The Body and Blood of Christ - 10 June 2007

A Real Presence

In some Egyptian Coptic Orthodox tradition, there is a custom of families coming to Divine worship with home-baked unleavened bread. Some of this is chosen for use in the Divine Liturgy, the remainder is brought home and let decay untouched - as it could have been the Body of Christ. It teaches a reverence for the ordinary things of life.

For every Christian, there is that potential for greatness or the opposite. We can be the Body of Christ or not for one another. In the Rite of the Mass, the words read ‘On the night he was betrayed, he took bread from the table.’ It doesn’t say ‘the bread’ or that it was a special type. It was ordinary bread, as ordinary as our lives. In other words, Jesus takes ourselves and transforms it to his body and blood. On this Sunday we celebrate our identity as Christ’s Body.

And yet the words ‘bored’ and ‘Mass’ come together all too frequently in conversation. Why is this? Pope Paul VI used to pray this before every Mass; ‘Lord, grant me the grace to celebrate this Mass as if it were my first Mass, my only Mass, and my last Mass.’ Life is sweeter when we first realize that ill-health can intrude. Maybe our experience of how short our lives can be will help us gain wisdom of heart. Then we may become ‘Corpus Christi’ - the Body of Christ for each other.

Announcements

Last week’s collection amounted to £3650.00. Thank you.

Pope’s Collection
There will be a second collection next Sunday 17 June for the Pope. There is a special envelope in your box for this collection.

Novena to the Sacred Heart
The Feast of the Sacred Heart falls on Friday 15 June. Prayers for the Sacred Heart Novena will be broadcast after Masses until the Feast Day.

Dates for Baptism
The following are the dates for the Sacrament of Baptism during the months of June and July:
June: Sunday 17; Sunday 24; Friday 29.
July: Sunday 1; Friday 6; Sunday 15; Sunday 22; Friday 27.
Times for Baptism: Sunday 1.15pm; Friday 7.20pm.

Parish Draw 2007
Promoters should make their returns for June to the Parish Office on Monday 18 June from 2.00pm - 4.30pm and from 7.30pm - 8.30pm. The Draw for June will take place on Thursday 21 June at 2.30pm in the Parish Office.

Primary 7 Pledge
Alcohol and Drugs: At the 10.30am Mass on Sunday 17 June, Year 7 children from St. Mary’s Boys P.S., St. Mary’s Girls P.S. and the Gaelscoil will have an opportunity to make a promise that they will abstain from alcohol for a designated period and from the use of illegal drugs for life. There has been much comment recently about the problems of drug use, alcohol abuse and underage drinking in Ireland. Unfortunately we are all too aware of these issues in the Strabane area. This ceremony will be an opportunity for all of us to commit ourselves to a responsible approach to alcohol and drugs and to giving good example to our young people.

Cemetery Sunday
A word of thanks to all our parishioners for their work leading up to Cemetery Sunday. Thanks to James Creggan, groundsman, Strabane Concert Brass, Michael Kielty, John McElroy and Cathal Blee for use of the lorry.

We congratulate the following couple who were recently united in the Sacrament of Marriage:
Brendan O’Connor and Amanda Goldrick

May they Rest in Peace - Deaths
Michael Porter Jnr, 9 Innisfree Gardens
Patrick McLaughlin, Watford

Anniversaries
Fr. John Convery, Margaret Kearney, John McGlinchey,
Sarah Hannigan, Brendan McElwee, Rosaleen McGonagle,
Paul McGee, Paddy Walsh, Martha Madden,
Christina Brogan, Brigid O’Kane, Annie Gillespie,
Danny McCauley, Joe McDaid, Raymond Logue,
John Barr, Rebecca McCusker, Bridie Doherty,
Rose Mulreany, Margaret Arbuckle, James Casey.

Derry Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes (16-21 July 2007)
The closing date for applications for the Pilgrimage was 31 May 2007. There are still 23 places available. If you are interested in going please contact the Pilgrimage Office on 028 71 260293 (Saturday 11.00am – 1.00pm & 2.00pm – 4.00pm. Thursdays 11.00am – 2.00pm).

Lough Derg
One-Day Retreats
August: 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29
September: 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 10, 11, 12, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 22, 23
Cost: 27 Euro/£18.50stg includes boat fare and lunch. Reservations are essential for the One Day Retreats.

Three-Day Pilgrimage
You may commence your pilgrimage on any day from Friday 1 June to Monday 13 August. Pilgrims must be at least 15 years of age, in normal good health and able to walk and kneel unaided. They must fast from midnight prior to arrival. Pilgrims are advised to bring warm and waterproof clothing. Boats available from 11.00am until 3.00pm daily. Cost: 45 Euro/£32.00stg includes boat fare and accommodation. For bookings and further information telephone 0035371 9861518 or e-mail: info@loughderg.org

Melmount Centre - Parish Bingo Sunday 10 June 2007.

St. Vincent de Paul Lucky Lotto
The Draw for June took place on Sunday 3 June. The numbers drawn were: 10, 17, 18 and 24. There were 3 match 3 winners who shared £300.00, Sally McColgan c/o St. Pat’s Hall, Isobel Dunnion, Glebe Gardens and Marie McElroy, Tullacor Drive. Jackpot for July is £1,100.00. Promoters are asked to have July draw envelopes returned on or before 25 June. The next draw will take place at 9.00pm on Sunday 1 July at Melmount Parish Bingo.

N.W. Institute of Further & Higher Education
Part Time Enrolments Now Open ..........North West College, the new name for N.W. Institute and Limavady College, is now taking enrolments for its part-time courses which begin this September. You can enrol in person (Strand Road, Derry or Derry Road, Strabane), by post (form from www.nwrc.ac.uk) or by phone, 028 7127 6000. Enrol early to secure your place.

St. Joseph’s High School Plumbridge
Open Day and Evening Mass of Thanksgiving to celebrate 38 years of Education. St. Joseph’s will be open to the public on Thursday 14 June between 9.30am - 3.00pm. You will have the opportunity to tour the school. An exhibition of ‘School Photographs’ will also be on show. Everyone associated with St. Joseph’s is also invited to a Mass of Thanksgiving at 7.00pm in Sacred Heart Church, Plumbridge. A light finger buffet will follow in the School Hall.

Communion Prayer

Lord
I am never alone…..
You are always with me.
May I always be aware of
Your Presence and
Your Power,
Your Care and
Your Love,
So that I may always
Place my trust in You,
Who are the Way,
The Truth and
The Life.

Parish Draw 2007
The winners are as follows:
May Draw
£500: 1373 Myra & Jimmy O’Connor - Colman Turley
£250: 1421 Jim Callaghan - Mary Callaghan
£250: 1367 Thomas Kelly - Colman Turley
£250: 1735 Mary Maguire - Michael McGrath
£150: 1478 Alice Houston - Sheila McGonagle
£150: 1474 Lena McBride - Sheila McGonagle
£150: 1100 Tony Gallagher - Francis Henderson
£100: 1263 John Curry - Kevin Gallagher
£100: 1017 Eddie McKelvey - Sheelagh McKelvey
£100: 1956 Celine Neeson - Juliana Murray