Sunday 18th May 2008

Trinity Sunday

Our God of Love

“God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son”. Isn’t it amazing how easily we settle for less than is possible? We settle for the fact that there is a God in terms of faith. Jesus tells us that God is not just in existence but is alive and in love and passionate about us – that God is Three in One. Our faith is a call into a deep personal love of God so that we can come to know the wonder and the fullness of life. However, we also settle for life as being just all right. Jesus tells us that we are wonderful; we are the beloved of God. We are called into a deep personal love for one another in marriage, in family life and in our faith community so that we can engage with the adventure of life that leads us into eternal life. The challenge of this week is to open ourselves to the wonder and excitement of life and love.

Fr. Johnny Doherty, C.Ss.R

God by Any Other Name

‘Trinity’, a cold, abstract word is all head and no heart. Putting ‘holy’ before it, even ‘most holy’, doesn’t do much for it. ‘Holy’ is a little on the remote side too. Listen to today’s first reading (Exodus 34: 4-6, 8-9) and see if calling the God we meet there ‘Trinity’ does God justice.

Putting names on God (we have to use at least one to know whom we’re talking about) does God no favours – or us either. It can give the illusion of comprehending God to a degree that may not be true. It takes mystery from God. It seems to make God more approachable – or should that be manageable? But removing God’s mystery removes God’s challenge.

We call God, ‘Father’. We call God, ‘Love’. These are the closest approximations of human language to what God is. But even these fail to do God justice. God is everything good that these words could ever imply, and much, much more besides. ‘Father’ and ‘Love’ are but tips of icebergs in a sea of mystery.

Today we celebrate God as is: Father, Son, and Spirit. We celebrate God’s mystery and unknowability. For, if God could be ‘known’, God would not be God. Our journey to the ‘God in a cloud’ of Exodus peaks when we meet the God in our heart of today. Breathtaking!

Fr Tom Cahill SVD, Courtesy of Intercom Magazine

Week beginning Sunday 18th May

This Week’s Saints
Tuesday 20 – St Bernadine of Siena, priest.
Wednesday 21 – Saints Christopher Magallánes priest, and Companions, martyrs.
Thursday 22 – St Rita of Cascia, religious.

Mass Intentions
Sacred Heart Church 7.30pm Mass
Mon Vincent McCrory – Month’s Mind
Tue Arthur Colton – 1st Anniversary
Wed Claire Malone – Month’s Mind
Thur Brian Kelly – 1st Anniversary
Fri Matt Kelly – 1st Anniversary

Baptisms
Alana Louise Collins, 5 Coolnagard Green
Ciaran Paul Colton, 15 Drumannon Drive
Liam Bernard McGuigan, 19 Ashbourne Heights

Weddings
We congratulate these couples on their recent marriage:
Lisa McNulty & Declan Colton
Emma Jones & Gary Quinn

Pioneers
The Pioneer Committee would like to thank all who replied to our questionnaire to update the Parish Register. Anyone eligible for Gold or Silver pins should contact 8224 2921 or 8224 5710 or any committee member.

Corpus Christi Procession
The Corpus Christi Procession is being revived after a long absence, taking place next Sunday 25th May, the feast of Corpus Christi. The procession leaves from Brook Street at 6 pm and will follow the route of the Good Friday Stations, ending at the Sacred Heart Church. Benediction will then follow in the Church.

Parish Notes
There will be no 8 am Mass in the Sacred Heart Church this week as there will be some priests going on retreat. The 8 am Mass will resume on Monday 26th May.

Anyone with an article for inclusion in next week’s newsletter (Sunday 25th May) should leave it in the Parish Office no later than Tuesday morning.

Lourdes Hospitalité Collection
The Annual Lourdes Hospitalité Collection takes place at all Masses this weekend. This fund is used solely for the purpose of providing medical care and support to people of the Diocese who are sick and are travelling to Lourdes. Your support would be very much appreciated.

Cemetery Sunday 2008
Our Services of Remembrance for the Dead will take place this year in the Drumragh and Dublin Road Cemeteries on Sunday 1st June. The Drumragh Cemetery Service will be at 3 pm and the Dublin Road Cemetery Service at 5 pm.

Please Note: Everyone is asked to bring a small container of Holy Water with them, as all families will bless their own graves as part of the ceremony.

Words of Wisdom
“Lots of people want to ride with you in the limo, but what you want is someone who will take the bus with you when the limo breaks down.” -- Oprah Winfrey

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.

World Youth Day Experience in Lourdes July 2008
As an alternative to World Youth Day in Sydney, Lourdes has been nominated the European Centre for WYD and the diocese will be taking a youth group to experience these days of celebration. The trip will be from 16th to 21st July for 20 – 35 year olds and will travel as part of the larger Diocesan Pilgrimage. The cost is £449. There will be a set program for this group for the 5 days. If you are interested in going or finding out more, please contact the Pilgrimage Office on 7126 0293.

