FIRE
Some cold, dull day in late autumn, when darkness
is coming on, and the wide plain below as far as the
eye can reach is empty of life, and the mountain-path
chill underfoot, and we are feeling very much alone,
a strong natural desire comes over us for human contact.
Then, suddenly, at a turn of the road, a light beams
out. It comes like the answer to a summons, like a
thing expectation called for, like a missing link
in a series suddenly supplied.
Or, you are sitting at dusk in a dreary room between
blank walls among uncongenial furniture. A familiar
step approaches, a practiced hand sets the hearth
to rights, the kindling crackles, a flame shoots up
and the room glows with comfortable warmth. The change
is as pleasant as when a cold inexpressive face suddenly
lights up with friendliness.
Fire is closely allied to life. It is the aptest symbol
we have for the soul within that makes us live. Like
fire, life is warm and radiant, never still, eager
for what is out of reach. When we watch the leaping
tongues of flame, as they follow every current of
the draught, soaring up not to be diverted, radiating
waves of light and heat, we feel how exact the parallel
is, how deep the kinship. This fire that forces its
way through the intractable material that impedes
it and reaches out to touch with light the things
around and make for them a centre of illumination,
- what an image it is of that mysterious flame in
us that has been set alight to penetrate the whole
of nature and provide it with a hearth!
And if this aspiring, irresistible, life of ours
were allowed to express itself outwardly, if it were
given the least outlet, it also would break through
and burst into flame.
And with what strength it should burn before the
altar where at all times it rightfully belongs! We
should stand there close to the Sacramental Presence
where God addresses himself to us and we address ourselves
to God, concentrating our force and our intelligence
in prayer and attention. We recognise in the lamp
before the altar the image and representation of what
our life should be. Its flame is never allowed to
go out.
As material light it has of course nothing to say
to God. It is for you to make it an expression of
your soul, like it burning out the force of your life
in flame and light close to the Holy Presence.
We cannot learn this all at once. It must be striven
for. But each moment of quiet illumination will bring
you nearer to God, and will carry you back among men
at peace. You leave the sanctuary lamp before the
tabernacle in your stead, saying to God, ''Lord, it
stands for my soul, which is at all times in thy presence.''
COLLECTION
We acknowledge last Sunday’s
collection of £1695.00 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:
Paddy Gough, husband
of Margaret Bannigan, who died in Dublin
May he rest in peace.
ANNIVERSARIES
Mary McGarrigle, Dan McGrinder,
Annie McCready, Mary Ellen Connolly,
Josephine McCrory, Patrick Doran,
Johnny Loughrey, James Donaghey,
Joey Coyle, Annie Wray,
Sarah Barron, Edward McGuinness,
Bella McGuinness, Martha Quinn.
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. Stephen Kearney PP, Newtownstewart,
16 Nov.
Fr. Lawrence Keaveny, Deceased, 17 Nov.
Fr. Michael Keaveny CC, Faughanvale, 18 Nov.
Fr. Seamus Kelly PP,VF, Culmore, 19 Nov.
Fr. Edward Kilpatrick PP, Lifford, 20 Nov.
Most Rev. Francis Lagan, 21 Nov.
Fr. Charles Logue CC, Kilrea, 22 Nov.
PARISH DRAW
The Draw for the month of November will take place
on Thursday 20th November at 2.30pm in the parish
office. Promoters are asked to make their returns
to the parish office on Monday 17th November.
CONFIRMATION AND FIRST HOLY
COMMUNION 2009
Confirmation will
take place on
Saturday 21st February 2009 at 11.00am for all Primary
7 pupils.
First Holy Communion
for all Primary 4 pupils will take place on
Saturday 30th May 2009 at 11.00am.
SACRED HEART MESSENGER
Next year's subscription for the Sacred
Heart Messenger magazine is now due. All Sacred Heart
Messenger promoters should make their returns to the
parish office as soon as possible.
SHARING FAIR CHRISTMAS SALE
22nd & 23rd NOVEMBER
The Good Shepherd Sisters of Dungiven Road, Derry
are holding a Christmas Sale at 'The Den', Melmount
Road on the above dates after the Masses on Saturday
evening and Sunday morning. We will be offering a
wide range of top quality household items, toys and
Christmas gift items. The crafts are made by girls
and women in self help projects associated with the
Sisters of the Good Shepherd in Africa, Latin America,
Eastern Europe and Asia. We count on your support
and generosity so come along and bring your purse!
RETIRED PRIESTS COLLECTION
The collection for Retired Priests
will be taken up at all Masses next weekend 22nd/23rd
November. You will find an special envelope for this
collection in your box.
BLESSED SACRAMENT CHAPEL
Our Blessed Sacrament Chapel is open every day from
10.00am until the Church closes. It is located at
the back of the Church - when you come in the main
door, turn left, then left again. This is a sacred
space where you can come and pray, ask for your special
intentions and rest a while in the midst of a busy
world.
CARMELITE RETREAT CENTRE
A one day retreat for Senior Citizens and their friends
from Derry and surrounding areas will take place at
the Carmelite Retreat Centre, Termonbacca Derry on
Thursday 20th November. Registration from10.30am finishing
around 5.00pm. Cost £12stg or €18 includes
a four course lunch.
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 Thursday 27th November Registration from10.30am
finishing around 5.00pm. Cost £12stg or €18
includes a four course lunch. Payment at the Centre
on the day. To book Tel: Derry 71262512 during office
hours.
