JOY ROBBERS
In our increasingly fast-paced world nothing seems
more frustrating than having to wait, since it is
such a waste of time! Waiting in traffic, waiting
in a long line at a checkout counter, waiting on the
telephone when you've been put ''on hold,'' or having
to wait for someone tardy for an appointment. These
difficult waiting situations become thieves of our
happiness. If you desire to live a joyful life, you
will be required to learn that un-American art of
being pleasantly content, even if at the moment that
happens to be wasting time. Being pleasingly satisfied
when you flight has been delayed or road repair work
brings you to a standstill means you've escaped from
those crooks of the clock that steal your time, and
with it, your joy. So how how do you escape from these
and other pickpockets of joy?
Joy robbers are everywhere. Unlike bank bandits, they
brazenly do not wear masks to hide their faces. The
faces of these criminals are clearly recognisable,
for they are the faces on our watches and clocks.
These round, featureless faces ringed in numbers are
not the thieves themselves, but only the scene of
the robberies where the crimes take place. While these
ever-elusive thieves can't be arrested or imprisoned,
they can be disarmed. In the morning before you put
on your wristwatch, pause, holding it briefly in the
palm of your hand, and pray. If you do not wear a
wristwatch, then take your bedside clock and hold
it in your hand and pray.
O You who are timeless,
thank you for the twenty - four new hours
you've generously loaned, without interest,
to me this day.
All the minutes and hours of my clocks
belong to you, the timeless and eternal One.
Remind me to never call a single
moment
of it ''my time'' to spend for my personal use.
Inspire me to rejoice when I'm unexpectedly
asked to spend some of it on others' needs.
Help me to count those occasions as blessed moments.
Yielding to what is beyond my
control,
I accept what happens to be a waste of time,
yet in truth is that priceless gift of prayer that
you prize so much
the Prayer of Surrender to you
and your holy will for me this day.
I encourage you to create your own
brief watch prayer as you strap it to your wrist,
something as brief as:
Thank you for the hours of this
day -
a gift I've been given to give away.
Commit your prayer to memory so that
it flows freely as you pray it at the beginning of
the day or whenever you are forced to wait. In this
time of frequently being frustrated by having to wait,
let your silent wristwatch be like a chapel bell calling
you to prayer time.
COLLECTION
We acknowledge last Sunday’s
collection of £1524.00 Many thanks.
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.
DEATHS
We offer our deepest sympathy
to the family and friends of:
Charlie McDermott,
Croaghan View
Annie McCrory, Colman Fold
Willie Shannon, Lisnarick
May they rest in peace.
ANNIVERSARIES
Jacinta Wilson, Margaret Kavanagh,
Tommy Sharkey, Harry Deans,
Hugh Casey, Tom P Mullen,
Pat Milligan, Sheila Duffy,
Billy Canavan, Frances Hannigan,
Rebecca Duffy, James Duffy,
Joe Elliott, Packie McAnenny,
Tommy Porter, Cis O'Kane,
Mary Gallagher, Anthony McBrearty.
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. Paul McCafferty, Diocesan Secretary,
23 Nov
Fr. Bryan McCanny PPVG, Three Patrons, 24 Nov
Fr. Michael McGaughey CC, Waterside, 25 Nov
Fr. Andrew McCloskey, 26 Nov
Fr. James McCrory, Retired, 27 Nov
Fr. John McCullagh, 28 Nov
Fr. Noel McDermott CC, Faughanvale, 29 Nov
PARISH DRAW
The winners of the Draw for the month
of November are:
£50.00- Tommy McCallion
Promoter Jonathon McGhee
£50.00- Bernie Duffy
Promoter Maura Coyle
£50.00- Ena Kirk
Promoter Maura Coyle
£100.00- Donna Duffy
Promoter E McNulty & M Cooke
£100.00- Noreen Hunter
Promoter Mary Christy
£100.00- Sheila McGonagle
Promoter Kevin Gallen
£100.00- Helen Gallagher
Promoter Maisie Boggs
£100.00- Eileen & Roy Houston
Promoter Mary Christy
£200.00- Siobhan Monaghan
Promoter Carmel McGarrigle
£1000.00- John F Gallagher
Promoter Fr. Boland
BLESSED SACRAMENT CHAPEL
Our Blessed Sacrament Chapel is open
every day from 10.00am until the Church closes. It
is located at the back of the Church - when you come
in the main door, turn left, then left again. This
is a sacred space where you can come and pray, ask
for your special intentions and rest a while in the
midst of a busy world.
