The Pope’s Intentions for May
General: That, following the example of the Virgin Mary, all Christians should allow themselves to be guided by the word of God and always remain attentive to the signs of the Lord in his own life.
Missionary: That in Mission territories there may be no lack of good and enlightened teachers in the major Seminaries and in the Institutes of consecrated life.

Questions people ask

Q. Is there such a thing as a vocation from God? Or is it just your own desire or a form of self-suggestion or even a delusion?
A. There are many examples in Scripture of people receiving a call from God to undertake some special mission. The clearest example is the call of the apostles. A calling to some specific mission such as priesthood needs careful discerning with the help of somebody experienced in the spiritual life. Of course, everyone who has been anointed in the oil of chrism at baptism has been called to a mission to be an active apostle for Christ in the world.

Another Angle - Counting sheep
The notion of unity in diversity is quite popular today – at least as a slogan. The new Ireland may well be one of many nationalities, but in real terms we are struggling to make out of this cultural mix – one people. Let’s be honest, while Irish people are generally quite friendly, we are extraordinarily clannish and slow to admit people into our circle of friends. We all tend to associate with people with whom we share racial, cultural, economic and religious characteristics and values.

It’s just as well then that Paul and Barnabas had no Hibernian genes. They move the fledgling church into the realm of the Gentiles, not without opposition and struggle mind you. But it’s mission accomplished with an innumerable multitude impossible to count [second reading].

The Good Shepherd of the Gospel has an interesting flock. We have genuine differences but these are only distinctions not separations. They add to the color and texture of the community of believers; they do not alienate or marginalise. There is no dominant or superior group in this flock. We are all God’s people, ‘the flock he tends.’ From our limited knowledge of sheep, we may know that they smell, stray and are often parasite-ridden. Which only goes to show what an extraordinary love and care Jesus has for us. Something to literally baaaaa-sk in!

Fr Tom Cox, Courtesy of Intercom Magazine

Saints of the Day
Thursday, 3 May – Ss Philip and James, Apostles

Ss Philip and James, Apostles • 3 May
Philip asks to see and, having seen, he tells the Good News to others. He was born at Bethsaida. Formerly a disciple of John the Baptist, he became a follower of Christ. James was the son of Alphaeus and a cousin of the Lord, ruled the Church at Jerusalem, wrote an Epistle, and led a life of penance. He converted many of the people of Jerusalem to the faith and was martyred in the year 62.

Please Note: Baptisms to take place on Sunday’s the 13th, 20th, 27th May will be later than usual. They will take place at 3.00pm. This is due to the Primary four Children from the local Schools receiving their First Holy Communion at the 12.30pm Mass.

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
Monsignor Donnelly will visit the sick on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday of this week.
Fr Farren will visit the sick on Monday and Tuesday of this week.
Fr Canning will visit the Sick on the Brookmount Road on Monday, the Tamlaght Road area on Thursday and the Derry Road area on Friday of this week.

Mass Intentions - Sacred Heart Church 7.30 Mass

Monday 30 – Mary McGaughey – 1st Anniversary
Tuesday 1 May – James McGale– 1st Anniversary
Wednesday 2 May – Joan McBride – Month’s Mind
Thursday 3 May – John Wilson - Month’s Mind
Friday 4 May– Brendan McCusker– 1st Anniversary

Baptisms

Jason John Harkin – 3 Mulmona Road, Omagh
Eoghan Joe McKenna – 9 Glenview Drive, Newtownabbey

Weddings

Two become one in a life long commitment to each other. We sincerely congratulate

who were married recently.
May the grace of the sacrament remain with them throughout their lives.

Words of Wisdom…..
I am a little pencil in the hand of a writing God who is sending a love letter to the world.” - Mother Teresa of Calcutta quote

Please Note: Notice regarding Baptism
We are not permitted to baptise children from another Parish without the expressed permission of the Parish Priest of that Parish. All requirements for baptism in the home parish must be completed before we carry out the baptism

Altar Society Rota
May: Miss Moira Sharpe (82246594)

Sunday and Weekday Readers
We are looking for volunteers to read at Sunday and weekday Masses in Sacred Heart Church.
Sundays – 6pm Vigil, Sunday 8.30am, 9.45am, 11 am and 12.30pm
Weekdays 8am, 10am and 7.30pm
Practice will be given beforehand.
Please contact the Parish office giving name, address, telephone number and preferred mass time.

Offertory Procession
Volunteers requested for offertory procession in the Sacred Heart Church.
Two people for each offertory procession.
Masses - 6pm Vigil, Sunday 11am and 12.30pm. Contact parish office giving name, address, telephone number and preferred mass time.

