Sunday 6th July 2008

The 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Come to me and I will give you rest

“Come to me, all you who labour and are overburdened and I will give you rest.” How we need to hear that word from Christ today and to heed it. We have never had so many time saving devices that should make life more enjoyable for us. And yet we have never been so busy! People find it so difficult to relax and be thankful for all the wonderful things of life. Our world needs the witness of people who are willing to take time for their love relationships in ways that say that this is the most important part of life. We give this witness just by taking the time for the Sunday Mass but it is so important to really take the time and not just rush in and out again. We give this witness by married couples taking time regularly for their relationship, especially by doing courses that will help them grow in love. We give this witness when parents give good time regularly to their children instead of having others look after them all the time.

Fr. Johnny Doherty, C.Ss.R.

Words of Wisdom
“When the soul is satisfied a little is a lot;
but abundance is never enough when it’s not”

Recent Deaths We sympathise with the families of the following who died recently: Martin McCrystal Michael Edward (Teddy) McGale May they rest in peace.   Mass Intentions St Mary’s, Drumragh Monday @ 7.30 pm Brendan Timlin – Anniversary Mass

“One day, a farmer’s donkey fell down into a well. The animal cried piteously for hours as the farmer tried, unsuccessfully, to figure out what to do to help the donkey. Finally, he decided the animal was old, and the well needed to be covered in anyway; it just wasn’t worth retrieving the donkey. He invited all his neighbours to come over & help him. They all grabbed a shovel and began to shovel dirt into the well. At first, the donkey realised what was happening and cried horribly. Then, to everyone’s amazement, the animal suddenly quieted down! A few shovel loads later, the farmer finally looked down the well, to be astonished at what he saw. With each shovel of dirt that hit his back, the donkey was doing something amazing. As the farmer’s neighbours continued to shovel dirt on top of the animal, he would shake it off and take a step up. Pretty soon, everyone was amazed as the donkey stepped up over the edge of the well and happily trotted off”

The moral of this teaches each one of us that, whenever the world pushes you down to your knees, instead of complaining, believe that you are in a better position to pray. Thank God that your troubles are a stepping-stone, and have brought you closer to the One able to lift you up: God! Moreover, you may learn that the shortest distance between a problem and a solution is that very distance between your knees and the floor. Therefore, whoever kneels to the Lord with Faith, can stand up to just anything! Above all, life is going to shovel all kinds of dirt on you; the only way to get out of the well of our troubles is to shake it off and take a step up: Never give up!

Week beginning Sunday 6th July

This Week’s Saints
Mon 7th – St Maelruain, bishop and abbot
Tues 8th – St Killian, bishop and martyr
Wed 9th – Sts Augustine Zhao Rong, priest, and Companions, martyrs
Fri 11th – St Benedict, Abbot and Patron of Europe

Baptisms
Oliwia Aleksandra Filarowicz, 104 Ramackin Road, Sixmilecross
Brackyn Sarah Yvonne McElhinney, 172 Loughmuck Road

Weddings
We congratulate the following couple who were married here recently:
Una Devlin & Peter O’Kane
May the grace of the sacrament remain with them throughout their lives.

Parish Notes

Please note that the Parish Office will only be open from 11 am to 2 pm from Monday 7th July to Wednesday 16th July (excluding Monday 14th July when the office will be closed). Anyone wishing to have an article included in the newsletter should leave it in to the office during these hours. Normal office hours will resume on Thursday 17th July.

Holy Communion to the Sick & Housebound

The Eucharistic Ministers will bring Holy Communion to the sick and housebound who have requested it, next Sunday 13th July after 9.45am Mass and 11am mass and after 10am Mass in St Mary’s Church Drumragh.

Rev Harold Agnew

Rev Harold Agnew is leaving Omagh shortly to take up a new appointment in Cregagh in Belfast. Rev Agnew has been a familiar figure around Omagh, an active member of the Omagh Churches’ Forum, and a most welcome visitor to the Sacred Heart Church every Christmas Eve. He will be a sad loss to Omagh and to the Methodist Community here. We take this opportunity to wish him, his wife Alison and his family, every blessing in this new ministry.

Questions people ask

Q. What is meant by ‘shoulder my yoke’?

A. A yoke was a piece of wood laid across the shoulders of animals to harness them together and hitch them to a plough or cart. In the Bible it was a symbol of oppression and slavery; or it referred to any painful burden such as suffering. Jesus, coming from a carpentry background, knew about fitting a yoke to the contours of particular animals to make it less burdensome. As carpenter-turned-saviour, he promised that our burdens would be lighter if we would imitate his gentleness and humility of heart.
Fr Silvester O’Flynn OFM Cap

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.

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.

Praying for the Holy Souls

Larry Cummins, author of “Please pray for us, we need your help”, will talk about his ministry for the Holy Souls in the Pastoral Centre, Omagh at 8 pm on Thursday 24th July. All are welcome.

Derry Diocesan Society
We have been informed that it was agreed at the last AGM of the Derry Diocesan Society to increase the members’ contribution. It will go up to £20 or €25 from 1st July onwards.

Society of St Vincent de Paul
Day Trip to Bundoran
Annual summer trip for Senior Citizens will take place on 17th July 2008. The bus will leave the Loreto Convent Gates, James Street at 9.45 am & also collection at Omagh Bus Depot at 10 am. Names are to be left at the SVP Thrift Shop, Castle Street. Places are limited to 150.

Words of Wisdom
Holiday: a period of travel and relaxation when you take twice the clothes and half the money you need.  ~Author Unknown

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.