Sunday, 16th May 2010

Ascension of the Lord

‘Now as he (Jesus) blessed them, he withdrew from them and was carried up to heaven. They worshipped him and then went back to Jerusalem full of joy.’ The feast of the Ascension of the Lord is above all else a feast of hope. Hope has been described as, not just some vague kind of feeling, but rather having someone or something worth living for and dying for. In Christ we have such a person. He lives in us in our marriage and family relationships and it is worth putting every effort into making those the best possible for his sake. He lives among us in our community and again we need to do everything in our power to make our parish the best we possibly can to his glory and for the good of all. And Christ lives for us in heaven at the right hand of the Father, assuring us of our ultimate destiny among the saints. We can aim to be there!

Fr. Johnny Doherty, C.Ss.R.

A Goodbye Kiss

"My Dad was a fisherman, and he loved the sea. He had his own boat, and he worked hard and would stay out until he caught enough to feed the family. When the weather was bad he would drive me to school in an old truck that he used in his fishing business. That truck was older than he was. It would wheeze and rattle down the road. You could hear it coming for miles. As he would drive toward the school, I would shrink down into the seat hoping to disappear. Half the time, he would slam to a stop and the old truck would belch a cloud of smoke. He would pull right up in front, and it seemed like everybody would be standing around and watching. Then he would lean over and give me a big kiss on the cheek and tell me to be a good boy. It was so embarrassing for me - I was twelve years old, and my Dad would lean over and kiss me good-bye! I remember the day I decided I was too old for a good-bye kiss. When we got to the school and came to a stop, he had his usual big smile. He started to lean toward me, but I put my hand up and said, 'No, Dad, I'm too old for a good-bye kiss.' My Dad looked at me for the longest time, and his eyes started to tear up. I had never seen him cry. He turned and looked out the windshield. 'You're right,' he said. 'You are a big boy....a man. I won't kiss you anymore.’ It wasn't long after that when my Dad went to sea and never came back. It was a day when most of the fleet stayed in, but not Dad. He had a big family to feed. I wish I had been a man that day. If I had been a man, I would never have told my Dad I was too old for a good-bye kiss."

Thomas Charles Clary

May we never get too old to show our love or to receive

love without embarrassment.

Saints of the Week

Week Beginning Sunday 16th May 2010

Tuesday 18 – St John I, pope and martyr

Thursday 20 – St Bernadine of Siena, priest

Friday 21 – Sts Christopher Megallánes, priest and companions, martyrs

Saturday 22 – St Rita of Cascia, religious

Sacred Heart Church - Mass Intentions 7.30 pm

Wed Brian McLaughlin – Month’s Mind

Baptisms

Joseph Terry McGread, 2 Sperrin Drive

Caolan Daniel Welsh, 1 Lammy Walk

Cyprian Wach, 37 Lammy Drive

Jessica Ellen Humphries, 2 Coolnagard Drive

Cillian Patrick, Pearson, 81 Culmore Park

Caoimhe Aislinn Campbell, 2 Coolnagard Green

Weddings

We congratulate the following couple who were married here recently:

Dawn Armstrong & James Strain

May the grace of the sacrament remain with them all their lives.

Prayer for Priests

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

Sunday 16th May – Fr Manus Bradley
Monday 17th May – For All Priests
Tuesday 18th May – Fr Brian Brady
Wednesday 19th May – Fr Bernard Bryson
Thursday 20th May – Fr Thomas Canning
Friday 21st May – Fr Michael Canny
Saturday 22nd May – Fr John Cargan

Holy Communion to the Sick & 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.

Parish Notes

There will be no 8 am Mass in the Sacred Heart Church on the weeks beginning 17th and 24th May as some of the priests are going on retreat. It will resume on 31st May.

There will be a Day of Reflection for all Eucharistic Ministers on Saturday 22nd May in the Pastoral Centre, Omagh. It begins at 10.30 am and finishes at 1.00 pm. All Eucharistic Ministers are invited to attend.

Prayer for Examination Students

In this time of revision and examinations we remember all examination students in our prayers. A Book of Prayer has been placed on the altar rails. Students (or their parents or grandparents) are invited to enter their name in this book. They will be remembered in our prayers at all Masses during the rest of May and June. Please remember all examination students in your personal and family prayers at this time.

Questions people ask

Q. What do you think of blessing with relics of saints? I think it is bordering on superstition.

A. The relic of a saint is either part of the body of the saint or something such as a piece of clothing that came in contact with the saint’s body. Veneration is a sign of respect. Many people find their trust in God greatly deepened when they are blessed by a relic which is a reminder of the grace and power of God shown in some saint’s life. We recall how often Jesus touched people or used materials like saliva, water, bread or fish in a miraculous way. If a healing comes about, it isn’t the relic that heals, but the power of God.

