Sunday 17th February 2008

Rainy Sundays

British novelist Susan Ertz (1894-1985) once remarked that millions long for eternity, who wouldn’t know what to do with themselves on a rainy Sunday afternoon. Nowadays, the lure of unreality and cyberspace, from television and the Internet, has eased that problem to some degree. Unfortunately, in so doing virtual reality increasingly substitutes for the real thing.

Our faith, however, carries us far beyond the confines of cyberspace. It propels us to the edge of eternity. It blows our mind with the promise of resurrection and a fullness of life beyond imagining. And, it does so while keeping our feet firmly fixed on mother earth.

The invitation to journey beyond cyberspace and unreality was issued a long time ago to Abraham (Genesis 12:1-4). He was to leave his familiar surroundings and move without knowing his final destination. He would discover that along the way trust and commitment come first. Fulfillment of promise comes later.

Sunday afternoons were not a problem for Abraham. He had a mission in life to carry out, a future to face, a destiny to fulfil – hail, rain, or snow. May we use our Sunday afternoons wisely. This Lent may they be times to abstain from the self-indulgence of feeling bored.
Fr Tom Cahill SVD, Courtesy of Intercom Magazine

This Week’s Saints
Week beginning Sunday 17th February
Thursday 21 – St Peter Damian, a scholarly reformer of the Middle Ages.
Friday 22 – Chair of St Peter Apostle.
Saturday 23 – St Polycarp.

Mass Intentions - Sacred Heart Church 7.30pm Mass
Mon Tommy Kelly – Month’s Mind
Tue Dympna Mallon – Month’s Mind
Thur Teresa McMackin – Month’s Mind
Fri Mary Mimnagh – 1st Anniversary

Baptisms
Lorcan Michael McCartney, 7 Coolnagard Meadows
Sarah Maria Quinn, 12 Lissan View
Turlough Ray Collins, 62 Sperrin Park
Koegan Bryann Mullan, 47 Skreen Road, Clanabogan

Concerned About Suicide
An Information Evening entitled “Concerned About Suicide” will be held in the City Hotel, Derry on Tuesday 19th February from 7.30 – 9.30 pm. This evening has been organised by representatives from the four main Christian Churches and will be lead by Mr Barry McGale and Mrs Anne McGarrigle. Everyone is welcome.

Adult Faith Formation Lent 2008
Two Talks in St Mary’s Hall (Behind the Sacred Heart Church)
Wednesday 27th February 2008 @ 8 pm
“I don’t believe in God and don’t believe in marriage!”
Speaker: Michael McGowan, Head of Religious Education in the Christian Brothers School, Omagh
Wednesday 5th March @ 8 pm
“The Family”
Speaker: Michael Harte, Tyrone County Gaelic Football Team Manager

Lenten Stations
There will be a Station Mass in the home of Tony and Anne McGarvey, 46 Dromore Road on Friday 22nd February at 7.30pm. There will also be a Station Mass in the home of Edel McSwiggan, 45 Rosemary Road, Deerpark on Friday 14th March at 7.30 pm.

Sacrament of Confirmation 2008
The Sacrament of Confirmation will take place on Saturday 8th March at 11 am. Most Rev Dr Seámus Hegarty will be visiting the Parish to confirm the Primary Seven children.

Holy Communion to 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
The Parish Office will be closed next week, 25th to 29th February. Anyone who wishes to submit an article for the newsletter of Sunday 2nd March, please bring it to the Parish Office on or before Wednesday of this week.

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, Galliagh, Derry on Saturday 12th April 2008. Bishop Lagan 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 (028) 7126 4087.

IHCPT– The Irish Pilgrimage Trust Church Gate Collection
Sat 16th & Sun 17th February
All proceeds will go towards taking a group of local young people with special needs to Lourdes on Easter Sunday. Your generosity is greatly appreciated.

Derry Diocesan Society
The following names have been added to the list of Deceased Members of the Derry Diocesan Society:
Elizabeth Kirwan, 8 Centenary Park
Patrick McCann, 2 Montague Villas
Kathleen Bellaby McBride, Westview Terrace
Peter Thirlway, York
Roisin McSharry, Gortmore House (formerly of 29 Lammy Walk)
Patrick Campbell, 5 Ardmore Crescent
Colin Ratcliffe, 6 Lissan Drive
Betty Ratcliffe, 6 Lissan Drive
Paul McGale, formerly of 28 John Street
Kathleen McLaughlin, Dromore
John O’Callaghan, Fintona
Michael Kearns, Flat 11, St Julian’s House
James Logue, 82 Botera Road
James Daly
Brigid Daly
James Daly
Patrick Daly
Alice Daly
John Daly
Michael Daly
Edward Daly
Alphonsus Daly
Annie Daly
Charles Daly
John Gallagher
Patrick Gallagher
Michael Normoyle

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

Living Members
Mary Logue, 82 Botera Road

Clanabogan Drama Circle Presents
Will You Still Love Me In The Morning?
(A Farce in Two Acts)
by Brian Clemens & Denis Spooner
St Joseph’s Hall, Omagh
Thursday 21st, Friday 22nd, Saturday 23rd & Sunday 24th February 2008
Curtain 8.00 pm Nightly

Deepening our Experience of Lent
A Series of Adult Faith Reflection Evenings
Church of Christ the King, Strathroy
Every Monday night during Lent
8pm (after 7.30pm Mass)
Tea/Coffee & refreshments served
Monday 18th February

Catholicism Today - Today's New Catholics
Speaker: Fr Paschal Scallon CM
Monday 25th February
Growing Spiritually - A Personal Reflection
Speaker: Sr Marie Wiley RSM, Thornhill Retreat Centre, Derry

Questions people ask
Q. Why did Jesus tell the three apostles to tell nobody about the transfiguration until after his resurrection? Surely it would have helped people to believe if they heard of this vision.
A. Maybe it would have generated excitement about setting Jesus up as a political, revolutionary leader, which would contradict his chosen way of humble service. The glory of the resurrection lay in the future, only after Jesus, the Suffering Servant, had gone through his passion and death. The message for us is that our hope of heavenly glory does not eliminate the struggles and crosses of this life. Yet this hope enables us to keep going.

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

Coming Soon to St Joseph’s Hall
Hal Ketchum
& His American Band
Support – Anthony McBrien
Friday 4th April 2008
Tickets on Sale from Tommy at the Hall, Top News & McCrory’s
Call 07753 936 701

Going to Medjugorje?
Located beside St. James Church, the Irish Centre is the meeting place for all Medjugorje’s Irish Pilgrims. The Centre provides laundry, phone, internet & foot massage services. Apartment accommodation available for as little as 20Euro per night. We will arrange airport transfers from Split or Dubrovnik. Contact us for details on buying property in Medjugorje. Phone: 028 8224 1888 or Email darren@medjugorje-properties.com

MPs plan to legalise abortion in Northern Ireland
A group of pro-abortion MPs in Westminster want to change the law and legalise abortion in Northern Ireland. They plan to use the “Human Fertilisation and Embroyology” (HFE) Bill as a way to push through the changes. The “HFE” Bill” will be debated in the House of Commons in February and March 2008.

A petition will be available after all Masses next Sunday 24th February asking the Northern Ireland Secretary of State to ensure abortion will not be imposed in Northern Ireland from Westminister.