Sunday 3rd February 2008

Third Sunday In Ordinary Time

Reflection - “Happy are the poor in spirit…” The spirit of poverty is the spirit that sees the true value in things. It is the spirit that looks beyond the false values of money, status and power and cherishes the worth of gentleness, consolation, mercy, purity – indeed all of the virtues which Jesus praises. Those who are poor, in spirit, are rich in Christ. “…theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.”

Parish Missal: Readings (Year A) p 67 & Proper p 1012

First Reading Zephaniah 2: 3;3:12-13
Seek integrity, seek humility.

Second Reading Corinthians 1: 26-31
God chose what is foolish by human reckoning.

Gospel Matthew 5: 1-12
Happy are the poor in spirit.

Newsletter Resources

Pancakes

Six year old Brandon decided one Saturday morning to fix his parents pancakes. He found a big bowl and spoon, pulled a chair to the counter, opened the cupboard and pulled out the heavy flour canister, spilling it on the floor. He scooped some of the flour into the bowl with his hands, mixed in most of a cup of milk and added some sugar, leaving a floury trail on the floor which by now had a few tracks left by his kitten. Brandon was covered with flour and getting frustrated. He wanted this to be something very good for Mom and Dad, but it was getting very bad. He didn’t know what to do next, whether to put it all into the oven or on the stove, (and he didn’t know how the stove worked)!

Suddenly he saw his kitten licking from the bowl of mix and reached to push her away, knocking the egg carton to the floor. Frantically he tried to clean up this monumental mess but slipped on the eggs, getting his pyjamas dirty. And just then he saw Dad standing at the door. Big crocodile tears welled up in Brandon’s eyes. All he wanted to do was something good, but he’d made a terrible mess. He was sure a scolding was coming, maybe even a spanking. But his father just watched him. Then, walking through the mess, he picked up his crying son, hugged him and loved him, getting his own pyjamas dirty in the process.

That’s how God deals with us. We try to do something good in life, but it turns into a mess. Our marriage gets all sticky or we insult a friend or we can’t stand our job or our health goes sour. Sometimes we just stand there in tears because we can’t think of anything else to do. That’s when God picks us up and loves us and forgives us, even though some of our mess gets all over Him. But just because we might mess up, we can’t stop trying to “make pancakes,” for God or for others. Sooner or later we’ll get it right, and then they’ll be glad we tried.
Fr Tommy Lane

This Week’s Saints - Week beginning Sunday 3rd February
Tuesday 5 – St Agatha, martyr.
Wednesday 6 – ASH WEDNESDAY – Beginning of Lent (Day of fast and abstinence).
Thursday 7 – St Mel, bishop.
Friday 8 – St Jerome Emiliani, patron saint of orphans.

Baptisms
Lucia Monica Cullen, 8 Westview Terrace

Recent Deaths
We sympathise with the families of the following who died recently:
Oliver Rutledge
Greta Donnelly - May they rest in peace.

Lenten Stations
Anyone wishing to have a Station Mass should contact the Parish Office on 8224 2092 and leave their name, address and telephone number and Station area as soon as possible

Omagh Music Society Presents

Petite Messe Solenelle

(Gioachino Rossini)

Sacred Heart Church, Omagh
Tuesday 5th February 2008 @ 7.30 pm
Subscription/Programme £10
Concession £8

Tickets Available from Society Members, Tourist Information Office (Strule Arts Centre) or by payment at the door.

Change of Mass Venue
Please note that because of the Petite Messe Solenelle taking place this week, Evening Mass on Monday 4th and Tuesday 5th February will be celebrated in St Mary’s Church, Drumragh at 7.30pm. No Mass will be celebrated on these evenings in Sacred Heart Church.

Ash Wednesday
Ash Wednesday is a day of both fast and abstinence. Fasting - having only one meal and two small meals - is obligatory for those aged between eighteen and sixty, with the exception of those are ill or have a medical condition. Abstinence, which means abstaining from meat, is obligatory for all those who are over fourteen years of age. The Masses on Ash Wednesday will be in the Sacred Heart Church at 8 am, 10 am, 1 pm and 7.30 pm. Note: Extra Mass at 1 pm on Ash Wednesday only.

Ashes will be distributed after all Masses on Wednesday. It is hoped that as many as possible will try to get to Mass on that day.

Trócaire Boxes are available in the Church porches and can be collected after each Mass.

Visitation of the Sick & Housebound
Fr McDevitt will visit the Gallows Hill and Tamlaght Road areas on Monday 4th February.

