ADVENT: THE
SEASON TO STAY AWAKE
The season of Advent is ushered in by the words of
Jesus: ''Be constantly on the watch! Stay awake! You
know not when the appointed time will come'' (Mk.13:33).
Perhaps the following story, believed to have been
handed down from the Prophet Mohammed himself, will
help us to reflect on this theme that initiates Advent.
Once a good man lived a life in which he cultivated
all the qualities necessary to reach Paradise. He
gave alms to the poor; he cared for the homeless.
He had great patience with the unexpected hardships
of life. He made pilgrimages to holy shrines. He prayed
five times a day and kept busy doing good. He had,
however, one fault - he tended to be heedless.
The man thought this to be a small failing since
he did so many good things. Yet, on occasion he would
be so involved in good works as to miss the needs
of the poor person who lived next door. And often
he was so eager to complete his morning prayers that
he failed to heed the beauty of the sun rising. As
his many charitable deeds and numerous prayers left
their impression on his soul, so did his fault of
being heedless.
When the man died, he awoke to find himself walking
toward the great walled garden of Paradise. Up ahead
were the tall gates of Paradise, and so he began to
examine his conscience to see if he was worthy to
enter. After a brief examination, he saw no reason
why he should not be admitted to heaven.
But when he arrived, he found that the tall gates
were shut tightly. Then a voice addressed him: ''Be
watchful, for the gates will open only once every
hundred years.'' So the good man settled down to wait,
excited at the prospect. But deprived of opportunities
to do good to others and to practice his virtues,
he found that his capacity for attention was short.
After watching for what seemed to him like an eternity,
his head nodded in sleep. For an instant - only an
instant - his eyelids closed. And in that brief moment
the gates of Paradise opened wide. But before his
eyes were again fully open, the gates closed with
a clang loud enough to wake the dead.
The moral of the story is that even good works, prayer
and desire are not sufficient. We need to cultivate
a vigilance, a way of life that makes us constantly
awake to the Mystery. For Jesus and Mohammed said,
we know not the appointed time.
COLLECTION
We acknowledge last Sunday’s collection of £1350.00.
Retired Priests Collection amounted to £860.00.
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:
Kathleen Kirk, Melmount
Manor
Sean Brady, Church Street. May
they rest in peace.
ANNIVERSARIES
Catherine Hannigan, Starry O'Connor,
Odette Masterson, Edward Curran,
Patrick Mullen, James McHugh,
Leo McHugh, Josephine Dixon,
Kathleen King, Sheila Toorish,
Nan Sharkey, Charles McCunnie, Annie Duddy.
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. Eamon McDevitt PP, Dunamanagh,
30 Nov
Fr. John McDevitt CC, Omagh, 1 Dec
Fr. Michael McEldowney PP, Claudy, 2 Dec
Fr. Kevin McElhennon CC, Cappagh, 3 Dec
Fr. Brendan McGinn, Deceased, 4 Dec
Fr. Dermot McGirr CC, The Three Patrons, 5 Dec
Fr. James McGlinchey, Retired, 6 Dec
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.
EUCHARISTIC HEALING SERVICE
There will be Eucharistic Healing Service in the Church
every Sunday in Advent at 6.00pm. Everyone welcome.
NEW LOOK BULLETIN!
As you probably have noticed we
have changed the front cover of our bulletin and we
are convinced that you will like it. The new photograph
of the church takes in the church grounds and the
overall picture of the church is fuller and reflects
more adequately the beauty and colour of the building
more so than before. Two panels taken from the stained
glass window above the main altar are highlighted
in the upper part of the cover to produce an overall
balanced and modern effect. A border has been included
to further highlight the cover. We are very grateful
to Gerry Cassidy and Jim Devlin for taking the pictures,
to Jeanette Wilson and the Art Department at Holy
Cross College for formatting the cover and to David
at Strabane Print Services for further embellishment.
PARISH DRAW
The Draw for the month of December will take place
on Thursday 11 December at 2.30pm in the parish office.
Promoters are asked to bring their returns to the
parish office as soon as possible.
DONATIONS TOWARDS SECURITY
AT PAROCHIAL HOUSE
We gratefully acknowledge the £200.00 donation
towards our new security measures. Thank you for your
continuing support.
PARISH SAVINGS SCHEME
Last Thursday we saw the completion
of a very successful year for the Parish Savings Scheme.
Once again a huge sum of money was collected over
the year and our deepest thanks goes to a magnificent
team who oversee the scheme, Eamon, Eunan, Kevin and
Amanda our Parish Administrator. We have a loyal and
committed group of collectors who come hail, rain
or shine every Monday afternoon and evening with their
returns and we are very indebted to all our savers
who make the scheme possible in the first place. This
scheme offsets any interest that accrues from our
overdraft and that makes the scheme so important as
well as providing our people with their savings at
a very important time of the year.
WELL DONE EVERYONE!
SACRED HEART MESSENGER
Next year's subscription for the
Sacred Heart Messenger magazine is now due. All Sacred
Heart Messenger promoters should make their returns
to the parish office as soon as possible.
