MASS TIMES
Monday 28 May 10.00am
Tuesday 29 May 10.00am
Wednesday 30 May 7.00pm
Thursday 31 May 10.00am
Friday 1 June 10.00am
Saturday 2 June 10.00am
6.30pm
Sunday 3 June 10.00am
12.00noon
CONFESSIONS
Saturdays: 10.30am
- 12.30pm; 5.45pm - 6.20pm
Thursday before First
Friday after morning Mass
BAPTISMS
Friday: 6.30pm
Sunday:
12.45pm
CONTACTS
Parish Priest: Rev.
Declan Boland PP
Parochial House: 02871
883293
Parish Administrator:
Mrs. Amanda Cairns
Parish Office: 02871
882215
Email: amanda@strabaneparish.com
Website: www.strabaneparish.com
Parish Hall: 02871
882483
FOR YOU TOO
To be holy does not require being a bishop,
a priest or a religious. We are frequently tempted to think that holiness is only
for those who can withdraw from ordinary affairs to spend much time in prayer. That
is not the case. We are all called to be holy by living our lives with love and
by bearing witness in everything we do, wherever we find ourselves. Are you called
to the consecrated life? Be holy by living out your commitment with joy. Are you
married? Be holy by loving and caring for your husband or wife, as Christ does for
the Church. Do you work for a living? Be holy by labouring with integrity and skill
in the service of your brothers and sisters. Are you a parent or grandparent? Be
holy by patiently teaching the little ones how to follow Jesus. Are you in a position
of authority? Be holy by working for the common good and renouncing personal gain.
Let the grace of your Baptism bear fruit in
a path of holiness. Let everything be open to God; turn to him in every situation.
Do not be dismayed, for the power of the Holy Spirit enables you to do this, and
holiness, in the end, is the fruit of the Holy Spirit in your life. (cf. Gal 5:22-23).
When you feel the temptation to dwell on your own weakness, raise your eyes to Christ
crucified and say: Lord, I am a poor sinner, but you can work the miracle of making
me a little bit better’. In the Church, holy yet made up of sinners, you will find
everything you need to grow towards holiness. The Lord has bestowed on the Church
the gifts of scripture, the sacraments, holy places, living communities, the witness
of the saints and a multifaceted beauty that proceeds from God’s love, ‘like a bride
bedecked with jewels’ (Is 61:10).
This holiness to which the Lord calls you will
grow through small gestures. Here is an example: a woman goes shopping, she meets
a neighbour and they begin to speak, and the gossip starts. But she says in her
heart: ‘No, I will not speak badly of anyone’. This is a step forward in holiness.
Later, at home, one of her children wants to talk to her about his hopes and dreams,
and even though she is tired, she sits down and listens with patience and love.
That is another sacrifice which brings holiness. Later she experiences some anxiety,
but recalling the love of the Virgin Mary, she takes her Rosary and prays with faith.
Yet another path of holiness. Later still, she goes out onto the street, encounters
a poor person and stops to say a kind word to him. One more step.
GAUDETE ET EXSULTATE
Rejoice and be Glad
ON THE CALL TO HOLINESS IN TODAY’S WORLD
APOSTOLIC EXHORTATION
POPE FRANCIS
CHURCH RESTORATION FUND
TOTAL TO DATE: £125,805.00 & €9545.00
PRAYER GROUP
The contemplative prayer group will meet on
Monday at 8.15pm in the Parochial House. New members very welcome.
BAPTISMS
We welcome into God’s family through the sacrament
of baptism: Anna Catherine Rouse, Lola-Mae Lindsay, Weinde Theresa Geraldine Mullen, Cahir Edward McCrea.
ANNIVERSARIES
Kevin Quigley, Frances Molloy, Mary Murphy, Brendan Brady,
Susie McHugh, Nora O’Neill, Eddie Patton, May Stewart, Frank McCrory,
James Conway, John Nelson, Lily Nelson, Roy Hyndman.
PRAY FOR PRIESTS
Fr. Michael Collins Retired, 27 May
Fr. Oliver Crilly, Castlefin, 28 May
Fr. Patrick Crilly, Retired, 29 May
Fr. Brendan Crowley PP, Garvagh, 30 May
Most Rev. Edward Daly, Deceased, 31 May
Fr. Robert Devine,
Deceased, 2 June
CONGRATULATIONS
Congratulations to the boys and girls who made
their First Holy Communion and also to their parents, families, teachers and school
Principals.
SICK AND HOUSEBOUND
Fr. Declan Boland will visit the sick and housebound
in the following areas on Monday 28 May starting after 10.00am Mass: Springhill
Park, Evish Grove, Newtownkennedy Street, Courtrai Park, Meetinghouse Street. (Area
1)
Fr. Eugene Boland will visit the sick and housebound
in the following areas on Monday 28 May starting after 10.00am Mass: Lower
Main Street, Riverside Terrace, Alexander Place, Church Street, Church View, Glen
Road, Hillmount Grove, Evish Road, Dergalt Road. (Area 2)
Fr. Declan Boland will visit the sick and housebound
in the following areas on Friday 1 June starting after 10.00am Mass: Fountain
Street, Fountain Terrace, Marian Park, Casement Place, Innisfree Gardens, Drumrallagh.