Questions people ask
Q. What is the best way to translate the Beatitudes? Is it ‘Happy’ or ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit’?
A. Blessed is a much richer word. Happy suggests a feeling of well-being, satisfaction or contentment. Blessed recognises God’s presence in situations that may not be exactly happy. Most of the people addressed by Jesus regarded prosperity, power and success as proofs of God’s blessing whereas poverty, infirmity or failure were seen as a curse on sinful people. Jesus turned the concept of God’s blessing upside down when he declared that the poor, the powerless, victims of injustice, etc., were blessed and loved by God.
Fr Silvester O’Flynn OFM Cap - Courtesy of Intercom Magazine

Day of Prayer and Reflection for Readers
A day of prayer and reflection, focussing on the ministry of reader has been organised for the parish readers. The day will also provide an opportunity to meet the other readers and consider any issues you may have in your ministry. The day will be facilitated by Sister Marie Wylie in the Pastoral Centre, Brook Street, Omagh on Saturday 9th February 2008. It will begin after 10 am Mass and continue until 3.30 pm. A light lunch will be provided.

To assist in the planning of the day it would be appreciated if you could inform the Parish Office (during office hours) as soon as possible if you can attend.

Telephone 028 8224 2092 or email info@drumraghparish.com.

The Alzheimer’s Society Omagh Branch
Annual Open Meeting
Silverbirch Hotel, Omagh
Tuesday 5th February 2008
7.30 pm – 9.30 pm
There will be various representatives from our local community providing information stands on many different subjects, some of which include:

Independent Living
Carers Advice & Information
Reflexology
Bach Flower Therapy
Home Safety/Message in a Bottle
Benefits Advice
Fire Prevention

There will also be an opportunity to speak with Dr Michael Williams, Research Fellow, from Belfast City Hospital on various issues surrounding dementia.
Light Refreshments Provided.

Lenten Reflection
Omagh Prayer Guidance Team will facilitate Lenten Reflections on the theme of “The Last Words of Jesus”. These will commence on Tuesday 5th February 2008 in St Mary’s Hall after 10 am Mass. We hope that you will join us and together we will allow the cross and the power that flows from it change us.

Pioneer Survey
Questionnaires will be available in the Church porches today (Sunday) for all Pioneers and non-drinkers in order to obtain a record as recommended by Fr Mac Griel S.J. on his visit to all centres last year. Please take one and return it next weekend to the box provided.

N.I Blood Transfusion Service
The next blood donation sessions will be held in Omagh College at the following times:
Mon 11 February
1.30 pm – 4 pm & 5.30 pm – 8 pm
Tues 12 February
1.30 pm – 4 pm & 5.30 pm – 8 pm
Wed 13 February
1.30 pm – 4 pm & 5.30 pm – 8 pm
Please come along – you could save a life.

Cleaners for Drumragh
The cleaners for St Mary’s Church, Drumragh for the month of February are Christine McLaughlin, Breda Campbell, Betty Baxter and Louise Kirwan.

I Can Play
Messy Activities for Children Aged 0 - 4
Station Centre, Omagh
Every Thursday 12 pm – 1.30 pm
Everyone Welcome (Snack included)
All Children Must Be Accompanied By An Adult

Ballroom Dancing
The Ballroom Dancing Course in St Joseph’s Hall is now fully booked.

Residential Weekend
A Beginning Experience Residential Weekend for Widowed, Separated or Divorced (who have been on their own for at least a year) will be held in Drumalis Retreat & Conference Centre, Larne on 25th, 26th, and 27th April 2008. The weekend commences at 7.30 pm on Friday and ends at 4.30 pm on Sunday. All applications should be made by 4th April 2008. For further information, please contact Una on 028 2827 4281.

Omagh St Endas Youth Registration Day
Saturday 9th February @ Healy Park
9.30 am to 11.30am for Players born between 1990 and 2001
All new and old members welcome

Tattyreagh Camogie Club
A meeting has been arranged for anyone interested in playing Senior Camogie for Tattyreagh today at 5pm in the club rooms.

Annual Moldovan Appeal
Collection of clothes for the above appeal will take place at the GAA Grounds, Carrickmore on the weeks ending 1st and 8th February.

Collection times:
Friday 1st and 8th 3pm to 6pm
Saturday 2nd and 9th 10am to 5pm
Sunday 3rd and 10th 2pm to 5pm
Any further information contact: Briege on 8076 0667, Kay on 8224 4145 or Conor on 8076 1594.

St Joseph's Hall

Mon 6.30pm - Iyengar Yoga
7.15pm - Kellie Aerobics/ Fitball

Tues 3.00pm - Colmcille Club
9.00pm - Bingo - Jackpot £1000

Wed 10.00-12.30pm - Weightwatchers
10.30am - Coffee Morning
6.00pm - Baxter School of Dancing
8.00pm - Ladies Club

Thur 4.30pm - Ballet Dancing
7 - 8pm - Traditional Music class
7.30pm - Bowls
8.30pm - Line Dancing

Sat 1.45pm - Groogan O’Doherty Class