The Pope’s Intentions for May
General: That, following the example of the Virgin Mary, all Christians should allow themselves to be guided by the word of God and always remain attentive to the signs of the Lord in his own life.
Missionary: That in Mission territories there may be no lack of good and enlightened teachers in the major Seminaries and in the Institutes of consecrated life.

Child Protection
An important Information evening on issues related to Child Protection will be held in St Joseph’s Hall on Thursday 10th May at 8.15pm. Sacristans, choir leaders, youth leaders, SPREAD leaders and any other adult whose involvement in Parish activities brings them into contact with children (young people under 18 years of age) and vulnerable adults are asked to attend.

Diocesan Child Protection Information

Diocesan Policy Statement

The Diocese of Derry values and encourages the participation of children and young people in Parish Liturgies and in activities that enhance their spiritual, physical, emotional and social development. We recognise and uphold the dignity and rights of all these individuals within our ‘faith family’ and we are committed to their protection and support in a way that promotes their human dignity and integrity as ‘children of God’.

In keeping with this ethos, we undertake to do all in our power in the Diocese to create safe environments for them and to ensure their protection from physical, sexual and emotional abuse.

We acknowledge that all involved in working with children and young people have a special duty of care towards them and we undertake to put in place policies and procedures through which this care is put into effect so that their rights as active participants in the life of the Church are upheld.

Contact Details
If you or anyone you know has a child protection concern or wishes to report an allegation directly to the statutory authorities please contact the PSNI/Garda or the local Health and/or Social Services and ask to speak to the Duty Social Worker.

If you or anyone has a child protection concern or wishes to report an allegation of child protection in relation to any member of Church personnel directly to Church authorities please contact the diocesan designated person (Delegate) or the diocesan assistant designated persons (Deputy Delegate)

Name: Rev John Farren
Phone Number: NI (0035374) 9384037 /ROI (074) 9384037

Name Rev Seamus Farrelly
Phone Number: NI (0035374) 9374104 /ROI (074) 9374104

Name: Mary Mc Cafferty
Phone Number: NI (028) 7136 2475 /ROI (048) 7136 2475

Questions people ask
Q. The Apocalypse frightens me with all its monsters, destruction and symbolic numbers. Are we to identify these figures with people like Hitler or even the Pope?
A. It is a mistake to regard the Apocalypse as foretelling people or events of our day. It was written for Christians of the first century to offer hope and courage at a time when they were persecuted by despotic Roman rulers. After all the persecutions and spiritual warfare, the book concludes with the consolation and victory of God’s faithful people in the coming of the New Jerusalem. Read today’s Second Reading.

Another Angle - Getting it right
A sense of urgency in many lives today, with many minds sitting in church racing ahead to what tasks are for accomplishing over the weekend. We flit and fly around the place, but rarely stop and wonder.

In a real sense this 21st Century sense of hurriedness is mirrored in the readings echoing over 21 centuries of human experience. Paul and Barnabas cover impressive amounts of territory [First Reading]. If they had our modern modes of transport available to them, we can only wonder how much more might they have achieved. Jesus picks up on this with words like ‘now’ ‘very soon.’ Why – because he won’t physically ‘be with you much longer.’

Which should make us stop in our tracks with out production line planning of the day. Suppose this was my last day – are my current preoccupations really that worthy? Probably not. We’re told that the mutual love of all Christians is the greatest sign of the presence of the Risen One. What inheritance are we leaving behind to those who follow us? One hymn puts it, ‘They Will Know We Are Christians by Our Love.’ In our case, we can only wonder – would they really?
Fr Tom Cox, Courtesy of Intercom Magazine

Website of the Week
www.livesimply.org.uk
Wish you could live more simply? Check out this site to learn how.

Please Note: Baptisms to take place on Sunday’s the 13th, 20th, 27th May will be later than usual. They will take place at 3.00pm. This is due to the Primary four Children from the local Schools receiving their First Holy Communion at the 12.30pm Mass.

