Sunday 27th July 2008

The 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time

The Treasure We Have Found

“The farmer sells everything he owns and buys the field.” In the Gospel reading of this Sunday, Jesus is calling on us to look at our priorities and set them straight. And that’s easier said than done! How do we know what our priorities are? The first test is what we spend our time at. If, for example, a couple want to make their marriage a priority, each one must be willing to invest time in their relationship. This time needs to be regular, good, creative time. Many couples do not give that time to each other. The same is true of family life. Time is the first and greatest gift of parents to their children. The second test of priorities is what we are passionate about. There are many sports widows in our country because this is what so many men are passionate about rather than their sacred commitments to marriage and family life. We can also look at this in relation to our faith commitment and the time and energy we give to those with whom we worship God.

Fr. Johnny Doherty, C.Ss.R.

Words of Wisdom
“If you have love in your life it can make up for a great many things you lack. If you don't have it, no matter what else there is, it's not enough.”
Ann Landers

Heavenly Rewards

A minister dies and is waiting in line at the Pearly Gates. Ahead of him is a guy who’s dressed in sunglasses, a loud shirt, leather jacket, and jeans. Saint Peter addresses this guy, “Who are you, so that I may know whether or not to admit you to the Kingdom of Heaven?” The guy replies, “I’m Joe Cohen, taxi-driver, of Noo Yawk City.” Saint Peter consults his list. He smiles and says to the taxi-driver, “Take this silken robe and golden staff and enter the Kingdom of Heaven.” The taxi-driver goes into Heaven with his robe and staff, and it’s the minister’s turn. He stands erect and booms out, “I am Joseph Snow, pastor of Saint Mary’s for the last forty-three years.” Saint Peter consults his list. He says to the minister, “Take this cotton robe and wooden staff and enter the Kingdom of Heaven.” “Just a minute,” says the minister. “That man was a taxi-driver and he gets a silken robe and golden staff. How can this be?” “Up here, we work by results,” says Saint Peter. “While you preached, people slept; while he drove, people prayed.”

Week beginning Sunday 27th July

This Week’s Saints

Tuesday 29 - St Martha, sister of Lazarus and Mary.

Wednesday 30 - St Peter Chrysologus, bishop and doctor of the Church.

Thursday 31 - St Ignatius of Loyola, priest.

Friday, 1 August - St Alphonsus Ligouri, bishop and doctor of the Church.

Saturday 2 - St Peter Julian Eymard, priest.

Recent Deaths

We pray for the family of the following who died recently:

Aidan McPeake May he rest in peace.

Mass Intentions - Sacred Heart Church 7.30 pm

Tuesday Harry Scully – 1st Anniversary

Friday Kathleen Coll – 1st Anniversary

Weddings

We congratulate the following couples who were married here recently:

Claire Chesters & Gavin Gallagher

Cathy Donaghy & David Burns

Claire Campbell & Patrick Given

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

First Friday Devotions

Friday is the First Friday of the month. Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament will be in the Sacred Heart Church from after 10 am Mass until 7.15 pm.

Visitation of the Sick & Housebound

Monsignor Donnelly will visit the sick and housebound in his areas on Thursday and Friday evening of this week. (Please note those usually visited by Monsignor on Tuesday evening will be attended on Thursday evening. He will visit Hillbank Fold as normal on Friday evening.) Fr Mc Devitt will visit his areas on Monday and Tuesday of this week. Fr Canning will visit the Derry Road, Brookmount Road and Castle Street areas on Thursday 7th August. He will visit the country areas on Monday 11th August.

Questions people ask

Q. Jesus had many parables about the kingdom of heaven. Do these parables refer to the next life or to present reality?

A. At the beginning of his preaching Jesus announced that his mission in this world would be about the kingdom or reign of God. Its perfection would be in the next life but its growth would begin in this life. The kingdom on earth means what life would be like if everybody lived according to the ideals of the gospel. A beautiful prospect indeed, involving repentance and believing. Jesus said it is a treasure waiting to be discovered, a precious pearl to be sought by every means at our disposal.

Fr Silvester OFlynn OFM Cap, Courtesy of Intercom Magazine

Eucharistic Ministers for August

Vigil Mass – Gerald McCarney, Jim Toal, Marian McGale, Kathleen Fox, Donna Shields, Claire Murray ;

8.30 am – John O’Neill, Fionnuala Quinn, Joan Conaghan;

9.45 am – Dominic Pinto, Gerry McLaughlin, Margaret Rafferty, Kevin O’Gara;11 am – Willie Galbraith, Johanna Gallagher, Margaret McGlone, John McGread;

12.30 pm - Eugene McGrade, Mary McGrade, Tracy Nugent, Ann Pearson, Charlie Colton; 10 am Drumragh – Helen Barrett, Teresa Colton.

Collectors for August

6.00 pm – Eugene Duffy, Joe O’Donnell, Liam Grugan, Michael Brogan;

8.30 am – Gerard Turbitt, Liam Nugent, Michael Gilheaney, Patrick Slevin, John Breslin;

9.45 am –  Eamon McClorey, Michael Colton, Liam McGrath, Thomas McGuigan, J F Doyle, Eamon Campbell, Dan Campbell, Hugh Ward, Francis Bradley;

11 am – Leo Quinn, Dermot Groogan, Sean Lynam, Joseph Mulryan, Michael McGirr, Jim Joe Campbell, 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.

