26th Sunday in Ordinary Time-Year C

30th September 2007

If I Were You

One of the healing ministries of great value that is open to every Christian is that of compassionate listening. In everyone's life there exist difficulties and also decisions that must be made. The need to share our heart's burdens with someone we trust is essential to good emotional, physical and even spiritual health. And what a holy, prayerful and healing action it is to listen to another person's concerns.

But if there is one enemy that prevents this exchange from being healing, it surely must be our human compulsion to give advice. For when advice is given without it being requested, it is "a-vice." Hidden, beneath the expression, "If I were you..." is a form of domination, a hidden sense of superiority. Indeed, if our opinion is requested, it may be of real service to give it. But usually when someone drops by for a cup of coffee and starts talking, he or she is not seeking advice but rather a listening and non-judgmental heart.

Set a guard over that desire to tell others how to get their marriages, children or business back in order and simply sit back and listen - and perhaps put yourself in a prayerful inner attitude. As people hear themselves expressing what's inside them, they may be surprised. For it is often simply in the "talking out" of an issue that they discover and clarify their own feelings or, as is sometimes happily the case, the escape route from their problem.

A frequently heard complaint from parents is that their teenage children do not share their problems with them. The reasons could be many for such a reluctance on the part of young people, but parents can ask themselves if they listen to the burdens of their children - if they truly listen. Or do they feel that the role of parents is to give advice or even to unilaterally dictate behaviour? It is not surprising that most young people seek elsewhere for a listener.

We all need good listeners to help us hear ourselves and to assist us in finding relief from the inner burdens we carry - especially if that person is a praying listener. But the next time a friend stops by "just for a cup of coffee," remember a word of wisdom from the Orient, "People who give advice when it is not requested, need advice."

Mass Intentions for this week:
Tuesday 10,00am - Anv. Mass : Annie McLaughlin

This Week’s Calendar
Monday 1 - St Therese of the Child Jesus, virgin and doctor of the Church.
Marie Francois Therese Martin died at the Carmel in Lisieux on 30 September 1897. She was declared a Doctor of the Church by Pope John Paul II in 1997. Patron of missions, florists, aviators, and France.
Tuesday 2 - The Guardian Angels. Catholic tradition has recognised that not only individual people have guardian angels but also homes, cities, and states.
Wednesday 3 - Weekday (26th week in Ordinary Time)
Also: Bl Columba Marmion, monk
Thursday 4 - St Francis of Assisi, 1181-1226, abandoned all things for the love of Christ, founded the Friars Minor, and, with St Clare, the Poor Clares. For the last two years of his life he suffered the stigmata. The patron saint of ecologists.
Friday 5 - Weekday
Saturday 6 - Weekday Also: St Bruno, priest.


Friends of Lough Derg Supper Dance will take place in Mahon’s Hotel Irvinestown on Saturday 13th October starting at 10pm. Music by ÔMucky Ducks’ Tickets for the event costs Û 15 or £10. The Annual Draw takes place on the night. For tickets or further information contact +3537147 or 028-686-32391

Church Readers for the month of October 2007
Vigil Mass 8.00 pm Sat. Cathy Travers
Sunday 9.00 am David McHugh
Sunday 11.00 am Margaret Lynch If you are unable to attend do try and get another reader to cover for you.

Church Door & Car Park Attendants October 2007
Sat. Night: James Gallen, John Corry & John Dolan
Sunday 9.00 am: Paddy McLaughlin & John Gallen
Sunday 11.00 am: Seamus Hegarty, John Francis McHugh & Charlie Lynch

Parish Bingo
The parish bingo continues in the Parish Hall @ 9.00 pm. on Friday evening. We look forward to your support at this parish function each week.

Altar Society for October 2007
Veronica Dolan, Margaret Dolan & Sarah Falls

Ballroom Dancing Lessons in Garvagh Hall on Wednesday nights from 8.30-10.00pm Places available. Contact Border Arts 028 81670636 for further information.

Dance in Garvagh Hall on Friday 5th October music by Patsy Harte & Country Storm

Blessing of the Roses.
Mass and Blessing of Roses in honour of St. Therese of Lisieux will take place in the Carmelite Retreat Centre, Termonbacca, Derry on Monday 1st October at 8.00 p.m. Please bring a rose with you. All are welcome to attend.

