GENUINE JOY

In genuine religious path or spirituality can never be a fire escape from the evils of humanity or some insulated spiritual cocoon from the repulsive and hideous pains that saturate our world. To be genuinely joyful demands a companionship with the pains and sadness of life, and perhaps, the deep wounds of betrayal. Joy must also know the seemingly bottomless dark pits of anguish, enduring the desolation of being imprisoned by one's fears, or the poignant anguish of seething, violent anger. This seemingly impossible pairing of happiness and suffering appears at first to be contradictory, for how can you be joyful in the midst of misery?

Rejoicing when something good happens to you or upon completing a significant work is instinctively spontaneous. What is not instinctive is being joyful when you're suffering the searing pain of amputation in a divorce, the heart-shattering desolation of the death of a child, spouse, or parent, or while enduring intense pain. However, to live a joyful life is not merely a human achievement, and it is not a superhuman one either. Rather, it requires being divinely human – being faithful to your birthing blueprint in which you were designed to be God-like.

Immediately following his three famous imperatives of endless prayer, continuous gratitude and constant joy, Paul – the wandering minstrel of the Good News – says, "Do not quench the Spirit." He could have reworded it by saying. "Have faith in the Spirit, remember the words of the angel to Mary of Nazareth, 'with God all things are possible.'

Looking through our television window of today's 24/7 news coverage we see the ghastly sexual exploitation of children, the genocide of entire peoples, the wanton destruction and death of exploitative wars, vicious tribal conflicts, and bloody terrorist attacks. While piously maintaining that God abides in all places, religion often makes a razor sharp conceptual division between those places where God is and isn't present. God, the essence of goodness, is clearly present in those places, and actions judged good and wholesome. But in those viciously evil, if not diabolical, human actions and circumstances, religion remains silent or attributes them to the Evil One. If St. Augustine and mystical creatures can be believed when they claim that God is "always present" in all things, then how can we restrict the Divine Presence to only the good and beautiful? To be able to rejoice always requires an entirely new and radical understanding of the Divine Mystery.

PRAYER GROUP
The contemplative prayer group will meet on Monday at 8.15pm in the Parochial House. Newcomers very welcome.

PRAY FOR PRIESTS
This week we ask you to pray for:
Fr. Francis Murray CC, Cappagh, 18 April
Fr. Seamus O'Connell PPVF, Maghera, 19 April
Fr. Joseph O'Conor PP, Plumbridge, 20 April
Fr. Colm O'Doherty CC, Castlederg, 21 April
Fr. Kieran O'Doherty PP, Swatragh, 22 April
Fr. Brian O'Donnell Adm, Lavey, 23 April
Fr. Francis P O'Hagan PP, Magilligan, 24 April

DEATHS

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

Alice Breslin, Omagh

Pat Perry, Dublin

May they rest in peace

ANNIVERSARIES

Eddie Devlin, Billy Devine

John Murray, Jenny McCabe

Sarah McNamee, Kevin Logue

Joe Morris, Noel McGonigle

Claire Boyle, Margaret Doherty

John Devenney, Jackie McAteer

Teresa Gallagher, Billy Friel

PARISH ENVELOPES
The new boxes of parish envelopes have now been distributed. The parish envelope weekly collection is the main source of income for our parish and it is vital that as many as possible use them. If it has not been your custom to use the weekly envelopes why not begin this year? If you would like a box of envelopes please contact the parish office, Tel., 02871882215.

GIFT AID
Gift Aid is a very simple method of helping the parish financially. If you are using a parish envelope and pay tax, for every £1 you pay to the Church, if you are in the scheme, the Church recoups 25p. There are no hidden snags and it doesn't interfere whatsoever with any other financial arrangements you may have. If you would like to contribute to the Gift Aid Scheme please contact the parish office, Tel., 02871882215.

PARISH DRAW
The Draw for the month of April will take place in the parish office on Thursday 29 April at 2.30pm. There will also be an Extra Draw for all those who are fully paid for the year. Promoters are asked to bring their returns to the parish office on Monday 26 April.

BLESSING OF GRAVES
The annual ceremony of the blessing of graves for the parish of Camus will be held on Sunday 6 June at 3.00pm.

ACCORD
Marriage Preparation Workshop 14/15 May 2010 in Thornhill Centre, Culmore Road, Derry. Friday 6.45pm - 10.00pm and Saturday 10.00am - 4.00pm. To book a place on this course please contact Rosemary on 02871362475 (Monday - Thursday 9.30am - 1.30pm).

DERRY DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE
TO LOURDES 16 - 21 JULY 2010
The Pilgrimage is anxious to have the assistance of three more nurses to help in the provision of care for those registered for medical support. There are also place available for general pilgrims. Please contact the Pilgrimage Office on 02871260293.

