Sunday 28th October 2007

30th Sunday in Ordinary Time

ALL SAINTS

On All Saints day we remember the men and women who down through time have witness to the faith. They often worked in difficult circumstances but through perseverance and trust they won through. We remember them on All Saints day, not just those canonised by the Church but the many humble men and women in our own locations who, by their example and witness, were heroic witnesses to their faith. The spirit that encouraged them is available to us in our day. It is our challenge in our time no matter what the difficulties and setbacks to give similar witness. In doing so we hand on the faith to a new generation. It is the greatest gift we can give to them.


ALL SOULS
(The Meaning Of Intercession for the Dead)

The Just encounter God in death. He calls them to Himself so as to share eternal life with them. No one, however, can be received into God's friendship and intimacy without having been purified of the consequences of personal sin. The Church gives the name Purgatory to this final purification. The custom of prayer for the souls of the faithful departed is an urgent supplication of God to have mercy on the souls of the dead, to purify them by the fire of His charity, and to bring them to His kingdom of light and life.
This intercession is an expression of faith in the communion of saints. Indeed the Church in its pilgrim members, from the very earliest days of the Christian religion, has honoured with great respect the memory of the dead; and because it is a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead that they may be loosed from their sins, she offers her prayers for them. These consist primarily, in the celebration of the holy sacrifice of the Eucharist and in other spiritual exercises such as prayers for the dead, alms deeds, works of mercy and the application of indulgences to the souls of the faithful departed. Popular devotions to the dead take on many forms depending on place and tradition:
1. Visits to the cemetery. This can be done privately or with a parish group, e.g., Cemetery Sunday. We go to the graves of our dearly departed ones to pray and to decorate the graves with flowers and maybe a small lamp.
2. Novenas for the dead.
3. Prayers for the dead. We can offer up the Rosary or any other form of prayer for the souls of those who have died. We can keep a memorial card with a picture to remind us of our spiritual link with them. They are part of the Communion of Saints.
4. Intercession for the dead through alms deeds, works of mercy, fasting and especially prayers such as 'Eternal rest grant unto them'.

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COLLECTION
We acknowledge last Sunday’s collection of £1550.00 and also the Mission Sunday collection of £1160.00. Many thanks.

ANNIVERSARIES
Madeline Whaley, Betty Porter, Kathleen Devlin, Packie Dunne, Katie McLaughlin,
George Madden, Kevin McDermott, George McGinley, Mary Bridget Moore,
Kevin Falconer, Tommy Tobin (Jnr), John McNamee, Jim McDermott,
Fanny McDermott, Frankie Hendron, William Patterson, Mary Duffy,
Rita O'Neill, George Doherty (Snr), Lily Francey, Hugo Quinn, Pat Kane,
Annie Kane, Catherine O'Goan

DEATHS
We offer our deepest sympathy to the family and friends of
Michael Quinn, Bearney Road,
Kathleen Coups, Church View,
Brendan McGee, Carlton Drive,
John McGlynn, Carlton Drive,
Sadie Maguire, Newtownstewart
Claire McQuillan, Maghera who died during the week. May they rest in peace.

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 the following priests:
Fr. Austin Duffy, Retired, 28th Oct.
Fr. Jack Farrell, Retired, 29th Oct.
Fr. Seamus Farrelly PP, Carndonagh, 30th Oct.
Fr. John Farren PP, Iskaheen, 31st Oct.
Fr. Neil Farren PP, Ardmore, 1st Nov.
Fr. Paul Farren, Diocesan Catechetical Centre 2nd Nov.
Fr. Christopher Ferguson CC, Waterside, 3rd Nov.

PRAYER GROUP
The contemplative prayer group will meet on Monday night 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.

PARISH DRAW
The winners of the Parish Draw for the month of October are:
£50.00 Julie McLaughlin
£50.00 Bernie Houston
£50.00 Teresa Logue
£100.00 Gregory Melaugh
£100.00 Dympna McNamee
£100.00 Gay Rouse
£100.00 Joe Reid
£100.00 Pat McColgan
£200.00 Paddy Kelly
£1000.00 Diane Christy

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.

ANNUAL MASS FOR THE DEAD
Fr. Boland will celebrate the annual Mass for the dead in the church on Friday 16th November at 7.30pm.

ALL SAINTS AND ALL SOULS
Thursday 1st November is All Saints Day and is a Holy Day of Obligation. Mass will be at 10.00am and 6.30pm. There is also a vigil Mass on Wednesday 31st October at 6.30pm. Friday 2nd November is All Souls Day. Mass will be at 10.00am and 6.30pm.

CONFIRMATION AND FIRST HOLY COMMUNION 2008
Confirmation for the parish of Camus will take place on Thursday 8th May 2008 at 6.00pm and First Holy Communion will take place on Saturday 31st May 2008 at 11.00am.

FORTY HOURS ADORATION
The forty hours adoration will begin next weekend on Saturday 3rd November after 10.00am Mass and continue through until Sunday 4th November ending with a Healihg Service at 6.00pm.

