Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

4th July 2021

This is the carpenter, surely?

‘A prophet is only despised in his own country among his own relations and in his own house.’ We might find ourselves sympathising with Jesus in today’s Gospel: no matter what a person achieves in life, in their home place they will always be identified with their childhood selves and their family. While this generates a sense of belonging, it can be stifling. There is always someone to ensure we don’t get ideas ‘above our station’!

Returning home to Nazareth, Jesus teaches in the synagogue, but his former neighbours turn on him. Who does he think he is, this carpenter, the son of Mary? This could have been a moment of grace, if they were open to hearing what he had to say. Perhaps the implications of the Good News were just too challenging coming from one of their own.

Sometimes God’s Word comes in an unexpected package. As individuals and communities, we can be guilty of silencing certain voices. Do we listen to young people with their energy and idealism, or the elderly with their experience and wisdom? Are we biased against certain groups in society, do we shoot them down before they speak? When our hearts are open, we come to recognise the prophets who are bringing the dream of God to fruition among us.

‘Although they heard you Lord, they failed to listen. They heard only what they wanted to hear. The truth hurt them, you made them feel uncomfortable, and they rejected you….

Show us how we may seek your Kingdom and help to bring peace to a troubled world.’

(Tony Singleton)                                                           

                                                      Triona Doherty

Announcements

Last week’s collection amounted to £2597.00. 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.

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament will take place on Monday 5 July from 10.30am until 4.30pm.

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

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

Emma Maria Farren                                     

Arthur Thomas Joel McFarland  

Theodore Gerald Stephen Boughey    

May they Rest in Peace

Deaths

Martin Brolly, 74 Ashbrook                                    

John Gorman, 17 Ulster Cottages

Dermot McGrath, 20 Glebe Gardens                       

Lena Corry, 38 Fyfin Road

Margaret Devine, 89 Curleyhill Road                      

Daniel McElroy, 23 Church Street

Anniversaries

Packie Gray, Sarah Early, Patrick Early

George Early, Gerard Blake, Mary Boyle

Frank Dempsey, Charlie Sullivan, Kitty McCrossan

Joe McGeehan, Winnie Gavigan, Marguerite O’Donnell

Mary Murray, Sharon McElroy, Paddy Forbes                

Annual Blessing of the Graves

A virtual Blessing of Graves ceremony will take place via the church webcam today Sunday 4 July at 3.00pm. You will be able to join in the Service by logging on to Melmount Parish website and selecting view the webcam. You may wish to visit the graves of your loved ones this weekend or over the coming week.

Parish Draw: Promoters should make their returns for July and August (£10 for each person) to the Parish Office tomorrow Monday 5 July from 2.00pm - 4.30pm. The draw for July and August will take place on Thursday 8 July at 10.30am in the Parish Office.

Church Opening Times

The Church will open on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday & Sunday at 9.30am and close at 5.00pm.  On Tuesday and Saturday the church will open at 11.00am & close at 7.30pm. This is to facilitate cleaning and sanitizing.

‘Come and See’ Day for the Priesthood:  The Diocese of Derry is hosting its annual ‘Come and See’ Day for those interested in exploring the life and spirituality of a diocesan priest. This ‘Come and See’ day is open to those who are considering a vocation to the priesthood and will involve talks and discussions, led by local priests and students studying for the diocese, who will share from their own experiences and vocational journey. This event will take place on Saturday 10 July from 10.00am - 4.00pm in St. Mary’s Church, Creggan. Exposition will follow. To reserve a place or for more information telephone Fr. Chris Ferguson on 07973421352 or email chris_j_ferguson@hotmail.com before 6 July.

Parish Office. Please Note: The Parish Office closes at 12.30pm on a Friday.

Any anniversaries to be included or mentioned at Masses for the weekend must be notified before that time. It is important that they are not left at Fr. Michael Doherty’s house after this time either. We appreciate your help in this matter.

Fr. Boland and Fr. Canning

If someone is sick over the coming weeks and requires a priest please telephone Fr. Declan Boland on 028 71883293 or Fr. Thomas Canning on 028 81658264.

Bulletin Notices and Anniversaries for 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 bulletin.

For your safety the main sacristy will be closed before and after masses. If you wish to leave an anniversary during these times please leave the details on the table at the entrance to the altar servers sacristy.

Catholic Engaged Encounter: A ’Zoom’ online Marriage Preparation course is planned for 11/12 September 2021. This two-day course is a positive way of preparing for marriage where you will discover how you can enrich your future relationship. Information/Booking: marriageencounter.ie or telephone 028276 38512.

NIE Electricity: On Tuesday 6 July NIE must carry out essential maintenance. Because of this there will be no electricity in the Church or the Parish Office. Telephones will not work that day. The electricity is to be turned on again at 6.30pm so Evening Mass will take place as usual. 

Foster Carers Needed in the North-West: If you are interested in hearing information about fostering you are invited to a Virtual Fostering Information Session on Friday 9 July from 3.00pm - 4.00pm. To attend telephone 08000720137 or email: info @fostering.hscni.net. 

Guidelines for your safety when the Church is Open

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

There has to be social distancing, so you might not get your usual seat.

The church will be cleaned each day.

If you come under the category of being vulnerable or are nervous about being with other people at this time, do not come to Mass. If you have any illness at all, even a cold, stay at home as coming to Mass could be risky for you and for other people. Watch Mass via the webcam or on television.

In the church, please sanitise your hands and wear a mask or face covering.

Follow instructions for receiving Holy Communion and for leaving the church. Please remember that Holy Communion is to be taken in the hand and not on the tongue. This is to help protect everyone receiving the Blessed Sacrament and we appreciate your help in this matter.

Do not touch statues.

And if all this is not strange enough, we are asked to do something which is very unnatural for us - we are asked not to congregate outside the church after Mass.