SUNDAY 21 JUNE 2020 - Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time

A WORD BY WHICH TO LIVE

A pilgrim came to Amma Ananda requesting a word by which to live. Amma gave her the word "Ah." The seeker pronounced that simple syllable, and in a flash her heart opened to the wonder at the heart of life. The pilgrim walked away repeating the word, sensing awe in even the most commonplace wonders she passed along the way.

To another pilgrim, Amma said, "You're lucky! Today, you get a bonus, for I'm giving you two words: thank you."

The pilgrim was disappointed and said, "Amma, did I come all this way to be given so common an expression? How can this everyday phrase be a word of life?"

She answered him, I assure you, if you make thank you your constant prayer word, you will find life in great abundance."

To one particularly and adventurous pilgrim who had made a long and arduous journey to the hermit's cave, Amma Ananda gave a small leather box, saying, "Here is a special 'word' for you." The pilgrim opened the small box and to her surprise found inside the twenty-six letters of the alphabet. Amma responded to the astonished look on the pilgrim's face by saying, "With this tool kit the Word can inspire you to form just the right word for every life situation."

Amma's response to another pilgrim's request for a word was simply to sit in silence. After about half an hour the pilgrim complained, "Amma, I have travelled a great distance earnestly desiring to hear from you a word by which to live, yet you say nothing!" As the disgruntled pilgrim rose to leave, Amma took a piece of paper and wrote on it. Then she folded the paper and handed it to the pilgrim. He unfolded the paper and read the message, "Silence will teach you how to live." The pilgrim silently bowed to Amma and left the cave.

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 1.00pm. Please note change of time. Please go to www.strabaneparish.com and click on web cam or to www.mcnmedia.tv

DEATHS

Foster Moore, 71 Springhill Park

Alexander Jefferson, 33 Drumrallagh

Ellen McNulty, 21 Knockroe Road

May they rest in peace

ANNIVERSARIES

Cassie Duffy, Liam Kennedy

Marguerite Kennedy, Rose Walsh

Joe Harron, Mark Donnell

Felix Doherty, Kathleen Walters

Maggie May Moss, Pat Smyth

Tish Smyth, Dolly Connolly

TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF CHURCH DUE TO RENOVATIONS

Renovation work has now started on the church. To fulfil all safety regulations the church will be closed from Monday to Friday even for private prayer. It will be open on Saturday and Sunday after Mass until 5.00pm. This will be in place for a number of months. In the case of a funeral the church will of course be fully available. We appreciate your understanding and co-operation in this regard.

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.

ONLINE PARISH CONTRIBUTIONS

We have now added a Donate button to our parish website which allows you to make contributions to the parish with your debit or credit card. To use the Donate facility log on to www.strabaneparish.com and you will see the Donate button.

To use, just click on Donate and you will be given 3 options to choose from.

1.            Weekly Parish Collection

2.            Church Restoration Fund

3.            Parish Donation

Enter the amount you wish to donate and click Pay Now.

This will take you to your Chosen Payments and Order Summary.

On the Order Summary tick I agree to the terms and conditions of Strabane (Camus) Parish and click Proceed.

You will then be asked to Sign Up and enter your details.

Don’t forget to click Yes to the terms and conditions of Easy Payments Plus and of Strabane (Camus) Parish. Click Register.

This will take you to Payment Details where you will enter your debit/credit card details and then Pay Now.

You will then be given the opportunity to check your payment and a receipt will be sent to you by email.

If you have any queries please contact the parish office on 02871882215.

ST. JOSEPH’S YOUNG PRIESTS SOCIETY

CONGRATULATIONS AND THANKS FROM BISHOP MCKEOWN

This year, St. Joseph’s Young Priests Society celebrates its 125th Anniversary of the founding of the Society (in 1895). The Society has launched a new website, www.stjosephsyoungpriestssociety.ie In congratulating the faithful members of SJYP, past and present, on the 125th Anniversary of the Society, we acknowledge the ongoing good work of the SJYP members in parishes across the country and in our own diocese. The work of SJYP and the dedication of the members is very much understated, but the steady, prayerful and financial support is invaluable to us. In the last ten years, through the generosity of members and benefactors, the Society has assisted, both prayerfully and financially, 1,449 ordinations to priesthood. These include support for our own seminarians, of course, for which we are very grateful.

Congratulations and thanks to the members. Thanks also to Fr. Daniel McFaul for his work as Chaplain to the Society in our diocese.

2020 ONLINE SUMMER SCHOOL

Theology, Spirituality and Religious Experience by Fr. Pat Collins C.M. Two week online course will begin 13 July and also 10 August. One lecture per day. Cost €80.00. Contact enquiries@prioryinstitute.com prioryinstitute.com 0035314048124.

PARISH DRAW

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

£1000.00 Colette & Stephen McKane 137

Promoter Colette McKane

£300.00 Pearl Moore 672

Promoter Eileen Canning

£200.00 Hugh McElwee 369

Promoter Doreen Diver

£100.00 Paddy & Celine O’Neill 740

Promoter Eileen Canning

£100.00 Mary O’Kane 382

Promoter Maisie Boggs

£100.00 Eamon McGill 890

Promoter Fr. Boland

£100.00 Sean Duffy 992

Promoter Doreen Diver

£100.00 Isobel Moore 747

Promoter Marian Cooke

LOUGH DERG ONLINE RETREAT DAYS

During the month of June, Lough Derg is offering opportunities to have an experience of retreat and pilgrimage from wherever you are. Online Retreat Days continue on 13 and 18 June. From 27 – 29 June people can do the Three Day Pilgrimage from afar, along with the Prior and team. To register for this historic event and for full details of what is happening during June go to www.loughderg.live Telephone 0 (0353) 71 9861518 Email info@loughderg.org

DOWNLOAD THE 2020 SACRED HEART NOVENA FOR FREE!

The Messenger Sacred Heart Novena is one of our most popular publications each year. It is held for the nine days leading up to the Feast of the Sacred Heart, which is always celebrated nineteen days after Pentecost. Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus is considered a symbol of "God's boundless and passionate love for humanity". Many have found comfort and solace praying the Novena, and this year we have particular reason as a community, a nation and a global people to find strength, patience and reassurance in God’s love for us.

As a way of encouraging and supporting our readers and promoters, we have made the 2020 Novena available to download from our website FREE OF CHARGE. 

Simply click here to visit the page and either view the booklet on your computer or print it off to use during each day of the Novena. 


NOTE: The Novena is also available as a pull-out supplement in the June Messenger.

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.