16th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Sunday, 18th July 2010

WHY GO TO CHURCH?

A Church-goer wrote a letter to the editor of a newspaper and complained that it made no sense to go to church every Sunday. "I've gone for 30 years now," he wrote, "and in that time I have heard something like 3,000 sermons. But for the life of me, I can't remember a single one of them. So, I think I'm wasting my time and the priests are wasting theirs by giving sermons at all.

"This started a real controversy in the "Letters to the Editor" column, much to the delight of the editor. It went on for weeks until someone wrote this clincher:

"I’ve been married for 30 years now. In that time my wife has cooked some 32,000 meals. But for the life of me, I cannot recall the entire menu for a single one of those meals. But I do know this - they all nourished me and gave me the strength I needed to do my work. If my wife had not given me these meals, I would be physically dead today. Likewise if I had not gone to church for nourishment, I would be spiritually dead -- today!"

Thank God for our physical AND our spiritual nourishment!

Words of Wisdom

“Love is the thing that enables a woman to sing while she mops up the floor after her husband has walked across it in his dirty boots.” ~ Author unknown

Saints of the Week

Week Beginning Sunday 18th July

Tuesday 20 – St Apollinaris, bishop and martyr

Wednesday 21 – St Lawrence of Brindisi, priest and doctor of the Church

Thursday 22 – St Mary Magdalene

Friday 23 – St Bridget of Sweden, religious, patron of Europe

Saturday 24 – St Charbel Makhluf, priest; St Declan, bishop

Sacred Heart Church - Mass Intentions 7.30 pm

Friday Philomena Taggart – Month’s Mind

Weddings

We congratulate the following couple who were married here recently:

Emma Baxter & Gerald Connor

Jennifer McKenna & Conrad Doherty

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

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 10 am Mass in St Mary’s Church, Drumragh.

Recent Deaths

We remember Baby Patrick Thomas Leonard and Baby Eoin Colm McLarnon whose funerals took place recently. We pray for their grieving families.

Omagh Charismatic Prayer Group

The Omagh Charismatic Prayer Group meets every Thursday in the Pastoral Centre, Brook Street at 8.15 pm. There is praise music and song and prayers of thanksgiving and intercession. All welcome to come and pray.

Baptisms

Jack Patrick Duffy, 6 Dunamona Grove
Eireann Mary Boyle, 157 Clanabogan Road
Eoghain Martin McNamee, 17 Ashbourne Heights
Kelly Rose Daly, 117 Loughmuck Road
Sophie Rose Slevin, 9 Mullaghmena Avenue
Aoife Rose Cassidy, 55 Sperrin Park
James Patrick McPhillips, 36 Summerfield Court

Questions people ask

Q. I talk to God and regularly apologise for my sins. I believe God forgives me. Why should I have to go to confession?

A. Your private chat with God is very important. However, since we are not isolated individuals but members of the one body, every sin is an offence against the Church. The sacrament celebrates reconciliation with the body of the Church. If there has been serious sin, the Sacrament of Reconciliation is necessary before receiving the Eucharist. The father of the prodigal might have accepted his son’s apology privately but he preferred to make it a family celebration. Since God already knows your sins, regard the sacrament as a celebration of God’s forgiveness within the family of the Church.

