Strabane Parish Newsletter

Sunday, 8th March 2020

MASS TIMES

Monday 9 March 7.00am 10.00am

Tuesday 10 March 7.00am 10.00am

Wednesday 11 March 7.00am 10.00am 7.00pm

Thursday 12 March 7.00am 10.00am

Friday 13 March 7.00am 10.00am

Saturday 14 March 10.00am 6.30pm

Sunday 15 March 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

PRAYING LENT

Beginning New Patterns during Lent (Continued).

Eating

Lent is a great time to change our eating patterns. This is not about "losing weight" or "getting in shape," though for most of us, paying attention to what we eat, will make a difference in our overall health. This is about being more alert. Anyone who has tried to diet knows that something changes in us when we try to avoid eating. The monks in the desert, centuries ago, discovered that fasting - simply not eating - caused a tremendous boost to their consciousness. Not only did their bodies go on "alert," but their whole person seemed to be in a more heightened state of attention. The whole purpose of fasting was to aid prayer - to make it easier to listen to God more openly, especially in times of need.

Among Catholics, only Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are named as days of fast we all do together. (And that fast is simply to eat only one full meal in the day, with the other two meals combined, not equal to the one.) On the Wednesdays and Fridays of Lent, we may want to try to fast more intentionally. Of course, always conscious of our health and individual nutrition needs, we may want to try to eat very little, except some juices, or perhaps a small amount of beans and rice. We will experience how powerfully open and alert we feel and how much easier it is to pray and to name deeper desires. Not only will I feel less sluggish and tired, I will feel simply freer and more energized.

The other powerful advantage of fasting is that it can be a very simple gesture that places me in greater solidarity with the poor of the earth, who often have very little more than a little rice and beans each day. Powerful things happen in me, when I think about those people in the world who have so much less than I do. And, it's a great cure for self-pity.

Practicing Generosity

Almsgiving has always been an important part of Lent. Lent begins with the powerful Isaiah 58, on the Friday and Saturday after Ash Wednesday. It is important to give ourselves the experience of fasting from being un-generous. Generosity is not simply giving my excess clothes to a place where poor people might purchase them. It's not even writing a "generous" cheque at the time a collection is taken up for a cause that benefits the poor. These are wonderful practices. Generosity is an attitude. It is a sense that no matter how much I have, all that I have is gift, and given to me to be shared. It means that sharing with others in need is one of my personal priorities. That is quite different from assessing all of my needs first, and then giving away what is left over. A spirit of self-less giving means that one of my needs is to share what I have with others. Lent is a wonderful time to practice self-less giving, because it takes practice. This kind of self-sacrificing generosity is a religious experience. It places us in solidarity with the poor who share with each other, without having any excess. It also joins us with Jesus, who gave himself completely, for us. Establishing new patterns of giving will give real life and joy to Lent.

PRAYER GROUP

The contemplative prayer group will meet on Monday at 8.15pm in the Parochial House. New members very welcome.

CHURCH RESTORATION FUND

TOTAL TO DATE: £198,660.00 & €13,842.00

BAPTISMS

We welcome into God’s family through the sacrament of baptism:

Mabel Foley-Gallagher

Leo Hamilton

Brandon Paul O’Goan

Meabh Anna McDermott

DEATHS

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

Jackie Hunt, Glenmornan

Kenny Boggs, 28 Castlegrange Park

May they rest in peace

ANNIVERSARIES

Michael Forbes, Maureen Casey

Kathleen McDaid, Bob Gallagher

Mairead Stewart, Mary Kelly

Frances Milligan, Willie Logue

Jenny Dobbins, Frankie Casey

Sarah Devenney, Willie Wray

MaryAnne McMackin , Fr. Mons O’Kane

PRAY FOR PRIESTS

Most Rev. Francis Lagan, 8 March

Fr. Charles Logue CC, Malin, 9 March

Fr. Paul McCafferty VG, Diocesan Offices, 10 March

Msgr. Bryan McCanny PP, Limavady, 11 March

Fr. Michael McCaughey PP, Three Patrons, 12 March

Fr. Andrew McCloskey, 13 March

Fr. James McCrory, Deceased, 14 March

LENTEN PROGRAMME 2020

Masses: - Monday 7.00am 10.00am

Tuesday 7.00am 10.00am

Wednesday 7.00am 10.00am 7.00pm

Thursday 7.00am 10.00am

Friday 7.00am 10.00am

Saturday 10.00am 6.30pm

Sunday 10.00am 12.00 noon

Stations of the Cross: - Every Wednesday before 7.00pm Mass.

