Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

12th February 2023

The bare minimum

There are times when we try to get by with the bare minimum. Maybe we have scraped through an exam with the minimum of effort or done a last-minute rush job to complete a work project. Plenty of us know what it’s like to do just enough around the house to keep it from descending into total chaos!

Perhaps unconsciously, we sometimes take the same approach to our relationships – only phoning a parent once in a blue moon to ‘check in,’ or visiting a friend only when we are reminded. It can be easy to slip into a pattern of acting out of a sense of duty rather than love.

Of course, our faith can go the same way. Are there times when we approach the Eucharist with a niggling feeling that something is not quite right? If so, Jesus has some strong words for us in today’s Gospel. If we believe that all we are expected to do is ‘follow the rules,’ we have missed something important.

Jesus does not want us to merely follow the letter of the law. Where is the joy or challenge in that? He tells us that our virtue must go deeper than simply doing the bare minimum. Not only must we not kill, we must not be angry with others. Not only must we not break a promise, we must be honest in all our dealings and in our speech. If we approach the altar without being on good terms with others, we are not in true communion with God.

Obeying the rules is the bare minimum. The Gospel is calling us to a more radical way of living.                                                                                               

          Triona Doherty

Announcements

Last week’s collection amounted to £3056.00. 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 13th February after 10.00am Mass until 6.00pm.

Baptism Dates

March: Sunday 5; Saturday 11; Saturday 25.

April: Sunday 9; Saturday 15; Saturday 29.

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.

May they Rest in Peace

Deaths

Jane McGlinchey, 19 O’Nolan Park                          

Nuala Deans, 25 Park Road

Frances Devenney, Ballindrait                      

Gertie McDaid, Lifford

Anniversaries

Brian Connolly, John Catterson, Terry Porter

Myra Lomas, Maureen Ramsey, Benny McGrinder

Kathleen (Kin) McFarland, May Elliott, Edward O’Reilly

Phyll Anderson, Michael McCrossan, Deirdre Hegarty

Tony Kelly, Jackie McAneny, Dinny McCrossan

Cameron Houston, Michael Kearney

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 at 11.00am, 12.30pm & 2.00pm.

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.

Public Information meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous will take place on Thursday 16th February from 8.30pm - 10.00pm in the upstairs room at St. Vincent de Paul, Barrack Street. Speakers from AA, Al-anon and the medical community will attend. If you have a problem with alcohol or are affected by someone else’s drinking you are welcome to come along and learn more about the help that is available.

Ards Friary is hosting a residential retreat, ‘Things that Matter’, on the first weekend of Lent, 24th-26th February. It will be led by Philip McParland. Cost €175. To register telephone 00353 74 9138909 or email: info@ardsfriary.ie. For more information email philipmcparland@hotmail.com

Strabane Diabetes Meeting There will be a meeting for people with diabetes and friends and carers on Wednesday 15th February at 8.00pm in the Fir Trees Hotel. The meeting will be attended by community pharmacist advisors Roary Duffy and Brenda Boyle, who will speak about the possible interactions with other diabetic drugs or foods. They are happy to answer questions and give advice. Light refreshments will be available.

Graveyards We would ask that when you are having headstones and surrounds erected in the graveyards or having any work carried out to existing graves that you put any ornaments or flowers etc that are on the grave in a safe place while the work is being carried out. The parish is not responsible for any damage or loss of these items. A reminder that there are specific measurements for surrounds and headstones in the newest of our graveyards and benches are not permitted.

Parish Draw 2023 The new Parish Draw gets underway soon. Returns for January and February i.e. £10.00 for each member, will be taken on Monday 20th February from 2.00pm - 4.30pm. The draws for January and February will take place in the Parish Office at 10.30am on Thursday 23rd 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.

Dog Fouling Once again we would ask that anyone walking their dog in any of the Cemeteries or on Parish Grounds to please keep their dog on a lead and clean up after them out of respect for other people’s graves and because of the health risk posed by dog faeces. Thank you for your help in this matter.

Pilgrimages to Medjugorje 2023 Bookings are now being taken for two Pilgrimages to Medjugorje. The first one will depart from Dublin Airport on Wednesday 17th May for 1 week. The second will leave from Dublin Airport on Wednesday 20th September for 1 week. Cost £655 pps covering flights, accommodation and meals. There is an additional charge for single room occupancy. The Pilgrimage is organised through Marian Pilgrimages in Dublin. Early booking is recommended. For more information and booking please contact John Murray on 0780 1105575.

Pilgrimages to Medjugorje 2023 Marian Pilgrimages Dublin 3rd-10th May (7 Nights) Dublin - Dubrovnik return. Cost £655. Spiritual Director Fr. Kevin Conway. 20th-27th September (7 Nights) Dublin - Dubrovnik return. Cost: £695. Spiritual Director Fr. John Gates. Accommodation Pansion Tomato. £100 secures place. For more information and booking contact Anne Duffy on 07736005396.

Safeguarding Notice If you have any concerns with regard to the Safeguarding children or adults in need of protection within the Church please contact Marie Gormley, the Diocesan Designated Liaison Person (DLP) at +447596 500 793 or at mariegormley@derrydiocese.org

Additional numbers are: Northern Ireland: PSNI Telephone 101 or Social Services Western HSC Trust, Telephone +442871314090 (Ask for Duty Social Worker).

Republic of Ireland: Garda Síochána, Buncrana +353749320540 or Letterkenny HQ +353749167100.

TULSA Family and Child Agency, Buncrana +353749320420 or Letterkenny +353749123672.