SPACE FOR THE HANDICAPPED
You have probably had the experience of driving
into a parking lot and seeing an empty parking space
close to the door of the store you intended to visit.
But when you reached it you saw a symbol for handicapped
persons painted on the pavement; so you drove on,
seeking another parking place. If this has happened
to you, then you can relate to a strange dream I recently
had.
I dreamed that I was driving into a parking lot of
a giant shopping mall. The parking lot was almost
totally deserted, so I thought I would be able to
park wherever I wanted to. But as I looked around,
I saw that there was a yellow symbol for the handicapped
on every one of the hundreds of spaces! No matter
which side of the shopping mall I tried, every place
was painted with that symbolic person in a wheelchair!
Are we not, each of us, handicapped in one way or
another - psychologically, physically, emotionally,
spiritually or intellectually? Rather than viewing
those who are physically handicapped as a minority,
shouldn't their presence - or even those specially
reserved parking places - call us to acknowledge that
we are all handicapped?
Over the years the word "handicapped" has
undergone several changes in meaning. Originally it
meant a real cloth cap in which bets or forfeits were
kept during a game. Then it came to mean an advantage
given in a race to provide all who entered in it an
even chance to win regardless of physical ability.
And now it refers to a person who has a disadvantage
which makes achievement unusually difficult.
As each of us possesses some kind of disadvantage,
shouldn't we be alert to our own shortcomings? And
if we have a strength that others lack, shouldn't
we make special allowances for those less fortunate
rather than using our advantage to "lord it over"
others? Rather than being creatures of competition,
we would become people of compassion and loving care.
The spiritual quest is not a race which only one can
win, but a strange sort of event in which the aim
is for everyone to win. The virtue of compassion,
so essential for those on the quest, is simply a conscious
sharing in the ten thousand possible disadvantages
- handicaps - of others. Compassion translates into
making constant allowances for others, always remembering
that the majority of handicaps are not immediately
visible to the eye.
In his stories about the end of the world, Jesus
presents a true hand-in-cap theme. The winners are
those who receive the reward at the end of the contest
not because of personal spiritual skills at prayer
or other religious exercises, but because of their
compassion toward the poor, the sick, the naked, the
imprisoned and those with any other disadvantage.
And, as Jesus said, what awaits us, the prize that
God will hand us from the Divine Cap, is far beyond
the wildest dreams of all the handicapped sons and
daughters of heaven!
PRAYER GROUP
The contemplative prayer group will meet on Monday
evening at 8.15pm in the Parochial House. Newcomers
very welcome. This is an opportunity to experiment
with a new form of prayer, especially if you find
that your present methods are unsatisfactory.
COLLECTION
We acknowledge last Sunday’s collection of
£1591.00. Many thanks.
DEATHS
We offer our deepest sympathy to the family and friends
of:
Thomas Diver, Mount Carmel Heights
Ceceline Meehan, St. Colmans Drive
Theresa Gallagher, Belldoo. May
they rest in peace.
ANNIVERSARIES
John Devenney, Sara McNamee, Jennie
McCabe, Patsy McLaughlin
Michael Hannigan, Margaret Hanna, Robert Hanna, John
Murray
Gregory Doherty, Kevin Logue, Billy Devine.
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. Joseph O'Conor PP, Plumbridge, 20th April.
Fr. Colm O'Doherty CC, Castlederg, 21st April.
Fr. Kieran O'Doherty PP, Swatragh, 22nd April.
Fr. Brian O'Donnell PP, Lavey, 23rd April.
Fr. Francis P O'Hagan PP, Magilligan, 24th April.
Fr. Patrick O'Hagan CC, Melmount, 25th April.
Fr. David O'Kane CC, Templemore, 26th April.
WORLD YOUTH DAY EXPERIENCE
IN LOURDES JULY 2008
As an alternative to World Youth Day in Sydney, Australia,
Lourdes has been nominated the European Centre for
WYD and the diocese will be taking a youth group to
experience these days of celebration. The trip will
be from 16th - 21st July for 20-35 year olds and will
travel as part of the larger Diocesan Pilgrimage.
The cost is £449.00. There will be a set program
for this group for the 5 days including live screen
link-up to Sydney, International Youth Masses, concerts,
drama and much more. If you are interested in going
or finding our more please contact the Pilgrimage
Office on 71260293.
CALLING ALL SINGERS
AND MUSICIANS AGED 15-18!
The Derry Diocesan Youth Choir is in the formation
stages and anyone interested is welcome to attend
rehearsals in your local area. The commitment to the
choir won't be demanding as it will work towards a
few one off events during the year. The first event
will be a Youth Mass on Pentecost Sunday, 11th May.
If you are interested in the choir please contact
the youth co-ordinator at ddcc@derrydiocese.org or
ring 0287171264087. This will be a fun experience
and an opportunity to meet other young people interested
in music.
