Sunday 14th December 2008

3rd Sunday of Advent

Our Joy in Christ

"He (John the Baptist) was not the light, only a witness to speak for the light." We live in a world where we take light for granted - until there is a breakdown in the electricity service! Then we can feel lost and fearful and angry. We also live in a world that we take for granted is in good shape and yet there is so much pain and distress in the lives of people all around us. We don't have to save the world we live in. Our task is to make it possible for Christ to save our world. We do this by being the witness for the light through the quality of our love radiating out to all we meet. This is done in all kinds of ways through the gentleness of the intimate relationships of marriage and family life. But, as we approach Christmas, we can make a special effort to reach out to those who are in need or living in isolation, especially in our parish community.

Fr. Johnny Doherty, C.Ss.R.

Christmas is for giving, and for showing that we care,
For honouring the Christ Child with the loving gifts we share.

The wise men gave of riches; the shepherds, faith and love.
Each gift, in its own measure, was smiled on from above.

Let every gift be treasured; not always size or price
Determines the extent of love and willing sacrifice

Handsome gifts with festive trim bring smiles of sweet content,
But modest gifts of humble means are oft times heaven sent.

Whether it be large or small, each gift will share in part
The message of true Christmas joy if given from the heart!

Iris W. Bray

‘O Lord, how manifold are your works. In your wisdom have you made them all.’

In today’s media we are bombarded with reports and warnings about the fragile state of the planet. We have all become familiar with terms like, ‘Global warming‘, ‘carbon footprints’ and ‘energy efficiency’. We are rightly told to use less and reuse more as the very world that we enjoy is in danger. So, do we, as Christians, have a duty to be ‘Green’ ? We all know that in the beginning God made the earth, the animals, the plants and man. He looked on His creation and saw that it was good. We have been given this gift to nurture and care for. So we must therefore thank the Creator for this precious gift and we do so by taking care of the things He has entrusted to us. The Church teaches us that we may avail of resources that our world gives but we must not use more than we need, especially if our greed deprives others or inflicts irreversible damage. We have a responsibility to leave the world in good condition for future generations. The unfair distribution of the world’s bounty has left the majority of the people in poverty and hunger. In caring for human life we must use all God’s gifts with responsibility and prudence. What we use and what we waste affects the whole world and all who dwell on it. So, as Christians, we have a duty to be green. - Diocesan Commission for Justice & Social Affairs

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Christmas Country Showtime presents

Brendan Shine

Also Featuring Kenny Archer the
Famous Yodler
Saturday 27th December 2008
St Joseph’s Hall, Omagh
Doors Open 7.30 pm – Show @ 8 pm

Tickets £12.50 available from :
Xclusive – 32 High Street, Omagh
8225 2150
Music Master, Foundry Lane, Omagh 8225 9225
St Joseph’s Hall, Omagh 0775 393 6701

Irish Singing Sensation

Tommy Fleming

St Joseph’s Hall, Omagh

Sunday 18th January 2009

Tickets now available from Top News, George Street, Omagh or from St Joseph’s Hall, telephone 07753 936 701.

Christmas Variety Concert
Thursday 18th December
@ 7.30pm
St Joseph’s Hall, Omagh
Starring The Rizing Stars Dance Troupe & Hazel Wand Theatre School. Promises to be a wonderful night of music, song, dance and acting!

Omagh Churches Forum Presents
Annual Carol Service
Music by The Gateway Singers (Buncrana) & St Eugene’s Band
Thursday 18th December @ 6.45 pm
Strule Arts Theatre (Amphitheatre)
Everyone Welcome

St Vincent de Paul
Christmas Appeal Week
8th – 14th December 2008
Special Church Door Collection 13th & 14th December
Please Give Generously!

Week beginning Sunday 14th December
This Week’s Saints
Thursday 18 – St Flannan, bishop
Saturday 20 – St Fachanan, bishop

Recent Deaths

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

Patrick McGread

Noelle McCausland

Damian Doherty

May they rest in peace.

