Sunday 30th September 2007

26th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Reflection - IF I WERE YOU

One of the healing ministries of great value that is open to every Christian is that of compassionate listening. In everyone's life there exist difficulties and also decisions that must be made. The need to share our heart's burdens with someone we trust is essential to good emotional, physical and even spiritual health. And what a holy, prayerful and healing action it is to listen to another person's concerns.

But if there is one enemy that prevents this exchange from being healing, it surely must be our human compulsion to give advice. For when advice is given without it being requested, it is "a-vice." Hidden, beneath the expression, "If I were you..." is a form of domination, a hidden sense of superiority. Indeed, if our opinion is requested, it may be of real service to give it. But usually when someone drops by for a cup of coffee and starts talking, he or she is not seeking advice but rather a listening and non-judgmental heart.

Set a guard over that desire to tell others how to get their marriages, children or business back in order and simply sit back and listen - and perhaps put yourself in a prayerful inner attitude. As people hear themselves expressing what's inside them, they may be surprised. For it is often simply in the "talking out" of an issue that they discover and clarify their own feelings or, as is sometimes happily the case, the escape route from their problem.

A frequently heard complaint from parents is that their teenage children do not share their problems with them. The reasons could be many for such a reluctance on the part of young people, but parents can ask themselves if they listen to the burdens of their children - if they truly listen. Or do they feel that the role of parents is to give advice or even to unilaterally dictate behaviour? It is not surprising that most young people seek elsewhere for a listener.

We all need good listeners to help us hear ourselves and to assist us in finding relief from the inner burdens we carry - especially if that person is a praying listener. But the next time a friend stops by "just for a cup of coffee," remember a word of wisdom from the Orient, "People who give advice when it is not requested, need advice."

***

COLLECTION
We acknowledge last Sunday’s collection of £1594.00. Many thanks.

ANNIVERSARIES
Eva Mullen, Charlie Elliott, Mick Madden, Mary McAteer, Charles McAteer,
Charlie Elliott (Jnr), Mary McDonagh

DEATHS
We offer our deepest sympathy to the family and friends of:
Jean Gallagher, Dunamanagh
Kathleen Holmes, Clady who died during the week. May they rest in peace.

MARRIAGES
We congratulate the following couples who were married in our parish recently:
Karen Brogan and Declan Fitzsimmons
Mary Tinney and Michael Murdoch

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. Walter Carolan CC, Banagher, 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
Fr. Patrick Crilly PP, Desertmartin, 5th Oct
Fr. Brendan Crowley CC, Malin, 6th Oct

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 September Draw are:
£50.00 Christopher Conaghan
£50.00 Helena Gallagher
£50.00 Martina Wray
£100.00 John Conway
£100.00 Ann O'Donnell
£100.00 Liam & Mary Kennedy
£100.00 Bridget Harper
£100.00 Mary McDevitt
£200.00 Kathleen Mullen
£1000.00 Carol McCrea

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 Wednesday 3rd October at 7.00pm. Rosary at 6.45pm.

NEW RELIGIOUS ORDER IN DERRY
The Sisters of St. John have established a new convent in our diocese and will be formally welcomed by Bishop Hegarty on Monday 1st October at 10.00am Mass in St. Eugene's Cathedral. There will be a cup of tea after Mass. All are welcome to attend. The Sisters have a temporary convent at 10 Belvoir Park, Derry (Tel. 02871353414 from 2.00pm - 4.30pm and from 7.30pm - 9.00pm). The Sisters are contemplative - their lives are dedicated to prayer, rather than pastoral ministry. Their intention is to build a new convent in the diocese.

IHCPT-YOUNG PEOPLE'S PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES EASTER 2008
Around five hundred young people from all over Ireland spend a week in Lourdes with the IHCPT (The Irish Pilgrimage Trust) every Easter. Experienced adult carers visit the young people prior to the pilgrimage and accompany them throughout the week in Lourdes. The Irish Pilgrimage Trust welcomes applications from young people of any religious denomination with:
A physical disability or illness (aged 9-18)
A learning disability (aged 11-21)
Very seriously ill children under the age of 9 (accompanied by a parent or close relative)
Young adults between the age of 20 and 25 with a disability or illness.

