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.
DECIDING TO FORGIVE
While it is extremely important to name with precision
the nature of a hurt and its related emotions, one
of the dangers of "going there" is getting
stuck. Staying in the darkness of the hurt, obsessing
about it, reliving it over and over again is not the
goal. The process of reconciliation demands that we
reach a crucial phase in the journey - that of making
a decision to forgive. At root, forgiveness, like
love, must be a decision. If we just went with our
fickle feelings we would stay with the anger, revenge,
and resentment. The only way we can break out of our
interior prison of resentment or revenge is to decide
to forgive, then work the rest of the steps in the
process, in the hope that our feelings catch up with
our decision.
Different things can motivate us to make the decision
to forgive. Motivation may come with the realisation
that we are stuck in the past, that we are not moving
on, that we are failing to embrace a new future. We
may be nudged on by psychological pain, and the fact
that we do not want to stay in the darkness of the
hurt. Sometimes the discomfort of living with negative
emotions or dispositions that are antithetical to
our spirituality will motivate us to forgive. Sometimes
a healthy guilt, and the recognition that harbouring
grudges is sin, moves us on to decide. Getting to
the point of deciding to forgive requires the re-entering
of the pain and also praying for the grace and courage
to make the decision. However it comes, the decision
to forgive is the key to the future. This decision
opens the cell door of an interior prison in which
we have locked ourselves and others.
Reconciliation is a process.
We can think we have completed
the process when we really have not.
When forgiveness is incomplete,
we need to go back and work the steps of reconciliation
over and over again.
It is important that we release
ourselves and others from the past by forgiving.
God said to the Hebrew people, "I have set before
you life and death . . . choose life . . ." (Deuteronomony
30:19ff, NAB). This passage is appropriate in reflecting
on the decision to forgive. It is a choice between
life and living death. If we actively or passively
choose not to forgive, we are imprisoning the unforgiven
person in the realm of death. And we are imprisoning
ourselves. The choice to engage in the process of
forgiveness is a choice for life and resurrection.
God says the ability to choose life is not far from
us. "It is in your hearts," God says (Dueteronomony
30:14ff, NAB). We have the resources within us to
forgive. God has already given them to us.
DEATHS
We offer our deepest sympathy to
the family and friends of:
Billy Mills, Bridge
Street
Isobel McElwee, Springhill
Park
Lucia O'Kane, Sion
Mills
John McCann, Derry
Winnie Early, Belfast,
formerly of Barrack Street
Paddy McGrath Snr,
Sion Mills
May they rest in peace.
ANNIVERSARIES
Charlie Hoynes, Susan Carlin, Mary
Gallagher, Sarah Barron,
Martha Quinn, Josephine Dixon, Hugh
Casey, Joey Coyle.
PRAYER GROUP
The contemplative prayer group will meet on Monday
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.
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. Charles Keaney PP, Coleraine,
15 November
Fr. Stephen Kearney PP, Newtownstewart,
16 November
Fr. Lawrence Keaveny, Deceased, 17
November
Fr. Michael Keaveny CC, Faughanvale,
18 November
Fr. Seamus Kelly PP,VF, Culmore, 19
November
Fr. Edward Kilpatrick PP, Lifford,
20 November
Most Rev. Francis Lagan, 21 November
RETIRED PRIESTS COLLECTION
The collection for Retired Priests will be taken up
at all Masses next weekend. You will find an special
envelope for this collection in your box.
PARISH DRAW
The Draw for the month of November will take place
in the parish office on Thursday 19 November at 2.30pm.
Promoters are asked to make their returns to the parish
office on Tuesday 17 November.
NEW SACRISTAN
As we say farewell to Mr. Hugo Conaghan our sacristan
of many years, we welcome Mr. Billy Conway who replaces
him and takes up his new position this weekend. Mr.
Columba Gallagher remains as assistant sacristan.
Best wishes to all.
THANK YOU
We gratefully acknowledge the substantial bequest
to the parish from an anonymous donor. All donors
are remembered regularly at Mass and in prayer.
CHURCH ROOF
We gratefully acknowledge the following donations
towards the repair of the church roof.
£100.00. Many thanks.
PARISH CHRISTMAS CARDS
Our Novena of Masses Christmas Cards are now on sale
at £1.00 each. Cards can be purchased after
all Masses at the back of the Church.
