Sunday 8th June 2008

The 10th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Keeping Low Company

About 40 years ago I read The Two-Edged Sword by the Jesuit biblical scholar John L McKenzie. At this remove I can recall only one sentence from it. One that’s still as sharp today as the two-edged sword he was writing about then. It still penetrates deeply, and pains. That sentence reads: ‘Jesus was often accused of keeping low company. Many of his followers, however, seem to have risen above that criticism.’ Ouch!

Today’s Gospel (Matt 9:9-13) puts me in mind of it. ‘I have come to call not the righteous but sinners.’ One way of knowing that it’s God’s word we’re hearing and not our own, is when it’s difficult to take. We hear what the word is saying, but don’t like it. We try to explain it away, water it down, or ignore it – but can’t. It won’t go away – now, or ever. It packs the same punch forty years down the line.

When that word penetrates so does God’s Spirit, directing it, planting it, nurturing it. It changes us when we trust it. Matthew trusted it as he heard Jesus call: ‘Follow me’. And, it changed him. From stagnating at a tax booth he became energized to journey into the unknown.

That’s another way of knowing that it’s God’s word we hear: it’s open-ended. It can take us anywhere – especially to places we would never dream of going on our own.

Fr Tom Cahill SVD, Courtesy of Intercom Magazine

Week beginning Sunday 8th June - This Week’s Saints

Monday 9 – St Columba (Colum Cille), Abbot and Missionary, Secondary Patron of Ireland.
Wednesday 11 – St Barnabas, apostle.
Friday 13 – St Anthony of Padua, priest and doctor of the Church.
Saturday 14 – St Davnet, virgin.

Mass Intentions Sacred Heart Church 7.30pm Mass Mon Barry McGlade – 1st Anniversary Tue Polish Mass Thur Marian Graham – Month’s Mind

Baptisms
Ciaran Michael Quinn, 12 Kevlin Glen
Odhrán Cian McGoldrick, 2 Lambrook Gardens
Áine Ceithleann Campbell, 21 Coolnagard Avenue
Daniel Mark Coyle, 14 Lambrook Heights

Pioneers’ Outing
The Annual Outing of the Pioneers will be on Saturday 28th June to Enniskillen, with Mass in Enniskillen at 10 am. There will be an optional trip of the lakes for one and a half hours. The evening meal will be in Mahons’ Hotel, Irvinestown. Booking as soon as possible at 8224 2921 or 8224 5710.

Holy Communion to Sick & Housebound
The Eucharistic Ministers will bring Holy Communion to the sick and housebound who have requested it, next Sunday 15th June after 9.45am Mass and 11am Mass and after 10am Mass in St Mary’s Church Drumragh.

Sacred Heart College - ‘Friends of Fagaras’

A special Church gate collection is to be held on Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd June for a group of 10 girls from the Sacred Heart College who are traveling to Fagaras in Romania in October. They will work in an abandoned baby clinic and a local orphanage. The girls are hoping to raise enough money to buy much-needed medical equipment for the clinic. Your generous support will go DIRECTLY towards this equipment and medicine. The girls will speak about the trip at all masses in the Sacred Heart Church that weekend.

Northern Ireland Blood Tranfusion Service

The next blood donation service will be held in Omagh College on Tuesday, 10th, Wednesday, 11th and Thursday 12th June at the following times:
1.30 pm – 4 pm & 5.30 pm – 8 pm.
Please come along - you could save a life!

Questions people ask

Q. When we refer to chapters and verses in the Bible, were these part of the original writings or where did they come from?
A. These divisions into chapter and verse were not in the original writings but were devised as a wonderful aid to locate a passage quickly. The chapters and verses we use today are attributed to Cardinal Stephen Langton who was Archbishop of Canterbury, 1207-1228. He wrote various historical works, sacred poems and commentaries on the books of the Bible. His best known poem is the beautiful Sequence for Pentecost, Veni Sancte Spiritus.

Fr Silvester O’Flynn OFM Cap, Courtesy of Intercom Magazine

Sacred Heart College presents….

