COMPARING
In a universe in which you can compare yourself with
others, every action, statement or event seems to
have something to do with you. You take the world
personally. You enter a crowed room and begin wondering
who is smarter, better looking, more competent, and
so on. This puts an awful lot of pressure on your
self-esteem, because of having a consistent sense
of self, the way you feel about yourself depends on
how you measure up to everything around you. You may
think you're pretty good until your friend comes over
and you think he or she looks better. Now you think
you look bad, simply because you're seeing yourself
only by contrast. Frank, for example, always viewed
himself as a smart guy. As a child, he was a compulsive
reader, immersing himself in whatever books his family
had in the house. He would read everything from Greek
mythology and the literary classics to scientific
literature and theory. He was just interested and
curious about knowledge in general. In college he
started off as a pre-med major, but ended up with
a degree in English literature. While he was in school,
he met his fiancee, Emily, and they began living together.
Frank was a manager of a popular restaurant in the
town where he and his girlfriend lived. He made good
money there, so he kept his job after graduation.
However, Emily, who had also been an English literature
major, got a job on the local newspaper reviewing
books. At first he thought he was happy for his girlfriend,
but he began realising that he felt oddly uncomfortable
when she'd tell him about her job. He tried to be
supportive and encouraging, but really whenever she
talked about a book she needed to find to review,
or a compliment she had received on a recent review,
Frank felt his self-esteem shrinking.
Hearing about Emily's accomplishments became a siren
to his ears. For Frank, her success began simply to
mirror his lack of intellectual expression. When frank
read the papers and saw her name, all he could think
of was himself working at the restaurant. Next to
hers, his life felt like a waste. Because he could
only see himself in contrast with or in relation to
her life, he began to feel he was living under tremendous
pressure. The pressure wasn't even definable; he just
knew he was lacking.
He began fighting, striking out verbally, whenever
Emily tried to talk about her work. It got so bad
that he began to act as if he didn't want to hear
anything intellectual in an attempt to prove to himself
that he didn't care anyway. Frank's behaviour was
offensive and painful for Emily. She knew he was an
intelligent and interesting person, so his resentment
confused her.
It's difficult to catch yourself indulging in the
comparing self-esteem wrecker. One way is to pay close
attention when someone is telling you a story about
his or her own experiences. Do you instantly judge
your own performance according to their account? Do
you suddenly see yourself as lesser than or better
than? Do you see yourself as flawed by comparison?
Do you usually feel bad when comparing?
If you constantly compare yourself with others in
terms of abilities, traits and achievements, you need
to take a look at your balancing strengths. Find things
you can celebrate about yourself. Instead of thinking,
''She's smarter and better looking than me'', say
to yourself, ''Hey, I'm good at listening and problem
solving, and I'm a totally committed friend''.. You
need to concentrate on affirming your own right to
be exactly as you are, without apology or judgement.
If you're going to the movies with a friend who's
full of sophisticated commentary, you may be tempted
to see yourself as someone who knows nothing at all
about film. Stop it! Focus on something you're proud
of and skip torturing yourself with worthless who's
- doing- it - better comparisons.
COLLECTION
We acknowledge last Sunday’s
collection of £1618.00 Many thanks.
DEATHS
We offer our deepest sympathy to the
family and friends of:
Noel Logue, 1 Owenreagh Drive. May
he rest in peace.
ANNIVERSARIES
Jim Conroy, Mary Devenney,
Bob Myers, Edward McElhinney,
Magdalene Coyle, Grainne McCallion,
Leo Boggs, Jennie Gallagher,
Laurence O'Neill, Edmund McGuinness,
Paddy McCauley, Joe Roulston,
Ann Jane McAteer, Tobias Molloy(Jnr).
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. Andrew McCloskey, 20th July.
Fr. James McCrory, Retired, 21st July.
Fr. John J McCullagh, 22nd July.
Fr. Noel McDermott CC, Faughanvale, 23rd July.
Fr. Eamon McDevitt PP, Dunamanagh, 24th July.
Fr. John McDevitt CC, Omagh, 25th July.
Fr. Michael McEldowney PP, Claudy, 26th July.
EVERYBODY HURTS
If you're in distress or despair call a lifeline
free on 0808 808 8000. Calls to Lifeline are answered
by trained counsellors who can provide help and support.
Counsellors are experienced in dealing with suicide,
self-harm, abuse, trauma, depression, anxiety and
many other issues. Lines are open 24 hours a day,
7 days a week. Calls are free from all landlines and
mobiles. (Textphone 18001 0808 808 8000).
PARISH DRAW
The winners of the Parish Draw
for the month of July are:
£50.00 Philomena McCafferty
£50.00 Amanda Cairns
£50.00 Enda & Mary Boland
£100.00 Conor McBride
£100.00 Donna Flanagan
£100.00 Olive McConnell
£100.00 Josie Gallagher
£100.00 Marian Cooke
£200.00 Jimmy O'Reilly
£1000.00 Claire Elliott
The winners of the Parish Draw
for the month of August are:
£50.00 Donna Duffy
£50.00 Fiona Deans
£50.00 Jim Boyle
£100.00 Betty O'Donnell
£100.00 Pauline Kelly
£100.00 Helen Devine
£100.00 Theresa Logue
£100.00 George Kelly
£200.00 Noel & Catherine McDaid
£1000.00 William & Ann Marie McKane
LOUGH DERG ONE DAY
RETREATS
August: 19, 20, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27,
31 September: 1, 2, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 13, 15, 16, 17,
20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Cost: 27 Euro includes boat fare and lunch.
