The Pope’s Intentions for August
General: That all those who are going through moments inner difficulty and trial may find in Christ the light and support which leads them to discover authentic happiness.
Missionary: That the Church in China may bear witness to ever greater inner cohesion and may manifest her effective and visible communion with Peter’s Successor.

Fr Neil Farren’s Departure

Farewell to Fr Neil Farren who has been appointed as Parish Priest of Ardmore parish outside Derry. Fr Neil has been with us for the past eight years. He served for a good number of years in both the Waterside and Coleraine parishes before he came to Omagh in 1999. During the past eight years he has touched the lives of so many people. He has always come across as being a very dedicated priest. One could say that he was never off the batter. He was always on the go, and therefore he has been a tremendous witness in the great service which he has given to lots of parishioners. He has been very attentive to the sick in his visits to the hospital and in their homes. He has also been very attentive to the schools, and many other things associated with the parish. Our experience of his service to the parish as such, for the past eight years reassures us that he will have a fruitful ministry in this new parish of Ardmore. Omagh’s loss as such will be Ardmore’s gain.

Fr Farrren will be installed as Parish Priest of Ardmore at St Mary’s Church on Tuesday 21st August during Mass at 7.30pm. All are welcome.

Fr Farren is being replaced by Fr John McDevitt. Fr McDevitt is a native of Pennyburn in Derry. He taught for eight years in St Cecelia’s College in Derry before going to study for the Priesthood in St Patrick’s’ College, Maynooth. He was ordained in 2003. During the past four years in the parishes of Waterside and Carndonagh in Co Donegal. We look forward to his ministry among us in this parish and we wish him well.

Week beginning Sunday 19 August
An August Saint • St Eugene (Eoghan) • 23 August
St Eugene lived in the 6th century and was said to have been taken by pirates to Britain. On obtaining his freedom he went to study at Candida Casa. Returning to Ireland he made a foundation at Kilnamanagh in the Wicklow hills, but his principal foundation was at Ardstraw (Ard Sratha), Co Tyrone.
Monday 20 – St Bernard (1090-1153), Cistercian monk who became abbot of Clairvaux.
Renowned as a theologian and scholar. Patron saint of Gibraltar.
Tuesday 21 – St Pius X, Pope (1835-1914). Cardinal patriarch of Venice, then Pope from 1903. He encouraged pastoral liturgy and sacramental practice, especially frequent communion.
Wednesday 22 – The Queenship of Mary.
Thursday 23 – St Rose of Lima. Also St Eugene (Eoghan) of Derry, who founded a monastery at Ardstraw, Co Tyrone.
Friday 24 – St Bartholomew. He is named in the Synoptic gospels as one of the twelve apostles. He is probably to be identified with Nathaniel of Cana. He is said to have preached the gospel in India.

Questions people ask
Q. Do you believe in the apparition at Knock? Might it not be an optical illusion
or mass hallucination?
A. By their fruits shall you know them. The apparition at Knock showed Jesus Christ in the form of the Lamb of God standing on the altar of sacrifice, underneath the cross. The angels are there along with Mary, Joseph and John who is holding an open book. The tableau is an icon of the mystery of the sacrifice of the Eucharist. In the theology of John’s book, Jesus is the new Passover Lamb of God uniting earth and heaven. No voice intrudes on the viewer’s silent contemplation. Yes, I believe in the apparition at Knock.

Another Angle - A holy tension
It would be interesting see how many non-Christians would identify the Gospel text today as sacred, if it were displayed alongside other contemporary writings. Who knows, some might even think it was Al Quaida rather than words spoken by Jesus, the Prince of Peace. It doesn’t quite fit in, does it, with the image of the love of God the Father Jesus brought before us? Read it again to get the shock of what is being said.
It speaks of opposites, of black and white when increasingly we think of grey, nothing ruled in or out. But Jesus comes not only to bless the world but also to change it. It is a work of transformation so searing it is like fire burning away the old so that something unmistakably new can begin. We are not to be a people or Church of complacency and conformity, but a church that dares to be a source of division and misunderstanding for the sake of justice.
Anyhow, disagreement and frustration with each other comes easy to us. We are divided. That's true in all families, communities, and churches. In this world, there's no life together without a shadow. In faith circles alone, we argue about God, Jesus, church, morality, worship, spirituality, justice, discipleship. It creates a holy tension, which however uncomfortable is good. We need to carry all together for Christ.
Fr Tom Cox, Courtesy of Intercom Magazine

Mass Intentions - Sacred Heart Church 7.30pm Mass
Thursday – Lawrence Mongan – Month’s Mind

Baptisms
Cara Mulchahy – 36, Coolnagard Hollow
Ellen Bradley – 30, Coolnagard Ave.,
Christopher Webster – Cheadle, Cheshire

Weddings
Two become one in a life long commitment to each other.
We sincerely congratulate.
Richard Donnell & Joan Darcy and George Chism & Imelda McCormack
who were married recently.