Mass Intentions - Sacred Heart Church 7.30 Mass

Monday – Phyllis Turbett – 1st Anniversary
Tuesday – Jackie McAnea – Month’s Mind
Wednesday – Vonnie Hunter – Month’s Mind
Thursday – Bridie Gormley – 1st Anniversary
Friday – Francis Hunter – Month’s Mind
Bridget McElhatton – Month’s Mind

Baptisms

Elle Marie McElhill – 2 Stewarts Bungalows
Lorcan Brian McGrath – 2 Mullawinney Road Fintona

Altar Society Rota
May: Miss Moira Sharpe (82246594)

Please Note:
Volunteer Cleaners Urgently to help clean Sacred Heart Church. Please contact the Parish Office.

Trocaire – Pakistan
Trocaire is working to provide literacy training to women who are part of a poor community in rural Pakistan. 90% of the Community work as tenant farmers for large landowners and the majority of them work in virtual slavery. The project that Trocaire supports helps poor women get to get education, health, and access to credit. Most of the women from this community do not get access to even basic education. This project gives women a better future through education and through credit that will aid them lifting themselves out of poverty and slavery.
To do this work costs a total of €9,602.

Pioneer Outing
The Annual Outing of the Pioneers will take place on Saturday 23rd June with Mass in St Mary’s Limavady10am. We will continue along the Antrim Coast to various places. Evening meal will be in O’Neill Arms Hotel Toomebridge. Booking as soon as possible is necessary to book buses. Telephone 02882 242921 for details.

Pioneer Meeting
Pioneer Meeting in St Joseph’s Hall on Thursday 10th May at 8.15pm.

Day Trip to Loug Derg
Sunday 27th May. Bus leaving Asda Car Park 9.30am
Cost £30 (includes bus fare and island fee)
Limited number of places. Telephone 07767413601

Special Diocesan Mass
The Annual Diocesan Mass for those with special needs, and their families and friends, will take place in St Joseph’s Church, Derry on Saturday 12th May 2007 at 3.00pm. Bishop Hegarty will celebrate the Mass. If you have a child who wishes to receive the sacrament of Confirmation or First Communion at this Mass please contact the Catechetical Centre on 02871 264087.

Lough Derg
Lough Derg has been offering One Day Retreats since 1992. These appeal largely to older people, especially those no longer able to make the traditional Three-Day Pilgrimage, and to those who for reasons of health or disability, have never been able to visit Lough Derg.

The One-Day Retreat enables many more people to maintain contact with the sacred site at Lough Derg. Visitors are not required to fast or walk barefoot. The One-Day retreats are offered on the following dates:

May:7,8,12,13,14,15,19,20,21,22,26,27,28,29

August: 18,19,20,21,22,25,26,27,28,29

September: 1,2,3,4,8,10,11,12,15,16,17,18,19,22,23

Telephone: 00353719861518
www.loughderg.org

Divine Mercy Prayer Group
First Sunday of every month
At 3pm
St Mary’s Church Killyclogher

This is open prayer group and all are welcome to come and pray.

Old Tyme Dance
St Joseph’s Hall, Omagh
Friday 11th May
Music: Country Traditions
10pm – 12.30am

The Blind Centre
10 James Street, Omagh are holding a Spring Craft & Cake Fair on Tuesday 15th May from 10.30am – 1pm. Admission £1.00. Tea and Coffee served. All proceeds to Blind Centre.

St Joseph’s young Priest’s Society
The Monthly meeting will be held in the Pastoral Centre on Monday 7th May after 10am Mass.

Church Cleaners for May – St Mary’s Church, Drumragh
Brian McKenna
Susan McNally
Ann Kelly
Geradline McCarney

Derry Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes Hospitalite Collection
The Annual Lourdes Hospitalite Collection takes place at all Masses on 12th and 13th May. This fund is used solely for the purpose of providing medical care and support to people of the Diocese who are sick and wish to go to Lourdes.

