Sunday 15th November 2009

33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time.

Jesus said to his disciples: 'Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away'. Every now and again someone spreads the rumour of the end of the world. So far it hasn't taken place! We have something far more important than the end of the world to make our preoccupation, namely the wonderful presence of Christ with us and in us and around us. As followers of Jesus we have a great responsibility to the world we live in to show him powerfully in the way we live as his people in spite of all the scandals and all the upheaval in the Church today. We do this by the joy of God's presence and love shining out through us. And we do it by the quality of life we develop in our homes and in our parish community, a quality that is characterised by kindness, gentleness, care, enthusiasm, peace, hope, forgiveness.

I LOVED YOU ENOUGH....

Someday when my children are old enough to understand the logic that motivates a parent, I will tell them:

I loved you enough to ask where you were going, with whom, and what time you would be home.

I loved you enough to insist that you save your money and buy a bike for yourself even though we could afford to buy one for you.

I loved you enough to be silent and let you discover that your new best friend was a creep.

I loved you enough to stand over you for two hours while you cleaned your room, a job that should have taken 15 minutes.

I loved you enough to let you see anger, disappointment and tears in my eyes. Children must learn that their parents are not perfect.

I loved you enough to let you assume the responsibility for your actions even when the penalties were so harsh they almost broke my heart.

But most of all, I loved you enough to say NO when I knew you would hate me for it.

Those were the most difficult battles of all.

I am glad I won them, because in the end you won, too.

Saints of the Week

Week Beginning Sunday 15th November

Monday16 – St Margaret of Scotland; St Gertrude, virgin
Tuesday 17 – St Elizabeth of Hungary
Wednesday 18 – Dedication of the Basilicas of Sts Peter & Paul
Saturday 21 – The Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Recent Deaths

We pray for the families of the following who died recently:

Vincent Sloane

Margaret Grogan

Matthew Poyntz

Margaret McGale

May they rest in peace.

Annual Service for the Commemoration of the Dead

The Annual Service for the Commemoration of the Dead takes place today (Sunday) at 6 pm, remembering all those from this parish who have died in the past year. The service consists of prayer, scripture readings and hymns and lasts around 40 minutes. A candle is lit for each of the deceased and this is given to a family member to take home at the end of the service. All welcome.

Mass for Deceased Young People

A Mass will be celebrated for all the deceased young people of the diocese in Holy Family Church, Ballymagroarty, Derry at 3 pm today (Sunday). It will be an opportunity for those who have lost young loved ones to come together in a spirit of prayer and consolation.

Sacred Heart Church - Mass Intentions 7.30 pm

Monday Moira Duggan – Month’s Mind

Friday Teresa McKinney – 1st Anniversary

Prayer for Priests

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

Sunday 15th November – Fr Charles Keaney
Monday 16th November – Fr Stephen Kearney
Tuesday 17th November – For All Priests
Wednesday 18th November – Fr Michael Keaveny
Thursday 19th November – Fr Seamus Kelly
Friday 20th November – Fr Edward Kilpatrick
Saturday 21st November – Bishop Francis Lagan

Holy Communion to the Housebound

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

Questions people ask

Q. Jesus spoke of a time when the sun would be darkened and the moon would lose its light. Does this refer to three days darkness when the only source of light will be blessed candles?

A. The words of Jesus are in the context of the end of this material universe before the final triumph of God’s reign. It is not meant as a message of terror but of hope in the anticipation of God’s glory. This message of three days darkness is something that is predicted regularly by self-appointed prophets. Invariably the predicted date comes and goes without the darkness. Pay no attention to this nonsense but celebrate Christian hope every time you pray ‘Thy Kingdom come’.

Fr Silvester O’Flynn OFM Cap, Courtesy of Intercom Magazine

Email silvesteroflynn@gmail.com

Loreto Primary School

Christmas Fun Day

Sunday 29th November 2009

Opening @ 1.30 pm
Prize Draws & Santa’s Grotto
Stalls: Craft, Cakes, Bric-a-brac, Lucky Dip
Hot Food Available.
Free Draw for those in before 2.30 pm.
Come along for a great day out for all the family!

Omagh X Factor Singing Competition

Heat Two takes place on Saturday 21st November, with the Grand Final on Friday 27th November. All shows begin at 7 pm. Come along and help the judges choose who goes through to the Final. Admission and voting card £5.

Epilepsy

Epilepsy is a chronic neurological condition characterized by recurring seizures. It affects 1 in every 130 of the U.K. population and every day 75 more are diagnosed.

Epilepsy affects, not only the sufferer, but also their families. Support is vital. A new branch of Epilepsy Action has been formed in Omagh, meeting on the first Monday of every month in Omagh Community House at 7.30 pm. Contact 0771 934 2590. Your support at future fundraising events will be appreciated.

Omagh Charismatic Group Invite You to

A Day of Renewal

Saturday 21st November @ 9 am
Speaker: Frances Hogan
“Declare You Are For God!”
Mellon Country Inn, Omagh
Celebration of the Eucharist 4.30 pm
Cost £20 (includes lunch & tea and coffee on arrival)
Call 028 8224 2092 to book
(office hours only)

Live in Concert
Marilla Ness – An Evening of Hymns & Gospel Music
St Joseph’s Hall
Sunday 6th December
Doors Open @ 7 pm – Concert Begins @ 8 pm
Tickets £10 from St Joseph’s Hall & Top News, George Street

SVdP Annual Sale of Work
Saturday 5th December 2009
St Joseph’s Hall, Omagh
2 pm - 8 pm

All donations for Sale of Work to be left in St Vincent de Paul Shop on Castle Street - donations of bric-a-brac, books, small items of furniture, nearly new toys, plants. Home bakes to be left in St Joseph’s Hall on morning of sale.

Children in Crossfire Advent Campaign
Children in Crossfire are launching their 2009 Advent campaign in Drumragh Parish, the proceeds from which will help vulnerable children and young people in Ethiopia and Tanzania. Children in Crossfire Advent calendars will be available to collect outside churches after Masses over the weekends of 21st / 22nd and 28th / 29th November. For more details, please visit www.childrenincrossfire.org/advent.

Edenderry Goes to Malawi

Christmas Flower Arranging by Colette Maguire

Wednesday 18th November @ 8 pm

Edenderry Presbyterian Church, Cameron Hall

For tickets contact Mary on 0787 140 5743 or Muriel on 8077 1487 or pay at the door.

Parish Dance Cancellation

The Parish Dance, which was to take place on Friday 20th November, is cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances. Keep free St Stephen’s Night and also New Year’s Eve Night for our next Parish Dances.

Don’t Miss!

Fresh from his Nashville success, singer/songwriter, Colm Kirwan is joined by American hit recording stars to produce a night not to be missed. It takes place in the Strule Arts Centre on Wednesday 18th November.

Omagh St Enda’s GAC

Bingo continues every Thursday at 9 pm at Healy Park with £4,000 in prize money every week, including the £1,000 House and many more useful prizes. Gaelic Start continues every Saturday morning at the CBS Sports Hall from 10 am-11.30 pm. All P1, P2 and P3 boys and their parents are welcome to come along and join in on the fun. St Enda's Lotto jackpot is now £5,000.

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. If you would like to speak to someone about your financial difficulties, please contact Michele in the Advice Centre on 028 8224 3252.

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