DOES SUFFERING BRING OUT THE
BEST OR THE WORST IN YOU?
In a disaster, as some people heroically rush to
the scene to assist those who are in need, others
use the chaotic situation to loot stores and homes.
These kinds of opposite human responses are the source
of the common expression, "Disaster brings out
the best and the worst in people." And what is
true for large calamities seems true for minor, personal
ones. When confronted with sickness, or some physical
or emotional suffering, some remain cheerful as they
silently tackle their afflictions. Others react to
their suffering by being irritable, grouchy, surly
and impatient. We can now rephrase the saying about
the two responses to a disaster, "Sickness brings
out the best and the worst in people!"
Ageless wisdom tested by time shouldn't be contested,
yet is that old adage really true that tribulations
bring out the best or the worst in you? The answer
it seems is that they only bring out what is really
in you! If you are striving to live as happily as
you can, regardless of what fate drops at your door,
you can greet it with confident optimism because you
believe that whatever it is can be resolved in a beneficial
way. An outburst of violent anger at some minor misfortune
is but the bubbling up to the surface of a hidden
spring of inner joyfulness. Living a cheerful life,
then, is but the result of abiding as consciously
as is possible within the hidden inner presence of
the divine mystery. So the next time you are visited
by some unexpected fortune, let your response be for
you an indicator signal of your care for your abiding
divine guest, or your neglect of that guest. If you
respond in anger or in despair, let it be an alarm
to awaken you to your negligent hospitality to your
guest.
I first came across the image of "the Guest"
for the divine presence in the writings of the fifteenth-century
Hindu spiritual master Kabir. In his love poems/psalms
he was fond of referring to the divine presence as,
"The Guest." In one of them he says, "Hope
to find the Guest while you are alive, leap into that
experience. . . that you call 'salvation' belongs
only to those who are living." In that same one,
Kabir concludes with wisdom about being overly attentive
to the methods of meditation and spiritual practices:
"When you are earnestly searching for the Guest,
it is passionate love and intensity of your longing
for the Guest that actually accomplishes the work."
In another he says, "The Guest is inside you,
and also within me; just as a sprout is hidden inside
a seed. . . the arrogance of reason has severed us
from that love. . . let your arrogance go, and look
inside. I love the Guest that is inside of me."
Edward Hays, "Chasing
Joy".
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
£1716.00. Many thanks.
DEATHS
We offer our deepest sympathy to the family and friends
of:
Mary Ann Devine, Dunamanagh.
Nora Boyle, Melmount Road.
Noel McGonigle, Lower Main Street.
Hugo Stewart, Glasgow, formerly of
Mill Street. May they rest in peace.
ANNIVERSARIES
Jim Hoynes, Philip Caldwell, Lena Molloy, Hugo Molloy,
Rose Conway, Danny Molloy (Snr), Michael Molloy, Monica
Molloy,
Elizabeth Mortimer, Declan McGinnis, James Brennan,
Kathleen Brennan,
Grace Brennan, Patsy Dunnion, Ellen Duncan, Patrick
Duncan,
Hugh McGettigan, Gerald Doran, Josephine McDermott,
Ellen McGinley,
James Murray, Frank Murray, Andrew Lyttle, Lily Nelson,
Molly Hannigan, May Duffy.
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. Patrick O'Kane PP, Moville, 27th April.
Fr. Peter O'Kane CC, Waterside, 28th April.
Fr. Seamus O'Kane, 29th April.
Fr. Arthur O'Reilly CC, Banagher, 30th April.
Fr. Kieran Page CC, Ballymagroarty, 1st May.
Fr. Desmond Polke CC, Doneyloop, 2nd May.
Fr. Michael Porter CC, Fahan, 3rd May.
WORLD YOUTH DAY EXPERIENCE IN LOURDES JULY
2008
As an alternative to World Youth Day in Sydney, Australia,
Lourdes has been nominated the European Centre for
WYD and the diocese will be taking a youth group to
experience these days of celebration. The trip will
be from 16th - 21st July for 20-35 year olds and will
travel as part of the larger Diocesan Pilgrimage.
The cost is £449.00. There will be a set program
for this group for the 5 days including live screen
link-up to Sydney, International Youth Masses, concerts,
drama and much more. If you are interested in going
or finding our more please contact the Pilgrimage
Office on 71260293.
DONATIONS TOWARDS - STORM
GLAZING AND PA SYSTEM
We very gratefully acknowledge the
recent donations the storm glazing of the stained
glass windows in the church and the PA system:-
£270.00, £40.00.
Total amount donated £13, 116.00.
BLESSING OF GRAVES
The Annual Ceremony of the Blessing of the Graves
will take place in this parish on Sunday 15th June
at 3.00pm.
CALLING ALL SINGERS AND MUSICIANS
AGED 15-18!
The Derry Diocesan Youth Choir is in the formation
stages and anyone interested is welcome to attend
rehearsals in your local area. The commitment to the
choir won't be demanding as it will work towards a
few one off events during the year. The first event
will be a Youth Mass on Pentecost Sunday, 11th May.
