The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi) - 14 June 2020

Fr. John’s Diamond Jubilee

On the 19 June 1960 in the impressive setting of Maynooth College Chapel, Fr. John Doherty was ordained a priest by the then Archbishop of Dublin, John Charles McQuaid. Fr. John was one of 60 priests from the whole of Ireland to be ordained on that day, including five from the diocese of Derry. The others were Fr. Seamus O’Connell, Bishop Francis Lagan, who passed away last Tuesday, Fr. Seamus Farrelly (died 2008) and Fr. John Eddie Friel (died 1985). Fr. Michael Collins was also ordained for the diocese in Rome in March 1960.

For the next 50 years Fr. John was to serve in this diocese as curate, parish priest, as a teacher in St. Colman’s High School and as Diocesan Secretary. His parish ministry took him to Clonmany, Creggan, Malin Head, Melmount, Burt, Lifford and then 21 years as Parish Priest in Leckpatrick. His retirement in 2010 saw him come back to Melmount to live in what was the Curates’ House with his sister, Rita and housekeeper, Lily, both of whom have since died. May they rest in peace.

The people of Melmount have benefitted from his generosity and availability in our parish during the past ten years. We pray that he will have the health and enthusiasm to continue for many years to come.

Friday next is the 60th anniversary of Fr. John’s ordination. To celebrate his Diamond Jubilee, Fr. John will say Mass at 10.00am on Friday. You are invited to join him via the parish webcam in celebrating this memorable occasion.

Announcements

Last week’s collection amounted to £2693.10. 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 are invited to leave their contributions in the Parish Office during this time of uncertainty. Contributions can be made by cheque made payable to Melmount Parish or cash. If the Office is closed please use the letterbox. We appreciate your understanding in this matter and your continued support.

Sunday 14 June Feast of Corpus Christi

Today Sunday 14 June is the Feast of Corpus Christi and at the 10.30am Mass we will pray especially for our P.4 pupils who would have been making their First Holy Communion on 2 May. We look forward to celebrating their special day.

May they Rest in Peace

Deaths

Bishop Francis Lagan, 9 Glen Road

Sean Gallagher, 46 Croaghan Heights

Joe McBride, Mulvey House

Margaret Dunnion, England formerly Lifford

Anniversaries

Fr. John Convery, Margaret Haughey, Danny Shields,

Susan McBride, Rose Wallace, Catherine McCutcheon,

Belle Tracey, Rebecca McCosker, Joe Haughey Snr,

Ala McKenna, Eamon Floyd, Hugh Boyle,

Timothy McCrossan, Stan O’Connor, Jim Maguire,

Ciara McGinley, Frances McLaughlin, Geraldine Cunningham,

Mary Meehan, Mark McElroy, John Barr.

Death of Bishop Lagan

We learned on Tuesday morning of the death of Bishop Francis Lagan in Altnagelvin Hospital where he had been a patient for some time. He was ordained a priest in 1960 on the same day as Fr. John Doherty and then ordained a bishop by Cardinal Tomas O Fiaich in 1988. A native of Maghera, Co Derry, Bishop Francis had a very close connection with Strabane, having served in Camus as a curate in the 1970s and he made Strabane his home a few years after being ordained Bishop. In Melmount we remember him for his visits, not just for Confirmation, but for his offers to help with Mass during the year. He especially enjoyed coming across the bridge for our Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord’s Supper and for the 8.00am Mass every Christmas morning. He was also the first chairperson of Holy Cross College. We offer our sincere sympathy to his family and also to his housekeeper who took care of him for many years.

May the Lord grant Bishop Francis rest and peace.

Church Opening Times

The church will open from Monday - Saturday at 11.00am and close at 5.00pm. On Sunday the Church will open at 11.30am and close at 5.00pm.

Guidelines for your safety when the Church is Open

Entrance to the church will be by the front doors only and exit by the doors at the sides of the church. Please sanitise your hands.

If you feel safer wearing face mask or gloves, feel free to do so.

Keep social distancing unless you are with someone from the same house.

The church will be cleaned each day and wipes will be available to clean the area you have been using and also the door handles.

Please bring Trocaire donations to the church.

Parish Draw: Promoters should make their returns for June to the Parish Office tomorrow Monday 15 June from 2.00pm - 4.30pm. The draw for June will take place on Thursday 18 June at 10.30am in the Parish Office.

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament has been cancelled until further notice.

Baptisms are cancelled until further notice.

Church Envelope Contributions by Standing Order

If you would like to make your church envelope contribution by Standing Order please contact the parish office on 71383777 for more information.

Church contributions via a Donate button on the parish website.

We have now added a Donate facility to our Website which allows you to pay your church contribution by debit or credit card.

To use the Donate function log onto the Parish Website www.melmountparish.com.

The Donate button is near the top of the Home page. To use it:

Click on Donate;

Select add item;

Enter the amount you wish to contribute;

Select proceed;

Select pay (in the top right hand corner);

You are now given the opportunity to check the amount you have entered, if you are satisfied that everything is okay then select pay bill now;

Enter the details that you are asked for.

In the address box for county, which is a required field, scroll down through the drop down menu and you will find Co. Tyrone listed under C not T.

When you have completed this section press continue and then enter your debit/credit card details. If you have any difficulties in using this please contact the parish Office 71383777.

Mass in Melmount is now recorded and available for playback on YouTube.

There is a link on our website ‘Melmount Parish’ to Melmount Parish YouTube.

Mass can still be watched as it takes place on the webcam and on YouTube.

Lough Derg: During the month of June, Lough Derg is offering opportunities to have an experience of retreat and pilgrimage from wherever you are. Online Retreat Days continue on 13 and 18 June. From 27 - 29 June people can do a Three Day Pilgrimage from afar, along with the Prior and team. To register for this historic event and for full details of what is happening during June go to www.loughderg.live. Telephone 00353 71 9861518

email: info@loughderg.org.

The Messenger: Messenger Publications are now offering a free online copy of the June edition of ‘The Messenger’, given that it remains impossible to distribute the paper copy in the usual manner. To access the June edition visit: https://issuu.com/messengerpublications/docs/messenger_june_v11.3_low_res. Even if you do not normally receive ‘The Messenger’, you are welcome to access this link. If you have any difficulty or any queries please email c.henry@messenger.ie.

 ‘Scripture Saturday with Bishop Donal’: Created by Derry Diocesan Youth, Bishop McKeown presents a series of short lessons on the Gospel in easy to understand, short (3-4 minute) videos, with tips and references of where and how to use these lessons in your daily life. View the series at: www.derrydiocese.org/scripture-saturday.

Catholic Churches in Strabane, Sion Mills and Lifford.

During the period of suspension of public Masses due to the Corona Virus pandemic, Mass will be broadcast via church webcams as follows:

Saturday Vigil

Sion Mills: 6.00pm

Leckpatrick: 6.00pm

Clonleigh: 6.30pm

Camus: 6.30pm

Melmount: 7.00pm

Sunday Morning

Sion Mills: 9.30am

Camus: 10.00am

Melmount: 10.30am

Clonleigh: 11.00am

Leckpatrick: 11.30am

Monday - Friday

Clonleigh: 9.00am

Leckpatrick: 9.30am

Melmount: 10.00am

Sion Mills: 10.00am

Camus: 10.30am

Webcam coverage can be accessed through parish websites or through www.mcnmedia.tv, www.watchmcnmedia.tv

Let us pray for and support each other.