Sunday 31st August 2008

The 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

The strength of Christ’s Spirit

“What will you gain if you win the whole world and ruin your life?” Our society promotes three things as the sources of human happiness and fulfilment: positions of importance and power; money and possessions; continuous pleasure. Obviously all of these are important for the human person. But, when they become the reason for living, they are full of false promise. Jesus calls on us to put our trust in the important things of life, especially love, and to find there our true fulfilment. We engage in this struggle in all kinds of ways but especially in matters of love and faith. Spending time at prayer, either personal or as a community, can been seen as wasting opportunities for other things that could bring us rewards. Giving time to one another in marriage and family life is often done reluctantly because of what we might be missing. And yet these are the really important things of life.

Fr. Johnny Doherty, C.Ss.R.

Words of Wisdom
Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal. ~ From a gravestone in Ireland

Conversion

A man decided to skip Mass one Sunday and head to the hills to do some bear hunting. As he rounded the corner on a perilous twist in the trail, he and a bear collided, sending him and his rifle tumbling down the mountainside. Before he knew it, his rifle went one way and he went the other, landing on a rock and breaking both his legs. That was the good news. The bad news was the ferocious bear charging at him from a distance, and he couldn't move. "Oh, Lord," the man prayed, "I'm so sorry for skipping Mass today to come out here and hunt. Please forgive me and grant me just one wish . . . Please make a Christian out of that bear that's coming at me. Please, Lord!" That very instant, the bear skidded to a halt, fell to its knees, clasped its paws together and began to pray aloud right at the man's feet. "Dear God" the bear said, "Bless this food I am about to receive."

Courtesy of Fr Tommy Lane

Week beginning Sunday 31st August

This Week’s Saints
Wednesday 3 - St Gregory the Great, pope and doctor of the Church.
Thursday 4 - St Mac Nissi, bishop.

Mass Intentions

Sacred Heart Church 7.30 Mass

Monday Mary Shannon – Month’s Mind
Wednesday Dessie Corrigan – Month’s Mind

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.

Baptisms
Cillian James McCrory, 33 Ravensdene Park, Belfast
Colm Felix Lannon, 23 Coolnagard Meadows
Caolán Tomás Lloyd, 7 Coolnagard View

Weddings
We congratulate the following couple who married here recently:

Fiona Mullin & Liam McCrory

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

St Joseph’s Young Priests Society

The monthly meetings of John Paul II Branch will resume on Monday 1st September and thereafter on the first Monday of each month. Meetings take place in the Pastoral Centre immediately following 10 am Mass.
The Society’s intention is to promote, by prayer, vocations to the priesthood and supporting seminarians at home and abroad financially. New members are always welcome, details from George Johnson (028 8224 3463) or you may join at the Parish Bookshop, or renew your annual membership any Saturday.

Wilson School of Dancing
Resumes: Friday 5th September @ 3.30 pm
Saturday 6th September @ 12.30 pm
MACCA Centre, Mullaghmore – New Members Welcome!
Teacher: Patricia Wilson A.D.C.R.G.

Visitation of the Sick & Housebound
Monsignor Donnelly will be visiting the sick and housebound on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday of this week. Fr Canning will visit the country areas, Castle Street and Hunter Crescent on Monday. He will visit the Brookmount Road and Shandon Park areas on Friday. Fr McDevitt will visit the sick and housebound on Monday and Tuesday of this week.

Parish Draw
The next Parish Draw will be on Tuesday 2nd September after the Bingo in St Joseph’s Hall. Promoters are asked to bring their returns at the usual times.

St Joseph’s Bowling Club
St Joseph’s Bowling Club is in its eighteenth year and is one of the best venues for bowls in Northern Ireland. Why not come along and give it a try, any Thursday night in St Joseph’s Hall from 7.30 pm to 11 pm. Free tuition and equipment are provided. The first four weeks membership are free until you decide to join. The first night is Thursday 4th September where a cup of tea and a warm welcome await you. For further details contact 0783 417 5313.

Reminder for Existing Members:
Our Open Singles Tournament begins on 8th October. We need everyone to return immediately to begin preparations. See you all on 4th September at 7.30 pm.

Collectors for September

6.00 pm – James A Devlin, Cathal Cullen, Aidan Lilly, Thomas McElroy, Colm McLaughlin, Pat McCanney;

8.30 am – Billy Henry, Gerry Broderick, Peter Haughey, Fursey Mullan, ;

9.45 am – Raymond McGoldrick, Patrick Devlin, John Rafferty, Eugene Turbett, John O’Neill, Sean Mullan, A.K. Kelly;

11 am - Robert Colton, Aidan Quinn, Pat McGartland, Kevin McCrory, James Murray;

12.30 pm – Sean McNamee, Francis Laird, Dermot O’Kane, Patrick Conway, Anthony Bradley, John Lagan.

Eucharistic Ministers for September

Vigil Mass – Jackie Convey, Tony McGarvey, Mary McLaughlin, Mary Toal, Moira Sharpe

8.30 am – Sean Rodgers, Conrad Darcy, Sinead Slevin;

9.45 am – Aidan Quinn, Jean McGowan, Anne Mullan, Marie Conway;

11 am – Paula McCann, Roisin McKenny, Elizabeth Broderick, Deirdre Timoney, Colette Breslin;

12.30 pm - Gerard Sharkey, Kathleen Winters, Mary Donaghy, Chrissie Kelly;

10 am Drumragh – Aidan Campbell, Ann Doherty.

