Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

7th November 2021

The Widow’s Mite

In today’s Gospel, Jesus is courageously speaking out against the hypocrisy of the religious leaders of his time. He is encouraging all his followers to engage in a reality check. The hypocrisy of the scribes is in total contrast to the humility and generosity of the widow in the second part of the Gospel. She gives not of what she has to spare, but everything she has. She is freer than the others. We can be quick to make judgements about another person’s commitment based on what we see happening on the outside. Those leaders who acquire the best seats and show up in all the frills may not actually be all they appear to be. Jesus is urging us to look into the person’s heart for what is there is far more important than all the trappings on the outside. The widow gives everything and this does not have to be about money. We might recall those today who give us their time, their support, who pray from the heart and give of themselves expecting nothing in return. We might thank them, pray for them. We can also look into our own hearts today and challenge our motivations for what we do. Can we give more of ourselves to God or to someone we love? A listening ear, ‘wasting time’ with people, looking at how we spend our money. Jesus calls us to search our hearts and the hearts of others in today’s gospel. The widow models Jesus’ way of discipleship in contrast to those in positions of leadership and power.

                                                                                      Jane Mellet

Announcements 

Last week’s collection amounted to £3060.00. Thank you.

Those who pay to the weekly collection or any special collections, including Priests’ 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 8th November after 10.00am Mass until 6.00pm.

Confirmation for the Children of St. Mary’s P.S. will take place on Saturday 5th March at 11.00am & 1.00pm and on Saturday 12 March at 11.00am & 1.00pm.

Baptism Dates

November: Sunday 28th.

December: Saturday 11th; Sunday 12th.

January: Sunday 9th; Saturday 15th; Saturday 29th.

February: Sunday 6th; Saturday 19th; Saturday 26th.

Baptisms will be at 4.00pm on a Saturday and 1.15pm on a Sunday.

Because of the present Covid regulations Baptisms will be limited to 3 per session. To book a Baptism contact the Parish Office on 71383777 during office hours.

We welcome into God’s Family through the Sacrament of Baptism:

Ada-Mae Porter, Conla Liam David McDaid, Lochlan Gerald Coyle

We congratulate the following couple who were recently united in the Sacrament of Marriage:

Lisa McGowan and Martin Devine

May they Rest in Peace

Deaths

Jim McDaid, 5 Melvin View                                     

Charlie Nelson, 277 Ballycolman Estate

Tony O’Dowd, 14 Nancy’s Lane                     

Thomas Daly, Dublin formerly Lifford

Ena Brannigan, England formerly St, Mary’s Drive

Anniversaries

Kathleen Kennedy, Margaret Dillon, Seamus McDermott

Louis Farren, Jim O’Donnell, Jerry McMenamin

Mary Ellen McHugh, Sean Duffy, Denis Kelly

Mary Ellen Connolly, Jean Christy, Stephen Maguire

Margaret McGarrigle, Frances McGhee, Pat McGarrigle

John Patton, Seamus Flanagan, Briege O’Connor

John Crossan

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.

Parish Draw: Promoters should make their returns for November to the Parish Office on Monday 15 November from 2.00pm - 4.30pm. The draw for November will take place on Thursday 18 November at 10.30am in the Parish Office.

Accord Derry: Marriage Preparation Courses (Pre-marriage courses) on November 23/24; January 25/26; February 8/9; February 22/23; March 8/9; March 22/23; April 5/6. All of these courses are Virtual Interactive Courses. They are held on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 7.00pm - 9.00pm. Booking online: www.accordni.com.

Annual Service for the Dead

The Annual Service in remembrance of deceased members of our families and parish will take place on Sunday 21 November at 6.00pm. Families who have suffered a bereavement since November 1, 2020 are asked to nominate a representative to carry a candle to the altar in commemoration of their dead. (Candles will be provided.)

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.

A Day Retreat in Memory of All the Faithful Departed will take place in the Carmelite Retreat Centre, Termonbacca on Monday 15 November beginning at 10.30am and finishing at 5.00pm. The cost for the day, including meals is £25. To book please contact the Retreat Centre on 71262512.

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.

Anan Cara Donegal, the organisation that supports bereaved parents, is holding its monthly Parent Evening for bereaved parents on Thursday 11 November at 7.20pm in the Raddison Blu, Letterkenny. This event is free and open to all bereaved parents regardless of the age your child died, the circumstances of their death, or whether their death was recent or not.

Free over 60’s Community Christmas Dinner for Residents aged 60 and over living in Lisnafin Park/Ardnalee Park/Old Trust Areas. We will be teaming up with Strabane Community Project again this year to bring some Christmas cheer to our older residents by delivering a Free 3 course meal and some other gifts to our local residents aged 60 and over. Anyone living in the areas listed will be able to avail of this meal delivered to their home on Tuesday 14 December. Bookings can be done online using the link on Lisnafin/Ardnalee/Trust CCDA’s Facebook page or alternatively a paper copy can be completed in Lisnafin Community Centre. Closing date for booking is Friday 26 November at 4.00pm.

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.