Sunday 28th February 2010

2nd Sunday in Lent

Peter said to Jesus: “Master, it is wonderful for us to be here”. As we gather for Mass this Sunday, how many of us can say those words of Peter from our hearts? And yet we have a right to be able to say them. Unfortunately for so many Catholics, Mass has become a burden rather than a joy and a source of enthusiasm and energy. We need to help each other to gain that grace. And as we return home from Mass this Sunday, how many of us can say those words of Peter in relation to our family life? At best, so many can only say it is not bad, it is ok. But can we say it is wonderful? And yet we have a right to be able to say that. It takes a lot of working at the relationships in our home, the relationships of marriage, of family, of neighbourliness, to make those words possible and to ring true. But it is in those two places that the practice of faith takes place.

Fr. Johnny Doherty, C.Ss.R.

Is Your Hut Burning?

The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small, uninhabited island.

He prayed feverishly for God to rescue him, and every day he scanned the horizon for help, but none seemed forthcoming. Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut out of driftwood to protect him from the elements, and to store his few possessions.

Then one day, after scavenging for food, he arrived home to find his little hut in flames, the smoke rolling up to the sky. The worst had happened; everything was lost. He was stunned with grief and anger.

"God, how could you do this to me?!" he cried.

Early the next day, however, he was awakened by the sound of a ship that was approaching the island. It had come to rescue him.

"How did you know I was here?" asked the weary man of his rescuers. "We saw your smoke signal," they replied.

It is easy to get discouraged when things are going bad. But we shouldn't lose heart, because God is at work in our lives, even in the midst of pain and suffering.

Remember, the next time your little hut is burning to the ground - it just may be a smoke signal that summons the Grace of God.

Saints of the Week

Week Beginning Sunday 28th February 2010

Monday 1 March – St David, bishop
Thursday 4 - St Casimir
Friday 5 – St Kieran, bishop

Baptisms

Aoibhín Kathleen Dolan, 21 Creevan Road
Katie Laura Ann Duncan, 35 Glenside
Niamh Clare Corrigan, 14 Coolnagard Avenue

Recent Deaths

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

Agnes Baxter

Sharon Daly

Josephine O’Brien

May they rest in peace.

Prayer for Priests

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

Sunday 28th February – Bishop Séamus Hegarty
Monday 1st March – Fr John Irwin
Tuesday 2nd March – Fr Charles Keaney
Wednesday 3rd March – Fr Stephen Kearney
Thursday 4th March – For All Priests
Friday 5th March – Fr Michael Keaveny
Saturday 6th March – Fr Seamus Kelly

St Joseph’s Young Priests’ Society
The next meeting of the above society will take place in the Pastoral Centre after 10 am Mass on Monday 1st March.

Women’s World Day of Prayer
Women’s World Day of Prayer will be held in the Sacred Heart Church on Friday 5th March at 8.15 pm. The speaker is Miss Audrey Hodge.

Cleaners for Drumragh
The cleaners for St Mary’s Church, Drumragh for the month of March are Betty Baxter, Christine McLaughlin and Sharon Murphy.

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.

Adoration
There will be Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament every Friday in Lent in the Sacred Heart from 10.30 am to 7.15 pm.

Visitation of the Sick
Monsignor Donnelly will be visiting the sick on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday of this week. Fr Canning’s sick will be attended in the country areas and Castle Street on Monday 1st March. The sick in the Brookmount Road and Hunter Crescent areas will be attended on Friday 5th March. Fr Mc Devitt will visit the sick on Monday and Tuesday of this week.

Service of Light
There will be a Service of Light for the Year 7 children who are due to make their Confirmation next month. All pupils and their parents are invited to the Sacred Heart Church on Wednesday 3rd March for the service, which begins at 7.30 pm.

Parish Draw
The next Parish Draw will take place on Tuesday 2nd March after the Bingo in St Joseph’s Hall. All promoters are asked to bring their returns to the Hall at the usual times.

Lenten Stations
There will be a Station Mass in the Tattysallagh Upper area on Friday 19th March at 7.30 pm in the home of Geraldine McCarney, 15 O’Brien Park.

IHCPT
We would like to thank all those who contributed to the last weekend’s collection for IHCPT Omagh. The collection raised an amazing total of £3452.89 and €73.23. The group appreciates your kind generosity.

Change of Mass Times
On Monday 8th, Tuesday 9th and Wednesday 10th March the Year 4 children in the Parish will be making their First Confession in the Sacred Heart Church. Consequently, the time of the Evening Mass will be changed from 7.30 pm to 7.00 pm for these three evenings. First Confession Times :

Monday 8th March 2010 – St Colmcille’s P.S.