The IHCPT covers the cost of those young people selected to travel. If there is a young person that you feel would be eligible and would benefit form a trip to Lourdes please contact the IHCPT office at 0035391796622 for contact details of your local group or an application form. The closing date for applications is 31st October 2007.

SION MILLS AA GROUP
A public information meeting will be held in the Community Centre, Main Street, Sion Mills on Wednesday 17th October at 8.30pm. Speakers from AA, Al-Anon, Medical. Everyone welcome. Refreshments will be served after the meeting.

IONA CARMELITE RETREAT CENTRE
Mass and Blessing of Roses in honour of St. Therese of Lisieux will take place in the Carmelite Retreat Centre, Termonbacca, Derry on Monday 1st October at 8.00pm. Please bring a rose with you. All are welcome to attend.
The monthly devotions, in honour of Our Lady, will take place in the Carmelite Retreat Centre, Termonbacca, Derry on Tuesday 2nd October starting with confessions at 7.30pm followed by Rosary and Mass, finishing around 10.00pm. All are welcome to attend.

THORNHILL CENTRE
Poetry Evenings: Mary Murphy will help us gently explore the poetry of Emily Dickinson as prayer. Dickinson's poetry gives voice to life's deepest uncertainties while revealing a Divine presence which upholds our darkest moments. Dates: Wed 10th & 24th October and 7th & 21st November in the Thornhill Centre, Derry at 7.30pm. Cost £25.00 for the series. Please telephone 71351233 to reserve a place.

THANKS
Mary Ellen McFadden says thanks to everyone who made her 100th Birthday celebration a day to remember. Thank you all 100 times.

GROTTO MASS.
We would like to thank all those who turned out in such large numbers for the Grotto Mass last Sunday. It was a great event for the parish and thank God that the day was bright and sunny. During the special Mass the parish and indeed all the people of the town were consecrated to Mary, the new statue was unveiled with a special commemorative plaque to mark the occasion, and the grotto was blessed marking the renovations that had been made. A special thanks to the grotto committee especially John Duncan and Mary Christie. The grotto society would like to thank the following people:- The Stewart Family for the initial building and joinery work involved: Ciaran Houston of Replicast for the fascia stonework: Derek Page and Patton Paints for the paint work: Mark Mc Devitt and Paul for the grounds work: Kevin Devine of Devine Memorials for the plaque: St Joseph's Brass band: John McGinley for the statue donated by St Mary's Boys' Melmount: The people of the parish and beyond for their kind donations: John Sharkey for keeping the grotto in pristine condition: Sr Ursula for all her involvement (we look forward to her return to the convent in a few weeks): John McGillion and his son Shane for the excellent PA system.
Hopefully we will have a Mass celebrated on a yearly basis in that magnificent setting. Well done one and all.

RONAN DOHERTY
We are delighted to announce that Ronan will take over as senior organist in the parish and will lead the choir at all the major liturgical events. He is a very worthy successor to John McGranaghan. Ronan is no stranger to us as he has played at the 12 noon Mass here over the past number of years. He is a huge musical talent and brings a wealth of experience to the post. His production of "A Child of the Snow" was hailed as a masterpiece and he has many other productions to his name. We warmly welcome him to his new post and we know that the excellent musical tradition established over the years in our parish is in a very safe pair of hands. Please note that the first CHOIR PRACTICE will take place on Tuesday 9th October at 7.30pm and we ask all existing choir members to attend.

ST PATRICK’S HALL

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

WEST END PRODUCTIONS PRESENTS.....
ABBA the Show, featuring Europe's Top Musical Group, SMACKEE, in St. Patrick's Hall on Friday 19th October . Tickets £12.50.

PRAYER CORNER


PRAYER OF GUIDANCE

Spirit of Guidance, I see before me numerous choices and a decision to be made.

There is division in my heart. Sometimes I want none of what I find. Sometimes I want it all. Sometimes I want to give up making decisions and wish that the future would go away.