The monthly devotions, in honour of Our Lady, will take place in the Carmelite Retreat Centre, Termonbacca, Derry on Tuesday 2nd October starting with confessions at 7.30 p.m. followed by Rosary and Mass, finishing around 10.00 p.m. All are welcome to attend.

Veritas, Butcher Street, Derry Customer Appreciation Day on Thursday 4th Oct. 20% discount off all purchases.
Opening hours 9.30 am Ð 5.30 pm

IHCPT-Young People’s Pilgrimage to Lourdes, Easter 2008. Around five hundred young people from all over Ireland spend a week in Lourdes with the IHCPT (The Irish Pilgrimage Trust) every Easter. Experienced adult carers visit the young people prior to the pilgrimage and accompany them throughout the week in Lourdes.
The Irish Pilgrimage Trust welcomes applications from young people of any religious denomination with:
A physical disability or illness (aged 9-18)
A learning disability (aged 11-21)
Very seriously ill children under the age of 9 (accompanied by a parent or close relative)
Young adults between the age of 20 and 25 with a disability or illness.

The IHCPT covers the cost of those young people selected to travel. If there is a young person that you feel would be eligible and would benefit form a trip to Lourdes please contact the IHCPT office at 0035391796622 for contact details of your local group or an application form. Please note closing date for applications is 31st October 2007.

First Friday Sick.
The sick of the parish will be attended this incoming week Monday: Tullycar, Ballymongan, Killeter, Segronan ,Shanaghy & Scraghy. Friday: The Corgary’s, Carn, Carndreen, Dreenan, The Garvagh’s, Laught & Aghyaran. Can neighbours inform the housebound that I will be calling

Dancing lessons, Mostly Jiving will take place every Tuesday night from 8-9pm in Garvagh Hall.

Pat O’Loughlin is planning his 28th sponsored run of Dublin City Marathon on Monday 29th October Ô07 for MS Research at Walton Centre Liverpool. Pat is the only person in Northern Ireland and one of only 28 people in the world to have completed all Dublin City Marathons. Pat has raised over £33,000 to date for MS Research and once again asks for your support.

Wedding in Aghyaran.
We pray for and congratulate Gilbert O’Sullivan and Tracey Lynch who were married in St. Patrick’s Church recently. We wish them many happy days and Gods’ blessing on their marriage as they begin a new life as Mr. & Mrs.

Naomh Dabh—g Achadh U’ Ara’n club notes
U-16 Sunday 30th September: U-16 FL Semi Final Tattyreagh v Aghyaran @6pm in Drumragh. Saturday 6th October: U-16 FC Semi Final Aghyaran v Glenelly @11am in Newtownstewart.

Cards
Cards resume next Thursday 4th October at 9pm. Everyone welcome. Bar Happy Hour in the Bar on Saturday nights from 9pm to 10pm all drinks £1.50.

Hall Bookings
The Hall is available for groups wishing to play indoor soccer, basketball, badminton etc during the winter months. Bookings can be made in the Bar or by telephoning 81670385.

Website of the Week www.loughderg.org A place of pilgrimage near Pettigo in Co Donegal for more than 1000 years

PRAYER OF GUIDANCE

Spirit of Guidance, I see before me numerous choices and a decision to be made.

There is division in my heart. Sometimes I want none of what I find. Sometimes I want it all. Sometimes I want to give up making decisions and wish that the future would go away.

I entrust my decision-making into your hands, ready to do my part but also knowing that I cannot do this without your help.

Lead me through all the unsure, unclear, doubtful, hesitant, and questioning moments that are mine as I search to find the right way in which to go.

Grant me the grace to choose freely, without being attached to the outcome. I trust that you will be with me as I make my decision prayerfully and with faith.

Assure me that your peace will rest deep within me as I make the decision that seems best for me at this time. I may continue to experience feelings of turmoil and confusion, but deep within I know that I can return to that settled place in me where you always dwell.

Guide and Director of my life, I place my life in your hands. Lead me to the path that will best deepen and strengthen my relationship with you.

Marriage Preparation Courses.

2007

October 26th & 27th.
November 23rd & 24th.
December 8th & 9th Courses

2008

January 25th & 26th,
February 22nd & 23rd,
April 4th , 5th, and April 25th & 26th,
May 23rd & 24th,
June 13th &14th.
Numbers on courses are limited. The fee of £80 per couple must be included with completed application form and forwarded to the Accord office