THE NEED FOR FOOD
Our lives are a journey from the weakness of the
newborn child we once were to the weakness of the
old person we will become. Our lives are a journey
of growth from ignorance to wisdom, from selfishness
to self-giving, from fear to trust, from guilt feelings
to inner liberation, from lack of self-esteem to self-acceptance.
We human beings do not possess life. We receive life
in our fragile bodies. And this life grows, develops
and deepens as long as we are nourished. Without food,
we wither and die. What is true of our physical life
is also true of our life in the Spirit. We need to
be nourished. We need physical nourishment, intellectual
nourishment and nourishment for the heart.
Since early childhood we have learned to create defence
mechanisms, walls around our hearts in order to protect
our vulnerability and avoid being hurt. One of our
greatest fears is the fear of failure: of being lonely,
rejected, pushed down, and made to feel we are no
good. These walls protect us from the feeling of being
no good, and it is from behind these walls that we
try to prove our worth. We have to be the best. We
want power. We want to be admired, seen as clever
and brilliant. We want to win in some field.
An inmate in a U.S. prison once told a friend of mine,
who was the prison chaplain, that he was the best
car stealer in his city and was proud of it. He was
the best in his field!
Others want to be the best singer, doctor, scientist,
Olympic runner. The best!
Caught up in the world of competition, we tend to
see people in the same field as rivals, and not as
people with whom we can co-operate and grow together.
Competition can certainly help us to develop our potential
but it can also become a source of great conflict.
Jesus came to lead us from this rivalry and competition,
so that we become more human, more compassionate,
more open to others. He came to liberate us from our
personal or collective selfishness, from the fears
and prejudices that enclose us in ourselves. He came
to lead us on the road of love. We cannot move out
from self-centredness to self-giving unless we receive
a new force from God.
This new life or growth in the Spirit needs to be
nourished. Jesus came to give us a special food so
that we may attain fullness of life.
Jean Vanier.
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.
COLLECTION
We acknowledge last Sunday’s collection of £1806.00.
Many thanks.
FEAST OF ST. BRIGID
Friday 1st February is the feast of St. Brigid. Crosses
will be blessed at morning Mass.
CANDLEMAS DAY
Saturday 2nd February is Candlemas Day. Candles will
be blessed at morning Mass.
FEAST OF ST. BLAISE
Sunday 3rd February is the feast of St. Blaise. There
will be blessing of throats after Mass.
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
Teresa Doherty, Calhame,
Bing Shields, Lisnafin Park,
Tommy McGlynn, Sion Mills and
Mary Maguire, Summerhill Court who
died during the week. May they rest in
peace.
ANNIVERSARIES
Michael McDaid, Seamus McCosker, James McGinley, Richie
Porter,
Anthony Hannigan, Charlie Stewart, Michael McDaid,
Chrissie Melaugh,
Patsy McAnenny, Dickie Dixon, Mary Canavan, William
Canavan,
Hugo Melaugh, Sadie Blair, Bridget Breslin, Lawrence
Walters, Rosie Wray.
DERRY DIOCESAN SOCIETY
All members of the Derry Diocesan Society will be
remembered at the 10.00am Mass on Sunday 3rd February.
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. Peter Devlin CC, Clonmany, 27th January
Fr. Fintan Diggan PP, Clonmany, 28th January
Fr. Brendan Doherty PP, Kilrea, 29th January
Fr. George Doherty CC, Buncrana, 30th January
Fr. James Doherty, Deceased, 31st January
Fr. John Doherty PP, Leckpatrick, 1st February
Fr. Joseph Doherty, Retired, 2nd February
PARISH DRAW
The winners of the Draw for the month of January are:
£50.00 Rosaleen Duggan
£50.00 John Melaugh
£50.00 Rosaleen McAteer
£100.00 Fr. Boland
£100.00 Kathleen McDermott
£100.00 Margaret Harte
£100.00 Sr. Ursula
£100.00 Agnes Duffy
£200.00 Jason Kelly
£1000.00 Mickey Doherty
We are looking for more people to take part in our
Parish Draw. The prizes are excellent and it only
costs £5 a month. The Draw is an important part
of helping to reduce our parish debt. Thankfully it
is all going in the right direction and our Parish
Draw is very important in this regard. We are looking
for more promoters and more members for 2008. You
can ring Amanda our parish administrator to find out
the names of promoters in your area.
JOIN THE STRABANE PARISH DRAW AND HELP REDUCE
THE OVERALL PARISH DEBT. EVERY NEW SUBSCRIBER IS VERY
IMPORTANT.
