The Pope’s Intentions for April
General: That, allowing himself to be enlightened and guided by the Holy Spirit, every Christian may answer enthusiastically and faithfully to the universal call to sanctity.
Missionary: That the number of priestly and religious vocations may grow in North America and the countries of the Pacific Ocean, in order to give an adequate answer to the pastoral and missionary needs of those populations.

Questions people ask
Q. ‘Whose sins you forgive, they are forgiven.’ I can understand that. But what is meant by ‘Whose sins you retain, they are retained’?
The mission bestowed on the disciples by the risen Lord, in the power of the Holy Spirit, was twofold. They were to celebrate God’s forgiveness of the sinner who repented. But they were also to pronounce judgment on the sins which are not repented. In other words, to tell people that they are retained or living in sin unless they repent and change. In today’s climate of political correctness, calling a sin a sin is not fashionable.

Another Angle - Wounds that speak
In people of a certain age, talking about health takes on something of a sport status. As they compare their prostates, blood pressure or whatever, what can be going on is a bit of you-think-you’ve-got- problems-let-me-tell-you-mine! One priest jokingly referred when heading out on his sick calls to having an organ recital- he heard of every ailment under the sun. Jesus today shows his wounds, not in any kind of show-off manner. Maybe more to remind us that in life, a few of the wounds remain with us and if we are wise they serve as reminders of what we have learned through the suffering.

When you think of it, Jesus could have been resurrected without the wounds, it was in God’s power. But no – the wounds remain. They’re not just to convince the Thomas’s of our world ‘that we may believe’ [Gospel]. They also remind us that you can only understand Easter Sunday in the light of Good Friday. Most people however, want their loved ones to return as they were, before illness, injury and dying disfigured them. They want the resurrection without the crucifixion. If there must be a Passion, let it be short and cosmetic. But for Doubting Thomas the proof of the resurrection is the crucifixion. The wounds are not just for show. Old Celtic crosses in Irish cemeteries remind us of that, with a halo of light around the top of the cross. There is literally no cross without a crown.

Fr Tom Cox, Courtesy of Intercom Magazine

Mass Intentions - Sacred Heart Church 7.30 Mass

Monday – John Breen – 1st Anniversary
Friday – Paddy Gallagher – 1st Anniversary

Weddings

Two become one in a life long commitment to each other. We sincerely congratulate Barry Kelly and Leanne McCausland who were married in Sacred Heart Church recently. May the grace of the sacrament remain with them throughout their lives.

Parish Notes

- 8am Mass will resume this week, commencing tomorrow Monday 16th April.

Holy Communion to sick & housebound

The Eucharistic Ministers will bring Holy Communion to the sick and housebound who have requested it, today 15th April after 9.45am Mass and 11am mass and after 10am Mass in St Mary’s Church Drumragh.

Please Note: Notice regarding Baptism
We are not permitted to baptise children from another Parish without the expressed permission of the Parish Priest of that Parish. All requirements for baptism in the home parish must be completed before we carry out the baptism

Altar Society Rota
April: Mrs Margaret McGuigan (82245994)

Sunday and Weekday Readers
We are looking for volunteers to read at Sunday and weekday Masses in Sacred Heart Church.
Sundays – 6pm Vigil, Sunday 8.30am, 9.45am, 11 am and 12.30pm
Weekdays 8am, 10am and 7.30pm
Practice will be given beforehand.
Please contact the Parish office giving name, address, telephone number and preferred mass time.

Offertory Procession
Volunteers requested for offertory procession in the Sacred Heart Church.
Two people for each offertory procession.
Masses - 6pm Vigil, Sunday 11am and 12.30pm. Contact parish office giving name, address, telephone number and preferred mass time.

Disabled Parking, St Joseph’s Hall Grounds
We would ask the general public to please observe disabled parking spaces at the hall at all times, weekdays and Sundays. Any car parking in these spaces should display a disabled sticker.

Divine Mercy Sunday
The 12.30pm Mass today (Sunday) will be in conjunction with Divine Mercy Sunday. There will be a Divine Mercy Service in St Mary’s Church Killyclogher today at 3.00pm.