Christ the King

Novena to the Sacred Heart Programme

Sunday 25th May 7.30pm Evening Service: “The Compassionate Heart”
Guest Speaker: Fr Peter McVerry SJ
Monday 26th May 7.30pm Evening Service: “The Healing Heart”
Guest Speaker: Sr Consilio Fitzgerald RSM
Tuesday 27th May 7.30pm Evening Service: “The Reconciling Heart”
Guest Speaker: Fr Paul Symonds
Wednesday 28th May 7.30pm Evening Service: “The Merciful Heart”
Guest Speaker: Fr Aidan Troy CP
Thursday 29th May 7.30pm Evening Service: “The Loving & Life-Giving Heart”
Guest Speaker: Fr Paschal McDonnell OFM
Friday 30th May 7.30pm Evening Service: “The Suffering Heart”
Guest Speaker: Dr Frances Robinson

Derry Diocesan Society

The following names have been added to the list of Deceased Members of the Derry Diocesan Society:
Rita McCusker, Omagh
Arthur Maguire, 31 Brookmount Heights
Frank Colton, 55 Tattysallagh Road
Thomas Doherty, 33 O’Kane Park
Teresa McMackin, 29 Lammy Walk
Walter Pancott, 1 Brookmount Crescent
Charlie Mullan, 7 Johnston Park
Eamon Mullin, Georges Street
Hannah McGuire, 127 Drumlegagh Road South
Maureen McGrath, 99 Brookmount Road
Mary Gormley
Peter Gormley
Frank Gormley
Arthur McGonigle, 39 Culmore Park
Darren Harkin, Drumragh Nursing Home
James Conlin, Drumragh Nursing Home
Kathleen Sharkey, 9 Cannondale
Carmel Frances McCausland, 53 O’Kane Park

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

Living Members
James Gormley
Margaret Gormley

Lough Derg Retreat

The Colmcille Club are organizing a one-day retreat to Lough Derg on Monday 19th May. It is open to all. The cost is £30 (all-inclusive), payable at the time of booking. The bus departs from the front gates of the Loreto Grammar School at 8.45 am, returning at 6 pm. Contact Kathleen on 8224 1991 or Ann on 8224 3094.

Parish Draw Winners May 2008

£2,000 – Bridget Mullan, 11 Ashbourne Heights. Promoter – Kevin Mullan;
£1,000 – Ciara Fyffe, Aughadulla. Promoter – Babs Barrett;
£500 – Maureen Bonner, c/o Promoter. Promoter – A J Turnbull;
£250 – Gerry Heaney, 139 Tamlaght Road. Promoter – Mary Teague;
£100 – Charles Grugan, c/o Promoter. Promoter – Katie McEnhill;
£100 – Michael Cooney, 14 Bracken Close. Promoter – Fr Thomas Canning;
£100 – Elaine Retalic, 135 Clanabogan Road. Promoter – Mary McGlone;
£100 - Rosaleen McLaughlin, 20 Tamlaght Road. Promoter – Raymond McNally;
£100 – Matt McCann, 3 Thornville Park. Promoter – Gertrude McCann;
£100 – Hugh McAleer. Promoter – Siobhán Taggart;
£100 – Marie Burns, 6 Sperrin Park. Promoter – Raymond McNally;
£100 – Brendan Bradley, Lambrook Gardens. Promoter – Raymond McNally;
£100 – Mary O’Hagan, 142 Main Street, Strabane. Promoter – Clare McKeown;
£100 – Roisin Colgan, 5 Castletown. Promoter – Fr Thomas Canning; Promoter’s
£100 Prize – Geraldine McCarney, 15 O’Brien Park.
Next Draw on Tuesday 3rd June 2008.

CHARITY WHIST DRIVE
In aid of
FRIENDS OF AFRICA
Sunday 18th May 2008
St Joseph’s Hall, Omagh
Top Score £100
Tickets £5 (Draw on the night for un-played tickets) Time 8.30 pm

St Joseph’s Hall
Church Street, Omagh
Tel. 8225 2920
8225 2892
Contact: Tommy on 07753 936701

Summer Scheme

Anyone 16+ wishing to volunteer for this year’s Summer Scheme at CKS please contact Gerry Mc Cusker at the CKS community centre, O'Kane Park, Omagh, telephone , 028 8224 7560. The summer scheme will run from 30th June to 27th July and will involve volunteering at the community centre and on day trips with young people from ages 5 to 13yrs.

St Joseph’s Hall
Mon 6.30pm - Iyengar Yoga
7.15pm - Kellie Aerobics/ Fitball
Tues 3.00pm - Colmcille Club
9.00pm - Bingo - Jackpot £1000
Wed 10.00-12.30pm - Weightwatchers
10.30am - Coffee Morning
6.00pm - Baxter School of Dancing
8.00pm - Ladies Club
Thur 4.30pm - Ballet Dancing
7 - 8pm - Traditional Music class
7.30pm - Bowls
8.30pm - Line Dancing
Sat 1.45pm - Groogan O’Doherty Class