Sunday 21st December 2008

4th Sunday of Advent

Mary, the Ark of God's Covenant

"Rejoice so highly favoured; the Lord is with you." The Angel addressed these words to Mary, the Mother of Jesus, and our Mother. But they are also addressed to each of us who have the wonderful privilege of knowing Jesus through our Baptism. They have a very special significance for couples who are privileged to have each other and to be united in the Sacrament of Marriage. In the course of this week of Christmas, be aware of all the good that is in your love relationship, how highly favoured you are to have this person as your wife/husband. Be aware also of the goodness of each one of your children and how privileged you are to have them. As you celebrate the Eucharist during this week leading up to Christmas, make a special effort to appreciate the people of your parish. And know that your love makes Christ present.

Fr. Johnny Doherty, C.Ss.R.

Mass and Confession Times

for the Christmas Period

Monday 22nd December - Sacred Heart Church

Masses
8 am, 10 am & 7.30 pm

Confessions
10.30 – 12.30 pm & 6.30 – 7.15 pm

Tuesday 23rd December - Sacred Heart Church

Masses
8 am, 10 am & 7.30 pm

Confessions
10.30 – 12.30 pm & 6.30 - 7.15 pm

(These are the last Confessions being heard in the Sacred Heart Church before Christmas)

Wednesday 24th December - Sacred Heart Church Masses
(Morning)
10 am

Mass for the Elderly & Families 6 pm

(Mass of Midnight) 10 pm

St Mary’s, Drumragh (Mass of Midnight)
8 pm

Thursday 25th December
Masses - Sacred Heart Church (Christmas Day)
8.30 am, 9.45 am, 11 am, 12.30 pm

St Mary’s, Drumragh
10 am

Friday 26th December
Masses - Sacred Heart Church
(St Stephen’s Day)
12 Noon

Saturday 27th December
Masses - Sacred Heart Church

12 Noon, Vigil - 6 pm

Confessions After Vigil Mass

Parish Notes

There will be no 8 am or 7.30 pm Mass on 26th December. The 8 am Mass recommences on 5th January.

Eucharistic Ministers who are on duty on the Sundays of this month are requested to please cover the relevant Christmas Day Masses.

It was nearing the holiday season, 1994, time for our orphans to hear, for the first time, the traditional story of Christmas. Throughout the story, the children and orphanage staff sat on the edges of their stools, trying to grasp every word. Completing the story, we gave the children many things to build their own manger. Little Misha looked to be about 6 years old and had finished his project. As I looked at the little boy's manger, I was startled to see not one, but two babies in the manger. Quickly, I called for the translator to ask the lad why there were two babies in the manger. For such a young boy, who had only heard the Christmas story once, he related the happenings accurately until he came to the part where Mary put the baby Jesus in the manger. Then Misha started to ad-lib, as he said, "And when Maria laid the baby in the manger, Jesus looked at me and asked me if I had a place to stay. I told him I have no mamma and I have no papa, so I don't have any place to stay. Then Jesus told me I could stay with him. But I told him I couldn't, because I didn't have a gift to give him. But I wanted to stay with Jesus so much, so I thought about what I had that maybe I could use for a gift. So I asked Jesus, 'If I keep you warm, will that be a good enough gift?' And Jesus told me, 'If you keep me warm, that will be the best gift anybody ever gave me.' So I got into the manger, and then Jesus looked at me and he told me I could stay with him for always." As little Misha finished his story, his eyes brimmed full of tears that splashed down his little cheeks. The little orphan had found someone who would never abandon nor abuse him, someone who would stay with him - for always! - Fr Tommy Lane

Parish Office Notice

The Parish Office will be closed for Christmas Holidays from Wednesday 24th December, reopening on Friday 2nd January. Anyone wishing to submit an article for the Sunday 28th December newsletter, please do so no later than Monday 22nd December.

Monsignor Donnelly, Fr Canning and Fr McDevitt wish all parishioners a Happy Christmas and Peaceful New Year.

Week beginning Sunday 21st December

This Week’s Saints

Thursday 25 – The Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ

Friday 26 – St Stephen, First Martyr

Saturday 27 – St John, Apostle and Evangelist

Recent Deaths

We sympathise with the families of the following who died recently:

Gabrielle Gormley

Frances Hill

Brendan McCausland

May they rest in peace.

Mass Intentions - Sacred Heart Church 7.30 pm

Monday Michael (Mickey) McManus – Month’s Mind

Baptisms

Patrick Krystian Seweryn, 1 Glenview Terrace
Ben Francis Rutledge, 45 Derry Road
Jack Patrick Meehan, 17 Hunter Crescent
Ernest Manak, 5 Fairmount Avenue

Carol Service

The Annual Carol Service will take place today (Sunday 21st December) in the Sacred Heart Church at 6 pm. All parishioners are welcome.