DERRY DIOCESAN LOURDES PILGRIMAGE
2009
Why not give someone an opportunity to go on the
Lourdes Pilgrimage 16th - 21st July 2009 as your Christmas
gift. Gift vouchers (£25/£50) are now
available from the Pilgrimage Office 164 Bishop Street
Derry. Office opens Thursday 11.00am - 2.00pm and
Saturday 11.00am - 1.00pm and 2.00pm - 4.00pm.
TAIZE PRAYER AND CHANT
Join us for an hour of meditative Taize Prayer and
Chant on Wednesday 19th November in St. Colman's Chapel
(formerly the Day Chapel), St. Mary's Church, Melmount
from 7.30pm - 8.30pm. Everyone welcome.
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.
IMPORTANT MEETING OF CHOIR
There will be a meeting of all choir
members on Wednesday 19th November at 7.30pm in the
conference room.
PURSE FOUND
A purse which was found in the centre of the town
about 2 weeks ago has been handed in at the parochial
house. Owner may contact parochial house or parish
office.
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.
ADVENT RETREAT
Advent Retreat (open to everyone) will be held Saturday
29th - Sunday 30th November commencing at 9.30am and
finishing at 4.00pm. The theme is "Christus natus
est - Christ is born". Prepare for Christmas
by centring ourselves on the birth of the child Jesus.
What does the birth of Christ mean to us at this busy
time? Retreat will be led by Fr. Owen O'Sullivan OFM
Capuchin. Cost €85.00 or £70.00 includes
accommodation, meals and retreat. Contact Ards Friary
0749138909 or info@adrsfriary.ie
ADOPTION
Could you make a child happy again after a difficult
start in life? There a children needing adoptive families
now, who are aged between 2-6 years old, and who need
the love and attention of a caring and understanding
family. For further information please contact Family
Care Society on 028 90691133 or 02871368592 or at
email@family-care-society.org.
ALZHEIMER'S SUPPORT GROUP
There will be a meeting of the Alzheimer’s
Support Group on Wednesday 19th November at 7.30pm
in Melmount Manor Care Home, 1 Orchard Road, Strabane.
The guest speaker will be Cathy Magowan, Western Trust
- Care Support Co-ordinator speaking on Carers Support.
Everyone welcome.
STRABANE FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY
The next Meeting of the Strabane Family History Society
will be on Thursday 20th November in Strabane Library
Abercorn Square at 7.30pm. The Guest Speaker will
be Ms Belinda Mahaffy - with something different.
N.I. BLOOD TRANSFUSION SERVICE
A team from the N.I. Blood Transfusion Service will
be in St. Patrick's Hall on Monday 24th November 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.
STRABANE PARISH ANNUAL CHRISTMAS
1000 DRAW
1st Prize £1000.00
2nd Prize 1000 litres of petrol
3rd Prize 1000 litres of oil
4th Prize 1000 20p's
Draw will take place on Sunday 23rd November.
Tickets £10.00 each.
SOCIAL EVENING
There will be a social evening in
St. Patrick's Hall on Monday 24th November at 9.00pm.
Music is by Country Features and admission is £5.00
or €7.00 (light supper provided). Proceeds are
in aid of St. Patrick's Luncheon Club.
DANCE DANCE DANCE
Are you tired of sitting at parties?
Want to put your skills to the test and learn how
to jive, waltz or even cha cha cha?
Then come along and learn how to ballroom dance.
Lessons in St. Patrick's Hall every Thursday night
from 7.30pm - 9.00pm. Admission £5.00.
Come along and join in the fun.
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 Draw
The numbers drawn were:
8, 13, 15, 16
Next Week's Lucky 4 Jackpot is £675.00
ST. PATRICK'S HALL THEATRE
GROUP
This year's production 'West Side
Story' will commence on Sunday 30th November and will
continue until Sunday 7th December.
Booking available in St. Patrick's Hall, tel; 02871882483
from Monday 17th November, 10.00am - 12.00noon and
2.00pm - 5.00pm.
Book early and avoid disappointment!
CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK
The Catholic Church in Ireland, North and South,
will celebrate Catholic Schools Week from Monday 26th
January to Sunday 1st February 2009. There will be
a Mass in St. Eugene's Cathedral, Derry, on Thursday
29th January 2009. All are welcome to attend. The
theme will be ''Catholic Schools - a Vision for Life''.
The purpose of Catholic Schools Week is to promote
the contribution that Catholic schools make to our
society.
PRAYER CORNER
FOR SOLITUDE
May you recognise in your life the
presence,
Power and light of your soul.
May you realise that you are never alone,
That your soul in its brightness and belonging
Connects you intimately with the rhythm of the universe.
May you have respect for your individuality and difference.
May you realise that the shape of your soul is unique,
That you have a special destiny here,
That behind the facade of your life
There is something beautiful and eternal happening.
May you learn to see yourself
With the same delight,
Pride and expectation
With which God sees you
in every moment.
A BLESSING OF ANGELS
May the Angels in their beauty bless
you.
May they turn towards you streams of blessing.
May the Angel of Awakening stir your heart
To come alive to the eternal within you,
To all the invitations that quietly surround you.
May the Angel of Healing turn your wounds
Into sources of refreshment.
May the Angel of the Imagination enable you
To stand on the true thresholds;
At ease with your ambivalence
And drawn in new directions
Through the glow of your contradictions.
May the Angel of Compassion open your eyes
To the unseen suffering around you.
May the Angel of Wildness disturb the places
Where your life is domesticated and safe,
Take you to the territories of true otherness
Where all that is awkward in you
Can fall into its own rhythm.
