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

Sunday 21st June 2009

12th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Jesus the Lord of the Storm

Jesus said to his disciples: "Why is it that you are so frightened? How is it that you have no faith?" Over the past few years the Church has been going through a fierce storm. It has been a time of anxiety and worry for many. It has also been a time of deep hurt and anger for others. And there seems to be no end to it. The word of Jesus today is very timely for us. Even though the storm is real and we have to face the reality of it with all its implications, we have to remember that Christ is with us and he will bring calm again. However, this does not mean that we do nothing but wait. We have a real responsibility to work for that calm by the ways we love one another in our homes and in our community. This will take a lot of generosity with our time and our talents in building marriage and family life to their fullest and it will take a new commitment to building the parish as a community of faith and hope.

Fr. Johnny Doherty, C.Ss.R.

Sunday 21st June

12th Sunday of the Year

First Reading Job 38: 1.3-11
God created and controls the forces of nature.

Second Reading Corinthians 5: 14-17
For anyone who is in Christ, there is a new creation.

Gospel Mark 4: 35-41
Jesus calms the storm.

Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Call to Trust

The Gospels offer some astonishing stories: the raising of life of the widow’s son at Naim, the curing of the blind, the deaf, the lame and the leprous; huge crowds fed with a few pieces of fish and a few loaves of bread. We sometimes wonder why our eyes are not popping out of our heads as we read these stories. Have we heard them so often that all their wonder is gone?

The story in today’s Gospel is a case in point. Why doesn’t the stilling of the storm stagger us? Certainly the apostles wondered – and so, for them, part of the reason for the miracle was perhaps not so successful. In a very real sense, Christ would have been happier not to have had to calm the waves. He would much rather have had the apostles place their trust in his presence. But they did not have that kind of trust, and so they panicked. At least, though, they turned to him in that panic. And he took care of them. But he also rebuked them for their lack of faith.

Lord, you asked an awful lot of your apostles. But it is also true that if they had been able to give the trust you asked, they would have been so much happier and full of peace.

And so it is with us, Lord. We cry out to you from all our troubles and pain, from illness and tragedy and agony. You scold us for our lack of faith. You invite us to trust you, to rest secure in your power to save us.

Lord, give us this kind of faith. Help us to trust no matter what happens, even in the face of death.

Collection
Last week’s collection amounted to £1,389.00. Many thanks.

End of Year School Masses
An end of year School Mass will take place in St. Joseph’s Church, Glenmornan on Tuesday 23rd June at 10.00am. Parents and family members will be especially welcome.

A similar Mass will be celebrated in
St. Mary’s Church, Cloughcor on Wednesday 24th June, also at 10.00am.
Note that there will be no Mass in the Sacred Heart Church on Tuesday 23rd and Wednesday 24th June because of the end of Year School Masses.

Derry Diocesan Society – New Names
New names for the Derry Diocesan Society should be handed in to the Parish Office by Thursday at the latest.

Clonmacnois Catholic Youth Festival
Takes place 13th – 16th August 2009.
See poster for details and contact numbers.

North West Tyrone Pioneer Total Abstinence Association

The annual outing this year will be to the Newry/Warrenpoint/Rostrevor area. We will start our day with Mass in Dromantine. The trip will be on Saturday 4th July. Buses will leave Strabane at 7.45am picking up at the usual places to arrive in Omagh at 8.15am and onwards to Dromantine for 10.00am Mass.
The evening meal has been booked for 5.30pm in Newry. Anyone wishing to attend should contact Mary Hegarty, 15 Patrick Street or telephone [028] 71882886.

NI Blood Transfusion Service

A team from the NI Blood Transfusion Service will be collecting blood donations in St. Patrick’s Hall, Strabane on Wednesday 1st July from 1.30pm until 4.00pm and again from 5.15pm until 8.00pm. In order to maintain the vital supply of blood to our hospitals, we need the support not only of existing donors, but also of new donors. Please come along – you could save a life!

BBC N.I. Television Documentary

The BBC is making a documentary to mark the 30th anniversary of Ppoe John Paul II’s visit to Ireland. The producers are keen to hear from people who have memories of that weekend, those who have photographs or videos/Super8 footage etc. Telephone [028] 90 338735 or mobile 07742749661 or email patricia.buller@bbc.co.uk

Strabane & Leckpatrick

Senior Citizens Annual Outing

This year’s St. Vincent de Paul annual senior citizen’s summer outing will be held on Wednesday 8th July 2009 going to Bundoran to spend a relaxing afternoon. Buses leaving St. Pat’s Hall at 12.15pm sharp returning to Strabane with a four course evening meal served at 7.00pm in the Fir Trees Hotel. Any senior citizen interested in going should leave their name address and telephone number before 1st July at the latest. Contact the Vincent’s Shop, Barrack Street or telephone [028] 71384488. Tickets will be issued from
4th July onwards for those who have given their names.

VSB Transport Buddy Scheme

Register for FREE with the Door 2 Door Transport Service. if you lack confidence accessing transport, you may be eligible for a Transport Buddy! VSB’s Transport Buddy Scheme provides volunteers to help you gain the confidence to travel independently.

We require volunteers to help with this service – full training and expenses provided. If you would like to find out more about this service pleace contact Jill; e-mail jill@vsb.org.uk; telephone 079974 610 120 or text buddy for a return call.

VSB Buddy Service
PO Box 331
Bangor BT20 9DN
www.vsb.org.uk

Addiction – The First Step in Recovery

Learn from the past, plan for the future and live in the present.

Dependence on alcohol, other drugs or gambling presents life threatening physical and mental health challenges for individuals, stress and relationship difficulties in families, financial problems for all concerned, educational issues for children and young people, deaths on roads and crime on our streets.
An honest response to the following questions will confirm evidence of addiction.

- Have you ever felt that you should cut down on your use of alcohol, other drugs or the time and money spent on gambling?
- Have people annoyed you by criticizing your dependence on alcohol, other drugs or the time and money spent on gambling?
- Have you ever felt guilty about your dependence on alcohol, other drugs or the time and money spent on gambling?
- Have you needed alcohol or another drug first thing in the morning to steady your nerves or to get rid of anger?

If you are concerned about your dependence on alcohol, other drugs or gambling, we are glad to advise you that staff in White Oaks Rehabilitation Centre provide a confidential counselling service for individuals, couples or families. It has been said that a journey of 1000 Km begins with the first step. Begin the journey into recovery today.