Strabane Parish Newsletter

Sunday, 16th February 2020

MASS TIMES

Monday 17 February No Mass

Tuesday 18 February No Mass

Wednesday 19 February No Mass

Thursday 20 February No Mass

Friday 21 February No Mass

Saturday 22 February 6.30pm

Sunday 23 February 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

HOOKED ON GOD’S LOVE

Among the most pleasant of all activities is one that Jesus gave to his followers as a special sacred vocation. He sent his disciples into the sea of humanity to be fishers for God. We usually think of that vocation as one restricted to religious professionals, but it’s a vocation of everyone who is a disciple of Christ.

Actually, as the fourteenth century mystic Meister Eckhart tells us, it's God who is the Fisher and we who are the game. Love is the fishhook; but there's a problem. Anyone who has handled fishhooks knows they are very sharp and dangerous. So just as we stay clear of fishhooks, we tend to stay away from God's love.

We all know too well from the stories of the saints and from Scripture what happens to those who get hooked on God. Because we don't want our well-ordered lives upset, we avoid getting hooked on the radical love of such a demanding lover who wants not just part of us but all of us! Now, a fisher can't catch a fish unless it takes the hook. So the hook must be hidden by some tempting bait, like a big, fat, juicy worm.

Jesus was the alluring bait that hid the hook of God's love. His humanity was the incarnation of God's love in the flesh, and, oh, how attractive it was! Sinners, those who were social and religious outcasts, all wanted to be near him. Why were persons who normally would have felt out-of-place in a religious environment so lured to someone who was so prayerful and religious?

Hidden in the answer to that question is the pattern for how you and I are to evangelise (to use a religious word), to go fishing in the sea of humanity. From all the Gospel stories it is clear that Jesus respected others, loved them for who they were at the moment. He didn't preach at them, didn't demand their conversion as a requirement of his companionship. He was among them as one of them, loving them as God loves – unconditionally. Being hungry for such love, they swallowed him, hook, line and sinker. The paradox is that the more they were caught, the more they were liberated!

If we wish to go into the world as Christ sent us, as fishers, we need to make ourselves into the same kind of bait as was Jesus. Rather than attempting to make converts, let us simply love everyone we meet, the good and the bad, with unconditional love. If our love has strings attached to it, hidden motives other than loving as God loves, the "big" fish (who always get away) are clever enough to see the hook and will swim away.

Of course, the best way to go fishing in this Christlike way is to first be caught by the big, sharp hook of God's love and to wiggle with joy and delight. When we little fish are caught by unconditional love, we will become alluring bait for bigger fish. And again, fear not the hook, for to be caught by God is to be truly free.

CHURCH RESTORATION FUND

We gratefully acknowledge the generous donation of £1000.00 to the Church Restoration Fund. Thank you sincerely.

TOTAL TO DATE: £196,725.00 & €13,772.00

DEATHS

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

Willie Divin, Clady, formerly of Derry

May he rest in peace

ANNIVERSARIES

Mary Conway, Kevin Canning

John Kelly, Maggie Farrell

Teresa McElroy, Geraldine Magill

Baby Geraldine Magill, Andrew Burns

Tom Melaugh, Paddy Casey

Willie McDermott, Geordie Devenney

Ena Devine, Sarah Devine

Tony Kelly, Bernadette Wright

Michael Friel, Annabella Friel

Hugh McGillian, John O’Brien Snr

John Cairns, Elizabeth Cairns

Billy Harte, Kathleen Gormley

Charles Gormley.

PRAY FOR PRIESTS

Fr. Neil Farren PP, Ardmore, 16 February

Fr. Paul Farren, Adm, St. Eugene’s Cathedral, 17 February

Fr. Christopher Ferguson CC, Three Patrons, 18 February

Fr. John P Forbes PP, Gortin, 19 February

Fr. Edward Gallagher PP, Greencastle, 20 February

All Priests, 21 February

Fr. John Gilmore Retired, 22 February

DIOCESE OF DERRY VOCATIONS WEEK

Sunday 16 -Saturday 22 February

During this week of prayer centred on Vocations, parishioners in all parishes across the Diocese of Derry are encouraged to pray for hearts open to the presence of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit continues to provide the People of God with numerous gifts. Can we be brave and generous enough to respond to the promptings of God’s Spirit? Without the Holy Spirt there would be no ministries alive and active in the Church, helping to build the Body of Christ. During Vocations Week can we become aware of our role in God’s plan to heal and redeem a broken world? How can we use our gifts to promote the reign of God? How is God calling each one of us to live out our lives in response to His call? As we search our hearts, are we being called to priesthood, Religious life, married or single life?

