This Week’s Calendar
Week beginning Sunday 9th December
Tuesday 11 – St Damascus I, Pope.
Wednesday 12 – St Finnian, bishop.
Thursday 13 – St Lucy, virgin and martyr.
Friday 14 – St John of the Cross, doctor of the Church.

Questions people ask
Q. I feel Advent should be a holy season but I always lose the run of myself under the expansion of the commercial and partying side of Christmas. Any helpful advice?
A. Yes, it’s a pity that Advent has been gobbled up by Christmas because the spirituality of Advent is very important. The readings of Advent help us to find Christ in our experience of a spiritual winter, in having to wait on God, or in any terrifying wilderness we have to endure. Maybe less television will give you more time for spiritual reading. Contact a Retreat Centre where there might be something on to suit you. Make a resolution not to become a slave to commercial pressures.
Fr Silvester O’Flynn OFM Cap

Another Angle - Mary’s Dream
I had a dream, Joseph.
I don’t understand it, but I think it was about a birthday celebration for our son.
The people in my dream had been preparing for about six weeks.
They had decorated the house and bought new clothes.
They’d gone shopping many times and bought many elaborate gifts.
It was peculiar, though, because the presents weren’t for our son.
They wrapped them in beautiful paper and stacked them under a tree.
Yes, a tree, Joseph, right inside their homes! They’d decorated the tree with sparkling ornaments.
There was a figure like an angel on the top of the tree.
Everyone was laughing and happy.
They gave the gifts to each other, Joseph, not to our son.
I don’t think they even knew him.
They never mentioned his name.
I had the strangest feeling that, if our Jesus had gone to this celebration he would have been intruding.
How sad for someone not to be wanted at his own birthday party!
I’m glad it was only a dream. How terrible Joseph, if it had been real!’
Author Unknown.

Mass Intentions
Sacred Heart Church 7.30pm Mass
Mon Charlie Mullan – Month’s Mind
Tue Polish Mass

Baptisms
Declan Fergal Corry, 9 Ashbourne Court
Brendan Patrick Wawryszuk, 5 New Brighton Terrace
Alex George McCourt-McCrea, 37 Gortrush Park
Sarah Catherine Slevin, 9 Mullaghmena Avenue
Mason Jacob Young, 82A Tattysallagh Road
James Sean O’Neill, 14 Gortwell Park

Deaths
We sympathise with the families of the following who have died recently:
Mary Gallagher
May she rest in peace.

Penitential Service
On Monday 17th December there will be a Penitential Service following 7.30 pm Mass. There will be a number of visiting priests hearing confessions and we ask that as many people as possible try to attend. There will also be a Penitential Service in Christ The King Church on Wednesday 19th December at 8 pm.

Visitation of the Sick and Housebound
Fr Canning will visit the sick and housebound in the Brookmount Road, Hunters Crescent and Castle Street areas on Thursday 13th December.

Annual Service of Thanksgiving
Macmillan Cancer Support would like to invite everyone to their Interdenominational Service of Thanksgiving today (Sunday) at 7 pm in the Sacred Heart Church, Omagh.

Devotions
There will be no devotions today (Sunday) because of the Macmillan Service at 7 pm.

Advent Reflection
The Advent Reflections will continue this Wednesday in the Pastoral Centre, Brook Street. It will take place after 10 am Mass.

Annual Carol Service
Our Annual Carol Service will be held in the Sacred Heart Church on Sunday 16th December at 6 pm.

Drodzy Rodzice!
Zapraszamy wszystkie dzieci na zabawe choinkowa razem z rodzicami dnia
11 grudnia na godz. 17.30 do 19.30, we wtorek, przed Msza Swieta. Zabawa organizowana jest przez tutejsza parafie i odbedzie sie w swietlicy przykoscielnej St Joseph Hall tuz przy kosciele Sacred Heart.
Serdecznie wszystkich zapraszamy!

