This Week’s Calendar
Week beginning Sunday 21 October
Tuesday 23 - St John of Capistrano, priest
Wednesday 24 – St Anthony Claret, bishop
Thursday 25 – Bl Thaddeus MacCarthy, bishop
Saturday 27 – St Otteran, monk

Questions people ask

Q. I often wonder why we have to use words when we pray. God can read our secret thoughts and emotions. Words are for human communication and God is different.
A. True enough, God does not need our words. But it’s we who need words to focus our attention and to clarify our thoughts. Prayerfulness reaches beyond words into eloquent silence. Words are like the shell surrounding the inner kernel of God’s presence. Sometimes we can arrive at the kernel with the minimum of peeling at the shell. But other times, because we are so distracted or unclear, we have to be content with picking away at the shell.
Fr Silvester O’Flynn OFM Cap

Another Angle - Pester power
If easy communication is one of the boons of the Internet, a considerable blight is ‘spam’ – that means unsolicited messages or Electronic Mails. Ignore them and they keep coming. A ‘buzz off’ reply only confirms you exist and ensures a greater deluge of mail, offering to extend your car mileage, extend credit, offer discount pills, even cosmetic surgery.
It’s certainly in the spirit of the prayer-master’s advice to adopt the APU program when they pray. The acronym means; ‘Be aggressive. Be persistent. Be unreasonable.’ The deviser of advertising messages certainly fulfils all three criteria.
But where does our persistent widow fit in? - A member of a vulnerable section of society, where all too frequently a deceased husbands’ estate went to his relatives. She was a squeaky wheel demanding oil. Persistent pleading like prayer takes a lot of faith. Are churches emptying because at heart some see prayer as totally irrelevant and useless, not to mention when God seems to say ‘no’. Have we confused prayer with saying prayers; get the right formula and posture (like Moses with uplifted arms perhaps?) and bingo – results!
No, it’s something grittier, persistent and honest. Children don’t hide their sulks, pouts and tantrums. In prayer, we can be transparently honest and know that like a parent facing childish trauma, God is up to the task. Just be persistent.
Fr Tom Cox – Courtesy of Intercom Magazine

Mass Intentions
Sacred Heart Church 7.30pm Mass
Mon Pat Barrett – 1st Anniversary
Fri Eilis McGurgan – 1st Anniversary

Baptisms
Oliver James Logue, 29 Spring Meadows, Hammond Road, Balinderry Upper

Weddings
Two become one in a life long commitment to each other. We sincerely congratulate.

Sara Gallagher & Ally Hamilton who were married recently.
May the grace of the sacrament remain with them throughout their lives.

Deaths
We sympathise with the loved ones of the following people who died recently:
James Logue
May they rest in peace.

Presentation for Fr Farren
The presentation for Fr Farren will take place on Thursday 25th October in St Joseph’s Hall. All parishioners are welcome to come along. There will be envelopes left in the Church porches this week for anyone who wishes to contribute to the collection. These should be returned via the Church collection baskets or to the Parish Office by Tuesday 23rd October. If you do not get an envelope, use any envelope and mark it “Fr Farren”.

October Devotions
There will be Devotions this evening (Sunday) in the Sacred Heart Church at 6 pm.

Holy Communion to Sick & Housebound
The Eucharistic Ministers will bring Holy Communion to the sick and housebound who have requested it, today (Sunday) 21st October after 9.45am Mass and 11am mass and after 10am Mass in St Mary’s Church Drumragh.

Our Lady’s House of Prayer, Achill, Co Mayo
A bus will travel to Our Lady’s House of Prayer on Saturday 27th October. It leaves Castle Street, Omagh at 7 am sharp. For bookings contact Mary Rose on 8224 5631 or Marie on 8224 4349.

Polish Mass
Fr Maruisz Debrowski sends the following message to the Polish Community:
13 listopada o godzinie 19.30 w kosciele Sacred Heart w Omagh zostanie odprawiona Msza sw. w jezyku polskim. Od godz. 18.30 bedzie mozliwosc przystapienia do Sakramentu Pokuty i Pojednania. Msza bedzie sprawowana regularnie w kazdy 2-gi wtorek miesiaca.
Zapraszamy wszystkich Polaków z Omagh i okolicy.