Counters for September
Tommy Bradley, Michael Donnelly, John Doyle, Hubert Logue, Kevin McCrory, John Meyler, Dominic Pinto, Seamus Sheridan, Leo Turbitt.

St. Joseph’s Prayer Group Invite
Anyone who wishes to spend 1 hour in Community, Friendship & Prayer each Wednesday night at the Mount St Columba’s Pastoral Centre, Omagh from 8.10pm.

- Pray Rosary with Meditations;

- Sunday Gospel of coming week;

- Exposition of Blessed Sacrament;

- Beautiful Music / Hymns;

- Intercessory Prayers / Intentions.

~ Everybody welcome ~

Contact: Siobhan 0788 0588 041 or John 0775 187 4422

St Vincent de Paul
Annual Pilgrimage to Knock
Saturday 13th September 2008
If interested, please leave your name at the SVdP Thrisft Shop, Castle Street, Omagh, together with the fee of £10 per person. Pick up at 8.30 am at the Convent Gates and at 8.45 am sharp at the Omagh Bus depot.

Ulster Project
There will be a Service of Thanksgiving in St Mary’s Church, Knockmoyle on Sunday 7th September at 3 pm. Current and past participants and friends of the project are all welcome.

St. Colmcille’s Primary School
St. Colmcilles’s Primary School will re-open on Monday 1st September 2008.

Clanabogan Drama Circle A.G.M.
Monday 8th September@ 8 pm
St Eugene’s Hall, Clanabogan

Sacred Heart College Opening Times
Monday 1 September - Yrs 11, 12 Only – finish 12.30
Tuesday 2 September - Yrs 9, 10, 13 Only – finish 12.30
Wednesday 3 September - Yrs 8, 13, and 14 Only – finish 12.30
Thursday 4 September all pupils should attend full day.

Coffee Morning

St Joseph’s Hall, Omagh
The Coffee Morning will now take place on Monday mornings at 10.30 am, due to the booking schedule in the hall. The first Coffee Morning will take place on Monday 8th September. The Committee would like to thank everyone for their continuing support.

8 Week Yoga Course

St. Joseph's Hall
Commencing Monday 8th September
6.00 - 7.30pm - £40 or £6 drop in
New Members Welcome

Tel Frances 8167 9743 or 0793 318 4513

Groogan O’Doherty School of Dancing
Classes recommence as follows:
Saturday 6th September
11 am – Dun Uladh Centre
1.45 pm – St Joseph’s Hall

Kerrigan School of Irish Dancing
Classes resume on Saturday 6 September
In St Colmcille’s PS Omagh
11.00am – 12.45pm
All beginners welcome

Baxter School of Irish Dancing
Classes resume on Wednesday 3 September in St Joseph’s Hall Omagh
5.45pm – 8.00pm
All are welcome

Classes resume in St Eugene’s Hall Clanabogan on Tuesday 2 September From 6.15pm – 8.30pm
All are welcome

Workshop on Marriage:
Renew Your Wedding Vows
Marriage Encounter is a weekend away (Friday 8pm to Sunday 5pm) for married couples of all ages with a stable relationship. Couples explore, in complete privacy, how to come to a deeper mutual understanding of each other.
The dates for the next Marriage Encounter weekends are:
26th- 28th September, Drummond Hotel, Ballykelly
10th – 12th October, Emmaus Conference Centre, Swords
Telephone: 028 71350612 or visit www.marriageencounterireland.com

Drumragh Sarsfields G.A.C.

Saturday 30th August

Barbecue & Dance @ Clanabogan Pitch
Food Served from 8.30 pm in Marquee

Dancing to Broken Silence

Summer Draw takes place – Prizes are £2000, £1000, £500 and £100 X 5

Sunday 31st August
Family Fun Day

Last chance for fun and amusements before returning to school!
Bouncy Castle / Pony Rides / Tractor Rides / Penalty kick / Fancy Dress / Face Painting / Cake Stall / Book Stall
Camphill Cards & Candles and much more ….

Please come and enjoy this Family day out and at the same time support your local football club.

One Day Retreats

Places are still available on the following days:

August – 24, 25, 26, 27 & 31
September – 1, 2, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17, 20, 21, 22 & 23

Cost €27

Family Day – 30th August

Cost: Adults €20 / Children €10

Reservations are essential for One Day Retreats & Family Day
For bookings or further information contact The Lough Derg Office, Pettigo, Co Donegal. Tel/Fax (00353) 71 9861518 or email info@loughderg.org

Hope in Today's World

Two Day Retreat on the papal encyclical "Christian Hope"

by Fr. Didier Marie, Brother of St. John.
27th – 28th August at Termonbacca.

Wednesday: Mass at 10am; Talks at 11:30am, 3pm, 8pm.

Thursday: Mass at 10am; Talks at 11:30, 2:30, 4pm.

Those who are unable to attend the whole day are invited to come when they can. Meals and overnight accommodation are available by booking. Please call the Sisters of St. John on 7135-3414 by Friday 22nd or Sunday 24th at the latest.