Tuesday 9th March 2010 – Loreto P.S.

Wednesday 10th March 2010 – St Conor’s P.S.

On Thursday 11th March 2010 – All Saint’s P.S. / Sacred Heart P.S. / Integrated P.S. First Confessions will be in St Mary’s Church, Drumragh at 7 pm.

Life to the Full
What are your plans for this Lent: fasting, prayer or almsgiving? Why not nourish yourself more on God’s Word? Come along to the Pastoral Centre, Omagh each Monday of Lent and listen to the ‘Life to the Full’ DVD. The series continues on Monday 1st March from 10.30 am to 12 noon. This session is entitled:
2. The Father’s Promises.
Why not come along and discover how the Word of God can be a daily help? Refreshments are provided at each session.

Spred / Faith & Light
On Sunday 7th March we will celebrate 25 years in Omagh of SPRED and Faith & Light. These groups promote the spiritual development and inclusion of those with disabilities in parish life. Mass will be celebrated in the Sacred Heart Church at 2.30 pm by Bishop Brendan Kelly, Achonry, Monsignor Donnelly and past and present chaplains. A warm welcome is extended to parishioners and especially to families who have a son or daughter with special needs. It will be a joyful day. A Church Gate collection will take place at all Masses on 6th/7th March.

Readers for March
6 pm – Danielle Thornton; 8.30 am – Michelle Rafferty; 9.45 am – Cathal Murray; 11 am – Mary Haughey; 12.30 pm – Michael Donnelly.

Eucharistic Ministers for March
Vigil Mass – Gerry Harte, Geraldine Colton, Bridget McGarvey, Anne McCaffrey, Marie Gallagher; 8.30 am – Ann Mullan, Angela Lalsingh, Margaret Haigney; 9.45 am – Marie Conway, Ann Byrne, Brian Byrne, Evelyn Heaney; 11 am – Gerald McCarney, Regina Gormley, Kathleen McMahon, Geralyn McCusker, Siobhán Taggart; 12.30 pm – Kathleen Winters, Mary Donaghy, Gerard Sharkey, Chrissie Kelly; 10 am Drumragh – Mary McGlone, Betty Baxter.

Counters for March
Tommy Bradley, Michael Donnelly, John Doyle, Hubert Logue, Dessie McClements, Kevin McCrory, John Meyler, Seamus Sheridan, Leo Turbett.

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

West Tyrone Feis
The Traditional Music Competitions will be held on Sunday 18th April this year.

St. Colmcille’s P.S. Omagh

Proudly Presents “SIMBA”

St. Joseph’s Hall, Omagh
Saturday 27th February@ 7.30 pm
Sunday 28th February @ 6 pm
Some tickets remaining - pay at door.

Derry Diocesan Society

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

Angela Gormley
Evelyn Graham, 95 Tamlaght Road
Margaret McCanney, 11 Clanabogan Road
June McCanny, 2 Cannondale
John McCarroll, Eskra

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

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

Omagh St Enda’s GAC
Bingo continues at Healy Park every Thursday with £4,000 in prize money every week. BIG MONSTER EASTER BINGO will return to Healy Park on Thursday 11th March with £7,000 in prize money. The lotto jackpot remains at £5,000.

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. A telephone helpline will be in operation on Monday and Wednesday night from 7pm – 9pm to aid those struggling with debt. Call 028 8224 3252.

Derry Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes

16th – 21st July 2010

Application forms are available for any young person aged 14-15 who would like a place on the Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes. Special arrangements are made for the youth who will be lead by the Pilgrimage Youth Team. For further information contact The Pilgrimage Office, 164 Bishop Street, Derry, telephone 7135 1233.

St Joseph’s Hall

Timetable of Events

Mon 10.30 am Coffee Morning
6.00 pm Iyengar Yoga
7.00 pm Aerobics
Tue 3.00 pm St Colmcille’s Club
9.00pm - Bingo - Jackpot £1000
Wed 10.00-12.30pm - Weightwatchers
5.45 – 7.45 - Baxter School of Dancing
8.00 pm Ladies’ Club
Thur 4.30 pm O’Neill’s School of Ballet Dancing
7.30 pm Bowls
8.00 pm Line Dancing
Sat 1.45 - 5 pm Groogan O’Doherty School of Dancing
Hall Caretaker: 07753 936 701