Sunday 26th July 2009

17th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Jesus said to Philip: ‘Where can we buy some food for these people to eat?’ In spite of all the riches of our world, countless people die each year of starvation. We can feel totally helpless in the face of this and as a result we ignore it. Generosity is one of the great virtues of our people over the generations and is one that we need to practice in a special way today. But there are other hungers that we can do even more about and Jesus is calling on us to attend to these also. One of the greatest human hungers is for love and affection. This may be in our own close relationships of marriage and family life. There is also the hunger in so many people in our community today for someone to look out for them. That is a must if we are to be a true community of faith in the parish.

Fr. Johnny Doherty, C.Ss.R.

The Trouble Tree

I hired a carpenter to help me restore an old farmhouse. He had just finished a rough first day on the job: a flat tyre made him lose an hour of work, the electric saw quit and now his ancient van refused to start. While I drove him home, he sat in stony silence. On arriving, he invited me to meet his family.

As we walked toward the front door, he paused briefly at a small tree, touching the tips of the branches with both hands.

When opening the door, he underwent an amazing transformation. His tanned face was wreathed in smiles and he hugged his two small children and gave his wife a kiss.

Afterwards he walked me to the car. We passed the tree and my curiosity got the better of me. I asked him about what I had seen him do earlier.

"Oh, that's my trouble tree," he replied. "I know I can't help having troubles on the job, but one thing's for sure, troubles don't belong in the house with my wife and the children. So I just hang them up on the tree every night when I come home. Then in the morning I pick them up again."

"Funny thing is," he smiled, "when I come out in the morning to pick ‘em up, there isn't nearly as many as I remember hanging up the night before."

Author Unknown

Words of Wisdom
“Remember, if you’re headed in the wrong direction, God allows U-turns!” ~ Allison Gappa Bottke

Saints of the Week
Week Beginning Sunday 19th July 2009

Wednesday 29 – St Martha
Thursday 30 – St Peter Chrysologus, bishop and doctor of the Church
Friday 31 – St Ignatius of Loyola, priest
Saturday 1 August – St Alphonsus Liguori, bishop and doctor of the Church

Prayer for Priests

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

Sunday 26th July – Fr Michael McEldowney
Monday 27th July – Fr Kevin McElhennon
Tuesday 28th July – For All Priests
Wednesday 29th July – Fr Dermot McGirr
Thursday 30th July – Fr James McGlinchey
Friday 31st July – Fr Brian McGoldrick
Saturday 1st August – Fr Neil McGoldrick

Organist Wanted

Organist required to play in the Sacred Heart Church for Saturday night mass at 6 pm. For further information, please contact Finola on 8225 0537 or 0773 154 0414; Anita on 079 2286 8732 or Siobhan on 0787 321 6778.

Eucharistic Ministers for August
Vigil Mass – Tony McBride, Brid McCavert, Louise Kirwan, Maura Cox, Catherine Mimnagh, Mary Ellen McSorley; 8.30 am – Sean Rodgers, Conrad Darcy, Sinead Slevin; 9.45 am – Peter McCormick, Seamus Sheridan, Shirley Norris, Maureen Miley; 11 am – Willie Galbraith, Johanna Gallagher, Marie Conway, John McGread, Jeanette Fox; 12.30 pm – Eugene McGrade, Mary McGrade, Tracy Nugent, Ann Pearson, Geraldine Quinn; 10 am Drumragh – Niall Colgan, Anita Hackett.

Collectors for August
6.00 pm – Michael Brogan, Liam Grugan, Eugene Duffy; 8.30 am – John Breslin, Gerard Turbitt, Patrick Slevin; 9.45 am – Hugh Ward, Eamon Campbell, Dan Campbell, JF Doyle, Eamon McClorey, Francis Bradley; 11 am – Michael McGirr, Dermot Groogan, Sean Lynam, Joe Mulryan, Jim Joe Campbell; 12.30 pm – Anthony Higgins, Francis McCrory, Thomas Logue.

Counters for August
Daniel Campbell, John Doherty, Kathleen Fox, John McGale, Marie McGirr, Eugene McGrade, Gerard McSorley, Mary Teague.

