Sunday 6th December 2009

2nd Sunday in Advent.

"(John) went through the whole Jordan district proclaiming a baptism for the forgiveness of sins." Every day we are made aware of how much evil there is in our world, with stories of cruelty and vandalism at home and abroad. And yet in spite of this awareness there is a huge decline in our sense of sin. In some ways this is a good development because in former times so much was thought of as sin. However, as we approach Christmas and beyond, it is important that we hear the call for repentance and leave anything that is harmful in the past behind us by placing it firmly in the hands of Christ, especially through celebrating the great Sacrament of Confession. This makes it possible for us to make a fresh start again and again in our relationships with God and with one another in our homes and in our parish community.

THE TICKET

Jack took a long look at his speedometer before slowing down: 73 mph in a 55 zone. The flashing red in his rear view mirror insisted he pull over quickly. Fourth time in as many months. How could a guy get caught so often? Jumping out of the car, he approached the policeman. "Hi, Officer. Guess you caught me red-handed in a rush to see my wife and kids."

"Hello, Jack." No smile. Flustered, Jack hunched himself through the still-open door. The minutes ticked by. The policeman scribbled away on the pad. Why hadn't he asked for a driver's license? A tap on the door jerked his head to the left. There was the policeman, a folded paper in hand. Jack rolled down the window a mere two inches, just enough room for him to pass him the slip. "Thanks." Jack could not quite keep the sneer out of his voice. The policeman returned to his car without a word. Jack unfolded the sheet of paper. How much was this one going to cost? Wait a minute. What was this? Some kind of joke? Certainly not a ticket. Jack began to read:

Dear Jack, Once upon a time I had a daughter. She was six when killed by a car. You guessed it - a speeding driver. A fine and three months in jail, and the man was free. Free to hug his daughters. All three of them. I only had one, and I'm going to have to wait until heaven before I can ever hug her again. A thousand times I've tried to forgive that man. A thousand times I thought I had, Maybe I did, but I need to do it again. Even now. Pray for me. And be careful. My son is all I have left. Bob

Jack shifted uncomfortably in his trench coat. A full 15 minutes later he pulled away and drove slowly home, praying for forgiveness and hugging a surprised wife and kids when he arrived.

St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal Week

7th – 13th December 2009

Church Door Collection

12th & 13th December Please Give Generously!

St Vincent de Paul would like to thank Drumragh Feis for their kind donation of £200 for which are very grateful.

Saints of the Week

Week Beginning Sunday 6th December

Monday 7 – St Ambrose, bishop and doctor of the Church
Tuesday 8 – The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Wednesday 9 – St Juan Diego Cuahtlatoatzin
Friday 11 – St Damasus I, pope
Saturday 12 – Our Lady of Guadalupe; St Finnian, bishop

Sacred Heart Church - Mass Intentions 7.30 pm

Mon Madeline Noble – Month’s Mind

Tues Noelle McCausland – 1st Anniversary

Wed Margaret Grogan – Month’s Mind

Fri Gabrielle Gormley – 1st Anniversary

Baptisms

Ellen Kate Bingham, 1 Coolnagard Mews

Leah Marie McFarland, 3 O’Brien Park

Recent Deaths

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

Carmel McCann

May she rest in peace.

Prayer for Priests

We ask for your prayers for the following priests this week:

Sunday 6th December – Fr James McGlinchey
Monday 7th December – Fr Brian McGoldrick
Tuesday 8th December – Fr Neil McGoldrick
Wednesday 9th December – Fr Patrick McGoldrick
Thursday 10th December – Fr James McGonagle
Friday 11th December – Fr James McGrory
Saturday 12th December – For All Priests

St Joseph’s Young Priests’ Society

The monthly meeting of the St Joseph’s Young Priests’ Society, John Paul II Branch, will take place on Monday 7th December in the Pastoral Centre after 10 am Mass.

Feast of the Immaculate Conception

Tuesday 8th December is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. It is a holy day of obligation. Masses will be as follows:

Sacred Heart Church
Monday 7th – Vigil Mass @ 7.30 pm
Tuesday 8th – 8 am, 10 am, 7.30 pm

St Mary’s, Drumragh
Tuesday 8th – 11 am
Confessions will be in the Sacred Heart Church on Monday 7th from 10.30 am to 12.30 pm and from 6.30 pm to 7.15 pm.

Visitation of the Sick

Monsignor Donnelly will be doing his sick visitation this week, on the afternoons of Tuesday 8th, Thursday 10th and Friday 11th December. Fr Canning will visit the country areas and Castle Street on Monday 7th.

Dates for your Diary

On Sunday 20th December the Annual Carol Service will take place in the Sacred Heart Church at 6 pm. On Monday 21st December we will be holding our Advent Penitential Service, with several priests hearing confessions after the 7.30 pm Mass. On Sunday 10th January we will have the Celebration of Baptism Service for all babies baptised throughout 2009 and their families.

