Sunday 13th December 2009

3rd Sunday in Advent.

The theme of this Third Sunday of Advent is rejoicing. This Sunday is known as Gaudete Sunday. The word Gaudete means rejoice; the basis for this rejoicing is the nearness of the Lord. What everybody wants in life is to be happy, but what is the secret of happiness? The secret of happiness consists in being faithful to one’s commitments and responsibilities, while at the same time enjoying life. It’s easy to be happy when we are doing what we want. But to find happiness in what we have to do, not simply in what we want to do, this is a blessing from God. Happiness is not a shallow self-satisfaction. There can be no happiness for us as long as the things we do are different from the things we believe, and then there can be no happiness without love. Sadness falls upon us when we say ‘No’ to love. In the end, only God can fulfil our dreams and happiness is the best sign of his presence. The presence of God is the cause of our joy. The joy that this world cannot give is the joy that comes from a sense of God and his love for us.

WARNING: ADVENT VIRUS

Be on the alert for symptoms of inner Hope, Peace, Joy and Love. The hearts of a great many have already been exposed to this virus and it is possible that people everywhere could come down with it in epidemic proportions. This could pose a serious threat to what has, up to now, been a fairly stable condition of conflict in the world. Some signs and symptoms of The Advent Virus:

• An unmistakable ability to enjoy each moment.

• A loss of interest in judging other people.

• A loss of interest in interpreting the actions of others.

• A loss of the ability to worry. (This is a very serious symptom.)

• Frequent, overwhelming episodes of appreciation.

• Frequent attacks of smiling.

• An increasing tendency to let things happen rather than make them happen.

• An increased susceptibility to the love extended by others as well as the uncontrollable urge to extend it.

This virus can and has affected many systems. Some systems have been completely cleaned out because of it.

Saints of the Week

Week Beginning Sunday 13th December

Monday 14 – St John of the Cross, priest and doctor of the Church
Friday 18 – St Flannan, bishop

Sacred Heart Church

Mass Intentions 7.30 pm

Tue Kathleen Doherty – 1st Anniversary

Wed Matthew Poyntz – Month’s Mind

Thur Benny McCausland – 1st Anniversary

Fri Cyril Duffy – Month’s Mind

Month’s Mind Mass

The Month’s Mind Mass for Fr Benny Colton will take place in St Mary’s Church, Drumragh on Monday 14th December at 7.30 pm.

Recent Deaths

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

John McGirr

Robert McCaugherty

Tom McDaid

Baby Thomas Isaac Sproule

May they rest in peace.

Baptisms

Ellie Patricia Pritchard, 26 Hallam Gardens, Middlesex, England

The Baptism of Our Lord - Service for Children Baptised in 2009

The Parish of Drumragh is hosting a liturgical celebration for all babies baptised in our parish during the year 2009. The celebration will take place in the Sacred Heart Church at 3 pm on Sunday 10th January – the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord.

Parish Office Notice

The Parish Office will be closed for Christmas Holidays from Wednesday 23rd December, reopening on Monday 4th January. Anyone wishing to submit an article for the Sunday 27th December or Sunday 4th January newsletters, please do so no later than Monday 21st December.

Annual Carol Service

On Sunday 20th December the Annual Carol Service will take place in the Sacred Heart Church at 6 pm. The service should last no longer than one hour. All parishioners are welcome.

Omagh Churches’ Forum Carol Service

The Churches’ Forum Annual Carol Service will take place outside the Northern Bank, Omagh on Wednesday 16th December at 1 pm. The music will be provided by the

Omagh County Primary School and Christian Brothers Grammar School.

Sacred Heart College, Omagh

Annual Carol Service

The Sacred Heart College cordially invites everyone to their Annual Carol Service which will be held in the Sacred Heart Church on Monday 14th December at 2 pm.

Omagh Waterford Peace Choir

The Omagh Waterford Peace Choir will sing at the 12.30pm Mass on Sunday 20th December. This will be a Christmas carol service and promises to get everyone in the Festive spirit. We will also be singing at the Carol Service in Lislimnaghan Church on the Sunday evening. Everyone is welcome.

