GOD IS NEAR EVEN IN MY DARK NIGHTS

My soul yearns for you in the night. . .
ISAIAH 26:9

The night-time of our lives is often when we most long for a taste of God's presence to dispel the bleakness of our inner landscape. In those moments we are least likely to have a sense of this consoling presence. I have experienced this inner, barren landscape myself, as have most of the women and men who come to me for spiritual guidance. When we are depressed, experiencing adversity, or overwhelmed with loss or pain, we seem to lose a closeness with God. Instead of sensing the warmth of consolation, we feel only an empty, hollow space echoing our cry for relief.

These experiences of barrenness and darkness cause our soul to seek a taste of consolation and an assurance regarding God's abiding presence. Everything in us longs for some validation that we have not been abandoned. Hidden in this night-time desolation, of course, is the truth that God remains near to us, never for a moment letting us out of Love's compassionate embrace or vigilant sight. If only we could remember this when we cry out in our pain and wonder if we have been left alone in our misery. Here is where the core of faith receives its great challenge. For now is the time to continue to pray and not give up hope, in spite of seemingly having nothing in response.

Abiding Presence, deepen my faith when you seem far from me.

Joyce Rupp.

DEATHS

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

Kathleen Coyle, Ballycolman Road

Bridie McGettigan, Urney Road

Maura Gormley, Ballycolman Estate

Francis Tracey, Laurel Drive

Eddie Neeson, Owenreagh Drive

May they rest in peace.

ANNIVERSARIES

Terry Logue, Mary Mullan,
Lizzie Logue, Tom Mullen,
Frank McElwee, Jimmy Quinn,
Mary Catherine McElwee, Nan McMackin,
Mickey Madden, Teresa Doherty,
Ita McGlynn, Crissie Melaugh,
Jim McDermott, Gerry Conaghan,
Margaret Conway, Maureen McColgan,
Annie Nelson, Catherine McDaid,
Maureen McGinley, Bernard Houston, Jimmy McGinley.

PRAYER GROUP

The contemplative prayer group will meet on
Monday at 8.15pm in the Parochial House. Everyone welcome.

PRAY FOR PRIESTS

This week we ask you to pray for:
Fr. Roland Colhoun Adm, Long Tower, 17 January
Fr. Michael Collins PP, Limavady,18 January
Fr. Oliver Crilly PP, Greenlough, 19 January
Fr. Patrick Crilly, Retired, 20 January
Fr. Brendan Crowley CC, Malin, 21 January
Most Rev. Edward Daly, Retired Bishop, 22 January

PARISH DRAW

The 2010 Parish Draw will soon commence and we hope to have our first

Draw on Thursday 28 January.

To date the response to the Draw is very encouraging and it is expected that we will have the same level of support as last year. If you would like to support the parish by becoming a promoter please ring Amanda our Parish Administrator at the parish office, 02871882215. Thank you to all the promoters who have collected their cards and left their new lists of names at the parish office. In order to get the Draw started we need to get all name/address changes completed this week. Changes cannot be done during the week of the Draw. We therefore ask all other promoters to call at the parish office as soon as possible to collect their lists and Draw cards.

SICK AND HOUSEBOUND TO BE ATTENDED

Fr. Boland will visit the sick and housebound in the following areas on Wednesday 20 January starting at 2.00pm: 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 21 January 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, Patrick Street and Tristan Road.

CHURCH ROOF

We gratefully acknowledge the following donation towards the repair of the church roof.
£100.00. Many thanks.

SPECIAL DIOCESAN MASS

The Annual Diocesan Mass for those with special needs, and their families and friends, will take place in Saint Joseph's Church, Galliagh, Derry on Saturday 24 April 2010. Bishop Lagan will celebrate the Mass. If you have a child who wishes to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation or First Communion at this Mass please contact the Catechetical Centre on 02871264087 or email ddcc@derrydiocese.org

ARDS RETREAT CENTRE

"Step Into The Promise Of A New Spring" - An invitation to a weekend of peace, reflection and appreciation of the gifts of life through music, readings meditative movement and spiritual awareness.

Ards Retreat Centre, Donegal on 5, 6 & 7 February.

Contact: 0749384015 or email info@ardsfriary.ie

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.

Samaritans in Derry is holding Information Evenings for those interested in finding out more about the organisation and volunteering opportunities. These events are on Tuesday 19 January and Thursday 21 January at 16 Clarendon St. Derry and on Wednesday 20 January at Clanree Hotel Letterkenny. All sessions start at 7.30pm, and everyone is welcome.

STRABANE FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY

Please note the January meeting of the Strabane Family History Society has been CANCELLED due to the present extreme winter weather conditions and the uncertain weather forecast.

NEW YEAR, NEW CHALLENGE

The N.W. Regional College, Derry, Limavady and Strabane is now offering an exciting range of short part-time courses beginning Jan/Feb 2010. Telephone 71276000 or visit www.nwrc.ac.uk for information.

STRABANE AND LIFFORD WOMEN'S CENTRE

4 E's Project - Engagement, Education, Empowerment and Employment for the excluded across the Strabane District.

What does this mean?

Do you want to gain skills that will help you find real employment?

Do you want to live in a friendly supportive environment?

Do you want to get qualifications and learn in a way that is suited to you and at a pace that you feel comfortable with?

If you have answered yes to the above questions then contact Patricia on 02871886253. More information available at the back of the church.

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

Brian Donnelly

Isobel Wray

Gerry O'Donnell

The numbers drawn were:

2, 9, 12, 24

Next Week's Lucky 4 Jackpot is £2050.00

STRABANE PARISH PANTOMIME

This year's production 'Beauty and the Beast' begins this weekend and will continue until Sunday 24 January. Booking available in St. Patrick's Hall, Tel: 02871882483. Tickets £7.00 and £5.00 concessionary. Please note Friday 22 January is fully booked!

PRAYER CORNER

ST. TERESA OF AVILA'S BOOKMARK

Let nothing disturb you
Let nothing frighten you
All things pass away
God never changes
Patience obtains all things
Those who have God
find they lack nothing.
God alone suffices.

Amen.

A PRAYER FOR HEALING

Lord, I come now before you in the weakness
that has overcome me, with the feeling that I
cannot share and try to hide, with the emptiness
that sometimes grips me, and with the physical
and mental pain that so often preoccupies me,
but I also come in faith and trust, in humility and
reverence, and I ask to be relieved and healed.

You took human weakness on yourself when you
lived, suffered and died for our sake. By rising
from the dead, you manifested your victory over
all human weakness, over all the negatives that
tend to break us, and over death itself. Because
of that our trust in you is deepened. You can
overcome the negative feelings we experience.

Now I present myself to you, knowing that you
love me just as I am, but knowing also that your
will is my happiness and that you can bring this
about in ways that I will not be able to
understand.

Help me this day not to be undermined by
illness, by pain, or by the problems that beset me.
I ask this, not just for myself but for the sake of
all those lives I touch.

Amen.