Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

6th February 2022

‘Push out into the Deep’

Jesus invites Peter to put out the net again, and Peter does so though he thinks it pointless. When have you felt it was pointless to stick with a task, but did so nonetheless and been surprised by results? We never know when our efforts are going to bear fruit.

‘Push out into the deep’ The invitation is to go out into unfamiliar waters, where we are not sure what will happen, where we feel uneasy, and our safety is not assured. When have you responded positively to that kind of an invitation and got positive results you did not expect?

The story gives us a glimpse of what prepared the disciples to follow Jesus. They were helped by the compassion and concern of Jesus (cured Peter’s mother-in-law); attracted by his work and teaching; and witnessed the power of God at work through him. This led them to ‘leave everything and follow him’. Who, or what, influenced you in making key decisions in your life? Who was Jesus for you in those situations?

                                     John Byrne, OSA

Announcements

Last week’s collection amounted to £2725.00. 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 in the church on Monday 7 February after 10.00am Mass until 6.00pm.

Baptism Dates

February: Sunday 20th.

March: Sunday 20th; Saturday 26th.

April: Sunday 3rd; Saturday 9th; Sunday 17th; Saturday 23rd.   

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

To book a Baptism contact the Parish Office on 71383777 during office hours.

Thursday 10 February: On Thursday 10 February there will be no electricity in the Church, Parochial Houses or Parish Office due to essential maintenance by NIE. Because of this there will be no lights or heat in the church that day and telephones in the Parish Office or Parochial Houses will not work. We appreciate your understanding in this matter which is beyond our control.

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

Roise Aine Stewart

Dylan James Sharkey

Aodhan Ethan McAnenny

May they Rest in Peace

Deaths

Tony Hoynes, 334 Ballycolman Estate         

Catherine Hyndman, 45 Greeves Park

Sally Maxwell, 7 Church View                       

Jim McBride, New Zealand

Anniversaries

Agnes McGrath, Jackie Meehan, John Houston

Patsy Donaghey, Gerald McGeehan, Rita McGeehan

John Catterson, Michael Frystal, Mickey Smith

Mary Jane McCrossan, Elizabeth Devenney, Mary McGoldrick

Andy Browne, Josephine Gallagher, Charlie Mitchell

Alice Gormley, Veronica Patton, Margaret McGarrigle

Brian McDonagh, Willie John Connolly, Kevin Connolly

Sean Connolly, Jimmy McShane

Parish Draw 2022

The new Parish Draw gets underway soon. Returns for January and February i.e. £10.00 for each member, will be taken on Monday 21st February from 2.00pm - 4.30pm. The draws for January and February will take place in the Parish Office at 10.30am on Thursday 24th February. If you are willing to volunteer your services please contact the Parish Office on 71 383777. Promoters are asked to leave their updated lists of members’ names into the Parish Office as soon as possible. Parishioners are encouraged to support the Draw.

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 12th March at 11.00am & 1.00pm.

First Holy Communion for the pupils of St. Mary’s P.S. will take place on Saturday 28th May 2022 as follows: P4A at 11.00am; P4B at 1.00pm and P4C at 3.00pm.

Confirmation for pupils of the Gaelscoil will take place on Saturday 2nd April 2022 at 12.00 noon.

First Holy Communion for pupils of the Gaelscoil will take place on Saturday 18th June 2022 at 11.30am

Graveyards: We would ask that when you are having headstones and surrounds erected in the graveyards or having any work carried out to existing graves that you put any ornaments or flowers etc that are on the grave in a safe place while the work is being carried out. The parish is not responsible for any damage or loss of these items.

Dromantine Retreat Centre: New Workshop 2022 - Elderhood: Surprising Signposts to Aging Well. Friday 11th February (arrive 5.00pm) - Sunday 13th February (depart 2.00pm). Cost £210/€250. The world is undergoing a dramatic demographic shift. In 2022 the number of people 65 and over will outnumber children aged 5 and under. This workshop will provide practical tools and surprising insights on how to live a more fulfilling, healthy and rewarding life in later years. Workshop Facilitator: Fr. Hugh Lagan SMA. To book a place contact Jacinta or Louisa 028 30821964.

Catholic Engaged Encounter: A Marriage Preparation course is planned for 9th/10th April 2022 in the Drummond Hotel, Ballykelly. This two day course is a positive way of preparing for Marriage where you will discover how you can enrich your future relationship. For information and booking log on to marriageencounter.ie or telephone 028276 38512.

A Holy Hour for Vocations, led by the Diocesan Vocations Director, Fr. Pat O’Hagan, will take place in St. Mary’s Church, Creggan on Friday 11th February at 8.00pm, the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. Everyone is welcome to attend. The Holy Hour can also be followed at www.cregganchapel/webcam.com

Accord Derry: Marriage Preparation Courses (Pre-marriage courses) on February 22nd/23rd; March 8th/9th; March 22nd/23rd; April 5th/6th. 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.

Employment Opportunity at the Sanctuary of St. Patrick, Lough Derg, Pettigo.

Applications are invited for an Operations Manager, which is a key leadership role in delivering the Mission and Vision of Lough Derg, responsible for the smooth running of all day to day operational activities at the pilgrimage centre. For details and Application Pack contact Mary on 00353 719861518 or mary@loughderg.org. 

Anam Cara Donegal, the organisation that supports bereaved parents, is holding its monthly Parent Evening for bereaved parents on Thursday 10th February at 7.30pm in the Radisson 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.

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. This is to help protect everyone receiving the Blessed Sacrament and we appreciate your help in this matter.

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.