Fourth
Sunday of Easter
8th May
2022
Day of
Prayer for Vocations
I know
them
John’s Gospel is sometimes referred to as the
‘spiritual Gospel,’ as it has beautiful, reflective passages. During the Easter
season, we read and hear mostly from John. It is a lovely opportunity to
meditate more deeply on the Word. Today, we are given the image of Jesus as the
Shepherd and of his people as the flock. We hear the words ‘I know them.’ Jesus
knows each person intimately. He knows our deepest desires, our worries and
fears, our insecurities and pain. Jesus is as close to us as our own breathing.
Nobody can interfere with this intimate friendship, even though at times we may
feel differently. We may experience discrimination because of our faith, or be
attacked in some way. When things are not going so well, we may feel as if
Jesus has abandoned us; sometimes we simply want to give up on the whole thing.
We become distant.
Let this passage be a reminder to us that Jesus is always
very close to us and knows our struggles. We simply need to share those
struggles and fears with Him, for ‘no one will snatch them (you) out of my
hand.’ We may forget this from time to time. This week, can you spend five
minutes each day mediating on this passage? Focus on the breath. A phrase to
repeat might be: ‘Jesus, I know that you are as close to me as my own
breathing.’
Jane Mellett
Announcements
Last week’s collection
amounted to £2750.00. 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
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament will take place in
the church on Monday 9th May after 10.00am Mass until 6.00pm.
Blessing
of Graves
The Annual Ceremony of the Blessing of the Graves will
take place here in Melmount next Sunday 15th May at 4.00pm. You are asked to bring with you a small
bottle of Holy Water so that you yourselves may sprinkle the graves of your
loved ones. Car parking facilities will be made available at St. Mary’s P.S.,
both Senior and Junior Schools, and Holy Cross College. Because of the huge numbers who
attend this service you are asked to come in good time. Those who are able may
find it easier to walk to the Cemetery rather than come by car.
Parish Draw 2022: Promoters
should make their returns for May to the Parish Office on Monday 16th May from
2.00pm - 4.30pm. The draw for May will take place on Thursday 19th May at
10.30am in the Parish Office.
We welcome into God’s Family through the Sacrament of
Baptism:
Aoife Amelia Davidson and Charlotte
Agnes Christy
May they Rest in Peace
Deaths
Christina O’Kane, 10 Croaghan View
Patricia Quigg, 4 Gallony Court
Paul Boggs, 11 Castlegrange Road
John O’Reilly, 3 Lampton Court
Rosaleen Brolly, 52 Meetinghouse Street
Mary Devine, 1 Evish Road
Anniversaries
Susie O’Reilly, Maggie Hann, Paddy
Casey
Bridie Doherty, Frances
McAneny, Teresa Woods
Joe McCay, Bella McCay, Sharlene
Ellis
Annie Donnelly, Mona
Christy, Pat Boyle
Kathleen McDevitt, Charlie Dillon, Frank
Turbett
Edward O’Reilly, Mary
Finlay, Dessy Kelly
Sadie Blee, Hanna McGinley, William Gallagher
Siobhan O’Connor, Mary
McGurk, Betty
Gillespie
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.
Baptism Dates
May: Saturday
21st; Sunday 29th
June: Saturday
4th; Sunday 12th; Saturday 18th
July: Sunday
3rd; Saturday 9th; Saturday 23rd; Saturday 30th
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.
Accord Derry Virtual Interactive Marriage Preparation
Course on Tuesday 17th and Wednesday 18th May and Tuesday 7th and
Wednesday 8th June. The courses are now online for booking. Please go to
www.accordni.com to book.
No Visible Scar: Comfort for those Bereaved Workshop Losing a loved one can be a lonely, isolating and
disorienting experience. These feelings of loss have been felt even more keenly
in the time of a global pandemic. This workshop provides a gentle, safe and
comforting space to help those bereaved before or during the pandemic to better
understand their feelings, sensitively unpack the layers of grief their loss
has brought and learn how to respectfully carry grief and embrace life again.
The workshop is from Friday May 20th (arrive 5.00pm) - Sunday 22nd May (depart
2.00pm) in the Dromantine Retreat Centre, Newry. Cost £220.00. Workshop
Facilitator: Fr. Hugh Lagan SMA. To book please contact Jacinta or Louisa on
3082 1964 or email: admin@dromantineconference.com
Lough Derg Pilgrimage Season re-opens One Day Pilgrimages will take place on 10th, 15th, 17th, 22nd,
24th, 29th and 30th May. The Three-Day Pilgrimage will commence on Wednesday 1st June
and continue until 15th August 2022. Admission for the one-day Pilgrimage is €45 and
for the 3 Day Pilgrimage €80. Booking is essential. To book telephone 00353 71
9861518 or info@loughderg.org
Derry Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lough Derg from
Friday 24th June - Sunday 26th June 2022. Spiritual director Bishop Donal McKeown.
Cost £80 per person, includes transport from the Cathedral. If you wish to go
on this Pilgrimage, you must be 16 years or over. For booking contact the Derry
Diocesan Catechetical Centre on 02871 264087 or email: lizzie.rea@derrydiocese.org
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. A reminder that there are specific
measurements for surrounds and headstones in the newest of our graveyards and
benches are not permitted.
Rosary at the Grottos The Rosary will be prayed each day during the month of
May at grottos around Ireland. To see a list of locations, or to register a
grotto visit www.coastalrosaryireland.ie. You can register by texting
0872786552. We are praying for Ireland and for peace in the world.
Life in the Holy Spirit Seminars Life in the Holy Spirit Seminars, Sacred Heart Church,
Omagh, Thursday 12th May at 7.30pm Mass with Homily. This Seminar is on Receiving
God’s Gifts and presented by Fr. Damian Bresnaham SMA, Dromantine.
Accord Catholic Marriage Care Service is
seeking Marriage Preparation Programme Facilitators. Anyone interested in
volunteering for this role and who has a positive attitude towards marriage in
the Catholic Church and the enthusiasm to be part of a team supporting couples
who are preparing for the Sacrament of Marriage. Accord has 54 centres in
dioceses across Ireland. Successful applicants will receive professional
training and will be part of a team delivering marriage preparation programmes
locally in accordance with best practice. Contact Deirdre on 07980898399 or
email info@accordni.com. The closing date for receipt of registration of
interest forms for this year is Friday 27 May. Registration of Interest Forms
and additional information about becoming a facilitator are available on www.accordni.com
Anam Cara Donegal, the
organisation that supports bereaved parents, is holding its monthly Parent
Evening for bereaved parents on Thursday 12 May at 7.15pm 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. We also offer an online service. Please contact us on
085 288 8888/info@anamcara.ie for more information.
Thinking about Fostering? Come
along to one of our face-to-face information events to find out about fostering
teenagers. Everyone welcome. The Killyhevlin Hotel, Enniskillen on Tuesday 10th
May from 7.30pm – 8.30pm. The Waterfoot Hotel, Derry on Thursday 19th May from
7.30pm – 8.30pm. If you would like to attend telephone 0800 0720 137 or email
your name, postcode and telephone number to info@fostering.hscni.net
Derry Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes 3rd – 8th
July (ex-Belfast) £689.00 pp sharing. Places are still available. Contact the
Pilgrimage Office on 71260293 or email derrypilgrim@outlook.com