CONFIRMATION AND FIRST HOLY
COMMUNION 2009
Confirmation will take place on Saturday
21st February 2009 at 11.00am for all Primary 7 pupils.
First Holy Communion for all Primary
4 pupils will take place on Saturday 30th May 2009
at 11.00am.
DONATIONS TOWARDS SECURITY
AT PAROCHIAL HOUSE
We gratefully acknowledge the following
donations towards our new security measures:-
£700.00, £50.00
Thank you for your continuing support.
SACRED HEART MESSENGER
Next year's subscription for the Sacred
Heart Messenger magazine is now due. All Sacred Heart
Messenger promoters should make their returns to the
parish office as soon as possible.
CELEBRATION OF CHRIST OUR
KING
You are invited to join us this afternoon
Sunday 23rd November at 4.00pm in St. Columba's Church,
Doneyloop for Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament,
Reflections, and Dedication of the Human Race to Jesus
Christ King. Everyone welcome.
CARMELITE RETREAT CENTRE
A one day retreat for Senior Citizens
and their friends from Donegal and surrounding areas
will take place at the Carmelite Retreat Centre, Termonbacca
Derry on Thursday 27th November Registration from10.30am
finishing around 5.00pm. Cost £12stg or €18
includes a four course lunch.
Payment at the Centre on the day. To book Tel: Derry
71262512 during office hours.
DERRY DIOCESAN LOURDES PILGRIMAGE
2009
Why not give someone an opportunity
to go on the Lourdes Pilgrimage 16th - 21st July 2009
as your Christmas gift. Gift vouchers (£25/£50)
are now available from the Pilgrimage Office 164 Bishop
Street Derry. Office opens Thursday 11.00am - 2.00pm
and Saturday 11.00am - 1.00pm and 2.00pm - 4.00pm.
ADVENT RETREAT
Advent Retreat (open to everyone)
will be held Saturday 29th - Sunday 30th November
commencing at 9.30am and finishing at 4.00pm. The
theme is "Christus natus est - Christ is born".
Prepare for Christmas by centring ourselves on the
birth of the child Jesus. What does the birth of Christ
mean to us at this busy time? Retreat will be led
by Fr. Owen O'Sullivan OFM Capuchin. Cost €85.00
or £70.00 includes accommodation, meals and
retreat. Contact Ards Friary 0749138909 or info@adrsfriary.ie
PURSE FOUND
A purse which was found in the centre
of the town a few weeks ago has been handed in at
the parochial house. Owner may contact parochial house
or parish office.
ST. ANNE'S PRIMARY SCHOOL
Application forms for children starting
P.1 in September 2009 are now available in St. Anne's
Primary School. Closing date for applications is 21st
January 2009.
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.
CONVENT OF MERCY PAST PUPILS
GET-TOGETHER
When? Saturday 27th December 2008
at 7.00pm
Where? Strabane Golf Club, Ballycolman Road
Who? Anyone who attended Strabane Convent Grammar
School in the 1960's
Contact: Maura Shannon (nee Egan)
mauratpshannon@yahoo.co.uk
Pat Delp (nee Logue)
patricia.delp@worldonline.de
Madeline Peace (nee McLaughlin)
m.a.peace@btinternet.com
We hope you can come along with lots
of school photos and reminisce about ''the good old
days''. If you plan to come please forward £12.50
to one of us by Friday 19th December to cover the
cost of a hot meal, dessert and a drink.
