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.
The following texts offer
an insight into why people should 'Reach Out'.
'In the history of the Church,
missionary drive has always been a sign of vitality,
just as its lessening is a sign of a crisis in faith'.
Red Miss 2
'When we bring people only knowledge,
tools, technical ability and not the Gospel, we bring
them too little'. Benedict XV1, September 2006
Irish Connections:
The first official sight for the Society for the
Propagation of the Faith took place in Ireland in
1838. - Irish interest and support of missionaries
has grown in strength each year. In pre-famine times
Ireland contributed between 5,000 and 7,000 pounds,
the current equivalent would be €250,000.
Almost 2,000 Irish missionaries are reaching out
to the peoples of the world.
We are now witnessing the full circle of mission.
Irish missionaries reached out, nurturing many vocations
and founding Young Churches in mission lands. Now,
many of these vocations are assisting Older Churches,
including those in Ireland to rediscover their missionary
zeal.
How contributions are used:
The Mission Sunday collection enables the formation
of native priests, sisters, brothers and lay catechists.
It is also used to support pastoral centres and
the building of simple mission churches.
Other important areas supported by the Mission Sunday
collection are, emergency aid in times of natural
disaster or civil strife, the provision of health
clinics and nutrition for children. Also contributions
assist missionaries serving refugees.
How we can 'Reach Out':
The first reaching out is supporting missionaries
by prayer. Many missionaries will speak of special
strength received from an unknown source in times
of sickness, persecution, civil war or natural disaster.
Another form of reaching out is the offering of personal
suffering of mind or body for missionaries. St. Therese
of Lisieux offered each painful step to support some
missionary in difficulty.
All members of the Church can and should be involved,
each according to their own abilities, in bringing
the light of Christ and His Gospel to those yet to
know of His love.
Mission means giving beyond borders, approaching others
with the Good News of Christ, and inviting them to
believe.
There can also be the reaching out by means of financial
help, which most Young Churches badly need. Every
cent collected in Ireland is sent to mission projects
throughout the world.
Our faith is strengthened when it is shared with others.
Some give to the missions by going as missionaries;
but some can also reach out to the missions by giving.
DEATHS
We offer our deepest sympathy
to the family and friends of:
Mark Shields, Carlton
Crescent
Iris Gallen, Lifford
May they rest in peace.
ANNIVERSARIES
Michael Christy, Charles Flanagan,
Margaret Ann Doherty Fanny Harte,
Fanny McDermott Lily Francey,
Mary Catherine Friel Rose McHugh,
Thomas Dunne Joseph Dunne,
Winnie McCullagh Pat Quinn,
Ryan McGonigle Kathleen Coups, Anthony Maxwell.
PRAYER GROUP
The contemplative prayer group will meet on Monday
evening at 8.15pm in the Parochial House. Newcomers
very welcome.
ANNUAL MASS FOR THE DEAD
Fr. Boland will celebrate the annual Mass for all
our families and friends who have died in the past
year on Friday 13 November at 7.30pm.
PRAY FOR PRIESTS
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. Joseph Doherty, Retired, 18 October
Fr. Michael Doherty PP Melmount, 19 October
Fr. Patrick Doherty PP, Waterside, 20 October
Fr. Andrew Dolan PP, Bellaghy, 21 October
Fr. Brian Donnelly CC, Dungiven, 22 October
Mgr. Joseph Donnelly PP VF, Omagh, 23 October
Fr. Liam Donnelly CC, Limavady, 24 October
PARISH DRAW
The Draw for the month of October will take place
on Thursday 22 October at 2.30pm in the parish office.
Promoters are asked to make their returns to the parish
office on Monday 19 October.
CHURCH ROOF
We gratefully acknowledge the following donation towards
the repair of the church roof. £300.00 - Many
thanks.
THORNHILL CENTRE
Poetry Evenings - Mary Murphy will lead a four-session
exploration of favourite poems we learned at school.
