Strabane Parish Newsletter

Sunday, 1st March 2020

MASS TIMES

Monday 2 March 7.00am 10.00am

Tuesday 3 March 7.00am 10.00am

Wednesday 4 March 7.00am 10.00am

Padre Pio Mass

1st Anniversary Veronica Hannigan 7.00pm

Thursday 5 March 7.00am 10.00am

Friday 6 March 7.00am 10.00am

Saturday 7 March 10.00am 6.30pm

Sunday 8 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 My Lenten Patterns.

 “Insanity is defined as doing the same thing over, and over again, expecting different results.”

This saying commonly used in 12 Step programmes, reveals a real wisdom. It can be a good beginning reflection as we examine the choices we will make in the days ahead. It is very simple. Our Lord is calling us to a “change of heart.” And, we know from experience, that nothing will change, unless we change our patterns. To expect different results is insanity.

So, what needs changing?

We start to come to know that by asking for help. “Lord, help me to know what needs changing.” It is often said, “Be careful about what you ask for.” This is one of those requests that God must surely want to answer.

Then, we have to listen. With a little bit of reflection, most of us will begin to “name” things that make up our ordinary habits and ways of being who we are, that we aren’t very proud of. Things we do and things we never get round to doing. We can “feel” the call to change our attitudes, our self-absorption, or our way of interacting with others. Perhaps a spouse, a loved one, a friend, a family member, a co-worker has told me something about myself that gets in the way of communication, that makes relating to them difficult. Maybe I don’t take God very seriously. I go to Church on Sunday, and contribute my share, but I don’t really take time to deal with my relationship with God. Perhaps I've let my mind and fantasy get cluttered with escapist litter. I might begin to name a number of self-indulgent habits. I may realise I rarely, if ever, hear the cry of the poor, and can't remember when I've answered that cry. It could be that dishonesty on all kinds of levels has become a way of life. One of the roadblocks in my relationship with God and others may be deep wounds or resentments from the past, things I continue to hold against others or myself.

You are always merciful! Please wipe away my sins. Wash me clean from all of my sin and guilt. - Psalm 51

Beginning New Patterns during Lent.

Something all of us can do is commit ourselves to being more reflective during Lent. It just means that I'm going to make a point of being more observant, more aware of what I'm experiencing - paying more attention to what is “automatic” behaviour. And, I then start paying attention to my desires. We have all kinds of desires. During Lent, I can reflect upon the desires I currently have and which of them need to be purified, which may need to be abandoned, and which are wonderful desires that are there, but I haven't acted upon them. Naming our deepest desires will guide the choices we make to establish new patterns for Lent.

Praying

Lent is the time to start new patterns of prayer. Perhaps I haven't been praying at all. This is a great time to choose to begin. It is important to begin realistically. I can start by simply pausing when I get up and taking a slow, deep breath, and recalling what I have to do this day, and asking for grace to do it as a child of God. I may want to go to bed a half an hour earlier, and get up a half an hour earlier and give myself some time alone to read the readings for the day. I may choose to go to Mass each day during Lent. I may choose to get to church on Sunday, just 15 minutes earlier, so I can reflect a bit. Lent may be a time I would want to choose to start to journal the day to day reflections that are coming, the desires I'm naming and asking for, the graces I am being given.

PRAYER GROUP

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

PADRE PIO MASS

The Padre Pio Mass will take place in the Church on Wednesday 4 February at 7.00pm. Stations of the Cross at 6.45pm.

CHURCH RESTORATION FUND

Last week’s collection for the Church Restoration Fund amounted to £1885.00 & €70.00. Thank you sincerely.

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

BAPTISMS

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

Fionn Sean McMenamin

DEATHS

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

Cathy Lafferty, 8 Carlton Drive

May she rest in peace

ANNIVERSARIES

Billy Hyndman, Margaret Stewart

Sheila McCrossan, Gladys Patton

Katie Devine, Liam McCrossan

Josie Harkin, Katie Madden

Phil Madden, Una Christy

Angelo Vaccaro, John O’Brien

Kathleen O’Brien, James McHugh

Edmund Connolly, Robert Connolly

Liam McCosker, Peter Woods

Jim Wilson.

PRAY FOR PRIESTS

Fr. John Irwin, 1 March

Fr. Charles Keaney PP, Swatragh, 2 March,

Fr. Stephen Kearney, Killyclogher, 3 March

Fr. Lawrence Keaveny, Deceased, 4 March

Fr. Michael Keaveny, Retired, 5 March

Fr. Seamus Kelly PP, Dungiven, 6 March

Fr. Edward Kilpatrick, Retired, 7 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, 1 March

Venue: St Patrick’s, Dunamanagh

Time: 5.00pm

Stations of the Cross: 1 and 2 – Trial and conviction of Jesus

Leader: Fr. Eamon McDevitt

Preacher: Fr. Gerard Sweeney

Theme: Temptations. Where are we tempted to ‘dumb down’ the mission for comfort’s sake?

LENTEN PRAYER

Group Guided Prayer will take place on Friday 6, 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 5, 12, 19, 26 March & 2 April (10.30am - 12.45pm). Suggested Donation: £10.00

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.

ST. JOSEPH’S YOUNG PRIESTS SOCIETY

The next meeting will take place on Tuesday 3 March at 10.30am in the Conference Room, Church of the Immaculate Conception. New members welcome.

CHURCH ROSARY GROUP

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

DIOCESE OF DERRY MISSION TEAM

If you are interested in being part of our Diocesan Mission Team to promote and foster mission awareness at home and overseas, please come along to our meeting on Tuesday 3 March at 7.00pm in Ardstraw House, 21A Buncrana Road, Derry, next to St. Columb's College. For further information please contact Fr. David O’Kane on 02871337727.

MASTERS IN CATHOLIC SCHOOL LEADERSHIP

The Derry Diocesan Catechetical Centre, working in Partnership with Saint Mary’s University, Twickenham, offers the Masters in Catholic School Leadership. This is a post graduate degree dedicated to the professional development and spiritual formation of Catholic school leaders. The next intake will be Autumn 2020. If you require any further information, please contact the Derry Diocesan Catechetical Centre on 004428 71264087 or email tferry@derrydiocese.org.

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.

Thursday 5 March 10.00am - 1.00pm - Emergency First Aid. £5.00 per person.

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.

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