JESUS GIVES US PEACE
Jesus tells the disciples that the
Holy Spirit, the Paraclete, will not only be with
them and in them, but will teach them all things and
will bring back to the memory of their hearts and
minds all that he has taught them.
This is true for all of us.
That does not excuse us from the need to study,
to spend time with the word of God
as it has been understood over the centuries.
That does not mean we shouldn't study
theology,
each one according to our call, needs and possibilities.
But it means that everything we learn must be viewed,
reviewed and tested
in the silent light of the Spirit
and in a prayerful attitude.
It means that each of us has direct access to God,
who is the centre and the light of all things.
If Jesus and the Father are dwelling in us
we will live a new and deeper peace,
because peace comes from the presence of God.
"I leave you my peace.
I give you my peace.
I do not give it as the world gives it.
Let your hearts not be anguished nor afraid."
The peace Jesus promises is not just
a balance of forces or an absence of war.
It is not just a good feeling inside of us,
a feeling of centredness, wholeness, quietness, stillness
or inner silence.
It is not merely an absence of inner conflicts or
desire,
as early as Greek philosophers taught.
No, this peace is more than all of
these things combined.
It is the trust that Jesus is there
with us and in us.
For Jesus is our peace.
Peace is resting in the Beloved,
having total trust in him.
It is the peace of a child resting in the tender arms
of her mother.
DEATHS
We offer our deepest sympathy
to the family and friends of:
Marie Henderson,
Melmount Villas
John McCrory, Castlemurray
Tommy Edwards, Ashgrove
Park
Thomas Hyndman, Glebe,
Sion Mills
May they rest in peace.
ANNIVERSARIES
Robert Myers, Martin Duffy
Edmund McGuinness, Gavin Devine
George Herrity, Maureen Devine
Jennie Gallagher, Ann Jane McAteer
Elizabeth Cooke, John Hanna
Paddy McCauley, Madeline Coyle
Leo Boggs, Grainne McCallion
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. Michael McCaughey CC, Waterside,
19 July
Fr. James McCrory, Retired, 21 July
Fr. John J McCullagh, 22 July
Fr. Noel McDermott CC, Faughanvale, 23 July
Fr. Eamon McDevitt PP, Dunamanagh, 24 July
Fr. John McDevitt CC, Omagh, 25 July
Children in Crossfire have
two places left for the 2009 New York Marathon
on 1 November. Join Richard and a great group, some
who are walking and some who are running the marathon.
For more information telephone John Ryan on 02871269898.
THORNHILL CENTRE
Interested in developing your faith
a little more?
Thornhill Centre has a number of short and long courses
starting in October and November 2009: Pastoral Ministry:
‘There is a Variety of Gifts.’ Liturgy:
‘Foundations in Liturgy.’ Scripture: ‘Saint
Luke.’ Aspects of Faith: ‘So What Should
We Teach Them?’ Personal Development: ‘Dreams
Workshop.’ For further details contact the Thornhill
Centre at 71351233.
PARISH DRAW
The winners of the Parish
Draw for the month of July are:
£1000.00 Mary Jenkins 908
Promoter Eileen Canning
£300.00 Martha & Dickie
Gallagher 804
Promoter Mary Christy
£200.00 Maura Shannon 185
Promoter Nuala Kerr
£100.00 Tommy & Sadie McCrossan
436
Promoter Patricia McCrossan
£100.00 Jean McGarrigle 569
Promoter Kathleen Kelly
£100.00 Catherine Deazley 575
Promoter Kathleen Kelly
£100.00 Mr & Mrs Pat Morris
721
Promoter Kathleen Morris
£100.00 Margaret Hutton 316
Promoter E McNulty & M Cooke
The winners of the Parish
Draw for the month of August are:
£1000.00 Frances McFadden 294
Promoter Patricia McCrossan
£300.00 Anthony McGarrigle 952
Promoter Eileen Canning
£200.00 Paddy O'Neill 115
Promoter Mary & Danny O'Hagan
£100.00 Alice Devlin 869
Promoter Maura Coyle
£100.00 Julie Diver 682
Promoter Doreen Diver
£100.00 John Logue 278
Promoter Mary & Danny O'Hagan
£100.00 V & P Hannigan 239
Promoter Ann Mullen
£100.00 Terence Canning 958
Promoter Eileen Canning
PADRE PIO DEVOTIONS
Please Note: There will be no St.
