Sunday 18th October 2009

29th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Mission Sunday

Nothing Is more Important

I sat next to the bed of old man, a friend for over twenty years, and held his hand. Hal was dying. We both knew these next few days would be his last. We spent time reminiscing and talking about old friends. We chatted about his family. And I listened as he offered sage wisdom and advice to a member of a "younger generation." At a lull in the conversation, Hal seemed to carefully consider what he was about to say next. Then he squeezed my hand, gazed intently into my eyes and whispered, just loud enough for me to hear, "Nothing is more important than relationships." I knew that this was somehow near the pinnacle of his life's learnings. As he considered all of his experiences - personal, professional, spiritual and family, this one ultimate observation surfaced above the rest: "Nothing is more important than relationships." "Don't get overly caught up in your career," he seemed to be saying to me. "Likewise, don't use people in order to achieve your goals, and then throw them away. No project, no program, no task should be pursued at the expense of friends and family. Remember," I heard him saying, as clearly as if he were speaking the words, "that in the end, only your relationships will truly matter. Tend them well."

Writer Og Mandino puts it this way: "Beginning today," he said, "treat everyone you meet as if he or she were going to be dead by midnight. Extend to them all the care, kindness, and understanding you can muster, and do so with no thought of any reward. Your life will never be the same again."

At the end of a long life, my friend Hal would have agreed.

Author Unknown

Saints of the Week

Week Beginning Sunday 18th October 2009

Monday 19 – Sts John Brébeuf, Isaac Jogues, priests, and Companions, martyrs; St Paul of the Cross, priest.

Friday 23 – St John of Capistrano, priest

Saturday 24 – St Anthony Claret, bishop

Sacred Heart Church
Mass Intentions 7.30 pm

Tuesday Jimmy Coyle- 1st Anniversary

Friday Rose Kirk – 1st Anniversary

Baptism

Casey Lea Naomi Simmonds, 58 Gortview Close

Wedding

We congratulate the following couples who were married recently:

Joann Bowen & Sean Tracey

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

Recent Deaths

We pray for the families of the following who died recently:

Matt McCann

Kieran McLaren

May they rest in peace.

Prayer for Priests

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

Sunday 18th October – Fr Joseph Doherty
Monday 19th October – Fr Michael Doherty
Tuesday 20th October – Fr Patrick Doherty
Wednesday 21st October – Fr Andrew Dolan
Thursday 22nd October – Fr Brian Donnelly
Friday 23rd October – Mgr Joseph Donnelly
Saturday 24th October – Fr Liam Donnelly

Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann A.G.M.

All members please note that the A.G.M. of the Omagh branch will take place in Dún Uladh on Wednesday 21st October at 8.00 pm.

Mission Sunday Collection

Today (Sunday) is Mission Sunday. The Mission Sunday Collection will be taken up, as usual, at all Masses this weekend.

Annual Service for the Commemoration of the Dead

The annual Service for the Commemoration of the Dead takes place on Sunday 15th November at 6 pm, remembering all those from this parish who have died in the past year. The service consists of prayer, scripture readings and hymns and lasts around 40 minutes. A candle is lit for each of the deceased and this is given to a family member to take home at the end of the service. All parishioners welcome.

October Stations

A Station Mass for the Tattysallagh area will be in Helen Barrett’s home on the Tattysallagh Road on Friday 30th October at 7.30 pm.

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.

Romanian Trip

Ten Year 14 students from the Sacred Heart College are travelling to Romania on 22nd October. The girls will be taking out medical supplies and equipment to a baby clinic and an orphanage. They will hold a Church gate collection this weekend after all Masses. Also, the girls will be speaking at each Mass. They have paid the fares themselves and all money collected will go straight towards the purchase of medicines, equipment and winter clothes for the children. Many thanks in anticipation of your support.