MISSIONARIES OF THE SACRED HEART
Uses mobile phones can be recycled by Missionaries of the Sacred Heart to support their care programme for AIDS orphans in South Africa. Phones without the charger can be posted to: Mobile Phone Recycling, MSC Mission Support Centre, P.O. Box 23, Western Road, Cork.

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE
Mary Ellen McFadden, Legfordrum, Strabane would like to thank everyone who gave her cards, gifts, donations and good wishes on the occasion of her 100th birthday. A cheque for £1375.00 has been donated to the Diabetes Society and Guide Dogs for the Blind. Many many thanks to everyone.

MARRIAGE ENRICHMENT WORKSHOP
A Marriage Enrichment Workshop presented by Marriage Encounter will take place in the Dromantine Conference Centre outside Newry from 2nd - 4th November and in the Lake Hotel, Killarney from 9th - 11th November. The weekend is open to all married couples and payment is by anonymous donation. For information and booking please phone Liam and Angela Sheppard, 02890626503. Early booking is recommended.

PILGRIMAGES 2008
Trip 1: Shrines of France 24th April - 2nd May '08.
8 nights. Visit Paris, Liseux, Nevers, Rocamadour, Lourdes. Spiritual Director Fr. Noel McDermott CC.
Trip 2: Pilgrimage to Lourdes 30th July - 6th August '08. 7 nights, to celebrate 150th anniversary of the apparitions. Spiritual Director
Fr. Peter O'Kane CC. For further information contact Gerard McBrearty, telephone, 02871884029.

CALLING MEN ONLY!!!!
Do you want to pass your driving test?
Do you want to improve your maths?
If the answer to is yes then contact the Strabane Unemployed Centre, 71383927. These free lessons are for men only and will run on Wednesday afternoon. Spaces are limited.

VINCENT'S ANNUAL TOY SALE
Vincent's annual toy sale will be held at Barrack Street shop on Thursday 1st November at 10.00am and at Vincent's warehouse, Railway Road on 5th & 6th November at 10.00am.

ST PATRICK’S HALL

Bingo and Lucky 4 Draw as usual this Thursday - all our patrons are very welcome

THE WIZARD OF OZ
St. Patrick's Hall Theatre Committee Presents..........
"The Wizard of Oz"
From Friday 2nd November - Sunday 11th November. Commencing 7.30pm nightly.
Admission £7.00 per adult, £5.00 per child.
Booking available at St. Patrick's Hall, Tel., 02871882483 from:
Monday 22nd October - Friday 26th October 1.00pm - 4.00pm.
Monday 29th October - Thursday 1st November 1.00pm - 4.00pm.
Book early and avoid disappointment.

N.I. BLOOD TRANSFUSION SERVICE
A team from the N.I. Blood Transfusion Service will be in St. Patrick's Hall on Monday 12th 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.

BRIDGE CLASSES
Bridge classes will be held in St. Patrick's Hall every Wednesday at 1.30pm. Everyone welcome.

PARISH WEBSITE
Visit our website at www.strabaneparish.com

PRAYER CORNER


REFLECTION

The Sufi Bayazid says this about himself:
'I was a revolutionary when I was young and all my prayer to God was, "Lord, give me the energy to change the world."

As I approached middle age and realised that half my life was gone without my changing a single soul, I changed my prayer to: "Lord, give me the grace to change all those who come in contact with me. Just my family and friends, and I shall be content."

Now that I am an old man and my days are numbered, my prayer now is: "Lord, give me the grace to change myself." If I had prayed for this right from the start I should not have wasted my life.


SMALL BEGINNINGS

How did Christ begin his great work, the salvation of the world?
He began simply, quietly. No fanfare. No fireworks. No public launching.
He began by calling a few people - two in fact.
It was as simple as that.
He began with personal contact and that is how his work developed.
It was passed on from person to person by word of mouth.

We shouldn't be surprised at this.
Things which begin with a splash often peter out.
Whereas those which begin quietly put down deep roots, grow steadily, and survive to produce fruits that last.

So, if there is something which we want to do,
let us not hesitate and think too much.
Let us make a start, however small.
Let us take one step. Let us plant one seed.
Let us trust that if our cause is good,
God will support us, and it will grow and prosper.

PRAYER FOR INNER HEALING

Lord Jesus, you know me perfectly. You know my good qualities and my bad ones. You know my past; you see it clearly. You know my future, you see it happening. You love me just as I am, without any conditions, without any qualifications.

You do not condemn me. You do not judge me. You do forgive me. You have given your life for me on the cross as though I were the only person beside you who ever walked on earth, and you would do it again if you had to. You call me by name, and you love me.

Jesus, free me from my pride, my complacency, my search for the glory of this world and for attention and prestige and appreciation. Teach me humility.

Heal me of any spiritual blindness, Lord, that I may see your face with the eyes of faith, with the eyes of my heart. Teach me to know you through love, especially for the powerful and personal love that you have in your heart for me.
Thank you for your love for me. Amen.

Calm me, O Lord, as you stilled the storm,
Still me, O Lord, keep me from harm.
Let all the tumult within me cease,
Enfold me, Lord, in your peace.