Disabled Parking, St Joseph’s Hall Grounds
We would ask the general public to please observe disabled parking spaces at the hall at all times, weekdays and Sundays. Any car parking in these spaces should display a disabled sticker.

Please Note: Volunteer Cleaners Urgently to help clean Sacred Heart Church. Please contact the Parish Office.

West Tyrone Feis - Car Parking

We appeal to you for your patience over the next few weeks while the West Tyrone Feis is underway. There will be for obvious reasons a shortage of car parking space due to numbers involved in the Feis.

We hope it will not cause too much inconvenience over the course of the next few weeks.

Trocaire – Afghanistan
Trocaire is supporting the first women’s shelter in Afghanistan providing safe refuge for women who suffer violence including those forced into marriages at a very young age. Girls who have fled violent situations are taken into the shelter to protect them from possible violence and even death. The local organisation that runs the shelter also runs a programme to support and educate women providing literacy, legal support and counselling. Many women find themselves in very difficult situations due to violence and this project funded by Trocaire helps them find a temporary home and find some peace. The cost of this shelter is €16,881.

Mansion or Shack?
A woman, used to every luxury, died. On her arrival in Heaven, an angel was sent to conduct her to her house there. They passed many a lovely mansion and the woman thought that each one, as they came to it, must be the one allotted to her. They passed through the main streets of Heaven and came to the outskirts where the houses were very much smaller. On the very fringe they came to a house which was little more than a shack. “This is your house” said the conducting angel. “What!” said the woman. “That! I can not live in that!”. “I am sorry” said the angel “but that is all we could build for you with the materials you sent up”.

A Blast from the Past
Dance
In Drumquin Community Centre
Music by Candy style
(Brendan O’Kane, Declan O’Kane, P.J MaAleer, Gerry Teague)
Saturday 5th May
Admission £5.00 proceeds in aid of Ward 12 Medical and Diabetics (Bar available)

St Vincent de Paul
St Vincent de Paul would like to thank the musicians, singers and St Eugene’s Band for their splendid performances at the Senior Citizens Party on the 15th April 2007. everyone had a very enjoyable time.

Pioneer Outing
The Annual Outing of the Pioneers will take place on Saturday 23rd June with Mass in St Mary’s Limavady10am. We will continue along the Antrim Coast to various places. Evening meal will be in O’Neill Arms Hotel Toomebridge. Booking as soon as possible is necessary to book buses. Telephone 02882 242921 for details.

Day Trip to Loug Derg
Sunday 27th May. Bus leaving Asda Car Park 9.30am
Cost £30 (includes bus fare and island fee)
Limited number of places. Telephone 07767413601

Special Diocesan Mass
The Annual Diocesan Mass for those with special needs, and their families and friends, will take place in St Joseph’s Church, Derry on Saturday 12th May 2007 at 3.00pm. Bishop Hegarty will celebrate the Mass. If you have a child who wishes to receive the sacrament of Confirmation or First Communion at this Mass please contact the Catechetical Centre on 02871 264087.

The Colmcille Club
The Colmcille Club are organizing a one day retreat to Lough Derg on Tuesday 1st May. Open to all. Cost £27 (includes bus fare and island fee). Bus leaves front gates of Loreto Grammar School at 8.45am returning at 6.00pm (approx.)
Phone Kathleen – 82241991 or Ann 82243094.

“LOVE DIVINE”

A Celebration to the Glory of God
of the 300th Anniversary of
Charles Wesley’s Birth, Music & Ministry,
in
The Guildhall, Derry,
on
Sunday 13th May 2007 at 8.00 p.m.
(Doors open 7.30 p.m.)

Come, bring others, sing and hear sung
the hymns of one of the world’s greatest hymn-writers:
‘Love Divine’, ‘O for a thousand tongues’, ‘And can it be’ and many, many, more.
There will be a Retiring Offering for The MCM Social Fund, Christian Aid, Tear Fund and Concern(Suggested Donation £5)

This event is being organised by the Derry Methodist City Mission and Circuit, and the North West District Methodist Synod.

Lough Derg
Lough Derg has been offering One Day Retreats since 1992. These appeal largely to older people, especially those no longer able to make the traditional Three-Day Pilgrimage, and to those who for reasons of health or disability, have never been able to visit Lough Derg.