HOLY LAND PILGRIMAGE

A Pilgrimage to the Holy Land next year (dates not decided yet - probably early June) led by Fr Kevin McElhennon will, for 10 days, follow in the footsteps of Jesus, from Nazareth to the Sea of Galilee to Bethlehem and Jerusalem. This once-in-a-lifetime pilgrimage will bring to life the people, places and stories of the Bible, and promises to be an enjoyable and enriching experience. Price: £1,190 (price may be less depending on numbers going and is fully inclusive - flights, hotels, breakfast & dinner each day, guide, full tours etc). If you are interested or thinking about going and would like to know more about the pilgrimage, come along to either of the information evenings this Monday (Oct 19) or Wednesday (Oct 21) in Christ the King Church, Strathroy at 8 pm (after 7.30pm Mass). See advert below "Footprints of God"

"Footprints of God"

Fr Kevin McElhennon will lead a series of reflection evenings from February to April entitled "In The Footprints of God". These evenings are offered to everyone who would like to journey reflectively through the Gospel stories. By reflecting on the Gospel stories, and getting to know the people and places of the Gospels, we hope to deepen our faith and enrich our relationship with Jesus. Though open to everyone, these reflections will be especially beneficial for anyone who is intending to join us on our Holy land Pilgrimage as it is hoped that these reflections will enhance our experience and enjoyment of the Holy Land. Details of our planned Advent Reflection evenings will be published in a couple of weeks.

Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes

16th – 21st July 2010

Cost £629 stg – Payable in instalments
Regular forms available from the Parish Office. Forms for those in need of care or those aged 80+ available only from the Pilgrimage Office on 028 7126 0293.

Dates for Your Calendar

First Confessions

All take place in the Sacred Heart Church at 7.30 pm:
Monday 8th March 2010 – St Colmcille’s P.S.
Tuesday 9th March 2010 – Loreto P.S.
Wednesday 10th March 2010 – St Conor’s P.S.
Thursday 11th March 2010 – All Saint’s P.S. / Sacred Heart P.S. / Integrated P.S.

First Holy Communion

Sunday 25th April 2010 – St Colmcille’s P.S. in the Sacred Heart @ 12.30 pm
Sunday 9th May 2010 – St Conor’s P.S. in the Sacred Heart @ 12.30 pm
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

Confirmation

Saturday 27th March 2010 @ 11.00 am in the Sacred Heart Church.

Grand Charity Concert in aid of Rural Link Community Transport

Featuring Joe Moore, Anthony McBrien, Sinead Taggart, Boxcar Brian, Kim Dickinson and Jason McGilligan

Accompanied by Country Harmony
Compere Sean Wallace
Thursday 12th November 2009
Show starts 8pm
Tickets £10 from Top News Georges Street
Music Master, Foundry Lane or Xclusive Gifts and Accessories, 32 High St Omagh

Badminton

The “Centre Badminton Club” has started its new season. We are very short of members and are appealing to all old and particularly new members to join us in the Sacred Heart College on Thursday night at 9 pm. Coaching is available. For details call 8224 4323.

All New Gentle Aerobics

Class Every Monday in St Joseph’s Hall @ 7 pm
Instructor Pauline McGowan
Everybody welcome.

St Joseph’s Bookshop

Open Saturdays 10.30 am - 4 pm
Wide variety of Books, Holy Ornaments, Medals, Rosaries & Cards available.

Omagh St Enda’s GAC

Well done to our U21 team who made history by defeating Errigal Ciarán in the Championship final last Sunday and to the U16 team who won the League title. This Sunday (18th) our U16 team play Cookstown in Healy Park at 2 pm in the Championship final before the Ardboe v Dromore Senior County Final. Again, we would appeal to everyone in the parish/town to come out and support this young team. Bingo continues every Thursday at 9 pm in Healy Park with £4000 in prize money every week.

Set Dancing Ceili

Omagh Traditional Dancing Club will be holding a Set Dancing Ceili in Dún Uladh on Sunday 18th October 2009. Music is by the Annally Ceili Band. Dancing from 4 pm to 7 pm. Admission is £6, including refreshments.