Twenty-Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
22nd September 2024
Welcoming the Child
In today’s gospel Jesus is instructing those who will
follow on from him and carry on his work for future generations. He took a
little child and said to the disciples, ‘Whoever welcomes one such child in
my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who
sent me.’ As we continue our journey through the Season of Creation, we are
reminded of Pope Francis’ words in Laudato Sί - On Care for Our Common Home, where
he challenges us to reflect: ‘What kind of world do we want to leave to those
who come after us, to children who are now growing up?’ (Laudato Sί, 160).
In the context of the environmental crisis our world
is facing, how are we welcoming the generations to come? Pope Francis does not
hold back when referring to the challenges: ‘We may well be leaving to coming
generations debris, desolation and filth’ (LS, 161). We know that climate
change and the biodiversity crisis are driving so many problems in our world at
present. ‘Climate change is a global problem with grave implications:
environmental, social, economic, political and for the distribution of goods.
It represents one of the principal challenges facing humanity in our day.’ (LS,
25). Yet our pace of consumption does not ease. Young people are standing up
and calling governments and world leaders to account, rightly concerned about
their future.
During the Season of Creation, we must pray for our
world, and act. How can we restore our common home and ensure that our world is
liveable for the generations who are coming after us? There is so much we can
do, and no action is too small. We must listen to the cry of the earth and the
cry of our young people.
‘The one thing we need more than hope is action. Once
we start to act, hope is everywhere. So instead of looking for hope, look for
action. Then, and only then, hope will come.’ – Greta
Thunberg.
Jane
Mellett
Announcements
Last week’s collection
amounted to £2769.00. 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 23 September after 10.00am Mass until
6.00pm.
St. Mary’s Primary School will
have their Opening of School Year Mass on Friday 27 September at 10.00am in the
Church.
We welcome into God’s Family through the Sacrament of
Baptism:
Ally Margaret Grace McGillian
Georgia Monica Greer
Kya Maguire Walters
Conor Jude Duddy
We congratulate the following couple who were recently
united in the Sacrament of Marriage:
Caron McLaughlin and John Scally
May they Rest in Peace
Deaths
Donna Coulter, 7 Delaney Crescent
Eric (Kurt) Brundin, 13
Ballycolman Estate
Jean McElwee, 29 Ardnalee Park
Bridget Cassidy, 5 Evish Grove
Mary Mohan, Victoria Bridge
Nicki Batchelor, Kent
James Campbell, Portrush
Anniversaries
Alice O’Neill, Nana McGonagle, Jim McFarland
Frank McConnell, Sarah
Montague, Sheila McDaid
Bridget French, Thomas
French, Francie McMonagle
Charlie McCanny, Harry
Cassidy, Pauline McGinley
Barney McDermott, Leonard McDermott, Mary
O’Connor
Parish Draw Promoters should make their returns for October to
the Parish Office on Monday 14 October from 2.00pm - 4.00pm. The
Draw for October will take place on Thursday 17 October at 10.30am in the
Parish Office.
Baptism Dates
October: Sunday
6.
November: Sunday
3; Saturday 16; Saturday 30.
December: Sunday
8; Saturday 14; Saturday 28.
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.
Annual Service for the Dead The
Annual Service in remembrance of deceased members of our families and parish
will take place on Sunday 3 November at 6.00pm. Families who have suffered a
bereavement since November 2023 are asked to nominate a representative to carry
a candle to the altar in commemoration of their dead. (Candles will be
provided).
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 in
Sudan and Gaza. 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.
Vocations In this weekend’s gospel Jesus says, ‘Whoever wants
to be first must be last of all and servant of all.’ We pray for those called
to serve the people of God as priests of the diocese of Derry, especially our
five seminarians and the three men who have applied to begin their seminary
studies this year.
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 October 18/19. Please note that these courses are NOT
virtual and are in person. Bookings are now being taken on www.accordni.com
Derry Diocesan Pilgrimage to Knock Bishop
Donal McKeown will lead the Derry Diocesan Pilgrimage to Knock on Saturday 28
September. Mass with Anointing of the Sick will take place at 3.00pm in the
main Basilica, accompanied by the Long Tower Parish Folk Group.
Triduum of St. Therese of the Child Jesus Retreat with
Fr. Dominque Faure, will take place in the Carmelite Retreat Centre,
Termonbacca on Sunday 29 September from 10.00am - 5.00pm. Cost for the day,
including light lunch £15. For bookings and more information telephone
71262512.
Organ Donation Week 23 - 29 September Organ
Donation Week is a time dedicated to remembering and giving thanks to people
who have enabled the ‘Gift of Life’ to others by donating organs to
those in need of life-saving transplants. This week is also an opportunity to
raise awareness of organ donation. You are invited to have a conversation with
your family, share your decision, register your decision. You could be a Life
Saver! For more information see www.organdonationni.info
Parish Draw
The Parish Draw for September took place on Thursday
19 September. The winners are as follows:
£500: 1453
Rose Mullan – Maureen Hegarty
£250: 1118
Bernie Duncan – Ann Donaghey
£250: 1516
Mark Kelly – Katrina Houston
£250: 1111 Sadhbh Donaghey – Ann Donaghey
£150: 1513 Pat
McLaughlin – Elizabeth O’Hare
£150: 1027
Genevieve O’Neill – Sheelagh McKelvey
£150: 1151 Ann
Crudden – Elizabeth O’Hare
£100: 1235 Ann
Devine – Carolann Stewart
£100: 1288 Annette & Christopher Boyce – Maureen
Hegarty
£100: 1603 Seamus
McElroy – Sheelagh McKelvey
