Sunday 12th April 2009

Easter Sunday

PRIESTS OF THE PARISH
Rev John Doherty PP Tel: 028 7188 2274
Rev Paul Farren Tel: 028 7188 3247

We rejoice and are glad

"Now we are those witnesses." People today are very reluctant to get involved with things in the community and in society, especially on a voluntary basis. And yet our following of Christ is all about getting involved and not counting the cost. We have just come through the journey that Christ travelled in his passion and death, the price of our salvation. Our responsibility is to bring the fruits of that to our world by bringing joy, peace, healing, gladness, freedom, justice and so on, beginning with those with whom we live and spreading out to those with whom we worship, and beyond. Every aspect of human living needs this more now than ever as we witness a breakdown of marriage and family life; growing violence in society; increasing isolation of people in every community. Now is the time to live our Christian faith.

Fr. Johnny Doherty, C.Ss.R.

First Reading Acts of the Apostles 10: 34, 37-43
We have eaten and drunk with him after his resurrection.

Second Reading Colossians 3: 1-4
You must look for the things that are in heaven, where Christ is.

Gospel John 20: 1-9
He must rise from the dead.

Many Thanks!

We are very grateful to all those who have been involved in the Holy Week ceremonies in our three churches. These include the readers, the Eucharistic Ministers, the altar servers; also the organists, the choirs and the soloists for the lovely music. We thank the sacristans, those who clean the churches and look after the grounds, and all who prepare the altars and provide the flowers. We are also grateful to Sister Benedict for her help.

Finally, we take this opportunity of wishing you all a very Happy Easter.

Father John Doherty
Father Paul Farren

Running Feet

We step out of Lent with its darker, penitential side into the brightness of Easter. One of the first sounds we hear is that of running feet. There is the breathless Mary Magdalene discovering an empty tomb. Her news brings Peter and John running to the tomb, the younger John out-running Peter, handicapped by age and guilt. Peter is the first to enter the tomb. He sees and believes. Later downhearted disciples left an unfinished meal at Emmaus to hurry back to tell that they had seen Jesus.

Running feet bring an urgent message of Easter joy: the Lord is risen. But we live in a time and place far removed from the Gospel. It’s hard to be joyful when your heart is empty, when you look at an empty chair rather than an empty tomb. Running feet aren’t needed when you shuffle in a dole queue. There is no hurry in your day where there is no one and little to return to, and your days are filled with uncertainty.

But if we believe in the resurrection, we have faith that we are precious to the God who pursues us, even into the grave, to give us life. All around us lie signs of hope, and earth stirring with new life, the seed sown in hope and promise last autumn fulfils its promise. As we look into the empty tomb, with our individual emptiness, let us pray that Christ will nudge us awake to hope. In Him we have a reason for hope, a reason to live. Why? Because he himself is alive!

Last week’s Collection was £1,873.00. Many thanks.

Weekly Envelopes

By now you should have received your new weekly envelopes for the coming twelve months. If you have not been supplied with a box but wish to have one, please contact your area representative or the Parish Office as soon as possible.

If you attend Mass in one of the neighbouring parishes, please use your own parish envelopes. There is a longstanding tradition in this area whereby envelopes are returned to their original parishes. It is important that people support the parishes in which they live.

Cemetery Sunday

The Blessing of Graves will take place in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Glenmornan on Sunday 17th May at 3.00pm.

Diocesan Pilgrimage to Knock

On the 130th anniversary of the apparitions, the Diocesan Pilgrimage to Knock will take place on Sunday 7th June 2009. It will be led by Bishop Séamus Hegarty, and will commence with the Anointing of the Sick at 2.30pm. The concelebrated Mass will begin at 3.00pm, and the Pilgrimage will end with the Solemn Blessing of those who are sick, Benediction and Rosary Procession to the Shrine.

Dates to Remember

Saturday 9th May 2009: First Holy Communion for the children of Strabane Controlled Primary School in the Sacred Heart Church at 11.00am.

Sunday 10th May 2009: First Holy Communion for the children of
St. Joseph’s Primary School, Glenmornan in Glenmornan Church at 10.15am.

Saturday 16th May 2009: First Holy Communion for the children of St. Mary’s Primary School in the Sacred Heart Church at 11.00am.

Alzeheimer’s Support Group

The group will meet on Wednesday
15th April at 7.30pm in Melmount Manor Care Home, 1 Orchard Road, Strabane. Guest Speaker: Liz Mitchell [University of Ulster, Course Director] who will be speaking on “Course Training for Nurses and Health Care Workers”. Everyone is welcome.

NI Blood Transfusion Service

A team from the NI Blood Transfusion Service will collect blood donations in
St. Patrick’s Hall, Strabane on Wednesday 22nd April from 1.30pm until 4.00pm and again from 5.15pm until 8.00pm. Both existing and new donors are welcome – you could save a life!

Annual Financial Statement

In this bulletin we have included a statement of accounts for the year 2008. This shows that we have routine expenses which are funded mainly by our regular collections each weekend. It is from this collection that we pay salaries, office expenses, insurance, rates, heating and lighting costs associated with all parochial buildings, as well as the ‘Diocesan Assessment’. This is now 13% of our disposable income which has to be paid to the diocese each year. As you can see, the regular weekly collection, together with interest on parish savings and Gift Aid refunds, just about covers all these expenses. Sadly for priests and people, we will not have the benefit of the Parish Savings Scheme in 2009, but hopefully it will be up and running next year. Let’s just hope and pray!

As you can see from our 2008 financial statement, in spite of the worldwide economic downturn, we are happy to report that this year we have emerged from our deficit situation for the first time in twenty years. We are deeply grateful to all who have contributed to parish funds in recent times. We are confident that you will continue to support your parish to the best of your ability.

Many thanks to you all!