Sunday 24th August 2008

The 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time

On this Rock I will build my Church

“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” This is the core of our faith as followers of Christ. A way of restating this is that Christ is the one above all others who can teach us the fullness of human life. And he teaches us that the only way to full human living is to love God with our whole heart and to love our neighbour as ourselves. Married couples are the great prophets of this way, as love is at the core of their existence. But this love has to be worked at every day. Love does not just mean how we feel but how we choose what is best for each other and for the marriage relationship. These choices have to be made every day and often during many days. The same is true within family life. As we acknowledge the family as the Domestic Church, we know that love is at the centre of it. And certainly if we are to build the parish as a community of faith these decisions to love, to make Christ present, are essential.

Fr. Johnny Doherty, C.Ss.R.

Words of Wisdom
Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal. ~ From a gravestone in Ireland

Have you ever watched kids on a merry-go-round.

Or listened to the rain slapping on the ground?
Ever followed a butterfly’s erratic flight?

Or gazed at the sun into the fading night?
You’d better slow down, Don’t dance so fast
Time is short, The music won’t last.
Do you run through each day?
When you ask, “How are you?” Do you hear the reply?
When the day is done, Do you lie in your bed
With the next hundred chores running through your head?
You’d better slow down, Don’t dance so fast
Time is short, The music won’t last.
Ever told your child, We’ll do it tomorrow.

And in your haste, not see his sorrow?
Ever lost touch, Let a good friendship die?

Because you never had time to call and say “Hi”?
You’d better slow down, Don’t dance so fast
Time is short, The music won’t last.
When you run so fast to get somewhere,

You miss half the fun of getting there.
When you worry and hurry through your day,

It is like an unopened gift.... Thrown away...
Life is not a race. Do take it slower.
Hear the music, Before the song is over.
David L. Weatherford

Week beginning Sunday 24th August

This Week’s Saints

Monday 25 - St Louis of France.

Wednesday 27 - St Monica, patron saint of mothers.

Thursday 28 - St Augustine, bishop and doctor of the Church.

Friday 29 - The Beheading of John the Baptist, martyr.

Saturday 30 - St Fiacre, monk.

Baptisms
Roisin Therese MacDonald, 24 Lammy Drive

Weddings
We congratulate the following couples who married here recently:

Denise McGartland & Eamon Duffy
Siobhán Darcy & Sean O’Neill

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

Hike to Croagh Padraig

Do you fancy a trip to Westport, Co. Mayo, combined with a hike on one of Ireland’s famous mountains, ‘Croagh Padraig’? The trip will on Saturday 13th September for those aged 16 – 35 and it will cost approximately £35. This fee will include transport from Derry, a guide and dinner in a hotel in Westport. You are invited to take part and join other young people for this day trip. For further details or to book, please contact 028 7126 4087 or email ddcc@derrydiocese.org. Places are limited so please book early.

Parish Representatives Needed

We are still appealing for more Parish Representatives to help with the distribution of envelopes next year in the following areas:

Bracken Road / Ballygowans
Castle Street / Castle Place
Coolnagard – Avenue / Court / Heights / Flats / Meadow / Mews / Rise / Way
Crotty Road / Drum Road / Drumconnelly Road
Drumannon – Grove / Rise / View
Gortmore Home
Gortrush Park
Hunter Crescent
Lambrook Heights
Rylands Cottages / Tamlaght Mews

If you are interested, please contact the Parish Office and leave your name, teleohpone number, and the area most suitable for you. Your help will be very much appreciated.

Derry Diocesan Society

The following names have been added to the list of Deceased Members of the Derry Diocesan Society:

Maureen Gould, 23 Centenary Park
Eileen Brogan, Sligo
Frank McCrory, 3 Thornville Park
Rosaleen Grogan, 117 Brookmount Road
Laurence Broderick, McIvor Villas,
Barry Callaghan
Kevin Callaghan
Mary O’Kane, Draperstown
Kevin Devlin, Kiltamnagh
Jackie Gribben, Rathbeg, Cookstown

That these and all who sleep in Christ find in your presence, light, happiness and peace.

St. Colmcille’s Primary School

St. Colmcilles’s Primary School, Brook Street, Omagh will re-open for the start of the new term on Monday 1st September 2008.

All Saint’s P.S. Tattysallagh

The school reopens for all pupils on Monday 1st September 2008.

Ulster Project

There will be a Service of Thanksgiving in St Mary’s Church, Knockmoyle on Sunday 7th September at 3 pm. Current and past participants and friends of the project are all welcome.

Thinking About Your Future?

Why not consider a Post 16 course at
Sacred Heart College Omagh?
Courses on offer include:
‘A’ LEVEL COURSES
DOUBLE AWARD COURSES IN APPLIED SUBJECTS
SINGLE AWARD COURSES IN APPLIED SUBJECTS
BTEC COURSES
COPE AND ESSENTIAL SKILLS
Further details may be obtained from:
The Principal - Mr. D McDermott
Head of Post 16 - Mrs. J O’Neill
Telephone: 028 8224 2717 for further information or to make an appointment.

Clanabogan Drama Circle
A.G.M.
Monday 8th September@ 8 pm
St Eugene’s Hall, Clanabogan

Charity Dance in I.N.F. Hall, Omagh
Friday 29th August @ 10.30 – Late
Music by Larry & Co. - All Proceeds in Aid of Romania Project (Chantelle McAleer, Sacred Heart College) - Admission £5 payable at door

Groogan O’Doherty School of Dancing
Classes recommence as follows:
Saturday 6th September
11 am – Dun Uladh Centre
1.45 pm – St Joseph’s Hall

SPUC has asked everyone in Northern Ireland to write to the Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, urging him to prevent Labour MPs from extending the Abortion Act. It is vital that we take a public stand as it is impossible to over estimate the threat we face. For more information call SPUC’s Belfast Office on 028 9077 8018.

Drumragh Sarsfields G.A.C.

Saturday 30th August

Barbecue & Dance @ Clanabogan Pitch
Food Served from 8.30 pm in Marquee

Dancing to Broken Silence

Summer Draw takes place – Prizes are £2000, £1000, £500 and £100 X 5

Sunday 31st August
Family Fun Day

Last chance for fun and amusements before returning to school!
Bouncy Castle / Pony Rides / Tractor Rides / Penalty kick / Fancy Dress / Face Painting / Cake Stall / Book Stall
Camphill Cards & Candles and much more ….

Please come and enjoy this Family day out and at the same time support your local football club.

One Day Retreats

Places are still available on the following days:

August – 24, 25, 26, 27 & 31
September – 1, 2, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17, 20, 21, 22 & 23

Cost €27

Family Day – 30th August

Cost: Adults €20 / Children €10

Reservations are essential for One Day Retreats & Family Day
For bookings or further information contact The Lough Derg Office, Pettigo, Co Donegal. Tel/Fax (00353) 71 9861518 or email info@loughderg.org

Hope in Today's World

Two Day Retreat on the papal encyclical "Christian Hope"

by Fr. Didier Marie, Brother of St. John.
27th – 28th August at Termonbacca.

Wednesday: Mass at 10am; Talks at 11:30am, 3pm, 8pm.

Thursday: Mass at 10am; Talks at 11:30, 2:30, 4pm.

Those who are unable to attend the whole day are invited to come when they can. Meals and overnight accommodation are available by booking. Please call the Sisters of St. John on 7135-3414 by Friday 22nd or Sunday 24th at the latest.