Sunday 3rd May 2009

Fourth Sunday of Easter

Our Good Shepherd

Jesus said: “I am the Good Shepherd; I know my own and my own know me.” On this Sunday the Year of Vocations ends. What has this special year meant for you personally, for you as a family and for you as a parish community? For many it quite possibly has meant very little and yet it has been significant. We take for granted that there will always be priests to serve us with the Eucharist and religious to take the initiative in our social needs. Recent years have provided us with a very different reality and a very new challenge. In our response to Christ the Good Shepherd we are all called to make our homes places of his presence for the world. We can only do this through the confident ways we make our love for one another shine out and our faith in him be seen by those around us. And we need to make our faith community a place that attracts the attention of those around us. The Lord will then provide what is needed for the Eucharist and for leadership for a better world.

Fr. Johnny Doherty, C.Ss.R.

Have You Found Jesus?

A man who was lost stumbled across a Baptism service on a Sunday afternoon down by the river. He proceeded to stumble down into the water and stand next to the Minister. The Minister turned, noticed the man and said, “Mister, are you ready to find Jesus?” The man looked back and said, “Yes sir, I am.” The Minister then dunked the fellow under the water and pulled him right back up. “Have you found Jesus?” the Minister asked. “No, I didn’t!” said the man. The Minister then dunked him under for a quite a bit longer, brought him up and said, “Now brother, have you found Jesus?” “No, I did not!” said the man again. Disgusted, the Minister held the man under for at least 30 seconds this time, brought him up and demanded, “For the grace of God, have you found Jesus yet?” The man wiped his eyes and pleaded, “Are you sure this is where he fell in?”

Fr Tommy Lane

Saints of the Week

Week Beginning Sunday 4th May

Monday 4 - St Conleth, bishop

Tuesday 5 – Blessed Edmund Rice

Sacred Heart Church - Mass Intentions 7.30 pm

Thur Maureen Graham – 1st Anniversary

Fri Kathleen Kearns – Month’s Mind

Baptisms

James William McLaughlin, 22 Letfern Road
Adam Michael McLaughlin, 22 Letfern Road
Leah Rose McLarnon, 6 Kevlin Glen
Bradán Naomhán Gheel, 16 Lammy Crescent
Lucy Kate Sheridan, 14 Mullaghmenagh Meadows

Weddings

We congratulate the following couple who were married recently:

Gráinne Coll & Barrie Terry

Julie Torney & Paul Devlin

May the grace of the sacrament remain with them all their lives.

St Joseph’s Young Priests’ Society

The monthly meeting of the John Paul II Omagh Branch of St Joseph’s Young Priests’ Society will be held on Monday 4th May in the Pastoral Centre, Brook Street after 10 am Mass.

Ecumenical Pilgrimage to Lough Derg

To mark the Year of St Paul, an ecumenical pilgrimage to Lough Derg has been organised on Monday 18th May. Parishioners from Drumragh Parish will be accompanied by Monsignor Donnelly and leaders and members of other Christian Churches in the area.

A bus will leave at 10 am from the Loreto School gates and return at 3 pm. The cost, which includes boat and lunch, will be £15. (The bus fare will be given later for those who travel on it.)

To book places, please call the Parish Office on 8224 2092. Payment can be made at the Parish Office or on the day.

Parish Draw

The next Parish Draw takes place on Tuesday 5th May in St Joseph’s Hall after the Bingo. Promoters are asked to bring their returns to the Hall at the usual times.

Pledge Ceremony

The Mass for those Year Seven children who are taking their Confirmation pledge will take place on Monday 1st June in the Sacred Heart Church. More details later.

Polish Mass

The Polish Mass is to recommence next month in the Sacred Heart Church. Fr Rafal Januszewski will be here to say 7.30 pm Mass every second Thursday of the month, beginning Thursday 14th May.

Questions people ask

Q. Every now and then I think I have a vocation from God to be a priest. What should I do about it?

A. Talk about it to a priest, preferably one who knows you, and pray to the Holy Spirit for guidance. Every diocese and religious order organises Vocation Days to help people to discern their calling. A vocation to priesthood is a grace given to an individual for the service of the church-community. Basic requirements of a genuine vocation to priesthood would include a desire to commit one’s life to God and the service of people, a sound faith, regular Mass attendance and prayer, the ability to co-operate with others and being willing to obey authority.