(Area
3)
Fr. Eugene Boland will visit the sick and housebound
in the following areas on Friday 1 June starting after 10.00am Mass: Townsend
Street, Townsend Terrace, Liskey Road, Conthem Road, Bearney Road, Dernalebe, Camus
Park. (Area 4)
PLEASE JOIN US IN CELEBRATING
The Sisters of Mercy are pleased to invite you
to join us in marking 150 years of Presence in Strabane. Mass will be celebrated
in the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Strabane, at 3.00pm on Sunday 3 June.
Refreshments afterwards in St. Patrick’s Hall.
BLESSING OF GRAVES
The annual ceremony of the blessing of graves
for the parish will be held on Sunday 17 June at 3.00pm.
CARMELITE RETEAT CENTRE
Mass for the Sick with Eucharistic
Blessing will take place in the Carmelite Retreat Centre Termonbacca on Tuesday 29 May, beginning at
8.00pm. All welcome.
Day Retreat for Senior Citizens and Friends will take place in the Carmelite Retreat Centre,
Termonbacca on Thursday 7 June. For bookings please ring 02871262512.
HEALING MASS
Fr. Neal Carlin and the Columba Community will
celebrate a special Mass for healing on Thursday 31 May at 7.30pm in Columba House,
11 Queen Street, Derry. We invite you to come along and share in this special evening
of prayer for healing.
DERRY DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE TO LOUGH DERG
Led by Bishop Donal McKeown, the Pilgrimage
will take place Friday 22–Sunday 24 June. Coach travelling from St. Eugene’s Cathedral,
Derry, via Strabane. For pilgrims travelling by coach, the cost will be £80.00 per
person (which includes all transport and pilgrimage costs). A non-refundable deposit
of £20.00 per person is required to secure your place. Pilgrims may, of course,
use their own means of transport. For more information about the pilgrimage or to
register, please contact the Diocesan Catechetical Centre on 02871264087 or email:
rebecca.odoherty@derrydiocese.org
ACCORD
Applications are invited from individuals wishing to join ACCORD for
the Certificate in Counselling (Marriage
and Relationship). The Certificate in Counselling is validated by the Pontifical
University at St. Patrick’s College, Maynooth and is aligned to the National Framework
of Qualifications (NFQ) at Level 8, 20 ECTS. The training programme is delivered on a part time basis, at weekends, over
1 academic year in Maynooth. Please contact the ACCORD Omagh Centre for further
information Tel: 028 82242439 Email omagh@accordni.com
MA IN CATHOLIC SCHOOL LEADERSHIP
Working in Partnership with St. Mary's College,
Twickenham, the Derry Diocesan Catechetical Centre will offer this post-graduate
degree, dedicated to the professional development and spiritual formation of Catholic
school leaders. It is a great opportunity for those who aspire to, or have an interest
in, leadership roles within the Catholic School system. Begins Autumn 2018. Information
session in Saint Mary's College, Derry, on Monday 18 June at 4.00pm. If you would
like to attend or require any further information please contact Thérèse Ferry on
00442871264087 or email tferry@derrydiocese.org.
FREE HEARING AID SUPPORT SESSION
The next session will be on Thursday 31 May
in Ballycolman Community Centre from 10.00am – 12.00noon and in Strabane Day Centre,
County Buildings from 1.00pm - 2.30pm.
NOTICES FOR PARISH BULLETIN
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.
PARISH DRAW
The winners of the Draw for the month of May
are:
£1000.00 Flanagan Family 154
Promoter Kathleen Morris
£300.00 Helen Murtagh 316
Promoter Patricia McCrossan
£200.00 Anna McGrinder 226
Promoter Fr. Boland
£100.00 Roisin McDevitt 183
Promoter Siobhan McDevitt
£100.00 Kathleen Falconer 563
Promoter Eileen Canning
£100.00 Nellie Doherty 931
Promoter Fr. Boland
£100.00 Jimmy & Dympna Coyle 425
Promoter Kathleen Connolly
£100.00 M & L Christy 196
Promoter Fr. Boland
BINGO AND LUCKY 4 DRAW
Bingo and Lucky 4 Draw as usual this Thursday. All our patrons are very welcome. Next Week’s Lucky 4 Jackpot is £1100.00
PRAYER CORNER
PRAYER FOR THOSE WHO ARE FACING DIFFICULT EXAMINATIONS
Lord I am worried and tense as I think about
my forthcoming exams.
I feel the tension rising in my heart and at
times I am afraid.
I ask you to send down upon me the power of
your Holy Spirit to ease my worry, to fill my heart with courage and to give me
the great gift of your wisdom.
Lord you know the path that lies ahead and how
important my exams are for me. Take away all fear and stress, give me confidence
and strength as I enter the place of examination. Let there be no panic, but a deep
trust in you and in my ability to succeed. Help me to do myself justice for the
work and effort I have put in to date and may all my hard work bear fruit in plenty
later on.
Spirit of calm, Spirit of peace, Spirit of confidence,
Spirit of courage come into my heart today and powerfully guide me as I sit and
write. Remove all fear from me and fill my heart to overflowing with your understanding
and love.
