Divine Mercy Sunday, 11th April 2010

Second Sunday of Easter

Thomas said: “Unless I see the holes that the nails made in his hands and can put my finger into the holes they made, and unless I can put my hand into his side, I refuse to believe”. Thomas has gone down in history with the nickname Doubting Thomas and is often referred to in relation to those who are always questioning. And that is one of his roles, to assure us that questions and doubts are an important part of true faith. We can so easily look only for certainty and perfection and then we will believe and hope and love. Our call is to believe in the setting of uncertainty, to hope even though there is insecurity, to love in spite of a lack of perfection. And there can be no doubt that all of these are present in our lives and our Church today. It is often because we can see the gaping holes in the Body of Christ left there by so many scandals, or because we are asked to put our hands into his side opened by the sins of one another that we find it difficult to believe. And unfortunately many give up.

Fr. Johnny Doherty, C.Ss.R.

Buzzards, Bats, and Bumblebees

If you put a buzzard in a pen that is 6 feet by 8 feet and is entirely open at the top, the bird, in spite of its ability to fly, will be an absolute prisoner. The reason is that a buzzard always begins a flight from the ground with a run of 10 to 12 feet. Without space to run, as is its habit, it will not even attempt to fly, but will remain a prisoner for life in a small jail with no top.

The ordinary bat that flies around at night, a remarkably nimble creature in the air, cannot take off from a level place. If it is placed on the floor or flat ground, all it can do is shuffle about helplessly and, no doubt, painfully, until it reaches some slight elevation from which it can throw itself into the air. Then, at once, it takes off like a flash.

A bumblebee, if dropped into an open tumbler, will be there until it dies, unless it is taken out. It never sees the means of escape at the top, but persists in trying to find some way out through the sides near the bottom. It will seek a way where none exists, until it completely destroys itself.

In many ways, there are lots of people like the buzzard, the bat, and the bumblebee.

They are struggling about with all their problems and frustrations, not ever realizing that the answer is right there "Above" them.

Saints of the Week

Week Beginning Sunday 11th April 2010

Tuesday 13 – St Martin I, pope and martyr

Friday 15 – St Bernadette Soubirous

Recent Deaths

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

Edna Phillips

James McKenna

Brian McKenny

Mary McGonigle

May they rest in peace.

Sacred Heart Church - Mass Intentions 7.30 pm

Mon Kathleen McCann – 1st Anniversary

Tue Frank O’Neill – 1st Anniversary

Thur Liam McKinney – Month’s Mind

Fri Mary McSwiggan – Month’s Mind

Recent Weddings

We congratulate the following couples who married here recently:

Clodagh Bresnahan & Patrick McAleer

Diane Northern & Rory Maguire

May the grace of the sacrament remain with them all their lives.

Divine Mercy Mass

There will be a Divine Mercy Mass today (Sunday 11th April) at 3 pm in

St Mary’s Church, Killyclogher.

Parish Notes

There will be no Devotions today (Sunday). They resume next week. The Parish Office will be closed on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of this week, re-opening on Thursday 15th April.

Parish Draw
The next Parish Draw will take place on Tuesday 13th April after the Bingo in St Joseph’s Hall. Promoters are asked to bring their returns to the Hall at the usual times.

Sign of Peace

The guidelines from the Diocese concerning swine flu and the sign of peace have now been removed. Consequently, the sign of peace will be reinstated at all Masses. Please note that the sign of peace can be expressed in many forms: handshake, verbally Peace be With You or with a simple acknowledgement.

Visitation of the Sick

Fr Canning’s sick will be attended in the country areas on Monday 12th April. The sick on the Brookmount Road area and Hunter Crescent will be attended on Thursday 15th April.

Cemetery Sunday 2010

Our Services of Remembrance for the Dead will take place this year in the Drumragh and Dublin Road Cemeteries on Sunday 6th June. The Drumragh Service will be at 3 pm and the Dublin Road Service at 5 pm.

Questions people ask

Q. In the Gospel of John the Holy Spirit came on the Apostles on Easter Sunday whereas Luke, in Acts, says it was on Pentecost, fifty days later. Which date is correct?

A. First day or fiftieth? Both days are correct because the Holy Spirit comes every day. John highlights Easter Day as the beginning of a new age and mission. The mission of Jesus, sent by the Father, was completed on Good Friday. Now the mission of the Church begins ... ‘so I am sending you’. The Holy Spirit is bestowed on the Apostles. As Luke emphasises the world-wide dimension of the mission, he selects Pentecost, a harvest festival, when people of far-flung lands and different languages were gathered in Jerusalem.

