Sunday 15th March 2009

3rd Sunday in Lent

Christ, the Wisdom of God

Jesus said: "Stop turning my Father's house into a market." Isn't it amazing how we human beings can miss the point of even the things we treasure most. The Jewish people saw the Temple as the greatest treasure they had in their life of faith and yet they developed a system of abusing that sacred place in the very name of their religion. We do the same: when we call marriage a Sacrament and then have little care for the couple relationship except when it is in trouble; when we call our homes the Domestic Church and treat them as if Christ did not live there among us; when we talk about our parish as a community of faith but do very little to build community; when we are fed on the Body and Blood of Christ and yet refuse to love and respect many members of the Body of Christ.

Fr. Johnny Doherty, C.Ss.R.

God waiting for us as a Father

The boy walked along the ocean shore . . . trying not to stray. He looked up to his father saying, “Dad, I want to play.” His father looked upon him, with love showing in his eyes. “Do what you want to, my son . . . but do not leave my side.” “I would never leave you Daddy, I love you way too much.” But the boy took a step away, out of his father’s range of touch. He walked through the surf, the waves tickling one toe. “If I take one more step in .. .” he thought, “Father will never know.” His father called out to him, “Son, remain close to me!” The boy thought . . . “At the moment I don’t need you!” His father felt a sadness, but he held his tongue. Sometimes lessons need to be learned . . . even when so young. The boy stepped out a little further . . . the water covering his waist. His father spoke with urgency . . . “My son, come back to me,” he said, “The day is almost done!” “Not yet, Dad,” the boy yelled, “I’m having fun!” The boy did not have his father’s insight . . . so he could not yet tell, the tide was coming in fast . . . there would be no time to yell. “Father!” he tried to scream, as the water covered his head. “I need you now, Daddy!” was what the boy had said. And in a single instant his father was by his side. “I thought you left me, Daddy . . . I thought you went to hide.” The father looked upon his son . . . a tear streaming down his cheek. The boy looked upon his father . . . and cried the sobs of the meek. “I would never leave you son . . . for I love you just the same.” “I was only waiting . . .for you to call upon my name.”

Author Unknown

St. Patrick’s Day

Tuesday 17th March is the Feast of St. Patrick, Patron Saint of Ireland.
Masses will be as follows:

Sacred Heart Church

Monday
7.30pm Vigil Mass

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

St Mary’s, Drumragh
Tuesday: 10 am

Confession Times in the Sacred Heart Church are as follows:
Monday: 10.30-12.30pm & 6.45-7.15pm

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

Change of Mass Times

On Monday 23rd, Tuesday 24th and Wednesday 25th March the Year 4 children in the Parish will be making their First Confession in the Sacred Heart Church. Consequently, the time of the Evening Mass will be changed from 7.30 pm to 7.00 pm for these three evenings.

Week beginning Sunday 15th March

This Week’s Saints

Tuesday 17 – St Patrick, bishop. Principal Patron of Ireland
Wednesday 18 – St Cyril of Jeruslaem, bishop and doctor of the Church
Thursday 19 – St Joseph, Husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Saturday 21 – St Enda, abbot

Mass Intentions

Sacred Heart Church 7.30 pm

Monday Linda McDonald – Month’s Mind
Wednesday Robert Doran – 1st Anniversary
Thursday Kenneth McConnell – Month’s Mind
Friday Rosaleen Grugan – 1st Anniversary

Baptisms

Ben Nicholas McCauley,
41 Bracken Road
Jack Seamus McCauley,
41 Bracken Road
Mary Rose Bridget Rhianna McDonagh,
9 Tattykeel Cottages
Alfie Patrick Sean Kelly, 23 Strule Park

Meeting of Coeliacs

A meeting will take place in the Pastoral Centre on Friday 20th March at 8 pm for all coeliacs. The meeting will review arrangements for Communion for coeliacs at our Masses.

Missionaries of Africa (White Fathers)
Message from the White Fathers:

The response to our appeal was exceptionally generous. We received a total of £6723stg and €226.84. Considering the times we are in and all the demands being made on our people these days, the people of Omagh have shown outstanding generosity. I would like to convey to you our deepest appreciation and sincere thanks.
Fr Joe McMenamin m.afr

Novena of Hope

The Novena of Hope at the Graan, Enniskillen, this year is from Sunday 22nd March (Saturday night Vigil 21st March @ 6.30 pm) to Monday 30th March. Sunday services are 9 am, 10.30 am, 12 noon and 4 pm. Weekdays are 12.30 pm and 8 pm. In addition there are services for the sick on Wednesday 25th and Saturday 28th at 2.30 pm. Call the Graan on 028 6632 2272.

Reflections on the Creed

Why not spend approximately 50 minutes each Tuesday morning of Lent exploring the treasures of our faith, as expressed in the Nicene Creed? This is a DVD series which features several interviews with prominent men and women of faith. There will be no talk on St Patrick’s Day. The Fourth Session, “The Lord Jesus Christ”, will be on Tuesday 24th March in the Pastoral Centre at 10.30 am. All welcome. Tea and refreshments will be served.