Courtesy of Fr Silvester O’Flynn, Intercom Magazine

Email silvesteroflynn@gmail.com

Drumragh Parish Draw Winners – July 2010

£2,000 – Paddy McDonagh, c/o Promoter. Promoter – John Rafferty; £1,000 – Michael McCann, 32 Lammy Walk. Promoter – Fr Thomas Canning; £500 – Eamon Mimnagh, 129 Blackfort Road. Promoter – Catherine McGale; £250 – Theresa Shields, 16 O’Brien Park. Promoter – Geraldine McCarney; £100 – Chloe Corrigan, 7 Ardmore Heights. Promoter – Aidan Corrigan; £100 – Eugene McMahon, c/o Promoter. Promoter – John Rafferty; £100 – Mary Fitzgerald, 4 Brook Valley. Promoter – Fr Thomas Canning; £100 – Sheila Meyler, 3 Gortrush Drive. Promoter – Louise Kirwan; £100 – Mrs K Bowes, c/o Promoter. Promoter – Attracta Kelly; £100 – Frances McCrossan, Dergmoney. Promoter – Babs Barrett; £100 – Gary Brogan, c/o 16 Hillbank Fold. Promoter – Fr Thomas Canning; £100 – Catriona Campbell, 7 Coolnagard Green. Promoter – Raymond McNally; £100 – Dan McPhilemy, 11 Backfarm Road. Promoter – Fr Thomas Canning; £100 – Brigid McCarney, 75 Moneygar Road. Promoter – Geraldine McCarney; Promoter’s £100 Prize: Jackie McDermott, 47 Gortmore Park.

Please Note: The next Parish Draw will take place on Tuesday 3rd August 2010.

Mass for the Sick

A Mass for the sick with Eucharistic Blessing will take place in the Carmelite Retreat Centre, Termonbacca, Derry on Tuesday 20th April at 8.00 pm.

All are welcome to attend.

N.I. Blood Transfusion Service

The next blood donation sessions will be held in the South West College Campus, 2 Mountjoy Road, Omagh on:

Thursday 22nd July
@ 1.30 pm – 4 pm & 5.30 pm – 8 pm

Friday 23rd July
@ 1.30 pm – 4 pm & 5.30 pm – 8 pm

The Blood Transfusion Service needs the support not only of existing donors, but also of new donors. Please come along – you could save a life!

Clonmacnois Youth 2000 Summer Festival

12th – 15th August 2010

For young people aged 16 to 35, an opportunity not to be missed to experience the Catholic faith and meet many new friends. Donation only. Free buses available from around Northern Ireland. For more information, contact 0751 482 0572 (from Northern Ireland) or check our website:www.youth2000.ie

Choral Conducting Summer School

The Association of Irish Choirs, University of Limerick presents its 30th Annual Choral Conducting Summer School for all conductors, teachers, students, choral enthusiasts and musicians. The Summer School will take place from Sunday 15th to Friday 20th August in the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance in the stunning surrounds of the University of Limerick. Artistic Director is Bernie Sherlock and guest master teachers are Peter Erdei and Gabriella Thész. Course tutors include Martin Barrett, Ite O’Donovan and Bernie Sherlock. The course is delivered on 5 levels, beginner to advanced so there really is something for everyone. The closing date for applications is Wednesday 21st July. Please find application forms and repertoire at www.aoic.ie. Please contact AOIC aoic@ul.ie or 00353 61 234823 for further information.

THE BIG KNIT 2010

This is a fundraiser organised by Innocent Drinks, partnering Age NI (new charity combining Age concern NI and Help the Aged). The organisation needs people from across Northern Ireland to knit small woolly hats to place on top of Innocent Smoothie bottles. These will be sold in Sainsburys and Boots stores during the winter of 2010. For every hat knitted, 5p will go to Age NI. Simple knitting patterns and instructions are available from Dorothy McConkey on 9024 5729 or email Dorothy.mcconkey@ageni.org.

Notices for Weekly Bulletin

If you wish to submit an article for this bulletin please do so, either by post to the Parish Secretary, 48 Brook Street or by email to info@drumraghparish.com. Articles cannot be accepted after the Wednesday morning deadline. Please do not call to give articles by telephone. Notes relating to the Church and articles relating to Parish events and functions will always be given priority. and other material, such as local charity events will be accepted, space providing.

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 8224 3252.

St Joseph’s Hall - Timetable of Events

Tue 9.00pm - Bingo - Jackpot £1000

Wed 10.00-12.30pm - Weightwatchers

Thur 8 pm Line Dancing - Beginners

9.15 pm Regular Line Dancing Class

Contact Tommy on 07753 936 701

All Other Hall Activities Have Now Finished for the Summer