Sunday 3rd August 2008

The 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time

The Lord who feeds us

Jesus said to his disciples: “Give them something to eat yourselves.” These words of Jesus in this Sunday’s Gospel are a clear reminder that we, as his followers, have to develop a new mentality. Instead of always looking for what we can get we are called to be people who look for what we can give. All the gifts we have are given to us for others. This is especially true of the gift of love. The main question for couples is not “Are we alright?” but “How do we need to be with one another so that others will be alright?” The love of a married couple is full of power for all those who meet them. This is particularly true for their children. It is the quality of the love of the couple that creates the quality of the atmosphere of the home. This command of Christ is also given to us as a community. The gift of faith that we celebrate is given to us so that others may believe. This can call us to radical change as a parish community.

Fr. Johnny Doherty, C.Ss.R.

Things Are Not Always What They Seem

Two travelling angels stopped to spend the night in the home of a wealthy family. The family was rude and refused to let the angels stay in the mansion’s guest room. Instead the angels were given a small space in the cold basement. As they made their bed on the hard floor, the older angel saw a hole in the wall and repaired it. When the younger angel asked why, the older angel replied, “Things aren’t always what they seem.” The next night the pair came to rest at the house of a very poor, but very hospitable farmer and his wife. After sharing what little food they had the couple let the angels sleep in their bed where they could have a good night’s rest. When the sun came up the next morning the angels found the farmer and his wife in tears. Their only cow, whose milk had been their sole income, lay dead in the field. The younger angel was infuriated and asked the older angel how could you have let this happen? The first man had everything, yet you helped him, she accused. The second family had little but was willing to share everything, and you let the cow die.

“Things aren’t always what they seem,” the older angel replied. “When we stayed in the basement of the mansion, I noticed there was gold stored in that hole in the wall. Since the owner was so obsessed with greed and unwilling to share his good fortune, I sealed the wall so he wouldn’t find it.”

“Then last night as we slept in the farmer’s bed, the angel of death came for his wife. I gave him the cow instead. Things aren’t always what they seem.”

Sometimes that is exactly what happens when things don’t turn out the way they should. If you have faith, you just need to trust that every outcome is always to your advantage. You might not know it until some time later… Anonymous

Week beginning Sunday 3rd August

This Week’s Saints

Monday 4 - St John Vianney, priest.

Wednesday 6 - The Transfiguration of the Lord.

Thursday 7 - Saints Sixtus II, pope, and companions, martyrs. Also, St Cajetan, priest.

Friday 8 - St Dominic, priest.

Saturday 9 - St Teresa Benedict of the Cross (Edith Stein), Virgin and Martyr, Patron of Europe.

Mass Intentions

Sacred Heart Church 7.30 pm

Monday Mary McGlade – 1st Anniversary

Tuesday Teddy McGale - Month’s Mind

Baptisms

James Patrick McKenna, 16 Bracken Vale

Recent Deaths

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

Margaret Moriarty

May she rest in peace.

The Youth 2000 Prayer Group in Omagh has stopped. If anyone wishes to start up a Youth 2000 Group in Omagh please contact Siobhan on 07880588041.

Visitation of the Sick & Housebound
Fr Canning will visit the Derry Road, Brookmount Road and Castle Street areas on Thursday 7th August. Fr Canning will visit the country areas on Monday 11th August.

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

Come and Pray

Omagh Charismatic Prayer Group meets every Thursday evening at 8.15 pm in the Pastoral Centre, Brook Street, Omagh. Hymns of Praise and Thanksgiving, Scripture and Prayers of Intercession. Everyone welcome.

“There is but one road that reaches God and that is prayer. If anyone shows you another, you are being deceived.”
St Theresa

Divine Mercy Prayer Group

This group meets on the first Sunday of every month at 3 pm in the Cappagh Parish Centre. All are welcome to this open prayer group.

Words of Wisdom
“A candle loses nothing of its light by lighting another candle”.

St. Joseph’s Prayer Group

St Joseph’s Prayer Group Invite anyone who wishes to spend one hour in Community & Prayer each Wednesday night at the Mount St Columba Pastoral Centre, Omagh from 8.10pm.
- Pray Rosary with Meditations;
- Sunday Gospel of coming week;
- Exposition of Blessed Sacrament;
- Beautiful Music / Hymns;
- Intercessory Prayers / Intentions.
Everyone welcome.
Contact: Siobhan on 0788 058 8041 or John on 0777 518 74422.

Words of Wisdom
“What you are is God’s gift to you.
What you do is your gift to God”

Q. Could heaven be boring? Eternal life, going on and on with no end doesn’t appeal to me at all.

A. Try thinking of eternity not in terms of time but as a total experience of love, joy,

celebration etc. We get little glimpses of the eternal in moments of beauty when we would like the clock stop right here. Jesus promised: I will see you again and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you (John 16:22). St Paul wrote that no eye has seen, no ear has heard and no imagination has managed to visualise all that God has prepared for those who love him. That doesn’t sound like the recipe for boredom!

Fr Silvester OFlynn OFM Cap, Courtesy of Intercom Magazine
Email silvesteroflynn@gmail.com

Cleaners for Drumragh

The cleaners for St Mary’s Church, Drumragh for the month of August are: Brian McKenna, Anne Kelly, Susan MacNally and Ryan McGread.

Readers for August

6.00 pm – Betty Sweeney ;
8.30 am – Pauline Breen;
09.45 am – John Rafferty; 11.00 am – Aine Hackett;
12.30 pm – Bernie Nixon.