If you would like to find out more information please
contact 071 9861518 (ROI) 028 68632391 (N.I.) or e-mail
info@loughderg.org
LOURDES 2008 30th JULY
- 6th AUGUST
All those travelling on the above
trip are asked to attend a meeting in The Den on Wednesday
23rd July at 7.30pm where final arrangements will
be made. Any queries contact G. McBrearty, on 71884029.
NEW COURSES AT THORNHILL
CENTRE
The following new courses are planned for Thornhill
Centre next term. For further details contact the
centre at 71351233.
Practical Theology & Spirituality
(Monday nights) -
I Year
Foundations in Literature (Tuesday
nights) - 1 Year
Prayer in Daily Life (Thursday mornings)
- 8 Weeks
Understanding Saint Paul (Tuesday
nights) -
4 Weeks
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
KNOCK SUMMER YOUTH
FESTIVAL
Living life to the full? Looking for something more?
This is what you're looking for! Time out for you.
. . Knock Summer Youth Festival July 24th - 27th,
Our Lady's Shrine, Knock, Co. Mayo, 18-35 years. For
more information and to book your place contact (094)
9388100/0876927850 or check out www.knock-shrine.ie/youthministry
MEDJUGORJE IRISH CENTRE,
Located beside St. James Church, owned and managed
by the Mullan Family from Omagh is the meeting place
for all Medjugorje’s Irish Pilgrims. The Centre
provides information, restaurant, laundry, phone,
internet and foot massage. Apartment accommodation
from as little as 20 Euro per night. We can arrange
apartments, flights, airport transfers to and from
Split or Dubrovnik. If we can be of help please contact
us. Website: www.medjugorje-properties.comEmail: darren@medjugorje-properties.com
Phone Noelle 028 82241888 (ROI) 048 82241888.
LIAM BRADLEY TOURS
Galway/Clare 25th August 4 Days, 3 B & B's 3
dinners. 3 nights dancing. £220.00 pps. Departs
Abercorn Square, Strabane 8.20am. Telephone 71269109
anytime.
ST. PATRICK'S LUNCHEON
CLUB
St. Patrick's Luncheon Club are having a Social/Dance
on Monday 21st July in St. Patrick's Hall. Music is
by The Foot Tappers and supper is at 9.00pm. Admission
£5.00 or €7.00 (includes supper). Everyone
is welcome.
N.I. BLOOD TRANSFUSION
SERVICE
A team from the N.I. Blood Transfusion Service will
be in St. Patrick's Hall on Wednesday 23rd July 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
HALL
Bingo and Lucky 4 Draw as usual this
Thursday.
All our patrons are very welcome.
Next Week's Lucky 4 Jackpot is £2275.00
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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. |
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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.
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| STRABANE
SIGERSONS GAA
No notes
this week.
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PRAYER CORNER
WHAT IS A PARISH FOR?
The parish is not principally a structure,
a territory, or a building,
but rather the family of God,
a fellowship afire with a unifying Spirit,
a familial and welcoming home,
the community of the faithful.
It is a Eucharistic community,
a people well suited for celebrating the Eucharist.
This parish is the church
situated in the neighbourhoods of humanity.
Its way is to be deeply inserted in human society
and intimately bound up with people's aspirations
and with the dramatic events of their lives.
Life today can be disintegrated and
dehumanised.
The individual may be lost or disoriented.
But there always remains in the human heart
the desire to experience and cultivate
caring and personal relationships.
The parish can respond to this desire
when its people participate
in its essential mission and calling
which is to be a place in the world
for the community of believers to gather together,
to be a house of welcome to all
and a place of service to all -
to be 'the village fountain'
to which all would have recourse in their thirst.
(John Paul 11)
*************************
SURRENDER
''In spirituality it isn't effort
that counts,'' said the Master,
''but surrender.''
''When you fall into the water and
don't know how to swim you become
frightened and say,'I must not
drown, I must not drown,' and begin
to thrash about with arms and legs
- and, in you anxiety, swallow
more water and eventually drown.
Whereas if you would let go of
your thoughts and efforts and allow
yourself to go down to the bottom,
your body would come back to the
surface on its own ... That's
Spirituality!''
A PRAYER OF INTERCESSION
Flow over your creation this day,
O God
offering to the world the living water of your life
so that the seeds of compassion may break forth,
in the greening of new possibilities for good
and the blossoming of justice.
Warm our cold hearts with the flame
of your Spirit
so that we may feel again the passion of caring for
others,
leaping up in the sharp colour of action for trade
justice,
moving outwards in the fires of determination
that all the world may know a different day.
Take our hands, Jesus Christ,
leading us in courage to confront with courage
the forces which oppress and divide,
which exploit and tear from the people the fruits
of their harvests.
Take our hearts, Jesus Christ,
and open them to the truth which will set others free
to live.
Amen.
*************************
WHERE CAN I FLEE FROM YOUR PRESENCE?
O Lord Jesus Christ,
when we wake each day as the sun rises,
when we kneel in silence and speak to you in prayer,
when we come to the altar and receive your body in
our hands,
when we study your Word and try to understand,
when we wash our clothes with our hands in a bucket
of water,
when we stir up fire and blow it into flames,
when we meet, laugh together and share our stories,
when we ride on the back of a truck with dust in our
eyes,
when we are burnt on the sun as we walk the roads,
when we stand in the mud of our garden,
when we work in the plantation and the sweat runs
down,
when we cook food in the smoke of the kitchen,
when we are hungry and share together the food you
provide,
when we are tired and dirty and swim in the river,
when evening comes and the oil lamps are lit,
when we lie down to rest in the darkness of the night
O let us be filled in all these things with love for
you,
let us never forget that you are always with us
and all our lives belong to you.
Amen.