Omagh Charismatic Prayer Group

The Omagh Charismatic Prayer Group meets every Thursday in the Pastoral Centre, Brook Street at 8.15 pm. There is praise music and song and prayers of thanksgiving and intercession. All welcome to come and pray.

Pax Christi

Pax Christi are organising a Peace Academy Conference Retreat in Knock from 9th to 13th August 2009. It is to mark the 30th Anniversary of the visit of Pope John Paul II to Ireland and to endorse his repeated calls for a culture of peace. There will be a number of speakers in attendance, including Bishop Donal McKeown, Fr Alex Reid CSSR, Nuala O’Loan, Fr Brian O’Toole and Rev Ruth Patterson. For further information call 003531 496 5293 or email tdcl@paxchristi.ie

Words of Wisdom
“We worry about what a child will become tomorrow, yet we forget that he is someone today.” ~ Stacia Tauscher

Questions people ask

Q. I read your answer why the Church is against pre-marital relations. But is there any better way of preparing for eventual marriage than living together to find if the couple are compatible?

A. You seem to be blind to the fact that there is a much higher rate of break-up among couples who cohabited before marriage than among those who did not. It is very likely that couples who did not cohabit before marriage had stronger religious beliefs and developed a spirit of self-sacrifice in their relationship. These factors are hugely important in strengthening the bonds of a mature relationship.
Fr Silvester O’Flynn OFM Cap, Courtesy of Intercom Magazine
Email silvesteroflynn@gmail.com

National Grandparents Pilgrimage

Sunday 13th September 2009

Our Lady of Knock Shrine, Knock, Co. Mayo

Chief Celebrant: Cardinal Seán Brady, Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland
Guest Singers: Fr. Liam Lawton & Dana

Children's Prayer Appeal: Invitation to all Grandchildren to write a prayer for their Grandparents. All prayers will be blessed at the pilgrimage.

Choral singing by Mayo School of Music Youth Choir, Cill Aodáin Choral Society & Our Lady’s Choir, Castlebar

2.00pm - Anointing of the Sick with music and song

3.00pm - Pilgrimage Mass followed by Eucharistic Adoration

Email: info@nationalgrandparentspilgrimage.com

Youth 2000 Summer Festival

Clonmacnoise, Co Offaly
Thursday 13th August – Sunday 16th August 2009
Young People Aged 16 – 35

This is a lively 4 day festival with workshops, concert, inspiring talks, great music and prayer. And plenty of time for relaxing, chilling out and meeting new people! During the festival, you can get some spiritual R&R, meet other young Catholics in the same boat and give your faith a boost. It will take place near the ruins of Clonmacnoise, Co Offaly. There are FREE buses from various locations around the country. The theme for the festival is “Know that the Living God is with You" Jos 3:10. For more information call 0792 909 5820 or check the website www.youth2000.ie.

Summer Safety Tips

1. Never leave children unattended in or near the water. Use approved life vests, also known as personal flotation devices (PFDs), on boats, docks, and around deep or swift water.
2. Make sure children always wear a helmet and protective elbow and knee pads when riding a bicycle or scooter, Heeley’s, rollerblading or skateboarding.
3. Protect children from excessive exposure to sun -- especially from 12 noon. to 4 p.m. Use a sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 15 or higher.
4. Supervise children whenever they use play equipment such as making sure children stay clear of the front and back of swings while in use.
5. Keep children away from areas where any lawn mowers are being used.

6. Never allow children to ride on mowers.

7. Know the plants in your garden and teach your child not to pick or eat anything without first checking with an adult.
8 . Keep children from playing near barbecues and bonfires and always have water present when fire is involved. Only adults should use lighter fluid.
9.Strap children in a properly fitting seat belt, car seat or booster seat when travelling by car or aeroplane.
10.BE SAFE THIS SUMMER AND HAVE FUN!!

St Joseph’s Hall

Timetable of Events

Tue 9.00pm - Bingo - Jackpot £1000
Wed 10.00-12.30pm - Weightwatchers

All other classes and weekly events have now finished for the summer period.

Omagh Independent Advice Centre
Omagh Independent Advice Centre offers a free and confidential advice service to anyone in financial difficulty on all aspects of debt or any associated financial problem. If you would like to speak to someone about your financial difficulties, please contact Michele on 028 8224 3252.