MASS FOR DECEASED YOUNG PEOPLE
A Mass will be celebrated for all the deceased young
people of the diocese in Holy Family Church, Ballymagroarty,
Derry this Sunday 15 November at 3.00pm. It will be
an opportunity for the family and friends of those
who have lost young loved ones to come together in
a spirit of prayer and consolation.
ADVENT RETREAT
Advent Retreat (open to everyone)
will be held in Ards Friary and Conference Centre,
Creeslough, Co. Donegal on Saturday 28 - Sunday 29
November commencing at 9.30am and finishing after
lunch.
Retreat will be led by Fr. Owen O'Sullivan OFM Capuchin.
Cost €85.00 residential or €60.00 non residential.
Contact Ards Friary 0749138909 or info@adrsfriary.ie
www.ardsfriary.ie
THORNHILL CENTRE
A Celebration of the Mystery of Life’s
Cycle.
Thornhill Centre, Derry presents a very special evening
in this month when we remember our dead. Poetry readings
led by Mary Murphy. Music led by the Cathedral Choir
on Wednesday 18 November from 8.00pm to 9.00pm. Suggested
Donation: £5.00. Tickets available at Thornhill
Centre, 71351233.
CARMELITE RETREAT CENTRE
A Mass for the sick with Eucharistic
Blessing will take place in the Carmelite Retreat
Centre, Termonbacca, Derry, on Tuesday 17 November
at 8.00pm. All are welcome to attend.
A one day retreat for Senior Citizens
and their friends from Donegal and surrounding areas
will take place at the Carmelite Retreat Centre, Termonbacca,
Derry on Wednesday 25 November. Registration from
10.30am finishing around 5.00pm. Cost £15.00
or €18.00 includes a four course lunch. Payment
at the Centre on the day. To book Tel: Termonbacca
Derry 71262512.
PICTORIAL DVD
'A Year in the Life of Camus
Parish'
A pictorial DVD entitled 'A Year in
the Life of Camus Parish' is now available to buy.
You can get your DVD at the parochial house, the church
or from St. Vincent de Paul. Price £10.00.
ALZHEIMER'S SUPPORT GROUP
There will be a meeting of the Alzheimer’s Support
Group on Wednesday 18 November at 7.30pm in Melmount
Manor Care Home, 1 Orchard Road, Strabane. The guest
speaker will be Ruby Sutherland, RNID - Sensory Support
Service. Everyone welcome.
STRABANE FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY
The next meeting of the Strabane Family History Society
will take place in Strabane Community Library on Thursday
19 November, at 7.30pm. Mr. Roddy Hegarty will be
the speaker for the evening. New members most welcome.
SET DANCING CLASSES
Set dancing classes started recently
in Gaelscoil Ui Dhochartaigh, Ballycolman Estate and
are very popular. The fee is £2.00 per night
and classes are on Mondays from 7.30pm - 9.00pm in
the school Hall.
ST. PATRICK'S LUNCHEON CLUB
St. Patrick's Luncheon Club are having
a Social/Dance on Monday 16 November in St. Patrick's
Hall. Music is by Curtis Magee. Doors open at 8.30pm.
Admission £5.00 (includes a light supper). Everyone
welcome.
ST. PATRICK’S
HALL
Bingo and Lucky 4 Draw as usual this
Thursday.
All our patrons are very welcome.
Bingo Snowball £2500.00
CEILI
There will be a ceili in St. Patrick's Hall this Sunday
15 November. Dancing from 8.00pm - 11.00pm. Music
by Gallagher & Logue. Admission £5.00 includes
supper.
PRAYER CORNER
PSALM FOR PRAYING
May the spirit of the Lord rest upon us,
may the call of God sustain us,
as we seek to be God's people,
transformed by the Gospel,
announcing good news to the poor,
proclaiming freedom for those in prisons
of wealth, poverty, disease and disorder,
committed to making a difference
to the world's kingdoms
for the sake of Christ's Kingdom.
May we deploy our resources as the
Spirit guides,
not shirk difficult decisions about the priority of
mission,
pledge ourselves anew to work with all our fellow
Christians
and use the gifts of all God's people
so that all may be filled
with the Spirit of healing, justice and peace.
Amen.
