LENT - TIME FOR A CHANGE OF HEART
Next Wednesday is Ash Wednesday and we begin forty
days of preparation for Easter. It is above all an
opportunity to look at the way we live and a time
to turn back to God with all our hearts. As we get
our ashes we hear these words, 'Turn away from sin
and be faithful to the Gospel.'
As you read this make a resolution that the days
of Lent will be very meaningful for you. The choice
is yours. We need special times and special occasions
to focus on what is really important in life and to
lift us out of the rut we can so easily get caught
in. Lent provides us with this challenge. Traditionally
the Church puts before us three areas where we can
examine our lives:-
1. PRAYER 2. FASTING 3. ALMSGIVING
Why not consider coming out to one of the morning
Masses? Morning and evening prayer, family prayers,
using a prayer book, the rosary, special intentions,
novenas, Divine Mercy, reading the bible, opening
a spiritual book, lighting a candle, any of these
can be the means whereby we contact God particularly
during the Lenten season. Simply ask the Holy Spirit
to teach you to pray, or use some form of quiet prayer
like silent meditation or using a word or sentence
from the bible to focus on. Without prayer our religion
just dries up and we go through the motions. Properly
understood it is the most important journey we will
ever undertake.
As well as staying off certain foods that we like
and chocolates and sweets why not fast from the critical
tongue, the angry comment, the put down remark, the
negative thoughts. During Lent turn off the voice
in your head that criticises you and makes you feel
unworthy, bad or unloveable and listen to God's voice
praising you and letting you know how important and
beautiful you really are. Many people suffer from
a sense of being unworthy and have low self esteem
and no matter what they do they do not feel good enough.
These thoughts and voices are not from God so this
Lent replace them with positive thoughts like, I am
good and loveable and worthy and so on because God
made me and God does not make junk!
Then we have the area of almsgiving. Every house
should have the Trocaire box in full view in a prominent
position and during Lent the family contribute a little
every so often so that when Lent is over the box will
represent generosity towards those who are less well
off. Maybe this Lent you will become more sensitive
to some other charity and you might want to help that
in some way. We should do our almsgiving quietly and
discreetly without any big fuss.
Why not make up with someone this Lent? Maybe there
has been a fall out or some coolness in the relationship
so this time of the year is a time to start restoring
the lines of communication. You can lift the phone
and renew an old friendship or send a letter or an
email.
Every Sunday evening at 6.00pm there is a Eucharistic
Healing Service in the church. Many people find this
very rewarding. Come along and bring a friend who
might be depressed, or someone in a broken relationship,
or coming through a bereavement.
At the back of the church there is an Adoration Chapel
(Oasis of Peace) where you can sit quietly in front
of the Lord and unburden your worries and cares. Maybe
you would like to get into the habit of writing your
petitions in the special book beside the Padre Pio
statue at the front of the church. These petitions
are remembered at the daily Masses and many people
find this particularly helpful especially during difficult
times.
BAPTISMS
Friday: 6.30pm Sunday 12.45pm
PRAYER GROUP
The contemplative prayer group will
meet on Monday evening at 8.15pm in the Parochial
House.
DEATHS
We offer our deepest sympathy to the
family and friends of:
Frank Gallagher,
Colman Fold,
Terry Porter, Magirr Park,
Cassie Duffy, Glasgow and
Betty Kelly, Letterkenny.
May they rest in peace.
ANNIVERSARIES
Margaret Farrell, Jimmy McLaughlin,
Billy Hyndman, Detta Curran,
Tony Kelly, Nora Gallagher,
John O'Brien Snr, Mary Doherty,
Johnny McGovern, Mary Hyndman,
Bridie McGovern, Jamesey Devlin,
Mary Melaugh , Mary O'Connor,
Hugh Melaugh, Joe O'Connor,
Betty Maxwell , Paddy Casey.
PARISH DRAW
The Draw for the month of February
will take place in the parish office on Thursday 26
February at 2.30pm.
Promoters are asked to bring their returns to the
parish office no later than Monday 23rd February.
New subscribers are still welcome to join our Parish
Draw.
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. John Gilmore PP, Aghyaran, 22
Feb
Fr. Joseph Gormley CC, The Three Patrons, 23 Feb
Fr. Eamon Graham PP, Banagher, 24 Feb
Fr. Patrick Grant Deceased, 25 Feb
Fr. Karl Haan CC, Garvagh, 26 Feb
Fr. Eugene Hasson PP, Greencastle, 27 Feb
Most Rev. Seamus Hegarty, 28 Feb
CONGRATULATIONS
Congratulations to the boys and girls who were confirmed
on Saturday morning by Bishop Lagan and also to their
parents, families, teachers and school Principals.
VISIT OF HIS EMINENCE KEITH PATRICK CARDINAL
O’BRIEN
His Eminence Keith Cardinal O’Brien,
Archbishop of St. Andrews and Edinburgh will be making
an official visit to the Diocese on Monday 23 February
and Tuesday 24 February 2009. He will be Principal
Celebrant at Mass in St. Eugene’s Cathedral
on the morning of Tuesday 24 February at 10.00am to
which you are all welcome. Cardinal O’Brien
will be available after the Mass to meet and greet
those who come along.
LENTEN PROGRAMME 2009
Masses:-
Monday 7.00am 10.00am
Tuesday 7.00am 10.00am
Wednesday 7.00am 7.00pm
Thursday 7.00am 10.00am
Friday 7.00am 10.00am
Saturday 10.00am 6.30pm
Sunday 10.00am 12.00 noon
Stations of the Cross:- Wednesday
6.45pm and Friday 6.00pm
Eucharistic Healing Service:- Every
Sunday during Lent at 6.00pm. This takes place before
the Blessed Sacrament and we pray for the healing
of hurts, wounds, depressions, traumas and difficulties
of every kind, emotional or physical.
