MODEL OF FORGIVENESS
To wash is to cleanse.
Jesus washes his disciples' feet as a sign of cleansing
their hearts, as a sign of forgiveness.
It is never easy to exercise authority.
Those who routinely do exercise it -
parents, teachers, ministers, priests -
can either be too controlling
or too frightened of intervening,
frightened of conflict and other people's freedom.
Leaders can easily make mistakes.
When one is in a leadership position
it is not easy to be wise, compassionate and yet firm.
The Holy Spirit teaches us to be servant-leaders in
truth.
Some people always seem to be in opposition to authority;
not everyone can be happy with all decisions.
That is why leaders are frequently criticised
and attacked verbally.
They are called to be models of forgiveness.
But how difficult is it to accept those who criticise
or reject us!
We easily build walls to protect ourselves from those
who oppose us.
We feel insecure and frightened of conflict.
We do not always want to wash their feet
as Jesus washed the feet of Judas.
Through the washing of the feet,
Jesus reveals a new way of exercising authority,
not from above but from below.
As the Good Shepherd, Jesus exercises
his authority standing upright:
he calls each one by their name
and leads them in the right direction, correcting
them when necessary.
Here, Jesus kneels at their feet,
wanting to help them to rise up.
He is their servant.
Later he will exercise authority by
lying down,
on the cross,
offering his life for those he loves,
giving life through the offering of his very being.
Jesus, by washing the disciples' feet,
is saying something about the distinction so common
in humanity and throughout the history of humanity
between master and slave,
between those in power and the powerless,
between superiors and inferiors.
Jesus came to make things new.
For Jesus, each person is precious,
each one is loved by God,
each is called to become the "home" of God;
each has a gift to bring to others,
each one should be respected.
PRAYER GROUP
The contemplative prayer group will meet on Monday
evening at 8.15pm in the Parochial House. Newcomers
very welcome.
DEATHS
We offer our deepest sympathy
to the family and friends of:
Sean O'Donnell, Sion
Mills
Mae McElwee, Bridge
Street
Foncey Devine, Glenmornan
Martin McDonagh,
Ballycolman Estate
Kathleen Dolan, Aghyaran
May they rest in peace.
ANNIVERSARIES
James King, Charles Elliott Snr,
Moya Coyle, Lily Duffy,
Gregory Kearney, Sean McNamee.
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. John P Forbes PP, Gortin, 28 June
Fr. Edward Gallagher CC, Limavady, 29 June
Fr. John Gallagher, Florida, 30 June
Fr. John Gilmore, Aghyaran, 1 July
Fr. Joseph Gormley CC, The Three Patrons, 2 July
Fr. Eamon Graham PP, Banagher, 3 July
Fr. Patrick Grant, Deceased, 4 July
PADRE PIO MASS
The Padre Pio Mass will take place
in the Church on Wednesday 1 July at 7.00pm. Rosary
at 6.45pm
SICK AND HOUSEBOUND TO BE ATTENDED
Fr. Boland will visit the sick and housebound in
the following areas on Wednesday 1 July starting at
10.00am: 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 2 July after 10.00am
Mass: Bearney Road, Camus Road, Conthem Road, Upper
Townsend Street, Townsend Terrace, Marian Park, Fountain
Street and Innisfree Gardens.
CARMELITE RETREAT CENTRE
Carmelite Pilgrimage to Knock, Sunday 19 July 2009.
Coach leaves Termonbacca at 7.45am with pick up point
at Melmount Centre at 8.15am. Returning to Derry at
approx 11.00pm. Return coach, snack on the way down
and evening meal, £35.00 stg or €40 Euro.
For further information, telephone Termonbacca, at
Derry 71262512 during office hours only.
A Mass for the sick with Eucharistic Blessing
will take place in the Carmelite Retreat Centre,
Termonbacca, Derry, on Tuesday 30 June at 8.00pm.
All are welcome to attend.
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.
YOUTH 2000 SUMMER FESTIVAL
Youth 2000 Summer Festival, Clonmacnois, Co. Offaly,
Thursday 13 - Sunday 16 August 2009. For young people
aged 16 - 35, an opportunity not to be missed to experience
the Catholic faith and meet many new friends. Bishop
Frank Caggiano, Vicar of Evangelisation in the Diocese
of Brooklyn will be the main speaker. Donation only.
Free buses available from around N. Ireland. For more
information contact 07929095820 or www.youth2000.ie
STRABANE COMMUNITY UNEMPLOYED
RESOURCE CENTRE
It is hoped to start a First Aid class
in the near future.
If you are interested in taking part please contact
the centre by either calling at 13a Newtown Street,
Strabane or telephone us on 02871383927.
STRABANE & LECKPATRICK
SENIOR CITIZENS ANNUAL OUTING
This year's St. Vincent de Paul senior citizens annual
outing will be held on Wednesday 8 July going to Bundoran
to spend a relaxing afternoon. Buses leaving St. Patrick's
Hall at 12.15pm sharp returning to Strabane for a
four course evening meal at 7.00pm in the Fir Trees
Hotel. Any senior citizen interested in going should
leave their name, address and telephone number at
Vincent's Shop by 1 July at the latest or telephone
02871384488. Tickets will be issued from 4 July onwards
for those who have given their names.
STRABANE YOUTH ASSOCIATION
Strabane Youth Association is running
a summer programme for junior members aged between
6 and 11 years at Melvin Hall from Monday 6 July until
Friday 17 July. The programme includes football, snooker,
game consoles, computer use, talent shows, quizzes
etc. The cost is 50p per night. There will also be
trips to the swimming pool, go-karting etc. but places
are limited so book early. Tuck shop also available.
Times are as follows:
Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday 7.30pm - 9.30pm
Friday 7.00pm - 9.00pm.
N.I. BLOOD TRANSFUSION SERVICE
A team from the N.I. Blood Transfusion
Service will be in St. Patrick's Hall on Wednesday
1 July 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.
ST.
PATRICK’S HALL
Bingo and Lucky 4 Draw as
usual this Thursday.
All our patrons are very welcome.
Bingo Snowball £2500.00
Next Week's Lucky 4 Jackpot is £1375.00
PRAYER CORNER
PSALM FOR PRAYING
May the spirit of the Lord rest upon
us,
may the call of God sustain us,
as we seek to be God's people,
transformed by the Gospel,
announcing good news to the poor,
proclaiming freedom for those in prisons
of wealth, poverty, disease and disorder,
committed to making a difference
to the world's kingdoms
for the sake of Christ's Kingdom.
May we deploy our resources as the
Spirit guides,
not shirk difficult decisions about the priority of
mission,
pledge ourselves anew to work with all our fellow
Christians
and use the gifts of all God's people
so that all may be filled
with the Spirit of healing, justice and peace.
Amen.
A PRAYER OF INTERCESSION
Flow over your creation this day,
O God
offering to the world the living water of your life
so that the seeds of compassion may break forth,
in the greening of new possibilities for good
and the blossoming of justice.
Warm our cold hearts with the flame
of your Spirit
so that we may feel again the passion of caring for
others,
leaping up in the sharp colour of action for trade
justice,
moving outwards in the fires of determination
that all the world may know a different day.
Take our hands, Jesus Christ,
leading us in courage to confront with courage
the forces which oppress and divide,
which exploit and tear from the people the fruits
of their harvests.
Take our hearts, Jesus Christ,
and open them to the truth which will set others free
to live.
Amen.