YOUTH MASS
There will be a Diocesan Youth Mass on Pentecost
Sunday, 11th May in St. Columb's Church, Chapel Road,
Waterside, Derry at 6.00pm. Bishop Hegarty will be
the main celebrant and all young people are invited
to attend. The new Diocesan Youth Choir will provide
the music for the Liturgy at this Mass. All young
people studying this year for their exams are also
most welcome. Refreshments will be served afterwards
in the adjacent Parish Centre. Everyone welcome.
PARISH DRAW
The Draw for the month of April will take place in
the parish office on Thursday 24th April at 2.30pm.
There will be an Extra Draw for fully paid members.
Promoters are asked to make their returns to the parish
office on Monday 21st April.
GALA CONCERT
St. Joseph's Brass Band will be hosting a Gala Concert
on our Church on Sunday 4th May 2008. This will be
a showcase of the various aspects of the band's work
and the concert will close the Band's 60th Anniversary
celebrations. Also playing at the concert will be
members of Confraternity Brass, Wexford, City of Waterford
Brass, Strabane Concert Brass and from Yorkshire,
the Grange Moor Colliery Brass Band. There will also
be violin and vocal soloists. All proceeds and donations
from the concert will be donated to the Church Restoration
Fund.
DONATIONS TOWARDS
- STORM GLAZING AND PA SYSTEM
We very gratefully acknowledge the
recent donations we have received towards the storm
glazing of the stained glass windows in the church
and the PA system:-
£100.00, £60.00, £50.00.
Total amount donated £12806.00.
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 28p.
There are no hidden snags and it doesn't interfere
whatsoever with any other financial arrangements you
may have. Forms are available at the back of the Church
this week.
BLESSING OF GRAVES
The Annual Ceremony of the Blessing of the Graves
will take place in this parish on Sunday 15th June
at 3.00pm.
PAYMENTS BY CHEQUE
The Bank have reminded us that all payments made
to the parish by cheque (for Parish Savings, Parish
Draw, Sunday and Special Collections etc.) must be
made payable to Church of the Immaculate Conception.
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
AWARE DEFEAT DEPRESSION
Aware Defeat Depression is organising a public talk
and information event in The Tara Centre, Holmview,
Omagh on Monday 21st April at 8.00pm. Guest speaker
is Dr. Declan Fox GP and the title of his talk is
'Overcoming Depression: A Self-help Approach'. Information
literature about depression will also be available
as will details about Aware's self-help support group
in Omagh. Admission is free and all are welcome to
attend. For further information telephone 0845 20
29 61 or email info@aware-ni.org
LEGION OF MARY
Legion of Mary meets each Thursday morning after
Mass at 10.30am in the Church Conference Room. Work
consists of Rosary promotion in the parish, also visitation
of residential nursing homes in town and Lifford hospital.
New members welcome. Contact Margaret Harte 02871883159.
NORTH WEST REGIONAL
COLLEGE
North West Regional College Open Evening, Wednesday
23rd April, 5.00pm - 8.00pm. Information available
on all Full-Time courses commencing September 2008
at all College locations, everyone welcome. Please
telephone 02871276022 or visit www.nwrc.ac.uk
NEW DANCE CRAZE!!!
Attention Girls and Boys! New Hip-Hop dance classes
commence on 22nd April and will run every Tuesday
at Riversdale Leisure Centre from 8.00pm - 9.00pm.
All girls and boys are welcome to attend. Try out
some new Hip-Hop style and Street-Dance. Age group
5-14 years. Cost £5.00 payable at the door on
the night.
ST. PATRICK'S LUNCHEON
CLUB
St. Patrick's Luncheon Club are having
a Social/Dance on Monday 21st April in St. Patrick's
Hall. Music is by Patsy Harte and supper is at 9.00pm.
Admission £5.00 or €7.00 (includes supper).
Everyone is welcome.
ST. PATRICK’S
HALL
Bingo and Lucky 4 Draw as usual this
Thursday.
All our patrons are very welcome.
Next Week's Lucky 4 Jackpot is £1975.00
BARRETT SCHOOL OF IRISH DANCING
Classes each Tuesday and Friday at
4.00pm in St. Patrick's Hall. Age - from 3 years upwards.
New pupils welcome.
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PRAYER CORNER
SACRED HEART PSALM
O Divine Beloved,
so often I am casual and half-hearted
in my love for you, my God.
Come and set my heart ablaze
with the fire of your love.
Inflame my heart and prayers
as you did for your chosen son Jesus.
His holy heart was constantly on fire
with a consuming love for you, his God.
Envelop me in your flaming Spirit,
that my lukewarm prayers and acts
may spring alive with the fire of faith.
Make my heart, like the heart of Christ,
burn with compassion for the outcast,
and comfort for the lonely
and all who are in need.
May my heart thus formed
in the pattern of his Sacred Heart
become a fiery furnace
where the Kingdom will be forged,
the age of peace and justice.
Grant this prayer
in the name of your Son,
who dwells with you and the Holy Spirit,
One God, forever and ever.
