Sunday 1st February 2009

Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

The Lord, our Teacher

"His teaching made a deep impression on them because, unlike the scribes, he taught them with authority." As Christians we believe that Jesus is the one above all others who can teach us about God. And the God that he reveals to us is a God of infinite love and compassion. At times we, as the Church, move away from this God and create a God of fear and judgement. Our responsibility is to move back very firmly to the God of Jesus. We also believe that Jesus is the one above all others who can teach us about the meaning of human life. He teaches us very clearly that human life is about love. We make it about wealth, or importance, or pleasure and we have to constantly move back to pinning our hopes on love: in marriage; in family life; in our life with one another in the parish community.

Fr. Johnny Doherty, C.Ss.R.

"I’ve Learned”

I’ve learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life goes on and it will be better tomorrow.

I’ve learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas lights.

I’ve learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you’ll miss them when they’re gone from your life.

I’ve learned that making a “living” is not the same thing as making a “life”

More to follow …….

Week beginning Sunday 1st February
This Week’s Saints
Monday 2 – The Presentation of the Lord
Tuesday 3 – St Blaise, bishop and martyr
Thursday 5 – St Agatha, virgin and martyr
Friday 6 – Sts Paul Miki and Companions, martyrs
Saturday 7 – St Mel, bishop

First Friday Devotions
Friday is the First Friday of the month. Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament will be in the Sacred Heart Church from after 10 am Mass until 7.15 pm.

Recent Deaths

We sympathise with the families of the following who died recently:

Edward (Ted) O’Reilly
Mary Campbell
Rosaline McGrath
Patrick Doherty

May they rest in peace.

Mass Intentions - Sacred Heart Church 7.30 pm

Thur Cathal Doherty – Month’s Mind

Fri Pat Vaughan – Month’s Mind

Baptisms
Finn Alexander O’Hara, 18 Lammy Crescent
Jake Stephen McGaughey, 29 Lammy Crescent
Orlaith Roisin Donnell, 38 Gortmore Gardens
Owen Eamon McDonagh, 21 Lammy Walk
Shea Patrick Mullin, 3 Coolnagard View

Questions people ask

Q. When Jesus was casting out an evil spirit, why did the spirit call Jesus the Holy One of God? I would have expected horrible curses rather than this holy title.

A. According to the understanding prevailing at that time, the key to somebody’s power lay in the name of the person. Calling out the true name of any spirit would give access to its power. In the dramatic style of the Gospel of Mark, the devils have been so utterly defeated by Jesus that they are trying the most exalted titles, not in adoration, but attempting to gain his power. These dramatic exorcisms are a feature of Mark but are entirely missing from the Gospel of John.

Fr Silvester O’Flynn OFM Cap, Courtesy of Intercom Magazine
Email silvesteroflynn@gmail.com

Visitation of the Sick

Monsignor Donnelly will visit the sick and housebound on Monday (instead of Tuesday), Thursday and Friday of this week. Fr Canning will visit the country areas, Castle Street and Hunter Crescent on Monday 2nd February. He will visit the Brookmount Road area on Friday 6th February. Fr McDevitt will visit the sick and housebound on Monday 2nd and Tuesday 3rd February.

Parish Notes

Monday 2nd February is Candlemas Day. Candles will be blessed after all Masses in the Sacred Heart Church. Tuesday 3rd February is the Feast of St Blaise. There will be a blessing of throats after all Masses in the Sacred Heart Church.

Parish Draw

The next draw will take place on Tuesday 3rd February after the Bingo in St Joseph’s Hall. All promoters are asked to bring their returns to the hall at the usual times.

Confirmation Talk

There will be a talk for parents of Primary Seven children, who are making their Confirmation this April in St Joseph’s Hall. It will take place on Wednesday 4th February at 8.15 pm. All parents are asked to attend.

Pilgrimages for 2009

Accompanied by a Spiritual Director
Group Organiser: Paddy McGowan

7 May 2009 – Lourdes ex Dublin – 5 Nights
17 July 2009 – Lourdes ex Belfast – 5 Nights
30 July 2009 – Fatima/Estoril ex Dublin – 7 Nights
20 August 2009 – Rome & San Giovanni ex Dublin – 7 Nights
22 September 2009 – Lourdes ex Dublin – 5 Nights
14 October 2009 – Holyland ex Dublin – 9 Nights
All trips include return coach transfer to departure airport from Omagh.
Call 8224 4450 for further information.

Weekend of Prayer & Healing
Led by Sr Josephine Walsh

Carmelite Retreat Centre, Termonbacca, Derry
Friday 6th - Sunday 8th February
Call 7126 2512

Whom Shall I Send…?

