EASTER MESSAGE
I would like to take this opportunity to wish all
our parishioners every blessing, joy and peace on
this Easter Sunday. May the life of the risen Christ
remain forever in your hearts.
A heartfelt thanks for the way you witnessed to your
faith during Lent. It was most heartening to see the
great number of people who attended daily Mass. The
7.00am, 10.00am and 7.00pm Masses were very well attended.
The early morning Mass witnessed a large increase
this year and a very special thanks to Bishop Francis
who was up like a lark every morning to celebrate
the early Mass. To Hugo, and Columba his assistant
we are also very grateful. Our gratitude also to all
those who attended the Eucharistic Healing Services.
A special thanks to Nuala and Ciara for once again
looking after the Mass for Children on Holy Thursday
afternoon. This has now become a very important feature
of our Holy Thursday celebrations. To Ronan and the
choir, (Ronan returns every Sunday morning for the
12.00noon Mass) Noel, who leads our very talented
Traditional Irish Group, St Joseph’s Brass Band,
readers, extraordinary ministers of the Eucharist,
altar personnel, those who cleaned the chapel, Marian
and her team for the magnificent easter garden in
the sanctuary and for her beautiful easter flowers
a very big “Thank You.” Hayley designed
the tomb and additions have been made this year. The
overall effect is superb.
Well done everyone.
We embarked on some major work on the church since
Christmas. The response to donations for the storm
glazing and the new PA has been quite extraordinary.
It has almost reached £12,000. I cannot thank
sufficiently enough all those who have donated, but
all our donors are remembered every weekend at Mass.
We are very grateful to everyone for such generosity.
The present phase of the storm glazing is finished
and we are very grateful to Sheila Klam at A.J.Glass
for doing such a great job. There is another window
at the side of the church near the sacristy door which
needs attention, and this will be dealt with in due
course. All work done on our magnificent church is
a life long investment, and people never cease in
their praise of how well kept it is, both inside and
outside.
I thank Kevin and his team for all the upgrading
of the church grounds. Many important features have
been added since the new year (see how many you can
spot?) and all this serves to make our church and
its grounds a fitting place for worship. The hedge
up the avenue has been trimmed to facilitate parking.
It looks a bit bare at the moment (a number one cut!!)
but I am reliably told that come the summer, I will
no longer be a doubting Thomas!!
We have employed a tree surgeon, Gavin Duffy, to
look after each tree in the avenue and around the
house and this work will start shortly (Deadwooding,
Crown lifting, raising and thinning some branch removal).
Our mature trees (Cherry, Common Beech, Hornbeam,
Plum, Holly, Lawson's Cypress) are a big feature of
our grounds and this essential work is needed. This
will help the trees and make sure that the overhead
power lines are not impeded.
In the upper room above the sacristy a new toilet
has been installed, and I thank Paul Forbes and his
team for a magnificent job done. The ladies will never
want to leave it!! With regard to the PA system Michael
Kielty will start work after easter and there will
be no break in transmission when this work is being
carried out. You may not have noticed but the covering
on the seat at the altar and the servers seats have
been covered with a rich red fabric. Thanks to Joe
Doherty for an excellent job. Some of the kneelers
throughout the church need attention and this is a
work in progress. So you can see, that incrementally,
the church continues to be maintained to a very high
and justifiably appropriate standard.
The Adoration Chapel has now become a feature of
the church and it is visited frequently. The Parish
Council continues to meet regularly and I have no
doubt that the fruit of its work will soon be evidenced.
On the domestic front we extend a very warm welcome
to Geraldine Connolly, who is now the housekeeper
in the parochial house. She has settled in very well
and is part of the family.
In the meantime enjoy the Easter break with your
family and friends. May the light of this season shine
forever in your hearts.
Declan Boland PP.
PRAYER GROUP
The prayer group will resume after
the Easter break.
COLLECTION
We acknowledge last Sunday’s collection of
£1970.00 and £565.00 for the Clerical
Education and Ongoing Formation. Many thanks.
DEATHS
We offer our deepest sympathy to the family and friends
of:
Rose Vennard, Ballygawley, formerly
of Bearney.
Mary Kirk, Plumbridge.
Assumpta McLaughlin, Camas Road.
Thomas McGrath, Sion Mills. May
they rest in peace.
ANNIVERSARIES
Mae Logue, Francie Elliott, Mary O'Kane, Michael
Walsh,
Margaret McAleer, Mary McAleer, John McAleer, Tom
McAleer,
Katie McNulty, Elizabeth Boyle.
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. James McGlinchey, Retired, 23rd March.
Fr. Brian McGoldrick PP, Doneyloop, 24th March.
Fr. Neil McGoldrick PP, Fahan, 25th March.
Fr. Patrick McGoldrick CC, Moville, 26th March.
Fr. James McGonagle PP, Culdaff, 27th March.
Fr. James McGrory Armagh, 28th March.
Fr. Patrick J McGuigan, (deceased), 29th March.
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.
DONATIONS TOWARDS STORM GLAZING
AND PA SYSTEM
We very gratefully acknowledge all
the donations we have recently received towards the
storm glazing of the stained glass windows in the
church and the PA system:-
£300.00, £300.00, £120.00,
£100.00, £50.00.
Total donated to date:- £11900.00.
Thank you for your continuing
support.
PARISH DRAW
The winners of the Parish Draw
for the month of March are:
£50.00 Catherine Deazley
£50.00 Marian Devine
£50.00 Jimmy O'Reilly
£100.00 Mary Kelly
£100.00 Aoife Glenn
£100.00 Madeline McAnenny
£100.00 Jean Christy
£100.00 V & P Hannigan
£200.00 Heather Doherty
£1000.00 Briedge Conway
PARISH ENVELOPES
The new boxes of envelopes have now been distributed.