A Prayer to Say When Opening Your Presents

Lord Jesus, Wise men travelled for miles to bring you the first Christmas presents. So may we, too, remember with thankful hearts the love that comes with each present we open.We also thank you for the amazing love you have for each of us, and we thank you for the many gifts that you give us.
Amen.

Q. How do we know that Jesus was born on 25th December?

A. We have no idea of the date of his birth. The date was chosen as it was mid-winter’s day in the Julian Calendar used in Rome in the 4th Century. In our calendar the winter solstice occurs on 21st December. In an ancient Egyptian calendar it fell on 6th January, a date still followed by some Eastern Churches for Jesus’ birthday, and in our Church for celebrating the Epiphany. As pagans celebrated the winter solstice as the return of the unconquered sun, Christians celebrated the coming of Christ, the light of the world.

Fr Silvester OFlynn OFM Cap, Courtesy of Intercom Magazine
Email silvesteroflynn@gmail.com

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.

Dance
St Joseph’s Hall
St Stephen’s Night
26th December
Music by Country Traditions
10 pm – 12.30 am

Children in Crossfire

We would like to thank everyone for taking an Advent Calendar. If possible, could everyone please return their boxes to their Church at the Vigil Mass on 27th December and at the Sunday Masses on 28th December. Baskets will be provided at the entrance to the chapel in which to leave the boxes. Thank you for your support in this campaign giving the world’s most vulnerable children a chance of a better future. Call 71269898 for more information.

Looking for a Religious gift for Christmas?

St Joseph’s Book Shop is open on 18th, 19th, 20th, 22nd and 23rd December from 10.30am - 4pm. On Christmas Eve it is open from 10.30 – 1.15 pm.
Advent and Christmas stock now in: Advent Wreaths, Advent Candles, Advent Calendars, Cribs, Christmas Ornaments, Christmas Cards, Christmas Table Candles, etc
(Entrance to Bookshop is at side of St Joseph’s Hall)

Thanks From The Philippines

A Letter of thanks and photographs from Fr Bennett’s Handicapped Children’s Housing Charity in the Philippines are on display on the Church Notice Boards.

“Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful." ~ Norman Vincent Peale

Christmas Country Showtime presents

Brendan Shine

Also Featuring Kenny Archer the
Famous Yodler
Saturday 27th December 2008
St Joseph’s Hall, Omagh
Doors Open 7.30 pm – Show @ 8 pm

Tickets £12.50 available from :
Xclusive – 32 High Street, Omagh
8225 2150
Music Master, Foundry Lane, Omagh 8225 9225
St Joseph’s Hall, Omagh 0775 393 6701

Irish Singing Sensation

Tommy Fleming

St Joseph’s Hall, Omagh

Sunday 18th January 2009

Tickets now available from Top News, George Street, Omagh or from St Joseph’s Hall, telephone 07753 936 701.

Carol Service
The Annual Carol Service will take place on Sunday 21st December in the Sacred Heart Church at 6 pm. All parishioners are welcome.

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament

There will be Adoration every Friday in the Sacred Heart Church during Advent. It will begin after 10 am Mass and continue until the evening Mass.

Cleaners for Drumragh
The cleaners for Drumragh for the month of December are: Louise Kirwan, Betty Baxter, Christine McLaughlin and Breda Campbell.

Counters for December
Tommy Bradley, Michael Donnelly, John Doyle, Hubert Logue, Kevin McCrory, John McNally, John Meyler, Dominic Pinto, Seamus Sheridan, Leo Turbitt.

Collectors for December
6.00 pm – James A Devlin, Cathal Cullen, Aidan Lilly, Thomas McElroy, Colm McLaughlin, Pat McCanney; 8.30 am – Billy Henry, Gerry Broderick, Peter Haughey, Fursey Mullan; 9.45 am – Raymond McGoldrick, Patrick Devlin, John Rafferty, Eugene Turbett, John O’Neill, Sean Mullan, A.K. Kelly; 11 am - Robert Colton, Aidan Quinn, Pat McGartland, Kevin McCrory, James Murray; 12.30 pm – Sean McNamee, Francis Laird, Dermot O’Kane, Patrick Conway, Anthony Bradley, John Lagan.

Eucharistic Ministers for December
Vigil Mass – Mary-Ellen McSorley, Caroline Hannigan, Bro. Brian Monaghan, Brid McCavert; 8.30 am – Ann Byrne, Joanne McGread, Bernie Gormley; 9.45 am – Evelyn Heaney, Brian Byrne, Geraldine Quinn; 11 am – Willie Galbraith, Johanna Gallagher, Margaret McGlone, John McGread; 12.30 pm - Gerard Sharkey, Kathleen Winters, Mary Donaghy, Chrissie Kelly; 10 am Drumragh – Mary McGlone, Betty Baxter.