PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL

Last Sunday afternoon in St Patrick’s Hall a parish Gathering Day was held. This was a meeting open to all parishioners and those who use the parish as a spiritual base, to gather and discuss the whole area of parish renewal. It lasted for over four hours and proved to be most fruitful. It marked an important stage in our process of establishing a Parish Pastoral Council - a consultative group of priest and people working together, availing of the many gifts in our people, supporting one another on the road to holiness and building up the kingdom of God in these parts. We were expertly led by our facilitator Mrs Bairbre Cahill, herself a Strabane lady, as we took another major step on our journey.

This weekend and next another important stage will come when we undergo a selection process to actually set up a pastoral council. It means attracting a good mix of people with the appropriate gifts to join the group. After communion this weekend and next you will find on each seat in the church sheets where you can put down the name(s) of those you think would be best suited.

1. You are invited to select yourself if you feel called to come forward.
2. Do I know of someone else who would be suitable, whom I could encourage to go forward?

Here are some qualities that should characterise each and every member of the council; they should have time to give; some people are already under too much pressure. - They should be able to think in terms of the whole parish; some people find it hard to see beyond a particular area of interest. - They should be team people, able to work well with others, and good listeners. - They should be open to new ways of doing things with an energy and passion about the future of the parish. We are looking for the gift of youth, the gift of experience, the gift of imaginative vision, the gift of making things happen, the gift of harmonising and encouraging, the gift of bringing the best out of people, the gift of translating ideas into plans.

Besides a diversity of gifts, a good mix is also about a gender balance, an age-spread, people from different areas of the parish, a combination of new faces and familiar faces.

You are asked to consider carefully the above and to pray that the Spirit of God will be powerfully with us in our selection process.

MORNING OFFERING
O Lord, grant me to greet the coming day in peace. Help, me in all things to rely upon your holy will. In every hour of the day reveal your holy will to me. Bless my dealings with all who surround me. Teach me to treat all that comes to me throughout the day with peace of soul, and with the firm conviction that your will governs all. In all my deeds and words guide my thoughts and feelings. In unforeseen events let me not forget that all are sent by you. Teach me to act firmly and wisely, without embittering and embarrassing others. Give me the strength to bear the fatigue of the coming day with all that it shall bring. Direct my will, teach me to pray, pray in me.

COLLECTION
We acknowledge last Sunday’s collection of £1753.00. Many thanks.

PRAYER GROUP
The contemplative prayer group will meet on Monday evening at 8.15pm in the St. Vincent de Paul Conference Centre. Newcomers very welcome.

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 on Sunday 25th March at 3.00pm in the MDEC Unit, Altnagelvin Hospital. For information telephone 71345171 (Ext 3235).

PARISH DRAW
The Draw for the month of March will take place on Thursday 29th March at 2.30pm in the parish office. Promoters are asked to make their returns to the parish office no later than Monday 26th March.

BLESSING OF GRAVES
The Annual Ceremony of the Blessing of the Graves will take place in this parish on Sunday 10th June at 3.00pm. The Annual Services in the neighbouring parishes are as follows:
Sion Mills: Sunday 13th May at 3.00pm.
Cloughcor: Sunday 27th May at 3.00pm.
Melmount: Sunday 3rd June at 5.00pm.

IONA CARMELITE RETREAT CENTRE
A one day retreat for Senior Citizens will take place at the Carmelite Retreat Centre, Derry, on Thursday 22nd March for those from Donegal and the surrounding areas. Registration from 10.30am, finishing at around 5.00pm. Cost £12.00stg or 18 Euro includes a four course lunch. Payment at the Centre on the day. To book Tel., 71262512.

THORNHILL CENTRE
Fr. Pascal McDonnell OFM will lead a two-part workshop on 'Confession' on 27th March and 3rd April at the Thornhill Centre, Derry. Time: 7.30pm - 9.30pm. Donation £5.00 per evening. Tel.,71351233.

STRABANE CEMETERY
It has come to our attention that some dogs are causing a problem in the local cemetery. It is important to remember that the cemetery is a sacred place and dog owners should do their best to ensure that their pets are not causing problems for those who visit the graveyard.

ANNIVERSARIES
Tony Porter, Kevin Canning, Sean Kavanagh, Eileen Cunningham,
Charles Furey, Michael Walsh, Mary Houston, Bobby Cunningham,
Annie McHugh, Mary McHugh, Seamus McHugh, Susan Campbell.


Deaths:
We offer our deepest sympathy to the family and friends of
Martin Quinn, Altiskane,
Rose Kennedy, Five Acres,
Cahir Doherty, formerly of Bowling Green,
Katie Doherty, Church View,
Brigid Harron, Greenfield Residential Home,
Rosaleen O'Neill, Legfordrum and
Baby Aimee Brogan, Carricklyn Avenue who died during the week. May they rest in peace.

ST PATRICK’S HALL
Bingo & Lucky 4 Draw Every Thursday

There was 1 match 3 winner in last week's Lucky 4 Draw

Mary O'Kane

Next Week's Lucky 4 Jackpot is £650.00

WEST END PRODUCTIONS PRESENTS.....

"PHANTOM AND THE MUSICALS"
Performing the Hit Songs from
Chicago, Calamity Jane, Cabaret, Guys & Dolls, West Side Story, Les Miserables, Evita, King & I, Phantom of the Opera, and many more...

on Sunday 22nd April 2007 at 8.00pm in St. Patrick's Hall. Tickets £12.50.

A NIGHT OF MUSICAL SPLENDOUR NOT TO BE MISSED!!

N.I. BLOOD TRANSFUSION SERVICE
A team from the N.I. Blood Transfusion Service will be in St. Patrick's Hall on Tuesday 27th March 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.

OUR LADY QUEEN OF PEACE PILGRIMAGES
Join us on a pilgrimage to Medjugorje from 7th - 14th June 2007 flying direct from Derry City Airport. Price £399.00 includes free travel insurance. Spiritual Director, Fr. John Murray. Contact;- Reggie Connolly, Tel., 02890300980 or 07918134077, Jean Reynolds, Tel., 02844830979, Adele McCauley, Tel., 02871377965.

STRABANE SIGERSONS G.A.A.
Club Membership will be closing shortly and everyone is advised to renew their fees as soon as possible. Coaching for all the various club teams is now well underway, new players are welcome at all levels (Male & Female). The boys Minor League will commence on Wednesday 28th March at home to Gortin while the girls Minor League commences on Saturday 24th March at home to Fintona.

EVISH PRIMARY SCHOOL DRAW
Week 1 Winners:-
1st Prize No. 46 Eveleen McCloskey & Olivia Cullen
2nd Prize No. 397 Paddy McCrea
3rd Prize No. 13 Margaret Duncan
4th Prize No. 206 Fiona Quinn
Extra Prize No. 243 Mary McFadden

SLIMMING WORLD
Slimming World is in St. Patrick's Hall every Monday 9.30am - 11.00am & 5.30pm - 8.00pm.