Sunday 14th September 2008

The Triumph of the Cross

Jesus said: “For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not be lost but may have eternal life.” People today struggle with the idea of whether there is a God at all. Our faith teaches us, not only that there is a God, but that God is passionately in love with each one of us. God wants everything that is good and best for each of us. That is why he sent his Son, Jesus Christ, not just as a teacher but as one who literally put his life on the line to show us the way to the fullness of life. The Triumph of the Cross is not the triumph of power but of love. Our love relationships will bring us through suffering too but they will lead us to life. So many people are lost in themselves. The only way to life for them and for all of us is the way of love. As Christians we have the responsibility of living that way in our families and in our faith community. That is the challenge week by week.

Fr. Johnny Doherty, C.Ss.R.

Sunday 14th September

Feast of the Triumph of the Cross

Parish Missal Readings (Year 1) p 973 & Proper p 1124

First Reading Numbers 21:4-9
Moses interceded for the people and the Lord answered him.

Second Reading Philippians 2:6-11
Christ humbled himself, therefore God raised him high.

Gospel John 3:13-17
God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son.

At Cross Purposes

If Jesus had been hanged instead of crucified would we be celebrating the Triumph of the Rope? No irreverence is intended here. It is a serious question. The symbolism of hanging from a rope would not be as strong, nor the image as powerful, as that of an outstretched man, naked, pinned in agony to a cross. Yet redemption would just as surely have been achieved. The means of death was not important. The fact of death was.

While today’s feast focuses on the symbol, the external sign, we cannot be blind to what really counted: Jesus’ love for his Father. Concentrating on, and glorifying, the cross can be dangerous, even unchristian. It can give the impression that the pain is all-important, not the love that overcomes the pain.

Had Jesus not had to die for what he said and did would he still be Saviour? An unqualified yes to that! If it was his love that brought salvation, then the suffering was tragically unnecessary. But because of our sorry state, it was inevitable.

That’s why today’s Gospel reading (John 3:13-17) tells us that the Father sent the Son into this world, not to condemn it but to save it. That mission is what triumphed, not the cross. Without the love in his heart Jesus would not have had his cross to bear. He would not have had to face the enemy to the bitter end - and he would not have been a man to take seriously.

Announcements

Last week’s collection amounted to £3158.40. Thank you.

Dates for Baptism

The following are the dates for the Sacrament of Baptism during the months of September, October, November and December:

September: Sunday 14; Sunday 21; Friday 26.

October: Sunday 5; Friday 10; Sunday 19; Friday 24.

November: Friday 7; Sunday 9; Sunday 16; Friday 28.

December: Sunday 7; Friday 12; Friday 19; Sunday 28.

Times for Baptism: Sunday 1.15pm; Friday 7.20pm.

Evening Mass - Weekdays

From Monday 29 September there will be a change to the days for Evening Mass. There will be Evening Mass on a Monday, Tuesday and Friday Evening at 7.00pm and no Mass on a Wednesday Evening or Thursday Evening. Morning Masses and Weekend Masses remain unchanged. There is normally Mass on Wednesday Evening in the Church of the Immaculate Conception.

Parish Draw 2008

Promoters should make their returns for September to the Parish Office on Monday 22 September from 2.00pm - 4.30pm and from 7.30pm - 8.30pm. The Draw will take place on Thursday 25 September at 10.30am in the Parish Office.

University Students - The Catholic Chaplaincy @ Queen’s Belfast

E-mail: cc@qubcc.org Website: www.qubcc.org The Catholic Chaplaincy, 28 Elmwood Avenue re-opens on Sunday 28 September for 8.00pm Mass. The Chaplains’ cafe and the rest of the chaplaincy facilities (Corpus Christi Chapel, library, lounge and prayer room) re-open on Monday 29 September at 9.00am. Daily Mass Monday to Friday 12.15pm, Sunday Mass: 12 noon and 8.00pm. Welcome night for all new students: Wednesday 8 October at 7.00pm. The Dedication of Studies Mass will be on Sunday 12 October at 8.00pm. Please sign up with the Chaplaincy as part of the Online Enrolment Procedures.