A Summer Serenade

We are holding an end-of-term concert to celebrate and showcase our pupils’ talent. It will include our Senior and Junior choirs, the traditional group, poetry, drama, solo singing and more…all are welcome to come and enjoy the entertainment. It is on Thursday, 12th June at 7.30pm in the Lower Hall. Tickets are £5 each and will be available only to buy from the school office (from Tuesday 3rd June). Hurry as seats will sell quickly! Telephone 028 8224 2717.

World Youth Day Experience in Lourdes July 2008 As an alternative to World Youth Day in Sydney, Lourdes has been nominated the European Centre for WYD and the diocese will be taking a youth group to experience these days of celebration. The trip will be from 16th to 21st July for 20 – 35 year olds and will travel as part of the larger Diocesan Pilgrimage. The cost is £449. There will be a set program for this group for the 5 days. If you are interested in going or finding out more, please contact the Pilgrimage Office on 7126 0293. Fun Bowls in St Eugene’s Hall, Clanabogan Every Wednesday Night @ 8.30 pm All Welcome!

The Guides Are Back in Town!

We can offer girls from 5 – 19 years old an exciting programme of activities, full of challenges, friendship and fun. To be a part of this wonderful experience, beginning in September, you need to register now! Registration sessions will take place in St Mary’s Hall (behind the Sacred Heart Church, Omagh) on:

Saturday 14th June 2008 from 7.00 pm to 8.30 pm

Sunday 22nd June 2008 from 1.30 pm to 3.00 pm.

Places will be allocated on a first come, first serve basis, and are expected to go quickly. Leaders are especially required. If you are aged 17+, please consider giving of your time and talents to help many young girls discover their true potential. Thank you.

Parish Draw Winners - June 2008

£2,000 – Barney McCann, 5 Sunningdale. Promoter – Seamus Haigney;
£1,000 – Brenda Norris, 48 Brookmount Heights. Promoter – Catherine McNamee;
£500 – Seamus Nugent, 68A Dunteague Road. Promoter – Raymond McNally;
£250 – Rhona Garrity, 46 Sunningdale. Promoter – Seamus Haigney;
£100 – Mary Logue, 9 Glenview Cottages. Promoter – Raymond McNally;
£100 – John Quinn, 17 Crocknageeragh Road. Promoter – Francis Quinn;
£100 – Kate McGeehan, 33 St Julian’s Way. Promoter – Fr Thomas Canning;
£100 – John Breslin, 14 Harmony Heights. Promoter – John O’Hagan
£100 – Mr McCaul, Gortmore Park. Promoter – Anne Williamson;
£100 – Niall McNamee, 162 Kevlin Road. Promoter – Geraldine Gallagher;
£100 – Marian McLaughlin, 119 Ballynahatty Road. Promoter – Charlie McLaughlin;
£100 – Brenda McKernaghan, Lissan Drive. Promoter – Carmel Tierney;
£100 – Estelle Finlay, 4 Culmore Mews. Promoter – Clodagh Murphy;
£100 – Geraldine Browne, 14 Cannon Hill. Promoter – Claire Grugan;

Promoters’ £100 Prize – Jean McCrystal, 9 Gortmore Gardens.

Please Note: The next draw will be on Tuesday 1st July 2008.

Mother & Toddler Morning

A mother and toddler morning will be held in Tattyreagh GAC clubrooms 11 am - 1.00pm Thursday 12th June. It is hoped this will continue every Thursday. All welcome

Alcohol & Drug Awareness
An alcohol and drug education awareness meeting has been arranged for Tuesday 10th June at 7.30 pm in Tattyreagh clubrooms. All parents in the community are invited. Catherine Donaghy from the EGO project will be in attendance.

EXAM PRAYER

Dear Lord,
Help me approach my exams
with a clear head and a calm mind.
Give me your strength
and your peace
and let me do justice to
all that I have learned.
Thank you Lord,
for all my talents and gifts.

