Sunday 14th March 2010

4th Sunday in Lent

“This man”, they said, “welcomes sinners and eats with them.” One of the dangers with religion is that it can be thought of as for good, holy people. And one of the lovely aspects of Christianity, especially as experienced within our Catholic tradition, is that it is for sinners. Holiness is our call, sinner is our condition, and there is no need to worry or be fearful. It can be difficult for us to accept this for ourselves and also for other people around us and so we find ourselves standing in judgement on one another and at times condemning one another. If we want to find Christ, though, we have to learn to reverence the poor, the weak, the sinful, and the faults and failings of others and ourselves. This is why criticism of one another has no part in our following of Christ, whether in our homes, in our close relationships or in our faith community.

Fr. Johnny Doherty, C.Ss.R.

WHEN GOD MADE MUMS

By the time the Lord made mothers, he was into his sixth day of working overtime. An angel appeared and said, "Why are you spending so much time on this one?"

The Lord answered and said, 'Have you seen the spec sheet on her? She has to run on black coffee & leftovers; have a lap that can hold three children at one time; have a kiss that can cure anything from a scraped knee to a broken heart; and six pairs of hands.

"Six pairs of hands! No way!" said the angel.

The Lord replied, "Oh, it's not the hands that are the problem, it's the three pairs of eyes that mothers must have." "And that's just on the standard model"

The Lord continued "I am so close to finishing this creation that is so close to my own heart. She already heals herself when she is sick AND can feed a family of six on a pound of mince AND can get a nine year old to stand in the shower." The angel moved closer and touched the woman. "But you have made her so soft, Lord." "She is soft," the Lord agreed, "but I have also made her tough. You have no idea what she can endure or accomplish." "Will she be able to think?" asked the angel.

The Lord replied, "Not only will she be able to think, she will be able to reason and negotiate."

The angel then noticed something and reached out and touched the woman's cheek.

"Oops, it looks like you have a leak with this model. I told you that you were trying to put too much into this one." "That's not a leak," the Lord objected. That's a tear!" The tear is her way of expressing her joy, her sorrow, her disappointment, her pain, her loneliness, her grief and her pride."

The angel was impressed. "You are a genius, Lord...You thought of everything. MUMS are truly amazing."

Saints of the Week

Week Beginning Sunday 14th March 2010

Wednesday 17 – St Patrick, Principal Patron of Ireland

Thursday 18 – St Cyril of Jerusalem, bishop

Friday 19 – St Joseph, Husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Sacred Heart Church - Mass Intentions 7.30 pm

Thurs Kathleen Brogan – Month’s Mind

Baptisms

Evie Sarah Sproule, 24 Lambrook Heights

Emily Catherine Pancott, 24 Centenary Park

Chloe Josephine McGale, 61 A Corradinna Road

Recent Deaths

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

Liam McKinney

May he rest in peace.

Prayer for Priests

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

Sunday 14th March – Fr James McCrory
Monday 15th March – Fr John J McCullagh
Tuesday 16th March – Fr Noel McDermott
Wednesday 17th March – Fr Eamon McDevitt
Thursday 18th March – Fr John McDevitt
Friday 19th March – Fr Michael McEldowney
Saturday 20th March – Fr Kevin McElhennon

St. Patrick’s Day

Wednesday 17th March is the Feast of St. Patrick, Patron Saint of Ireland.

Masses will be as follows:

Sacred Heart Church

Tuesday
7.30pm Vigil Mass

Wednesday
8.30am, 9.45am, 11am & 12.30pm

St Mary’s, Drumragh
Wednesday: 10 am

Confession Times in the Sacred Heart Church are as follows:

Tuesday: 10.30 -12.30pm & 6.45 - 7.15pm

Please Note: There is a Vigil Mass on Tuesday 16th March for St. Patrick’s Day but there will be no 7.30pm Mass on the evening of St. Patrick’s Day.

Appeal

Fr Donal Bennett’s friend in China, Fr Joseph Li, requests your help to build a Church in the former Columban Diocese of Hanyang. All Catholic Churches were destroyed or confiscated by the government in the 1950s when all the Columban missionaries were expelled. Your kind help can be channelled through Fr Donal Bennett, 17 Castle Grove, Omagh, BT79 7AY, call 8225 7993 or 0787 567 8434. Thanking you in advance.