I entrust my decision-making into your hands, ready to do my part but also knowing that I cannot do this without your help.

Lead me through all the unsure, unclear, doubtful, hesitant, and questioning moments that are mine as I search to find the right way in which to go.

Grant me the grace to choose freely, without being attached to the outcome. I trust that you will be with me as I make my decision prayerfully and with faith.

Assure me that your peace will rest deep within me as I make the decision that seems best for me at this time. I may continue to experience feelings of turmoil and confusion, but deep within I know that I can return to that settled place in me where you always dwell.

Guide and Director of my life, I place my life in your hands. Lead me to the path that will best deepen and strengthen my relationship with you.

BEWARE!

Following are the names of the Seven Mischievous Misses who are responsible for most of our troubles:
Miss Information,
Miss Quotation,
Miss Representation,
Miss Interpretation,
Miss Construction,
Miss Conception,
Miss Understanding.
Beware!

LORD, MAY YOUR SPIRIT BURN WITHIN ME

Lord, you burn like a flame within us,
Flame of energy and inspiration,
Living flame of love.

Yet like a flame you can be quenched by our pride,
Smothered by our selfish ways, by our sins.

There are times we prefer other things,
When we prefer to live without
The glow of your love within,
The flame of your goodness shining on us,
The light of your presence,
Times when we prefer
The ways of darkness.

Yet how can we live without your love, Lord?
Help me to hold on to what is good.
Help me not to quench your Spirit.
May your Spirit burn within me.

SPIRIT OF LIGHT

Spirit of Light,
Come in the depths of my Winter,
Come illumine my soul,
Cast your warm glow
Over snow, when chill mist
Hangs in the air
and I am cold within,
When faith's worn thin
And my spirit's bare and weary.

Come, illumine my soul;
Shine upon my dreariness
Glow warm on my frozen spirit,
Revive me, Spirit of Light!

PRAYER FOR SOMEONE SPECIAL

May the Love of the Spirit
Enfold you;
May the Strength of the Spirit
Uphold you;
May the Peace of the Spirit
Refresh you;
May the Joy of the Spirit
Uplift you;
May the Light of the Spirit
Shine on you;
May the Mercy of the Spirit
Rekindle you;
May the Spirit renew your innermost being.


HOLY SPIRIT, RENEW US!

Come, Holy Spirit,
Renew us with your gifts!
Heal our brokenness
Wash our guilt away;
Pour down your wisdom,
Guide us when we stray.
Instill your peace within us,
Watch over us in need,
Move our hearts to goodness,
Inspire our every deed. Amen.

HOLY SPIRIT, TAKE AWAY MY FEAR

Lord, I am fearful of so many things,
I'm fearful of other people,
And the way they can hurt me,
And what they can say about me,
Fearful of crime and mugging,
Sickness, disease,
Fearful of life itself.
I'm afraid of myself too.
Afraid of my own reactions to things,
My own emotions, my future.
I feel so insecure at times.
And sometimes I'm fearful of you, Lord.
Because my sins weigh me down,
And I wonder about the consequences
Of my actions in life, their harm,
Their effects on others,
And on my relationship with you.
Lord please send your Spirit
To take my fears away
So I may rest peaceful and calm,
Like a soft Summer's morn.

ENCOUNTERING DEPRESSION

Giver of life,
I am in the wasteland of depression.
I cry out to you, Source of Solace,
as I meet this empty void within me.
Sustain me as I try to exist
in this day-to-day dying
of my energy and vitality.
Wrap your arms around me.
Carry me through this bleak journey.
Help me to stay open to your love.
I rely on you. I lean on you.
I trust you to hold me close
as I stumble on this joyless path.

EXPERIENCING LOSS
All-Embracing Love,
your circle of strength is around me.
I ask for grace to yield to the reality of this loss.
I pray to surrender to what cannot be changed.
I beg for deliverance from the emotional drain
and the unyielding sadness that this loss has brought me.
Let peace return.
Let hope begin.
Let comfort be mine.


