm. Everyone
welcome.
HOLY CROSS COLLEGE PRESENTS....
The Holy Cross College Production
of the musical 'Oliver' will open in the College on
Monday 23 February. Tickets can be obtained by calling
at the main office or tel: 02871 381380. Cost £8.00
(concessionary £5.00). Performances will be
at 8.00pm on the following dates:
Monday 23 February, Tuesday 24 February, Wednesday
25 February, Thursday 26 February, Friday 27 February,
Sunday 1 March.
STRABANE SIGERSONS GAA
Strabane Sigersons senior footballers
will play Dungiven in the Ulster Senior Football League
this Sunday at Páirc Mhic Sioghair. Club Membership
Fees for 2009 are now due for renewal. These can be
paid to Aidan McGrath, Cha Stewart or left at the
Social Club.
RUMMAGE
Strabane Community Project/St. Patrick's
Luncheon Club Charity Shop 'Rummage' urgently requires
donations of good quality clothes, clothes for recycling,
unwanted gifts or bric-a-brac. The Charity Shop supports
the Luncheon Club and services for older people in
your community. For all enquiries telephone 02871
883102. Thank you for your continued support.
ST. PATRICK'S LUNCHEON
CLUB
St. Patrick's Luncheon Club are having
a Social/Dance on Monday 23 February in St. Patrick's
Hall. Music is by The Cannon & Ramsey Band. Doors
open at 9.00pm. Admission £5.00 (includes a
light supper).
ST. PATRICK’S HALL
Bingo and Lucky 4 Draw as usual this
Thursday.
All our patrons are very welcome.
Bingo Snowball £2500.00
LUCKY 4 DRAW
There were 3 match 3 winners in last
week's Draw
Josephine McCrea
Jacinta McGrath
Rosaleen McGuigan
The numbers drawn were:
7, 8, 13, 16
Next Week's Lucky 4 Jackpot is £925.00
PRAYER CORNER
BE ALERT AND ALIVE
"Some people claim here is no
life after death,"
said a disciple.
"Do they?" said the Master
noncommittally.
"Wouldn't it be awful to die
- and never again see or hear or love or move?"
"You find that awful?" said
the Master. "But that's how must people are even
before they die."
LIVE FOR TODAY
A disciple decided to be more personal
and direct.
"Do you believe in life after
death?" she asked.
"Strange that you should be so
stuck to that topic!"
said the Master.
"Why would you think it strange?"
"Here you have this glorious
day in front of you,"
said the Master pointing to the window.
Like a child who refuses to eat today because he
does not know what tomorrow will bring.
You're starving. Eat your daily bread!"
SLEEPWALKING
"Congratulate me!"
"Why?"
"At last I've found a job that
offers
excellent prospects for advancement."
Said the Master sombrely, "You
were a
sleepwalker yesterday. You are sleepwalking today.
You will sleepwalk till the day you die.
"What sort of advancement is that?"
"It was a financial advancement
I was
talking about, not spiritual advancement."
"Ah! I see. A sleepwalker with
a bank account
that he isn't awake to enjoy!"
WAKE UP!
Enlightenment, said the Master when
asked about it, is an awakening.
"Right now you are asleep and do not know it."
Then he went on to tell them of the
recently
married woman who complained
about her husband's drinking habits.
"If you knew he drank,
why did you marry him?" she was asked.
"I had no idea he drank,"
said the girl,
"till one night he came home sober!"
