Sunday 7th October 2007

27th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Reflection - BAMBOO: AN INDIAN LEGEND

Once upon a time there was a beautiful garden. Of all the dwellers of the garden, the most beautiful and beloved was a gracious and noble Bamboo. Year after year, Bamboo grew more beautiful and gracious. Often when the Wind came to revel in the garden, Bamboo would toss aside his dignity. He would dance and sway merrily, tossing and leaping and bowing in joyous abandon. He would lead the great dance of the garden, which most delighted his master's heart.

One day the master himself drew near. Bamboo bowed his head to the ground in joyful greeting. The master spoke: 'Bamboo, I would use you.' Bamboo flung his head to the sky in utter delight. 'Master I am ready, use me as you want.' 'Bamboo, the master's voice was grave, 'I would be obliged to take you and cut you down.' A trembling of great horror shook Bamboo. 'Cut... me... down? Ah, not that; use me for your joy, O master, but cut me not down,' 'Beloved Bamboo, if I do not cut you down then I cannot use you.' The garden grew still. Wind held her breath. Bamboo slowly bent his proud and glorious head. There came a whisper. 'Master, if you cannot use me unless you cut me down, then do your will and cut.'
'Bamboo, beloved Bamboo, I would cut your leaves and branches from you also.' 'Master, master, spare me. Cut me down and lay my beauty in the dust, but would you take from me my leaves and branches also?' 'Alas, if I do not cut them away, I cannot use you.' The sun hid her ace. A listening butterfly glided fearfully away. Bamboo shivered in terrible expectancy, whispering low, 'Master, cut away.' 'Bamboo, Bamboo, I would divide you in two and cut out your heart, for if I do not cut so, I cannot use you.' 'Master, master, then cut and divide.'

So the master cut down Bamboo and chopped off his branches and stripped off his leaves and divided him in two and cut out his heart and, lifting him gently, carried him to a spring of fresh, sparkling water in the midst of the dry fields. He put down one end of broken Bamboo into the spring and the other end into the water channel in the field. The spring sang welcome. The clear sparkling water raced joyously down the channel of Bamboo's torn body into the waiting fields. Then the rice was planted and the days went by. The shoots grew. The harvest came. In that day was Bamboo, once so glorious in his stately beauty, yet more glorious in his brokenness and humility. For in his beauty he was life abundant. But in his brokenness he became a channel of abundant life into his master's world.

CHANGE OF MASS TIMES

NATIONAL ROSARY CRUSADE
Many parishes throughout Ireland have been reciting the Fatima Rosary on the 13th of each month from May to October. The sixth of these will take place on Saturday in Long Tower at 9:45am followed by morning Mass. The national conclusion of the Rosaries will take place at the Hill of Slane on the same day, 13th October. If you would like to reserve a place on the bus, contact Angela at 7131 1456. All welcome.

VISITATION OF THE HOUSEBOUND
Father Mongan will visit the sick in his care on Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday, 8th/9th/10th October in the following areas:
Monday 8th October
St Columb’s Wells, Westland Street, Meenan Drive, Meenan Square, Drumcliffe Avenue, Abbots Walk, Cable Street, Durrow Park, Lisfannon Park.
Tuesday 9th
October Maureen Avenue, Ivy Terrace, Lower Bennett Street, Belview Avenue, Mary Street, Moat Street, Abercorn Road, Abercorn Place, Sunbeam Terrace, Corporation Street, Barrack Street, Cooke Street, Windmill Terrace, Charlotte Street, The Metropole
Wednesday 10th October
Long Tower Court.

We Gratefully Acknowledge The Anonymous Donations To The General Renovation Fund: £20, £20, £10, £10, £10, £5, £5, £20, £500, £40, £25.

LAST WEEK’S ENVELOPE COLLECTION £2259.00

LAST WEEK’S RENOVATION COLLECTION £775.00

ST JOSEPH’S YOUNG PRIESTS SOCIETY monthly meeting takes place on Monday 8th October at 8.30 pm. All welcome to attend.

THE ST VINCENT DE PAUL would like to thank all those people who contributed so generously to last week’s collection in aid of ‘Action with Effect’, who are building a hospice for the terminally ill and lepers in India. The total collection amounted to £2466.54.

YOUNG PEOPLES BEGINNING EXPERIENCE will present a residential weekend in St Columb’s Park House, Derry on Friday 12th to 14th October. This programme helps young people who have experienced the loss of a parent through death, divorce or separation. For applications please contact Bridie or Maria at Youthlife Centre, 23 Bishop Street, Derry or telephone 7137 7227.

NAZARETH HOUSE RESIDENTIAL HOME require full-time Care Assistants for day shifts. Applicants must have some experience in caring in a formal setting. Please apply in writing to Nazareth House, 174 Bishop Street, Derry, BT48 6UN.

THE NEXUS INSTITUTE is a local agency that provides specialised counselling to men and women who have suffered the trauma of sexual violence at some point in their lives. We are holding an Open Day on Wednesday, 10 October 2007 to coincide with World Mental Health day. We would like to invite the general public to call in to our premises at 38 Clarendon Street and join us for a coffee. Everyone is most welcome. For further information please call 028 7126 0566.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO REPRESENT LONG TOWER ON THE INTERFACE FORUM?
This forum has been meeting for the last two years to promote peace along the interface boundaries within the city. The Long Tower interest is principally in the wall surrounding the Fountain. The forum meets a few times a year and we would be glad to have a representative in attendance. If you are willing, please give your name and phone number to the Sacristy or Parochial House.

NEW RELIGIOUS ORDER COMES TO DIOCESE OF DERRY
The Sisters of St John have established a new convent in our diocese at 10 Belvoir Park, Culmore, Derry.

Mass
Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 8.30 am
Saturdays at 4.00 pm.

Evening Prayer
Monday to Friday at 5.45 pm

Eucharistic Adoration
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 6.15 pm to 7.15 pm
Thursday from 7.00 pm to 9.00 pm
Saturday from 9.00 am to 3.30 pm

All are welcome to Mass, Evening Prayer and Eucharistic Adoration. The Sisters also welcome visitors from Monday to Friday from 2.00 pm to 5.00 pm. You may also contact them by telephone on 7135 3414 from 2.00 pm until 4.30 pm and from 7.30 pm until 9.00 pm.

LIFE SUNDAY today the Catholic Church in Ireland celebrates a Day for Life. Precious Life asks you to join them in offering up your Rosaries, Prayers and Sacrifices for the success of the Not in My Name Campaign. You can help further by ordering free Campaign Postcards to distribute amongst your family and friends. Please contact Precious Life 9027 8484.

WOMENS MOT/HEALTH CHECKS as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month at the Gasyard Centre on Monday 8th October from 7.00 pm to 8.30 pm. Get your height, weight, cholesterol, blood sugars and blood pressure checked. There will also be a talk on Breast Awareness. For more information contact Karen on 7136 5330.

Lasco Lotto
Numbers Drawn 1, 7, 20, 22
No Jackpot Winner 1 £10 Winner
Next Weeks Jackpot £2,600
Anyone wishing to join please contact LASCO 02871374443

SECOND CHANCE CHARITY SHOP needs your help. All proceeds go directly to an orphanage for disabled children in India. Please leave all clothes, bric-a-brac or anything in good condition at 3 Union Hall Place (behind the walls at the bottom of Shipquay Street). To big to carry it yourself? We will collect them! Just phone 078 0302 6995.

DOVE HOUSE will be open every Tuesday from 5.30 pm to 7.30 pm to advise people who are crippled with spiralling debt. For more information please do not hesitate to contact Rosaire at Dove House on 7126 9327.