If you are interested in the choir please contact
the youth co-ordinator at ddcc@derrydiocese.org or
ring 0287171264087. This will be a fun experience
and an opportunity to meet other young people interested
in music.
YOUTH MASS
There will be a Diocesan Youth Mass on Pentecost
Sunday, 11th May in St. Columb's Church, Chapel Road,
Waterside, Derry at 6.00pm. Bishop Hegarty will be
the main celebrant and all young people are invited
to attend. The new Diocesan Youth Choir will provide
the music for the Liturgy at this Mass. All young
people studying this year for their exams are also
most welcome. Refreshments will be served afterwards
in the adjacent Parish Centre. Everyone welcome.
PARISH DRAW
The winners of the Draw for
the month of April are:
£50.00 Mary Conway
£50.00 Mary Casey
£50.00 Marion McGrinder
£100.00 Mary Conway
£100.00 Gay Rouse
£100.00 Tessie & Eugene McDaid
£100.00 Jimmy Morris
£100.00 Stephen Maguire
£200.00 Teresa Kelly
£1000.00 Marion McGrinder
The winners of the Extra
Draw are:
£100.00 Patricia McElroy
£100.00 Joan Gallen
£100.00 Eamon McCrossan
£200.00 Jimmy Sturrock
£500.00 Frances McShane
St. Joseph's Brass Band will be
hosting a Gala Concert on our Church on Sunday 4th
May 2008. This will be a showcase of the various aspects
of the band's work and the concert will close the
Band's 60th Anniversary celebrations. Also playing
at the concert will be members of Confraternity Brass,
Wexford, City of Waterford Brass, Strabane Concert
Brass and from Yorkshire, the Grange Moor Colliery
Brass Band. There will also be violin and vocal soloists.
All proceeds and donations from the concert will be
donated to the Church Restoration Fund.
GIFT AID
Gift Aid is a very simple method of helping the parish
financially. If you are using a parish envelope and
pay tax, for every £1 you pay to the Church,
if you are in the scheme, the Church recoups 28p.
There are no hidden snags and it doesn't interfere
whatsoever with any other financial arrangements you
may have. Forms are available at the back of the Church
this week.
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.
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
LEGION OF MARY
Legion of Mary meets each Thursday morning after
Mass at 10.30am in the Church Conference Room. Work
consists of Rosary promotion in the parish, also visitation
of residential nursing homes in town and Lifford hospital.
New members welcome. Contact Margaret Harte 02871883159.
STRABANE AND DISTRICT - SPECIAL
OLYMPICS CLUB
We are approaching and relying upon all local support
for our Club. All our athletes are from our community
and surrounding local areas and have a learning disability.
Our Club provides an important social life and support
network for athletes, volunteers and family members
alike. It is run by volunteers and is dependant on
funding raised. On Sunday 11th May we are hosting
a Golf Classic at Strabane Golf Club.
Teams: Ladies/Men /Junior
Team Fee: £40 (members) £60 (non members).
If you would like to make a donation or require further
information please contact Margaret Dunne on 07716298438.
STRABANE SIGERSONS G.A.A.
Comhghairdeas to the Club's Minor Ladies who have
qualified for the Tyrone Grade 4 Minor Championship
Final. They will play Edendork in the decider on Monday
19th May at a venue yet to be decided upon. The Club's
Senior and Reserve teams play Derrytresk this Sunday
in the O'Neill's Sportswear Tyrone Division 3 League.
All support welcome.
ST. PATRICK’S HALL
Bingo and Lucky 4 Draw as usual this
Thursday.
All our patrons are very welcome.
LUCKY 4 DRAW
There were 2 match 3 winner in last
week's Lucky 4 Draw
Mary O'Kane, Mill Street.
Nellie McShane, Bowling Green.
The numbers drawn were:
3, 7, 10, 16.
Next Week's Lucky 4 Jackpot is £2000.00
CHARITY DANCE
North West Tyrone Pioneer Association will hold a
Charity Dance for The Oncology Unit, Altnagelvin &
White Oaks Rehabilitation Centre, Derry, in St. Patrick's
Hall on Friday 9th May 2008, commencing at 9.00pm.
Music by Country Legends.
Ticket £6.00. Supper served before Dance.
BARRETT SCHOOL OF IRISH DANCING
Classes each Tuesday and Friday at 4.00pm in St.
Patrick's Hall. Age - from 3 years upwards. New pupils
welcome.
*************************
PRAYER CORNER
LOVE POEM TO GOD
God speaks to each of us as he makes
us,
then walks with us silently out of the night.
These are the words we dimly hear:
You, sent out beyond your recall,
go to the limits of your longing.
Embody me.
Flare up like flame
and make big shadows I can move in.
Let everything happen to you: beauty
and terror.
Just keep going. No feeling is final.
Don't let yourself lose me.
Nearby is the country they call life.
You will know it by its seriousness.
Give me your hand.