Padre Pio devotions in August. The next devotions
will be on 2 September.
THANK YOU
Eileen McRory would like to express
a hugh Thank You to all those who helped her after
her fall after Mass a few Sundays ago. The kindness
shown to her by all concerned is very much appreciated.
YOUTH 2000 SUMMER FESTIVAL
Youth 2000 Summer Festival, Clonmacnois,
Co. Offaly, Thursday 13 - Sunday 16 August 2009. For
young people aged 16 - 35, an opportunity not to be
missed to experience the Catholic faith and meet many
new friends. Bishop Frank Caggiano, Vicar of Evangelisation
in the Diocese of Brooklyn will be the main speaker.
Donation only. Free buses available from around N.
Ireland. For more information contact 07929095820
or www.youth2000.ie
PILGRIMAGE TO MEDJUGORJE
Departs Belfast Saturday 19 September
2009. Joe Walsh Tours. Cost £499.00. Deposit
of £180.00 due when booking to secure seat,
places limited! Accommodation directly opposite Church.
Contact Anne Duffy 07736005396 or 71880372.
25th ANNIVERSARY OF MOUNT
MELLERAY GROTTO CO. WATERFORD
A bus will leave Barrack Street car park at 1.00pm
on Saturday 15 August for an all night vigil at the
grotto. Mass at 10.00am. Breakfast will be served
afterwards in Flynns Guest House. Bring a packed lunch.
Cost £28.00 must be paid one week in advance
or when booking seat. Contact Jonathan McGhee on 07881510043.
FAMILY SPORTS AND FUN DAY
Strabane parish in association with
MS Society and Parkinsons Disease is holding a Family
Sports and Fun Day at President Wilson's Homestead
Farm on Sunday 16 August starting at 2.30pm. See posters
for all events. As this is a day for the entire parish
we expect as many as posible to attend. In order to
run an event like this we require much help and support
and would also greatly appreciate any sponsorship.
A meeting to discuss the event will be held in Evish
P.S on Wednesday 22 July at 8.30pm. Everyone welcome.
LIAM BRADLEY TOURS
Galway/Clare. September 1 2009 for
4 days. 3 Dinners, 3 B/B plus tours. £210.00
pps. Departs Abercorn Square, Strabane at 9.20am.
For information and booking telephone 71269109 anytime.
ST. PATRICK'S LUNCHEON CLUB
St. Patrick's Luncheon Club are having
a Social/Dance on Monday 20 July in St. Patrick's
Hall. Music is by Two Star Country. Doors open at
9.00pm. Admission £5.00 (includes a light supper).
Everyone welcome.
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 3 match 3 winners in last
week's Draw
Catherine McGarrigle
Marian Cooke
Rosemary Coyle
The numbers drawn were:
7, 8, 9, 19
Next Week's Lucky 4 Jackpot is £1450.00
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.
PRAYER CORNER
O loving Father, make me like Jesus:
the Jesus who could spend nights in prayer,
the Jesus who went about doing good,
the Jesus who made time to talk to Nicodemeus,
the Jesus who could not bear to see the mother cry
at Nain,
the Jesus who took a towel and knelt and washed the
feet of the men who were going to deny, betray and
forsake him,
the Jesus who could give a patient word when smitten
on the face,
the Jesus who could pray for the men who nailed him
to the cross,
the Jesus who was strong enough not to answer back
when accused unjustly,
the Jesus who could sleep peacefully in a gale and
a storm,
the Jesus who would not let the marriage at Cana be
spoiled by lack of wine,
the Jesus who would not condemn the woman taken in
an act of sin,
the Jesus who could shrink from the cup of suffering
yet drink it to the last dregs.
O loving Father, make me like the Jesus who came to
the world to show what you were like.