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament: - This takes place all day in the Adoration Chapel (Oasis of Peace). The Adoration Chapel is situated at the back of the church.

Book of Petitions: - This book is situated near the Padre Pio statue and you are invited to write all your prayers and special requests in the book. These requests are remembered at all Masses in the church.

LENTEN SUNDAY SERVICES

Each of the five parishes in the Strabane pastoral area is taking part in a series of Sunday evening services during Lent. The devotions will begin at 5.00pm and will consist of a meditation on a theme from the Stations of the Cross, a homily on a Lenten theme and finish with Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. Parishioners from all the parishes involved are invited to make a pilgrimage through Lent by travelling to our neighbouring parishes to participate in these Lenten devotions.

Sunday, 8 March

Venue: Sacred Heart, Leckpatrick

Stations of the Cross: 3, 7, 9 – The falls of Jesus

Leader: Fr. Gerard Sweeney

Preacher: Fr. Michael Doherty

Theme: Transfiguration. Are we developing a hopeful narrative or promoting a miserable one?

LENTEN PRAYER

Group Guided Prayer will take place on Friday 13, 20 and 27 March after 10.00am Mass in the Parochial House, Barrack Street and will last for about 30 minutes. A Prayer Guide from Thornhill Ministries will lead each session. All welcome

THORNHILL MINISTRIES

Praying Lent. Invitation to be part of a praying community during Lent. Led Meditation, Exposition, Mid-Day Prayer, and the welcome Lenten soup! Thursdays 12, 19, 26 March & 2 April (10.30am - 12.45pm). Suggested Donation: £10.00

Let’s Talk Church Music. An opportunity for organists, cantors and those who lead music in their parish to come together and explore the challenges, questions and good practice in their experience of this ministry. Thursday 19 March 8.00pm – 9.15pm

For more information contact 02871351233 thornhillministries@derrydiocese.org. Website: www.thornhillministries.co.uk

ACCORD DERRY

Marriage Preparation Workshops

April 24/25 2020

May 15/16 2020

June 19/20 2020

Venue: Thornhill Ministries Culmore Road Derry

Booking now online at www.accord-ni.co.uk.

CHURCH ROSARY GROUP

The Rosary is recited every day after 10.00am Mass. Intentions are included. New members welcome.

NOVENA TO ST. PATRICK

8 – 16 March. Visit www.padraignaofa.ie to download a copy of Novena Prayer and other resources, including a Novena for children, in honour of St. Patrick.

PARISH DRAW

The Draw for the month of March will take place in the Parish Office on Thursday 26 March at 10.30am. Promoters should make their returns to the Parish Office no later than Monday 23 March.

LEUKAEMIA & LYMPHOMA NI

Leukaemia & Lymphoma NI are asking for donations of preloved occasion wear and accessories for their upcoming Occasion Wear Fair. Donations can be made to Menary’s, Branch Road, Strabane. For further info contact info@llni.co.uk or 02890972928.

ANAM CARA

Anam Cara Donegal, the organisation that supports bereaved parents, is holding a Parent Evening on 12 March at 7.20pm in the Radisson Blu Hotel, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal. This event is free and open to all bereaved parents regardless of the age your child died, the circumstances of their death, or whether their death was recent or not.

FOSTER CARERS

Foster Carers urgently required in the WHSCT area, to meet the unfortunate demand for foster placements. If you think you can help, please email www.adoptionandfostercare.hscni.net or call 08000720137.

TRAINING/EDUCATION COURSES

Fountain Street Community Development Association have a number of Training/Education courses coming up at their Centre and are currently enrolling for such. Anyone interested in attending should ring the Centre on 02871885100 to book a place.

Monday 9 March 9.30am - 1.30pm (for four weeks) OCN Level 2 Award in Social Media. No Cost.

Monday 16 March 10.00am - 4.00pm - Level 2 Award in Health & Safety in the Workplace. £10.00 per person.

NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS

Want freedom from addiction? Narcotics Anonymous can help! Meeting above Saint Vincent de Paul shop every Sunday morning at 10.00am. All welcome.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Unique volunteering opportunities for Retired Teachers to provide 1:1 support to underachieving children in primary schools in your area. One morning per week (2/3 hours) is required for the academic year. Full induction and training will be provided. Please contact Kate at Sólás on 02890247600, or email progs@solasbt7.com for further details.

DANCING LESSONS BY M DANCIN’

Every Wednesday night at 8.00pm, upstairs in St. Patrick's Hall. £5.00 everyone welcome.

BINGO AND LUCKY 4 DRAW

Bingo and Lucky 4 Draw every Thursday

All our patrons are very welcome