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.
CHRISTMAS MESSAGE FROM
FR. BOLAND
Christmas is almost upon us and it is time to reflect
on the wonderful mystery that God became "one
of us" when he took on himself our human flesh
and nature through Jesus His Son. I pray that the
implications of this great event will be made more
evident to us at this particular time.
I am sure that all your preparations are now complete
and that you are looking forward to the family being
around you for the Christmas dinner and for the holiday
period. I truly hope that you all have a well deserved
break and a good rest from the pressures and stress
that can come alongside the joy and celebrations.
I would like to thank all of you, parishioners and
friends of the parish alike, for your loyalty, support
and deep faith over the years. It is a joy to behold.
We have a a deep sense of family here in Strabane
Parish, great co-operation and dedication from so
many, some of whom I mention below, and please God
we will never lose that. I thank Bishop Francis for
his loyalty and hard work and Amanda our Parish Administrator
for her dedication and sterling work over the past
year. Without her the parish would grind to a halt.
Church music:- This year we welcomed Maria Cutliffe
as church organist and leader of the senior choir.
In a short period of time she has become one of the
family. Our thanks to her and to Ronan, Noel McCafferty,
and Tommy Barr (St Joseph’s Brass Band) for
the magnificent contribution they make to church music
in the parish.
Church:- Billy Conway became our sacristan in October
and is doing great work. We thank him and Columba,
lay ministers, (Raymonde for his help) readers, (organised
by Sheila,) altar personnel, (Sr Benedict) collectors,
counters, (Maisie, Susie and John) St Vincent de Paul,
Legion of Mary, flowers, (Marion and Maisie). St Pio
Group:- (Mary, Denis and Margo). Parish Draw:- all
our collectors and promoters. St Patrick’s Hall:-
Brian, John (plus the extras around the church and
house) Raymond and the team in the Hall. Strabane
Community Project:- Danny, Lillian and their team
(particularly the Bingo Team) the entertainment committee,
St Vincent de Paul Society (Raymonde McDaid).
Grotto:- Mary, John and their support group. I make
special mention of the Sisters of Mercy for all their
kindness and support to the parish over the years
and Srs Carmel and Benedict in particular for their
outstanding contribution. There are many others who
work away quietly yet do great work for the parish
and I wish to acknowledge very gratefully their significant
contribution.
A special word of thanks to Geraldine
who works away quietly at the parochial house.
We continue to manage our parish debt. Our envelope
collection is very well supported and our weekly collection
has increased significantly especially in the latter
half of the year. The Parish Draw has been well supported
(see note below) and the main expenditure during the
year was the re-slating and re-felting of the lower
roof of the church (Barrack St side) which came to
over £16,000. Our income is now above our routine
expenditure and thanks to our beneficiaries our debt
is dropping steadily. The support of all our parishioners
is quite overwhelming and it gives me no little sense
of pride to say that if we run our Draw for another
few years and have no unforeseen major expenditure,
we will be out of debt in about three years D.V.
This year the team of men in the Hall (Brian, Ted,
Jimmy, John, Declan, Stephen and John) have kept the
church looking beautiful and they have done very important
work in the areas of painting, heating, lighting,
and in the general upkeep of the building. We owe
this great team of men a huge debt of gratitude and
on behalf of the parish this is gladly given.
As important as finance may be a parish is about
much more than that and we are blessed with an active
and faithful parish community and many friends who
avail of our parish as a spiritual base. There is
a wonderful joy and heart evident in all our Eucharistic
and liturgical gatherings and the fruits of the spirit
are evident. We should thank God for all our many
blessings. The Parish Pastoral Council, contemplative
prayer group, and the Blessed Sacrament Chapel continue
to be sources of deep renewal.
We are living at a painful and demanding time for
the Church. We are deeply saddened at recent events
but there never was a time when we all need to be
men and women aglow with the Spirit, rooted in Christ,
allowing the grace of the Risen Lord to transform
us personally and communally. We will emerge a humbler
and chastened Church where the witness of each one
is now more important than ever. Our joy is not shallow
but based on the conviction that Jesus has taken on
our human condition and is in solidarity with us.
