Twenty-Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
19th September 2021
Welcoming the Child
In today’s gospel Jesus is instructing those who will
follow on from him and carry on his work for future generations. He took a
little child and said to the disciples, ‘Whoever welcomes one such child in
my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who
sent me.’ As we continue our journey through the Season of Creation, we are
reminded of Pope Francis’ words in Laudato Sί - On Care for Our Common Home, where
he challenges us to reflect: ‘What kind of world do we want to leave to those
who come after us, to children who are now growing up?’ (Laudato Sί, 160). In the context of the environmental crisis our world
is facing, how are we welcoming the generations to come? Pope Francis does not
hold back when referring to the challenges: ‘We may well be leaving to coming
generations debris, desolation and filth’ (LS, 161). We know that climate
change and the biodiversity crisis are driving so many problems in our world at
present. ‘Climate change is a global problem with grave implications:
environmental, social, economic, political and for the distribution of goods.
It represents one of the principal challenges facing humanity in our day.’ (LS,
25). Yet our pace of consumption does not ease. Young people are standing up
and calling governments and world leaders to account, rightly concerned about
their future.
During the Season of Creation, we must pray for our
world, and act. How can we restore our common home and ensure that our world is
liveable for the generations who are coming after us? Can your parish explore
becoming an Eco-Parish, setting up a care for creation team, turning church
grounds in areas which promote biodiversity? There is so much we can do, and no
action is too small. We must listen to the cry of the earth and the cry of our
young people.
‘The one thing we need more than hope is action. Once
we start to act, hope is everywhere. So instead of looking for hope, look for
action. Then, and only then, hope will come.’ – Greta
Thunberg.
Jane Mellett
Announcements
Fr. Malachy Gallagher
On behalf of the parishioners of
Melmount and Sion Mills, Fr Michael, Fr Thomas and Fr John welcome another
priest to our team this weekend. Bishop Donal has appointed Fr Malachy
Gallagher as curate to the two parishes. Fr Malachy was ordained a priest
for the Derry Diocese in 2017 and since then has worked in Waterside Parish,
Derry. Fr Malachy was to go abroad for further studies this year, but
Covid 19 has changed those plans and we are delighted to have him
join us in this area, especially this year with the parishes being understaffed
because of Fr Michael's illness and ongoing treatment. We extend to Fr Malachy
a warm Tyrone welcome and we pray that both he and all of us will be blessed by
his ministry.
We congratulate the following couple who were recently
united in the Sacrament of Marriage:
Lucy Foley and Barry Hegarty
May they Rest in Peace
Deaths
Agnes Walker, 80 Lisnafin Park
Joe Doherty, 4 Tulacorr Gardens
James McCullagh, Plumbridge
Lena Kelly, Burndennett
Anniversaries
Sonny Magee, Alice
O’Neill, Eugene McGarrigle
Jean Meadows, Francie
Smith, Danny McCrossan
Emmet Coyle, Sheila McDaid, Sarah Montague
Fergal McLaughlin, Paddy McGinley, Harry Cassidy
Kathleen Foley, Sheila
McGonigle
Last week’s collection
amounted to £2450.00. Thank you.
Those who pay to the weekly collection or any special
collections, including Priest’s Collection, by cheque are asked that all
cheques should be made payable to ‘Melmount Parish’.
Parishioners can still leave their contributions in
the Parish Office during this time of uncertainty. Contributions can be made by
cheque made payable to Melmount Parish or cash. If the Office is closed please
use the letterbox.
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament will
take place on Monday 20 September from 10.30am until 4.30pm.
Church Opening Times
The Church will open on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday,
Friday & Sunday at 9.30am and close at 5.00pm. On Tuesday and Saturday the church will open
at 11.00am & close at 7.30pm. This is to facilitate cleaning and
sanitizing.
Dates for Baptisms
To arrange Baptisms please telephone the Parish Office
on 028 71383777.
Parish Draw: Promoters should make their returns for September
to the Parish Office tomorrow Monday 20 September from 2.00pm - 4.30pm. The
draw for September will take place on Thursday 23 September at 10.30am in the
Parish Office.
Parish Office. Please Note: The Parish Office closes at
12.30pm on a Friday. Any anniversaries to be included or mentioned at Masses
for the weekend must be notified before that time. It is important that they
are not left at Fr. Michael Doherty’s house after this time either. We
appreciate your help in this matter.
New Graveyard: We would like
to bring it to your attention that restrictions will apply to the erection of
Headstones and Surrounds in the newest of our graveyards. We have been in
contact with the monumental sculptors who usually work in our graveyards to
make them aware of this. Please ensure whoever is erecting a Headstone etc. for
you in this new graveyard contacts the parish office to confirm details before
any work begins.
Guided Pilgrimages on the Lough Derg Pilgrim Path will
be offered on Sunday 26 September and Sunday 3 October, with Mass outdoors,
weather permitting. The full route is a 12km loop, with a shorter 8km option.
Advance booking is essential. For more information email info@loughderg.org or
telephone 00353 719861518.
The Derry Diocesan Catechetical Centre, working in
Partnership with St. Mary’s University, Twickenham,
offers the Masters in Catholic School Leadership. This is a post-graduate
degree dedicated to the professional development and spiritual formation of
Catholic school leaders. It is a great opportunity for those currently in
leadership roles and those who aspire to, or have an interest in, leadership
roles within the Catholic School system. Applications for the Autumn intake
close on 30 September. For more information please contact the Derry Diocesan
Catechetical Centre on 71264087 or email tferry@derrydiocese.org
A Triduum in Preparation for the Feast of St. Padre
Pio will take place at the Franciscan Friary, Rossnowlagh
from Monday 20 September to Thursday 23 September. There will be Mass, Homily
and Blessing of Relic at 7.30pm each evening. The preacher will be Fr. Pius
McLaughlin, OFM who met Padre Pio.
Dog Fouling in the Graveyards: We
would ask all dog owners to keep their dogs on leads when in the graveyards and
to please clean up after them if they foul when they are in the graveyard.
‘Beyond the Bruising:’ An
oasis hour for those seeking serenity as they live with fractured
relationships. Available on zoom on Saturday 9 October at 11.00am. For details
contact thornhillministries@derrydiocese.org.
Guidelines for your safety when the Church is Open
Keep social distancing unless you are with someone from
the same house.
There has to be social distancing, so you might not
get your usual seat.
The church will be cleaned each day.
If you come under the category of being vulnerable or
are nervous about being with other people at this time, do not come to Mass. If
you have any illness at all, even a cold, stay at home as coming to Mass could
be risky for you and for other people. Watch Mass via the webcam or on
television.
In the church, please sanitise your hands and wear a
mask or face covering.
Follow instructions for receiving Holy Communion and
for leaving the church. Please remember that Holy Communion is to be taken in
the hand and not on the tongue.
Do not touch statues.
And if all this is not strange enough, we are asked to
do something which is very unnatural for us - we are asked not to congregate
outside the church after Mass.