PAIN IS A TREASURE

Pain is a treasure, for it contains mercies;
The kernel is soft when the rind is scraped off.
O brother, the place of darkness and cold
Is the fountain of Life and the cup of ecstasy.

So also is the endurance of pain and sickness and disease,
For from abasement proceeds exaltation.
The spring seasons are hidden in the autumns,
And the autumns are charged with springs.


PEACE

Peace demands a mentality and a spirit which, before turning to others, must first permeate him who wishes to bring peace. Peace is first and foremost personal, before it is social. And it is precisely this spirit of peace which is the duty of every true follower of Christ to cultivate.
(John Paul 11)

If we wish to have true peace, we must give it a soul. The soul of peace is love. It is love that gives life to peace, more than victory or defeat, more than self-interest or fear or weariness or need. The soul of peace is love, which for us believers comes from the love of God and exercises itself in love for men.
(John Paul 11)

Keep your heart in peace; let nothing in this world disturb it; all things have an end.

In all circumstances, however hard they may be, we should rejoice rather than be cast down, that we may not lose the greatest good, the peace and tranquility of our soul.

If the whole world and all that is in it were thrown into confusion, disquietude on that account would be vanity; because that disquietude would do more harm than good.

To endure all things with an equable and peaceful mind, not only brings with it many blessings to the soul, but also enables us, in the midst of our difficulties, to have a clear judgement about them, and to minister the fitting remedy for them.
(St John of the Cross)

A very powerful and efficacious medicament, and the means to purify ourselves from every imperfection, to overcome all temptations and to preserve in our heart imperturbable peace, is conformity to the will of God.
(St Vincent de Paul)

Order and the beauty of peace go together. The fair flower of peace does not grow among the weeds of an ill-regulated life. The radiance of a deeper serenity is the product of disciplining both in the heart and in outward affairs.
(G.H. Norling)

POETIC PRAYER
Take me to the lair of your loveliness
To the place that is no place
Where there is song without singing
And love without word.
Take me where I want to be.
Take me into your boundless Being
Where no thought limits.
Take me into my deepest heart
That opens into You.
There at the centre of all loveliness
Will I be lovely.
Of all the holiness will I be holy.
Of all the peace will I be peaceful.
There will I be your begotten.
There will I be we!

MEDITATION
Gift, all gift, your giving.
Let me open to receive:
Stretch me to infinity,
That I hold the all of You.
No time pass, so no thing change,
Eternal and infinite in your nothingness,
That in the stillness, all motion,
And in the silence, every sound.
Let no thought despoil.
For how can You be in thought?
Let no word ruin, word is my making.
Only silence, stillness - open to love.
Beloved, make a forced entry if You must
But gift me with your Presence.

GIVE YOURSELF THE RIGHT TO SUFFER
Being unhappy in today's society is not popular. In fact, judging by the ads on television, finding happiness should be our main goal.
We want to be happy no matter what the cost. This is why we put our elders in institutions and our sick in hospitals so we don't have to face our suffering. We ask funeral homes to make our deceased look good so we don't have to see the face of death.
We abhor suffering and fear. We are ashamed of our pain and our sadness.
Give yourself permission to mourn, to weep and to be depressed for a while, even if, as a child, your parents forbade you to cry or be sad. If you find it hard to let yourself cry, try watching a sad movie to release your tears and your pain. Share your feelings with people who are wise, people who can accept your situation because they have been through it and know what you are experiencing, people who know they can't make it better except by listening.
This state is temporary. With support and encouragement to express yourself, you will begin to feel better.

GIVE YOURSELF PERMISSION TO HEAL AT YOUR OWN PACE
You will find that very few people around you can tolerate your suffering. They want you to feel better, to forget, to accept, to distract yourself.
They will try to prevent you from hurting. Yet, you must understand that you have every right to go through this painful experience.
Consequently you should avoid hiding your feelings behind a composed front, a pretend smile, a false attitude.