C.C.E. Omagh Branch
Traditional Irish Concert
Strule Arts Centre
Monday 16th March @ 8 pm
Admission £10
Bridge Harper, Marty Meehan & PJ McDonald
Compere: Declan Forde
Tickets from Strule Arts Centre

The organizers of last week’s Coffee Morning, in aid of Children’s Cancer Charities, CLIC Sargent & NICFC in St Columba’s Hall, wish to thank everyone who generously supported the event which raised over £4,000.

Dates to Note 2009

The following are the dates of the upcoming events for the young people of Drumragh Parish:

23rd March: First Confession for St Colmcille’s P.S. in Sacred Heart Church @ 7 pm
24th March: First Confession for Loreto P.S. in Sacred Heart Church @ 7 pm
25th March: First Confession for St Conor’s P.S. in Sacred Heart Church @ 7 pm
26th March: First Confession for All Saint’s P.S., Sacred Heart P.S. and Omagh Integrated P.S. in St Mary’s Church, Drumragh @ 7 pm
25th April: Confirmation for all Year 7 pupils in Sacred Heart Church @ 11 am
26th April: First Communion for St Colmcille’s P.S. in Sacred Heart Church @ 12.30 pm
10th May: First Communion for St Conor’s P.S. in Sacred Heart Church @ 12.30 pm
17th May: First Communion for Loreto P.S. in Sacred Heart Church @ 12.30 pm
17th May: First Communion for All Saint’s P.S. and Sacred Heart P.S. in St Mary’s Church, Drumragh @ 10 am
31st May: First Communion for Omagh Integrated P.S. in the Sacred Heart Church @ 12.30 pm

St Vincent de Paul
SVdP would be grateful to receive any clothing, shoes, belts etc for re-sale in their SVdP Thrift Shop, Castle Street, Omagh. Any donated goods that are not suitable for resale can then be recycled by our organization to obtain much needed funds.

St Joseph’s Ladies’ Club
Are you preparing your garden for Spring? Come to a talk on ‘Gardening Creations’ by Clare Rodgers in St Joseph’s Hall, Omagh on Wednesday 18th March at 8.15 pm. Admission is £3, including supper. Everyone welcome.

IHCPT – The Irish Pilgrimage Trust

The above Trust wishes to sincerely thank all those who contributed to their collection last weekend. A total of £3514.62 was raised. During their pilgrimage a Mass will be offered in Lourdes for all their benefactors.

Omagh Lions Club Fashion Show
Friday 20th March @ 8 pm
Mellon Country Inn
Admission £10 (includes wine reception)
Proceeds in aid of Care For Cancer
Tickets from Sperrin Office Supplies (8224 5292) or Laird’s Jewellers (8224 2587)

Dance
St Joseph’s Hall, Omagh
Friday 20th March
Music by
Canon & Ramsey
10 pm – 12.30 am

Tattyreagh GFC
The Annual Dinner Dance and Presentation Night is in the clubrooms on Saturday 21st March. Tickets are on sale - adults £10; Children £5. Final call for adult and youth membership and registration, contact any committee member.

Omagh St Enda's GAC
Best of luck to Omagh CBS and our players, Ronan O'Neill, Conán Grugan, Ryan McBride, Stephen Mullan, Turlough Gallagher and Aáron Grugan in the MacRory Cup final on St Patrick’s Day. Omagh St Enda's will have their usual Irish Language Collection on St Patrick's Day.

Drumragh Parish Draw Winners

February 2009

£2,000 – Mike Sweetman, 9 Thornville Park. Promoter – Raymond McNally; £1,000 – Caroline Connolly, 12 Brookmount Crescent. Promoter – Fr Thomas Canning. £500 – E McElhill, 6 Coolnagard Grove. Promoter – K McElhill. £250 – Daniel McCrossan, 63 O’Kane Park. Promoter – Daniel McCrossan. £100 – Deano McNamee, 3 Coolnagard Lane. Promoter – Catherine McNamee. £100 – Phil McGuigan, 15 Ardmore Avenue. Promoter – Phil McGuigan. £100 – Mary Conlon, 3 Clontarf Drive. Promoter – Claire McKeown. £100 – Damian Goligy, Sunningdale. Promoter – Maggie Quinn. £100 – Mary Maguire, 33 Centenary Park. Promoter – A J Turnbull. £100 – Aidan Campbell, 33 Tattykeel Road. Promoter – Marie Campbell. £100 – Collette McCrossan, 51 O’Kane Park. Promoter – Daniel McCrossan. £100 – A Devlin, 16 Kevlin Heights. Promoter – Philomena McNamee. £100 – Eamon Baxter, 17 Johnston Park. Promoter – Margaret Sheridan. £100 – Majella Clarke, c/o Promoter. Promoter – Attracta Kelly. Promoter’s £100 Prize – Barry Mathers.

Please Note: The next draw will take place on Tuesday 3rd March

St Joseph’s Hall Grand Refurbishment Draw
Prizes: 1st Prize – New Model Ford Fiesta 5-door Car
2nd Prize – Holiday Voucher worth £3000 with £500 spending money

Could all promoters please return any tickets sold to St Joseph’s Hall on Tuesday 13th January from 7 pm to 9 pm.
These tickets will be entered into a Free £50 Draw after the Bingo.