FAITH TO REMOVE MOUNTAINS
To rejoice always and in all circumstances is possible
- if you have faith. Don't let that condition frighten
you, since you don't need an enormous amount of faith.
As the Master was fond of telling his disciples, "Just
a pinch will do." "If you have faith the
size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain,
'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing
will be impossible for you." Just a pinch of
trusting God has the explosive power to easily remove
both a mountain and a moaning - the groaning of sadness.
Few, if any, have need to remove a mountain, but many
of us need to remove meloncholy. So be glad-hearted
that living a happy life is possible, since nothing
is impossible for those with faith.
An example of such powerful faith is found in the
writings of John Henre Newman (1801 - 1890), a British
scholar and Anglican convert to Catholicism who eventually
became a cardinal of the Church. In his book Apologia
pro vita sua, Newman wrote of his life, religious
conversion, and profound conviction of God's presence
in his life. He believed that God had created him
to do some definite service, committed him to a particular
work not given to another. He wrote that because of
his trust in God, if he were sick, somehow his illness
would serve God since he believed deeply that God
does nothing in vain. He said he would remain steadfast
in his faith even if God removed all his friends and
made him sadly afflicted of soul. By his profound
trusting of God, Newman provides us with an example
of relying upon the providence of God that whatever
happens will in some mysterious way serve a divine
purpose. So whatever your difficulties - sickness,
desertion by friends, or a hopeless sense of desolation
- trust that in some unexplainable way they will serve
God's ends and lead you to calm and confident joy.
This quiet joy that flows from simply being embraced
by God isn't pretending your misfortune doesn't exist.
It is, rather, a silent granite boulder to which you
can cling in the face of the howling winds of sadness
that threaten to sweep you away into hell.
Being impatient is to be irritared, annoyed. To remain
pleasant or cheerful while enduring a prolonged personal
or family difficulty requires persistent patience
along with faith-filled prayer! God's creative resolutions
aren't instantaneous. So as you suffer the pains of
waiting, don't pretend to be happy. Don't force being
joyful. Quiet patience leads to quiet joy if you can
place your trust in the truthfulness of Paul's inspired
words, "We know that all things work for good
for those who love God." (Romans 8:28). To "know"
(have knowledge of) that infallible process of creative
transformation means living in hope, trusting in God
who always brings goodness out of evil and joy out
of sadness. This conversion, like bread baking, takes
time. So be always patient and always trusting and
always joyful.
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:
Lily McGinley, Sion
Mills
Molly McGonagle,
Sion Mills
Edward Harkin, Lifford
May they rest in peace.
ANNIVERSARIES
Patrick Devlin John Moore, Liam Logue
Willie Logue,
Jimmy Logue, John Gallagher, William
Devenney, Archie Nelson,
Annie May Duddy, Elizabeth Walsh,
Jimmy Duddy, Tommy Duffy,
Margaret Flanagan, Mary Adams, Sean
Moore, Mary McColgan, Hugh Vaughan.
BLESSING OF GRAVES
The annual ceremony of the blessing of graves for
the parish of Camus will be held on Sunday 14 June
at 3.00pm.
PARISH DRAW
The Draw for the month of May will take place in the
parish office on Thursday 21 May at 2.30pm. Promoters
are asked to make their returns to the parish office
on Monday 18 May.
PARISH SAVINGS CHEQUES
We wish to remind all those who have
not yet cashed their parish saving cheques that they
should do so before 26 May as cheques are only valid
for 6 months. If you present your cheque to the bank
after this date it will not be accepted for payment.
Please contact the parish office on 02871882215 if
you have any queries.
PRAY FOR PRIESTS
The diocese published a prayer
card with the names of all the Derry diocesan priests.
Every day a specific priest is named. This week we
ask you to pray for:
Fr. Brian Brady PP, Garvagh, 18 May
Fr. Bernard Bryson, Retired, 19 May
Fr. Thomas Canning CC, Omagh, 20 May
Fr. Michael Canny ADM, Templemore, 21 May
Fr. John Cargan PP, Steelstown, 22 May
Fr. Neal Carlin, Columba Community, 23 May
DIOCESAN YOUTH MASS & BLESSING FOR YOUNG
DRIVERS
On Pentecost Sunday 31 May there will be a Diocesan
Youth Mass and Blessing for Young Drivers in St. Columb's
Church, Chapel Road, Waterside, Derry at 7.00pm. All
young drivers are invited to bring their license or
car keys to this Mass for a special blessing. 'Rejoice'
the Diocesan Youth Choir will lead the music and Bishop
Hegarty will be the main celebrant. Refeshments will
be served in the parish centre after Mass. Everyone
welcome.
