Sunday 28th March 2010

Palm Sunday of our Lord's Passion

The week ahead, known to us as Holy Week, is the most important time of the whole year for us as Christians to grow in a knowledge of what our faith is about. Unfortunately it has increasingly become a time of heading to the sun for so many people. During this week we are put in touch with the reality of Christ’s death on the Cross for us and the wonderful knowledge of his Resurrection from the dead. We are also put in touch with the reality of the human condition that can change so quickly from enthusiasm to hatred as on Palm/Passion Sunday or from love to cowardice as on Holy Thursday. Thursday, Friday and Saturday are particularly important for us to give time to prayer and reflection that are provided for in the various liturgies. The Church is greatly weakened when people don’t give this time. Will you?

Fr. Johnny Doherty, C.Ss.R.

Pastoral Letter of the

Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI

to the Catholics of Ireland

1. DEAR BROTHERS AND SISTERS OF THE CHURCH IN IRELAND, it is with great concern that I write to you as Pastor of the universal Church. Like yourselves, I have been deeply disturbed by the information which has come to light regarding the abuse of children and vulnerable young people by members of the Church in Ireland, particularly by priests and religious. I can only share in the dismay and the sense of betrayal that so many of you have experienced on learning of these sinful and criminal acts and the way Church authorities in Ireland dealt with them ...click to read more

One Question: Many Answers

Seventy-five years ago, a man named Asibi, a West African native, was stricken with the deadly disease, Yellow Fever. Somehow Asibi lived. It seemed that his body had developed the antibodies from which to begin a successful vaccine. Today’s efficient vaccination against Yellow Fever that has saved countless lives, can be traced back to one original blood sample, that of Asibi.

As we begin Holy Week, we honour one whose blood saved us and millions of others. Nearly 2,000 years since Calvary we recall, in word and ritual, the love, suffering, dying and rising of our Saviour.
Today sets the stage. The cast gathers. We begin with adulation and hosannas as Jesus enters Jerusalem, moving to abandonment on Good Friday. Success has many fathers, but defeat is an orphan.

Today is a day for crowds around Jesus. They include fickle admirers, hostile scribes and Pharisees, soon-deserting disciples, plotters and schemers. All had expectations or accusations of Jesus. The only impartial participant on that first Palm Sunday was the donkey. The question is asked ‘Who is this?’ At least this week helps us to see what answer we can give to that question, and what role we shall play.

Tom Cox

Sacred Heart Church - Mass Intentions 7.30 pm

Monday Michael Hunter – Month’s Mind

Tues day Sean McKenna – Month’s Mind

Baptisms

Jasmine Rose Kate Guy. 56 Derrynaseer Road, Dromore
Conor Csaba Sloan, 52 Gortmore Park
Dallan Reuben Brennan, 50 Kansas Avenue, Belfast
Eimiley Bridget Darcy, 15 Letfern Road

Recent Deaths

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

Elizabeth (Lily) McCrory

Agnes Gilmartin

May they rest in peace.

Mr Seamus Kerrigan RIP
A Special Mass will be held to celebrate the life and contribution made to the people of Omagh and surrounding districts, by the late Mr Seamus Kerrigan, ‘The Master’. Mass will take place on Sunday 11th April at 3.00pm in the Sacred Heart Church, followed by a social evening immediately after in St Joseph’s Hall Omagh. All are welcome.

Prayer for Priests

Sunday 28th March – Fr James McGrory
Monday 29th March – For All Priests
Tuesday 30th March – Fr Edward McGuinness
Wednesday 31st March – Fr Kevin McKenna
Thursday 1st April – For All Priests
Friday 2nd April – Fr Con McLaughlin
Saturday 3rd April – Fr George McLaughlin

Eucharistic Ministers for April
Vigil Mass – Tony McBride, Brid McCavert, Louise Kirwan, Maura Cox, Catherine Mimnagh, Mary Ellen McSorley; 8.30 am – Jim McGread, Joanna McElholm, Paula Slevin; 9.45 am – Dominic Pinto, Gerry McLaughlin, Margaret Rafferty, Kevin O’Gara; 11 am – Willie Galbraith, Johanna Gallagher, Marie Conway, John McGread, Jeanette Fox; 12.30 pm – Sonya McDermott, Mary Campbell, Liz Doran, Michelle Lagan, Charles Colton; 10 am Drumragh – Helen Barrett, Teresa Colton.

Readers for April
6 pm – Kerry Sharkey; 8.30 am – Patrick Slevin; 9.45 am – Marie Conway; 11 am – John Magennis; 12.30 pm – Gerard McDonagh.

Collectors for April
6.00 pm – Malachy Treanor, Thomas Logue, John Rafferty; 8.30 am – Phil McGovern, Linus Nugent, Patrick Cleary; 9.45 am – Liam McGrath, Tony Brogan, Eamon Prunty, Seamus Sheridan, Dr Pat O’Neill, Paddy McGowan; 11 am – James Murray, Thomas Bradley, Eamon McClorey; 12.30 pm – Eugene McGrade, Tony McGarvey, Kevin Gallagher, Anthony Higgins, Patrick Gallagher.

Counters for April
Peter Davies, Gerard Haughey, Dermott McCann, J McDonnell, Patrick McMahon.

Penitential Service

The Lenten Penitential Service will take place on Monday 29th March in the Sacred Heart Church. Confessions will be immediately after the 7.30 pm Mass. There will be several priests hearing confessions and we ask as many parishioners as possible to attend.

Attention All Parish Representatives

Parish envelopes for 2010/2011 which start on 11th April are now available for collection. Representatives may collect them from the Parish Office from Monday 29th March until Wednesday 31st March between 9.30 am and 2 pm. We would like as many representatives as possible to collect envelopes during the above times as the Parish Office will be closed on Monday & Tuesday of the following week.

Visitation of the Sick

Monsignor Donnelly will visit the sick on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of this week. Fr Canning’s sick will be attended in the country areas on Monday 12th April. The sick in the Brookmount Road area and Hunter Crescent will be attended on Thursday 15th April. Fr McDevitt will visit the sick on Monday and Tuesday of this week.

Omagh Waterford Peace Choir

Omagh Waterford Peace Choir will be singing as part of a Taize Service in the Sacred Heart Church, Omagh on Wednesday 31st March at 8pm. There is no admission fee and everyone is welcome.

Sacrament of Confirmation 2010

Congratulations to our young people who received the Sacrament of Confirmation this weekend.

We will remember them in our prayers.

Parish Draw

Please note the change in date of the next Parish Draw.

It will now take place on Tuesday 13th April.

Divine Mercy Mass

There will be a Divine Mercy Mass on Sunday 11th April at 3 pm in St Mary’s Church, Killyclogher.

All welcome.

Haiti – Peru Appeal
The organisers of the recent clothing collection for Peru and Haiti at St. Joseph’s Hall wish to thank the Hall committee, all who contributed to the appeal and those who helped in any way. The container has left Carrickmore during the past week.

Sr Anna and the other Sisters of Nazareth have written to thank the parishioners of Drumragh for their generous contributions to the recent collection. The total raised was £2755 and they tell us this will go to upgrade the residents’ facilities.

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 every Thursday at 9 pm in Healy Park with £4,000 in prize money, including the usual £1,000 house and two £500 houses. The lotto jackpot is now £5,000.

Omagh Independent Advice Centre
We offer a free and confidential advice service to anyone in financial difficulty. If you would like to speak to someone about your financial difficulties, please contact Michele in the Advice Centre on 028 8224 3252. N.B: 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.