Mass Intentions - Sacred Heart Church 7.30 pm
Monday Maureen McGrath – 1st Anniversary
Tuesday Dermott McCrystall – 1stAnniversary
Wednesday Teresa McKinney – Month’s Mind
Friday Mary Burns (née Hackett) – 1st Anniversary

Baptisms
Luca Jon Kent, Lisburn
Fodhla Majella Constance Moloney,
32 Aughadulla Road
Orlaith Nancy McDaid, 14 Coolnagard Gardens
Sean Patrick Boyle, 157 Clanabogan Road

Penitential Service

The Advent Penitential Service will take place on Monday 15th December 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.

Carol Service
The Annual Carol Service will take place on Sunday 21st December in the Sacred Heart Church at 6 pm. All parishioners are welcome.

Questions people ask

Q. The parents of Mary were Joachim and Anne. Who were the parents of Joseph?

A. The names of Mary’s parents are not given in the Bible but come from Christian tradition. Matthew 1:16 lists Jacob as the father of Joseph, whereas Luke 3:23 calls Joseph the son of Heli. It is possible that Jacob and Heli were different names for the same person, something not unusual at the time. These genealogies were not compiled for reasons of historical accuracy. Matthew’s purpose was to trace Joseph back, through David, to Abraham. The universal scope of the Gospel of Luke prompted him to trace Jesus back to Adam. Neither written texts nor popular devotion tell the name of Joseph’s mother.

Fr Silvester OFlynn OFM Cap, Courtesy of Intercom Magazine
Email silvesteroflynn@gmail.com

St Joseph’s Hall

Christmas Bingo

Tuesday 16th December
@ 9 pm
Line House

1 £50 £200

2 £50 £100

3 £50 £400

4 £50 £100

5 £50 £100

6 £50 £300

7 £50 £100

8 £50 £100

9 £50 £200

10 £50 £1,000

11 £50 £200

Books: Single - £15

Double - £20

Everyone Welcome

Anonymous Donation

We would like to acknowledge an anonymous donation to the Parish of £400, for which we are extremely grateful.

All Saints' P.S. Tattysallagh invite you to their:

* Christmas Mass in school on Monday 15th December at 1.30 pm (Confessions before Mass)

* 'The Christmas Story' Nativity Play in school on Wednesday 17th December at 1.30 pm

* Open Day (for new pupils/parents) on Thursday 18th December from 1.30 - 3.30 pm.

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament

There will be Adoration every Friday in the Sacred Heart Church during Advent. It will begin after 10 am Mass and continue until the evening Mass.

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.

Chernobyl Children Appeal (NI) Limited, Omagh Branch

Would you be willing to help make a real difference to the lives of Children from Chernobyl/Ukraine by having them stay with your family for a recuperative break during the summer?

Want to find out more? Come along to the Omagh Branch of the CCA, meeting in Gortmore Day Centre on Monday 15th December 2008 at 7.30 pm.

Cleaners for Drumragh
The cleaners for Drumragh for the month of December are: Louise Kirwan, Betty Baxter, Christine McLaughlin and Breda Campbell.

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

Collectors for December
6.00 pm – James A Devlin, Cathal Cullen, Aidan Lilly, Thomas McElroy, Colm McLaughlin, Pat McCanney; 8.30 am – Billy Henry, Gerry Broderick, Peter Haughey, Fursey Mullan; 9.45 am – Raymond McGoldrick, Patrick Devlin, John Rafferty, Eugene Turbett, John O’Neill, Sean Mullan, A.K. Kelly; 11 am - Robert Colton, Aidan Quinn, Pat McGartland, Kevin McCrory, James Murray; 12.30 pm – Sean McNamee, Francis Laird, Dermot O’Kane, Patrick Conway, Anthony Bradley, John Lagan.

Eucharistic Ministers for December
Vigil Mass – Mary-Ellen McSorley, Caroline Hannigan, Bro. Brian Monaghan, Brid McCavert; 8.30 am – Ann Byrne, Joanne McGread, Bernie Gormley; 9.45 am – Evelyn Heaney, Brian Byrne, Geraldine Quinn; 11 am – Willie Galbraith, Johanna Gallagher, Margaret McGlone, John McGread; 12.30 pm - Gerard Sharkey, Kathleen Winters, Mary Donaghy, Chrissie Kelly; 10 am Drumragh – Mary McGlone, Betty Baxter.