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

A Deeper Understanding of Jesus in the Gospels

Have you ever wanted to find out more about the Gospels and what they tell us of Jesus? Then this study group is for you! The study group will meet in the Pastoral Centre, Omagh for five Mondays for about one hour each evening. The first session starts on Monday 19th April at 8.15 pm. Light refreshments will be served. All welcome.

First Holy Communion Dates

Sunday 25th April 2010 – St Colmcille’s P.S. in the Sacred Heart @ 12.30 pm

Sunday 9th May 2010 – St Conor’s P.S. in the Sacred Heart @ 12.30 pm

Sunday 16th May 2010 – Loreto P.S. in the Sacred Heart @ 12.30 pm; All Saint’s P.S. and Sacred Heart P.S. in St Mary’s Church, Drumragh @ 10 am

Sunday 23rd May 2010 – Integrated P.S. in the Sacred Heart @ 12.30 pm

Mr Seamus Kerrigan RIP

A Special Mass will be held to celebrate the life and contribution made to the people of Omagh and surrounding districts, by the late Mr Seamus Kerrigan, ‘The Master’. Mass will take place on Sunday 11th April at 3.00pm in the Sacred Heart Church, followed by a social evening immediately after in St Joseph’s Hall Omagh. All are welcome.

St. Joseph’s Prayer Group

invites you to an evening of Scriptural Meditation

Led by Brother Gough at CBS Oratory

Wednesday 14th April 2010
Time: 8.15pm
(preceded by Holy Rosary)
~ All welcome ~

Prayer for Priests

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

Sunday 11th April – Fr Gerard Mongan
Monday 12th April – Fr Colm Morris
Tuesday 13th April – For All Priests
Wednesday 14th April – Fr Aidan Mullan
Thursday 15th April – Fr Kevin Mullan
Friday 16th April – Fr Michael F Mullan
Saturday 17th April – Fr Patrick J Mullan

Loreto Grammar School, Omagh

Post 16 Information Evening

Wednesday 14th April 2010

Opening Address 7.30pm

Students and their parents/guardians will have an opportunity to:

• Consult with subject teachers on our broad range of Post 16 courses for 2010/12.
• Gain information about Key Skills which offer additional qualifications in Application of Number, Communication, Improving Own Learning and Performance, Information & Communications Technology at Level 3 and COPE - Certificate of Personal Effectiveness which develops personal and employability skills.

Loreto Grammar School promotes choice at Post 16, meeting the requirements of the Entitlement Framework and is a member of the Omagh Learning Community.

Sacred Heart College, Omagh
Post 16 Information Evening
Tuesday 20th April 2010 from 7.30 pm in lower Assembly Hall.
Students thinking of studying AS and A2 subjects are very welcome.

Tone Up for Summer

St Eugene’s Hall, Clanabogan
Begins Thursday 15th April
@ 7.30 pm

Club Rooms, Tattyreagh
Begins Tuesday 20th April
@ 7.30 pm

6 Week Course £24 or £4.50 a night
Call 0779 655 2299 for further details.

Adoption

Could you make a child happy again after a difficult start in life?
Family Care Society is presently seeking adoptive families who would be interested in parenting children aged between 3 – 8 years and who need the love and attention of a caring and understanding family. Could this be you?

For further information please contact Family Care Society on Belfast 90-691133 or Derry 71-368592

Email: email@familycaresociety.org
Website: www.familycaresociety.net

Omagh St Enda's GAC

Bingo continues every Thursday at 9 pm at Healy Park with £4,000 in prize money. There is also a chance to win the club lotto jackpot which stands at £5,000. Gaelic Start continues for all P1, P2 and P3 children at the CBS Sports Hall every Saturday at 10 am. This is a fun packed morning for all the children so if you haven't been out yet come along next Saturday. Fun guaranteed!

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

Omagh Independent Advice Centre

We offer a free and confidential advice service to anyone in financial difficulty. If you would like to speak to someone about your financial difficulties, please contact Michele in the Advice Centre on 028 8224 3252. 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.

St Joseph’s Hall

Timetable of Events

Mon 10.30 am Coffee Morning
6.00 pm Iyengar Yoga

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 7.30 pm Bowls
8.00 pm Line Dancing

Sat 1.45 - 5 pm Groogan O’Doherty School of Dancing

Contact Tommy on
07753 936 701