Sunday 1st March 2009

The Kingdom of God is Close at Hand

Jesus said: "Repent and believe the Good News". At the beginning of Lent, this call of Christ sets the agenda for the next six weeks. The first thing we have to do is 'repent'. What does that mean for us? It simply means 'let go' - let go of the things and the ways of living that limit our freedom to love God with our whole heart and strength and our neighbour as ourselves. Secondly Christ calls us to 'believe the Good News'. This means to live the Good News, to practise being happy, to bring joy and peace and healing to all those we live with and those we meet. This obviously has huge implications for married couples in their relationship; for families in their life together; and for every parish community. Lent is not just about giving things up but rather about changing in ways that will bring life to others. Six weeks practice should make a profound difference to our lives.

Fr. Johnny Doherty, C.Ss.R.

Masses

Monday : 7.30 pm Tuesday : 10.00 am

Wednesday : 10.00 am

Thursday : 10.00 am

First Friday : 10.00 am and 7.30 pm

Saturday : 10.00 am and Vigil - 7.00 pm

Sunday : 9.00 am and 11.00 am

Confessions:

Monday : 7.00 pm - 7.30 pm Friday : 7.00 pm - 7.30 pm
Saturday : After 10.00 am Mass and 6.00 - 7.00 pm

Sunday Collection: £ 1,540.00 Thank you for your generosity

Bingo and Whist - We would appreciate your support for the Bingo
Bingo on Tuesday night @ 9 pm – IN ST PATRICK’S HALL
Whist on Thursday night @ 8.30 pm

Legion of Mary meets every Monday at 6.30 pm in the meeting room in church. New members welcome

Eucharistic Ministers for March
Vigil : Maureen Lynch, Annette McAleer, Patricia McGlynn
9.00: Pat McLaughlin, Marie McSorley
11.00: Margaret Ann Gormley, Pat O’Loughlin, Marie Devenney

Offertory Procession for March
Vigil: John McGlynn and Family
9.00: Colm and May Sharkey
11.00: Lynch Family, Brooke Park

Readers for March : Vigil: Maolíosa McHugh 11.00: Philomena Doherty

CHURCH CLEANERS THIS WEEK - Mary McAnea, Denise Gallagher, Bernie Breen,
Annie Quinn, Vera Harvey, Geraldine McHale

ALTAR SERVERS – Group 2 - Kiera Laird, Adam Laird, Sasha Byrne, Colleen Logue, Catherine Coyle

PRE-MARRIAGE COURSES IN OMAGH - 2009
2009 - March 20th & 21st, April 24th & 25th, May 22nd & 23rd, June 19th & 20th
Application Forms available from our priest or apply to The Secretary, ACCORD, Mount St.Columba Pastoral Centre, 48 Brook Street, Omagh BT78 5HD or Tel: 028 82242439

FEASTS THIS WEEK : Thursday : St Kieran Saturday : St Perpetua + Felicity

APOSTOLIC WORK: Honorary membership subscriptions for Apostolic Work are collected annually. Envelopes will be distributed at the Church door this weekend. They will be collected on 7th & 8th March. Living and deceased family members can be enrolled. The usual donation is £2. Mass will be offered during Lent for all Honorary Members. All your donations and fund-raising by Apostolic Work is given directly to missionaries known to us who are working in Third World Countries to relieve victims of aids, famine and extreme poverty

Tickets for Apostolic Work Easter Draw in aid of the Missions will be on sale in St Patrick’s Hall before bingo on Tuesday 10th March. The Draw will be held on 31st March. A meeting of the Apostolic Workers will be held in the meeting room in St Patrick’s Church on Wednesday 4th March at 6.30 pm

CARPARK - We hope to renovate the carpark at Castlederg this year

TRÓCAIRE BOXES available at the Church Porch today

CAISLEAN NA DEIRGE G.A.C.

