Sunday 14th February 2010

Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Fixing his eyes on his disciples Jesus said: “How happy are you who are poor; yours is the kingdom of God. Alas for you who are rich; you are having your consolation now”. Isn’t this a very difficult teaching to accept, even when we know that it comes from Jesus? And because it is difficult, we can tend to ignore it and go on our way. Obviously Jesus is not promoting poverty. Rather he is saying that when we are poor we know that we depend on God. When we have riches we put our trust in them even though in reality we still depend totally on God for everything including our next breath. The task of every human person is to let go of our self-importance and enter into the wonderful love relationship God wants to have with us. We will then use our resources, material and spiritual, for the well-being of each other.

Fr. Johnny Doherty, C.Ss.R.

What is Love?

This question was posed to a group of 4 to 8 year-olds: "What does love mean?"

Love is that feeling you feel before all the bad stuff gets in the way.

When my grandmother got arthritis, she couldn't bend over and paint her toenails anymore. So my grandfather does it for her all the time, even when his hands got arthritis too. That's love.

Love is when you go out to eat and give somebody most of your chips without making them give you any of theirs.

Love is what makes you smile when you're tired.

Love is when my mummy makes coffee for my daddy and she takes a sip before giving it to him, to make sure the taste is okay.

When you tell someone something bad about yourself and you're scared they won't love you anymore. But then you get surprised because not only do they still love you, they love you even more.

There are two kinds of love -- our love, and God's love. But God makes both kinds.

During my piano recital, I was on a stage and scared. I looked at all the people watching me and saw my daddy waving and smiling. He was the only one doing that. I wasn't scared anymore.

My mummy loves me more than anybody. You don't see anyone else kissing me to sleep at night.

Love is when mummy gives daddy the best piece of chicken.

Love is when mummy sees daddy tired and sweaty and still says he is handsomer than Brad Pitt.

Valentine's cards say stuff on them that we'd like to say ourselves, but we wouldn't be caught dead saying.

Sacred Heart Church - Mass Intentions 7.30 pm

Mon Gerard Mulryan – Month’s Mind

Wed Tess Curran – 1st Anniversary

Baptisms
Róise Mary Martina McDevitt, 13 Clontarf Drive

Recent Deaths

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

Gerard Goligy

Dennis McGlinchey

Paddy Maguire

May they rest in peace.

Prayer for Priests

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

Sunday 14th February – For All Priests
Monday 15th February – Fr John Farren
Tuesday 16th February – Fr Neil Farren
Wednesday 17th February – Fr Paul Farren
Thursday 18th February – Fr Christopher Ferguson
Friday 19th February – Fr John P Forbes
Saturday 20th February – Fr Edward Gallagher

Clanabogan Development Initiative

Annual Charity Quiz

Friday 19th February @ 9pm

Clanabogan Country Club

Table Quiz
In Aid of Home-Start
Village Inn, Killyclogher
Thursday 18th February @ 9pm
Everyone welcome

Children’s Liturgy

The Children’s Lenten Programme begins Sunday 21st February in the Sacred Heart Church at the 12.30 pm Mass. It will continue until Palm Sunday on 28th March. Children from Years 3, 4 and 5 are invited to come along and enrich their faith and understanding of the meaning of Lent. If you would like your child/children to take part, bring them along to the front seats in the middle aisle of the Church on Sunday 21st February

Ash Wednesday is this week on 17th February. It is a day of both fast and abstinence. Fasting - having only one meal and two small meals - is obligatory for those aged between eighteen and sixty, with the exception of those are ill or have a medical condition. Abstinence, which means abstaining from meat, is obligatory for all those who are over fourteen years of age. The Masses on Ash Wednesday will be in the Sacred Heart Church at 8 am, 10 am, 1 pm and 7.30 pm. Note: Extra Mass at 1 pm on Ash Wednesday only. Ashes will be distributed after all Masses on Wednesday.

Lenten Stations

There will be a Station Mass for the Ballygowan area on Friday 19th February in the home of Ann McSwiggan, 37 Rosemary Road, Deerpark at 11 am. Anyone wishing to have a Station Mass in their home this Lent, please contact the Parish Office on 8224 2092.

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.

“Thinking of Lent”

Why not give up alcohol for the duration of Lent? Offer this up for people and families who have been affected or bereaved by the abuse of excessive drinking?

Pioneer Total Abstinence Association

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.

Collection for Haiti

We would like to thank all those who contributed to the recent collection for the Victims of the Haiti Earthquake. The collection raised an amazing total of £16,944 and €521.65. We have passed this money directly to Trócaire, who have assured us that the money will go straight to Haiti. Their personnel already working there will use the funds collected to provide necessities for those most affected by this tragedy.

Church Gate Collection

IHCPT Omagh Group 190 will be having a Church Gate Collection next weekend after all the masses of the 20th/21st February. The group travel to Lourdes in Easter week on pilgrimage with local young people with special needs.

IHCPT

The Irish Pilgrimage Trust is a registered charity in Ireland. Each year at Easter, the Trust travels on pilgrimage and on holiday to Lourdes with young people with special needs. Omagh Group 190 is holding a charity fundraising "IRISH NIGHT" in McGurk’s Bar, Omagh. It starts at 8 pm with an Irish traditional music session (musicians welcome!), complimentary Irish stew, Irish dancers and a great prize raffle. Dance the night away with Ferdontye, an up and coming Irish folk band. Tickets are £5 and are available in Mc Gurks Bar or contact Steven on 0799 966 3103.

We would like to sincerely thank the people of Drumragh Parish for donating a total of £1688.09 through their Advent Campaign. If you still have an Advent box you can return it to the church, or post/deliver donations to 2 St Joseph’s, Derry, BT48 6TH. For all other queries, please call 02871 269898.

Holy Communion to the Sick & Housebound
The Eucharistic Ministers will bring Holy Communion to the sick and housebound who have requested it, next Sunday (21st) after 9.45am Mass and 11am Mass and after 10am Mass in St Mary’s Church Drumragh.

Vocations Information Day

A Day of Reflection on the theme of Vocation

Saturday 20th February @ 11.30 am – 4 pm

Thornhill Retreat Centre, Derry

Call Fr Paul Farren on 7126 4087 or Fr Colm O’Doherty on 8166 1475

Derry Diocesan Society

The following names have been added to the list of Deceased Members of the Derry Diocesan Society:

Angela Gormley
Evelyn Graham, 95 Tamlaght Road
Margaret McCanney, 11 Clanabogan Road
June McCanny, 2 Cannondale
John McCarroll, Eskra

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

Dance
St Joseph’s Hall
Friday 19th February
Music by Country Legends
10 pm – 12.30 am

Clanabogan Drama Circle Presents

‘Where There's a Will’

by Val Gough

St Joseph's Hall on Saturday 13th & Sunday 14th February.

Another hilarious comedy - not to be missed.

Curtain up at 8.30. Admission £5

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

Omagh St Enda’s GAC

If you missed youth registration day last Saturday please contact Desmond O'Doherty (07845467572) or email dfodoherty@ aol.com. Bingo continues every Thursday at Healy Park at 9 pm with £4,000 in prize money every week. Tyrone play Mayo this Sunday at Healy Park at 2.30 pm. Why not come along and support Tyrone and our players Justin and Joseph McMahon and Jason McAnulla?

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. 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.

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