First Sunday of Lent

6th March 2022

The Wilderness

The temptations were a step for Jesus in his growing understanding of his mission and of his relationship with his Father. Can you look back at some painful experiences and acknowledge that you have grown through them, both in your knowledge of yourself and in your relationships with others and with God? Give thanks for the guidance of the Spirit of God in these times.

Sometimes, as with the COVID-19 pandemic, we are tested by events outside our control. What did you learn about yourself during the pandemic? Is there some way in which you grew through the experience?

Behind each of the temptations in the gospel story is a basic temptation to lose trust in God. Jesus resisted this because he recognised his complete dependence on his Father. How have you come to recognise your life and the whole world as gifts from God?

One can enter into each of the temptations singly. There may be ones that you have experienced:

The temptation to give priority to bodily needs and satisfactions.

The temptation to power.

The temptation to seek to be the centre of attention.

How have you grown through wrestling with these temptations?

                                                                 John Byrne OSA

Announcements

Last week’s collection amounted to £3235.00. Thank you.

Those who pay to the weekly collection or any special collections, including Priests’ 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 in the church on Monday 7 March after 10.00am Mass until 6.00pm.

Mass Times this Week

Monday, Wednesday and Thursday: 7.00am & 10.00am.

Tuesday and Friday: 7.00am; 10.00am & 7.00pm.

Saturday: Vigil 7.00pm.

Sunday: 10.30am & 12.30pm.

There will be 7.00pm Mass in the Sacred Heart Church, Derry Road on Mondays and Thursdays during Lent and in the Church of the Immaculate Conception on Wednesdays.

Mass in Holy Cross College: There will be Mass in Holy Cross College on Friday 11th March at 8.00am. All are welcome to come to this Mass.

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

Cobe Bobby Mehan, Brody Thomas Doherty-Barrett, Riley Paul Leo Ratcliffe

May they Rest in Peace

Deaths

John McConnell, 43 Ingleside Drive                       

Molly McElhinney, Lifford

Billy Brown, Lifford                                    

Seamus Devenney, Lifford

Ian Winning, Sion Mills

Anniversaries

James Barron, Kathleen Barron, George Kirkpatrick

Willie Woods, Angelo Vaccaro, Alex Shields

Jack Vaughan, Kenny Boggs, Patrick McPhilemy

Bridie Doherty, Michael McDaid, Eamonn McLaughlin

George McDermott, Neil Gallagher, Kathleen Gallagher

Mary Gallagher, Joseph Patton, Jimmy Ferry

Katie Madden, Therese McDonnell, Joe McColgan

Edward McGarrigle, Tommy McColgan, Bridget Conwell

Rosaleen O’Connor, Roddy Gormley, Martin Quinn

Owen Sweeney, Paul McKelvey

Opening of the Church: During Lent the Church will open at 6.30am Monday - Friday.

Confirmation will take place in the Church next Saturday 12 March at 11.00am & 1.00pm. There will be no Confessions on Saturday morning.

Lenten Services and Confessions

Each of the five parishes in the Strabane pastoral area is taking part in a series of Sunday evening services during Lent. The Devotions will begin this Sunday at 5.00pm in the Church and will consist of prayer, a homily on the theme the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession) and finish with Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. A priest from a neighbouring parish will lead this service. Confessions will be available next Sunday 13th March in Murlog where at least three priests will be available for Confessions between 5.00pm and 6.00pm.

Forgiven: The Transforming Power of Confession

This video series will be shown in the Day Chapel after Tuesday evening Mass (beginning on Tuesday 8th March). The videos are around 30 minutes each and there will be four sessions. The series, explores the grace and healing offered in Confession and shows how this sacrament of mercy reveals the depth and bounty of God’s love. By looking at God’s revelation of his mercy in Scripture and making a step-by-step examination of the Rite itself, Forgiven communicates God’s invitation to each one of us to come experience his indescribable love in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. The videos are very engaging, and all are welcome.

Parish Draw 2022

Promoters should make their returns for March to the Parish Office on Monday 21st March from 2.00pm - 4.30pm. The draw for March will take place on Thursday 24th March at 10.30am in the Parish Office.

Lenten Booklets: ‘Walk with Me - A Lenten Journey of Prayer’ these booklets, which proved very popular over the last few years, are available at the back of the Church priced £1.00. They provide a prayer guide for Lent, almost a personal mini retreat.

Baptism Dates

April: Sunday 3rd; Sunday 17th

May: Sunday 1st; Saturday 7th; Saturday 21st; Sunday 29th

June: Saturday 4th; Sunday 12th; Saturday 18th; Saturday 25th

July: Sunday 3rd; Saturday 9th; Saturday 23rd; Saturday 30th

Baptisms will be at 4.00pm on a Saturday and 1.15pm on a Sunday.

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

Anam Cara Donegal, the organisation that supports bereaved parents, is holding its monthly Parent Evening for bereaved parents on Thursday 10th March at 7.30pm in the Radisson Blu, Letterkenny. This event is free and open to all bereaved parents regardless of the age your child died, the circumstances of their death or whether their death was recent or not. We also offer an online service. Please telephone 085 288 8888 or email: info @anamcara.ie for more information.

Are you between the age of 16 and 18? You are invited to join the Pope John Paul II Award Youth Pilgrimage to Knock Shrine on Tuesday 22nd March. Join Youth from all over Ireland in a day of prayer, talks and music. The pilgrimage will start at 11.00am and will conclude after 2.30pm Mass, celebrated by Award Patron, Bishop Donal McKeown. For transport information contact the Derry Youth Ministry office on 02871264087 or email: lizzie.rea@derrydiocese.org.

Carmelite Retreat Centre, Termonbacca

Novena to Sleeping St. Joseph from Friday 11th March - Saturday 19th March. Mass each evening at 7.30pm (except Sunday 13th March when Mass is at 7.00pm). Booking is necessary. Telephone 71262512 or it can be viewed via the webcam - YouTubeTermonbacca.

Day Retreat in Honour of St. Joseph on Saturday 19th March from 10.00am - 3.00pm. Booking required. Telephone 71262512.

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.