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

Sunday, June 13th 2010

The 11th Sunday in Ordinary Time

The forgiving Christ

The Pharisee said to himself: “If this man were a prophet he would know who this woman is that is touching him and what a bad name she has”. Once more we have a beautiful example of how Jesus treats women with gentleness and care. This time, however, we also see how he treats someone who is considered a sinner. All he has for her is compassion and understanding and forgiveness. This was a source of scandal for the people around him. How do we treat one another when someone fails? Very often it is with criticism or anger or condemnation. That is not the way of Jesus. We are called to practice the same qualities of love with one another as Jesus has for the woman in this story. We practice gentleness and understanding in the close relationships of marriage and family life. This can be difficult at times. And we need the same qualities within our faith community if we are to be true followers of Christ.

Fr. Johnny Doherty, C.Ss.R.

Jesus welcomes and defends the woman with the ointment.
Poor people’s trust in Jesus.
Luke 7:36 to 8:3

Sunday, 13th June 2010

11th Sunday in Ordinary Time.

First Reading: 2 Samuel 12: 7-10. 13
King David receives the forgiveness of the Lord.

Second Reading: Galatians 2: 16. 19-21
I live now, not with my own life, but with the life of Christ who lives in me.

Gospel: Luke 7: 36 - 8: 3
The repentant woman receives the forgiveness of Jesus.

Jumping to Conclusions

If you happened to be travelling on a certain highway in Texas, you might notice a tiny chapel, up on a hill, not too far from the main road. Beside it there’s a house, and in the louse lives a couple called George and Lois. They actually built the chapel, and it was meant as a prayer stop for travellers. If you call there you’ll see a visitors’ book, and you’ll be able to read names and comments of people from all over the world.

One day George and Lois heard a deafening roar of engines. When they went to the window, they saw a gang of motorcyclists driving single file to the chapel. They were there with their leather jackets, chains, beards and long hair – the couple were terrified. They thought there was going to be trouble. Some of the bikers went into the chapel, and after about ten minutes, they came out and gathered in front of the building, bowed their heads, and just stood in silence for several minutes. Then they got on their motor bikes, and went on their way.

George and his wife were speechless – and also a bit guilty. Why? Because they had jumped to conclusions about the boys on the motor bikes. They had judged them by their outward appearances. And they had got it all wrong.

That’s what happened in the story we heard in today’s gospel. Simon jumped to conclusions about the woman. He’d heard about her reputation and he labelled her. He even condemned Jesus for being kind to her.

Is there anyone among us who has never got it wrong about somebody? It’s so easy to judge people by their clothes, their hairstyle, their age, or by the person who’s with them. We might be right about them, but so often we get it wrong. That’s when we can do them a great injustice.

Last week’s Collection was £1,515.00. Many thanks.

Peter’s Pence

Two collections will be taken up at all Masses next weekend – the weekly envelope collection and, after Communion, the collection marked ‘Peter’s Pence’ – for the Pope and papal charities.

Fr. John Doherty’s Golden Jubilee

A Special Mass for Fr. Doherty’s 50th Jubilee will take place in the Sacred Heart Church on Sunday 20th June at 5.00pm, followed by refreshments in Floyds of Ballymagorry. All parishioners are welcome.

Any donations of home-baking should be left into St. Mary’s Primary School, Cloughcor on Saturday 19th June between 3.00pm and 4.00pm.

North West Tyrone Pioneer Annual Outing

On Saturday 26th June to Dromantine and on to Newcastle. Bus leaving Abercorn Square, Strabane at 8.00am. Fare including meal is £22. For further information and booking please contact Mary Hegarty, Patrick Street [71882886].

St. Vincent de Paul Society, Strabane

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is pleased to announce that the Barrack Street shop reopened on Thursday 10th June. It is hoped that the Market Street shop will reopen in the near future. We thank you for your understanding and continued support.

Strabane District Policing Partnership

The next meeting will take place in the Assembly Hall, Donemana Primary School on Thursday 17th June at 7.30pm. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Taizé
Join us for an hour of meditative prayer and Taizé chant on Wednesday 16th June at 7.30pm in St. Colman’s Chapel, behind St. Mary’s Church, Melmount.

North West Regional College
Strabane campus will be holding Information sessions on Thursday 17th June from 10.00am until 12noon and 6.00pm until 8.00pm. Information on full-time and part-time courses beginning in September. Enrolment can be completely at this event. Call [028] 71382317.

Millennium Form

The Priests will be performing in the Millennium Forum, Derry with special guest Camilla Kerslake on Tuesday 15th June at 8.00pm. Tickets available from the Box Office: [028] 71264455.

Compassion

The person in misery does not need
a look that judges and criticises,
but a comforting presence.
Jesus looked at the ordinary people,
and seeing how needy they were,
he had compassion on them
and began to minister to them.
Compassion means that I suffer with you;
I accept into my heart the misery in yours;
I become one with you in your pain.
I may not be able to relieve that pain,
but by understanding it and sharing it,
I make it possible for you to bear it.
Lord, give us warm and generous hearts
so that we may be agents of your compassion to others.