Lenten Stations
There will be a Station Mass in the Tattysallagh Upper area on Friday 19th March at 7.30 pm in the home of Geraldine McCarney, 15 O’Brien Park. There will be one in the Tattysallagh Lower area on Tuesday 23rd March at 7.30 pm in the home of Paddy and Dympna Cleary, 9 Tattysallagh Road.

Adoration
There will be Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament every Friday in Lent in the Sacred Heart Church from 10.30 am to 7.15 pm.

Knock Marriage Introductions Bureau
Our aim is to introduce people considering marriage to a suitable partner. Over 800 marriages have taken place as a result of these introductions. If you are searching for a suitable partner, why not consider applying? For further information contact 00353 94 937 5960 or visit our website at www.knockmarriagebureau.com and read about the workings of the bureau.

Life to the Full
The series continues in the Pastoral Centre on Monday 15th March from 10.30 am to 12 noon. This session is entitled:
4. Our Royal Inheritance.
Why not come along and discover how the Word of God can be a daily help? Refreshments are provided at each session.

Weekend Retreats 19th – 21st March

Annisclift House, Maghera - ‘Inner Healing & Forgiveness’ led by Sr Josephine Walsh. Call Rosemary on 7964 2729.

Drummond Hotel, Ballykelly – ‘Healing in the Family Tree’ led by Joe Dalton. Call Mairead on 7772 2121.

Confirmation

Confirmation in this parish will be on Saturday 27th March.

There will be two ceremonies this year:

11.00 am in the Sacred Heart Church – St Conor’s P.S. & Omagh Integrated P.S.

3.00 pm in the Sacred Heart Church – Loreto P.S., St Colmcille’s P.S.,
Sacred Heart P.S. & All Saints P.S.

Spred and Faith & Light wish to thank all who contributed to their collection last weekend. A total of £1753 was raised.

Holy Communion to the 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.

Children in Crossfire
We would like to thank all those parishioners who supported our 2009 Advent Campaign. A total of £1688.09 was raised which will go towards helping vulnerable children in Ethiopia and Tanzania, giving them better opportunities and hope for the future.

Mark McMahon

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

Table Quiz

A Charity Table Quiz in aid of Marie Curie Cancer Care is to be held on Friday 19th March in Clanabogan Country Club. The quiz is being jointly organized by Vincent Sharkey and Joe Edgar in memory of the late Jean and Margaret. Starts 9 pm sharp. Light refreshments will be served.

Drumragh Child Protection Committee

The Drumragh Child Protection Committee requests chairpersons and leaders of organisations and clubs using parish facilities to return the Club Audit checklist as soon as possible.

The Drumragh Child Protection also wish to inform all clubs and groups using parish facilities that there is an awareness-raising meeting in St Joseph’s Hall at 8.15 pm on Monday 22nd March.

Epilepsy Action Omagh Branch
We will be holding a collection after the 10 am Mass in Drumragh and the 12.30 pm Mass in the Sacred Heart Church on Sunday 21st March 2010. Your support for this organization will be much appreciated.

Omagh Branch CCE

Annual Traditional Irish Concert

Dún Uladh Cultural Heritage Centre
Tuesday March 16th @ 8pm
Admission £8
A great night’s entertainment.

St Joseph’s Hall, Omagh

Friday 19th March

Parish Dance

Music by Country Traditions

Dancing from 10.30 am

Saturday 20th March

Céili

Music by Finvola Céili Band

Begins 9.30 pm

8 Week Yoga Course

St Joseph’s Hall

Begins 15th Monday March

@ 6 pm - 7.30 pm. Everyone welcome

Contact Frances Campbell on 028 8167 9743 or 0793 318 4513 or e-mail: yogacam@gmail.com

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

Good luck to Omagh CBS and our nine players in the MacRory Cup final on St Patrick's Day. Bingo continues every Thursday at 9 pm in Healy Park with £4,000 in prize money every week. Club lotto jackpot stands at £5,000. All youth and adult members are welcome to join us in the St Patrick's Day parade which starts from the Leisure Centre at 1 pm.

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