Avoid mixing with people who have denied their own pain, or who display the physical and mental signs of repressed grief, such as stiffness, rigidity, depression, fatigue, psychosomatic pain or illness.
Regardless of the theories on the stages and the length of the grieving process, remember that your experience is unique. Performance and speed are not to be judged. You have the right to deal with your grief in your own way and at your own pace.

HEALING OF HURTFUL MEMORIES
Return to some unpleasant event of the recent past, no matter how trifling. Relive the experience.
Now place yourself before Christ Crucified. Do not speak . . . Only look and contemplate . . . If you must communicate, do so without words . . .
Keep communicating between the unpleasant event and the scene of Jesus on the Cross for a few minutes . . . Then end the exercise.

PRAYER
The purpose of all prayer is to uplift the words,
to return them to their source above.
The world was created
by the downward flow of letters:
The task of man is to form those letters into words
and take them back to God.
If you come to know this duel process,
your prayer may be joined
to the constant flow of Creation -
word to word, voice to voice,
breath to breath, thought to thought.

The words fly upward and come to Him.
As God turns to look at the ascending word,
life flows through all the worlds
and prayer receives its answer.
All this happens in an instant
and all this happens continually;
Time has no meaning in the sight of God.
The divine spring is ever-flowing;
one who is ready can make himself into a channel
to receive the waters from above.

LOVE POEM TO GOD

I love you, gentlest of Ways,
who ripened us as we wrestled with you.

You, the great homesickness we could never shake off,
you, the forest that always surrounded us,
you, the song we sang in every silence,
you dark net threading through us,
You began yourself so greatly
on that day when you began us -
and we have so ripened in your sunlight,
spreading far and firmly planted -
that now in all people, angels, madonnas,
you can decide: the work is done.

Let your hand rest on the rim of Heaven now
and mutely bear the darkness we bring over you.

HOLY SPIRIT, MAKE ME HOLY
Holy Spirit, reveal yourself to me
In the depths of my being,
In the working of my mind,
In the feelings in my heart.
Purge my inner self
That I may be filled
With the wonder of your love;
Sanctify my every thought,
That I may be enfolded
In the splendour of your goodness;
Purify my every feeling,
That I may be worthy to behold your glory.
Come, Holy Spirit, come!

HEAVY BURDENS
Jesus, Rest for the Weary,
the heaviness of my burden overwhelms me.
the immensity of this situation
presses down upon me.
The weight of the pain I carry
crushes my hopeful vision of life.
I long for an easing of my distress.
Let me hear again
your promising words of comfort.
Speak them to my heart:
"Come to me all of you who are weary,
and carrying heavy burdens,
and I will give you rest"(Matt.11:28).
I lean my burdened life
of the bosom of your love
and wait to be consoled.

GOD'S EMBRACE
Guardian of the Wounded,
wrap me in your embrace.
Hold me close to your heart
and assure me of your love.
Protect my sore spirit.
Ease the pain that it holds.
You are always ready
to embrace me,
no matter how hurt or desolate
my heart may be.
I will trust you with my pain.
I will rest in your solace.
I will take refuge in your love.

TEACH US TO LIVE
God of love - Forgive! Forgive!
Teach us how to truly live,
Ask us not our race or creed,
Just take us in our hour of need ,
And let us know You love us, too,
And that we are a part of You...
And someday may man realise
That all the earth, the seas and skies
Belong to God who made us all,
The rich , the poor, the great, the small.
And in the Father's Holy Sight
No man is yellow, black or white,
And peace on earth cannot be found
Until we meet on common ground
And every man becomes a brother
Who worships God and loves each other.

GOOD EXAMPLE
Parents cannot be content just to tell our children the right way to live; they must set the example themselves. It's no use parents warning teenagers about the dangers of drink if parents cannot control the use of drink themselves. It's no use expecting children to be responsible about food, money or clothes if parents are self-indulgent and spendthrift themselves. Instead of just telling children what the Christian way is, parents must live the Christian way with them.

Dear parents, you are the parents over your children. You are also Christians with them. Children will get their ideas about what it means to be a Christian much more from how they see their parents living than from what their parents tell them, or from what they are taught in school, or even what they hear in church.