STRABANE & LECKPATRICK SENIOR CITIZENS ANNUAL OUTING

This year's St. Vincent de Paul senior citizens annual outing will be held on Wednesday 8 July going to Bundoran to spend a relaxing afternoon. Buses leaving St. Patrick's Hall at 12.15pm sharp returning to Strabane for a four course evening meal at 7.00pm in the Fir Trees Hotel. Any senior citizen interested in going should leave their name, address and telephone number at Vincent's Shop by 1 July at the latest or telephone 02871384488. Tickets will be issued from 4 July onwards for those who have given their names.

STRABANE YOUTH ASSOCIATION

Strabane Youth Association is running a summer programme for junior members aged between 6 and 11 years at Melvin Hall from Monday 6 July until Friday 17 July. The programme includes football, snooker, game consoles, computer use, talent shows, quizzes etc. The cost is 50p per night. There will also be trips to the swimming pool, go-karting etc. but places are limited so book early. Tuck shop also available.
Times are as follows:
Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday 7.30pm - 9.30pm
Friday 7.00pm - 9.00pm.

 

STRABANE COMMUNITY UNEMPLOYED RESOURCE CENTRE

It is hoped to start a First Aid class in the near future.
If you are interested in taking part please contact the centre by either calling at 13a Newtown Street, Strabane or telephone us on 02871383927.

Marriage Preparation Workshops will take place on 18/19 September and 23/24 October 2009 in the Thornhill Centre, Culmore Road, Derry. Friday from 7.00pm - 10.00pm and Saturday from 10.00am - 4.00pm. Booking forms available from the Pastoral Centre, 164 Bishop Street, Derry, Tel. 02871362475 or from your local parochial house.

 

 

NEW EXPERIENCE FOR SURVIVORS OF TRAUMA (NEST)

Are you burdened by feelings of guilt or shame? Do you suffer from depression, anxiety and/or low self esteem? If you were able to break free from the pain of what has happened to you, would your life be different? The NEST Programme will enable you to do just that and also give you resources to deal with present and future life tasks. For more details telephone The Pastoral Centre, Maghera 02879642983 or Derry 02871347220 for assessment for Autumn course, September 2009.

PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL REPORT

The Pastoral Council met on Wednesday 20 May. The following members were present:- Anne Marie Mc Mackin, Carmel Maybin, Carmel Gallagher, Sr. Benedict, Sr. Carmel, Declan McMenamin, Jim Devlin, Bernie McQuillan, Stephen Kennedy, Leo Mc Dermott, Catherine O'Kane, and Fr. Boland. The Council discusses many matters concerning the parish. It was decided that an advertisement should be put in the local papers looking for a church organist, thus allowing the senior choir to flourish as before. Concerns were raised about the number of cars getting into the church grounds during weekend Masses and the paving around the church is suffering because of this. It was also decided that in the near future only those cars carrying the invalid or immobile will be allowed into the church grounds during Mass. An announcement in this regard will be made shortly. It was also proposed that, due to the great success of the Come Dancing Event in the Hall, a monthly dance should take place there on a Friday night. If there are any issues you want discussed at the Pastoral Council meetings, please contact any of the above members or Amanda at the parish office.

 

CAR PARKING IN CHURCH GROUNDS

At a recent meeting with the Parish Pastoral Council concern was raised about the volume of cars parked in the church grounds. It has been decided that after the weekend of 20/21 June only those vehicles carrying the sick, invalid or immobile will be 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. The car park at Barrack Street Boys' school will be open for parking and the full extent of the avenue including the front of the parochial house is fully available. We will mention this over the next few weeks to allow people to be fully informed.

 

DERRY DIOCESAN CHILD PROTECTION ANNUAL UPDATE

A lot of work has been accomplished in the area of Child Protection in the Diocese over the past number of years due to the commitment of personnel at all levels in the diocese from the Bishop through to dedicated Parish Representatives working on the ground in all parishes.

The Diocese of Derry continues to put in place those structures, personnel, policies and procedures that will try to ensure the protection and welfare of children and young people in a manner consistent with statutory requirements and Church guidelines. In the light of the teaching of the church, Civil Legislation and Guidance, every part of the Church community must be committed to taking the necessary steps to:

*Demonstrate that the right of the child to protection from harm is paramount

*Cherish and safeguard children and young people.

*Foster better practice

*Support Church organisations and personnel in safeguarding children

*Establish safe recruitment and vetting practices - aimed at preventing those who pose a risk to children from holding positions of trust

*Maintain codes of behaviour - having clear guidelines that set out what is and what is not acceptable behaviour as an essential part of keeping children safe

The Diocese now has a Child Protection Committee, Diocesan Co-ordinator, 2 Diocesan Trainers and a network of Parish Representatives.

The trainers deliver information on "best practice" and raise awareness of child protection issues; they also provide support to parishes within the Diocese. In turn the Parish Representatives will pass on this information and raise awareness within their local parish communities. This is done though information evenings that have been and continue to be held throughout the Diocese.

Notices are displayed in our churches which include the Diocesan Policy Statement, contact numbers for statutory authorities of anyone with a concern in relation to child protection or who wish to make an allegation as well as the names and contact numbers of the diocesan delegates.