SVdP Christmas Collection
St Vincent de Paul’s Annual Christmas collection will be taken up after all Masses on Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th December. Please give generously!

Drumragh Parish Draw – December 2007
£5,000 – Martin Devlin, c/o Promoter.
Promoter – Bridie McElroy

£2,000 – Liam Grugan, Lambrook, Omagh. Promoter – Babs Barrett

£1,000 – Joe Bradley, c/o Promoter. Promoter – Thomas Sharkey

£500 – Josephine O’Brien, 3 O’Connor Terrace. Promoter – Jean McCrystal

£250 – Mary Judge, 16 Coolnagard Avenue. Promoter – Malachy McNamee.

£100 – Mary McCaskie, c/o Promoter. Promoter – Rozella Kelly.
£100 – Bernadette Duffy, Douglas Bridge. Promoter – Eileen McElroy.
£100 – Eamon Baxter, 17 Johnston Park. Promoter – Margaret Sheridan.
£100 – Micky Turner, c/o Promoter. Promoter – Ronald Oddy.
£100 – Rozella Kelly, 50 O’Kane Park. Promoter – Rozella Kelly
£100 – Gemma Gallagher, Ashbourne Heights. Promoter – John Rafferty.
£100 – William McCusker, 40 Centenary Park. Promoter – Ronald Oddy.
£100 – Catherine Kelly, 47 Inishiative Road. Promoter – Sheila Colton.
£100 – Paul & Ray McSwiggan, Deerpark. Promoter – Colm MacRory
£100 – Oonagh Colton. Promoter – Sheila Colton.

Promoter’s £100 Prize – Violet Sweeney, 22 Brookmount Road.
Promoter’s £100 Prize – Raymond McNally, 20 Sperrin View.
Promoter’s £100 Prize – Raymond McNally, 20 Sperrin View.
Promoter’s £100 Prize – Rozella Kelly, 50 O’Kane Park.

Extra £100 Prize – Willie Duddy, c/o Promoter. Promoter – Victor Caldwell.
Extra £100 Prize – Scott & Ewing, Market Street. Promoter – Slevin Family
Extra £100 Prize – Clodagh Murphy. Promoter – Clodagh Murphy.

The Baptism of Our Lord – Service for Children Baptised in 2007
The Annual Service for Baptised Children will take place on Sunday 13th January at 3 pm in the Sacred Heart Church, Omagh. All children who have been baptised in 2007 and their parents and godparents are welcome to attend.

Pioneer Meeting
The next Pioneer meeting will be on Thursday 13th December in St Joseph’s Hall, beginning at 8 pm.

Eucharistic Ministers for December
6.00 pm – Gerry Harte, Geraldine Colton, Phil Hyndman, Brigid McGarvey, Anne McCaffrey, Marie Gallagher;
8.30 am – Ann Mullan, Angela Lalsingh, Margaret Haigney;
9.45 am – Peter McCormick, Seamus Sheridan, Shirley Norris, Maureen Miley;
11 am – Willie Galbraith, Johanna Gallagher, Marie Conway, Sheila McCusker, Jeanette Fox;
12.30 pm – Kathleen Winters, Mary Donaghy, Chrissie Kelly;
10 am Drumragh – Niall Colgan, Anita Hackett.

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

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

Readers for December
Vigil Mass – Kay McGuigan;
8.30 am – Brother Tom Gough;
9.45 am – Emmet Murray;
11 am – Anthony Bradley;
12.30 pm – Regina Maguire.

Church Music
The McSorley Sisters, who are resident singers at the 6 pm Mass on Saturdays in the Sacred Heart Church, are available to sing at weddings, funerals and other sacred occasions. The girls can be contacted on the following numbers: Anita (028)82 245075; Bernie (028)82 241946; Finola (028)82 250537; Siobhan 02882 243547.

