Thirty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time

30th October 2022

Zacchaeus

In today’s Gospel we hear the familiar story of Zacchaeus. It is a story that may remind us of our childhood, our first confession, or, as in my case, it might bring a school song to mind that you can’t get out of your head! As with all familiar Gospel stories, we are invited to read again with fresh eyes and hear again as if for the first time. For this story is very rich and we risk losing the meaning due to our familiarity with it.

Like many people today, Zacchaeus was a ‘seeker.’ We read that he was anxious to see what Jesus was like. Clearly, he was drawn to Jesus in some way, was searching for something or someone. Zacchaeus was an outcast, a tax collector, considered a sinner by the community. Yet Jesus reaches out to him in a gesture of hospitality and friendship. In return, Zacchaeus offers the strictest requirement, as noted in the Jewish scriptures, for restitution: ‘four times the amount’ of money he had taken from people. But notice that Jesus reaches out in love before Zacchaeus offers compensation for his crimes.

The encounter with Jesus has led Zacchaeus to be a witness to restoration and solidarity. He wants to restore justice where he has acted unjustly. Whether it was the crowd, greed, politics or corruption that was preventing Zacchaeus from seeing Jesus, he has been welcomed back to the table. Jesus is waiting to be invited to his home today.

Complaints and negativity continue in the background, but none of that matters. This man is a ‘son of Abraham’. It was the affection of Christ, not the condemnation of the town, that reversed the situation.

Who do you need to reach out to today in a similar way?           

                       Jane Mellett

Announcements

Last week’s collection amounted to £3227.00. 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. 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 31st October after 10.00am Mass until 6.00pm. Exposition will also take place after 10.00am Mass until 6.00pm on Tuesday 1st November, All Saints Day and Wednesday 2nd November, All Souls Day. For anyone willing to attend on these days, sheets will be left at the back of the church where you can register your name against a time that you are available. Everyone welcome.

First Friday Friday of this week is the First Friday. Masses will be at 10.00am & 7.00pm. Confessions will take place on the Thursday before the First Friday after 10.00am Mass.

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

Ayla Houston Costello     

Tommy James Campbell 

Dara Jo McBride

May they Rest in Peace

Deaths

Toni (Maire) Stewart, 40 Ballycolman Estate          

Katie McLaughlin, Clady

Davy Canning, Newtownstewart                            

Kevin Martin, Lifford

Anniversaries

Charlie Nelson, Kathleen Kennedy, Jim Roarty

Billie Hamilton, Patrick Kennedy, Gregory Forbes

George Doherty, Hugh Moss, Mary Ann McCullagh

Jim McDaid, Patsy McGarrigle, Kathleen McCrossan

Annie McSheffrey, John Murphy, Kathleen McGroary

May Coyle, Agnes Devenney, Derek Fletcher

Mamie McNulty, Rosaleen Coyle

All Saints Day Tuesday 1st November is the Feast of All Saints and is a Holy Day. Masses will be at 10.00am & 7.00pm. There is no Vigil Mass on Monday 31st October here in Melmount.

All Souls Day Wednesday 2nd November is the Commemoration of the Faithful Departed. Masses are at 10.00am and 7.00pm. It is a day when people like to come to Mass to pray for their dead.

Collection for Retired Priests The Annual Collection for Retired Priests will be taken up at all Masses on All Saints Day. This is a collection to help assist priests who have retired from active ministry. There is an envelope marked ‘Clergy Retirement Fund’ in your box of envelopes for this collection. Anyone contributing to this collection by cheque should make it payable to ‘Melmount Parish’. This is a banking requirement.

Annual Service for the Dead The Annual Service in remembrance of deceased members of our families and parish will take place on Sunday 6th November at 6.00pm. Families who have suffered a bereavement since November 20th, 2021 are asked to nominate a representative to carry a candle to the altar in commemoration of their dead. (Candles will be provided.)

Baptism Dates

November: Sunday 6th; Saturday 19th; Saturday 26th

December: Sunday 4th; Saturday 10th; Saturday 17th

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.

Parish Draw Promoters should make their returns for November to the Parish Office on Monday 7th November from 2.00pm - 4.00pm. The Draw for November will take place on Thursday 10th November at 10.30am in the Parish Office.

Padre Pio Mass will take place in the Church of the Immaculate Conception on Wednesday 2nd November. Rosary at 6.40pm. Mass at 7.00pm. Everyone welcome.

First Holy Communion for the P.4 pupils of St. Mary’s P.S. will take place on Saturday 13th May 2023 at 11.30am.

Confirmation for the P.7 pupils of St. Mary’s P.S. will take place on Saturday 1st April 2023.  Times will be announced later.

First Holy Communion for pupils of the Gaelscoil will take place on Saturday 17th June at 12.00 noon.

Confirmation for pupils of the Gaelscoil will take place on Saturday 22nd April at 12.00 noon.

Deceased Children & Young People’s Mass: The Annual Mass for deceased children and young people will take place in St. Eugene’s Cathedral, Derry on Sunday 6th November at 7.00pm. There will be an opportunity to write down the name of your deceased loved one before Mass. You can also join this mass live on the St. Eugene’s Cathedral webcam. If you are unable to attend this Mass in person but would like to have a child or young person remembered at it, please email the name to lizzie.rea@derrydiocese.org by Friday 4th November.

The Catholic Mothers Group will host a Retreat in Termonbacca on Saturday 26 November. This all-day Retreat will begin at 10.00am with registration. Come and join us for a day away from the busyness of motherhood and take time for prayer, restoration and encouragement. Contact Sinead for more information and to register on 07523104760 or 0860528282.

St. Joseph’s Young Priests Society will meet on Tuesday 1st November in St. Patrick’s Hall. The Rosary will take place after 10.00am Mass and then the meeting will begin in the hall. New members welcome.

The Community Heritage Team are hosting short tours of the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Strabane on Thursday mornings in October and November (except Thursday 10th November). Tours will start at the front door of the church at 11.00am sharp and will last about one hour, followed by a cup of tea/coffee in the Parlour. Anyone interested is welcome to come along. For small groups (community groups, special interest groups etc) please contact mary.bonnar@gmail.com and arrangements can be made to suit.

Class act Theatre Group will be presenting ‘Back to the 80’s the Musical’. It will be performed in St. Patrick’s Hall from 3rd - 5th November. Tickets are £10.00 and are on sale now and can be ordered by phoning Leah on 07541763410, messaging the Class Act Theatre Group Facebook page or by calling into the Hall. This unmissable production, starring over 100 teenagers, will certainly be a wonderful night out for all the family which features some of the most iconic songs from the 80’s.

M Dancin’ Charity Breakfast Morning on Saturday 5th November from 10.00am - 1.00pm in St. Patrick’s Hall, Strabane. In aid of Foyle Hospice, Marie Curie, Heart & Stroke, Breast & Prostrate Cancer Charities and others. All donations greatly appreciated: https://PayPal.me/sjmullen