Marriage Preparation Workshop

Marriage Preparation Workshop in the Thornhill Centre, Culmore Road, Derry on Friday 26 September 2008 from 7.00pm to 10.00pm and Saturday 27 September from 10.00am to 4.00pm. Booking forms available from the Pastoral Centre, Bishop Street, Derry, telephone 028 71362475.

Taize Prayer

Join us for an hour of meditative prayer and Taize chant on Wednesday 17 September at 7.30pm in the Day Chapel. Everyone welcome.

We welcome into God’s Family through the Sacrament of Baptism:
Rebecca Marie McDonald

We congratulate the following couples who were recently united in the Sacrament of Marriage:
Declan Devine and Laura McQuitty
Michael Buchanan and Joanne Brewer

May they Rest in Peace - Deaths
Bridie Rouse, 54 Ballycolman Avenue
Rose Harte, 16 Orchard Road
Donal Porter, 21 Sperrin View, Omagh
Bernie Duddy, Glasgow formerly Clady

Anniversaries
Samuel Kerr, Eileen McBride, Rebecca Coyle,
Bridget French, Hugh Devine, John Wilson,
John Barr, David Gallagher, Sheila Gallagher,
Tony Quigg, Benny Creggan, Fergal McLaughlin,
Mary Roulston, Brian Semple, Mary B. Kelly.

Alzheimer’s Support Group

There will be a meeting of the Alzheimer’s Support Group on Wednesday 17 September at 7.30pm in Melmount Manor Care Home, 1 Orchard Road, Strabane. The guest speaker will be Maureen Collins speaking on ‘The Benefits System and Entitlements’. Everyone welcome.
Legion of Mary Pilgrimage to Knock will take place on Sunday 28 September leaving the Bowling Green at 8.15am sharp. For further details contact Frances on 71 882048.

Melmount Centre - Parish Bingo Sunday 14 Sept 2008

St. Vincent de Paul Lucky Lotto

The Draw for September took place on Sunday 7 September. The numbers drawn were: 6, 8, 12 and 20. There were 14 match 3 winners: Gwendoline Curran, Vincent Brolly, Eddie McKelvey, Sadie McDevitt, Darren McCrory, Anne Pat Duffy, Michelle Burns, Kathleen Forbes, Rosaleen Gilloway, Liam McCrory, Mary O’Neill, Susan McMonagle, Maureen MacIntyre and George Kirk. The Jackpot for October is £1,700.00. Promoters are asked to have October draw envelopes returned on or before 25 September. The next draw will take place at 9.00pm on Sunday 5 October at Melmount Parish Bingo.

Strabane History Society

The Opening Meeting of the new season of Strabane History Society will take place in Strabane Community Library on Thursday 18 September at 7.30pm. Mr. Roddy Hegarty makes a return visit and will be available for advice and queries. New members welcome.

Blood Transfusion Service

The N.I. Blood Transfusion Service will be in St. Patrick’s Hall, Barrack Street, Strabane on Wednesday 24 September from 1.30pm - 4.00pm and from 5.15pm - 8.00pm. New donors and existing donors are encouraged to attend.

Strabane Multiple Sclerosis presents an evening with Strabane Concert Brass in St. Patrick’s Hall on Friday 26 September, 2008 starting at 8.00pm. Tickets £8.00 also payable at the door.

The Cannon & Ramsey Band will appear in St. Patrick’s Hall on Monday 22 September. Doors open at 9.00pm. Admission £5.00/7 euro. Light supper provided. Everyone welcome. All proceeds in aid of St. Patrick’s Luncheon Club.

Dance Crazy

New dance class for all boys and girls aged from 5yrs - 13yrs will be held at Riversdale Leisure Centre every Tuesday night from 7.30pm to 8.30pm. Admission £5.00 payable at door.

Strabane Sigersons GAA are holding an All Ireland Draw with 6 tickets up for grabs. Draw tickets are available from any Club member at £10.00 each.