Looking for a Religious gift?
Rosaries, Prayer Books, Medals, Certificates, etc available in St Joseph’s Book Shop. Open Saturdays 10.30am - 4pm.

St Joseph’s Bookshop
Advent and Christmas stock now in: Advent Wreaths, Advent Candles, Advent Calendars, Cribs, Christmas Ornaments, Christmas Cards, Christmas Table Candles. Open every Saturday 10.30 am – 4 pm. For special Christmas opening times see next week’s newsletter.
(Entrance to Bookshop at side of St Joseph’s Hall)

Christmas Opening Hours @ St Joseph’s Bookshop
From Wednesday 19th until Saturday 22nd December the Bookshop will be open from 10.30 am – 4 pm. Also on Monday 24th (Christmas Eve) the Bookshop will be open from 10.30 am to 1.15 pm.

Drumragh Parish Online
Why not visit our website – www.drumraghparish.com. Tell your friends and relatives about it. Details of parish news and events are updated weekly. If any Parish Group wishes to promote their group or any related activity on the Parish website, please pass on the information to the Parish Secretary.

Notices for Weekly Bulletin
If you wish to submit an article for this bulletin please do so, either by post to the Parish Secretary, 48 Brook Street; by fax to 8225 2149; by email to info@drumraghparish.com. Articles cannot be accepted after the Wednesday evening Deadline. Please do not call to give articles by telephone. Notes relating to the Church and articles relating to Parish events and functions will always be given priority, and other material, such as local charity events will be accepted, space providing.

Planning a wedding?
Why not log on to www.gettingmarried.ie ?
You’ll find details and suggestions for your big day: choosing your vows, preparing the church, choosing a ring, etc.

Wedding Music
Female Soloist available to sing at Weddings and Funerals in Omagh and surrounding areas, call Louise Kirwan on 0773 424 8359.

Catholic Charismatic Prayer Group
The Catholic Charismatic Prayer Group meets every Thursday night in the Pastoral Centre from 8.15pm – 9.30pm. Everyone welcome.

Give time to Prayer
Come along to the Youth 2000 Prayer Group who meet every Tuesday night in the Pastoral Centre from 8.15pm – 9.30pm. Everyone welcome.

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
7.00 - 8.00pm - Traditional Music class
7.30pm - Bowls
8.30pm - Line Dancing

Sat 1.45pm - Groogan O’Doherty Class

St Joseph’s Hall, Omagh
BIG CHRISTMAS BINGO
Over £3,000 in Prize Money Must Go!!!
Line House
1 £30 £100
2 £30 £100
3 £30 £400
4 £30 £100
5 £30 £100
6 £30 £300
7 £30 £100
8 £30 £100
9 £30 £200
10 £30 £1,000 Jackpot
11 £30 £200
Books £15 – Double Books £20
Starts 9 pm.
Everyone Welcome – Please support your local Parish Bingo!

Bric-A-Brac
The Friends of All Saints are holding a Bric-a-brac Sale in St Joseph’s Hall on 16th December between 8.30 am and 2.30 pm to raise money for All Saint’s Primary School, Tattysallagh. Everyone is welcome.

Kellie’s Aerobics / Fitball
Kellie’s Aerobics Class continues in St Joseph’s Hall on Monday nights at 7.15 pm. Now including ‘The Fitball’ as part of the toning component of her class. Balls are supplied in limited numbers. If you own a ball, bring it along. Everyone welcome!

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

Line Dancing
Every Thursday Evening @ 8.30 pm
New Class for Children / Absolute Beginners @ 7.30 – 8.30 pm
Everyone Welcome

Coffee Mornings in St Joseph’s Hall
Wednesdays @ 10.30 am
Tea, Coffee & Homemade Scones Served
Everyone Welcome

Parties
Room for Hire
St Joseph’s Hall
For further details call Tommy on 07753 936701


St Eugene’s Hall

The Famous Clanabogan Bazaar
Sunday 9th December
St Eugene’s Hall, Clanabogan
One Night Only!
First Spin @ 8.30 pm
Free Draw for those in Hall by 9.00 pm
Refreshments Available


Outside Events

Tattyreagh Bazaar
The Annual Bazaar will be held in Tattyreagh GAC clubrooms on Saturday 15th December, commencing at 8.30pm. Some great prizes on offer, all welcome.