That is the real message of Christmas, God becoming
man, becoming one like us.
With this note of supreme confidence as we face into
uncertain times, I wish you and your families every
possible joy and blessing that this holy season brings.
May the light of Christmas brought by the Infant Christ
shine forever in our hearts and may we share that
light in the coming year with all our brothers and
sisters.
Fr. Declan Boland PP
DEATHS
We offer our deepest sympathy
to the family and friends of:
Geraldine McCauley,
Ligford Road
Aggie Doherty, Patrick
Street
May they rest in peace.
ANNIVERSARIES
Patrick Porter, Jim McNamee, Dominic
Carlin, Danny Molloy,
Minnie McGrinder, Michael McGrinder,
Danny Harkin, Mary Millar,
Kathleen McBrearty, Edward O'Kane,
Dan Devenney, Sarah Devenney,
John Francis Casey, Eileen Casey,
Jim Donaghey, Eileen Donaghey,
Cassie Patton, Marian Kennedy, John
Mullen Jnr, John Gallagher,
Colette Gallagher, Alex McNulty, Elizabeth
McDevitt, Patrick Kirk,
Patsy Fricker, Phil Madden, Brian
Casey, John Harper,
John Parke, Anthony Boggs.
PRIEST'S CHRISTMAS COLLECTION
The Priest's Christmas Collection will be taken up
at Mass on Christmas Eve (Vigil) and at all Masses
on Christmas Day. You will find a special envelope
for this collection in your box.
EUCHARISTIC HEALING SERVICE
There will be Eucharistic Healing
Service in the Church this evening at 6.00pm.
Everyone welcome.
PRAYER GROUP
The next meeting of the contemplative
prayer group will be
11 January at 8.15pm in the Parochial
House.
PENITENTIAL SERVICE
Penitential Service and Confessions
for Christmas will be held in St. Mary's Church, Melmount
this evening from 5.00pm to 6.30pm. There will be
eight priests available for confession.
PARISH DRAW - WELL DONE!
At the start of this year I asked
for a new surge of support for the Parish Draw. I
did so because we realised that the Parish Savings
were being suspended and we would suffer financially
on account of this. At this time I am delighted to
tell you that we have made £30,000 on the Draw
this year. This represents a major thrust forward
from previous years and I would like to thank all
our collectors and subscribers, Amanda our Parish
Administrator who looks after the Draw, and all who
have supported us. This represents huge generosity
from one and all and I thank you sincerely for this.
I am also happy to announce that if we have the same
level of support for the next three years this parish
will be out of debt! That is no mean feat considering
that nine years ago we were over a quarter of a million
pounds in debt, and we have not scrimped over the
years on maintenance in the church and in the plant
in general. This debt has fallen sharply, due to our
Parish Draws, Parish Savings (the interest accrued
when they were in existence), a buoyant weekly envelope
collection, and major assistance from some of our
beneficiaries. I am asking for the same full support
next year for the Draw as we had this year and I have
every confidence that the same level of support will
be achieved. WELL DONE ONE AND ALL.
CHURCH ROOF
We gratefully acknowledge the following
donation towards the repair of the church roof.
£100.00. £100.00 Many thanks.
THANK YOU
The Strabane Multiple Sclerosis Society would like
to thank the Parish of Camus and the Committee of
Parish Sports Day and Barn Dance for their kind donation
of £500.00. A special thanks also to Fr. Boland
on presentation of the cheque.
CAROL SERVICE
Evish Primary School will hold a
Carol Service in the Church of the Immaculate Conception
on Monday 21 December at 7.00pm. All welcome.
PRAY FOR PRIESTS
The diocese published a prayer
card with the names of all the Derry diocesan priests.