PRAYER DAY FOR PROMOTERS
We are holding Day of Prayer for
all promoters, families and friends of the Sacred
Heart Messenger on 7 December at Carmelite Retreat
Centre, Termonbacca, Derry. The day starts at 11.00am
and ends with Mass at 5.30pm. Cost is £14.00/€18.50
payable to St. Joseph's for three course lunch, tea/coffee
all day. Contact Elizabeth Foley (00353) 087 2309219.
PADRE PIO MASS
The Padre Pio Mass will take place in the church on
Wednesday 3 December at 7.00pm. Rosary 6.45pm.
ADVENT BOOKS
Advent books are now on sale after all Masses. Books
are £1.00 each and 50p for the childrens book.
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.
PURSE FOUND
A purse which was found in the centre of the town
a few weeks ago has been handed in at the parochial
house. Owner may contact parochial house or parish
office.
KNOCK MARRIAGE INTRODUCTIONS
BUREAU
The aim of the Bureau is to introduce people considering
marriage to a suitable marriage partner. For further
information contact the Bureau at Knock, Co. Mayo,
telephone (00353) 094 9375960 or visit the website
at www.knockmarriagebureau.com
HURT ( Have Your Tomorrows)
HURT have secured funding from the 'The Big Lottery
Reaching Communities Programme' to expand on current
service provision and are launching an outreach facility
on Strabane on Monday 1 December at 2.30pm - 3.30pm
in Strabane and District Caring Services, 32-36 Bridge
Street. Light refreshments will follow.
ST. ANNE'S PRIMARY SCHOOL
Application forms for children starting P.1 in September
2009 are now available in St. Anne's Primary School.
Closing date for applications is 21 January 2009.
CONVENT OF MERCY PAST PUPILS
GET-TOGETHER
When? Saturday 27 December 2008 at 7.00pm
Where? Strabane Golf Club, Ballycolman Road
Who? Anyone who attended Strabane Convent Grammar
School in the 1960's
Contact: Maura Shannon (nee Egan)
mauratpshannon@yahoo.co.uk
Pat Delp (nee Logue)
patricia.delp@worldonline.de
Madeline Peace (nee McLaughlin)
m.a.peace@btinternet.com
If you plan to come please forward
£12.50 to one of us by Friday 19 December to
cover the cost of a hot meal, dessert and a drink.
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 winners in last week's Draw
Charles Friel
Maura Conway
The numbers drawn were:
4, 16, 17, 22
Next Week's Lucky 4 Jackpot is £725.00
PARISH BAZAAR
Many thanks to those who supported the Bazaar at the
weekend. As usual it was a great success notwithstanding
a credit squeeze and the fact that the savings had
not been released. To Brian, Raymond and Amanda our
Parish Administrator, the Hall staff, those who sold
tickets in any capacity or helped in any way we extend
our sincere thanks. The Bazaar is a major fund-raiser
at this time of the year and we look forward to its
ongoing success in the years ahead.
ST. PATRICK'S HALL THEATRE
GROUP
This year's production 'West Side Story' will commence
this Sunday 30 November and will continue until Sunday
7 December (excluding Thursday 4 December). The show
starts at 8.00pm sharp. Admission £8.00 Adult
£5.00 Children/Concessionary.
Booking available in St. Patrick's Hall, tel; 02871882483
from 10.00am - 12.00noon and 2.00pm - 5.00pm. Book
early and avoid disappointment!
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
NOLLAIG SHONA!
FELIZ NAVIDAD!
St. Anne's Primary School proudly presents their Christmas
Concert in St. Patrick's Hall on Monday 15 December
and Tuesday 16 December at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £3.00
for adults and £2.00 for children and will be
available from the school.
CONCERT OF SPIRITUAL SONG
There will be a concert of spiritual song featuring
Louise Irvine in St. Patrick's Hall on Sunday 14 December
commencing at 8.00pm. Louise was first heard singing
in St. Mary's Church, Melmount at the special Mass
to welcome the statue of Our Lady of Fatima.
PRAYER CORNER
FOR SOLITUDE
May you recognise in your life the
presence,
Power and light of your soul.
May you realise that you are never alone,
That your soul in its brightness and belonging
Connects you intimately with the rhythm of the universe.
May you have respect for your individuality and difference.
May you realise that the shape of your soul is unique,
That you have a special destiny here,
That behind the facade of your life
There is something beautiful and eternal happening.
May you learn to see yourself
With the same delight,
Pride and expectation
With which God sees you
in every moment.
A BLESSING OF ANGELS
May the Angels in their beauty bless
you.
May they turn towards you streams of blessing.
May the Angel of Awakening stir your heart
To come alive to the eternal within you,
To all the invitations that quietly surround you.
May the Angel of Healing turn your wounds
Into sources of refreshment.
May the Angel of the Imagination enable you
To stand on the true thresholds;
At ease with your ambivalence
And drawn in new directions
Through the glow of your contradictions.
May the Angel of Compassion open your eyes
To the unseen suffering around you.
May the Angel of Wildness disturb the places
Where your life is domesticated and safe,
Take you to the territories of true otherness
Where all that is awkward in you
Can fall into its own rhythm.