Pilgrimage to Knock
Bishop Hegarty will lead the Diocesan Pilgrimage to Knock on Sunday 3rd June 2007. The ceremonies will begin at 2.30pm with the Blessing of the Sick.

PATHS, an inter-denominational local voluntary group, formed to help support families and individuals bereaved by suicide, are holding a one day conference on Saturday 12th May from 9am to 5pm. Speakers are Gareth O’Callahan, Author and Broadcaster. Maire Wagner and Rachel Brady. Thursday should be of help and support to those who have experienced loss through suicide.

For further information contact: Jimmy 07879414385 or Brian 07745576886.

Charity Dance & Variety Concert
In Aid of Care for Cancer
Thursday 10th May
Silverbirch Hotel
The Legendary Brian Coll
Gary Gamble, Edmund Fox, Connect Three, Big Larry, Bernie Maguire, Patricia Maguire, Joe McDonald (James Young Tribute), Moya Murphy
Special Appearance by Cynthia (Horse it into ya’)
Doors open: 7.30pm
Show commencing: 8pm sharp
Tickets £10 each
Ticket s available by contacting Paul – 07856376436, Andy – 07704373713, Care for Cancer – 82246599.

Drumragh Parish Draw – List of Winners for May

£2,000 – Patricia Brady – 3 Rosslyn Close, Derry
- Promoter – Fr Canning
£1,000 – Bernie McCusker – 40 Centenary Park
– Promoter – Ronald Oddy
£500 – Mary McSwiggan c/o promoter
– Promoter – Rozella Kelly
£250 – Fiona Gallagher – 21 Rodgers Road
- Promoter– Maggie Quinn
£100 – Padraig McCabe – 48 Gortin Road
– Promoter – Mary Mullin
£100 – Ann Donaghy – 5 Lismore Park
– Promoter – Raymond McNally
£100 – Mary Maguire – 175 Clanabogan Road
–Promoter – Jim McGread
£100 – Kathleen McGale – 61 Corradina Road
– Promoter – Marie Campbell
£100 – Breda Campbell – 33 Tattykeel
– Promoter – Marie Campbell
£100 – Angela Bradley – 31 Gortrush Park
- Promoter – Teresa McCance
£100 – Alice Duggan – Johnston Park
– Promoter – Rozella Kelly
£100 – Lorraine McSorley - 29 Lambrook Heights
– Promoter – Claire Grugan
£100 – Mary McQuaid – 6 Townview Avenue
Promoter – Mary McQuaid
£100 – Ciaran Johnston – 16 Brookmount Heights
Promoter – Fr Canning

Promoter’s £100 Prize – Claire McKeown – 10 Starrs Crescent

Please Note: The next Parish Draw will take place on Tuesday 5th June 2007.

Eucharistic Ministers for May

6.00pm – Tony McBride, Matt Kelly, Louise Kirwin, Maura Cox,
Catherine Mimnagh, Elizabeth O'Boyle
8.30am – Sean Rodgers, Conrad Darcy, Sinead Slevin
9.45am – Joe McElholm, Susan McCanney, Mary Tierney, Kevin Miley
11.00am –Paula McCann, Roisin McKenny, Elizabeth Broderick, Deirdre Timoney, Mary Donaghy, Collette Breslin
12.30pm – Eugene McGrade, Mary McGrade, Tracy Nugent, Ann Pearson
10am Drumragh- Mary McGlone, Betty Baxter

Collectors for May

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

Counters for May

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

Ballet Class
Ballet Class in St Joseph’s Hall every Thursday at 4.30pm. Contact Tracey Cassidy on 07719446194.

Knockmoyle Hall
Irish speaking Workshop coming soon.
Are you interested in learning some Irish, and Prayers in Irish?
Contact: 07870576034

Aerobics
In the Station Centre
Every Tuesday and Thursday nights
From 8 to 9pm
Everyone welcome. For more information Tel: 82259411