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

Sunday 17th May 2009

Sixth Sunday of Easter

The Spirit of God’s love

Jesus said to his disciples: “You did not choose me; no, I chose you.” Anybody who is involved in a team sport will know the tension there is in wondering if they will be picked for the team and then the delight when they are picked or the utter disappointment when they are not. Jesus has picked each one of us for his team of disciples because the task of transforming the world is so vast and because each one of us has our own unique gifts and opportunities for the task. Our responsibility is to say yes to his call and take our part in his mission. As always this begins in our homes with the most intimate relationships of human life, to make those the best they can possibly be. Our mission is also to our faith community where we have a special relationship in the Body and Blood of Christ. And it extends to the world in which we live. This week we can refresh the enthusiasm and joy of being chosen.

Fr. Johnny Doherty, C.Ss.R

Give thanks to God for he is good: His love is everlasting.
Give thanks to the God of gods: His love is everlasting.
Give thanks to the Lord of Lords: His love is everlasting.
He alone performs great marvels: His love is everlasting.
His wisdom made the heavens and the earth:
He made the sun, the moon and the stars: His love is everlasting.

Sunday 17th May 2009

6th Sunday of Easter

First Reading Acts of the Apostles 10: 25-26
The baptism of Cornelius, the first pagan to receive the grace of baptism, shows that God’s salvation is offered to all.

Second Reading John 4: 7-10
This reading contains what is probably the most important statement ever made about God.

Gospel John 15: 9-17
Jesus leaves his friends the supreme commandment of love.

Headlines About God

Our newspapers don’t always help us to understand the view of life St. John speaks of in today’s readings. The papers are full of terrorist attacks, wars and murders, of riots and white-collar crime, of floods and fires and wrecks. In recent weeks the focus is on the recession and the ‘swine flu’. It is as if bad news is the only news. The occasional item about bravery or kindness wears a somewhat surprised air in the midst of its grim neighbours.

But maybe the newspapers have little interest in the ordinary world. Perhaps they tell us only of the events that are unusual and perverse and sensational.

For most of us do not make the front page. We live very quiet lives. We love one person in lifelong fidelity. We fill our homes with peace and our small world with friendliness. We are there to help when sickness or disaster strikes our neighbours. Our days go by, one much like the other, and so we are not very good material for a newspaper story.

Yet, Lord, our lives are real. Our jobs and our families are real. Above all else, our love is real. Our spouses and our children, our relatives and our friends – these people make our lives rich and fruitful. They make our Father more dear and familiar than perhaps we will ever realise on this earth, for he himself is love.

Thank you, Lord, for our quiet love-filled lives which are the real world, our world.

Last week’s Collection was £1,417.00. Many thanks.

Diocesan Purposes Collection
The second envelope collection next weekend is the Diocesan Purposes Collection – also known as the Bishop’s Collection.

Derry Diocesan Pilgrimage to Knock

The Pilgrimage to Knock will take place on Sunday 7th June. A bus will leave Abercorn Square at 8.00am sharp. Fare £12. To book please contact Mary Hegarty, 15 Patrick Street [028] 71882886.

First Holy Communion

Congratulations to the children who received Holy Communion for the very first time over the past two weeks. We are very grateful to their teachers and other members of staff for preparing the children for this very important occasion in their lives. We thank all who participated in the various liturgies, and also the parents who have been guiding their children in the ways of faith.

Cemetery Sunday

The Blessing of the Graves will take place today [Sunday] at 3.00pm in
St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Glenmornan. Please bring holy water for the sprinkling on your family graves.

About our Graveyards …

We wish to draw your attention once again to the policy which has been developed over the years in relation to the three graveyards in our parish.

- A new burial space may not be booked in advance.

- A new burial space will be granted only to a deceased person who has been a resident of the parish at the time of death or indeed at any time during life.

- Because of the demand on the available space in the Sacred Heart graveyard, a further restriction applies; namely only single graves will be allocated.

Blessing of the Graves in Melmount

The Blessing of the Graves will take place next Sunday 24th May at 5.00pm.

Strabane Family History Society

The next Meeting of the Strabane Family History Society, the final meeting of the season, will be on Thursday 21st May 2009 in the Community Library premises, Abercorn Square at 7.30pm.

Alzheimer’s Support Group

The next meeting will take place on Wednesday 20th May at 7.30pm in Melmount Manor Care Home, 1 Orchard Road, Strabane with Michael McIvor [Alzheimer’s Society] – Alzheimer’s Presentation and yearly Review. Everyone welcome.

Reflection

If only the heart was right
we could give so much more.
But, alas, the heart is often empty.
It is often cold and unwelcoming.
It is often hard and unyielding.
It is often weighed down with worry.
It is often sad and lonely.
It is often in darkness.
It is often wounded.
And it is sometimes broken.
We have to heal the wounds of the hearts
in order to be able to love.
Lord, touch our hearts and heal them,
so that we may be able to bear the fruits of love. Amen.