Divine Mercy Prayer
Eternal Father, I offer You the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your dearly beloved Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world; for the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world

Please Note: Volunteer Cleaners Urgently to help clean Sacred Heart Church. Please contact the Parish Office.

Service of Commitment and Light
A Service of Commitment and Light for the Primary Seven children of the Parish, in preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation will take place in the Sacred Heart Church on Thursday 19th April at 7.30pm. Parents and sponsors are also welcome.

West Tyrone Feis - Car Parking

We appeal to you for your patience over the next few weeks while the West Tyrone Feis is underway. There will be for obvious reasons a shortage of car parking space due to numbers involved in the Feis.

We hope it will not cause too much inconvenience over the course of the next few weeks.

Special Diocesan Mass
The Annual Diocesan Mass for those with special needs, and their families and friends, will take place in St Joseph’s Church, Derry on Saturday 12th May 2007 at 3.00pm. Bishop Hegarty will celebrate the Mass. If you have a child who wishes to receive the sacrament of Confirmation or First Communion at this Mass please contact the Catechetical Centre on 02871 264087.

The Colmcille Club
The Colmcille Club are organizing a one day retreat to Lough Derg on Tuesday 1st May. Open to all. Cost £27 (includes bus fare and island fee). Bus leaves front gates of Loreto Grammar School at 8.45am returning at 6.00pm (approx.)
Phone Kathleen – 82241991 or Ann 82243094.

Drumragh GFC
Reminder: Youth training now at new Clanabogan pitch. Next training session Saturday 21st April.

Tattyreagh GAC Clothing Collection

Can you spare you old, unwanted items:
- All types of clothing
- Paired Shoes
- All household textiles (bed linens, curtains, towels etc)

All items will be distributed in Second hand shops in developing countries.

Please leave bags at Tattyreagh clubrooms on Saturday 21st April between 10am and 2pm. For details contact 07751924962.

Ulster Project Annual Quiz
Quiz will take place on Thursday 3rd May in the Mellon Country Inn at 8pm. (This years participants are bag packing in Asda this weekend.)

Knockmoyle - upcoming event.
Sponsored 5 mile walk and a 10 mile cycle in aid of Special Olympics on Sunday 29th April at 3.00pm. Let’s make this a fun day for all the family. Assembly at Knockmoyle Hall at 3.00pm. For further information contact Sean Harper 82245004.

Lourdes Trip
The Omagh Unit of the Order of Malta Ambulance Corps will hold their annual collection on Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd April in support of their pilgrimage to Lourdes on Wednesday 2nd May to Monday 7th MAY 2007 (Inclusive). The Order offers specialist assistance with the sick and disabled travelling on this pilgrimage. All enquires to Kevin Moore (Director of Nursing) on 07813955824.

“LOVE DIVINE”

A Celebration to the Glory of God
of the 300th Anniversary of
Charles Wesley’s Birth, Music & Ministry,
in
The Guildhall, Derry,
on
Sunday 13th May 2007 at 8.00 p.m.
(Doors open 7.30 p.m.)

Come, bring others, sing and hear sung
the hymns of one of the world’s greatest hymn-writers:
‘Love Divine’, ‘O for a thousand tongues’, ‘And can it be’ and many, many, more.
There will be a Retiring Offering for The MCM Social Fund, Christian Aid, Tear Fund and Concern(Suggested Donation £5)

This event is being organised by the Derry Methodist City Mission and Circuit, and the North West District Methodist Synod

Lough Derg
Lough Derg has been offering One Day Retreats since 1992. These appeal largely to older people, especially those no longer able to make the traditional Three-Day Pilgrimage, and to those who for reasons of health or disability, have never been able to visit Lough Derg.

The One-Day Retreat enables many more people to maintain contact with the sacred site at Lough Derg. Visitors are not required to fast or walk barefoot. The One-Day retreats are offered on the following dates:

May: 1,5,6,7,8,12,13,14,15,19,20,21,22,26,27,28,29

August: 18,19,20,21,22,25,26,27,28,29

September: 1,2,3,4,8,10,11,12,15,16,17,18,19,22,23

Divine Mercy Prayer Group - First Sunday of every month
At 3pm
St Mary’s Church Killyclogher

This is open prayer group and all are welcome to come and pray.