STRABANE HISTORY SOCIETY
Dr Sullivan will talk of his experiences
and memories of Strabane in the 1950's and 1960's
at the meeting of the Strabane History Society in
Strabane Library, Railway Road, on Thursday 27th November
at 8.00pm. Visitors welcome. Proceeds in aid of the
Foyle Hospice.
ST. PATRICK’S
HALL
Bingo and Lucky 4 Draw as usual this
Thursday.
All our patrons are very welcome.
LUCKY 4 DRAW
There was one match 3 winner in last
week's Draw
Clayton Fulton
The numbers drawn were:
11, 13, 18, 23
Next Week's Lucky 4 Jackpot is £700.00
ST. PATRICK'S HALL THEATRE
GROUP
This year's production 'West Side
Story' will commence on Sunday 30th November and will
continue until Sunday 7th December (excluding Thursday
4th December). The show starts at 8.00pm sharp. Admission
£8.00 Adult and £5.00 Children/Concessionary.
Booking available in St. Patrick's Hall, tel; 02871882483
from 10.00am - 12.00noon and 2.00pm - 5.00pm. Book
early and avoid disappointment!
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
NOLLAIG SHONA!
FELIZ NAVIDAD!
St. Anne's Primary School proudly presents their Christmas
Concert in St. Patrick's Hall on Monday 15th December
and Tuesday 16th December at 7.30pm. Tickets cost
£3.00 for adults and £2.00 for children
and will be available from the school.
CONCERT OF SPIRITUAL SONG
There will be a concert of spiritual
song featuring Louise Irvine in St. Patrick's Hall
on Sunday 14th December commencing at 8.00pm. Louise
was first heard singing in St. Mary's Church, Melmount
at the special Mass to welcome the statue of Our Lady
of Fatima.
N.I. BLOOD TRANSFUSION SERVICE
A team from the N.I. Blood Transfusion
Service will be in St. Patrick's Hall on Monday 24th
November 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.
SOCIAL EVENING
Due to unforeseen circumstances the
Social Evening due to be held on 24th November has
been cancelled. We apologise to our patrons for any
inconvenience caused and thank you for your continued
support
CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK
The Catholic Church in Ireland, North and South,
will celebrate Catholic Schools Week from Monday 26th
January to Sunday 1st February 2009. There will be
a Mass in St. Eugene's Cathedral, Derry, on Thursday
29th January 2009. All are welcome to attend. The
theme will be ''Catholic Schools - a Vision for Life''.
The purpose of Catholic Schools Week is to promote
the contribution that Catholic schools make to our
society.
PRAYER CORNER
FOR SOLITUDE
May you recognise in your life the
presence,
Power and light of your soul.
May you realise that you are never alone,
That your soul in its brightness and belonging
Connects you intimately with the rhythm of the universe.
May you have respect for your individuality and difference.
May you realise that the shape of your soul is unique,
That you have a special destiny here,
That behind the facade of your life
There is something beautiful and eternal happening.
May you learn to see yourself
With the same delight,
Pride and expectation
With which God sees you
in every moment.
A BLESSING OF ANGELS
May the Angels in their beauty bless
you.
May they turn towards you streams of blessing.
May the Angel of Awakening stir your heart
To come alive to the eternal within you,
To all the invitations that quietly surround you.
May the Angel of Healing turn your wounds
Into sources of refreshment.
May the Angel of the Imagination enable you
To stand on the true thresholds;
At ease with your ambivalence
And drawn in new directions
Through the glow of your contradictions.
May the Angel of Compassion open your eyes
To the unseen suffering around you.
May the Angel of Wildness disturb the places
Where your life is domesticated and safe,
Take you to the territories of true otherness
Where all that is awkward in you
Can fall into its own rhythm.
