Twenty-Fifth
Sunday in Ordinary Time
24
September 2023
Am I a
Grumbler?
Many of Jesus’ parables are difficult. We are invited
to place ourselves in the story. Which character do we identify with? To which
group would we belong? Sometimes we find ourselves sympathising with the
character who turns out to be in the wrong. God’s ways are not our ways!
The parable of the labourers in the vineyard is one of
those tricky ones. We are drawn into the story, and we feel some sympathy for
the crowd who end up grumbling at the landowner. These early birds who were
hired at daybreak have done most of the work. They have toiled all day in the
heat, doing far more than those who were hired only at the last minute - yet
they all receive the same pay. It’s hardly fair, is it?
But the landowner makes his point: ‘Why be envious
because I am generous?’ Of course, Jesus anticipates the discomfort of his
audience. He uses parables to gently pull the rug from under their feet, to
challenge their assumptions and offer them a new way of thinking that is
focused not on themselves, but on the wider community.
Place yourself in the story. If you identify with the
grumblers, ask yourself why. Why should we be concerned about what others are
getting? Who are we to judge what others deserve? Surely we, too, should want
God’s love and blessings to be extended to everyone!
Triona Doherty
Announcements
Last week’s collection
amounted to £2724.00. 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 25 September after 10.00am Mass until
6.00pm.
First Holy Communion for the P.4 pupils of St. Mary’s
P.S. will take place on Saturday 20 April & Saturday
27 April 2024. Times will be announced later.
Confirmation for the P.7 pupils of St. Mary’s P.S. will
take place on Saturday 2 March & Saturday 9 March 2024. Times will be announced later.
Annual Service for the Dead The Annual Service in remembrance of deceased members
of our families and parish will take place on Sunday 5 November at 6.00pm.
Families who have suffered a bereavement since November 2022 are asked to
nominate a representative to carry a candle to the altar in commemoration of
their dead. (Candles will be provided.).
We welcome into God’s Family through the Sacrament of
Baptism:
Anna Mary Logue
Cathal Enda Coyle
Liam
Ian McNamee
Ethan McGuinness
We congratulate the following couple who were recently
united in the Sacrament of Marriage:
Eileen McGuinness and Martin Boyle
May they Rest in Peace
Deaths
Art O’Hagan, 21 Melmount Gardens
Anniversaries
Yvonne McNamee, Mary
Gormley, Hugo McLaughlin
Barney McDermott, Leonard
McDermott, Brigid French
Thomas French, Gerry
French, Joe Gorman
Jim Patton, Jean
Meadows, Pauline McGinley
Francie McGinley, Gerard
Connolly, Kathleen Foley
Patsy McElroy, Nana
McGonagle, Jim Doherty
Angela O’Connor, Charles
McCanny
Baptism Dates
October: Sunday
8; Saturday 28.
November: Sunday
12; Saturday 25.
December: Sunday
3; Saturday 16; Saturday 30.
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 October to
the Parish Office on Monday 16 October from 2.00pm - 4.00pm. The Draw
for October will take place on Thursday 19 October at 10.30am in the Parish
Office.
Vocations: During our National Year of Prayer for Vocations to
the Diocesan Priesthood and as the Church prepares for the Synod due to begin
in Rome on 4 October we ask our loving, merciful and generous God to send the
Holy Spirit down powerfully on all of us that we will walk together in faith,
renewing the Church here in the diocese of Derry, each one fulfilling our
baptismal promises as lay, religious and ordained members of the Body of Christ
and that the Lord will bless our diocese with an abundance of priestly vocations.
Trócaire is looking for people to join its team of Christmas
fundraisers to help respond to the urgent need of poor communities around the
world, including the millions of children and families caught in conflict
across Ethiopia, South Sudan and Ukraine. You can take action and make a
difference through a range of activities, including the promotion of its Gifts
of Change - training and support will be provided. For more information
about what you can do to help now or over the Advent and Christmas period,
please email Mark McMahon on infoni@trocaire.org or call 028 9080 8030.
Silent Retreat in Knock: Fr.
Joseph K. Bill - 5 Day Silent Retreat given by Fr. Anthony Saji, VC at Knock
Shrine from 8 - 12 October. For more information or booking contact Maeve on
07815319710.
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, contact the Parish Office on 71383777
before any work commences.
Accord Derry Marriage Preparation Courses (Pre
Marriage Courses) will take place on 16/17 October; 6/7 & 27/28 November; 11/12
December. All of these courses are virtual and should be booked online at www.accordni.com
Versus Arthritis 6 Week Pain Management Course in
Strabane from Tuesday 3 October - Tuesday 7 November (6 sessions). Time:
10.30am - 1.00pm at ASDA Strabane, 2 Branch Road. To register of for more
information telephone 90782940 or email: s.gilchrist@versusarthritis.org
Drugs Awareness Information Session on ‘Prescription
Misuse’ at Fountain Street Community Centre in Partnership with HURT on
Tuesday 3 October at 7.00pm. Everyone is welcome to attend.
A Team from the NI Blood Transfusion Service will
be in Strabane Presbyterian Church on Monday 2 & Tuesday 10 October from
12.30pm - 4.00pm & 5.00pm - 7.30pm. To give blood now you must make an
appointment. Call 08085 534 653 or log on to www.nibts.org. The Blood
Transfusion Service needs the help not only of existing blood donors but also
new donors. Please give blood to help.
Yoga & Pilates Autum Timetable: Yoga: Monday:
11.00am & 8.00pm (suitable for everyone), Castlederg; Tuesday:
10.00am & 7.30pm (beginners); Restorative Yoga 4.30pm (beginners),
Strabane; Thursday: 11.15am (beginners), 6.00pm (mixed
ability) & 7.30pm (beginners), Strabane; Saturday: 9.00am (suitable
for everyone). Pilates: Monday: 6.00pm (beginners), Strabane; Wednesday:
7.30pm, Strabane; Thursday: 10.00am (beginners), Strabane; Friday:
10.00am, Castlederg (suitable for everyone). Also taking bookings for
1-2-1’s, Group Sessions, Sports Recovery, Yoga for MS, Anxiety, Yoga in School
and Teacher Training. To book and for more information contact Annie’s Yoga on 07716034570.
The Parish Draw for
September took place on Thursday 21 September. The winners are as follows:
£500: 1007
Eleanor McCarron – Dolores Houston
£250: 1583
Malachy Houston – Katrina Houston
£250: 1223
John & Edwina Begley – Elizabeth O’Hare
£250: 1356 Mabel Preston – Pauline Wilson
£150: 1562
Rose Houston – Katrina Houston
£150: 1501
Anna Margaret McGowan – Katrina Houston
£150: 1492
Kieran McBride – Maureen Hegarty
£100: 1043
James & Beth Heaney – Maureen Hegarty
£100: 1486 Marcella Hagan – Elizabeth
O’Hare
£100: 1604 Maria
McKane – Brenda Brolly
