MEETING OF PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL
The Pastoral Council has been meeting monthly over
the past five months. The members are very enthusiastic
and the attendance is very high. At the last meeting
some practical situations were addressed. Some of
the stained glass windows on the Barrack Street Boys'
School side of the church are in need of repair. One
window at the organ loft is in danger of falling in
and another storm would do more damage. It was decided
by the Council that all the windows on that side should
be stormed glazed and this will be done as soon as
possible. The cost will come in around £9,000
but as it is essential work it was decided that this
outlay was justified. Shortly there will be scaffolding
along the entire length and we ask people to take
extra care when walking or travelling by car.
The sound system in the church also came up for
review. It is quite old now and at times the sound
in the church is less than desirable and people have
complained that the overall sound is not uniform and
indeed muffled in places. An excellent PA system in
church is an absolute necessity and the Council felt
that this too would be a justifiable outlay. Our sound
expert Michael Kielty has promised that it will be
installed by Easter. If any parishioners would like
to make any donation towards either the storm glazing
of the stained glass windows or the new sound system
these would be very gratefully received.
The group also discussed the Lenten Programme
for this year and the following programme was accepted;.
Masses -
Monday 7am and 10am.
Tuesday - 7am and 10am.
Wednesday 7am and 7pm.
Thursday 7am and 10am.
Friday 7am and 10am.
Stations of the cross - every Wednesday
evening at 6.45pm and every Friday afternoon at 2pm.
Eucharistic Healing Service at 6pm.
An update of all the discussions at each Pastoral
Council meeting will be regularly published in the
bulletin.
COLLECTION
We acknowledge last Sunday’s collection
of £1766.00. Many thanks.
WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY - 18th
- 25th JANUARY 2008
A service to mark the Week of Prayer for Christian
Unity will take place in the Sacred Heart Church,
Derry Road, this Sunday 20th January at 5.00pm.
PRAYER GROUP
The contemplative prayer group will meet on Monday
evening at 8.15pm in the Parochial House. Newcomers
very welcome.
ANNIVERSARIES
Willie John Carlin, Margaret Gallagher,
Patsy Patton, Margaret Kilbride,
Nan McMackin, Paddy O'Neill,
Patricia Crossan, Bernard Houston,
Packie Devine, John Roulston,
Anthony Porter, Annie Nelson, Catherine McDaid.
PRAY FOR PRIESTS
Last year 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. Patrick Crillly PP, Desertmartin,
20th January
Fr. Brendan Crowley CC, Malin, 21st
January
Most Rev. Edward Daly Retired Bishop,
Derry, 22nd January
Fr. Peter Deeney CC, further studies,
23rd January
Fr. Robert Devine ADM, Killygordon,
24th January
Fr. Brendan Devine, 25th January
Fr. Kieran Devlin PP, Gortin, 26th
January
SICK AND HOUSEBOUND TO BE ATTENDED
Fr. Boland will visit the sick and housebound in the
following areas on Monday 21st January after 10.00am
Mass: Courtrai Park, Barrack Street, Lower Townsend
Terrace, Mount Carmel Heights, Springhill Park, Mill
Street, Newtownkennedy Street, Lower Main Street,
Glenview Park, Church View, Tristan Road.
Fr. Boland will visit the sick and housebound in
the following areas on Wednesday 23rd January after
10.00am Mass: Bearney Road, Camus Road, Conthem Road,
Upper Townsend Street, Townsend Terrace, Marian Park,
Fountain Street and Innisfree Gardens.
VISIT OF CARDINAL BRADY
His Eminence Sean Cardinal Brady will be making his
first official visit to the Diocese and will be Principal
Concelebrant at Mass in St. Eugene's Cathedral on
the morning of Thursday 24th January at 10.00am. Everyone
is welcome. Cardinal Brady will be available after
Mass to meet those who come along.
PARISH DRAW
The first Draw of 2008 will be held on Thursday 24th
January at 2.30pm in the parish office. We would ask
all promoters to make their returns to the parish
office on Monday 21st January.
