Sunday 7th February 2010

Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

‘Jesus said to Simon: “Do not be afraid; from now on it is people you will catch.” Then, bringing their boats back to land, they left everything and followed him.’ The image that Jesus uses has a very special relevance for those he was talking to. They were fishermen. But it continues to be relevant for us today because it simply means that our task is to make Christ attractive to and available for the people of our world. This is done first of all in our homes where the faith is handed on by parents in the ways they make their home a place of joy and gladness. This involves giving up their time and their own preoccupations for the sake of each other and their children. It also determines how a faith community is developed. The most important thing about any faith community should be that it is attractive for others. This will mean giving up our own comfort zones so that others can find a home among us.

Fr. Johnny Doherty, C.Ss.R.

Silent Sermon

A parishioner, who previously had been attending services regularly, suddenly stopped coming to church. After a few weeks, the priest decided to visit. The priest found the man at home alone, sitting before a blazing fire. Guessing the reason for the priest’s visit, the man welcomed him, led him to a comfortable chair near the fireplace and waited. The priest made himself at home but said nothing. In the grave silence, he contemplated the dance of the flames around the burning logs. After some minutes, the priest took the fire tongs, carefully picked up a brightly burning ember and placed it to one side of the hearth all alone. Then he sat back in his chair, still silent. The host watched all this in quiet contemplation. As the one lone ember's flame flickered and diminished, there was a momentary glow and then its fire was no more. Soon it was cold and lifeless.

The priest glanced at his watch and realizing it was time to leave, he slowly stood up, picked up the cold, dead ember and placed it back in the middle of the fire. Immediately it began to glow, once more with the light and warmth of the burning coals around it.

As the priest reached the door to leave, his host said with a tear running down his cheek, "I have been depressed at the lost of my best friend. Thank you so much for your visit and especially for the fiery sermon. I will come back to church next Sunday."

We live in a world today, which tries to say too much with too little. Consequently, few listen. Sometimes the best sermons are the ones left unspoken.

Saints of the Week

Week Beginning Sunday 7th February 2010

Monday 8 February – St Jerome Emiliani; St Josephine Bakhita, virgin
Wednesday 10 February – St Scholastica, virgin
Thursday 11 February – Our Lady of Lourdes; St Gobnait, virgin

Sacred Heart Church - Mass Intentions 7.30 pm

Tue Marie O’Doherty – Month’s Mind

Thur Polish Mass

Fri Margaret Gormley – 1st Anniversary

Recent Deaths

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

Marie Higginbottom

May she rest in peace.

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

Sunday 7th February – Monsignor Joseph Donnelly
Monday 8th February – Fr Liam Donnelly
Tuesday 9th February – Fr T Phillip Donnelly
Wednesday 10th February – Fr John Downey
Thursday 11th February – For All Priests
Friday 12th February – Fr Austin Duffy
Saturday 13th February – Fr Jack Farrell

The Footprints of God - A Retreat for Lent

Church of Christ the King, Strathroy

Monday Evenings from 15th February 8 – 9 pm
(Tea, coffee & refreshments served at the end of each evening)

Each Monday evening of Lent (beginning on Monday before Ash Wednesday), we will journey reflectively with Jesus as he makes his way to Jerusalem.
As we reflect on the journey Jesus took to Jerusalem, where he suffered and died for us, we grow in an understanding of the journey of our own lives and find nourishment and guidance for our pilgrimage through life.

Parish Newsletter

This newsletter is published weekly as a channel of communication with our parishioners, informing the Parish of events happening in our Churches and Parish Halls. Any other articles printed are solely at the discretion of the editor. We are happy to help promote parish-related and charitable events in the Parish, space permitting. However, we are under no obligation to print such articles and we will usually print the articles that are submitted on a first come, first served basis. We would just like to remind you of the limited space available and, as a consequence, there will be material sent in that will not be included. We hope that this clears up any confusion over the role of the newsletter in our Parish.

Visitation of the Sick

Fr Canning’s sick will be attended in the country areas and Castle Street on Monday 8th February. The sick in the Brookmount Road and Hunter Crescent areas will be attended on Thursday 11th February.

Children’s Liturgy
The Children’s Liturgy Programme begins the first Sunday in Lent.

