Sunday 30th March 2008

Second Sunday of Easter, Divine Mercy Sunday

Reflection

The Risen Christ breathes upon the disciples the gift of the Holy Spirit for the forgiveness of sins. In so doing Jesus institutes the sacrament of penance and extends to his priests his own ministry of reconciliation. This gift of forgiveness manifests the supreme attribute of God: His mercy. God’s divine mercy is extended to all irrespective of past or current sins. His forgiveness comes to us as a gift and an overwhelming one at that. When we are contrite of heart, he allows his justice to be tempered by his mercy.

The Fern and the Bamboo

One day I decided to quit...I quit my job, my relationship, my spirituality...
I wanted to quit my life. I went to the woods to have one last talk with God. “God”, I said. “Can you give me one good reason not to quit?” His answer surprised me. “Look around”, He said. “Do you see the fern and the bamboo?” “Yes”, I replied. “When I planted the fern and the bamboo seeds, I took very good care of them. I gave them light. I gave them water. The fern quickly grew from the earth. Its brilliant green covered the floor. Yet nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo. In the second year the fern grew more vibrant and plentiful. And again, nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo. “In year three there was still nothing from the bamboo seed. But I would not quit. The same in year four. “Then in the fifth year, a tiny sprout emerged from the earth. Compared to the fern, it was seemingly small and insignificant. But just six months later, the bamboo rose to over 100 feet tall. It had spent the five years growing roots. Those roots made it strong and gave it what it needed to survive. I would not give any of my creations a challenge it could not handle. “Did you know, my child, that all this time you have been struggling, you have actually been growing roots? I would not quit on the bamboo. I will never quit on you. Don’t compare yourself to others.” He said. “The bamboo had a different purpose than the fern. Yet they both make the forest beautiful. Your time will come”, God said to me. Anonymous

This Week’s Saints
Week beginning Sunday 30th March
Monday 31, The Annunciation of the Lord
Tuesday 1, St Ceallach, bishop
Wednesday 2, St Francis of Paola, hermit
Friday 4, St Isidore, bishop
Saturday 5, St Vincent Ferrer, priest

Mass Intentions - Sacred Heart Church 7.30pm Mass
Tue Veronica Hunter – 1st Anniversary
Wed Peter Briggs – 1st Anniversary
Thur John Wilson – 1st Anniversary
Fri Brigid McElhatton – 1st Anniversary
Frances Hunter – 1st Anniversary

Divine Mercy Sunday
Christ the King Chapel, Strathroy
30th March 2008 at 3pm
- Recitation of Chaplet -
- Solemn Blessing and Veneration of Divine Mercy Picture -
- Benediction and Adoration -
All are Welcome
“The Mercy of God is inexhaustible”

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.

Sick Visitation
Monsignor Donnelly will visit the sick in his areas on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday of this week. Fr Canning will visit the sick in the country areas on Monday 7th April. He will visit the Derry Road, Brookmount Road and Castle Street areas on Thursday 10th April. Fr McDevitt will visit the sick and housebound in his areas on Tuesday 1st April and Monday 7th April.

Parish Notes

The weekday 8 am Mass will resume this week. Devotions will resume on Sunday 6th April in the Sacred Heart Church.

Calling All Area Representatives!
The new boxes of envelopes are now ready for distribution and need to be delivered before Sunday 6th April. We ask that all area representatives call to the sacristy this weekend to collect the boxes for their areas.

Questions People Ask
Q. On the road to Emmaus, Jesus explained the passages from scripture that were about himself. Where can I find a list of these passages?
A. I don’t know of any particular list but here are some passages which would certainly be included. Read Isaiah, Chapters 40-55, containing four great poems about the Suffering Servant of God. Many of the regulations about the sacrifice of the Paschal Lamb were fulfilled in the death of Jesus. Several verses in the psalms anticipated his passion: ‘They have pierced my hands and feet, they have numbered all my bones … Even my friend, who ate my bread, has turned against me … My God, my God, why have you forsaken me.’