Vocations Information Day

A Day of Reflection on the theme of Vocation
Saturday 14th February @ 11 am – 4 pm
Thornhill Retreat Centre, Derry
For further information please contact Fr Paul Farren on 028 7126 4087 or Fr Colm O’Doherty on 8166 1475, or email ddcc @derrydiocese.org or collydoc2000 @hotmail.com

Omagh Famine Group

The Omagh Famine Group has extended thanks to all who participated in their Christmas fund-raising activities which raised £6,803.61 and €200.10 on behalf of the Third World. The Group gives its thanks to everyone who donated or collected. All proceeds have been shared amongst Concern, Trocaire, Oxfam and Save the Children.

Workshop on Marriage - Renew Your Wedding Vows

Marriage Encounter is a weekend away (Friday 8pm to Sunday 5pm) for married couples of all ages with a stable relationship. Couples explore, in complete privacy, how to come to a deeper mutual understanding of each other. The dates for the next Marriage Encounter weekends are 27th - 29th March, Dromantine Conference Centre, Newry. Telephone 028 90 626503.

St Joseph’s Young Priests’ Society

The monthly meeting of John Paul II Branch will take place in the Pastoral Centre on Monday 2nd February, following the 10 am Mass.

Annual Clothing Appeal

The annual collection of clothes at St. Colmcilles G.F.C. grounds in Carrickmore will take place from Friday 6th to Sunday 8th February. This year we are donating all proceeds to the destitute of Peru.

Collection Times:-
Friday 3 to 6 pm
Saturday 10 am to 5 pm
Sunday 2 to 5 pm

Grand Variety Concert & Raffle
Proceeds in Aid of Those Suffering from HIV/AIDS in Zambia
(Organised by Tom & Deirdre Timoney & Local Zambian Fundraising Committee)

Thursday 5th February 2009 @ 8 pm
St Joseph’s Hall, Omagh

M.C. - Frank Galligan
Artists Include: The Singing Brickie, Gary Quinn, Mary Baxter Dancers, Rosie O’Kane, Ray Moore, Declan Forde, Emma Teague, Shay Turbitt, Liam Moore.
Admission is £5

Raffle to take place on the night with many prizes, including Heating Oil & Meal Vouchers

Tickets available in Top News, George Street or News at Six, John Street.

Cleaners for Drumragh

The Cleaners for Drumragh for the month of February are Breda Campbell and Patricia Muldoon.

Readers for February
6 pm – Kay McGuigan
8.30 am – Brother Gough
9.45 am – Dominic Pinto
11 am – Pauline McKenna
12.30 pm – Gerard McDonagh

Counters for February

Daniel Campbell, James Cunningham, John Doherty, Kathleen Fox, John McGale, Marie McGirr, Eugene McGrade, Gerard McSorley, Mary Teague.

Collectors for February

6.00 pm – Eugene Duffy, Joe O’Donnell, Liam Grugan, Michael Brogan; 8.30 am – Michael Gilheaney, Gerard Turbitt, Liam Nugent, Patrick Slevin; 9.45 am – Michael Colton, Liam McGrath, Thomas McGuigan, J F Doyle, Eamon Campbell, Dan Campbell, Hugh Ward, Francis Bradley; 11 am - Sean Lynam, Leo Quinn, Dermot Groogan, Joe Mulryan, Michael McGirr, Jim Joe Campbell, John McDonnell; 12.30 pm – John Breslin, B Brown, Anthony Higgins, Francis McCrory, Thomas Logue.

Eucharistic Ministers for February

Vigil Mass – Jackie Convey, Tony McGarvey, Mary McLaughlin, Mary Toal, Rita Loughran, Moira Sharpe, ; 8.30 am –John O’Neill, Fionnula Quinn, Joan Conaghan; 9.45 am – Seamus Maguire, Aidan Quinn, Jean McGowan, Anne Mullan; 11 am – George Johnson, Eugene Teague, Helen Johnson, Alice McNamee, Joe Mulryan; 12.30 pm – Eugene McGrade, Mary McGrade, Tracy Nugent, Ann Pearson; 10 am Drumragh – Aidan Campbell, Ann Doherty.

Pioneers

If there is anyone who would like to join the Pioneers for a temporary period during Lent, you can contact any member of the Committee or call 8224 2921 or 8224 5710.
Pioneers eligible for Silver or Gold pins or any person thinking of becoming a pioneer can also get in touch by calling the above numbers.

JW Promotions Proudly Presents:
The Queens of Country Show

St Joseph’s Hall, Omagh

Saturday 7th March 2009

Featuring: Billie Joe Spears, Philomena Begley, Dee Reilly, Louise Morrissey, Jeannie Seely

For Tickets call 07753 936 701 or Usual Outlets

St Joseph’s Hall Grand Refurbishment Draw
Prizes: 1st Prize – New Model Ford Fiesta 5-door Car
2nd Prize – Holiday Voucher worth £3000 with £500 spending money

Could all promoters please return any tickets sold to St Joseph’s Hall on Tuesday 13th January from 7 pm to 9 pm.
These tickets will be entered into a Free £50 Draw after the Bingo.