Baptisms

Samuel James Devlin, 2 Lambrook Close
Oran Robert Devlin, 2 Lambrook Close
Daniel Michael Devlin, 2 Lambrook Close
Grace Phimphakan Turbitt, 10 Belvedere Park
Grayson Paul Meyler, Canada
Kara Rose Wilson, 19 Kevlin Gardens
Dara Joseph Burns, 10 Drumannon Drive
Luke Joseph Hagan, 14 Coolnagard Grove

Samaritan Volunteers - Spring Recruitment Campaign
Information Evening on Monday 8th February at 7.30pm in Silver Birch Hotel, Omagh. Telephone 028 8225 1530 or e-mail Omagh.Samaritans@virgin.net for information/application form.

Life to the Full

What are your plans for this Lent: fasting, prayer or almsgiving? Why not nourish yourself more on God’s Word? Come along to the Pastoral Centre, Omagh each Monday of Lent and listen to the ‘Life to the Full’ DVD. A series of five sessions on each Monday of Lent starting on Monday 22nd February from 10.30 am to 12 noon is being offered. The sessions are entitled:

1. Where on Earth is God? 2. The Father’s Promises. 3. Passion for Jesus. 4.Our Royal Inheritance. 5.To Boldly Go!

Why not come along and discover how the Word of God can be a daily help? Refreshments are provided at each session.

IHCPT Derry Group 30th Anniversary Celebration Dinner Dance
To celebrate 30 years of taking young people with special needs on their annual Easter Pilgrimage to Lourdes, Group 110 of the Irish Pilgrimage Trust (The 'Derry' Group) will be holding a celebration dinner dance in the City Hotel on Saturday 27th February 2010, music by the Odyssey band. The group would like to invite anyone who has travelled with us over the years, young people or group carers, their families and all those who have supported and helped us in anyway to join us in what should be a great evening to meet old friends and relive memories of some very special times. Tickets will cost £25 and can be obtained from Stephen Browne at 07912500195.

Pilgrimages 2010
7 May 2010 – Lourdes ex Dublin – 5 Nights
16 July 2010 – Lourdes ex Belfast – 5 Nights
5 August 2010 – Fatima/Estoril ex Dublin – 7 Nights
16 August 2010 – Rome & San Giovanni ex Belfast – 7 Nights
31 August 2010 – Shrines of France ex Dublin – 7 Nights
Accompanied by a spiritual director and a Joe Walsh Tours Representative - All trips include return coach transfer to departure airport from Omagh & Derry.
Group Organiser – Paddy McGowan, call 028 8224 4450

Pioneer Meeting
The above will take place on Thursday 10th February in St Joseph’s Hall at 8 pm. New members welcome.

Valentine Dance
Killyclogher Parish Centre
Friday 12th February
Music by Country Sensations
Dancing from 10 pm – Supper Served

Walk with Marty

Ben Nevis Weekend 8th – 11th April

A great weekend for fit walkers. Price £320, which includes 3 Star accommodation, ferry crossing, mountain guide and insurance. Transport from Omagh and back. For more information call 8075 8452 or go to www.walkwithmarty.com. An excellent opportunity to raise funds for Haiti Appeal or favourite charity.

Clanabogan Drama Circle Presents

‘Where There's a Will’

by Val Gough

St Joseph's Hall on Friday 12th, Saturday 13th & Sunday 14th February. Another hilarious comedy - not to be missed.
Curtain up at 8.30. Admission £5

Drumragh Sarsfields GAC

The above club will hold a youth registration afternoon on Saturday 20th February 2010 from 1 to 3 pm at CBS Grammar School, Omagh. Cone along to register with our football youth coaching programme for the 2010 season. Adults £30/Youth £10. Parents, we would invite you to bring along your children, both boys and girls of primary school age to 16 years. Go to www.drumraghgfc.net.

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. N.B: A telephone helpline will be in operation on Monday and Wednesday night from 7pm – 9pm to aid those struggling with debt. Call 028 8224 3252.

Tai Chi
At the Station Centre
Fridays 11.30 am – 12.30 pm
Contact Liam O’Neill 07835582873

SVdP & South West College
Are you currently unemployed? Have you recently been made redundant? SVdP in association with South West College are offering a range of courses to help improve employment prospects for families in need. For further information call Tom Bradley on 0845 603 1881.

Macmillan Cancer collected £1544.44 during their street collection on Wednesday 23rd December. They thank everyone who contributed.

Derry Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes

16th – 21st July 2010

Application forms are available for any young person aged 14-15 who would like a place on the Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes. Special arrangements are made for the youth who will be lead by the Pilgrimage Youth Team. For further information contact The Pilgrimage Office, 164 Bishop Street, Derry, telephone 7135 1233.

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
Hall Caretaker: 07753 936 701