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.
OLD UNHEALED
WOUNDS
Wounds heal and wounds fester. Most
verbal wounds heal in time and linger only as painless
memory scars. Yet past word-of-mouth wounds that never
heal completely imprison us. Rather than painless
scars, they can leave scabs that continue to ulcerate
and blister. While the actual injury may have happened
many years ago, the inflammation can cause us continual
distress or, if less serious, may only occasionally
flare up. The inventory of possible old wounds is
long, and those listed here are but a few:
Litany of Old Wounds
A betrayal by a good friend
A spouse's rejection by divorce
Not being loved enough by a parent
Childhood jealousy and envy
Early teenage ridicule
Institutional abuses
Rejection or correction by an authority figure
Being subjected to religious shame
A major life failure
Racial, ethnic, sexual or religious prejudice
A psychological illness
Personal sexual mistakes
Being a victim of physical or sexual abuse
Being falsely accused...
Old, unhealed wounds imprison. Unhealed
injuries to the soul are like bruises that can cause
pain when they are touched. Unhealed wound-memories
can awaken without warning. For example, people in
authority, simply by their presence, may rub up against
a scab of an old would caused by a parent or other
authority figure. Similarly, a wholesome sexual exchange,
or even an innocent gesture of affection may trigger
the memory of a past sexual exploitation or impropriety!
The Great Liberator was deeply wounded.
He was flogged, crowned with thorns and pierced in
his hands and feet at his crucifixion. Yet the incisions
that cut more deeply were his being betrayed and abandoned
by his companions and close friends - and, even more,
his experience of being abandoned by God. Ponder the
image of the risen Christ: After being raised up from
the tomb he goes at once to visit those who pierced
him by their unfaithfulness. The accounts of his post-Resurrection
appearances contain an intriguing fact: He still has
his wounds in his hands, feet and side! These nail
wounds, however, are not oozing blood, and they do
not cause pain. Now they are glorious. Jesus' wounds
are more than a means for his disciples to identify
him. They are victor's trophies and heirlooms of holiness.
The unpierced disciples have their
wounds too. They are wounded by their guilt and shame
and are fearful of being confronted with their betrayal.
Instead, Jesus greets them with the healing gifts
of peace and forgiveness. Dying on the cross, their
Saviour - friend had cried out, "Forgive them
Father - not just the Temple priests, the Roman soldiers,
Pontius Pilot and the mob of people crying out for
his crucifixion - forgive my disloyal disciples too.
For none of them know what they are doing; they have
temporarily lost their minds." Now with his wounds
made glorious, Jesus gives his disciples the fruit
of that forgiveness.
DEATHS
We offer our deepest sympathy
to the family and friends of:
Hughie Blee, Columban
Terrace
Brendan Devine, Moorlough
Road
May they rest in peace.
ANNIVERSARIES
Katie McLaughlin, Hugo Quinn
Madeline Whaley, Betty Porter
Mary Bridget Moore, Thomas Tobin Jnr
Joseph Devine, George McGinley
Edward Devine, George Madden, George Doherty Snr .
PRAYER GROUP
The contemplative prayer group will
meet on Monday at 8.15pm in the Parochial House. Everyone
welcome.
ANNUAL MASS FOR THE DEAD
Fr. Boland will celebrate the annual
Mass for all our families and friends who have died
in the past year on Friday 13 November at 7.30pm.
FEAST DAY OF ALL SAINTS
Sunday 1 November is the Feast Day
of All Saints and is a Holy Day of Obligation. Mass
will be at 10.00am and 12.00noon.
CHURCH ROOF
We gratefully acknowledge the following
donation towards the repair of the church roof.
£100.00 - Many thanks.
SICK AND HOUSEBOUND TO BE
ATTENDED
Fr. Boland will visit the sick and
housebound in the following areas on Monday 26 October
after 10.00am Mass: Courtrai Park, Barrack Street,
Lower Townsend Terrace, Mount Carmel Heights, Springhill
Park, Mill Street, Newtownkennedy Street, Lower Main
Street, Glenview Park, Church View, Patrick Street
and Tristan Road.
Fr. Boland will visit the sick and
housebound in the following areas on Thursday 29 October
after 10.00am Mass: Bearney Road, Camus Road, Conthem
Road, Upper Townsend Street, Townsend Terrace, Marian
Park, Fountain Street and Innisfree Gardens.
