Cappagh Parish, Derry Diocese, Ireland.

“Martha, Martha,” Jesus said “you worry and fret about so many things, and yet few are needed, indeed only one.” The level of stress and anxiety is very high for so many people in today’s world. Today Jesus wants us, as his followers, to look at this and do something about it. It’s about setting priorities. One very important priority for all of us is our health of body, mind and spirit. It takes time to care for ourselves properly but it is time well spent. Another priority that is vital is our close relationships of marriage and family. How easily those get put to one side because of all the other things and people in our lives. We are called to put them right now. The only way to do this is by giving our loved ones time and attention. And a third priority is the kingdom of God, which is a kingdom of peace, joy, love, wonderment, caring for the poor and needy. If we are taking care of all these, everything else will fall into place.

Fr. Johnny Doherty, C.Ss.R

Second Reading: Colossians 1: 24-28
I became the servant of the Church when God made me responsible for delivering God’s message to you.

Gospel: Luke 10: 38-42
It is Mary who has chosen the better part; it is not to be taken from her.

Two brothers worked together on the family farm. One was married and had a large family. The other was single. At the day's end, the brothers shared everything equally, produce and profit. Then one day the single brother said to himself, "It's not right that we should share equally the produce and the profit. I'm alone and my needs are simple." So each night he took a sack of grain from his bin and crept across the field between their houses, dumping it into his brother's bin.

Meanwhile, the married brother said to himself, "Its not right that we should share the produce and the profit equally. After all, I'm married and I have my wife and my children to look after me in years to come. My brother has no one, and no one to take care of his future." So each night, he took a sack of grain and dumped it into his single brother's bin.

Both men were puzzled for years because their supply of grain never dwindled. Then one dark night the two brothers bumped into each other. Slowly it dawned on them what was happening. They dropped their sacks and embraced one another.

Anniversary Masses for the week

Monday 19th Frank McGaughey
Killyclogher (CTK 7.30pm)

Wednesday 21st Catherine McDonald
Deverney Road (KC 10.00am)

Wednesday 21st Anthony & Ellen Molloy

Meelmore Drive (CTK 7.30pm)

Friday 23rd Pat Treacy
129, Drumnakilly Road (CTK 7.30pm)

Saturday 24th Denis McGrath
Knockmoyle (CTK 7.00pm)

Sunday 25th Josephine Ward
Main Street MF (MF 10.00am)

Anthony Molloy, Meelmore Drive
Martin Maguire, Mullaghmore Cottages
Bea McKay, Campsie Avenue
Josephine Ward, Mountfield
Sean Hamilton, Cunningham Terrace
Desmond McCann, Farmhill Road
Susan McMenamin, McIvor Villas
Cabrina McGrath, Thornville Park
Tony McDermott, Pinefield Rise

Fr. James McCrory Wednesday 21st July
All other priests Thursday 22nd July
Fr. Noel McDermott Friday 23rd July
Fr. Eamon McDevitt Saturday 24th July
Fr. Michael McEldowney Sunday 25th July

GAA Weekly Bingo: Each Monday evening in Cappagh Parish Hall at 9 pm. Weekly Lotto Numbers 11, 14, 18, 21 and 29. Three winners had three numbers and each received £5.00. Two jackpots have now been capped at £5,000. New jackpot now stands at £3,425.

2nd Prize £1,000 John Clarke Killyburn Road, Drumnakilly
(Promoter Pat O’Connor)

Preparation Courses will be held at the Pastoral Centre, Brook Street, Omagh on Friday evenings and Saturdays October 15-16, November 12-13, December 3-4, and 2011 January 14-15, February 11-12, March 11-12, April 8-9, May 13-14, June 10-11. Applications forms from the Parish Office or from the Accord Office tel. 8224 2439.

Blood Transfusion Service will be in the South West College, 2, Mountjoy Road, Omagh on Thursday 22 & Friday 23 July 1.30pm - 4pm & 5.30pm - 8pm. Please give blood. It could save a life and it only takes twenty minutes of your time.

Children in Crossfire are recruiting participants for the Barcelona Half Marathon in February 2011 and the Derry Waterside Half Marathon in September 2010.
For more information on either event, please contact Sarah on 02 871 26 98 98 or e-mail events@childrenincrossfire.org

THE BIG KNIT 2010 is a fundraiser organised by Innocent Drinks partnering Age NI (new charity combining Age concern NI and Help the Aged). The organisation needs people from across NI to knit small woolly hats to place on top of Innocent Smoothie bottles. These will be sold in Sainsburys and Boots stores during winter 2010. For every hat knitted , 5p will go to Age NI. Simple knitting patterns and instructions are available from Dorothy McConkey on 028 9024 5729 or email Dorothy.mcconkey@ageni.org

Q. I talk to God and regularly apologise for my sins. I believe God forgives me. Why should I have to go to confession?

A. Your private chat with God is very important. However, since we are not isolated individuals but members of the one body, every sin is an offence against the Church. The sacrament celebrates reconciliation with the body of the Church. If there has been serious sin, the Sacrament of Reconciliation is necessary before receiving the Eucharist. The father of the prodigal might have accepted his son’s apology privately but he preferred to make it a family celebration. Since God already knows your sins, regard the sacrament as a celebration of God’s forgiveness within the family of the Church.