Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

31 January 2021

Catholic Schools Week Begins

Genuine authority

‘But man, proud man,

Dress’d in a little brief authority,

Most ignorant of what he’s most

assur’d…’

                                        Measure for Measure

                                        William Shakespeare

We probably wouldn’t have to think too hard to come up with examples of people who seem to fit the above description. Puffed up with a sense of their own importance, they are anxious to be seen as the expert on everything, in spite of limited knowledge or experience. We tend to criticise politicians and other public figures if we feel they are blind to the struggles of ordinary people. They don’t know what it’s like, to example, to live on a minimum wage, to care for a family member with a disability, or to be at risk of homelessness. On the other hand, it is refreshing when those in power have either faced some of these issues themselves or have made the effort to do some research and really listen to people. We can tell when someone is speaking with genuine authority, care and compassion.

In today’s gospel, those who listen to Jesus’ teaching in the synagogue know there is something different and exciting about him. His teaching is in sharp contrast to the scribes they are used to hearing and makes a deep impression on them. The difference, as stated twice in this passage, is his authority and it leaves his audience ‘astonished’. He does not use his position the way we might use our ‘little brief authority’ to make ourselves look good. Instead he uses his authority to serve, to love, and to bring mercy and freedom.                             

                                                                                                   Triona Doherty

Announcements

Last week’s collection amounted to £2465.00. 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 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.

Baptisms

To arrange Baptisms please telephone the Parish Office on 028 71383777.

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

Brooke Mullen

Joseph Mullen

May they Rest in Peace

Deaths

Joan Vaughan, 14 Laurel Drive           

Rose Conway, 12 Melmount Gardens

Neil Doherty, 12 Curlyhill Road           

Mary Murphy, 3 Turnberry Manor

Matsy Sheils, Derry         

Anniversaries

Sr. Sheila McDermott, Agnes McGrath, Bridget McAleer

Declan Doherty, Jim McLaughlin, Rosemary Blake

Kathleen Coyle, Elizabeth Coyle, Paddy McGonigle

Jane McGranaghan, Kathleen Grenham, Jeanie McCullagh

Francis McGlynn, Michael McGarrigle, Seamus McCosker

Michael Callaghan, Jackie Meehan, Mary Jane McCrossan

Josephine Gallagher                 

Masses in Melmount Via the Webcam

In line with new restrictions due to Coronavirus, announced to take effect from Friday 8 January until Friday 5 March, all Masses will be broadcast via the church webcam without a congregation as follows:

Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday: 10.00am

Tuesday: 7.00pm.

Saturday: Vigil: 7.00pm.

Sunday: 10.30am.

Church Opening Times

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

Bulletin Notices and Anniversaries for Online Bulletin

All anniversaries and notices for the bulletin should be left at the Parish Office by 10.00am on a Wednesday for inclusion in that weekend's online bulletin.

Melmount Parish Webcam

The Webcam can be viewed by logging onto Melmount Parish Website and selecting view the webcam or by logging onto Churchmedia.tv and selecting Melmount Church from the list available.

Church contributions via a Donate button on the parish website.

The Donate facility on our Website allows you to pay your contribution to the Church by debit or credit card. If you have any difficulties in using this please contact the parish Office 71383777.

Parish Draw 2021

The new Parish Draw gets underway soon. Returns for January and February i.e. £10.00 for each member, will be taken on Monday 22 February from 2.00pm - 4.30pm. The draws for January and February will take place in the Parish Office at 10.30am on Thursday 25 February. If you are willing to volunteer your services please contact the Parish Office on 71 383777.

Promoters are asked to leave their updated lists of members’ names into the Parish Office as soon as possible. Parishioners are encouraged to support the Draw.

Preparing for Marriage?

Catholic Engaged Encounter: A ‘Zoom’ online Marriage Preparation Course is planned for 27 – 28 March 2021. This two day course is a positive way of preparing for Marriage where you will discover how to enrich your future relationship. For information and booking telephone 0287638512 or log on to marriageencounter.ie

Can you Foster?

Could you give a home to a vulnerable child when they need it most? Fostering is about giving them a safe, secure place to live for a few weeks, months or even years. Barnardo’s Fostering NI is looking for foster carers. Foster placements can be: long-term, short-term, emergency, short breaks and parent and child together. You must be over 21 to foster and must have a spare room in your home. Foster carers are offered a fostering fee and allowances; they are given training and support. To learn more please telephone 90652288 or visit our website https://www.barnardos.org.uk/foster.

Cleaning of the Church: For your safety the church is cleaned and sanitised every day. There may be times when you will be in the church when the fogging machine is being used to disinfect the seats etc. The product used is called ‘DEW’ and is non-toxic, hypoallergenic, ph skin friendly and FREE from alcohol, aldehydes, parabens, dyes and scents. It will not harm you or your clothes. We appreciate your understanding in this matter and apologise for any inconvenience caused.

Western Health & Social Care Trust FREE Mental Health Courses

The WHSCT Recovery College is running free courses on mental health and emotional wellbeing. Courses start in March, and at the moment we are planning to deliver them via Zoom, but if Covid-19 restrictions allow later in the term we intend to run face to face workshops as usual in Derry, Enniskillen, Omagh and Strabane. We would encourage people to register even if they do not have computer access. Some shortened courses are already available free to watch online on the Recovery College page on the Trust website www.westerntrust.hscni.net/service/recovery-services/recovery-college and the Western Trust’s YouTube channel. To enrol telephone 82252079 or 82833291 or email: recoverycollege@westerntrust.hscni.net or download an enrolment form at https://westerntrust.hscni.net/service/recovery-services/recover-college/

St. Angela’s College, Sligo is inviting applications for the following course beginning Autumn 2021 – Part-Time Certificate in Religious Education (Primary) with Online Delivery.

The course is open to: Qualified primary school teachers; qualified post-primary school teachers who wish to transfer to primary school teaching. Parents, sacramental preparation teams and parish catechists who have a specific interest in the area of primary religious education may also apply. Closing date is Friday 14 May 2021. This date may be extended. For more information and application forms contact Mary Kearns, Senior Administrator, School of Education, St. Angela’s College, Lough Gill, Sligo. Email: mkearns@stangelas.nuigalway.ie or visit www.stangelas.nuigalway.ie