Fr Patrick Doherty, PP 816 71393

Fr Colm O’Doherty, CC 816 61475

Sunday 3rd February 2008 - Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

C.B.S. (Omagh)

BOLIVIAN IMMERSION PROJECT

During October last year, two members from our Parish, Luke McMenamin and Joseph McCrory, As students at Omagh CBS., travelled to Bolivia, South America to work along with the Religious Orders in the Bolivian Immersion Project.

Luke gives us a brief account:
South America is a land full of diversity and beauty from its beginning in Mexico to its South Shore of Argentina. Bolivia, our destination, is in the heart of South America. Bolivia, like every country in South America, has its areas of natural beauty as well as eye - opening poverty. One of the worst areas is Cochabamba, where we stayed. The ethos of the Project throughout the Christian Brothers Community is:

‘Being with and not seeing and passing through’ and
‘Come and be rather than come and see’

With this idea firmly in our minds, we began to immerse ourselves in the lives of the Bolivian people. With determination and our Spanish, we did our best to fit into Bolivian Culture. We were ‘average Joes’ of pale complexion exceeding the average height of the locals by six inches - Luke became ‘Lucas’ for the rest of our stay.

One story remains in my mind. One night we travelled with a brother to the south side of the City to give food and comfort to the street children. A good majority of them were younger than us, and they live on whatever they could find and stayed wherever they could find shelter. All the children were addicted to glue. They did this not to be rebellious but to numb the pain of hunger, loneliness and desperation. I met one fifteen year old girl, Teresa. She was a drug addict and sold herself for money to feed herself. She became pregnant; was on her own on the streets and had no support of any kind. The sad fact is that if I went back to Cochabamba in three years time; she probably would be dead and her child would be taking her place on the street.

Amidst all this poverty, there were rays of hope down to the hard work of the Religious Orders there. With the continued support of the Christian Church, hopefully future Immersion Projects will be able to paint a brighter picture.

On behalf of Joseph, myself, the entire project and the children of Bolivia, I would like to thank you, the people of the Parish of Ardstraw West and Castlederg, for your kind donations and all who got involved to help. Gracias.

Sunday Collection: £ 1,594.00 - Thank you for your generosity

Bingo and Whist - We would appreciate your support for the Bingo
Bingo on Tuesday night @ 9 pm – Snowball £1,500 – STILL IN ST EUGENE’S CENTRE. Whist on Thursday night @ 8.30 pm – Snowball rolling

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

Eucharistic Ministers for February
Vigil : Margaret Cassidy and Seamus Duffy
9.00: Vera Catterson and Jean Coyle
11.00: Rosie Loughrey and Anthony Harkin

Offertory Procession for February
Vigil: Harper Family
9 am: Paddy Carlin and Peter McCullagh
11 am: John McCallion and Jimmy Duffy

Readers for February : Vigil: Maureen Lynch 11.00: Ann Marie Anderson

Church Cleaners this week – Kathleen Arkinson, Mary McGlinchey, Mary McHugh, Margaret Gillespie

ALTAR SERVERS–Group 2 – Amy Wilson, Niko Svanias, Hailey McConnell, Katie Devlin, Daire Keyes

MARRIAGE PREPARATION COURSES 07-08 - ACCORD
Email : accordomagh@btopenworld.com :
February 22nd & 23rd - April 4th & 5th
April 25th & 26th - May 23rd & 24th - June 13th & 14th. Application Forms from your Priest or apply to 028 82242439 or Mount Saint Columba Pastoral Centre 48 Brook Street, Omagh

LOURDES PILGRIMAGE - N.Ireland Cancer Pilgrimage to Lourdes on Saturday 17th May to Thursday 22nd May from Belvoir Park Hospital contact : 07516759646

YOUTH PILGRIMAGE - Any young persons aged 14-17 years who would like to travel to Lourdes as part of the Derry Diocesan Youth Pilgrimage this year, contact one of the priests of the parish

GIFT VOUCHERS: for the Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes are available - Tel 71 260293

MEDJUGORJE - Pilgrim Tours - Group Leader : Hilary Lynch, Accompanied by a Spiritual Director. 17th May 2008 - 7 nights - Half Board £419. Includes full religious programme. For information contact : 81671046

CAISLEAN NA DEIRGE G.A.C.