KNOCK CELEBRATES 130th ANNIVERSARY
On Sunday 7 June the people and priests of the Diocese
are invited to lead the prayers and worship at Knock
Shrine starting at 2.30pm. It would be great if as
many as possible could travel to Knock in that day.
PROVISION OF CARE FOR KNOCK
PILGRIMS
Anyone who has poor mobility or is in need of assistance
who would like to participate in the Diocesan Pilgrimage
to Knock on Sunday 7 June is invited to register for
assistance by telephoning the Pilgrimage Office Derry,
71260293. Staff from the Lourdes Hospitalite will
be available in Knock to provide care.
MUSIC AT KNOCK
Any individual, choir members or musicians who would
like to contribute to the music at Knock on Sunday
7 June please contact Sr. Perpetua, 71351233 for music
and rehearsal details.
BUS TO KNOCK
A bus will leave Abercorn Square on Sunday 7 June
for the Derry Diocesan Pilgrimage to Knock at 8.00am
sharp. Fare 12.00. Contact Mary Hegarty 15 Patrick
Street on 02871 882886 for details.
CARMELITE RETREAT CENTRE
Termonbacca Community Funday will be held on Sunday
31 May 2009. We would be grateful for any items you
may wish to donate, e.g.; clothes, toys, bric a brac,
books etc., for our Funday Stalls. If you are willing
to help in anyway please contact us during office
hours. Tel: 71262512.
TAIZE PRAYER AND CHANT
Join us for an hour of meditative Taize Prayer and
Chant on Wednesday 20 May in St. Colman's Chapel,
St. Mary's Church, Melmount at 7.30pm.
HOLY CROSS COLLEGE - TRANSFER
2010
There will be an information evening
for parents of P.6 children in Holy Cross College
on Thursday 28 May at 7.30pm. All parents are welcome.
ALZHEIMER'S SUPPORT GROUP
There will be a meeting of the Alzheimer’s
Support Group on Wednesday 20 May at 7.30pm in Melmount
Manor Care Home, 1 Orchard Road, Strabane. Alzheimer's
Presentation and Yearly Review will given by Michael
McIvor, Alzheimer's Society, Everyone welcome.
STRABANE FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY
The next meeting of the Strabane Family
History Society, the final meeting of the season,
will be on Thursday 21 May in the Community Library,
Abercorn Square at 7.30pm
BRADLEY TOURS
Departing 10 August to the sunny south-east
for 4 days. 3 B&B's and 3 dinners. Cost £210.00
pps. Leaves from Abercorn Square at 9.20am. Telephone
02871269109 anytime.
ST. PATRICK'S
LUNCHEON CLUB
St. Patrick's Luncheon Club are having
a Social/Dance on Monday 18 May in St. Patrick's Hall.
Music is by Ally Harron & Marian Curry. 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 was 1 match 3 winner in last week's Draw
Richie Porter
The numbers drawn were:
2, 17, 21, 24
Next Week's Lucky 4 Jackpot is £1225.00
PRAYER CORNER
Be merciful to me , O Beloved!
I open my heart to You,
for in You is Love and Wisdom.
In the shadow of your wings I will
find peace.
until the fears that bind me
are transformed.
I cry to the source of all life,
to the Eternal One whose Plan
is wholeness for all.
Send in your angels to awaken me,
put to rest all that keeps me
in darkness.
The Beloved will send forth steadfast
Love and Light!
I lie at night in the midst of dragons,
fears that seek to overpower me;
They rise up to taunt me,
they seek to control my life.
Be exalted, O Holy One,
Creator of the galaxies!
Let your glory be over all the earth!
My fears have woven a web;
like a spider
they seek to entrap me.
They live within me, gnawing at my bones,
they bring only suffering and despair.
Yet in my heart I know, Beloved, that
Love is the healing balm for fear,
I will sing and make melody!
Awaken my soul!
Awaken to Love's song!
I will awaken the dawn!
I will give thanks to You
among the peoples,
O Heart of my heart;
I will sing praises to You among
the nations.
For your steadfast love fills the universe,
and makes a home in my heart!
Be exalted, O Holy One,
Creator of the galaxies!
For your Glory reigns over
all the earth!
