First Sunday of Advent

Sunday, 1st December 2024

Be prepared ....

Have you ever heard the story of the ant and the grasshopper? It tells the tale of a grasshopper who has spent the summer singing and so is not prepared when winter comes, whereas the ant has been working hard all summer and has stored up enough food for winter. Like many of Aesop’s Fables, it has a stark moral lesson, in this case about the virtue of hard work and being prepared for the future.

Of course, Advent is about looking forward to Christmas and our celebration of the birth of Jesus. It is a special time of preparation to welcome him anew into our lives. But today’s readings remind us that Advent is also about looking ahead to another time, the second and final coming of Jesus at the end of time. ‘Advent’ comes from the Latin word adventus, meaning ‘coming’.

The problem, of course, is that we have no idea when this will happen. Unlike the ant and the grasshopper, we have no way of knowing when the seasons will change. We don’t even know when the sun will set on our own individual lives. All we can do is to be prepared and to ‘stay awake’ - to live now in such a way that when we meet Jesus, we will be ready. This readiness is less a practical skill than a condition, or a way of life. Look at how St. Paul describes it; he talks about increasing our love for one another, and continually making progress in living the life that God wants. That is how we store up treasures here on earth to make sure we are ready for the heavenly things to come.

Triona Doherty

Announcements

Last week’s collection amount to £3473.00. Thank you.

Those who pay to the weekly collection or any special collections, including Priests’ 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: There will be no Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament during the month of December.

First Friday: Friday of this week is the First Friday. Mass will be at 10.00am. Confessions will take place on the Thursday before the First Friday after 10.00am Mass and on Saturday at 11.30am.

Collection Counters: The following are asked to count the collection for the month of December: Enda McDonnell, Rita McDonnell, Eamon McColgan and Anne Carlin.

Carols by Candlelight will take place in the Church on Sunday 15 December at 5.30pm in aid of the Kevin Bell Repatriation Fund.

May they Rest in Peace

Deaths

·         Esther Casey, 43 Five Acres

·         Irene Wilson, 9 Dublin Road

·         Mary Connolly, Castlederg

·         Gerard Sweeney, formerly Lifford

·         Gwen McGettigan, Burndennett

Anniversaries

·         Mary Harley, John A. Duffy, Patsy Quinn

·         Charles McConway, Jackie Vaughan, Raymond McNally

·         Delma Doherty, Patrick Duffy, Annie May Gallagher

·         Mary McGrath, Winifred McCanny, James Gallagher

·         Mary Diamond, Edward MacIntyre, Paddy Mullen

·         Hugh McCormick, Zita Mullen, Josephine McGarrigle, Emma Harpur

Parish Draw: Promoters should make their returns for December to the Parish Office tomorrow Monday 2 December from 2.00pm - 4.00pm. The Draw for December will take place on Wednesday 4 December at 10.30am in the Parish Office.

Baptism Dates

December: Sunday 8; Saturday 14; Saturday 28.

January:    Sunday 5; Saturday 18; Saturday 25.

February:   Sunday 2; Saturday 15; Saturday 22.

March:               Sunday 2; Saturday 15; Saturday 22.

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.

St. Vincent de Paul Collection: The St. Vincent de Paul Society depends on your generosity all year round but especially at Christmas time. They will hold a special collection at all Masses this weekend 30 November/1 December.  There is an envelope marked ‘St Vincent de Paul’ in your box of envelopes for this collection. Anyone contributing to this collection by cheque should make it payable to ‘St. Vincent de Paul Society’.

Trócaire Gifts of Change: Trócaire gifts will be on sale over the weekend of 7/8 December at all Masses here in Melmount. Trócaire Gifts of Change help some of the poorest people in the world to work their way out of poverty. There are 23 gifts to choose from starting at £5 for the Gift of Soap. All these Gifts help families in war torn South Sudan, Gaza and Ukraine. The gifts are real items, sourced in-country which go to families in need of our support. For more information go to https://www.trocaire.org/gifts. Also it would be a great help if you had the correct money for the gifts you are purchasing. We thank you for your help in this.

Thornhill Ministries’ Crib Festival: The Festival is being held in ‘The Den’ (Melmount Centre) on Sunday 1 December from 11.00am - 5.30pm. A unique event inviting us into the Story of Christmas through a truly inspirational display. Children will love it and so will the adults.

Marie Curie Community Carol Service in the Alley Theatre on Tuesday 10 December at 7.30pm. Music by Strabane Brass Band, Strabane Junior Brass Band, Class Act Singers. Featuring Soloist Ciara Quinn.

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.

Vocations: For those considering a vocation to serve the Church as priests of the Derry diocese we pray in the words of St. Paul in our second reading, that they ‘..will make more and more progress in the kind of life (they) are meant to live, the life that God wants…’

Strabane Chorale will perform their 10th Anniversary Christmas Concert in the Alley Theatre on Friday 6 December at 8.00pm. Programme to suit all tastes, with guests Encore PAA. Tickets available from the Alley online or telephone 71384444.

Online Advent Retreat for Parishioners: The Dominicans will give an online Retreat over Advent for anyone interested. The speaker is Fr. Stephen Cummins OP. The title of the retreat is: ‘Keeping Vigil for the Vulnerable God’. The link to sign up is:

https://prioryinstitute.com/events/2024-online-advent-retreat.

Advent Retreat: Emmanuel – He meets you where you are: This Advent season, step away from the busyness of life and enter a sacred space of quiet reflection and prayer. Join the Columba Community for their retreat on Sunday 8 December at 11.00am in St. Anthony’s Retreat Centre, Dundrean, Burnfoot. Find stillness, experience guided prayer, with Adoration & Eucharist. Booking essential. Telephone 00353 749384866. A light lunch is provided. Suggested donation: £20.00.

Society of St. Joseph St. Juan Vianney Branch will meet on Tuesday 3 December in the Church of the Immaculate Conception. Rosary after 10.00am Mass and meeting will continue in St. Patrick’s Hall, Barrack Street afterwards. New members welcome.

N.I. Blood Transfusion Service: Strabane is hosting a Blood Donation Session in Holy Cross College on Thursday 5 December between 12.30pm - 7.30pm. Book your appointment now by telephoning 08085534653 or log on to www.nibts.org. Every Blood Donation saves 3 lives.

Derry Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes 2025: led by Bishop Donal McKeown, from Monday 30 June to Friday 4 July, leaving from City of Derry Airport. Price £849 plus insurance and single supplement if required. The Pilgrimage Office does not open for booking until Saturday 1 February. Gift Vouchers are available from the Pastoral Centre, 164 Bishop Street, Derry. Enquires can be made to derrypilgrim@outlook.com.

Pilgrimages to Medjugorje 2025. Bookings are now being taken for two Pilgrimages to Medjugorje. May 7, leaving from City of Derry Airport. Cost £745 per person sharing. July 2, leaving from Belfast International Airport. Cost £765 per person sharing. Cost includes return flights, accommodation and meals. (Additional charge for single occupancy). Discount of £50 if deposit is paid before 31 January. Organised through Marina Pilgrimages, Dublin. For more information contact John Murray on 07801105575.