Loreto P.S. Advent Mass
Loreto Primary School will be having their Advent Mass with Carol Singing on Wednesday 9th December at 10 am in the Sacred Heart Church (providing there is no funeral). All welcome.

The members of Loreto P.S. Fund-raising Committee would like to thank the school and parish communities for their fantastic support for their Christmas Fun Day and also thank all those who made donations to the event.

Adoration

There will be Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in the Sacred Heart Church every Friday during Advent from 10.30 am to 7.15 pm.

“Waiting in Joyful Hope”

Reflections & Prayer on the

Sunday Gospels of Advent

“Come Lord, and save us” (Isaiah 35:4)
A Sacred Space & Time to Pray…
Friday 11th & 18th December
After 10 am Mass in the Pastoral Centre

Derry Diocesan Society

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

Margaret (Besey) Gormley, 15 Brookmount Heights
Frank O’Neill, 19 Brook Valley
Thomas Curran, 6 Cunningham Terrace
Sarah Ann McNabb, Dromore
Kathleen Doherty, 18 Gortrush Park
Damian Doherty, 46 Strule Park
Stephen Doherty, London
Terence (Terry) McGread, Tattysallagh
Jinny Loughran, 29 Tattysallagh Road

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

Christmas Novena Prayer

Hail and blessed be the hour and moment in which the Son of God was born of the most pure Virgin Mary at midnight in Bethlehem in piercing cold. In that hour vouchsafe, oh my God, to hear my prayer and grant my desires, through the merits of our Saviour, Jesus Christ, and of His Blessed Mother. Amen.

Drumragh Parish Draw Winners – December 2009

£5,000 – Mary Doherty, 54 Drumleck Drive. Promoter – Geraldine McCarney; £2,000 – Pat McLaughlin, 118 Edergole Road. Promoter – Raymond McNally; £1,000 –Kathleen Winters, 14 Oak Rise. Promoter – Tommy Sharkey; £500 – Vincent Sharkey, 14 Crocknageeragh. Promoter – Tommy Sharkey; £250 –Clodagh Murphy 40 Brookmount Hts. Promoter – Clodagh Murphy; £100 – Mr M McCaul, Gortmore Park. Promoter – Anne Williamson; £100 – Peggy McClean, Clontarf Heights. Promoter – Kevin McCrory; £100 – Colm Logue, Botera Road. Promoter – Raymond McNally; £100 – Rosaleen Connolly. Promoter – JF Doyle; £100 – Louise McCrossan, 31 O’Kane Park. Promoter – Daniel McCrossan; £100 – P & M Gallagher, 37 Kevlin Road. Promoter – Tommy Sharkey; £100 – Philly McEnhill, Culmore Mews. Promoter – Kevin McEnhill; £100 – Jimmy McCann, 10 O’Brien Park. Promoter – Jim McGread; £100 – Chris Kelly, 5 St Julian’s Brae. Promoter – Claire Grugan; £100 – Alice Oddy, 70 Strule Park. Promoter – Ronald Oddy; Promoter’s £100 Prizes: Fr Thomas Canning; Marie Campbell, 28 Tattykeel Road; Michelle Teague, 33 Summerfield Court; Fr Thomas Canning; Members Extra £100 Prizes: K Clarke, 20 Lissan Drive; Seamus O’Donnell; P & F McAnea, 11 Cannondale.Fr Thomas

Stagefright Theatre Company

Christmas Cracker

The Weigh Inn, Omagh

Friday 11th December at 10 pm

- Come enjoy the fun and games of a traditional Christmas night.
- Christmas like it used to be with carols and sing songs.
- Bazaar games and raffles with hampers, turkeys, cash prizes.
- Party night with mistletoe and crackers, concert and dancing.
- Perfect for the office Christmas party or family night out.

Live in Concert

Marilla Ness – An Evening of Hymns & Gospel Music

St Joseph’s Hall
Sunday 6th December
Doors Open @ 7 pm
Concert Begins @ 8 pm
Tickets £10 from St Joseph’s Hall & Top News, George Street

Omagh Lions Club
We hold our Annual Christmas Food Appeal at Dunnes Stores on Friday 11th, Saturday 12th & Sunday 13th December

Omagh St Enda’s GAC

Big Monster Bingo returns to Omagh St Enda's, Healy Park on Thursday 10th December at 9 pm with £7,000 in prize money, including three £1,000 houses and three £500 houses. The rest of the houses are either £300 or £400.

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 8224 3252.

St Joseph’s Hall
Timetable of Events
Mon 10.30 am Coffee Morning
6.00 pm Iyengar Yoga
7.00 pm Aerobics
Tue 3.00 pm St Colmcille’s Club
9.00pm - Bingo - Jackpot £1000
Wed 10.00-12.30pm - Weightwatchers
5.45 – 7.45 - Baxter School of Dancing
8.00 pm Ladies’ Club
Thur 4.30 pm O’Neill’s School of Ballet Dancing
7.30 pm Bowls
8.00 pm Line Dancing
Sat 1.45 - 5 pm Groogan O’Doherty School of Dancing