Sunday 17th August 2008

The 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Omagh Bomb Memorial Service

The Omagh Support and Self-Help Group will hold a memorial service on Sunday 17th August (today) at 3 pm in the new Memorial Garden. They extend an invitation to us all to come along and join them in remembering and honouring those who died in the Omagh Bomb and those who are still suffering.

Mercy to every person

“Lord”, the woman said, “help me.” Human life is too big and too complex for any of us to live it on our own. We have all kinds of people and relationships to help us to wholeness. The most important one of all has to be the presence of Christ with us. The intimate relationships of marriage and family life, for example, change so often and so deeply that we cannot manage them on our own. Christ is with us to help us see the opportunities for ever greater loving and to give us the strength to grow in our love. Relationships within the parish community are also so complex that we cannot possibly build our unity with one another except through the power of Christ. When we depend on our own efforts we set very low limits and settle for mediocrity. When we call on the power of Christ, and live by his power, we are set free to reach for the stars.

Fr. Johnny Doherty, C.Ss.R.

Words of Wisdom
Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal. ~ From a gravestone in Ireland

A Different Perspective

It sometimes helps to see things from another perspective.

Lord, thank you for this sink of dirty dishes, We have plenty of food to eat.

Thank you for this pile of dirty, stinky laundry, We have plenty of nice clothes to wear.

And I would like to thank you, Lord, for those unmade beds. They were so warm and so comfortable last night. I know that many have no bed.

My thanks to you, Lord, for this bathroom, complete with all the splattered mirrors, and soggy, grimy towels. It is so convenient.

Thank you for this finger-smudged refrigerator that needs defrosting so badly, it has served us faithfully for many years. It is full of cold drinks and enough left-overs for two or three meals.

Thank you, Lord, for this oven that absolutely must be cleaned today. It has baked so many things over the years.

The whole family is grateful for that tall grass that needs mowing, the lawn that needs raking; we all enjoy the garden.

Thank you, Lord, even for that slamming door. My kids are healthy and able to run and play.

Lord, the presence of all these chores awaiting me says you have richly blessed my family. I shall do them all cheerfully and I shall do them gratefully.

AMEN - Fr Tommy Lane

Week beginning Sunday 17th August

This Week’s Saints

Tuesday 19 - St John Eudes, priest.

Wednesday 20 - St Bernard, abbot and doctor of the Church.

Thursday 21 - St Pius X, pope.

Friday 22 - The Queenship of Mary.

Saturday 23 - St Eugene, bishop. Also, St Rose of Lima, virgin.

Mass Intentions - Sacred Heart Church 7.30 pm

Monday Mary Hackett – Month’s Mind

Thursday Rosaleen Downey – 1st Anniversary

Friday Michael McCrory – 1st Anniversary

Baptisms

Sean Michael Watson, 20 Sperrin Park

Zack Westwood, 25 Far Lawns, Carlton, Barnsley, England

Pawel Jan Sidorenko, 34 Glenside, Omagh

Oliver Terence Daly, 24 C Dromore Road

Emily Rose Corry, 29 Gortmore Gardens

Owen James Griffiths, 16 Coolnagard View

Lily Rose Darcy, 2 Crock Lane, Oldfort Road

Ciarraí Caitlin Hurley, 52 Brookmount Heights

Niamh Erin Hurley, 52 Brookmount Heights

Isabella Violet Kerr, 32 Lammy Walk

Weddings

We congratulate the following couples who married here recently:

Rhona Kelly & Gareth Ryan

Leona Moore & Gareth Gray

Kerri Mullin & Ryan Hegarty

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

St Vincent de Paul

Annual Pilgrimage to Knock

Saturday 13th September 2008
If interested, please leave your name at the SVdP Thrisft Shop, Castle Street, Omagh, together with the fee of £10 per person.

