Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

17th July 2022

The Host with the Most

Which one are you? It’s such a familiar story. Think of the last time you had friends or family over for a meal or a gathering. Were you more of a Mary or a Martha? Many of us fall more easily into one category than the other - the ‘host with the most’ who is always up to their eyes with the cooking and catering and table clearing; or the chatterer who is happy to leave the washing up until later?

At face value, I don’t think Jesus is saying we shouldn’t be hospitable and look after our guests, offering them food or drinks. Like many, I really feel for Martha in this story. She had welcomed Jesus into her home, was looking after him and busying herself with serving him, while her sister was too busy listening to Jesus to offer to help. It is no wonder that Martha complained. After all, someone had to do the practical work. Martha may have wanted to spend time with her guest too - but then, who would have served him?

The key is in Jesus’s words. He does not criticise Martha for her efforts, but rather gently rebukes her for ‘worrying and fretting about so many things’. She is so distracted and bogged down in her work that she has forgotten to spend time with Jesus. This is familiar territory for many of us. We are often distracted and busy. Do we make space to sit at the Lord’s feet and listen? Can we take time each day, perhaps, for a Scripture reading?

                                      Triona Doherty

Announcements

Last week’s collection amounted to £2716.00 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.

There will be No Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament until further notice.

Parish Bulletin Today’s Parish Bulletin will be the last bulletin until the end of August. Parishioners are asked not to send names for the Sunday anniversary list by email to the Parish Office during the month of August. Thank you for your help in this matter.

‘Prayer by Telephone’: The Sisters of Mercy, Bethany House of Prayer, Dundalk, welcome any person who may wish to request prayer. All requests are confidential. Telephone 00353 42 9331602 between 9.00am - 9.00pm every day. One of the Sisters will be happy to listen and pray with you.

May they Rest in Peace

Deaths

Una Doherty, 19 Ballycolman Avenue

Anniversaries

Dolores McDermott, Donal Kearney, Paddy Forbes

Charlie Boyle, Kathleen Boyle, Patsy Hamilton

Frankie Diver, Martin Duffy, Peggy Whyte

Dessie Houston, Kay McGuigan, Joseph Millar

Dessie Drumm, Grace Drumm, John McGranaghan

Marie Henderson, Elizabeth Cooke, Joe McNulty

Sarah Early, George Early, Patsy Early

Thomas Falconer, Annie Loughrey

Baptism Dates

July: Saturday 30th

August: Saturday 20th; Saturday 27th

September: Sunday 4th; Saturday 10th; Saturday 17th; Saturday 24th

October: Saturday 1st; Saturday 8th; Saturday 15th; Sunday 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.

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.

Thornhill Ministries One-Day Retreat: ‘Staying Nourished-Staying connected.’ A Retreat to help us to ponder on Faith Pathways in Difficult Times. Speaker: Fr. Paschal McDonnell, OFM. Date: Monday 25 July from 10.15am - 4.00pm. Venue: Everglades Hotel, Derry. To book log on to thornhillministries@derrydiocese.org. Because of Covid-19 the room that is booked is spacious and places will be limited.

Gamblers Anonymous Is gambling affecting your life? Perhaps we can help. Call us on 71351329.

Lough Derg Three Day Pilgrimages run until 15th August 2022 (Saturday 13 August is the final day to begin the Pilgrimage). Booking is Advised. Cost €80. Concessions available for students, seniors and groups. To book telephone 00353 71 9861518 or email info@loughderg.org

Pilgrimage to Knock Lifford Parish is organising a Pilgrimage to Knock on Saturday 6 August. A bus will be leaving Murlog Church at 8.15am that morning. Cost for the day is €20 including travel and meal. To book contact James on 00353 858767999 or Louise 00353 860567455.

Pilgrimage to Medjugorje leaving from Dublin Airport on 24th August returning a week later. Cost £635 per person sharing including return flights, accommodation and meals (extra charge for a single room). Pilgrimage organised through Marian Pilgrimages in Dublin. For more information contact John Murray on 82841265 or 07801105575.

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.

St. Patrick’s Pontifical University, Maynooth is offering a Higher Diploma/Diploma in Pastoral Liturgy. Who is this programme for? Those interested in an accredited foundation programme in Pastoral Liturgy, Training to be involved with Liturgy at diocesan and parish level, Better understanding the liturgical life of the Church. Interested? Find out more online at maynoothcollege.ie/courses.

National Grandparents Pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Knock, also celebrating World Day for Grandparents and Elderly, Sunday 24 July. Anointing of the Sick 2.30pm; Mass at 3.00pm followed by the Rosary. Children’s Prayer Appeal: Children are invited to write a prayer for their grandparents or for someone in their life who is an ‘elderly person’. Prayers can be sent to Knock Shrine and all intentions will be remembered during the liturgy.

A Team from the N.I. Blood Transfusion Service will be in Artigarvan Community Hall on Monday 25 July and Tuesday 26 July from 12.30pm – 4.00pm & from 5.00pm – 7.30pm. Booking is now required. To book an appointment telephone 08085534653. In order to maintain the vital supply of blood to our hospitals, the NI Blood transfusion Service needs the support not only of existing donors but also new donors.

Parish Draw

The Parish Draw for July took place on Wednesday 13 July. The winners for July are as follows: 

£500:          1451 Joanne McGrath – Elizabeth O’Hare

£250:          1662 Caroline Kelly – Bosco McCready

£250:          1181 Frances Porter – Maureen Hegarty

£250:          1397 Kamini Rao – Sheelagh McKelvey

£150:          1439 Carolann Stewart – Carolann Stewart

£150:          1391 Joan Mitchell – Elizabeth O’Hare

£150:          1042 Tony & Frances Devlin – Maureen Hegarty

£100:          1357 Aodhan Bonner – Sheelagh McKelvey    

£100:          1527 Mary Sharkey – Katrina Houston

£100:          1179 Clare & Edel McGowan – Bosco McCready

August Winners

£500:          1543 Amy McGonagle – Katrina Houston

£250:          1275 Martin Rice – Elizabeth O’Hare

£250:          1424 Lisa Browne – Elizabeth O’Hare

£250:          1066 Susan McLaughlin – Pauline Wilson      

£150:          1329 Peggy Duncan – Carolann Stewart

£150:          1573 Catherine McNulty – Katrina Houston

£150:          1366 Jacqueline McCullagh – Pauline Wilson

£100:          1515 Eamon MacIntyre – Katrina Houston      

£100:          1048 Anthony Callaghan – Mar Hagan

£100:          1618 Michelle McRory – Mairead Marriott