G.A.A. Lotto: 7, 3, 6, 5, 2, 4, 1 - Congratulations to Katie McGoldrick who won the Jackpot £1,450. Next Week Jackpot £250
Senior Challenge game on Sunday 1st March at 2pm against Red Hughes at Marius McHugh Park. Reserves playing at 3.30 pm. All players should be there for 1.30 pm

UNDER 14s: Play Gortin at home on Saturday 7th March at 12 noon. Training continues on Mondays at 7 pm at the Leisure Centre

NIGHT OF THE RACES - On Friday 6th March in Gallen’s Lounge at 9.30 pm sharp. Races on sale now from players

SENIOR SCOR- Tyrone County Final takes place on Sunday 1st March at 3.00 pm in Galbally. The Club has entries in Solo Singing and Instrumental Group. We wish them good luck.

Fundamental Training for all under 8 & 6 boys and girls continues on Mondays at 6 pm - 7 pm in St Eugene’s Centre. These sessions will be under the guidance of Department and Education and Ulster Council Coaching for parents/guardian and coaches programme. All parents/guardians are welcome to take part in this pilot programme

Cardiac Screening for those aged between 14 and 35 will be carried out in Castlederg on 28th and 29th March. Anyone wishing to avail of this screening at a reduced price of £20 contact John McGoldrick for an application form

LOTTO EXTRA - will run from April 2009 until March 2010 please contact any Committee Member

EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS - A day of Prayer and Reflection will be held in the Thornhill Centre, Derry on Saturday 7th March from 11 am to 4 pm. Lunch will be provided. We hope that many of our Lay Ministers will be able to attend

CHOIR PRACTICE - After Mass on Monday night - 8.00 pm. First Saturday Mass on 7th March

SCOUTS, CUBS, BEAVERS, GUIDES & BRIGINIS

ST PATRICK’S DAY PARADE

The above groups will parade from St Patrick’s PS to the Church for Mass at 11.00 am

NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH - Are you concerned about crime, the fear of crime and/or anti-social behaviour in your area? A series of information sessions will be held throughout the Strabane District Council area. Thursday 5th March at 7.30 pm in Derg Valley Leisure Centre. Remember it’s your community. The aim of these sessions is to find out whether residents wish to establish a Neighbourhood Watch Scheme. Everyone welcome

BIG ANNUAL WHIST DRIVE - Keep Free - Sunday 29th March for Annual Whist Drive in St Patrick’s Hall

BLOOD TRANSFUSION SERVICE - will be held in Castlederg High School - Tuesday 10th March 2.15 pm - 4 pm and 5.15 pm - 8 pm. New donors always needed

TOMMY’S COUNTRY SHOW -

In Castlederg H.S. on Wednesday 4th March at 8 pm
Admission Ticket Only - £10 stg or €10. Proceeds in aid of charities

VOLUNTEERS WANTED IMMEDIATELY - Are you over 18? Would you like to give up a few hours of your time to assist your community. We need volunteers for our Drop In - Contact : Castlederg Youth Forum 816 79015 or 07732578515. Drop In will be open late Friday and/or Saturday nights depending on cover

Paula’s Run & Breast Cancer Campaign Friendship Walk - Sunday 15th March 2009 - A 5km (3.1 miles) run and walk, in aid of The Paula Gallen Pink Ribbon Tribute Fund at The Breast Cancer Campaign and Castlederg Palliative Care Fund. The walk & run will set out at 1 pm from Derg Valley Leisure Centre. You can register on-line at www.paulasrun.com or on the day at the Leisure Centre at 11.30 am. The Fee is £5 or €5. Registration forms, sponsor forms and route information on above web-site. Prizes in all categories. Fancy Dress/Pink Outfits very welcome

FOYLE HOSPICE - DAY THERAPY UNIT is providing Carer Support for carers and family members looking after a person with a life-limiting illness - Meetings on the 1st Wednesday of the month 10 am - 12 noon. Next meeting Wednesday 4th March. Information contact : Julia McIvor - Tel 71359888

BARROWFIELD F.C. LOTTO – JACKPOT £1400 - Winner :Colette McHugh-wins £30