G.A.A. Lotto : 29/01/08 (6, 2), 3, 5, 4, 7, 1 Next Week Jackpot £1700
Ben McGrath - Maggie Gallagher, Churchtown Park - Mary McDaid, 10 Castlefin Pk - Sean Meehan, Castlefin Park - Rosie + Siobhan Friel, Hillview Park - P McGarvey - Cliodhna Brennan, 10 Oakland Heights - Hugh Gallen - Ciara Friel + Kevin McLaughlin wins £15 each

Training Continues on Mondays and Wednesdays at St Eugene’s HS for all senior, reserve and minor players, starting at 7 pm

Registration is now due - £25 for adults and £5 for all under 18s - Contact: John Harper - Please make sure Registration is paid in good time!!

FUNDRAISING: Is a vital aspect for your Club so please make an effort to support some of the up coming events. Table Quiz - on Friday 8th February in the Crescent Inn

Anyone wishing to participate in the Club’s Yearly Lotto Extra – contact any Committee Member

Up to date information can be found on www.caisleannadeirgegac.org

SPAMOUNT SWIFTS F.C. - MINI LOTTO - JACKPOT STANDS AT £3500
Saturday 26/01/08 9, 12, 17, 24 NO JACKPOT WINNER - £17 each to Cara McCrory, Adam Gallen and Brendan McHugh

BARROWFIELD F.C. LOTTO - Numbers 1 - 3 - 14 - 16 - Winners :Clare Goan - £30

CASTLEDERG YOUTH FORUM - OUR OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE DROP IN
on Friday 8th February at 7 pm. Everyone welcome, Refreshments provided.
- Jewellery making - Friday 15th February 7.30 pm - 9 pm - 6 week course
- Intermediate Food Hygiene - Tuesday 19th February at 7 pm
- Health & Safety @ work - 5th & 6th March - 6 - 9 pm
There may be a small cover charge for each course - contact : 028 81670636

CHURCHTOWN COMMUNITY - SILVERCIRLCE DRAW - JANUARY 2008
£200 - Bridget McEvoy £50 - Jackie Kee £50 - Mary McGarvey
£50 - Jake McHugh £50 - Seamus Duffy

UMBRA COLLECTION - ST PATRICK’S CHURCH CARPARK - WEDNESDAY 6TH FEBRUARY - Before Noon - All clean clothing, men, women and children. Bed linen, curtains, towels and shoes. All clothing will help fund ‘The Educational Project’ which is aimed at educating the children in Kitui

SPECIAL DOCESAN MASS - for those with special needs, and their families and friends, will take place in St Joseph’s Church, Galliagh Derry on Saturday 12th April. Bishop Lagan 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 71264087

CONCERNED ABOUT SUICIDE - An Information evening will be held in the City Hotel, Derry on Tuesday 19th February from 7.30 pm - 9.30 pm. This has been organised by representatives from the four main Christian Churches and will be lead by Mr Barry McGale and Mrs Anne McGarrigle

DIVINE WORD MISSIONARIES - Televised Mass RTE on Sunday 3rd Feburary in Donamon Castle. The Mass will be at 10.45 am and it would be wonderful if you could participate by watching

PRECIOUS LIFE - Abortion Threat from Westminster - a group of MPs in Westminster want to change the law and legalise abortion in N.I. Precious Life have launched a Postcard Petition Campaign asking the Secretary of State to ensure abortion will not be imposed on N.I. from Westminster. You can help by ordering FREE Campaign Postcards to distribute amongst your family and friends. For further information please contact : Precious Life 028 90278484

OLDE TYME DANCE - In Killeter Parish Hall on Friday 15th February 2008 - Music by : Country Legends - 10 pm to late - Spot Prizes