Pentecost Sunday

28 May 2023

Shalom

The disciples in today’s Gospel are locked away, living in fear. There are many situations in our own lives which cause us to batten down the hatches. We can often imprison ourselves.

Jesus appears amongst them bringing peace, Shalom, and overcoming their defences. Christ is always present to us regardless of the walls we might put up; he offers peace, joy and reconciliation. The word ‘Shalom’ is more than a wish for a good evening; it means that your wish for the person is a peace of body, mind and spirit. It is a holistic peace.

Jesus gives this peace to the disciples and breathes his Spirit upon them. This enables them; this gives them courage; this sends them out. Jesus still bears the wounds of the crucifixion, reminding us that our wounds are part of who we are; we carry them with us.

We might ask ourselves today who it is that we need to be reconciled with? What fears do we need liberating from? Into what situations do we send Christ’s peace? Jesus is asking the disciples to be an unending witness to God’s love. They (and we) must be for others what Jesus has been for them.

‘When we understand the essential unity of all that is, we discover the possibility

of “peace” - the king of peace that in Hebrew is called, Shalom, which is infinitely

more than an absence of strife; it is the wholeness of the web of life itself and of

every creature in it, held in the wholeness of the one God.’    

MARGARET SILF

Jane Mellet

Announcements

Last week’s collection amounted to £2941.00. 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.

Parish Bulletin There will be no bulletin next weekend 3/4 June 2023.

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament will take place in the church on Monday 29 May after 10.00am Mass until 6.00pm. Exposition will be dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary for World Peace. If you are willing to attend on Monday 29 May, please enter your name against the appropriate time(s) on the sheets which are displayed on the tables at the back of the Church.

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 and on Saturday at 11.30am and 6.30pm on the First Saturday of the month.

May they Rest in Peace

Deaths

Brian McDonald, 14 Delaney Crescent

Anniversaries

Jack McLaughlin, Lala McAteer, Bernard Coyle

John Scott, Jim Patterson, Alex (Scobie) Curry

Frank McCrory, Elizabeth McLaughlin, James McLaughlin

Mary McLaughlin, Patrick Gallagher, Joan Gallagher

Kathleen Gillespie, Charles O’Reilly, Elizabeth O’Reilly

Mick Flanagan, Sean McShane, John McKenna

Jimmy Burn, Erica Ramsey, Eddie McGarrigle

Dessie Maguire, William McSheffrey, Jennie McCloskey, Willie O’Hagan                                      

Baptism Dates

June: Sunday 11; Saturday 24.

July: 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.

Congratulations to the children of Knockavoe School who made their First Holy Communion and Confirmation last Saturday. We thank the teachers and parents for preparation of the children and all those who took part in the Mass.

Parish Draw Promoters should make their returns for June to the Parish Office on Monday 12 June from 2.00pm - 4.00pm. The Draw for June will take place on Thursday 15 June at 10.30am in the Parish Office.

Advance Notice: Collection Counters June The following team are asked to count the collection during the month of June: Madeline McColgan, Mary O’Reilly, Mary McGinley, Cath Duffy and Kathleen McGowan.

Accord Derry: Marriage Preparation Courses (Pre-marriage courses) on June 12/13 & July 3/4, 2023. All of these courses are Virtual Interactive Courses. Courses can be booked online at www.accordni.com

Lough Derg 2023 Pilgrimage Season: Three Day Pilgrimage Thursday 1 June - Monday 15 August (last day to begin Sunday 13 August). Admission €80. Booking advised.

One Day Retreat: 19, 22, 27 August; 2, 6, 9, 12, 16, 17, 23, 24 September. Admissions €45. Booking essential. For booking and more information see www.loughderg.org or telephone 00353 719861518.

Last Remaining places for Pilgrimage to the Holy Land at Christmas 2023 out of Dublin taking in Bethlehem, Jerusalem, Nazareth, Dead Sea, Sea of Galilee, Last Supper Room, Garden of Gethsemane, Mount of Olives with full day in Bethlehem on Christmas Day. Contact James Treacy on 061921470 jamestreacyphotography@gmail.com

Vocations ‘Come, Holy Spirit’ and fill the hearts of those the Lord is calling to priesthood with the generosity to say ‘Yes’ to building up the Body of Christ in the Service of the Church, God’s people.

St. Joseph’s Young Priests Society will meet in St. Patrick’s Hall on Monday 5 June after 10.00am Mass and recitation of the Rosary in the Church of the Immaculate Conception.

Rosaries on the Coast will take place on Sunday 4 June at 3.00pm on Lisfannon Strand, Buncrana and on Sunday 18 June at 3.00pm on Benone Strand, Limavady. Everyone is welcome to come along.

Dromantine Family Fun Day on Sunday 11 June from 1.30pm - 5.30pm. Attractions: Grand Draw, Country & Western Music, Vintage Tractors, Bouncy Castles, Obstacle Courses, Stalls, Food, Refreshments and much more! Admission £5 Donation per car. Everyone welcome.

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. Please ensure that whoever is erecting the headstone and surround for you in this graveyard, contact the Parish Office on 71383777 before any work commences.

Letterkenny University Hospital: The Management & Chaplains of Letterkenny University Hospital invite you to an Ecumenical Prayer Service of Remembrance on Thursday 1 June at 5.30pm in the Church of the Irish Martyrs, Letterkenny. During this service we will remember all the staff and former staff of the hospital who have passed away. We also remember the staff who suffered personal bereavements during Covid-19 pandemic. All the patients who died in Letterkenny University Hospital during the pandemic will also be remembered in prayer and a warm invitation is extended to their families to attend this service.

Come to the Water: Derry Diocesan Youth Ministry is hosting a four-week programme in June 2023 for parish volunteers of all ages. The programme is aimed at building inter-generational collaboration and faith community amongst parish volunteers involved in parish ministry in the Diocese of Derry. During three online and one in-person session we will come together in prayer, learning and support, sharing best practice. The programme will explore different ways to pray; Themed Talks: ‘Where have the young people gone? How well do we welcome?’, and practical ideas on what help and programmes are on offer in the diocese, including an in-depth look at best safeguarding practices for both online an in-person gatherings.  We will begin on Monday 5 June from 7.30pm - 9.00pm and continue each Monday over four weeks. To participate contact Lizzie Rea at lizzie.rea@derrydiocese.org

Catechism of the Catholic Church, faith formation for families and parishes, Pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Knock, on Saturday 17 June 2023. Celebrant and homilist, Most Rev. Brendan Kelly, Bishop Emeritus of Galway. For more information contact Kate at catechismstudies.ie@gmail.com and Máirín on 00353 87 795 0325.

Gamblers Anonymous: Is Gambling affecting your life? Perhaps we can help. Telephone 71351329.