The parish envelope weekly collection is the main
source of income for our parish and it is vital that
as many as possible use them. If it has not been your
custom to use the weekly envelopes why not begin this
year? If you would like a box of envelopes please
contact the parish office, Tel., 71882215 .
Those who requested envelopes on the sheet at the
back of the church can collect their envelopes in
the sacristy.
This is also a time to register a very sincere "THANK
YOU" to all our parishioners and friends of the
parish who support us by their generosity and presence.
This witness is deeply appreciated and we ask you
for your continuing support at this time.
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.
DERRY DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE
TO LOURDES 16th - 21st JULY 2008
Application forms are available for any young person
aged 14 - 15 years who would like a place on the Derry
Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes. Special arrangements
are made for the youth who will be lead by the Pilgrimage
Youth Team.
The Lourdes Pilgrimage would be grateful for volunteers
who are qualified nurses to work as part of the care
team. For further information please contact The Pilgrimage
Office, 164 Bishop Street, Derry BT48 6UJ, Tel:, 02871260293.
STRABANE SIGERSONS G.A.A.
Thanks to everyone who made the recent St. Patrick's
Day Parade in the town such a huge success. The Club's
senior and reserve teams will open their O'Neill's
Sportswear Tyrone ACL campaigns away to Aghaloo on
Sunday 30th March. The Sigersons Youth Easter Coaching
Camp will be held at the Club grounds on Wednesday
26th March from 10.00am-1.00pm. Happy Easter to everyone.
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 £1925.00
N.I. BLOOD TRANSFUSION SERVICE
A team from the N.I. Blood Transfusion Service will
be in St. Patrick's Hall on Tuesday 25th March 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.
CEILI
There will be a Ceili in St. Patrick's Hall on Sunday
30th March. Music by Gallagher & Logue. Admission
£5.00 includes supper. Proceeds in aid of Church
Restoration Fund.
ST. PATRICK'S LUNCHEON CLUB
St. Patrick's Luncheon Club are holding a dance/social
on Monday 31st March 2008 in St. Patrick's Hall. Music
is by The John Trotter Trio and supper is at 9.00pm.
Admission is £5.00 or
7 Euro (includes supper). Everyone is welcome.
MOVEMENT TO MUSIC
All those over 50 years are invited to come along
to Movement to Music in St. Patrick's Hall on 3rd,
10th and 17th April from 1.00pm - 2.00pm. Admission
FREE.
AN EASTER PSALM
" Christ is risen, Alleluia!"
cries out the chorus of creation
"Christ is risen, Alleluia!"
sing the supple winds of spring.
"Christ is risen, Alleluia!"
ring out lilies in silent splendour
The feast of feasts,
the festival of hope,
the mother of all Sundays,
luminous in the full moon of spring,
radiant in the rising of the sun,
Easter dances upon my rooftop
and plays like a newborn child
in the cradle of my heart
I rejoice like all of creation,
sailing on springtime's seed-bearing breezes,
and like the lily's trumpet,
I open wide my throat and my heart
to join with all of heaven and earth
in singing out the symphony of joy
at Easter's annual return
I take hope in Christ's victory over
death,
hope that, one with him,
I will also have my easter morning
when I will be freed from the prison,
the decaying dusty tomb, of my marrow and stony spirit.
I trust that I too will spring-like arise
to a fullness of living and loving,
to a life beyond all time and space,
to a life one with you, my God
"Christ is risen, Alleluia!"
Alleluia, Alleluia!
PRAYER CORNER
PRAYER
The purpose of all prayer is to uplift
the words,
to return them to their source above.
The world was created
by the downward flow of letters:
The task of man is to form those letters into words
and take them back to God.
If you come to know this duel process,
your prayer may be joined
to the constant flow of Creation -
word to word, voice to voice,
breath to breath, thought to thought.
The words fly upward and come to Him.
As God turns to look at the ascending word,
life flows through all the worlds
and prayer receives its answer.
All this happens in an instant
and all this happens continually;
Time has no meaning in the sight of God.
The divine spring is ever-flowing;
one who is ready can make himself into a channel
to receive the waters from above.
LORD, MAY YOUR SPIRIT BURN
WITHIN ME
Lord, you burn like a flame within
us,
Flame of energy and inspiration,
Living flame of love.
Yet like a flame you can be quenched
by our pride,
Smothered by our selfish ways, our sins.
There are times we prefer other things,
When we prefer to live without
The glow of your love within,
The flame of your goodness shining on us,
The light of your presence,
Times when we prefer
The ways of darkness.
Yet how can we live without your love,
Lord?
Help me to hold on to what is good.
Help me not to quench your Spirit.
May your Spirit burn within me.
PRAYER OF ST. PATRICK
May the strength of God pilot us,
May the power of God preserve us,
May the wisdom of God instruct us,
May the hand of God protect us,
May the way of God direct us,
May the shield of God defend us,
May the host of God guard us,
against snares of evil
and the temptations of the world.
PSALM FOR PRAYING
You take delight , O Radiant One,
in gracing me with new life!
O Beloved, come and renew me!
Let me face my weaknesses and all
that confuses me, that keeps me from joy!
I seek forgiveness for my wrong doings,
I desire only You!
Let me begin anew, a as child
at its mother's breast, who basks in love.
May all who seek You rejoice and be glad!
May all who surrender to You say evermore,
"My joy is in the Beloved!"
Yet I am lowly and fear-filled;
hasten to me, Beloved!"
You are my strength and my joy;
O Beloved, come and renew me!
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!