More information can be found on Derryvocations.org

VOCATIONS INFORMATION DAY

There will be a Vocations Information Day on Saturday 22 February in Thornhill Retreat Centre, 121 Culmore Road, Derry, starting at 10.30am ending at 6.00pm. For further information on the Day, contact Fr. Chris Ferguson, Diocesan Director of Vocations, on chris_j_ferguson@hotmail.com

LOURDES HOSPITALITE COLLECTION

The annual Lourdes Hospitalite collection which was taken up last weekend amounted to £400.00 and €14.60. The parish donated £100.00 from the Hunger Box making the final total £500.00 and €14.60. Thank you for your generosity.

FORTY HOURS DEVOTION

There will be Forty Hours Devotion in St. Theresa’s Church, Sion Mills, on Sunday 1 March commencing after 11.00am Mass until 6.30pm. Closing with Evening Prayer. Everyone welcome.

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.

DERRY DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES 2 - 7 July 2020

To make enquiries or to book, Tel 02871260293 or Email: derrypilgrim@outlook.com Doctors and nurses are invited to consider taking part in the pilgrimage to assist those in need. Contact the Lourdes Office for details.

THORNHILL MINISTRIES

Pilgrimage/Retreat to the Holy Land: There are a few places remaining on our pilgrimage/retreat (24 September-2 October 2020). Could those wishing to travel please return their application forms in the next few weeks. Telephone 02871351233 or email thornhillministries@derrydiocese.org or go to www.thornhillministries.co.uk for information.

DAY OF PRAYER AND REFLECTION

The Columba Community will hold a day of Prayer and Reflection on the theme of “Reconciliation: Healing Relationships” in St. Anthony’s Retreat Centre, Burnfoot, Co. Donegal, on Sunday 23 February, beginning at 11.00am including celebration of Holy Mass at 3.00pm. All welcome to join with us in preparation for the Lenten season. Light lunch provided. Suggested donation £20.00. Contact Columba House on 02871262407.

MASS FOR THOSE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS

The Annual Diocesan Mass for those with special needs, and their families and friends, will take place in Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Steelstown, Derry on Saturday 25 April at 3.00pm. If you have a child who wishes to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation or First Communion at this Mass please contact the Catechetical Centre on 02871264087 or email ddcc@derrydiocese.org

ARISE

ARISE event in Knock for young adults (18+) at Knock Shrine, Co Mayo: Catholic Youth Ministry Ireland (CYMI) invites young adults aged 18+ to join them for a faith event in Knock on Saturday 7 March. The event will involve workshops, fellowship, worship, speakers. It is hoped to provide transport for those who would like to attend from the diocese. If you are interested in the event or would like to register your attendance, please contact Yvonne in the Derry Diocesan Catechetical Centre: yvonne.rooney@derrydiocese.org or telephone 0(044) 2871264087.

PARISH DRAW

The Parish Draw will take place on Thursday 20 February at 10.30am in the Parish Office. We will have two Draws for January and February. All remaining returns must be made to the Parish Office no later than Monday 17 February. If you wish to subscribe to the Parish Draw by cheque please make you cheque payable to ‘Church of the Immaculate Conception’.

JOB OPPORTUNITY

The Camus Parish Church Restoration and Inclusive Participation Project team seek to employ a part-time (8 hours per week) Volunteer Coordinator to join the team. He/She will recruit and co-ordinate 12 project volunteers that will learn about the heritage of the church, the exhibition artefacts and methods of construction.

The successful candidate will be adequately trained, self-motivated, proactive, energetic and organised, with proven experience of successfully working on similar projects in a community setting.

For further information on this post, please request the Volunteer Coordinator Pack by emailing parishoffice@strabaneparish.com The closing date is Wednesday 19 February at 12.00 noon.

CHURCH ROSARY GROUP

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

BLOOD DONATION SESSIONS

There will be blood donation sessions in the Presbyterian Church Hall, Derry Road, on Thursday 20 February and Friday 21 February from 1.30pm – 4.00pm & 5.15pm – 8.00pm. Please come along and give your support.

QUIZ NIGHT

Quiz Night in aid of Marie Curie to be held in MK’s Bar, Strabane on Thursday 20 February. Commencing at 8.00pm. Please come along for a fun night and help support this worthy cause. Prizes on the night.

STRABANE HISTORY SOCIETY

The next meeting is on Thursday 20 February at 7.00pm in The Strabane Community Library, Abercorn Square. (Note change of date). This month’s talk will be on Postcard Images of Strabane area from the last century. The speaker is George Haire.

BINGO AND LUCKY 4 DRAW

Bingo and Lucky 4 Draw as usual this Thursday

All our patrons are very welcome.