Omagh St Enda’s GAC Sponsored Cycle & Barbecue Clubrooms, Gortin Road, Omagh Saturday 14th June 2008 @ 7.30 pm Tickets £10 Barbecue will coincide with return of sponsored cycle taking place same day. Tickets for barbecue available at Bar or from any Youth Committee member. All proceeds go directly to the provision of youth facilities within the club.
Pilgrimage to Medjugorje and Rome   Three night’s in Medjugorje - B & B & evening meal. One night on ferry - including evening meal. Four nights in Rome B & B. Flying from Knock Airport - Return Belfast International Airport Depart Saturday 4th October 2008 Return Sunday 12th October 2008 All inclusive price of £699. For further information contact Martina O’Neill at 7135 8519.

Eucharistic Ministers for June
Vigil Mass – Tony McBride, Louise Kirwan, Maura Cox, Catherine Mimnagh, Elizabeth O’Boyle; 8.30 am – Ann Byrne, Joanne McGread, Bernie Gormley; 9.45 am – Joe McElholm, Susan McCanney, Mary Tierney, Kevin Miley; 11 am – George Johnson, Eugene Teague, Helen Johnson, Alice McNamee, Joe Mulryan; 12.30 pm – Gerard Sharkey, Kathleen Winters, Mary Donaghy, Chrissie Kelly; 10 am Drumragh – Bridie McElroy, Dympna McKay.

Counters for June
Tommy Bradley, Michael Donnelly, John Doyle, Hubert Logue, Kevin McCrory, John McNally, Kathleen McNally, Dominic Pinto, John Meyler, Seamus Sheridan, Leo Turbett, John McGale.

Collectors for June
6.00 pm – James A Devlin, Cathal Cullen, Aidan Lilly, Thomas McElroy, Colm McLaughlin, Pat McCanney; 8.30 am – Peter Haughey, Gerry Broderick, Fursey Mullan, Billy Henry; 9.45 am – Sean Mullan, John O’Neill, A K Kelly, Patrick Devlin, Raymon mcGoldrick, John Rafferty, Eugene Turbett; 11 am – Aidan Quinn, Robert Colton, James Murray, Pat McGartland, Kevin McCrory; 12.30 pm – Sean McNamee, Francis Laird, Dermot O’Kane, Patrick Conway, John Lagan.

Readers for June
6.00 pm - Mrs Maureen Bonner; 8.30 am – Mrs P Coleman; 09.45 am – Mrs Marian McGale; 11.00 am – Mrs Pauline McKenna; 12.30 pm – Mr Cathal Lynch.

Derry Diocesan Society

The following names have been added to the list of Deceased Members of the Derry Diocesan Society:
Rita McCusker, Omagh
Arthur Maguire, 31 Brookmount Heights
Frank Colton, 55 Tattysallagh Road
Thomas Doherty, 33 O’Kane Park
Teresa McMackin, 29 Lammy Walk
Walter Pancott, 1 Brookmount Crescent
Charlie Mullan, 7 Johnston Park
Eamon Mullin, Georges Street
Hannah McGuire, 127 Drumlegagh Road South
Maureen McGrath, 99 Brookmount Road
Mary Gormley
Peter Gormley
Frank Gormley
Arthur McGonigle, 39 Culmore Park
Darren Harkin, Drumragh Nursing Home
James Conlin, Drumragh Nursing Home
Kathleen Sharkey, 9 Cannondale
Carmel Frances McCausland, 53 O’Kane Park

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

Living Members
James Gormley
Margaret Gormley

St Joseph’s Hall
Church Street, Omagh
Tel. 8225 2920
8225 2892
Contact: Tommy on 07753 936701

St Joseph’s Hall
Mon 6.30pm - Iyengar Yoga
7.15pm - Kellie Aerobics/ Fitball
Tues 3.00pm - Colmcille Club
9.00pm - Bingo - Jackpot £1000
Wed 10.00-12.30pm - Weightwatchers
10.30am - Coffee Morning
6.00pm - Baxter School of Dancing
8.00pm - Ladies Club
Thur 4.30pm - Ballet Dancing
7 - 8pm - Traditional Music class
7.30pm - Bowls
8.30pm - Line Dancing
Sat 1.45pm - Groogan O’Doherty Class