We are looking for more people to take part in our
Parish Draw. The prizes are excellent and it only
costs £5 a month. The Draw is an important part
of helping to reduce our parish debt. Now that the
debt on St Patrick's Hall building is at zero we can
concentrate on getting the rest of the overall debt
reduced. Thankfully it is all going in the right direction
and our Parish Draw is very important in this regard.
We are looking for more promoters and more members
for 2008. As you read this and you are not taking
part in our draw, why not join today? You can ring
Amanda our parish administrator to find out the names
of promoters in your area.
JOIN
THE STRABANE PARISH DRAW AND HELP REDUCE THE OVERALL
PARISH DEBT. EVERY NEW SUBSCRIBER IS VERY IMPORTANT.
EVISH PRIMARY SCHOOL
If you have not already returned your consultation
sheet to Miss McQuillan, Principal of Evish P.S.,
we would ask that you do so before 21st January. If
you have not received a consultation sheet, these
are available at the school. This is open to all residents
of the general area, parents of present pupils, past
pupils or those connected in any way with the school.
It is important that as many as possible fill in the
consultation sheet in order that a widespread view
be taken.
HOLY CROSS COLLEGE OPEN DAY
Holy Cross College Open Day for P.7 pupils and their
parents will take place on Sunday 27th January at
11.00am and 1.00pm in Holy Cross College West (St.
Colmans site).
Parking facilities are available in the College grounds.
LUMEN CHRISTI COLLEGE OPEN DAY
P.7 pupils and their parents are warmly invited to
attend the Open Day in Lumen Christi College, Bishop
Street, Derry on Sunday 3rd February. The Principal,
Mr P. O'Doherty will give his address at 3.00pm and
at 4.00pm in the College Assembly Hall. Visitors will
then be shown around the College facilities by current
pupils. Tea and light refreshments will be served
in the College canteen.
VOCATIONS INFORMATION DAY
A Day of Reflection on the theme of Vocation - There
will be a Vocations Information Day on Saturday 9th
February from 11.00am - 4.00pm in the Thornhill Retreat
Centre, Derry. For further information please contact
any of your local priests, RE teachers or Fr. Paul
Farren, tel: 0287171264087 email ddcc@derrydiocese.org
or Fr. Colm O'Doherty, tel: 02881661475 email collydoc2000@hotmail.com
ACCORD
Marriage Preparation Workshop on Friday 1st and Saturday
2nd February in the Thornhill Centre, Derry. Friday
7.00pm to 10.00pm and Saturday 10.00am to 4.00pm.
Booking forms available from the Pastoral Centre,
164 Bishop Street, Derry, Tel., 02871362475.
SAMARITANS
The Derry branch of the Samaritans are holding Information
Evenings to recruit new volunteers on the following
dates:
22nd January - 16 Clarendon St, Derry
23rd January - The Orchard Inn, Letterkenny
24th January - 16 Clarendon St, Derry.
These evenings will begin at 8.00pm and last for
approximately one hour. Refreshments will be served.
Thanking you for your support.
ALZHEIMER'S SUPPORT GROUP
The Group will meet on Wednesday 23rd January at 7.30pm
in Melmount Manor Care Home, Orchard Road, Strabane.
Guest Speaker, Caroline Sweeney, Western Trust speaking
on, The Role of the Dementia Team. Everyone welcome.
BLACK DYKE BAND IN CONCERT
St. Joseph's Brass Band are hosting the world famous
Black Dyke Band in concert in St. Patrick's Hall on
Saturday 2nd February. The doors open at 7.15pm and
the Band will take the stage at 7.45pm. Admission
is by ticket only and tickets, priced at £15.00
each, are available from Band Secretary, Paddy McGranaghan
at 02871 382883 or 07512727373.
SOUTH WEST COLLEGE
South West College - Omagh Campus, is now enrolling
for a range of courses from 21st January onwards.
For more information about the type of courses on
offer or the days, times and costs, please contact
our Admissions Office at 2 Mountjoy Road, Omagh, Tel:02882255210.
STRABANE SIGERSONS G.A.A.
Pre season training for many of the Club teams is
now underway and anyone wishing to play with the Club
at any level are very welcome to attend. For full
details on the various times and venues for training
check the local press or visit the Club website at
www.strabanegaa.org
There will be a meeting in Sigersons Clubrooms on
Monday 21st January at 7.30pm to organise Youth team
managers and coaches for the coming season. Anyone
interested in helping out in this area of the Club
are welcome to attend. Parents of Youth players are
especially welcome. Club Membership fees for 2008
are now due for renewal.