Advent Penitential Service

On Monday 21st December we will be holding our Advent Penitential Service in the Sacred Heart Church. Confessions will be immediately after the 7.30 pm Mass. There will be several priests hearing confessions and we ask as many parishioners as possible to attend. The Advent Penitential Service in Cappagh Parish will be in Christ the King Church on Wednesday 16th December at 8 pm. All are welcome to attend.

Parish Draw

Any promoter who has not collected their 2010 cards

can now do so at the Parish Office.

Holy Communion to Sick & Housebound

The Eucharistic Ministers will bring Holy Communion to the sick and housebound who have requested it, next Sunday (20th) after 9.45am Mass and 11am mass and after 10am Mass in St Mary’s Church Drumragh.

Prayer for Priests

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

Saturday 12th December - Fr Edward McGuinness & Fr Kevin McKenna;
Sunday 13th December – Fr Con McLaughlin & Fr George McLaughlin;
Monday 14th December – Fr Patrick McLaughlin & Fr Peter McLaughlin;
Tuesday 15th December – Fr Stephen McLaughlin & Fr Ignatius McQuillan;
Wednesday 16th December – Fr Peter Madden & Fr Anthony Mailey;
Thursday 17th December – Fr Eamon Martin & Fr Gerard Mongan;
Friday 18th December – Fr Colm Morris;
Saturday 19th December – Fr Aidan Mullan & Fr Kevin Mullan

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.

“Waiting in Joyful Hope”

Reflections & Prayer on the Sunday Gospels of Advent

Friday 18th December

After 10 am Mass in the Pastoral Centre

Clanabogan Youth Club would like to thank the artists who performed at the recent Senior Citizens Party, and all who contributed to make it such an enjoyable night.

All Saints' P.S. Tattysallagh

We invite you to join us in St Eugene’s Hall, Clanabogan Hall on Wednesday 16th December at 7 pm for our performance of 'The Sleepy Shepherd' and 'The Xmas Factor', followed by a sing-along of festive tunes. Draw will take place after the show. Admission free. All Saints' will also hold their Open Day for new parents and pupils on Friday 18th December 1pm - 3pm (or at other times by arrangement) Come along and see what our school can offer your child.

St Colmcille’s P.S. Primary

Open Enrolment 2010 / 2011

Any child whose 4th birthday falls on or before 1st July 2010 will have reached compulsory school age in September 2010 and must commence Primary Education.

Application Forms for enrolment in Primary 1 / Reception with effect from 1st September 2010 are now available from the school office. The completed forms must be returned to the school on or before 12 noon on Wednesday 20th January 2010. Please contact Siobhan in the school office for further information.

Colmcille Club

The Club is having its Christmas Function in the Silverbirch Hotel on Monday 14th December at 8 pm. The club will then close for the Christmas holidays.

St Vincent de Paul

Christmas Appeal Week

Church Door Collection 12th & 13th December

Please Give Generously!

Omagh Downs Syndrome Support Group

Christmas Cookery Demonstration

Monday 14th December 2009

Silverbirch Hotel, Omagh

Celebrity Chef – Neven Maguire

Reception @ 7pm - Demonstration @ 8 pm

Ticket Price £15

Available at Top News, Silverbirch Hotel & Omagh College

GRAND CHRISTMAS CONCERT

St Joseph's Hall, Omagh

Featuring the King of Country, Mick Flavin and his band

Special Guests - Carmel Mc Loughlin, Kevin Logue and Sinead Taggart

Monday 28th December 2009 @ 8pm

Tickets are £15, available from Tops News - George's Street, Music Master - Foundry Lane and Xclusive - High Street, Omagh

Omagh Music Society

There will be a Concert of Christmas Music with Omagh Music Society and the Loreto Grammar School in St Columba's Church of Ireland on Tuesday 15th December at 8 pm.

St Joseph’s Bookshop

Open Saturdays 10.30 am - 4 pm

Wide variety of Books, Holy Ornaments, Medals, Rosaries & Cards available.

Religious Christmas Gifts Available

Christmas Opening Times:

Mon 21st - 10.30 am - 4 pm
Tue 22nd - 10.30 am - 4 pm
Wed 23rd - 10.30 am - 4 pm
Thur 24th - 10.30 am - 1 pm

Ulster Project

Fr. Kevin Mullan has a vacancy for a male leader, enquiries to Fr. Mullan, 257, Dooish Road, Drumquin or call 028 8283 1225.

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