Eucharistic Ministers for August

Vigil Mass – Gerald McCarney, Jim Toal, Marian McGale, Kathleen Fox, Donna Shields, Claire Murray ;

8.30 am – John O’Neill, Fionnuala Quinn, Joan Conaghan;

9.45 am – Dominic Pinto, Gerry McLaughlin, Margaret Rafferty, Kevin O’Gara;11 am – Willie Galbraith, Johanna Gallagher, Margaret McGlone, John McGread;

12.30 pm - Eugene McGrade, Mary McGrade, Tracy Nugent, Ann Pearson, Charlie Colton; 10 am Drumragh – Helen Barrett, Teresa Colton.

Collectors for August

6.00 pm – Eugene Duffy, Joe O’Donnell, Liam Grugan, Michael Brogan;

8.30 am – Gerard Turbitt, Liam Nugent, Michael Gilheaney, Patrick Slevin, John Breslin;

9.45 am –  Eamon McClorey, Michael Colton, Liam McGrath, Thomas McGuigan, J F Doyle, Eamon Campbell, Dan Campbell, Hugh Ward, Francis Bradley;

11 am – Leo Quinn, Dermot Groogan, Sean Lynam, Joseph Mulryan, Michael McGirr, Jim Joe Campbell, John McDonnell;

12.30 pm – B Brown, Anthony Higgins, Francis McCrory, Thomas Logue.

Counters for August

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

Clonmacnoise Summer Youth Festival

14th – 17th August 2008

This is a festival for young people, aged 16 – 35. The weekend will include inspiring talks, dramas, a concert, prayer, Mass, games and times of sharing. This year we are very excited to have it beside the monastic ruins of Clonmacnoise, particularly because Pope John Paul II requested “pilgrimages of faith” there after his visit in 1979. It promises to be a great opportunity for young people from all around Ireland to explore their Catholic faith, meet new friends and have some craic! This is a donation-only retreat. Free buses are available throughout the country – just bring a sleeping bag and a pair of wellies! (Over 18s may like to bring their own tent). For more information contact 003531-6753690 or log onto www.youth2000.ie or xx-youth2000-xx.bebo.com.

Knock Trip

The Omagh Unit of the Order of Malta Ambulance Corps will hold their annual pilgrimage to Knock on Sunday 31st August 2008. The Order offers specialist assistance with the sick and disabled travelling on this pilgrimage. All enquiries to Mary McMenamin (Nursing Officer) on 07732328834.

N.I. Blood Transfusion Service

The next blood donation sessions will be held in Omagh College on the following dates:

Monday 4th August – 1.30 pm – 4 pm & 5.30 pm – 8 pm

Tuesday 5th August - 1.30 pm – 4 pm & 5.30 pm – 8 pm

Wednesday 6th August - 1.30 pm – 4 pm & 5.30 pm – 8 pm

In order to maintain the vital supply of blood to our hospitals, the Blood Transfusion Service need the support, not only of existing donors, but also of new donors. Please come along – you could save a life!

St Joseph’s Hall

The hall has now closed for the summer months. All activities are over except Bingo on Tuesday nights. Details of the resumption of the various clubs and classes will appear at the end of the summer.

Parish Draw Winners July 2008

£2,000 Marie McKernan, 8 Ashbourne Close. Promoter – Louise Kirwan
£1,000 John O’Hagan, 4 Harmony Heights. Promoter – John O’Hagan
£500 Roma Barry, c/o Promoter. Promoter – Elizabeth Broderick
£250 Tony Brogan, 2 Ardmore Avenue. Promoter – Kathleen Brogan
£100 Gemma McGuigan, Old Dromore Road. Promoter – Kevin Mullan
£100 Cathal Gormley, 129 Clanabogan Road. Promoter – Elizabeth Broderick
£100 Dympna McKay, 24 Sperrin View. Promoter – Raymond McNally
£100 John McDonnell, 72 Brookmount Road. Promoter – Gerry Starrs
£100 Emily O’Neill, 14 Ardmore Heights. Promoter – Joanne McGread
£100 Naoiscoil na gCrann. Promoter – Brian McKenna
£100 – Lily McCrory, 7 Fairmount Road. Promoter – Tommy Sharkey
£100 – Gerry Kirk, 70 Culmore Park. Promoter – Rose Kirk
£100 – Yvonne Treacy, Ardmore Crescent. Promoter – Mary McGlone
£100 – Mrs M Early, 33 Gortmore Park. Promoter – Victor Caldwell
Promoters’ £100 Prize – Joe Mulryan, 12 Clontarf Drive
Please Note: The next draw will take place on Tuesday 5th August 2008.

Colmcille Pilgrimages ’
Pilgrimage to the Holy Land
Includes:
Egypt [the Pyramids]
Greece [Athens and Corinth]
Turkey [Ephesus]
In the footsteps of St. Paul.
Nine days beginning 6th March 2009
What is so special about this pilgrimage?
It will take the form of a cruise between these different ports.
We have been allocated 30 places which will go very quickly
Please book as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
Price £1145
Phone or text Margaret @ 07732468511
Or email:paddyokane@tiscali.co.uk

Omagh Independent Advice Centre

Omagh Independent Advice Centre offers a free and confidential advice service to anyone in financial difficulty on all aspects of debt or any associated financial problem. If you would like to speak to someone about your financial difficulties, please contact Michele in the Advice Centre on 028 82243252.