The Frog Race

There was once a bunch of tiny frogs, who arranged a running competition. The goal was to reach the top of a very high tower. A big crowd gathered around the tower to see the race and cheer on the contestants. The race began…

No one in the crowd really believed that the tiny frogs would reach the top of the tower. They shouted, "Oh, way too difficult!!! They will NEVER make it to the top" and "Not a chance. The tower is too high".

The tiny frogs began collapsing, one by one except for those who, in a fresh tempo, were climbing higher and higher….

The crowd continued to yell, "It's too difficult! No one will make it!"

More tiny frogs got tired and gave up… But one continued higher and higher. This one wouldn't give up! And he reached the top.

Everyone wanted to know how this one frog managed such a great feat.

His secret? This little frog was deaf and couldn’t hear their shouting and yelling!

The wisdom of this story is ‘Ignore the pessimism of others. It can take your dreams from you. Stay positive.’

-Author Unknown

Feasts of the Week

Week Beginning Sunday 28th July 2019

Monday 29 – St Martha

Tuesday 30 – St Peter Chrysologus, bishop and doctor of the Church

Wednesday 31 – St Ignatius of Loyola, priest

Thursday 1 August – St Alphonsus Liguori, bishop and doctor of the Church

Friday 2 – St Eusebius of Vercelli, bishop; St Peter Julian Eymard, priest

Baptisms

We welcome into our Christian Community:

Daithi Sean Óg Curran

Recent Weddings

We congratulate the following couple who were married here recently:

Michelle Mullin & Paul McCallan

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

Prayer for Priests

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

Sunday 28th July – For All Priests

Monday 29th July – Fr Dermot McGirr

Tuesday 30th July – For All Priests

Wednesday 31st July – Fr Brian McGoldrick

Thursday 1st August – Fr Neil McGoldrick

Friday 2nd August – Fr Patrick McGoldrick

Saturday 3rd August – Fr James McGonagle

Baptismal Preparation

As part of the Parish Baptismal Preparation parents are invited to attend a Baptismal Preparation evening before booking the baptism. The next evening will be in the Pastoral Centre on Monday 12th August at 8 pm. For further details call 0789 555 7359.

First Friday Devotions

Friday is the First Friday of the month. There will be 8 am Mass in the Sacred Heart Church. As Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament is now on Wednesdays, there will be no Exposition on the First Friday.

Visitation of Sick & Housebound

The sick and housebound of the parish will be visited on Monday 5th and Tuesday 6th of August. Full details will be in next week’s newsletter.

Drumragh Cemetery

The Cemetery committee continues to look at the challenges before us and is seeking ways to address them. One such issue that is beyond the scope of volunteers is the cutting and care of the hedges – we ask for suitable qualified Landscape contractors to tender for this task – please address tenders in sealed envelopes to:-

Saint Mary’s Church and Cemetery Committee

c/o Parish Office

48, Brook Street Omagh, BT78 5HD

before 12.00 noon on Wednesday 7th August 2019.

Derry Diocesan Society

The following names have been added to the list of Deceased Members of the Derry Diocesan Society for the quarter ending 30th June:

Josephine McGaghran, 10 Johnston Park

Deborah Fox, Summerfield Court

Kathleen McAleer, Edergole Road

We pray that all who sleep in Christ find in your presence, light, happiness and peace.

Eucharistic Adoration

Eucharistic adoration takes place every Wednesday from 10.30 am to 7.15pm in the Sacred Heart Church, Omagh. Everyone is welcome to come and spend a time of quiet prayer before the Lord. On the Wednesdays in July, adorers are asked to pray that those who administer justice may work with integrity, and that the injustice that prevails in the world may not have the last say.

Collectors for August

6.00 pm – John Baxter, Mark Bradley, P Boyle, D McCanny, G Turbitt; 9.00 am – Paddy McGowan, Hugh Ward, Eamonn Campbell, Paddy Cleary, Phil McGovern; 11 am – Joe Mulryan, D Groogan, M McGirr, Sean Lynam, Jim Canning, G Collins, Jim Joe Campbell; 12.30 pm – Niall Murray, Eugene McGrade, Sean Taggart, Peter McKenna, Anthony Higgins.