Ard Mhuire

Capuchin Retreat & Conference Centre
Creeslough, Letterkenny, Co Donegal
Open for all retreats (preached, directed, private etc) for all Christian denominations, for conferencing an periods of rest, reflection, prayer and holidays in summertime.
Telephone line for retreat and conferencing enquiries is 00353749138909. Email address info@ardsfriary.ie

Drumragh Parish Draw – List of Winners for April

£2,000 – Conor McCann – 73 Dublin Road
- Promoter – Johanna Gallagher
£1,000 – Lenny McNamee - Clanabogan
– Promoter – Geraldine Gallagher
£500 – Carmel Smyth – 10 Sperrin Close
– Promoter – Claire Bradley
£250 – Brian & Bernie Broderick – Tattyreagh P.S
- Promoter– Sacred Heart P.S
£100 – Edward Byrne – 28 Beltany Road
– Promoter – J Mc Crystal
£100 – Patrick McLaughlin – Rozella Kelly
– Promoter – c/o promoter
£100 – Tom Timony – Kevin O’Gara
–Promoter – Ballygowans
£100 – Tom Cassidy – Lakeview Augher
– Promoter – Aidan Corrigan
£100 – Pat & Edel – Ignatius Sally
– Promoter – c/o promoter
£100 – Teresa Collins – 4 Ardmore Crescent
- Promoter – Mary McGlone
£100 – Peter Tierney – 2 Bracken Close
– Promoter – Fr Thomas Canning
£100 – Sarah Conlon – Killmore, Omagh
– Promoter – Anne McCaffery
£100 – Ann McCrory – 58 Sperrin Park
Promoter – Kevin McCrory
£100 – Raymond Gormley – The Fold
Promoter – Elizabeth Broderick

Promoter’s £100 Prize – Fr Farren – 48 Brook Street

Extra Prize £1000 – Seamus Haigney – 4 Ashley Gardens

Please Note: The next Parish Draw will take place on Tuesday 1st May 2007.

Eucharistic Ministers for April

6.00pm – Gerry Harte, Geraldine Colton, Phil Hyndman, Brigid McGarvey
Anne McCaffrey, MarieGallagher
8.30am – John O'Neill, Finnula Quinn, Joan Conaghan
9.45am – Peter McCormick, Seamus Sheridan, Shirley Norris, Maureen Miley
11.00am – Willie Galbraith, Johanna Gallagher, Maire Conway, Sheila McCusker, Jeanette Fox
12.30pm – Peter Bewers, Mary Campbell, Liz Doran
10am - Niall Colgan, Anita Hackett

Collectors for April

6.00 pm Vigil – Liam Donaghy, Malachy Treanor, Seamus Kelly, Thomas Logue, John Rafferty;
8.30 am – Linus Nugent, James Cunningham, Phil McGovern, Patrick Cleary, Sean McKenna;
9.45 am – Paddy McGowan, Dr Pat O’Neill, Tony Brogan, Liam McGrath, Eamon Prunty;
11.00 am – James Murray, Thomas Bradley, James Montague;
12.30 pm – Anthony Higgins, Tony McGarvey, Eugene McGrade, Sean Mullan, Kevin Gallagher, Patrick Gallagher

Counters for April

Brendan Cunningham, Frances Cunningham, Peter Davies, Gerard Haughey, Matt Kelly, Dermot McCann, J McDonnell, John McGale.

Ballet Class
Ballet Class in St Joseph’s Hall every Thursday at 4.30pm. Contact Tracey Cassidy on 07719446194.

St Vincent de Paul

‘Senior Citizen Party’
On Sunday 15th April 2007
In St Joseph’s Hall
From 3pm until 5.30pm
All welcome

Knockmoyle Hall
Irish speaking Workshop coming soon.
Are you interested in learning some Irish, and Prayers in Irish?
Contact: 07870576034

Aerobics
In the Station Centre
Every Tuesday and Thursday nights
From 8 to 9pm
Everyone welcome. For more information Tel: 82259411