THE RISK OF FAITH
Early on we understand that faith is a risk; much
later we learn the price of this risk.
All God's patience is devoted to difficult pupils
like ourselves, because He wants us to take on this
risk!
But it is not only a case of being difficult pupils.
It is the rub of getting down seriously to marching
along one of the most rugged paths in existence.
I do not believe there is a more difficult task in
the world than living on faith, hope, and love! We
have to make a leap into the darkness or, more precisely,
into the Invisible.
It is not easy. I have been used to it for a long
time, and yet I tremble when a new leap is proposed
by the presence of God in my conscience.
It is like pain, or, rather death. You never become
accustomed to it.
You find yourself in front of a dark well and you
hear the order, 'Close your eyes and jump in'. That
isn't easy for anyone.
Perhaps hope can help you. 'I, the Lord, am your
God who brought you out of the land of Egypt' (Deut.
5:6). . . . I am with you. . . . I am with you. .
. . Perhaps memory can come to your aid, the experience
of countless other leaps in your life in which you
have come to no harm. On the contrary, you have had
the immense joy of that moment of experiencing God's
presence. But the knowledge that you must begin again
fills you with fear.
It is useless to hide it. Faith is a trial, a tremendous
trial, like death itself, and no one can get us out
of it, not even God Himself.
I think I can truthfully say that God has no greater
interest in our behalf than to see us plunged in this
act of faith. He is like a lover watching anxiously
from the window for the arrival of His beloved.
He is like a father who enjoys watching His son run
searching through the crowds towards Him.
For we must not forget that faith is not separate
from love. At the bottom it is the proof of love;
I should call it the first proof.
'But without faith it is impossible to please Him'(Heb.11:6).
The first proof of love is to believe in the One
loved.
Having faith means believing that He fills all space,
that no leap can cast me out from His arms. Having
faith means believing that He knows everything, that
before I arrive He runs through the infinitely complicated
plan of my existence all the way to its conclusion,
like an ever new problem solved by his infinite love:
my final entry into His Kingdom.
Carlo Carretto.
COLLECTION
We acknowledge last Sunday’s
collection of £2016.00. Many thanks.
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:
Rosaleen Caulfield, Melmount Villas.
John McGurk, Birmingham.
May they rest in peace.
ANNIVERSARIES
Charlie Elliott
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. John Cargan PP, Steelstown, 28th
Sept.
Fr. Neal Carlin, Columba Community, 29th Sept.
Fr. Walter Carolan, Retired, 30th Sept.
Fr. Colum Clerkin PP, Ballinascreen, 1st Oct.
Fr. Roland Colhoun ADM, Long Tower, 2nd Oct.
Fr. Michael Collins PP, Limavady, 3rd Oct.
Fr.Oliver Crilly PP, Greenlough, 4th Oct.
BLESSED SACRAMENT CHAPEL
Our Blessed Sacrament Chapel is open
every day from 10.00am until the Church closes. It
is located at the back of the Church - when you come
in the main door, turn left, then left again. This
is a sacred space where you can come and pray, ask
for your special intentions and rest a while in the
midst of a busy world.
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.
PADRE PIO MASS
The Padre Pio Mass will take place
in the Church on Wednesday1st October at 7.00pm. Rosary
at 6.45pm.
SCHOOL MASS
Fr. Boland will celebrate Mass for the new school
year for all our Primary School pupils on Thursday
2nd October at 10.00am. Everyone welcome.
SICK AND HOUSEBOUND TO BE ATTENDED
Fr. Boland will visit the sick and housebound
in the following areas on Thursday 2nd October starting
st 11.30am: Courtrai Park, Barrack Street, Lower Townsend
Terrace, Mount Carmel Heights, Springhill Park, Mill
Street, Newtownkennedy Street, Lower Main Street,
Glenview Park, Church View, Tristan Road.
Fr. Boland will visit the sick and housebound
in the following areas on Monday 6th October after
10.00am Mass: Bearney Road, Camus Road, Conthem Road,
Upper Townsend Street, Townsend Terrace, Marian Park,
Fountain Street and Innisfree Gardens.
THORNHILL CENTRE
John Michael Talbot - An evening of Music and Reflection
led by the world's foremost Christian recording artist.
