FORGIVENESS AT THE HEART OF THE MESSAGE OF JESUS
The word became flesh not to reward or even compensate
people for all the good things they have done during
their lives, but to lead people from darkness to light,
from death to life.
"God so loved the world
that he gave his only Son
so that whoever believes in him
is not lost
but has eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world
to judge the world,
but so that the world might be saved by him."
Jn 3:16-17.
The names of God revealed by Jesus
are Compassion, Mercy, Forgiveness, Goodness, Kindness
and Tenderness, Light and Truth.
He did not come to judge or condemn,
but to reveal to each one how beautiful they are and
can become.
The Greek word for "to forgive" also means
to liberate, to bring people out of danger and into
life.
This liberation implies an acceptance on our part.
God is Love and yearns to give himself in love.
Love is never imposed; love is offered.
Jesus invites; he does not violate our freedom.
We are called to open the door of our hearts.
Why do we refuse love?
How is it that we can choose death
rather than life,
depression rather than healing,
prison rather than freedom?
There is no easy answer.
This touches on the secret freedom of each person.
For some it seems just not possible.
They do not know Jesus as a healer and liberator.
Those who have known only a possessive love
cannot believe that there is such a thing as a liberating
love.
Some want to remain in the depression
they have learned to live with.
Some have been taught that success is the only value:
in order to be they must win; they must be strong
like God.
For them, to be weak means to be bad.
For others, it is better not to think personally,
but just to do what they are told, to obey the culture,
and so on.
The way Christian life has been taught and lived over
the centuries, and even today,
has often blurred the healing, liberating message
of Jesus.
Inner struggles also prevent us from
opening our hearts to the forgiving, healing love
of Jesus:
struggles between the desire and the need to prove
our worth
and the humble acceptance of our need for Jesus,
for his love, for his help.
We can be frightened of losing something,
some wealth or pleasure or power,
if we welcome Jesus.
In each of us there is a desire to show that we are
God
rather than that we need God.
We can also be frightened of admitting
all the mess and evil within us,
so we hide it behind the walls of our hearts and memories.
We try to show our own worth
rather than to accept that we are loved in spite of
all the mess.
Each one of us has our own struggle
to allow the healing love of Jesus
to penetrate the darkness of our hearts and to liberate
us.
Jean Vanier.
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.
COLLECTION
We acknowledge last Sunday’s collection of
£1787.00. Many thanks.
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. Eamon Graham ADM, N'Stewart, 24th Feb.
Fr. Patrick Grant, Deceased, 25th Feb.
Fr. Karl Haan CC, Garvagh, 26th Feb.
Fr. Eugene Hasson PP, Greencastle, 27th Feb.
Most Rev. Seamus Hegarty, 28th Feb.
Fr. John Irwin, Waterside, 1st March.
LENTEN PROGRAMME 2008
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 12.00noon
Stations of the Cross:- Wednesday
6.45pm and Friday 2.00pm
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.
PARISH DRAW
The Draw for the month of February will take place
on Thursday 28th February at 2.30pm in the parish
office. Promoters are asked to make their returns
to the parish office on Monday 25th February.
DEATHS
We offer our deepest sympathy to the family and friends
of
Kathleen Gilloway, Northampton,
Edward McMenamin, Mulvey House,
Kevin Corry, Cavanacor View,
Vincent Gallagher, Ballindrait,
Geordie Devenney, Magirr Park and
Bernadette Wright, formerly of Fountain
Terrace who died during the week. May
they rest in peace.
ANNIVERSARIES
Sarah Mullen, Tony Kelly, Nora Gallagher, Jimmy McLaughlin,
Betty Maxwell, Jackie White, Willie Wray, Mary Hyndman,
Mary Gallagher, Sarah McGarrigle, John Breslin, Michael
Devine,
Charlie Breslin, David Devine.
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:-
£178.00, £100.00, £84.00,
£70.00.
Total donated to date:- £6117.00.
Thank you for your continuing support.
THINKING OF TAKING THE PLEDGE
FOR LENT?
Non-Pioneers are invited to take the
short-term pledge for the duration of Lent. Conditions
for enrolment are:
To abstain from all intoxicating drink
To recite the prayer twice daily
To wear the pioneer emblem
Please contact your local Pioneer
Centre and they will be happy to enrol you in their
register for Lent (badge €4.00; card 50c). You
can also contact Maura Coyle tel; 02881658440 or Fr.