Drumragh GFC
There is a change of venue for our AGM on Sunday 9th December. The meeting will now take place in All Saints School, Tattysallagh at 2 pm.

"Deepening Our Faith for Christmas"
A Series of Adult Faith Development Evenings for Advent
Church of Christ the King, Strathroy
Monday evenings 8 - 9.15pm (after 7.30pm Mass)
Tea / coffee & refreshments served
Monday 10 December
Catholic Spirituality - Taking our Spiritual Growth seriously
Speaker: Fr Kevin McElhennon CC
Monday 17 December
How God is still present and active in the world today
Speaker: Fr Paul Farren, Director of Derry Diocesan Religious Education Centre

Moldovan Appeal
The organisers of the annual Moldovan Appeal at Carrickmore G.A.A. wish to embark on a similar appeal here in February 2008. They ask all parishioners to keep unwanted items of clothing, etc. for this worthy cause. More details later.

Omagh Community Youth Choir Sets Ceilí
Sunday 16th December 2007
4 pm – 7 pm
Dún Úladh Heritage Centre, Ballinamullan, Omagh
Music by Copperplate
Traditional Music Seisiún in Bar
Admission £5 / 8 Euro
Supper Served

Viatores Christi
Viatores Christi is a voluntary Catholic lay missionary association, established in 1960, to recruit, prepare and facilitate the placement of people who wish to work overseas, eg doctors, nurses, teachers, trades people, etc. Come and meet us at an Information Seminar on Tuesday 11th December at 7.30 pm in the Diocesan Pastoral Centre, 164 Bishop Street, Derry.

Pilgrimages

Derry Diocesan Jubilee Pilgrimage to Lourdes 2008
Led by Bishop Francis Lagan, DD
150th Anniversary of Apparitions at the Grotto
16th – 21st July 2008
Fare: £449 stg, inclusive of flights, full board accommodation, airport taxes, insurance, coach transfers. Fare may be paid by installments. Booking forms are available in the Parish Office and from the Pilgrimage Secretary.

Pilgrims Who Are Sick
Particular care is given to those who are sick or in need of care. Please contact the Pilgrimage Secretary for a special booking form if you are in need of care or over the age of 80 years.

Helping Those Who Are Sick
If you are 18 years or over and would like to be a member of the Lourdes Hospitalité Team as a Doctor, Nurse, Carer, Pusher of Wheelchairs, please contact us for further details.
Any Queries: The Secretary, PILGRIMAGE OFFICE, 164 Bishop Street, Derry. BT48 6UJ. Telephone: 028 7126 0293
Opening Hours: Tuesday 11 am – 2 pm
Thursday 11 am – 2 pm
Saturday 11 am – 1 pm & 2 pm – 4 pm.

Gift Voucher for Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes 16th – 21st July 2008
150th Anniversary of Apparitions
Gift Vouchers available from the Pilgrimage Office.
Telephone 7126 0293
Tuesdays & Thursdays 11 am – 2 pm
Saturday s 11 am – 1 pm & 2 pm – 4 pm

Youth Team – Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes
16th – 21st July 2008
Places are available for those aged 14 or 15 years old in July who would like to be members of the Youth Team.
Places are available for those aged 17 or 18 in July who would like to be members of the ‘Leaders in Training’ (LIT) Group
Application Forms are available from the Pilgrimage Office, telephone 028 7126 0293.
Cost is £449 stg

Medjugorje for Christmas
Visiting Medjugorje? : Call the Irish Centre on 028 8224 1888 - apartments for rent or sale.