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament:- This
takes place all day in the Adoration Chapel (Oasis
of Peace). The Adoration Chapel is situated at the
back of the church.
Book of Petitions:- This book is
situated near the Padre Pio statue and you are invited
to write all your prayers and special requests in
the book. These requests are remembered at all Masses
in the church.
TROCAIRE BOXES
Trocaire boxes are available for collection
this weekend. Please take one from the back of the
church as you leave.
LENTEN THURSDAYS
Beginning 26 February, the Thornhill
Centre is hosting a series of ‘Reflection Mornings’
for the Thursdays of Lent. Each morning begins at
10.30am and concludes with a light lunch at 1.00pm,
includes a talk, quiet reflection and ritual. A donation
of £5.00 per morning is suggested. Please telephone
71351233 to book.
LENTEN RETREAT
(Open to Everyone)
A Lenten Retreat will take place in
Ards Friary, Creeslough from Saturday 28 February
- Sunday 1 March beginning at 9.30am on Saturday and
finishing with lunch on Sunday. Cost is 85 Euro. The
theme is ‘Share a Faith Journey’. For
information and booking telephone 00 353 74 9138909
or info@ardsfriary.ie.
SUNDAY READINGS
Thornhill Centre is holding Scripture
evenings beginning Wednesday 4 March from 8.00pm -
9.30pm. The course will give participants some background
on the Liturgy of the Word for the Sundays of Lent.
A donation of £2.00 per evening is suggested.
For details, ring 71351233.
LOURDES 2009
The next meeting of the Lourdes Group
will take place on Wednesday 25 February in 'The Den'
at 7.45pm. All booking forms must be returned at this
meeting.
STRABANE LIFFORD ANGLERS
AGM will be held in St. Patrick's Hall on Wednesday
25 February at 8.00pm.
RUMMAGE
Strabane Community Project/St. Patrick's
Luncheon Club Charity Shop 'Rummage' urgently requires
donations of good quality clothes, clothes for recycling,
unwanted gifts or bric-a-brac. The Charity Shop supports
the Luncheon Club and services for older people in
your community. Telephone 02871 883102. Thank you
for your continued support.
OPEN NIGHT AT NORTH WEST REGIONAL COLLEGE
Leaving school this year? North West
Regional College invites you to attend its Open Night
on Thursday 26 February from 5.30pm - 8.30pm, running
at its three main campuses in Strand Road, Derry,
Main Street, Limavady and Derry Road, Strabane. Guidance
and information on its Full-Time courses starting
this September, college tours and talks from college
staff will be available. To register your attendance
please provide name, address, subject interest and
choice of college location to: e-mail opennight@nwrc.ac.uk
text NWOPEN to 86122 or telephone 028 71276022.
ST. PATRICK'S LUNCHEON CLUB
St. Patrick's Luncheon Club are having
a Social/Dance on Monday 23 February in St. Patrick's
Hall. Music is by The Cannon & Ramsey Band. Doors
open at 9.00pm. Admission £5.00 (includes a
light supper).
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 2 match 3 winners in last
week's Draw
R Houston
J Foley
The numbers drawn were:
1, 12, 18, 19
Next Week's Lucky 4 Jackpot
is £950.00
STRICTLY COME DANCING
We are organising a 'Come
Dancing' competition to start in early March.
If you are interested in taking part there will be
lessons one night per week for six weeks. For further
details contact Raymond Kirk on 02871 382452 or Brian
McCallion on 02871 882483.
All proceeds will be divided between the Foyle Hospice
and Strabane Parish.
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.
PAYMENTS BY CHEQUE
The Bank have reminded us that all
payments made to the parish by cheque (for Parish
Draw, Sunday and Special Collections etc.) must be
made payable to Church of the Immaculate Conception.
PRAYER CORNER
Guardian of the Wounded, wrap me in
your embrace,
Hold me close to your heart and assure me of your
love. Protect my sore spirit. Ease the pain it holds.
Like the leper I beg for healing and deliverance from
the emotional drain and the unending sadness that
the losses of life have brought me.
Let peace return.
Let hope begin.
Let comfort be mine.
BE ALERT AND ALIVE
"Some people claim here is no
life after death,"
said a disciple.
"Do they?" said the Master
noncommittally.
"Wouldn't it be awful to die
- and never again see or hear or love or move?"
"You find that awful?" said
the Master. "But that's how must people are even
before they die."
LIVE FOR TODAY
A disciple decided to be more personal
and direct.
"Do you believe in life after
death?" she asked.
"Strange that you should be so
stuck to that topic!"
said the Master.
"Why would you think it strange?"
"Here you have this glorious
day in front of you,"
said the Master pointing to the window.
Like a child who refuses to eat today because he
does not know what tomorrow will bring.
You're starving. Eat your daily bread!"
SLEEPWALKING
"Congratulate me!"
"Why?"
"At last I've found a job that
offers
excellent prospects for advancement."
Said the Master sombrely, "You
were a
sleepwalker yesterday. You are sleepwalking today.
You will sleepwalk till the day you die.
"What sort of advancement is that?"
"It was a financial advancement
I was
talking about, not spiritual advancement."
"Ah! I see. A sleepwalker with
a bank account
that he isn't awake to enjoy!"
WAKE UP!
Enlightenment, said the Master when
asked about it, is an awakening.
"Right now you are asleep and do not know it."
Then he went on to tell them of the
recently
married woman who complained
about her husband's drinking habits.
"If you knew he drank,
why did you marry him?" she was asked.
"I had no idea he drank,"
said the girl,
"till one night he came home sober!"