ST. PATRICK’S
HALL
Bingo and Lucky 4 Draw as
usual this
Thursday.
All our patrons are very welcome.
N.I. BLOOD TRANSFUSION SERVICE
A team from the N.I. Blood Transfusion Service
will be in St. Patrick's Hall on Monday 28th January
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.
ST. PATRICK'S LUNCHEON CLUB
St. Patrick's Luncheon Club are holding a dance/social
on Monday 21st January 2008 in St. Patrick's Hall.
Music is by Country Traditions and supper is at 9.00pm.
Admission is £5.00 or 7 Euro (includes supper).
Everyone is welcome.
STRABANE PARISH PANTO
St. Patrick's Hall presents
Hanzel & Gretal
for 6 nights only.
Tues. 29th, Wed. 30th January,
Fri. 1st, Sun. 3rd, Mon. 4th & Tues. 5th February
8.00pm Nightly.
Booking Daily 2.00pm - 5.00pm
Tel: 02871882483 or 02871382452.
Admission £8.00 - £5.00
Concessions.
PRAYER CORNER
THE NEW YEAR
Ever Faithful God
in this new year I pray:
to live deeply with purpose,
to live freely, with detachment,
to live wisely, with humility,
to live justly with compassion,
to live lovingly with fidelity,
to live mindfully with awareness,
to live gratefully with generosity,
to live fully, with enthusiasm.
Help me to hold this vision
and to daily renew it in my heart,
becoming ever more one with you,
my truest Self.
I ARISE IN THE NEW YEAR
I arise with amazement at the presence
of the Holy One.
I arise with gratitude for life.
I arise with hope that all shall be well.
I arise with courage to meet what will be difficult.
I arise with conviction to do what is life-giving.
I arise with eyes ever alert for beauty.
I arise with openness to greater truth.
I arise with desire for continued transformation.
I arise with compassion for the hurting ones in the
cosmos.
I arise with grief still settled in my spirit.
I arise with a sense of kinship with all whom I love.
I arise with determination to make good choices in
using my time.
I arise with willingness to help those who will need
my care.
I arise with hesitation as I think about the pain
that may come.
I arise with longing for ever greater inner freedom.
I arise with happiness, knowing that I am invited
to live life more fully.
I arise with love for the Holy One, my Intimate Companion.
Compassionate God and faithful Friend,
thank you for the opportunity to walk into another
year of life. Help me to be faithful, to be generous,
to be yours.
PSALM 71
In You, O my Beloved, do I take refuge;
Let me never feel separated from You!
In your compassion come and refresh me;
listen to my cry,
answer my plea!
Be to me a rock, a tower of strength,
a strong arm to uphold me,
as I abandon myself into your hands.
Be a very Presence to me as fear grips
me.
For You, O Friend, are my hope,
my strength, since I was but a child.
Upon you have I trusted from my birth,
You, whom I knew before my mother's womb.
I continually sing praises to you.
I have been a burden to many;
In you alone will I trust.
I am filled with gratitude and
sing your praises all the day.
Do not abandon me in my old age;
desert me not when my strength is
spent, or
when my mind plays tricks with me.
For fears rise up to confuse me,
doubts and forgetfulness
band together,
And say,"the Beloved no longer dwells with you;
there is no one to stand by you."
O Friend be not far from me;
O Beloved come and enfold me
in your Presence!
Help me to release my fears.
Hear my prayer that they may be transformed,
O You, who are my Counsellor.
As I surrender myself into your hands,
I praise you more and more.
I tell others of your goodness
of your compassion and grace
all the day;
for your glory is beyond my understanding.
As I grow in inner peace and serenity,
I sing songs of praise,
to You my Friend!
You who have done wondrous things.
O Beloved, who is like You?
You who have seen me through many fears,
strengthen me again:
From the depth of despair
You renew my spirit,
You increase my trust, and You comfort me.
Blessed be the Beloved, who dwells
in all hearts!
