Melmount Parish Newsletter

The Most Holy Trinity - 27th May 2018

Relational Begins

Three years ago this week, Pope Francis issued his encyclical on the environment, Laudato Si’: On Care for Our Common Home. In it, he calls for action to halt the destruction of the planet, arguing that preserving our natural environment should be an essential part of the Church’s mission. The word ‘creation’ has a broader meaning than just nature or our world; it has to do with God’s loving plan in which the earth itself and every creature has value.

But why are we talking about the environment on this, the feast of the Most Holy Trinity? Well, in Laudato Si’, Pope Francis tells us that the Trinity is embedded in all creation. Just as God is a communion, every one of God’s creatures is relational, and the world a web of relationships. ‘The Trinity has left its mark on all creation,’ says Pope Francis. The implication of this is that we are all connected, we all share a common home, and we have a duty to protect and care for all that belongs to God. We need to become more aware of how our lifestyles affect both the earth and others, particularly those on the margins of society, and to consider also whether our actions are fair to future generations. Let us pray today, with Pope Francis:

‘Triune Lord, wondrous community of infinite love, teach us to contemplate you in the beauty of the universe, for all things speak of you.’

Triona Doherty

May they Rest in Peace

Deaths

George Mullen, 21 Ashgrove Park,

Joan Gallen, 42 Meetinghouse Street.

Anniversaries

Michael Flanagan, Elizabeth O’Reilly, Charles O’Reilly,

Josephine Kerrigan, Sadie McFeeters, Desi Maguire,

Kathleen McMenamin, Dan Meehan, Frank McCrory,

Sheila Griffin, Alex Curry, John McKenna,

Elizabeth McLaughlin, James McLaughlin, Tommy Gray,

Joe Brennan, Packie Conway.

Announcements

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’.

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament will take place in the church tomorrow Monday 28 May after 10.00am Mass until 7.30pm.

Visitation of Sick and Housebound

The sick and housebound will be visited on Monday 28 May and Tuesday 29 May as follows:

Monday Morning: The Trust, Knockavoe Area, Melmount Villas

Tuesday Morning: St. Colman’s Drive, Bridgend, Carrick Strand, Oakland Park.

First Friday: Friday of this week is the First Friday. Masses will be at 10.00am and 7.00pm. Confessions will be on Thursday after 10.00am Mass and on Friday at 6.15pm.

St. Mary’s Primary School - Parish Bingo on Sunday 27 May.

Pledge Mass: Our P.7 children are invited to take a pledge concerning the use of alcohol and drugs. The Pledge will be taken at 7.00pm Mass on Tuesday 29 May. Pupils from other schools are welcome to attend.

Blessing of Graves: The Annual Ceremony of the Blessing of the Graves will take place here in Melmount today Sunday 27 May at 4.00pm. You are asked to bring with you a small bottle of Holy Water so that you yourselves may sprinkle the graves of your loved ones. Car parking facilities will be made available at St. Mary’s P.S., both Senior and Junior Schools, and Holy Cross College. Because of the huge numbers who attend this service you are asked to come in good time. Those who are able may find it easier to walk to the Cemetery rather than come by car.

First Holy Communion for our P.4 children in St. Mary’s P.S. will take place in the Church next Saturday 2 June at 11.30am. Children are asked to be in the Church for 11.10am.

Please note there will be no confessions on Saturday morning.

Dates for Baptism

The following are the dates for the Sacrament of Baptism during the months of June and July:

June: Saturday 9; Sunday 17; Saturday 23.

July: Sunday 1; Saturday 14; Saturday 21.

Times for Baptism: Sunday 1.15pm; Saturday 4.00pm.

Convent Jubilee Celebration: The Sisters of Mercy are pleased to invite you to join us in marking 150 years of Presence in Strabane. Mass will be celebrated in the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Strabane at 3.00pm on Sunday 3 June. Refreshments afterwards in St. Patrick’s Hall.

Mass for the Legion of Mary: A special Mass to Our Lady will take place on Wednesday 30 May at 7.30pm in St. Theresa’s Church, Sion Mills. It will be a special Mass for the Legion of Mary, who will renew their commitment. It will also be the Vigil Mass for the Feast of the Visitation.

Parish Draw: Promoters should make their returns for June to the Parish Office on Monday 18 June from 2.00pm - 4.30pm. The draw for June will take place on Thursday 21 June at 10.30am in the Parish Office.

Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lough Derg, led by Bishop Donal McKeown, will take place from Friday 22 June - Sunday 24 June. Coach travelling from St. Eugene’s Cathedral, Derry via Strabane. For pilgrims travelling by coach the cost is £80 per person (which includes all transport and pilgrimage costs). A non-refundable deposit of £20 per person is required to secure your place. Pilgrims may use their own means of transport. For more information about the pilgrimage or to register, please contact the Diocesan Catechetical Centre on 71264087 or email: rebecca.odoherty@derrydiocese.org

ACCORD invites applications for the Certificate in Counselling (Marriage and Relationship), for the academic year 2018/2019. The certificate is validated by St. Patrick’s College Maynooth. The training programme is delivered on a part time basis, at weekends, over 1 academic year in Maynooth. For more information please contact the ACCORD Omagh Centre on 82242439 or email: omagh@accordni.com.

Working in Partnership with St. Mary’s College, Twickenham, the Derry Diocesan Catechetical Centre offers the MA in Catholic School Leadership, beginning Autumn 2018. This is a post graduate degree dedicated to the professional development and spiritual formation of Catholic school leaders. It is a great opportunity for those who aspire to, or have an interest in, leadership roles within the Catholic School system. Information Session in St. Mary’s College, Derry on Monday 18 June at 4.00pm. For more information contact Therese Ferry on 71264087 or email tferry@derrydiocese.org.

Free Drop-in Hearing Aid Maintenance Support Sessions will take place on Thursday 31 May in Ballycolman Community Centre from 10.00am - 12 noon and in Strabane Day Centre, Barrack Street from 1.00pm - 2.30pm. The sessions are free and provide support for those who need help with everyday issues like comfort, maintenance, changing ear moulds tubing and batteries and adapting to life with their NHS hearing aids. The sessions are run by trained volunteers.

Parish Draw

The Parish Draw for May took place on Thursday 24 May. The winners are as follows:

£500: 1180 Christina O’Shea – Dolores Houston

£250: 1138 Gerry McDermott – Christine Devine

£250: 1335 Helen Gallagher – Dympna McNamee

£250: 1715 Patrick McDaid – Elizabeth O’Hare

£150: 1426 Pat Rice – Dympna McNamee

£150: 1174 Greta O’Reilly – Bosco McCready

£150: 1357 Pam McLaughlin – Sheelagh McKelvey

£100: 1491 Margaret McBride – Mar Hagan

£100: 1011 Ann Gillespie – Sheelagh McKelvey

£100: 1706 Brenda Conwell – Elizabeth O’Hare