Boland for any information about the pioneer association.
MARRIAGE WORKSHOP
Marriage Encounter is a weekend away (Friday 8.00pm
- Sunday 5.00pm) for married couples of all ages with
a stable relationship. Couples explore, in complete
privacy, how to come to a deeper mutual understanding
of each other. The dates for the next Marriage Encounter
weekends are:-
28th - 30th March, Dromantine Conference Centre, Newry.
18th - 20th April, Emmaus Conference Centre, Swords.
Telephone 02890626503 for details.
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 Savings, Parish
Draw, Sunday and Special Collections etc.) must be
made payable to Church of the Immaculate Conception.
BRASSED OFF
As part of their 60th anniversary celebrations St.
Joseph's Brass Band are presenting the staged adaptation
of the acclaimed film in the Alley Theatre on Tuesday
4th and Wednesday 5th March at 8.00pm nightly. Tickets
are available from the theatre Box Office, telephone
02871384444 and are priced at £8.00 and £6.00
concessionary.
MOUNT MELLERAY GROTTO
A bus will leave from Barrack Street car park, Strabane
on Saturday 24th May at 1.00pm for an all night vigil
at the grotto. Breakfast at 7.00am in The Pilgrim's
Rest Hotel. Mass at 10.00am in the Abbey. Price £20.00.
Payments before Monday 10th March. Contact Jonathon
McGhee on 07881510043.
ST. PATRICK’S
HALL
Bingo and Lucky 4 Draw as usual this
Thursday.
All our patrons are very welcome.
BIG BINGO IN ST. PATRICK'S HALL
There will be BIG BINGO in St. Patrick's
Hall on Thursday 28th February. Proceeds in aid of
church restoration fund.
LUCKY 4 DRAW
There was 1 match 3 winners in last
week's Lucky 4 Draw
Rose O'Neill
The numbers drawn were:
8, 9, 16, 20
Next Week's Lucky 4 Jackpot is £1825.00
STRABANE SIGERSONS G.A.A.
The Club will have two acts in the Tír Eoghain
Scór Sinsear Final in Galbally this Sunday
24th February. A bus will leave the Sigersons Clubrooms
at 4.30pm. Fáilte Mór. Many thanks to
Strabane District Council who provided the recent
Cardiac Screening Service at Riversdale Leisure Centre.
Club Membership Fees for 2008 are now due for renewal
and can be paid to Aidan McGrath, Cha Stewart or left
at the Social Club. There will be a Ladies FUNdamentals
Coaching Course in Ballycolman Community Centre on
Saturday 1st March.
STRABANE & LIFFORD ANGLERS
A.G.M. will be held in St. Patrick's Hall on Thursday
28th February at 8.00pm.
ENCOURAGEMENT IS A
GIFT
People seldom think of encouragement as a gift because
is seems so ordinary. But it isn't. Encouragement
is actually quite rare (because it's seldom given)
and it is valuable (because it's so meaningful to
the recipient). In our humble opinion, encouragement
makes the perfect gift, and here's why:
It's free. Encouraging someone requires absolutely
no cash outlay. This doesn't mean there is no cost.
It may cost you time, creativity, and thoughtfulness.
But all of that is what makes encouragement so appreciated.
It requires something from you, not just something
from your wallet.
It requires no shopping. You don't have to make a
trip to the mall for this gift. Many times the gift
can be delivered from your home or office. Writing
note of support or making an encouraging phone call
may be all that's necessary.
It doesn't have to be gift wrapped. Attractive wrapping
adds to the appeal of a gift, but none is needed with
encouragement. It is beautiful all by itself.
It can be custom - designed. You don't have to worry
about sizes. But you must still give some thought
to making your gift of encouragement a perfect fit.
You have to think about some details - what are the
best words of comfort, motivation, or support, the
person needs to hear.
It will last a lifetime. Think about it. What other
gift could you give to a child that will have value
years later? Encouragement can do just that. A little
word can make a big difference, and the results can
be life changing.
Oh, there's one more thing about encouragement.
No one ever gets too much of it. So don't be stingy.
Give it often.
PRAYER CORNER
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!