KNOCK 2010
The Main Pilgrimage Season to Knock Shrine will begin on Sunday 25 April and will continue until Sunday 10 October. See poster at the church porch for timetable. For all enquiries telephone 0949388100 email info@knock-shrine.ie or visit the website www.knock-shrine.ie

MEDJUGORJE PILGRIMAGE
September 19 - 26. 7 nights Cost £535.
Full religious programme. See poster on notice board at church porch. Payment scheme available. For details phone Anne Duffy on 71880372 or 07736005396.

HOLY SOULS CRUSADE PILGRIMAGES 2010
Divine Mercy, Krakow – 22-29 August. 7 nights half board. Visiting Czestochowa, Wadowice, Kalwaria and Zakopane. €650.00, deposit of €250.00.
Garabandal – 9-16 October. 7 nights (6 at full board). Visiting Potes, Picos de Europa, Santo Toribio, Covadonga, Oviedo and Limpias. €630.00, deposit €250.00.
Holy Land 2011 – assessing interest. Dates and costs to be arranged.
For details of all pilgrimages contact Mary Mullins on 091-798407 or 087-2255739.

TAIZE PRAYER AND CHANT
Join us for an hour of meditative Taize Prayer and Chant on Wednesday 21 April 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 21 April at 7.30pm in Melmount Manor Care Home, 1 Orchard Road, Strabane. Guest Speaker form Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue speaking on Home Safety. Everyone welcome.

PARKINSON'S AWARE WEEK
As part of Parkinson's Aware Week the Omagh branch will be hosting an Information Day in the foyer of Strabane Library on Thursday 22 April from 10.00am - 3.00pm. Parkinson's sufferers, carers, and/or families are invited to drop in for a chat or information. We look forward to seeing you!

FOYLE HOSPICE
Foyle Hospice's Bark in the Park, a sponsored dog walk, will take place on Sunday 9 May in St. Columb's Park, Limavady Road, Derry at 2.00pm. Registration fee £5.00 per dog includes a certificate and goodie bag for your pooch on the day. For further information and registration packs please contact Foyle Hospice Fundraising Centre on 02871359888 or email rachelbruce@foylehospice.com

The BIG Saunter, a sponsored riverside walk for those aged 55+ organised by Health for Life, will take place on Wednesday 19 May at 1.00pm. The walk will commence from Sainsbury’s, Derry, along the path of the River Foyle and finish off at the Guildhall. All monies raised will go to Foyle Hospice. For further information please contact Stephanie English, Old Library Trust, Creggan, Tel: 02871373870.

BELFAST ZOO
A bus is leaving Barrack Street Car Park at 9.00am on Sunday 4 July for Belfast Zoo. Bus fare £7.00. Admission to Zoo: Adults £14.45, Children £10.70, over 65 years admission Free (proof of ID required). All names for trip to be given to Jonathon McGhee before 31 May. Telephone 07707916327.

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.

ST. PATRICK'S LUNCHEON CLUB
St. Patrick's Luncheon Club are having a Social/Dance on Monday 19 April in St. Patrick's Hall. Music is by Dallas. Doors open at 9.00pm. Admission £5.00/€6.00 (includes a light supper). Everyone welcome.

PILATES CLASSES
Pilates Classes have started in St. Patrick's Hall. This is a gentle mat-based exercise which will strengthen the back and tone the boy. For more information and to book contact Samantha on 00353879555949.

CEILI
There will be a Ceili in St. Patrick's Hall on Sunday 18 April. Dancing from 8.00pm - 11.00pm. Music by Gallagher & Logue. Admission £5.00 includes supper.
Everyone welcome.

PRAYER CORNER

AN EASTER PSALM
" Christ is risen, Alleluia!"
cries out the chorus of creation
"Christ is risen, Alleluia!"
sing the supple winds of spring.
"Christ is risen, Alleluia!"
ring out lilies in silent splendour.

The feast of feasts,
the festival of hope,
the mother of all Sundays,
luminous in the full moon of spring,
radiant in the rising of the sun,
Easter dances upon my rooftop
and plays like a newborn child
in the cradle of my heart.

I rejoice like all of creation,
sailing on springtime's seed-bearing breezes,
and like the lily's trumpet,
I open wide my throat and my heart
to join with all of heaven and earth
in singing out the symphony of joy
at Easter's annual return.

I take hope in Christ's victory over death,
hope that, one with him,
I will also have my easter morning
when I will be freed from the prison,
the decaying dusty tomb,
of my marrow and stony spirit.
I trust that I too will spring-like arise
to a fullness of living and loving,
to a life beyond all time and space,
to a life one with you, my God.

"Christ is risen, Alleluia!"
Alleluia, Alleluia!

REFLECTION
An excellent Eastertide reflection would be to take time to appreciate all the sources of happiness that are ours today. Be grateful for good health, shelter, clothing, good friends, family, our new found peace,
and that most precious of all gifts: life. Easter is the feast of New Life. And if we could truly appreciate what a gift it is to simply be alive how could we help but be happy?

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.