The Ascension of the Lord

21st May 2023

World Communications Day

Glimpses of Heaven

At various points in the Gospels, we are treated to a brief glimpse of heaven - the baptism of Jesus by John, when the heavens open and God’s voice is heard; the Transfiguration where Jesus is transformed in the presence of Peter, James and John; the Ascension, when Jesus is lifted up into heaven before the disciples’ very eyes.

There are times when we get the sense that we have been treated to a glimpse of heaven - like when we are moved by a ‘heavenly’ experience, piece of music, sunset or breath-taking scenery. But today’s feast of the Ascension reminds us that where Jesus has gone, we hope to follow. Elsewhere he tells us that he is going to prepare a place for us. We cannot imagine what lies in store in the life everlasting, the life beyond this life, which we hope to share with God. We can only see a reflection in this world of the splendour and beauty that awaits: ‘The world is charged with the grandeur of God’ (Gerard Manley Hopkins).

‘Oh, I have slipped the surly bonds of earth,

And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;

Sunward I’ve climbed,

and joined the tumbling mirth of sun-split clouds

....and done a hundred things you have not dreamed of....

Wheeled and soared and swung high in the sunlit silence...

And while with silent, lifting mind I’ve trod

The high untrespassed sanctity of space...

...put out my hand, and touched the face of God.’

                   ‘HIGH FLIGHT’       By John Gillespie Magee Jr.

                   Triona Doherty

Announcements

Last week’s collection amounted to £3580.00. 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 will take place in the church on Monday 22 May after 10.00am Mass until 6.00pm

On Monday 29 May Exposition will be dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary for World Peace. If you are willing to attend on Monday 29 May, please enter your name against the appropriate time(s) on the sheets which will be displayed on the tables at the back of the Church from Monday 22 May.

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

Caolan Thomas Moore     

May they Rest in Peace

Deaths

Kathleen Devine, Douglas Bridge                  

Catherine Hepburn, Ballindrait

Brendan McCrossan, Curley Hill Road

Anniversaries

Fr. Ciaran McDonnell, Elizabeth Walsh, Elma Clayton

William McCormack, Donal Smyth, Mickey Doherty

Patsy Walsh, George Mullan, Kathleen McMenamin

Rose McGeehan, Joe Brennan, Molly Doherty

Mary Murphy, Mary Ramsey, Tom Doherty         

Eileen Houston. Annie Donnelly                                                               

Baptism Dates

May: Saturday 27

June: 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.

Diocesan Purposes Collection: There will be a second collection today Sunday 21 May for Diocesan Purposes. There is an envelope in your box marked ‘Diocesan Purposes’ for this collection. Anyone contributing to this collection by cheque should make their cheque payable to ‘Melmount Parish’ only. Thank you.

Blessing of Graves: A word of thanks to all our parishioners for their work on the graves leading up to Cemetery Sunday. Thanks to John Breslin, groundsman, Con Tinney our gravedigger, Strabane Brass Band, John McElroy, McCormack Brothers and the Order of Malta.

Parish Draw: Promoters should make their returns for June to the Parish Office on Monday 12 June from 2.00pm - 4.00pm. The Draw for June will take place on Thursday 15 June at 10.30am in the Parish Office.

Congratulations to the P.4 Children of St. Mary’s Primary School who made their First Holy Communion last Saturday. We thank the teachers and parents for preparation of the children and all those who took part in the Mass.

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

Leckpatrick Parish will mark the 200th Anniversary of the opening of St. Mary’s Church, Cloughcor this year. To begin the celebrations, Bishop McKeown will celebrate Mass in St. Mary’s on Sunday 28 May at 3.00pm. Anyone associated with Cloughcor is invited to come along.

Vocations: During this Year of Prayer for Vocations to the Diocesan Priesthood we ask for open minds and hearts in those the Lord is inviting to ‘Go, make disciples of all nations…’ and that, despite their doubts, fears or reservations, they will hear the Lord saying to them ‘…I am with you always.’

St. Joseph’s Young Priests Society will meet in St. Patrick’s Hall on Monday 5 June after 10.00am Mass and recitation of the Rosary in the Church of the Immaculate Conception.

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

One Day Retreat:  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.

Laudato Si’ Week 2023 will be celebrated from 21 - 28 May with the film “‘The Letter’ - A Message for Our Earth”, marking the 8th anniversary of Pope Francis’ landmark encyclical, Laudato Si’. This year’s theme ‘Hope for the Earth. Hope for Humanity’ focuses on the connectedness of all things and the need for a renewed commitment to environmental justice. A showing of the film will take place on Tuesday 23 May at 7.00pm in St. Eugene’s Cathedral Hall. Please call 71262894 to pre book as spaces are limited.

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.

A Team from NI Blood Transfusion Service will be in Strabane Presbyterian Church on Monday 22 May from 12.30pm - 4.00pm and from 5.00pm - 7.30pm. Appointments must now be booked online. To book an appointment please call 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 of new donors.

The Parish Draw for May took place on Thursday 18 May. The winners are as follows: 

£500:          1196 James Langan – Michelle Langan

£250:          1577 Brian & Rosaleen Kelly – Katrina Houston

£250:          1534 Jacqueline Cauley – Katrina Houston

£250:          1080 Michael Boyle – Pauline Wilson   

£150:          1237 Kevin Brown – Pauline Wilson

£150:          1276 Lisa Devine – Katrina Houston

£150:          1060 Tina Shiels – Pauline Wilson

£100:          1170 Agnes Murray – Elizabeth O’Hare  

£100:          1186 Clare O’Reilly – Dolores Houston

£100:          1428 Jean McDermott – Sheelagh McKelvey