DONATIONS TOWARDS STORM GLAZING
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;
£100.00, £50.00, £40.00, £10.00.
Thank you for your continuing support.
LOURDES PRAYER BOOK
A Lourdes Prayer Book has been especially published
to mark the 150th anniversary of the apparitions in
Lourdes which will be celebrated throughout the year
2008, with special emphasis from 11th February, the
Feast day of Our Lady of Lourdes, onwards. The Prayer
Book brings together many of the best loved prayers
to Our Lady as well as prayers more directly connected
with Lourdes and Saint Bernadette. The prayer books
are on sale at a price of £2.50 and can be purchased
after Mass at the back of the church.
LENTEN PRAYER BOOK
The Lenten prayer book Walk with Me which has been
very popular over the past few years will be available
shortly. Price £1.00 each.
LENTEN THURSDAYS
Beginning Thursday 7th February, Thornhill Centre
is hosting a series of 'Reflection Mornings' for the
Thursdays of Lent. Each morning begins at 10.00am,
concludes with a light lunch at 1.00pm and includes
a talk, quiet reflection and ritual. A donation of
£5.00 per morning is suggested. Please ring
71351233 to book.
TIME TO PRAY DAY
On the first Sunday of each month Thornhill Centre
is open from 3.00pm - 6.00pm for those who wish to
come and pray in the beauty and quiet of the house.
Evening prayer of the Church is celebrated at 5.30pm.
This month prayers are offered for the sick. Everyone
is welcome.
VOCATIONS INFORMATION DAY
There will be a Vocations Information Day on Saturday
9th February from 11.00am - 4.00pm in the Thornhill
Retreat Centre, Derry. For further information please
contact any of your local priests, RE teachers or
Fr. Paul Farren, tel: 0287171264087 email ddcc@derrydiocese.org
or Fr. Colm O'Doherty, tel: 02881661475 email collydoc2000@hotmail.com
HOLY CROSS COLLEGE OPEN DAY
Holy Cross College Open Day for P.7 pupils and their
parents will take place this Sunday 27th January at
11.00am and 1.00pm in Holy Cross College West (St.
Colmans site). Parking facilities are available in
the College grounds.
LUMEN CHRISTI COLLEGE OPEN DAY
P.7 pupils and their parents are warmly invited to
attend the Open Day in Lumen Christi College, Bishop
Street, Derry on Sunday 3rd February. The Principal,
Mr P. O'Doherty will give his address at 3.00pm and
at 4.00pm in the College Assembly Hall. Visitors will
then be shown around the College facilities by current
pupils. Tea and light refreshments will be served
in the College canteen.
ST. COLUMB'S COLLEGE OPEN NIGHT
St. Columb's College Open Night will take
place on Tuesday 29th January from 7.00pm - 9.30pm.
President's address at 7.00pm and 8.15pm.
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.
BLACK DYKE BAND IN CONCERT
St. Joseph's Brass Band are hosting the world famous
Black Dyke Band in concert in St. Patrick's Hall on
Saturday 2nd February. The doors open at 7.15pm and
the Band will take the stage at 7.45pm. Admission
is by ticket only and tickets, priced at £15.00
each, are available from Band Secretary, Paddy McGranaghan
at 02871 382883 or 07512727373.
STRABANE SIGERSONS G.A.A.
The Club will be hosting a semi-final of Tyrone Scór
Sinsear in St. Patrick's Hall, Barrack Street on Friday
8th February and are appealing for the local public
to come along and enjoy a great night of cultural
entertainment. Training for many of the Club teams
(male & female) is now underway, for full details
on the various times and venues for training check
the local press or visit the club website at www.strabanegaa.org
Club Membership fees for 2008 are now due for renewal.
ST. PATRICK’S
HALL
Bingo and Lucky 4 Draw as usual this
Thursday.
All our patrons are very welcome.
N.I. BLOOD TRANSFUSION SERVICE
A team from the N.I. Blood Transfusion Service will
be in St. Patrick's Hall on Monday 28th January 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.
STRABANE PARISH
PANTO
St. Patrick's Hall presents
Hanzel & Gretal
for 6 nights only.
Tues. 29th, Wed. 30th January,
Fri. 1st, Sun. 3rd, Mon. 4th & Tues. 5th February
8.00pm Nightly.
Booking Daily 2.00pm - 5.00pm
Tel: 02871882483 or 02871382452.
Admission £8.00 - £5.00
Concessions.
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!
