WHAT IS PRAYER?

Prayer itself is baffling, uncertain, and impossible to fully explain. On the other hand, methods and styles of prayer are specific, practical, definable, understandable, and evident.

"Prayer" means many things to many people. The framework of prayer is either personal (alone) or communal (joining with others). The approach and communal prayer can be either "formal" (based on a structured form and wording, often designed or prepared by someone else) or "informal" (created to meet one's own individual style). I use the word "prayer" in this book to refer to personal prayer, both
formal and informal, unless otherwise indicated.

In Christian prayer, we "pray" anytime we deliberately choose to relate to God. Thus, prayer consists of a vast assortment of modes, including: using words to converse with God, using no words with the aim of listening quietly and savouring divine presence, ruminating over thoughts and ideas, trying not to have any thoughts and ideas, extending love and receiving love, imaging and visualising, searching for guidance by discerning choices and decisions. Within these modes, there are numerous human expressions in communicating with God: intercessory, praise, contrition, gratitude, grieving, searching, celebrating, struggling, etc.

Varied methods comprise the content of prayer: reciting the psalms alone or with others, pondering scripture passages or other sacred tests, using repetition such as a word or phrase in centring meditation, praying the rosary, carrying on a conversation with God, walking meditatively, enjoying the beauty and wonder of nature, using the written prayers of others, journalising one's own reflections and prayer, sitting in solitude and contemplation, joining others for Eucharistic liturgy or participating in other sacramental celebrations, reading spiritually orientated books that help one pause to ponder and draw inspiration for communion with God.

Praying does not always take place in a contained or predetermined place of reflection. We never know when there might be an interior turning toward the One who dwells within us and among us. Going for a walk or a run, stopping at night to bless sleeping children, driving past a homeless person, looking up to see a bright star in the heavens, receiving a note from a cherished friend, turning toward a spouse in pleasurable love, reading a story in the newspaper, hearing the pain in a colleague's anguish, waiting in a check-out line - at any time and any place we can be surprised and drawn into communion by the unanticipated sense of God's nearness.

Joyce Rupp.

PRAYER GROUP
The contemplative prayer group will meet on Monday at 8.15pm in the Parochial House. Newcomers very welcome.

DEATHS

We offer our deepest sympathy to the family and friends of:

John Kelly, Newtownkennedy Street.

Susan Kane, Lisnafin Park

Hugh Finlay, Glebe Sion Mills

May they rest in peace.

ANNIVERSARIES

William McGettigan, Nellie Wray,
Margaret McGettigan, James Sturrock,
Michael Brennan, Maxine McMenamin,
Margaret Kilbride, Michael Brennan,
Michael McDaid, Richard Porter,
Patrick McGillion, Rosie Wray,
Jack Browne, Patsy McAnenny,
Columba Gallagher, Mary Maguire,
Charles Love.

PRAY FOR PRIESTS

The diocese published a prayer card with the names of all the Derry diocesan priests.
This week we ask you to pray for:
Fr. James Doherty, Deceased, 31 January
Fr. John Doherty PP, Leckpatrick, 1 February
Fr. Joseph Doherty, Retired, 2 February
Fr. Michael Doherty PP, Melmount, 3 February
Fr. Patrick Doherty PP, Waterside, 4 February
Fr. Andrew Dolan PP, Bellaghy, 5 February
Fr. Brian Donnelly PP, Castlederg, 6 February

PADRE PIO MASS
The Padre Pio Mass will take place in the Church on Wednesday 3 February at 7.00pm. Rosary at 6.45pm.

HAITI COLLECTION
We wish to acknowledge the very generous collection with was taken up last weekend for the people of Haiti.

The parish collection amounted to £9811.00 and €1050.00
St. Patrick's Hall collected £700.00
St. Anne's Primary School collected £1032.00
Barrack Street Boys' Primary School collected £300.00
The North West Tyrone Regional Pioneers donated £500.00.
This amounted to a grand total of £12343.00 and €1050.00
We express a hugh THANK YOU to everyone for their generosity towards this appeal.