Questions people ask

Q. Is it wrong to call Mary the Queen of Heaven? I’ve been told that this was the name of a pagan goddess in Egypt.

A. The fact that some title or feast had pagan associations is not in itself a reason to reject it. In fact, Christmas and Easter took over from pagan festivals. The image of inheriting a kingdom occurs many times in scripture. In ancient kingdoms the mother of the king, the Queen Mother, was far more influential than the wife of the king. And who was the mother of Jesus? Mary. It is from scripture, not from paganism, that we recognise Mary as Queen.

Fr Silvester OFlynn OFM Cap, Courtesy of Intercom Magazine
Email silvesteroflynn@gmail.com

Derry Diocesan Society

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

Maureen Gould, 23 Centenary Park

Eileen Brogan, Sligo

Frank McCrory, 3 Thornville Park

Rosaleen Grogan, 117 Brookmount Road

Laurence Broderick, McIvor Villas,

Barry Callaghan

Kevin Callaghan

Mary O’Kane, Draperstown

Kevin Devlin, Kiltamnagh

Jackie Gribben, Rathbeg, Cookstown

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

Parish Representatives Needed

We are appealing for more Parish Representatives to help with the distribution of envelopes next year in the following areas:

Ashfield Terrace / George Street / River Row

Bracken Close

Bracken Road / Ballygowans

Castle Street / Castle Place
Coolnagard – Avenue / Court / Heights / Flats / Meadow / Mews /
Rise / Way

Crotty Road / Drum Road / Drumconnelly Road

Drumannon – Grove / Rise / View

Gortmore Drive

Gortmore Home

Gortrush Park

Hunter Crescent

Lambrook Heights

Rylands Cottages / Tamlaght Mews

Tattyreagh

If you are interested, please contact the Parish Office and leave your name, teleohpone number, and the area most suitable for you. Your help will be very much appreciated.

Thinking About Your Future?

Why not consider a Post 16 course at
Sacred Heart College Omagh?
Courses on offer include:

‘A’ LEVEL COURSES
DOUBLE AWARD COURSES IN APPLIED SUBJECTS
SINGLE AWARD COURSES IN APPLIED SUBJECTS
BTEC COURSES
COPE AND ESSENTIAL SKILLS

Further details may be obtained from:
The Principal - Mr. D McDermott
Head of Post 16 - Mrs. J O’Neill
Telephone: 028 8224 2717 for further information or to make an appointment.

Thank You

Thank you to everyone who contributed to the Coffee Morning in memory of Padric Mulholland on Saturday 28th June. A fantastic total of £902 was raised.

Drumragh Sarsfields G.A.C.

Saturday 30th August

Barbecue & Dance @ Clanabogan Pitch
Food Served from 8.30 pm in Marquee

Dancing to Broken Silence

Summer Draw takes place – Prizes are £2000, £1000, £500 and £100 X 5

Sunday 31st August
Family Fun Day

Last chance for fun and amusements before returning to school!
Bouncy Castle / Pony Rides / Tractor Rides / Penalty kick / Fancy Dress / Face Painting / Cake Stall / Book Stall
Camphill Cards & Candles and much more ….

Please come and enjoy this Family day out and at the same time support your local football club.

One Day Retreats

Places are still available on the following days:

August – 20, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27 & 31
September – 1, 2, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17, 20, 21, 22 & 23

Cost €27

Family Day – 30th August

Cost: Adults €20 / Children €10

Reservations are essential for One Day Retreats & Family Day
For bookings or further information contact The Lough Derg Office, Pettigo, Co Donegal. Tel/Fax (00353) 71 9861518 or email info@loughderg.org

Hope in Today's World

Two Day Retreat on the papal encyclical "Christian Hope"

by Fr. Didier Marie, Brother of St. John.
27th – 28th August at Termonbacca.

Wednesday: Mass at 10am; Talks at 11:30am, 3pm, 8pm.

Thursday: Mass at 10am; Talks at 11:30, 2:30, 4pm.

Those who are unable to attend the whole day are invited to come when they can. Meals and overnight accommodation are available by booking. Please call the Sisters of St. John on 7135-3414 by Friday 22nd or Sunday 24th at the latest.