Fifth Sunday of Easter

7th May 2023

‘You do know him and have seen him’

In today’s Gospel, Philip and Thomas are desperate to understand more fully where Jesus is going, how they can get there and what God is like. Big questions! Jesus tries to reassure them, ‘do not let your hearts be troubled.’ Jesus is urging the disciples to embrace the journey rather than focusing on the destination. It is only in the light of the events that will happen to them (and us) that this period of time will be understood. It is always about the journey. As the saying goes, ‘Life can only be understood backwards but must be lived forwards.’ (Kierkegaard).

In the Old Testament, we read that people experienced God in different ways. For example, Moses experienced God in a burning bush or a cloud; for Elijah it was a whisper; for Solomon, it was in a dream. We each have our personal relationship with God, yet any words we try to put on this relationship can seem insufficient.

Yet in Jesus we can experience what God is like and enter into a personal relationship. Jesus models the way for us, shows us that God is love, compassion, inclusive, embracing of all people. To know Jesus is to know God. This only makes sense in light of John’s opening lines of the Gospel, where he says ‘The Word became flesh and dwelt among us...’ (Jn 1:14). Jesus shows us what the presence of God in this world looks like and also what it means to be fully human. Jesus says, ‘I am the way, the truth and the life...’ This truth lies deep within us and in the world around us. We are each called to discover this truth. Perhaps today is an opportunity to reflect on those personal God-experiences of deep peace and love.

Jane Mellett

Announcements

Last week’s collection amounted to £3035.00. 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. 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: Due to the installation of a new sound system and practises for First Holy Communion taking place over the coming week there will be no Exposition tomorrow, Monday 8th May.

Blessing of Graves: The Annual Ceremony of the Blessing of Graves will take place here in Melmount next Sunday 14th 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.

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

Winnie Fiadh McCrory     

Farrah Sarah Brennan               

Cillian George Doherty    

May they Rest in Peace

Deaths

Breidge Boyle, 11 Linkside Park                    

Patsy Tinney, Sion Mills

Olivia Boyda, Derry formerly Lisnafin Park

Anniversaries

Ann Quinn, Dessie Kelly, Kate Murphy Flynn

Paddy Casey,  Joda McCollum, Rosita McGrath

Sharlene Ellis, Jim Duncan, Charlie Dillon

Susan O’Reilly, James Neeson, Frank Turbett

Pat Boyl, Michael Ward, Joe McCay

Bella McCay, Mona Christy, Patricia Quigg

Mary Finlay, Betty Gillespie, John McCrossan

Frank McCrossan, Kathleen McDonnell, Hannah McGinley

Kevin McGonigle, Siobhan O’Connor                                 

Baptism Dates

May: Saturday 13; Saturday 27.

June: Saturday 3; Sunday 11; Saturday 24.

July: Sunday 9; Saturday 15; Saturday 29.

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.

Parish Draw: Promoters should make their returns for May to the Parish Office on Monday 15th May from 2.00pm - 4.00pm. The Draw for May will take place on Thursday 18 May at 10.30am in the Parish Office.

First Holy Communion for the pupils of St. Mary’s P.S. takes place on Saturday 13th May. There will be no Confessions that day.

St. Eugene’s Cathedral 150th Anniversary Celebrations: The Little Way Novena in honour of St. Thérèse of Lisieux will take place in the Cathedral from Saturday 6 May - Sunday 14 May. The opening ceremony will take place at 6.00pm on Sunday 7 May with Bishop Donal McKeown. On Monday night at 7.30pm Marion Carroll, who was cured from Multiple Sclerosis in Knock in 1989, will speak at the evening devotions. The speaker on Tuesday evening will be Tim Shriver. Tim is the chairman of the Special Olympics since 1996 and the founder of Unite. On Wednesday evening the speaker is Eunan McMullan who was a barrister in Belfast and is now a Friar in Assisi. On Thursday evening the speaker will be Alexander McLean, who is the founder of Justice Defenders, which is based in Uganda and seeks to improve the lives of people imprisoned in Africa. On Friday evening the speaker will be Brendan McGinn, who is the principal of St. Mary’s College in Derry. Mass will be celebrated each morning Monday - Friday at 6.30am and 10.00am. Mass for the dead will be celebrated on Saturday 13th May at 10.00am. The Novena will close with Devotions and Blessing of the Roses at 3.00pm on Sunday 14th May. All are welcome.

Greenfield RHOP are having a Coffee Morning on Thursday 11th May at 10.30am. Everyone welcome.

Vocations As we continue our Year of Prayer for Vocations to the Diocesan Priesthood, this weekend’s first reading invites us to pray for deacons and for those preparing for ordination as deacons or priests, that they will be filled with the Holy Spirit as they are sent to preach the Good News of God’s love made real in the person of Jesus Christ. The next monthly Holy Hour for Vocations will take place in St. Eugene’s Cathedral, Derry on Friday 12 May at 8.00pm and will be led by Fr. Patrick Lagan, CC, Waterside. Everyone is welcome to attend or to join the devotions via the Cathedral webcam.

Lough Derg 2023 Pilgrimage Season: Three Day Pilgrimage Thursday 1st June - Monday 15th August (last day to begin Sunday 13th August). Admission €80. Booking advised.

One Day Retreat: 9, 14, 20, 27, 29 May; 19, 22, 27 August; 2, 6, 9, 12, 16, 17, 23, 24 September. Admissions €45. Booking essential. For booking and more information see www.loughderg.org or telephone 00353 719861518.

Carmelite Retreat Centre, Termonbacca will hold Holy Souls Retreat on Saturday 13th May from 10.00am - 4.30pm & Sunday 14th May from 10.00am - 1.00pm. Fr. Paul Denizot and Fr. Axel de Perthuis from the Fraternity of Our Lady of Montligeon France will lead a time of prayer and retreat for the Holy Souls in Purgatory. As this is a free (donation only) event, you are asked to bring a packed lunch. For booking contact 71262512.

Accord Derry: Marriage Preparation Courses (Pre-marriage courses) on May 22/23, June 12/13 & July 3/4, 2023. All of these courses are Virtual Interactive Courses. Courses can be booked online at www.accordni.com

The Derry Diocesan Catechetical Centre, working in Partnership with St. Mary’s University, Twickenham, offers a 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. An information session via ZOOM will be held on Monday 15th May at 3.30pm. For more information or to register contact the Derry Diocesan Catechetical Centre on 71264087 or email: tferry@derrydiocese.org

Anam Cara Donegal, the organisation that supports bereaved parents, is holding its monthly Parent Evening for bereaved parents on Thursday 11 May at 7.15pm in the Radisson Blu Hotel, 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. For more information call 00353 1 4045378.

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. Please ensure that whoever is erecting the headstone and surround for you in this graveyard, contacts the Parish Office on 71383777 before any work commences.