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'.

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

DEATHS

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

Anne Farry, Lifford
John Henderson, Lifford
Martin McElwee, Ballycolman Estate
Margaret Devine, Church View
Mary O'Donnell, St. Johnston
Annie McGurk, Donemana

May they rest in peace.

ANNIVERSARIES
John McElwee, Brendan O'Hare,
Julia Gallagher, Hugh Moss,
Betty Porter, Madeline Whaley,
Kathleen Devlin, Mary Moore,
Neil McDaid, Jeannie Browne,
Desmond Kane, Jim Conroy,
Kenny Boggs, Catherine O'Goan,
Kathleen McCrossan, Kathleen McDaid.

PRAY FOR PRIESTS
This week we ask you to pray for:
Fr. John Farren PP, Iskaheen, 31 October
Fr. Neil Farren PP, Ardmore, 1 November
Fr. Paul Farren, Diocesan Catechetical Centre, 2 November
Fr. Christopher Ferguson CC, Waterside, 3 November
Fr. John P Forbes PP, Gortin, 4 November
Fr. Edward Gallagher CC, Limavady, 5 November
Fr. John Gallagher, 6 November

ALL SAINTS AND ALL SOULS
Monday 1 November is All Saints Day and Mass will be at 10.00am and 6.30pm. Tuesday 2 November is All Souls Day. Mass will be at 10.00am and 6.30pm.

ANNUAL MASS FOR THE DEAD
Fr. Boland will celebrate the annual Mass for the dead on Friday 12 November at 7.30pm. All families and friends of the parish who have suffered a bereavement in the past year can leave the names of their deceased relatives in the parish office.

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

PARISH DRAW
Draw for the month of November will take place in the parish office at 2.30pm on Thursday 18 November. Please bring returns to parish office as early as possible.

SACRED HEART MESSENGER
This month's Sacred Heart Messenger magazine has your returns envelope included for next year's subscription. Promoters are asked to bring monies to the parish office as soon as possible.

CAR PARKING IN CHURCH GROUNDS
The Parish Pastoral Council have raised concerns about the volume of cars parked in the church grounds. Only vehicles carrying the sick, invalid or immobile are allowed into the church grounds. This is necessary because the paving around the church is being damaged by the number of cars passing through. We would also ask that taxis stay at a respectable distance from the main door so as not to obstruct parishioners on their way into and out of the church entrance.

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

DIABETIC ASSOCIATION
There will be a meeting of the Diabetic Association on Wednesday 3 November at 8.00pm in Mulvey House. The speaker is Jennie McGiven from Belfast. Everyone is welcome.

DERRY DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES JULY 2011
Gift vouchers (£20.00/£30.00/£50.00) for the Pilgrimage are available from Rosemary at the Diocesan Pastoral Centre. Telephone 02871362475.

YOUTH 2000 RETREAT - LETTERKENNY
Youth 2000 will be hosting a youth retreat in Loreto Convent, Letterkenny 12-14 November for 16-35 year olds. Newcomers are very welcome. The programme includes dramas, music, workshops, inspiring talks etc. Donation only. Residential - so please bring a sleeping bag! Contact 00353876881202 or go to www.youth2000.ie Booking essential.

VOLUNTEER NEEDED
St. Patrick's Luncheon Club are looking for a volunteer to co-ordinate activities at the Luncheon Club from 1.00pm - 2.00pm Monday - Thursday, a total of 4 hours per week. For more information ask for Danny or Brenda, telephone 02871883102.

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS
Alcoholics Anonymous Tyrone Area are holding a Public Information Meeting on Wednesday 10 November at 8.30pm in the Community Hall, Main Street, Sion Mills.

INDOOR CAR BOOT SALE
The Stars of Strabane's very own "Strictly Come Dancing" throughout the years are holding an Indoor Car Boot Sale on 6 November in St. Patrick's Hall. Proceeds will go to 3 charities - Alzheimer's Society, Childline and Strabane Community Project. Come and sell all your unwanted goods. Table £5.00. Doors open at 9.00am for sellers and 10.00am for the public. Ring St. Patrick's Hall on 02871882483 to book your table.

MARIE CURIE CANCER CARE
Strabane Friends of Marie Curie Cancer Care present
"Showstoppers" featuring Derry Musical Society and Britannia Band on Thursday 11 November at 8.00pm in the Alley Theatre. Tickets £10.00. All proceeds in aid of Marie Curie Cancer Care. For tickets please contact the Alley Theatre box office on 02871384444.

ST. PATRICK’S HALL
Bingo and Lucky 4 Draw as usual this Thursday.
All our patrons are very welcome.

LUCKY 4 DRAW
There were 3 Match 3 winners in last week's Draw
Megan Moore
Kathleen Connolly
Jean Conway
The numbers drawn were:
3, 16, 20, 21
Next Week's Lucky 4 Jackpot is £875.00

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.

PLEASE NOTE: All payments for St. Patrick's Hall should also be made payable to Church of the Immaculate Conception.

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PRAYER CORNER

BLESSING PRAYER FOR HEALING
May you desire to be healed
May what is wounded in your life be restored to good health.
May you be receptive to the ways in which healing needs to happen.
May you take good care of yourself.
May you extend compassion to all that hurts within your body, mind, spirit.
May you be patient with the time it takes to heal.
May you be aware of the wonders of your body, mind, and spirit and their amazing capacity to heal.
May the skills of all those who are caring for you be used to the best of their ability in returning you to good health.
May you be open to receive from those who extend kindness, care, and compassion to you.
May you rest peacefully under the sheltering wings of divine love, trusting in this gracious presence.
May you find little moments of beauty and joy to sustain you.
May you keep hope in your heart.

Hold your hands over your own heart and remember the power of love within you. Then, extend your hands of love toward the one who needs healing. Give this healing love to the one being blessed. If blessing oneself, recognise and accept this power of love within you.

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COME HOLY SPIRIT
Come, Holy Spirit:
Replace the tension within us with a holy relaxation;
Replace the turbulence within us with a sacred calm;
Replace the anxiety within us with a quiet confidence;
Replace the fear within us with a strong faith.
Replace the bitterness within us with the sweetness of grace;
Replace the darkness within us with a gentle light;
Replace the coldness within us with a loving warmth;
Replace the night within us with the day;
Replace the winter within us with your spring.
Fill our emptiness;
Dull the edge of our pride;
Sharpen the edge of our humility;
Light the fires of our love;
Quench the flames of our lust.
Let us see ourselves as God sees us,
That we may see you as you have promised,
And be fortunate, according to your word:
'Blessed are the pure of heart, for they shall see God.'

AWAKEN ME
Risen One,
come, meet me
in the garden of my life.

Lure me into elation.
Revive my silent hope.
Coax my dormant dreams.
Raise up my neglected gratitude.
Entice my tired enthusiasm.
Give life to my faltering relationships.
Roll back the stone of my indifference.
Unwrap the deadness in my spiritual life.
Impart heartiness in my work.

Risen One,
send me forth as a disciple of your unwavering love,
a messenger of your unlimited joy.

Resurrected One,
may I become
ever more convinced
that your presence lives on,
and on, and on,
and on.
Awaken me!
Awaken me!