Pioneer Pin
There has been a Pioneer Pin found in the Sacred Heart Church recently. The owner can contact 8224 2921 for details.

Money Found
There was a sum of money found outside the Sacred Heart Church recently. Please call 0781 800 3549 for more information.

Words of Wisdom
“In case you're worried about what's going to become of the younger generation, it's going to grow up and start worrying about the younger generation.”
Roger Allen

Sperrins Walking Festival

Friday 1st – Sunday 3rd August 2008
Enjoy A Weekend of Challenging, Moderate & Family Walks
Unwind in the Evening With Entertainment on Friday & Saturday Night
Visit www.sperrinstourism.com

Guided Family Walks @ Sperrins Walking Festival

1st – 3rd August
Come along and join in the fun with our Red Squirrel & Blue Eyed Grass
Friday 1st August – An Creagán Storybook & Biodiversity Trail – 11 am
Saturday 2nd August – An Creagán Forest & River Trail – 11 am
Sunday 3rd August – An Creagán Forest & River Trail – 11 am
Registration at An Creagán Visitor Centre each day.
All walks are free and suitable for prams and buggies on forest tracks and gravel paths.

Log on to www.sperrinstourism.com

Clonmacnoise Summer Youth Festival

14th – 17th August 2008

This is a festival for young people, aged 16 – 35. The weekend will include inspiring talks, dramas, a concert, prayer, Mass, games and times of sharing. This year we are very excited to have it beside the monastic ruins of Clonmacnoise, particularly because Pope John Paul II requested “pilgrimages of faith” there after his visit in 1979. It promises to be a great opportunity for young people from all around Ireland to explore their Catholic faith, meet new friends and have some craic! This is a donation-only retreat. Free buses are available throughout the country – just bring a sleeping bag and a pair of wellies! (Over 18s may like to bring their own tent). For more information contact 003531-6753690 or log onto www.youth2000.ie or xx-youth2000-xx.bebo.com.

Knock Trip

The Omagh Unit of the Order of Malta Ambulance Corps will hold their annual pilgrimage to Knock on Sunday 31st August 2008. The Order offers specialist assistance with the sick and disabled travelling on this pilgrimage. All enquiries to Mary McMenamin (Nursing Officer) on 07732328834.

N.I. Blood Transfusion Service

The next blood donation sessions will be held in Omagh College on the following dates:

Monday 4th August – 1.30 pm – 4 pm & 5.30 pm – 8 pm

Tuesday 5th August - 1.30 pm – 4 pm & 5.30 pm – 8 pm

Wednesday 6th August - 1.30 pm – 4 pm & 5.30 pm – 8 pm

In order to maintain the vital supply of blood to our hospitals, the Blood Transfusion Service need the support, not only of existing donors, but also of new donors. Please come along – you could save a life!

St Joseph’s Hall

The hall has now closed for the summer months. All activities are over except Bingo on Tuesday nights. Details of the resumption of the various clubs and classes will appear at the end of the summer.

Parish Draw Winners July 2008

£2,000 Marie McKernan, 8 Ashbourne Close. Promoter – Louise Kirwan
£1,000 John O’Hagan, 4 Harmony Heights. Promoter – John O’Hagan
£500 Roma Barry, c/o Promoter. Promoter – Elizabeth Broderick
£250 Tony Brogan, 2 Ardmore Avenue. Promoter – Kathleen Brogan
£100 Gemma McGuigan, Old Dromore Road. Promoter – Kevin Mullan
£100 Cathal Gormley, 129 Clanabogan Road. Promoter – Elizabeth Broderick
£100 Dympna McKay, 24 Sperrin View. Promoter – Raymond McNally
£100 John McDonnell, 72 Brookmount Road. Promoter – Gerry Starrs
£100 Emily O’Neill, 14 Ardmore Heights. Promoter – Joanne McGread
£100 Naoiscoil na gCrann. Promoter – Brian McKenna
£100 – Lily McCrory, 7 Fairmount Road. Promoter – Tommy Sharkey
£100 – Gerry Kirk, 70 Culmore Park. Promoter – Rose Kirk
£100 – Yvonne Treacy, Ardmore Crescent. Promoter – Mary McGlone
£100 – Mrs M Early, 33 Gortmore Park. Promoter – Victor Caldwell
Promoters’ £100 Prize – Joe Mulryan, 12 Clontarf Drive
Please Note: The next draw will take place on Tuesday 5th August 2008.

Colmcille Pilgrimages ’
Pilgrimage to the Holy Land
Includes:
Egypt [the Pyramids]
Greece [Athens and Corinth]
Turkey [Ephesus]
In the footsteps of St. Paul.
Nine days beginning 6th March 2009
What is so special about this pilgrimage?
It will take the form of a cruise between these different ports.
We have been allocated 30 places which will go very quickly
Please book as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
Price £1145
Phone or text Margaret @ 07732468511
Or email:paddyokane@tiscali.co.uk

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 in the Advice Centre on 028 82243252.