BISHOP FRANCIS LAGAN

Last Friday we received the news that Bishop Francis Lagan was retiring, and even though we knew he had reached the age where he had to submit his name to Rome in this regard, it came as a shock to all of us. For the past twenty two years as Auxiliary Bishop of our diocese he has unstintingly given himself in service to the priests and people as spiritual leader and guide. He was involved at every level of policy and decision making in the Derry diocese. With meetings, diocesan, national and international, episcopal, renewal, child protection, educational, ministry to priests, social, theological and liturgical and a host of related topics, his diary was always full. Sacramentally he officiated at numerous ordinations and Masses for special occasions. The amount of travel involved could not be calculated. This was only a part of his huge work load. He was involved with all the administration and important policy making decisions in the diocese, clerical changes, marriage papers, Priest's Council, property and financial matters. He did all this with his customary grace and good humour, always available to give a listening ear. If you add to the above a very punishing routine of four months every year administering the sacrament of confirmation throughout the diocese, we begin to glimpse something of the vastness of the work he has had to face in the past twenty two years. Surely he has earned the right to a less hectic and more relaxed lifestyle?

Bishop Lagan has always enjoyed the company of people and it is his ability to engage warmly and naturally with others of all age groups that is his abiding gift. He is fondly remembered in Camus parish for his spiritual strength, his care of the sick and his pastoral outreach. He has never lost that touch and he is always at his best in the midst of his people. The good news for us here in Strabane is that he will be still with us saying Mass and helping out as he has done so selflessly for so many years, but he will be relieved from the many administrative and policy making roles outlined above. So even though he has officially retired his availability to us and others is assured. God has blessed him with wonderful health and we hope that now, in a less busy atmosphere, his golf swing may improve! Indeed before this announcement was made the parish had planned well in advance to celebrate his Golden Anniversary as a priest, and on the 27th June of this year we will be having a special Mass in the church at 3.00pm, where the parishioners and his family and friends will gather and go on afterwards for a buffet in St. Patrick's Hall. We will have more details later.

As we thank him for his warm kind and cordial ways and the immense help he has been to us down through the years we wish him every grace and blessing at this special time.

TROCAIRE LENTEN COLLECTION
We would like to thank everyone who contributed to the Trocaire Lenten Collection. The total amount raised by the parish was £10331.00 and €1052.00.
A SINCERE THANK YOU TO EVERYONE.

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.

DEATHS

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

Tony Dempsey, Artigarvan

Kathleen Gallagher, Linkside Park

Elsie Armstrong, Ballycolman Estate

Canon Frank O'Donnell, Wales

May they rest in peace.

ANNIVERSARIES

Mary Palphrey, Archie Nelson,

Sarah Furey, Francis McGrinder,

Michael Furey, Sean Moore,

William Devenney, Mary McColgan.

PRAY FOR PRIESTS

This week we ask you to pray for:

Fr. Manus Bradley, Canada, 16 May
Fr. Brian Brady PP, Garvagh, 18 May
Fr. Bernard Bryson, Retired, 19 May
Fr. Thomas Canning CC, Omagh, 20 May
Fr. Michael Canny Adm, St. Eugene's Cathedral, 21 May
Fr. John Cargan PP, Steelstown, 22 May

BLESSING OF GRAVES

The annual ceremony of the blessing of graves for the parish will be held on

Sunday 6 June at 3.00pm.

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION

First Holy Communion for all P.4 pupils will take place in the parish on

Saturday 29 May at 11.00am.

PARISH DRAW

The Draw for the month of May will take place in the parish office on Thursday 27 May at 2.30pm. We ask all our promoters to make their returns to the parish office on Monday 24 May.

DERRY DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE

TO LOURDES JULY 16 - 21 2010
The Pilgrimage welcomes general pilgrims but also provides particular support to those who might need care/assistance while in Lourdes. For further derails please contact the Pilgrimage Office 02871260293.