Fr Silvester O’Flynn OFM Cap

St Joseph’s Hall Committee Meeting
There will be a meeting of the St Joseph’s Hall Committee in the Hall on Wednesday 9th April at 8 pm. We ask that all committee members attend as there are some important matters on the agenda.

Table Quiz
Wednesday 2nd April 2008
9.30 pm
Broderick’s Bar, Georges Street, Omagh
Table of Five £10
All Proceeds to Alzheimers Society - Omagh
Branch

N.I. Blood Transfusion Service
The next blood donation sessions will be held in Omagh College on the following dates:
Tuesday 1st April
1.30 pm – 4.30 pm & 5.30 pm – 8 pm
Wednesday 2nd April
1.30 pm – 4.30 pm & 5.30 pm – 8 pm
Thursday 3rd April
1.30 pm – 4.30 pm & 5.30 pm – 8 pm
Please come along – you could save a life.

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

Counters for April
Brendan Cunningham, Frances Cunningham, J McDonnell, Dermot McCann, Gerard Haughey, Peter Davies, John McGale.

Accord Marriage Care
Empower Yourself by Empowering Others
Share Your Experience to Help Couples Share Theirs
Make a Real Difference By Helping Others
Become a Marriage Education Facilitator or Relationship Counsellor for Accord.
Information Evening on Wednesday 16th April @ 7.30 pm in Pastoral Centre, 48 Brook Street, Omagh. Call 028 8224 2439 or email omagh@accordni.com.

Coming Soon to St Joseph’s Hall

Hal Ketchum

& His American Band

Support – Anthony McBrien
Friday 4th April 2008
Tickets on Sale from Tommy at the Hall, Top News & McCrory’s
Call 07753 936 701

Ards Friary Retreat & Conference Centre
Retreat commencing April 5 - 6

VISION (Open to Everyone)
Centred upon the beatitudes, the Vision programme gives us a rich experience of God's abundant life. The experience we gain is that when we are given the tools we can transform our lives. The retreat aims to give us those tools we need to live a fuller and enriched life in Christ. Commences: 9.30am
Contact: Ards Friary Tel:00 353 74 9138909
email: info@ardsfriary.ie

Derry Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes
16th – 21st July 2008
Application forms are available for any young person aged 14-15 who would like a place on the Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes.
The Lourdes Pilgrimage would be grateful for volunteers who are qualified nurses to work as part of the care team.
For further information contact:
The Pilgrimage Office
164 Bishop Street
Derry BT48 6UJ
Tel 028 7126 0293

St Joseph’s Hall
Mon 6.30pm - Iyengar Yoga
7.15pm - Kellie Aerobics/ Fitball
Tues 3.00pm - Colmcille Club
9.00pm - Bingo - Jackpot £1000
Wed 10.00-12.30pm - Weightwatchers
10.30am - Coffee Morning
6.00pm - Baxter School of Dancing
8.00pm - Ladies Club
Thur 4.30pm - Ballet Dancing
7 - 8pm - Traditional Music class
7.30pm - Bowls
8.30pm - Line Dancing
Sat 1.45pm - Groogan O’Doherty Class

Dates for your diary

Monday 31st March is the beginning of a seven week series of teachings, music, song and Holy Mass which will be held in the Sacred Heart Church.

Each evening will begin with music and song at 7.10pm with Holy Mass at 7.30pm. Marie Beirne will be the speaker on the first night while Fr Michael Campbell will be the celebrant and speaker on Monday 7th April. Other speakers include Patricia Mitchell, Fr Martin Tierney, Tony Hanna, Fr Stefan Park and Thomas Carey.

Confessions will be available on Monday 21st April after Mass and on Monday 5th May the Mass of the anointing of the sick and infirm will be celebrated.

Keep Monday nights free to praise God and prepare for Pentecost