Dates: Wednesdays 14 / 28 October and 11 / 25 November.
Time: 7.30pm - 9.30pm in the Thornhill Centre. Cost
£5.00 per night. Please telephone 02871351233
to reserve a place.
CARMELITE RETREAT CENTRE
A Mass for the sick with Eucharistic Blessing will
take place in the Carmelite Retreat Centre, Termonbacca,
Derry on Tuesday 20 October at 8.00pm. All are welcome
to attend.
TAIZE PRAYER AND CHANT
Join us for an hour of meditative Taize Prayer and
Chant on Wednesday 21 October 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 October at 7.30pm in Melmount
Manor Care Home, 1 Orchard Road, Strabane. The guest
speaker will be Mary Breslin, speaking on, A Pill
For Every Ill. Everyone welcome.
ST. VINCENT DE PAUL LUCKY
LOTTO DRAW
The numbers drawn were 1, 4, 10, 24.
There was no Jackpot winner. 11 matched 3 numbers:
Paul McGeogh, Stim Hughes, Miriam Crawford, James
McGill, Mark Quigley, May Brolly, Margaret McGeogh,
Daniel Crawford, Michael Forbes, Stephen Kennedy,
Isobel Dunnion. Jackpot for November is £1200.00.
Next Draw will take place on Sunday 1 November at
9.00pm at Melmount parish bingo.
ST. VINCENT DE PAUL TOY SALE
St. Vincent De Paul annual toy sale will take place
on Monday 19 October at 10.00am.
OUR LADY OF KERRY TOURS
A Bus is leaving Barrack Street car park on Sunday
22 November at 11.00am. Contact Jonathon McGhee on
07881510043 for details. Everyone is welcome.
LIAM BRADLEY TOURS
New Year Friday 1 January 2010. West of Ireland, 4
days, 3 B&B and Dinners. Cost £189.00pps.
Departs Abercorn Square, Strabane at 9.20am. Tel.
71269109.
BALLYCOLMAN HAUNTED HOUSE
Anyone available to help out with the Haunted House
at Ballycolman Community Centre?
It starts on 23 October and runs to 30 October inclusive.
There are 2 sessions, the first begins at 6.00pm and
finishes at 7.30pm and the second starts at 8.00pm
and finishes at 9.30pm. We need a total of 40 characters
for each session so any help we can get would be greatly
appreciated. If anyone is available please contact
Robbie Winters, Caroline Devine or Claire O'Kane.
You must be 17 or older to help out.
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 were no winners in last week's
Draw
The numbers drawn were:
13, 15, 19, 22
Next Week's Lucky 4 Jackpot is £1775.00
PRAYER CORNER
EMBRACING HOPE
Loving Gardener of Life,
turn my time of sorrow
toward a season of hope.
I long to return to joy.
I yearn to be free from sadness.
May the eyes of my faith
look beyond my loss
and see the promise of spring
that follows every winter.
Never-Ending Source of Hope,
may the power of the Resurrection
assure me of future happiness.
I hold out my downcast spirit to you
and offer you my trusting heart.
I await the healing I need,
confident that your grace
will restore my inner peace.
WALKING WITH SOMEONE WHO MOURNS
Holy Shelter,
I walk with one who grieves.
Help me to be patient
with their journey of loss.
Let me not rush or push
the process of healing.
Grant me the gift of insight
to know when to speak
and when to be silent.
May my words of advice be few
and my loving presence ample.
May my heart reflect
the fullness of your compassion.
Heart of Consolation,
ease the sorrow.
Relieve the aching spirit.
Bring your soothing solace
and comfort them.
A PRAYER FOR OTHERS
Through the open door of your divine heart may blessings
pour forth in great abundance to those I love. I pray
for those who are prisoners of fear or hate and for
the intentions of all peoples of this planet, in particular
this night for:___________. May those who find it
impossible to pray, who are burdened with cares or
lost in the desert of loneliness, be touched by your
gentle healing and find peace today and always.
