Parish News for Sunday 23rd Sept 2007

25th Sunday in Ordinary Time

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

Justice or Profit

We don’t have to go far in our modern world to see some of the attitudes for which Amos rebuked the people of Israel. He condemned them for fraudulent business practices, for digging the last penny out of the powerless poor and for becoming impatient with any law and any person that hindered their money-making.

Today’s money-making has more than just a nodding acquaintance with Amos’ business world. We are offered carloads of contaminated wheat, automobiles with switched engines, shoddily-built homes, sleeping garments that can cause cancer, fresh cement that crumbles in a year or two – all in the sacred name of profit. It is not always easy to find a product or a worker whose first quality is integrity.

Lord, help us not to compromise between justice and profit. Make us trustworthy in all matters, large and small. Help us really to believe your word and act on it, even when it hurts.


Last week’s Collection was £1,552.00. Many thanks.

Solemn Annual Exposition
Solemn Annual Exposition will take place after the 9.15am Mass next Sunday
[30th September] in St. Mary’s Church, Cloughcor and will continue until 5.00pm when a Eucharistic Service will take place.

Strabane Methodist Women Visitors Night
Strabane Methodist Women in Ireland wish to invite all ladies from Leckpatrick Parish to their Visitors Night in their church hall, Railway Road on Wednesday 3rd October at 8.00pm. The speaker will be Miss Rachel Fallows who will speak about her recent trip to Malawi on behalf of Habitat for Humanity. Anyone who intends to be present on the night should contact the Parish Office as soon as possible as numbers are required.

Knockavooe Special School
Knockavoe Special School is having a Grand Draw on 29th September in the Fir Trees Hotel. Tickets are £25 each and are available from the school, telephone [028] 71883319 or Audrey Preston [028] 8165 9869. 1st prize – Corsa Car, 2nd prize – Plasma TV, 3rd prize – £250 Foyleside Voucher, 4th prize – £100 fuel donated by Millars.

Derry Diocesan Society Mass
The 10.00am Mass in the Sacred Heart Church on Tuesday 25th September will be said for the deceased members of the Derry Diocesan Society.

Strabane District Policing Public Meeting
Strabane District Policing Partnership are holding their next meeting in public, which will highlight the issue of drug misuse and sexual assault within our district. It will take place in The Alley Theatre, Strabane on Friday 28th September 2007 at 10.30am. Light refreshments will be provided. Everyone is welcome, especially young people from the district.

First Holy Communion/Confirmation Parents’ Meeting
A meeting for parents of children who will receive First Holy Communion and Confirmation in the coming year will take place in the Sacred Heart Church on Thursday 27th September 2007 at 7.30pm. It is hoped that all parents will be able to attend.

Thornhill Centre, Derry
Pathways to Prayer: A one-year spirituality course will be held from Monday
1st October 2007, 7.30pm – 9.30pm. This course will allow people the opportunity to nourish their intellect and so feed their spirit.
Foundations in Liturgy: A one-year course will commence from Tuesday 2nd October from 7.30pm – 9.45pm. This course is designed to foster an understanding of the richness of the Liturgy of the Church, symbolism, ritual, and worship.
For more details about these courses please telephone [028] 71351233.

Owen Roe O’Neill’s GAC
A Golf Day is currently being organised for Saturday 29th September in Strabane Golf Club. Entry fee £25 per person and this includes light refreshments. £10 deposit is necessary when booking. Contact Gerry Casey as soon as possible. Visitors welcome.

The Club is starting Irish Dancing classes in Glenmornan Community Hall starting on Friday 5th October. The classes are geared towards beginners. In order to gauge interest, those interested should forward their names to Joe Hegarty [71880793] or Galvin Early [71398398].

Any Club member under the age of 17yrs interested in representing the Club in Scor na n-Og in November should get in touch with Joe Hegarty. The sections are Ballad, Group, Solo Singing, Ceili Dancing, Set Dancing, Instrumental Group, Recitation/Storytelling, Novelty Act and Quiz Team.

There will be a Charity Quiz in the clubrooms on Friday 5th October. If anyone would like to nominate a charity for this Quiz please contact Galvin Early.

Trócaire
Trócaire would like to thank Leckpatrick Parish for your most generous contribution of £1,000 towards their work in the developing world. Trócaire have funded programmes in 40 countries in the past year including agricultural programmes and water projects for irrigation, drinking water and sanitation, education, healthcare and peace-building. Once again, many thanks for your continued generosity and support.

Prayer for Priests

Eucharist: a prayer inspired by the Mass

O Lord!
Look into our hearts this day and read us
Look in our souls this day and hear us
When we thrust out our hands for help - hold us
When we open our arms for love - embrace us
When we bow our heads to thee - bless us
When we give of ourselves - come to us. Amen.
Judith Ann Pounder

Lord Jesus, bless all priests and give them grace to do your great work on earth. Keep them, Lord, close to your heart and under the shadow of your protection. Bless their labours for you and grant that their harvest of souls may be a source of joy and consolation to them during life and may merit an everlasting reward for them in death, that having led many souls to you they may see you to face to face. Amen.

Telephone numbers if you feel you cannot cope

Samaritans - 0845 790 9090

Zest - a counselling service offering free support to those who feel suicidal, friends and loved ones who have been affected by suicide and those who self harm. Telephone 7126 6999 or e-mail. zestni@yahoo.co.uk

Prayer for the Suicidal

O Eternal Father, we pray for all those who are suicidal.
May Your loving hand guide and protect them
so they receive the help they need,
preventing them from dying from suicide.
Let them know that we need them and love them,
show them Your love Lord Jesus.
Remind them that they are very special people,
filling their minds with beautiful memories.
Give them everything they need so as to ease their pain,
grant that they may find hope, comfort, guidance
and healing in every way possible.
Let them feel our love, and Your love,
carry them when they are weary.
Embrace them and let Your love
shine down upon them always. Amen.