Live in the Playhouse, St. Columb's Theatre, Orchard
Street, Derry on Sunday 12th October at 8.30pm. Tickets
£10.00. Available from Veritas Bookshop, Butcher
Street, Derry (02871266888) or Thornhill Centre, Culmore
Road, Derry (02871351233). Admission by ticket only.
HARVEST THANKSGIVING SERVICES
Harvest Thanksgiving Services will be held in Strabane
Methodist Church this Sunday 28th September at 11.30am
and 8.00pm. Guest Speaker is Rev. David Mullan (Former
Minister in Strabane). Special Harvest Music. Supper
after the Evening Service. Everyone is warmly invited
to attend.
VACANCY FOR PARISH ORGANIST
Due to heavy working commitments Ronan is unable
to continue playing the organ and leading the senior
choir. It is with deep regret that we have to let
him go but we are very aware of the hugh workload
he is carrying. The news is not all bad though, because
he will play on Sundays alternating at the 10.00am
and 12.00 noon Masses. We thank him sincerely for
his work done and his continuous commitment to the
parish.
This now means that we are looking for someone to
play the organ at the 6.30pm Mass and to lead the
choir. Those interested please contact Fr. Boland
at the parochial house or Amanda at the parish office.
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.
DONATIONS TOWARDS SECURITY
AT PAROCHIAL HOUSE
Because of the recent break-in we have been advised
by the police to upgrade our security immediately
- cameras, lights and the present alarm system at
the parochial house. It is regrettable that this has
to be done but we have been left with no other option.
We gratefully acknowledge the
following donations towards our new security measures:-
£60.00, £30.00 , €150.00.
Thank you for your continuing
support.
CHALLENGING ARTHRITIS COURSE
Venue: Fir Trees Hotel, Strabane
Commencing: Tuesday 30th September
Dates: 30th September - 4th November
Time: 7.00pm - 9.30pm
For people with arthritis who want
to learn self-management skills and techniques to
better manage their arthritis.
Learn techniques on every aspect
of life with arthritis - including pain management,
relaxation, diet and relationships with your doctor.
Helps improve your communication skills,
encourages people to exercise and improves support
and understanding from being with other people with
arthritis.
One session a week for 6 weeks led
by fully trained people with arthritis.
Thanks to funding this course is free
to all participants over 18 years. To book contact
training team on 02890782940 Arthritis Care Northern
Ireland.
ST. PATRICK’S HALL
Bingo and Lucky 4 Draw as usual this
Thursday.
All our patrons are very welcome.
LUCKY 4 DRAW
Next Week's Lucky 4 Jackpot is £2500.00
BIG BINGO
There will be Big Bingo in St. Patrick's
Hall this Sunday 28th September at 3.30pm. Prizes
amounting to £3500.00. All proceeds in aid of
Foyle Hospice.
PRAYER CORNER
A MORNING PRAYER
Mysterious and Loving God,
open my mind and my heart this day
that I might lose myself in wonder and awe
at the glory and grandeur of your creation.
May I grow each day in awareness
of my unique place in your loving universe.
All caring God,
allow your energy and compassion to flow through me
towards all who are in pain,
all who are alone and frightened,
all who feel lost and confused,
and above all towards those who endure cruelty and
injustice.
Mysterious and Divine Healer,
in everything I think and do this day,
make me a finger of your healing hand.
Make me sensitive to the wounds and brokenness
of all my brothers and sisters,
the good, the bad and the indifferent.
May they heal me as we all stretch out our hands to
one another.
For we are all one in you and your
Holy Spirit, through your Son, Jesus Christ.
Amen.
GENTLE GOD
Gentle God,
who, in Jesus Christ,
showed us humility and compassion,
we thank You for your gracious love.
Forgive our sin of pride and apathy,
empower us to struggle for justice.
For the sake of the most oppressed
and totally broken in body and spirit.
Compassionate Jesus,
teach us to be true disciples
in our times
in all our places today.
Enable us to change attitudes and structures
that enslave.
Give us eyes to see and hearts to be.
Divine Wisdom, Holy Spirit,
in your grace, transform the world
in us, through us.
Cleanse our hearts and renew our spirits.
With serving hands and liberating actions,
we humbly pray for courage and inspiration
to do your will beginning today.
In Jesus' name, we hope and pray,
Amen.