Mass for Deceased Teachers
The Mass for Deceased Teachers of the Diocese will take place in the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Strabane on Monday 12th November at 7.30 pm.

Eucharistic Ministers Rota
6.00 pm – Gerald McCarney, Jim Toal, Marian McGale, Kathleen Fox, Donna Shields, Claire Murray;
8.30 am – Sean Rodgers, Conrad Darcy, Sinead Slevin;
9.45 am – Dominic Pinto, Gerry McLaughlin, Margaret Rafferty, Kevin O’Gara;
11 am - George Johnson, Eugene Teague, Helen Johnson, Alice McNamee, Joe Mulryan, John McGread;
12.30 pm – Mary Campbell, Liz Doran;
10 am Drumragh - Helen Barratt.

Collectors for October
6.00 pm – Liam Donaghy, Malachy Treanor, Seamus Kelly, Thomas Logue, John Rafferty;
8.30 am – Linus Nugent, James Cunningham, Phil McGovern, Patrick Cleary, Sean McKenna;
9.45 am – Paddy McGowan, Dr Pat O’Neill, Tony Brogan, Liam McGrath, Eamon Prunty;
11.00 am – James Murray, Thomas Bradley, James Montague;
12.30 pm – Anthony Higgins, Tony McGarvey, Eugene McGrade, Sean Mullan, Kevin Gallagher, Patrick Gallagher.

Counters for October
Brendan & Frances Cunningham, Peter Davies, Gerard Haughey, Dermot McCann, J McDonnell, John McGale.

Readers for October
Vigil Mass – Bernadette Doherty;
8.30 am – Gerard Turbitt;
9.45 am – Mary Prunty;
11 M – Aine Hackett;
12.30 pm – L & M Mimnagh

Looking for a Religious gift?
Rosaries, Prayer Books, Medals, Certificates, etc available in St Joseph’s Book Shop. Open Saturdays 10.30am - 4pm.

Drumragh Parish Online
Why not visit our website – www.drumraghparish.com. Tell your friends and relatives about it. Details of parish news and events are updated weekly. If any Parish Group wishes to promote their group or any related activity on the Parish website, please pass on the information to the Parish Secretary.

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; by fax to 8225 2149; by email to info@drumraghparish.com. Articles cannot be accepted after the Wednesday evening 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.

Planning a wedding?
Why not log on to www.gettingmarried.ie ?
You’ll find details and suggestions for your big day: choosing your vows, preparing the church, choosing a ring, etc.

Wedding Music
Female Soloist available to sing at Weddings and Funerals in Omagh and surrounding areas, call Louise Kirwan on 0773 424 8359.

Catholic Charismatic Prayer Group
The Catholic Charismatic Prayer Group meets every Thursday night in the Pastoral Centre from 8.15pm – 9.30pm. Everyone welcome.

Give time to Prayer
Come along to the Youth 2000 Prayer Group who meet every Tuesday night in the Pastoral Centre from 8.15pm – 9.30pm. Everyone welcome.

St Eugene’s Hall

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
7.00 - 8.00pm - Traditional Music class
7.30pm - Bowls
8.30pm - Line Dancing
Sat 1.45pm - Groogan O’Doherty Class

Coming Soon to St Joseph’s Hall
Collin Raye
Saturday 24th November 2007
Support Act – Justin McGurk
Tickets £21 on sale at Top News, News at Six and St. Joseph’s Hall
Phone 07753936701

Kellie’s Aerobics / Fitball
Kellie’s Aerobics Class continues in St Joseph’s Hall on Monday nights at 7.15 pm. Now including ‘The Fitball’ as part of the toning component of her class. Balls are supplied in limited numbers. If you own a ball, bring it along. Everyone welcome!

