SUNDAY 24 MAY 2020 - The Ascension of the Lord (World Communications Day)

THE SEVEN SORROWS OF MARY

The sorrowful events and experiences attributed to Mary's life often relate directly to our own. For example, parents whose children are lost, into crime, or suffering from a serious illness know how much their sorrow is in kinship with Mary's. At other times her sorrows are indirectly or symbolically connected to ours. We do not have to be a parent to walk in the footsteps of the sorrowful mother. The sufferings of every individual, man or woman, are reflected in some aspect of Mary's sorrows.

Anyone who has ever received news that brought with it a prediction of future turmoil and pain has been there with Mary when Simeon foretold the heartache she would have. Anyone who has ever made a decision to leave a situation that was harmful and destructive has been there with Mary when she fled to Egypt to save her son's life. Anyone who has ever searched with panic and dismay over the loss of a valued part of their life has been there with Mary when she hunted for her missing child. Anyone who has ever met suffering on a deeper level has been there with Mary when she met her suffering son on his path to Calvary. Anyone who has ever vigiled at the bedside of a dying loved one has been there with Mary as she stood beneath the cross. Anyone who has ever embraced a part of their life that has died has been there with Mary when she received the dead body of her child in her arms. Anyone who has ever stood in a cemetery with tears clutching at their heart has been there with Mary when she watched her son being laid to rest in the tomb.

As we enter into these sorrows we see how Mary questioned and grappled with what was confusing and unclear, how she needed others to be there with her in her pain, how she reflected in her life experiences in order to find meaning in them. We also see her inner resiliency, how her faith sustained her, and how her deep love for her son gave her strength to enter into and to endure her suffering. We see how she never gave up even in her most desolate of times. As we walk with Mary in her sorrows we discover that we are not alone in what is most difficult for us. In Mary we have a mother, a sister, a mentor, a friend.

MASS TIMES

Due to the COVID-19 Virus all Weekday and Weekend Mass will be broadcast live via the parish web cam or by going to www.mcnmedia.tv at the following times:

Monday – Friday

10.30am

Saturday Vigil

6.30pm

Sunday Morning

10.00am

ROSARY

The Rosary will be broadcast live Monday – Friday at 2.00pm.

Please go to www.strabaneparish.com and click on web cam or to www.mcnmedia.tv

DEATHS

Annette Forbes, Colman Fold, formerly of Innisfree Gardens

Jim Corry, Clady

May they rest in peace

ANNIVERSARIES

Monsignor Agnew, Charlie Lynn,

Teresa Coyle, Brendan Kelly,

Annie Diver, Thomas Diver,

Brian Diver, Frank McCrory,

William McSheffrey, James Sharkey,

Nellie Doherty.

WEEKLY COLLECTION ENVELOPES

We kindly ask parishioners to leave their weekly envelopes at the parochial house or the parish office. The parish depends greatly on the weekly collection, as it is the main source of income. If you would like to make your contributions by cheque, please make your cheque payable to Church of the Immaculate Conception. We greatly acknowledge your understanding and support at this time.

TROCAIRE

Every year Trócaire asks for your help during Lent to fund lifesaving programmes around the world. This year, of course, it was not possible to return Trócaire boxes through schools or parishes in the usual way. This is the worst possible timing coming just as the world’s poorest people need us most. Therefore, Trócaire are appealing to you to return your Lenten donation. Simply count or estimate what is in your box and donate in the following ways:

1. Online at www.trocaire.org

2. By phone: 1850 408 408 (ROI) or 0800 912 1200 (NI)

3. By post to Trócaire, Maynooth, Co. Kildare (ROI) or Trócaire, 10 King Street, Belfast, BT1 6AD (NI)

4. Check with your local parish on how to safely return your donation

FAN THE FLAME MASS 2020

Thursday 4 June was to be our Fan the Flame Mass, where we come together to celebrate all of the young people in our diocese who have received the sacrament of Confirmation and who are preparing to move to the next stage of their education.

Unfortunately, that will not be possible this year. We do hope that these young people will experience the full Fan the Flame in the future as it is such a joy-filled day for all of us.

To mark the end of their primary education, Bishop McKeown will celebrate the 10.00am Mass in Saint Eugene’s Cathedral for them that day via the webcam. http://www.steugenescathedral.com/webcam.html

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. It is a great opportunity for those currently in leadership roles and those who aspire to, or have an interest in, leadership roles within the Catholic School system. 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.

LOUGH DERG ONLINE RETREAT DAYS

A GUIDE TO YOUR ONLINE RETREAT

10:30am Go to loughderg.live

10:45am Welcome from the Prior, Msgr La Flynn

11:05am The Word of God - Reflection on the Good Samaritan with Mary

11:30am Prayer of Intercession with Rosary

12 noon Angelus followed by Way of the Cross

1:45pm Jesus the Healer with Deacon Martin

2:00pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament

2:20pm Time of Contemplation

2:40pm Closing Prayer

Lough Derg phone lines are open 9.00am-5.00pm, Monday-Friday, during May

Tel: +353(0) 71 9861518

Email. info@loughderg.org Website. www.loughderg.org

PARISH DRAW

The winners of the Draw for the month of May are:

£1000.00 Maureen McGinley 583

Promoter Eileen Canning

£300.00 Catherine Deazley 242

Promoter Fr. Boland

£200.00 Jessie Powell 743

Promoter Marian Cooke

£100.00 Charles Flanagan 168

Promoter Marian Cooke

£100.00 Ronnie Johnston 135

Promoter Nuala Kerr

£100.00 Rosemarie Mullen 706

Promoter Marian Cooke

£100.00 Evelyn Canavan 226

Promoter Fr. Boland

£100.00 Danny O’Hagan 491

Promoter Mary O’Hagan

PRAYER FOR OUR PROTECTION

We ask for prayers for those affected by the Coronavirus. Placing all our trust in the Lord, and asking Our Lady to intercede for us, we invite everyone to pray these prayers:

Extract from Saint Patrick’s Breastplate

Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ on my right, Christ on my left, Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down, Christ when I arise, Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me, Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me, Christ in every eye that sees me, Christ in every ear that hears me.

Memorare

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to your protection, implored your help, or sought your intercession was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, I fly to you, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother. To you I come, before you I stand, sinful and sorrowful. Of Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in your mercy, hear and answer. Amen.