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. T Philip Donnelly, Retired, 25
October
Fr. John Downey CC, Ballinascreen, 26 October
Fr. Kevin Duddy, 27 October
Fr. Austin Duffy, Retired, 28 October
Fr. Jack Farrell, Retired, 29 October
Fr. Seamus Farrelly, Deceased, 30 October
Fr. John Farren PP, Iskaheen, 31 October
PARISH DRAW
The winners of the Draw for the
month of October are
£1000.00 Jim & Mary Logue
490
Promoter Fr. Boland
£300.00 Jim McLaughlin 510
Promoter Fr. Boland
£200.00 Christine Duffy 446
Promoter Colette McKane
£100.00 Annie Monaghan 850
Promoter E. McNulty & M. Cooke
£100.00 Terence Canning 920
Promoter Eileen Canning
£100.00 Paddy McHugh 117
Promoter Maura Coyle
£100.00 Ann Conway 740
Promoter Pat McColgan
£100.00 Ann McHugh 928
Promoter Eileen Canning
IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR PARENTS OF P.4 AND P.7
CHILDREN
There will be a meeting for parents of P.4 and P.7
children from St. Anne's, Evish, and Barrack Street
Boys' Primary Schools on Monday 2 November at 7.30pm
in St. Anne's P.S. At that meeting Fr. Paul Farren
and his team from the Derry Diocesan Catechetical
Centre will give a talk on the three Sacraments. Because
of the importance of this event we encourage a full
turn out from our parents.
CARMELITE RETREAT CENTRE
Sr. Josephine Walsh Weekend Retreat with emphasis
on forgiving, healing and making a new start, will
take place at The Carmelite Retreat Centre, Termonbacca
from Friday 30 October to Sunday 1 November. For further
details telephone 02871262512.
STRABANE HISTORY SOCIETY
Strabane History Society will meet on Thursday 29
October in the Library at 8.00pm. Ken McCormack of
Radio Foyle fame will give an illustrated talk on
the Foyle and the Mourne, with stories from past and
present. Starting time is 8.00pm and new members are
welcome.
CALLING ALL SENIOR CITIZENS
Strabane Community Project based,
in St. Patrick's Hall, provides a daily Luncheon Club
with activities Monday - Friday. Come along and enjoy
the craic, the food and the friendship. You can also
have your meal delivered to you home in our new microwaveable
containers. Most suitable for housebound. To find
out about our services you can ring 02871883102, email
strabanecommunityproject@btopenworld.com or call in
to St. Patrick's Hall. Strabane Community Project
is the only Eat Safe Award Luncheon Club in Northern
Ireland, an Award we are proud of!
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 was 1 match 3 winner in last week's Draw
Columba Burns
The numbers drawn were:
9, 10, 14, 18
Next Week's Lucky 4 Jackpot is £1800.00
ST. PATRICK'S LUNCHEON CLUB
St. Patrick's Luncheon Club are having
a Social/Dance on Monday 26 October in St. Patrick's
Hall. Music is by Reflections. Doors open at 9.00pm.
Admission £5.00 (includes a light supper). Everyone
welcome.
FASHION SHOW
'A Carousel of Fashion' featuring
Electric Candy Boutique, Blanca Bridal, RK's Menswear
Clothing Company, CnR Designer Kidswear, La Moda,
Bon Marche and New Look. Also an Explosion of Hair
Styled by bc2. The event will be held on Tuesday 3
November in St. Patrick's Hall, Strabane and will
start at 8.00pm. Admission is £8.00 and includes
a wine and cheese reception. Tickets are available
from all the shops featured in the Fashion Show or
from St. Patrick's Hall, Strabane. Any enquiries contact
0287883102 or 02871382452.
N.I. BLOOD TRANSFUSION SERVICE
A team from the N.I. Blood Transfusion
Service will be in St. Patrick's Hall on Wednesday
4 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.
***************
PRAYER CORNER
REFLECTION
"My life is like shattered glass,"
said the visitor. "My soul is tainted with evil.
Is there any hope for me?"
"Yes," said the Master.
"There is something whereby each broken thing
is bound again and every stain made clean."
"What?"
"Forgiveness."
"Whom do I forgive?''
''Everyone: Life, God, your neighbour
- especially yourself."
''How is that done?"
"By understanding that no one
is to blame,'' said the Master. "NO ONE."