LOURDES HOSPITALITE
The Annual Diocesan Lourdes Hospitalite collection is scheduled to take place on the weekend of 29/30 May. The Fund is very dependent on the monies raised from this one collection to support people who are sick and in need of medical care. It is a vital source of revenue that makes the work of the Lourdes Hospitalite possible.

CARMELITE RETREAT CENTRE
A Mass for the sick with Eucharistic Blessing will take place in the Carmelite Retreat Centre, Termonbacca, Derry, on Tuesday 18 May at 8.00pm. All are welcome to attend.

REMEMBERING OUR BABIES AND CHILDREN
(Miscarriage, Neonatal Death, Stillbirth, Infant Death).
As a tribute to those who have died and to their parents, families and friends a Remembrance Service will be held this Sunday 16 May at 3.00pm. The Service will take place in M.D.E.C. Building Altnagelvin Area Hospital. For further information please contact 02871345171 ext. 216116 or direct line to neonatal 02871611212.

TAIZE PRAYER AND CHANT
Join us for an hour of meditative Taize Prayer and Chant on Wednesday 19 May in St. Colman's Chapel, St. Mary's Church, Melmount at 7.30pm.

ALZHEIMER'S SUPPORT GROUP
There will be a meeting of the Alzheimer’s Support Group on Wednesday 19 May at 7.30pm in Melmount Manor Care Home, 1 Orchard Road, Strabane. Guest Speaker The Dementia Team, Western Trust speaking on Their Role In The Dementia Team. Everyone welcome.

FOYLE HOSPICE MIDNIGHT WALK
Foyle Hospice’s Strabane Midnight Walk will take place on Friday 25 June. The walk is a 3.5 mile sponsored walk around the bypass and will start/finish at Heaton’s Car Park, off Railway Road. The walk will commence at midnight and be a ladies only event. The registration fee is £6.00/€7.00. Participants will receive a Strabane Midnight Walk
T-Shirt, Medal, and on completion of the walk a Bacon Bap!

N.I. FOSTERCARE
Fostering Information sessions will be held on the following dates:

Tuesday 18 May
Clooney Hall, Derry from 7.30pm - 9.30pm

Tuesday 25 May
Drummond Hotel, Ballykelly from 7.30pm - 9.30pm

STRABANE FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY
The final meeting of the season of Strabane Family History Society will take place on Thursday 20 May at 7.30pm in the Community Library Abercorn Square Strabane. Ms. Elizabeth McAleer Libraries NI Local Studies Group will be making a return visit to this meeting, and those present at her first visit will not want to miss her return.

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.

PLEASE NOTE: All payments for St. Patrick's Hall should also be made payable to Church of the Immaculate Conception.

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
Stifon Hoynes
Jean McGarrigle
Eileen Porter
The numbers drawn were:
1, 8, 12, 20
Next Week's Lucky 4 Jackpot is £2200.00

N.I. BLOOD TRANSFUSION SERVICE
A team from the N.I. Blood Transfusion Service will be in St. Patrick's Hall on Wednesday 19 May 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.

ST. PATRICK'S LUNCHEON CLUB
St. Patrick's Luncheon Club are having a Social/Dance on Monday 24 May in St. Patrick's Hall. Music is by White Lightening. Doors open at 9.00pm. Admission £5.00/€6.00 (includes a light supper). Everyone welcome.

PRAYER CORNER

FLAME OF THE SPIRIT
Flame of the Spirit, burn within us,
Set our hearts on fire, and we shall be changed.
Wind of the Spirit, blow through us,
Move us by your power, and we shall be changed.
Breath of God, fill our lives,
Inspire our actions, and we shall we changed.

When the shutters are down and the doors are closed,
Come. Fill us, Holy Spirit.
When we are dried up and all hope is gone,
Come. Fill us, Holy Spirit.
When chaos rules and we live in fear,
Come. Fill us, Holy Spirit.
When our resources are gone and we cannot cope,
Come. Fill us, Holy Spirit.
When we are restricted and it feels like the grave,
Come. Fill us, Holy Spirit.
Come inspire, refresh, renew us.