This week we ask you to pray for:
Fr. Michael F Mullen CC, Dungiven,
20 December
Fr. Patrick J Mullan PP, Faughanvale, 20 December
Fr. Francis Murray CC, Cappagh, 21 December
Fr. Seamus O'Connell PP VF, Maghera, 21 December
Fr. Joseph O'Conor PP, Plumbridge, 22 December
Fr. Colm O'Doherty CC, Castlederg, 22 December
Fr. Kieran O'Doherty PP, Swatragh, 23 December
Fr. Brian O'Donnell Adm, Lavey, 23 December
Fr. Francis P O'Hagan PP, Magilligan, 24 December
Fr. Patrick O'Hagan PP, Moville, 24 December
Fr. David O'Kane PP, Claudy, 25 December
Fr. Patrick O'Kane PP, Ballymagroarty, 25 December
Fr. Peter O'Kane CC, Rome, 26 December
Fr. Seamus O'Kane, 26 December
STRABANE PARISH PANTOMIME
This year's production 'Beauty and the Beast' will
commence on Saturday 16 January and will continue
until Sunday 24 January. Booking available in St.
Patrick's Hall, Tel: 02871882483 from Monday 4 January.
Tickets £7.00 and £5.00 concessionary.
LUCKY 4 DRAW
There was no winner in last week's Draw
The numbers drawn were:
6, 7, 15, 16.
Next Jackpot is £2000.00
CHARITY DANCE
Charity Dance in aid of Friends of the Cancer Centre
in St. Patrick's Hall on Sunday 27 December. Music
by Joe Canning and Fontana. Dancing 9.00pm 'til late.
Admission £6.00. Free Draw on the night.
N.I. BLOOD TRANSFUSION SERVICE
A team from the N.I. Blood Transfusion Service will
be in St. Patrick's Hall on Wednesday 6 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.
THORNHILL CENTRE
A 12-week Liturgy course led by the Thornhill Centre
team will be held in Sion Mills Parish Centre beginning
Tuesday 19 January 2010 from 7.30pm to 9.30pm. This
course is designed to foster an understanding of the
richness of the Liturgy of the Church, examining core
elements and symbols of our ritual and worship. Course
cost: £100.00. For further details please contact
the Thornhill Centre on 71351233.
PRAYER CORNER
THE SHINING WORD "AND"
"And" teaches us to say yes
"And'' allows us to be both - and
''And'' keeps us from either - or
''And'' teaches us to be patient and long-suffering
''And'' is willing to wait for insight and integration
''And'' does not divide the field of the moment
''And'' helps us to live in the always imperfect now
''And'' keeps us inclusive and compassionate toward
everything
''And'' demands that our contemplation become active
"And" insists that our action is also contemplative
"And" keeps us from the false choice of
liberal or conservative
"And" allows us to critique both sides of
things
"And'' allows us to enjoy both sides of things
"And" is far beyond any one nation or political
party
"And" helps us face and accept our own dark
side
"And'' allow us to ask for forgiveness and to
apologise
"And" is the mystery of paradox in all things
"And" is the way of mercy
"And'' makes daily, practical love possible
"And" does not trust love if it is not also
justice
"And" does not trust justice if it is not
also love
"And" is far beyond my religion versus your
religion
"And" allows us to be both distinct and
yet united
"And'' is the very Mystery of Trinity
FOR SELF-FORGIVENESS
Today I am overcome with a sense of failure.
I am painfully aware of dreams not fulfilled,
of ambitions not realised, of work left unfinished,
of people not cared for, of bridges not mended,
of promises not kept.
I feel that I have wasted the days of my years.
Awaken within me an acceptance of
myself as I am.
Quieten the voice of excessive self criticism within
me.
Awaken in me a forgiveness that is unconditional.
Lead me to the conviction that:
in you all is forgiven,
in you all is understood and accepted,
in you the prodigal is welcomed home.
ADVENT PEACE PSALM
O Prince of Peace,
whose Advent we seek in our lives,
come this day and show us
how to beat our swords into ploughshares,
tools of life instead of instruments of fear.
May your love strip us
of all weapons and strategies of conquest
which are not the tools of lovers,
wise ones and God's children.
Let us not lust for power
but rather strive for the insight
to be guided on the Way of Peace.
Let us not yearn for a victory
that requires a sister's sorrow
or a brother's shameful defeat.
Let us be Advent adventurers and peacemakers,
hammering swords into shovels,
filling holes and levelling peaks.
Let us be disarmed and vulnerable,
for only through such open hands and hearts
can Emmanuel come.
