Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

26 October 2025

The meaning of life

After the Second World War, a Greek man named Alexander Papaderous founded an Institute of Peace and Understanding on the island of Crete, as a response to the atrocities that had taken place there during the war. One day, while taking questions at the end of a lecture, someone asked him ‘What is the meaning of life?’ In response, Papaderous took a small mirror out of his wallet, and said: ‘I am a fragment of a mirror whose whole design and shape I do not know. Nevertheless, with what I have I can reflect light into the dark places of this world – into the black places in the hearts of men and women – and change some things in some people. Perhaps others may see and do likewise. This is what I’m about. This is the meaning of my life.’

Papaderous was a person of great humility, aware of how small and seemingly insignificant each one of us is, but full of faith that we can still do great things. Like the tax collector in the parable we hear today, he was aware of his unworthiness, but open to light and hope.

In today’s Gospel we are invited to put ourselves in the shoes of the Pharisee, who regarded himself as superior to others, and the tax collector, who throws himself on the mercy of God. Which of them sees the bigger picture?                                          

Triona Doherty

Announcements

Last week’s collections amounted to: Melmount: £2394; Sion Mills: £1211. 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’ or ‘Sion Mills Parish’ depending on the Parish. Parishioners can still leave their contributions in the Parish Office. If the Office is closed please use the letterbox.

Forty Hours St. Mary’s Church, Melmount today Sunday 26 October – Monday 27 October

Sunday 26 October 8.00am Morning Prayer, 11.30am Mass, 3.00pm Divine Mercy Chaplet, 6.00pm Holy Hour: Angelus, Evening Prayer and Stations of the Cross, 9.00pm Rosary, 9.30pm Night Prayer.

Monday 27 October 12.00am Rosary, 3.00am Rosary,  6.00am Angelus and Chaplet,  8.00am Morning Prayer & Rosary, 10.00am Mass, 12.00pm Angelus and Midday Prayer, 3.00pm Divine Mercy Chaplet, 6.00pm Angelus and Chaplet,  8.00pm Holy Hour: with Evening Prayer and Rosary, 9.30pm Night Prayer, 12.00am Solemn Benediction to conclude the 40 Hours.

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament will take place in St. Theresa’s, Sion Mills on Fridays from 10.30am – 6.30pm. (Benediction if priest available.)

Adoration Everyday The Blessed Sacrament can be adored in the Adoration Room, St. Theresa’s, Sion Mills anytime while the church is open.

Adoration with prayers and songs will take place in the Day Chapel, St. Mary’s, Melmount on Sunday 2 November from 10.30am – 11.15am in both Polish and English. Everyone welcome.

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

Nina Breid Kerr      

Laci Marie McDermott      

Darcie Leigh Karen Gardiner-Kelly                        

May they Rest in Peace

Deaths

Andrew Foley, 72 Ballycolman Estate            

Kathleen Walsh, 76 St. Colman’s Drive

Danny Coyle, Lifford                                            

Breda McBeth, England

Vincent Rouse, London

Anniversaries

Bridie McMenamin, Maureen O’Brien, Pam McLaughlin  

Joanne Henderson, Charles Flanagan, Ryan McGonigle   

George McGinley, Kathleen McKinney, Gregory Forbes        

Kathleen McCrossan, Noel McCrory, Damien McClay     

Maybid Doherty, Mamie McNulty, Billy Hamilton     

Kieran Doherty, Jim Roarty, Doreen Carlin         

May Coyle, Hugh McCormick, Kathleen McCallion             

Hugh Moss, Michael O’Connor, Mary Macklin

Joe O’Connor, Mary O’Connor, Tony Gillespie

Baptism Dates Melmount

November: Saturday 8.

December: Saturday 6; Saturday 20.

Baptisms will be at 3.30pm on a Saturday.

To book a Baptism contact the Parish Office on 71383777 during office hours.

To arrange Baptisms in St. Theresa’s please telephone the Parish Office on 028 71383777.

Annual Service for the Dead The Annual Service in remembrance of deceased members of our families and parish will take place next Sunday 2 November at 4.00pm in St. Mary’s Church, Melmount and at 6.00pm in St. Theresa’s Church, Sion Mills. Families who have suffered a bereavement since November 2024 are asked to nominate a representative to carry a candle to the altar in commemoration of their dead. (Candles will be provided).

Safeguarding Notice If you have any concerns with regard to the Safeguarding of children within the church please contact Marie O’Kane, the Diocesan Designated Liaison Person (DLP) on +447596500793 or email@ dlp@derrydiocese.org

Northern Ireland emergency services: PSNI on 101; Social Services: Gateway Services, Western HSC Trust, 028 71314090 and ask for the Duty Social Worker. Regional Emergency Social Work Services 0800 1979 995.

Gifts of Change Could you help share the true spirit of Christmas in your parish? Trócaire is appealing for volunteers to help with the sale of Gifts of Change this Christmas. These gifts support families living in poverty around the world, offering practical help and hope where it is most needed. Watch this short video to find out how you can get involved and make a difference: Trócaire’s Gift of Change video: https://vimeo.com/1123144510/5ee246bf4b If you would like to volunteer or find out more, please contact Trócaire – infoni@trocaire.org or telephone 028 90808030.

Graveyards (Melmount) 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 We pray for our seminarians, for the men discerning their vocation and for the future priests of the diocese that, like St. Paul, they will be able to say, ‘I have fought the good fight; I have run the race to the end; I have kept the faith.’

Anam Cara supporting parents after bereavement are hosting an Online Bereavement Information Evening on Thursday 30 October at 7.00pm. Our guest speaker will be Breffni McGuinness bringing years of experience with Laura Lynn, Ireland’s Children Hospice and his robust background in pastoral care. Breffni will also take extra time to speak to the experience of parents who may have been carers to their children before their passing. Whether it be due to illness, disability, age or any other reason, we recognise that grieving a child that one has cared for in this way may bring additional questions, complications or difficulties. All parents regardless of the age of their child or circumstances of their passing are, of course, very welcome, but we would like to extend this additional invitation to these families this month.

Caring for People with Dementia: One-day Retreat, Ards Friary, Creeslough on Wednesday 10 December from 10.30am – 3.30pm. Cost €50 which includes tea/coffee and a light lunch. For bookings contact Ards Friary: telephone 0035374 9138909 or email: info@ardsfriary.ie For more information contact Caroline at carolinebrown268@gmail.com

RNID in Partnership with the Department of Health are holding a free walk-in Support Service where we can help with: Hearing Aids, including basic repairs and maintenance of NHS hearing aids, information on hearing loss and tinnitus, how to do a hearing check and how to access support and services in your area. The next walk-in service will be on Thursday 30 October in the Ballycolman Community Hub from 10.00am - 12 noon and in The Grass Roots Café from 2.00pm – 4.00pm.

Annual Solemn Novena in honour of Our Lady of Perpetual Help: Nine Sundays before Christmas in Long Tower Church, Derry at 6.00pm, beginning today Sunday 26 October. The theme of our Novena this Jubilee Year 2025 is ‘Pilgrims of Hope’ – Finding Hope and Healing in a Hurting World. Each night will comprise of the Rosary, Novena prayer and petitions with a short talk given by various guest speakers and Eucharistic Healing Ceremony with Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. We encourage everybody, including those in need of healing to join us.

Sion Mills Group of Alcohol Anonymous will hold a public information meeting on Wednesday 29 October at 8.30pm in Sion Mills Community Centre. Everyone welcome.