Counters for August

Frances McGlinchey, Sean Doyle, Seamus Sheridan, Dessie McClements, Ciaran Canavan, Agnes McNamee, Colette Breslin, Brian McKenna, Michael Nugent, Geraldine Gallagher, James Connolly, Gerry McBride, Kevin Mullan, Tony McGarvey, Eugene McGrade, Jim Hackett.

Eucharistic Ministers for August

6 pm Vigil – Elizabeth O’Boyle, Orla Sharkey, Brian McKenna, Treise Barrett, Hugh McCallan; 9 am – Joan Conaghan, Sean Rodgers, Sinead Slevin, Teresa Maguire; 11 am – George Johnson, Eugene Teague, Helen Johnson, Joe Mulryan, Margaret McGlone, Paula McCann; 12.30 pm – Joan Maguire, Colette McCann, Geraldine Gallagher, Bronagh Gallagher, Leah McCance; 10 am Drumragh – Mary McGlone, Betty Baxter.

Readers for August

6 pm – Kay McGuigan; 9 am – John Rafferty; 11 am – Colette McCann; 12.30 pm – Bernadette Nixon

Cleaners for Drumragh

The cleaners for St Mary’s Church, Drumragh for the month of August are Kieran Canavan, Joanne McGread, Marcella Canavan and Marian McLaughlin.

Silent Retreat

Theme: “If you but knew the gift of God...”

Preached by: Fr. Kilian Byrne

Venue: Ards Retreat Centre, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal

Date: September 16th - 22nd

Cost: €390 full board

Contact Helen on 0035386 1678027/ hellywilliams@gmail.com or go to www.foyerofcharity.ie

A privileged time to come away from noise and distractions, and listen to the Spirit of God, who is Love. Silence, prayer, teachings & liturgy of the Church.

Youth 2000 Summer Festival

The Youth 2000 Summer Festival will take place this year in Clongowes Wood College, Co Kildare. The Festival is for young people aged 16 to 35, and will take place the weekend of Thursday 15th to Sunday 18th August 2019. This is a donation-only retreat. Free buses available – just bring a sleeping bag! Go to youth2000.ie.

Legion of Mary

The annual Young Adult Catholic Conference takes place in All Hallows College, Dublin on Saturday 31st August and Sunday 1st September 2019. This is a fantastic weekend packed full of interesting events for young Catholics. Prices range from €25 to €50, accommodation also available. For further details visit our website http://www.legionofmary-deusetpatria.com/ or contact Lucy 0035387 9959803.

Grovehill Animal Trust

Doggy Tea Party

Happy Pets Store, Derry Road, Omagh

Saturday 3rd August

@ 10 am – 5 pm

· Kerry’s K9 Grooming 12 – 1.30 pm

· All dogs entered in Photo Competition

· Advice from Redmills Food

· Store Discounts

· Refreshments for Humans & Dogs

· Music by The Light 2 – 4 pm

All proceeds to Grovehill Animal Trust.

Fun Bowls

Every Wednesday @ 8 pm

June, July & August

St Eugene’s Hall, Clanabogan

All Welcome

Safeguarding 

Children Contact Details for Relevant Agencies and Services

PSNI Tel: 0845 600 8000

Gateway Services (Omagh) Tel: (028) 8283 5043

Alternatively, if you or anyone you know has a child safeguarding concern in relation to any member of church personnel and wishes to report it to church authorities, please contact one of the Diocesan Designated Persons, who will report this concern to the relevant statutory authorities.

Name: Noel O’Donnell

Tel: 0759 650 0793

Name: Celine McKenna

Tel: 02871362475 or 07707311358

St Joseph’s Hall

Mon 7.30 pm Yoga with Roberta

Tues 10 am - Weightwatchers

9 pm - Bingo - Jackpot £1000

All other activities have now ceased for the Summer. The Committee would like to thank all the patrons of the Hall for their support and look forward to welcoming them back in September.

For all enquiries about booking and access to St Joseph’s Hall, please call the Parish Office on 028 8224 2092 during office hours.