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

Fr Michael Mullan, a visiting priest will celebrate Mass in the Sacred Heat Church on Thursday 23rd August at 2.00pm. Fr Mullan was ordained in Rome on 23rd December 2006. His father is Dermott Mullan from Omagh. All are welcome

Drumragh Church cleaners for August
Marie Campbell, Ann Doherty, Dympna McKay

Altar Society Rota
August: Mrs Bernadette Laird (82244861)

Words of Wisdom…
Learn from the mistakes of others. You can't live long enough to make them all yourself.

Please Note:
Ladies Watch found in Drumragh Graveyard. Contact Parish Office.

Macmillan Cancer Support
"The Annual Macmillan Cancer Support (Macmillan Nurses) Dog Walk will be held on Sunday 19 August at Gortin Glen Forest Park. Omagh at 3.00 pm. All dog owners and walkers are welcome. Sponsor forms from Patsy on 07774607074 or Hazel on 07909 596018. You can also register on the day - £10 per family. Please support the walk and help Macmillan care for those living with cancer in the local Omagh area".

St Vincent de Paul Annual Pilgrimage to Knock Saturday 8th September 2007
Please leave you name at the S.V.d.P Thrift Shop, Castle Street together with of £10 per person.

St Vincent de Paul require good quality Secondary School uniforms
Also cot needed – can be collected, or left in Thrift Shop, Castle Street.

Accord - Pre Marriage Courses 2007-2008

2007
October 26th & 27th
November 23rd & 24th
December 7th & 8th

2008
January 25th & 26th
February 22nd & 23rd
April 4th & 5th
April 25th & 26th
May 23rd & 24th
June 13th & 14th

Application forms available from Parish Office or apply to:
The Secretary ACCORD - Mount Saint Columba Pastoral Centre
48 Brook Street, Omagh, BT78 5HD
Tel: 028 82242439
Email: accordomagh@btopenworld.com

Readers
Volunteers required to read at the 10am weekday Masses in Sacred Heart Church.
Contact the Parish Office 82242092.

Pathway to Prayer’ – Adult Faith Development
What? An opportunity to explore the Old and New Testaments, Liturgy, Creative Expression, Centering Prayer
When? Mondays from 7.30pm – 9.30pm (One – Year Course)
Starting? 1 October 2007
Where? Thornhill Centre, 121 Culmore Road, Derry
Cost? £160 for the full year. Deposit £40
Details? The Secretary @ Tel: 02871351233

Omagh Prayer Guidance Team

Week of Guided Prayer
9th -14th September
Pastoral Centre, Brook St. Omagh @ 7pm
There are a few places still available for those interested in experiencing a week of guided prayer.
To book please contact The Parish Office

Thinking About Your Future?
Why not consider a Post 16 course at
Sacred Heart College Omagh

Courses on offer include:

A levels
A/S levels
AVCE & VCE Courses
BTec Courses

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

Divine Mercy Prayer Group
First Sunday of every month
At 3pm
St Mary’s Church Killyclogher
This is open prayer group and all are welcome to come and pray

The Swilly players present
KNOCK – THE HILL OF MARY
at the Playhouse at St Columb’s Hall. Main Stage on:
Thurs 23rd – Sat 25th August @ 8pm
Tickets: £8 (Adult) £4 (Children)
Tel: 028 71268027
www.derryplayhouse.co.uk

Ethnic Minority Groups Information Board

WELCOME
WITAMY
BEM-VINDO
SVEIKI ATVYKE
MALIGAYANG PAGSALUBONG

There is an Information board on display now at the front of the Sacred
Heart Church with details about our catholic schools. This is for the
benefit of other language groups who have recently come to the area.