The One-Day Retreat enables many more people to maintain contact with the sacred site at Lough Derg. Visitors are not required to fast or walk barefoot. The One-Day retreats are offered on the following dates:

May: 1,5,6,7,8,12,13,14,15,19,20,21,22,26,27,28,29

August: 18,19,20,21,22,25,26,27,28,29

September: 1,2,3,4,8,10,11,12,15,16,17,18,19,22,23

Telephone: 00353719861518
www.loughderg.org

Divine Mercy Prayer Group
First Sunday of every month
At 3pm
St Mary’s Church Killyclogher

This is open prayer group and all are welcome to come and pray.

Iona Carmelite Retreat Centre
The monthly devotions, in honour of Our Lady, will take place in the Carmelite Retreat Centre, Termonbacca, Derry on Tuesday 1st May starting with confessions at 7.30pm followed by Rosary and Mass, finishing around 10.00pm. All are welcome to attend.

Drumragh Parish Draw – List of Winners for April

£2,000 – Conor McCann – 73 Dublin Road
- Promoter – Johanna Gallagher
£1,000 – Lenny McNamee - Clanabogan
– Promoter – Geraldine Gallagher
£500 – Carmel Smyth – 10 Sperrin Close
– Promoter – Claire Bradley
£250 – Brian & Bernie Broderick – Tattyreagh P.S
- Promoter– Sacred Heart P.S
£100 – Edward Byrne – 28 Beltany Road
– Promoter – J Mc Crystal
£100 – Patrick McLaughlin – Rozella Kelly
– Promoter – c/o promoter
£100 – Tom Timony – Kevin O’Gara
–Promoter – Ballygowans
£100 – Tom Cassidy – Lakeview Augher
– Promoter – Aidan Corrigan
£100 – Pat & Edel – Ignatius Sally
– Promoter – c/o promoter
£100 – Teresa Collins – 4 Ardmore Crescent
- Promoter – Mary McGlone
£100 – Peter Tierney – 2 Bracken Close
– Promoter – Fr Thomas Canning
£100 – Sarah Conlon – Killmore, Omagh
– Promoter – Anne McCaffery
£100 – Ann McCrory – 58 Sperrin Park
Promoter – Kevin McCrory
£100 – Raymond Gormley – The Fold
Promoter – Elizabeth Broderick

Promoter’s £100 Prize – Fr Farren – 48 Brook Street

Extra Prize £1000 – Seamus Haigney – 4 Ashley Gardens

Please Note: The next Parish Draw will take place on Tuesday 1st May 2007.

Eucharistic Ministers for May

6.00pm – Tony McBride, Matt Kelly, Louise Kirwin, Maura Cox,
Catherine Mimnagh, Elizabeth O'Boyle
8.30am – Sean Rodgers, Conrad Darcy, Sinead Slevin
9.45am – Joe McElholm, Susan McCanney, Mary Tierney, Kevin Miley
11.00am –Paula McCann, Roisin McKenny, Elizabeth Broderick, Deirdre Timoney, Mary Donaghy, Collette Breslin
12.30pm – Eugene McGrade, Mary McGrade, Tracy Nugent, Ann Pearson
10am Drumragh- Mary McGlone, Betty Baxter

Collectors for May

6.00 pm Vigil –– Eugene Duffy, Matthew Kelly, Joe O’Donnell, Liam Grugan, Michael Brogan;
8.30 am – John Breslin, Jim Hackett, J L George, Gerard Turbitt, Michael Gilheaney, Liam Nugent, Patrick Slevin;
9.45 am – Hugh Ward, Michael Colton, Liam McGrath, Thomas McGuigan, J F Doyle, Eamon Campbell, Dan Campbell, Francis Bradley;
11.00 am – Sean Lynam, Dermot Groogan, Joseph Mulryan, Michael McGirr, John McDonnell;
12.30 pm – B Brown, Anthony Higgins, Terry McGoldrick, Francis McCrory, Thomas Logue.

Counters for May

Daniel Campbell, James Cunningham, John Doherty, Kathleen Fox, John McGale, Marie McGirr, Eugene McGrade, Gerard McSorley, Mary Quinn, Pat Vaugh.

Ballet Class
Ballet Class in St Joseph’s Hall every Thursday at 4.30pm. Contact Tracey Cassidy on 07719446194.

St Vincent de Paul

‘Senior Citizen Party’
On Sunday 15th April 2007
In St Joseph’s Hall
From 3pm until 5.30pm
All welcome

Knockmoyle Hall
Irish speaking Workshop coming soon.
Are you interested in learning some Irish, and Prayers in Irish?
Contact: 07870576034

Aerobics
In the Station Centre
Every Tuesday and Thursday nights
From 8 to 9pm
Everyone welcome. For more information Tel: 82259411