Fr Silvester O’Flynn OFM Cap, Courtesy of Intercom Magazine

Email silvesteroflynn@gmail.com

Special Diocesan Mass – Change of Time

The Annual Diocesan Mass for those with special needs, and their families and friends, will take place in St Joseph’s Church, Galliagh, Derry on Saturday 9th May 2009 at 4.00 pm, and not 3 pm as previously advertised. Bishop Hegarty will celebrate the Mass.

Memorial Service

The Western Health and Social Care Trust's (Western Trust) annual service held in memory of babies who have died following a miscarriage, stillbirth, or neonatal death will be held this year on Sunday 10th May 2009 at 3 pm. The Service will take place in Altnagelvin Area Hospital's Clinical Education Centre.

Eucharistic Adoration

The people of Eskra invite you to a special Mass celebrating 21 years of Eucharistic Adoration in our Parish. Mickey Harte will be the guest speaker on Wednesday 6th May at 8 pm in St Patrick’s Church, Eskra.

Irish News Tokens

Anyone who has tokens for the ‘Win a School Trip to Croke Park’ Competition which is being run in the Irish News, could they kindly donate them to Loreto P.S. who are currently collecting them. Many thanks.

Diocese of Derry Charismatic Renewal

One Day Conference

Broomhill Hotel, Limavady Road, Derry
Saturday 16th May @ 9 am – 6 pm

Theme: “Your Light Must Shine”

Cost: £20 (including meal)
Contact Mona on 7126 9549
by Tuesday 5th May

Cookstown Lourdes Pilgrimage Group

Now taking bookings for Lourdes
11th July – 16th July 2009
Ex Belfast – Price £599 pps
To Book telephone Mary on 8224 3984 or 0777 620 8253

Cleaners for Drumragh

The cleaners for Drumragh Church for the month of May are

Marie Campbell, Dympna McKay and Ann Doherty.

Derry Diocesan Society

The following names have been added to the list of Deceased Members of the Derry Diocesan Society:

Moya O’Reilly, 14 Cannonvale
Edward (Ted) O’Reilly, 14 Cannonvale
Susan McGlinchey, 5 Glenview Cottages
Gerry McWilliams, Garvallagh, Seskinore
Robert Patton, 11 Gortmore Gardens
Brian Shaughnessy, London (formerly Castlederg)
Linda McDonald, 18 Cannonhill
Ted Curran, 6 Cunningham Terrace
John Doherty 12 Gortrush Park
Joseph Duddy Junior, Ballinamullan Road
Kathleen Ferguson, Kevlin Gardens
Patricia McGarrity, Sixmilecross
William Duddy, 46 Gortmore Park
Gerry McLaren, 6 Clontarf Drive
Patrick McGread, 21 Corradinna Road, Tattysallagh
Mary Mullan, Tattyreagh
Mary Cunningham, Tattysallagh

That these and all who sleep in Christ find in your presence, light, happiness and peace.

Omagh Lions Club presents:

Country & Western Theme Night (Fancy Dress)

In aid of Omagh Parkinsons Group/ Omagh Phab Group

Friday 15th May 2009 @ 8.30pm

The Mellon Country Inn

Music by Frig - Tickets £8.00

Featuring Line dancing by “The Dixie Liners”

(Prize for the best Cowboy/Indian/Cowgirl)

Tickets available at Lairds Jewellers or News at Six - Admission can be paid at the door.

Omagh St Enda's GAC

Well done to the U14s who won

the Tyrone Feile Peile Na nÓg - a great achievement! The Seniors play in the first round of the Tyrone Senior Championship next Saturday 9th May against Eglish. All parishioners are invited out to Omagh St Enda's Club Day at Healy Park on Sunday 10th May. Bingo continues as usual on Thursdays at 9 pm.

St Joseph’s Bookshop
Open Saturdays
10.30 am - 4 pm

Wide variety of Books, Holy Ornaments, Medals, Rosaries & Cards available.

Omagh Independent Advice Centre
Omagh Independent Advice Centre offers a free and confidential advice service to anyone in financial difficulty. If you would like to speak to someone about your financial difficulties, please call Michele in the Advice Centre on 028 8224 3252.

Coming Soon to St Joseph’s Hall, Omagh

JW Promotions Presents one of Country Music’s Greatest Talents

Collin Raye

Friday 22nd May 2009

Support Act – Gary Quinn

Call 07753 936 701 for ticket sales