Fr Silvester O’Flynn OFM Cap

Parish Retreat

There will be a retreat held here in the Parish from 31st May to 3rd June. It will be conducted by Sister Briege McKenna and Fr Kevin Scallon. More details later.

Colmcille Club

The Annual General Meeting of the Colmcille Club takes place on Tuesday 18th May at 4.15 pm in St Joseph’s Hall. All members and volunteers are requested to attend.

Derry Diocesan Society
The following names have been added to the list of Deceased Members of the Derry Diocesan Society:

Thomas Mullin, 16 Crocknageeragh Road, Tattykeel
Joseph Bradley, 30 Cannonhill
Helen Barrett, Tattysallagh
Gerry Mulryan, 24 Shandon Park
Marie Higginbotham, 12 Starrs Crescent
Rose Scott, Sion Mills

That these and all who sleep in Christ find in your presence, light, happiness and peace.

First Holy Communion Dates

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

Pioneers

Any Primary Seven children who would consider becoming a Pioneer, their names will be taken up now. Contact 8224 2921, 8224 5710 or any member of the Pioneer Committee. Also anyone who would like to receive their Gold or Silver pins at this time, please contact the above numbers.

A Deeper Understanding of Jesus in the Gospels

Have you ever wanted to find out more about the Gospels and what they tell us of Jesus? Then this study group is for you! The study group meets in the Pastoral Centre, Omagh on Monday evenings for about one hour. The final session is on Monday 17th May at 8.15 pm. Light refreshments will be served.

Tattyreagh GAC
The club's Alcohol/Drugs Awareness Committee has organized an information evening on Friday 21st May at 8 pm, guest speaker Timothy Shields, who will share how he has turned his life around from this problem. All youth players, coaches, senior and reserve players, parents and committee members are asked to attend.

Drumragh Sarsfields GAC
The club is investigating the potential of starting Gaelic Football for mothers. There will be a short meeting for anyone interested in this pilot project on Thursday 20th May at 8.30pm in the Clubrooms. Everyone welcome. Drumragh Sarsfields will be the first club in Tyrone to participate in this new venture. Anyone who wants details on Clash of the Clans should contact Terry Keyes on 07908473342 or terry_keyes@yahoo.co.uk. Go to www.drumraghgfc.net

Omagh St Enda's GAC

BIG MONSTER BINGO returns to Omagh St Enda's at Healy Park on Thursday 20th May at 9 pm with £7,000 in prize money. This includes three £1,000 houses and three £500 houses. The Seniors play Killyclogher away this Sunday at 2.15pm (Reserves) and 3.45pm (Seniors).

Midnight Bunny Walk

In Aid of Ulster Cancer Foundation

Friday 21st May 2010

Registration @ 11 pm in Main Street, Omagh

Walk Begins at Midnight

Registration Fee – Kids Go Free

Goody Bags for All Participants – Kindly Donated by LIDL, Northern Ireland

Free Flashing Bunny Ears Available to Wear on Night!

For more information call Sylvia on 0778975 7165 or email sylvialucy@ulstercancer.org

Medjugorje Irish Centre Grand Prize

Every week for a year we are giving away one weeks free apartment accommodation for up to 4 people. Text the word pilgrim followed by your name and county to 60777 or phone us and we can enter you into the draw for free. Special Introductory offer - €260 package. Go to www.med-irishcentre.com or call 8224 1888.

St Joseph’s Hall

Timetable of Events

Mon 10.30 am Coffee Morning
6.00 pm Iyengar Yoga
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 7.30 pm Bowls
8 pm Line Dancing - Beginners
9.15 pm Regular Line Dancing Class
Sat 1.45 - 5 pm Groogan O’Doherty School of Dancing

Contact Tommy on 07753 936 701

St Joseph’s Hall, Omagh

Dominic Kirwan & Friends

Sunday 6th June 2010 @ 8pm

Ticket Price: £16.50

Featuring Colm Kirwan, Elaine Boyle, Gary Quinn & Sinead Taggart

Tickets available @ Top News and Music Master Foundry Lane, Omagh
Proceeds to Cancer Charities

Looking for a Religious gift?
Rosaries, Prayer Books, Medals, Certificates, etc available in

St Joseph’s Book Shop.
Open Saturdays 10.30am - 4 pm.

Sacred Heart Church Book Rack

CTS Books Available at the Back of the Church.
Price £1.95