PARISH DRAW

The winners of the Draw for the month of January are:

£1000.00 Elaine & Eamon Cooke 370
Promoter E. McNulty & M. Cooke

£300.00 Nora McCrory 622
Promoter Fr. Boland

£200.00 Sarah Browne 879
Promoter Sheila McGonagle

£100.00 Kathleen Strawbridge 723
Promoter Veronica Dunne
£100.00 Mary Casey 544
Promoter Sr. Carmel
£100.00 Aoife Glenn 818
Promoter Mary Christy
£100.00 Catherine Doherty 402
Promoter Carmel McGarrigle
£100.00 Ann Logue 374
Promoter Mary & Danny O'Hagan

LOURDES 2010

The Irish Children’s Pilgrimage Trust is taking children/young people with special needs (both physical and learning disability) from the ages of 9-21 years from all over Ireland to Lourdes on Easter Sunday (4 -10 April 2010). The IHCPT is looking urgently for nurses to travel with groups this Easter. If you would be interested in travelling please contact Mary on 00353877962047 for further details. The cost of the fare is €640.00

ARDS FRIARY
Lenten Retreat (open to everyone) on Saturday 20- Sunday 21 February. Directed by Fr. Eddie Butler (priest of the Birmingham Diocese). The theme is "Prepare the way for Jesus our Lord." Make time to reflect, pray and prepare oneself for Easter. This retreat will help you focus upon the Christ at the centre of our lives. Commences at 9.30am and concludes after lunch. Cost €85.00 residential, €60.00 non residential. Contact Ards Friary Retreat Centre, Tel: 0749138909 or email info@ardsfriary.ie

THORNHILL CENTRE
Poetry Evenings - Mary Murphy will describe how Samuel Taylor Coleridge's poetry can help us reach within to describe the beauty of nature, the pain and joy of life and the dimensions of spiritual experience. Dates 10/24 February and 10/24 March.
Time: 7.30pm - 9.30pm. Venue: Thornhill Centre.
Cost: £5.00 per night. Please phone 71351233 to reserve a place.

CARMELITE RETREAT CENTRE
The monthly devotions in honour of Our Lady will take place in the Carmelite Retreat Centre, Termonbacca, Derry on Tuesday 2 February starting with confessions at 7.30pm followed by Rosary and Mass, finishing around 10.00pm. All are welcome to attend.

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.

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.

PAYMENTS BY CHEQUE
The Bank have reminded us that all payments made to the parish by cheque (for Parish Draw, Sunday and Special Collections, etc.) must be made payable to Church of the Immaculate Conception.

STRABANE COMMUNITY PROJECT
Strabane Community Project based in St. Patrick's Hall, provides a daily Luncheon Club with activities Monday - Friday. You can also have your meal delivered to you home in our new microwaveable containers. We provide Meals on Wheels to older people within a 10 mile radius of Strabane. We also provide cover for the Sion Mills area when their Luncheon Club is closed. Strabane Community Project is the only Eat Safe Award Luncheon Club in Northern Ireland, an Award we are proud of.

If you have any unwanted gifts, clothing or bric - a - brac we can sell them in our charity shop 'Rummage', Butcher Street, Strabane. All funds are reinvested into our range of services. To arrange a collection or to find out about our services call 02871883102.

STRABANE ST. PATRICK'S DAY PARADE
In partnership with Strabane Vintners Association the planning process for the 2010 annual Strabane St. Patrick’s Day Parade is now underway and an open invitation is extended to all interested groups, sporting bodies, businesses and individuals to attend the forthcoming meetings in Strabane Community Library.
Dates for the meetings are as follows; Thursday 4 February, Thursday 18 February, Thursday 25 February, Thursday 4 March and Thursday 11 March. All meetings will commence at 7.30pm.

LIAM BRADLEY TOURS
Easter in Killarney 4 Days. Monday 5 April £225.00 pps. Departs Abercorn Square at 8.20am. For details and booking telephone 71269109.

ST. PATRICK’S HALL

Bingo and Lucky 4 Draw as usual this Thursday.
All our patrons are very welcome.

LUCKY 4 DRAW
There were no winners in last week's Draw
The numbers drawn were:
4, 6, 17, 21
Next Week's Lucky 4 Jackpot is £2100.00

BALLROOM DANCING
Ballroom Dancing every Thursday in St. Patrick's Hall from 7.30pm - 9.00pm. New members welcome, with or without partner