Ballet Class
Ballet Class in St Joseph’s Hall every Thursday at 4.30pm. Contact Tracey Cassidy on 07719446194

Line Dancing
Every Thursday Evening @ 8.30 pm
New Class for Children / Absolute Beginners @ 7.30 – 8.30 pm
Everyone Welcome

Coffee Mornings in St Joseph’s Hall
Wednesdays @ 10.30 am
Tea, Coffee & Homemade Scones Served
Everyone Welcome

Parties
Room for Hire
St Joseph’s Hall
For further details call Tommy on 07753 936701

St Eugene’s Hall

Fundraising Fancy Dress Dance
Clanabogan Hall, Omagh
Saturday 27th October 2007 at 8.30p.m.
Admission £5
Bar available - Music to suit all tastes - Raffle Prizes
Proceeds to support ongoing projects in Zambia
Your support will be appreciated
Tom & Deirdre Timoney,
10, Ballygowan Road, Omagh.

Clanabogan Drama Circle
Clanabogan Drama Circle will begin a series of 3 act play readings prior to casting for the new season. Readings will take place on Tuesday evenings in Clanabogan Hall at 8.30pm
Everyone is welcome.

Outside Events

St Vincent de Paul “Sale of Work”
Our Annual Sale of Work will be held on Saturday 10th November in St Josephs Hall between 2.30pm and 8pm. We would be grateful for any donated bric-a-brac to be left in the Thrift Shop, Castle Street. Cakes to be left in St Joseph’s Hall after 12 noon on Saturday 10th November.

The Carmelite Retreat Centre, Termonbacca, Derry
• A Mass with Healing Service will take place in the Carmelite Retreat Centre, Termonbacca, Derry, on Tuesday 23rd October at 8.00 pm. All are welcome to attend.
• Mary’s Meals Ireland are having an evening of testimony, music and talks on Friday 26th of October, in The Carmelite Retreat Centre, Termonbacca, at 7.30p.m. Speakers include John Pridmore, Author of From Gangland to Promise Land.
• Sr. Josephine Walsh Weekend Retreat with emphasis on forgiving, healing and making a new start, will take place at The Carmelite Retreat Centre, Termonbacca from Friday 26th October to Sunday 28th October. For further details tel: Derry 71262512 during office hours only.

Marriage Enrichment Workshop
A Marriage Enrichment Workshop, presented by Marriage Encounter, will take place in the Dromantine Conference Centre outside Newry on 2nd – 4th November, and in the Lake Hotel Killarney, 9th – 11th November. The weekend is open to all married couples and payment is by anonymous donation. For information and booking please phone Liam and Angela Sheppard on 028 9062 6503 . Early booking is recommended.

New Website for Catholic Education
There has been a new website launched recently, which provides information on Catholic Education in Northern Ireland. The site answers frequently asked questions, describing in detail the aims and the vision of a catholic school education. Visit www.catholiceducation-ni.com for further details and information.

Missionary Priest Visit
Fr Alex Teputepu is the parish priest in Mwanga Parish, Blantyre Diocese, Malawi, Central Africa. Malawi is one of the ten poorest countries in the world. Fr Alex has thirty thousand parishioners and there are fourteen outstation churches. The furtherest from his main parochial compound is a one hour journey by pick-up truck.
Fr Alex will visit us next Sunday 28th October and will address all masses. Should you wish to help him in his work, there are envelopes available at the church entrances. These can be put into the collection baskets next week.

Annual Derry Diocesan Pioneer Mass
Change of Venue: St John the Baptist Church, Swatragh
Sunday 21st October at 3.00 pm
Chief Celebrant: Bishop Seamus Hegarty
Refreshments Afterwards in the School
All Pioneers and Friends are invited to attend

Ulster Project 2008
Applications for leadership should be made to Fr Kevin Mullan, 257 Dooish Road, Drumquin, BT78 4RA.

Car Boot Sale
Eskra Community Centre Car Park
Saturday 27th October
11 am – 1 pm
£10 Per Car
Everyone Welcome