North West Regional College (formerly North West Inst. and Limavady College) is now taking enrolments for full-time and part-time courses commencing in September. Enrol in person (Strand Road Derry, Main Street, Limavady or Derry Rd. Strabane). by post or by phone, 02871 276000.
Forms can also be downloaded at www.nwrc.ac.uk

Eucharistic Ministers for August

6.00pm Gerry Harte, Geraldine Colton, Phil Hyndman, Brigid McGarvey
Anne McCaffrey, Marie Gallagher
8.30am Jim McGread, Joanna McElholm, Paula Slevin
9.45am Peter McCormick, Seamus Sheridan, Shirley Norris, Maureen Miley,
11.00am Willie Galbraith, Johanna Gallagher, Maire Conway
Sheila McCusker, Jeanette Fox
12.30pm Eugene McGrade, Mary McGrade, Tracy Nugent, Ann Pearson
10am Drumragh Niall Colgan, Anita Hackett

Collectors for August

6.00 pm Vigil –– Eugene Duffy, Joe O’Donnell, Liam Grugan, Michael Brogan;
8.30 am – John Breslin, Jim Hackett, J L George, Gerard Turbitt, Michael Gilheaney, Liam Nugent, Patrick Slevin;
9.45 am – Hugh Ward, Michael Colton, Liam McGrath, Thomas McGuigan, J F Doyle, Eamon Campbell, Dan Campbell, Francis Bradley;
11.00 am – Sean Lynam, Dermot Groogan, Joseph Mulryan, Michael McGirr, John
McDonnell;
12.30 pm – B Brown, Anthony Higgins, Francis McCrory, Thomas Logue.

Counters for August

Daniel Campbell, James Cunningham, John Doherty, Kathleen Fox, John McGale, Marie McGirr, Eugene McGrade, Gerard McSorley, Mary Quinn, Pat Vaugh.

Pub Quiz – Ulster Cancer Foundation
There will be a pub quiz in aid of Ulster Cancer Foundation in the Hogs Head
On Wed. 15th August starting at 10pm. All welcome.

North West Regional College (formerly North West Inst. and Limavady College) is now taking enrolments for full-time and part-time courses commencing in September. Enrol in person (Strand Road Derry, Main Street, Limavady or Derry Rd. Strabane). by post or by phone, 02871 276000.
Forms can also be downloaded at www.nwrc.ac.uk
Newsletter Resources & Regular Notices

Please Note: Notice regarding Baptism
We are not permitted to baptise children from another Parish without the expressed permission of the Parish Priest of that Parish. All requirements for baptism in the home parish must be completed before we carry out the baptism

Sunday and Weekday Readers
We are looking for volunteers to read at Sunday and weekday Masses in Sacred Heart Church.
Sundays – 6pm Vigil, Sunday 8.30am, 9.45am, 11 am and 12.30pm
Weekdays 8am, 10am and 7.30pm
Practice will be given beforehand.
Please contact the Parish office giving name, address, telephone number and preferred mass time.

Offertory Procession
Volunteers requested for offertory procession in the Sacred Heart Church.
Two people for each offertory procession.
Masses - 6pm Vigil, Sunday 11am and 12.30pm. Contact parish office giving name, address, telephone number and preferred mass time.

Disabled Parking, St Joseph’s Hall Grounds
We would ask the general public to please observe disabled parking spaces at the hall at all times, weekdays and Sundays. Any car parking in these spaces should display a disabled sticker.

Please Note: Volunteer Cleaners Urgently to help clean Sacred Heart Church. Please contact the Parish Office.

Drumragh Parish Draw – List of Winners for August 2007

£2,000 – Vera O’ Doherty – 32 Hunter Crescent
- Promoter – Joe Mulyran
£1,000 – Edel Griffin – 123 Clanabogan Road
– Promoter – Joanne Colton
£500 – Sister Marie Wyle – Thornhill Centre, Derry.
– Promoter – Msg. Donnelly
£250 – Michelle McNamee – 166 Sperrin Pk.
– Promoter – Teresa McCance
£100 – Vincent McCourt – c/o Promoter
– Promoter – Rozella Kelly
£100 – Cathal McNamee – c/o Promoter
– Promoter – Geraldine Gallagher
£100 – Kathleen Galbraith – 40 Hillbank Fold
–Promoter – Gladys Martin
£100 – Paddy McDonagh – c/o Promoter
– Promoter – John Rafferty
£100 – Sean McAleer – 6 Mullin Park, Mountfield
– Promoter – Violet Sweeney
£100 – Eamon Miley – c/o Promoter
– Promoter – Patrick McCaul
£100 – Dermott McCann – 321 Lammy Walk
– Promoter – Fr. Canning
£100 – Mary McAleer – Hastings E. Sussex
– Promoter – Kathleen Quinn
£100 – Kathy O’ Neill – 24 Beagh Road
– Promoter – Charlie McLaughlin
£100 – Sally Baxter – 17 Johnston Park
– Promoter – Raymond McNally

Promoter’s £100 Prize – Violet Sweeney – 22 Brookmount Road