Twenty-Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

24 September 2023

Am I a Grumbler?

Many of Jesus’ parables are difficult. We are invited to place ourselves in the story. Which character do we identify with? To which group would we belong? Sometimes we find ourselves sympathising with the character who turns out to be in the wrong. God’s ways are not our ways!

The parable of the labourers in the vineyard is one of those tricky ones. We are drawn into the story, and we feel some sympathy for the crowd who end up grumbling at the landowner. These early birds who were hired at daybreak have done most of the work. They have toiled all day in the heat, doing far more than those who were hired only at the last minute - yet they all receive the same pay. It’s hardly fair, is it?

But the landowner makes his point: ‘Why be envious because I am generous?’ Of course, Jesus anticipates the discomfort of his audience. He uses parables to gently pull the rug from under their feet, to challenge their assumptions and offer them a new way of thinking that is focused not on themselves, but on the wider community.

Place yourself in the story. If you identify with the grumblers, ask yourself why. Why should we be concerned about what others are getting? Who are we to judge what others deserve? Surely we, too, should want God’s love and blessings to be extended to everyone!

                        Triona Doherty

Announcements

Last week’s collection amounted to £2724.00. 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 25 September after 10.00am Mass until 6.00pm.

First Holy Communion for the P.4 pupils of St. Mary’s P.S. will take place on Saturday 20 April & Saturday 27 April 2024. Times will be announced later.

Confirmation for the P.7 pupils of St. Mary’s P.S. will take place on Saturday 2 March & Saturday 9 March 2024.  Times will be announced later.

Annual Service for the Dead The Annual Service in remembrance of deceased members of our families and parish will take place on Sunday 5 November at 6.00pm. Families who have suffered a bereavement since November 2022 are asked to nominate a representative to carry a candle to the altar in commemoration of their dead. (Candles will be provided.).

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

Anna Mary Logue            

Cathal Enda Coyle           

Liam Ian McNamee

Ethan McGuinness          

We congratulate the following couple who were recently united in the Sacrament of Marriage:

Eileen McGuinness and Martin Boyle

May they Rest in Peace

Deaths

Art O’Hagan, 21 Melmount Gardens

Anniversaries        

Yvonne McNamee, Mary Gormley, Hugo McLaughlin

Barney McDermott, Leonard McDermott, Brigid French                  

Thomas French, Gerry French, Joe Gorman

Jim Patton, Jean Meadows, Pauline McGinley

Francie McGinley, Gerard Connolly, Kathleen Foley

Patsy McElroy, Nana McGonagle, Jim Doherty

Angela O’Connor, Charles McCanny  

Baptism Dates

October: Sunday 8; Saturday 28.

November:  Sunday 12; Saturday 25.

December:  Sunday 3; Saturday 16; Saturday 30.

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 October to the Parish Office on Monday 16 October from 2.00pm - 4.00pm. The Draw for October will take place on Thursday 19 October at 10.30am in the Parish Office.

Vocations: During our National Year of Prayer for Vocations to the Diocesan Priesthood and as the Church prepares for the Synod due to begin in Rome on 4 October we ask our loving, merciful and generous God to send the Holy Spirit down powerfully on all of us that we will walk together in faith, renewing the Church here in the diocese of Derry, each one fulfilling our baptismal promises as lay, religious and ordained members of the Body of Christ and that the Lord will bless our diocese with an abundance of priestly vocations.

Trócaire is looking for people to join its team of Christmas fundraisers to help respond to the urgent need of poor communities around the world, including the millions of children and families caught in conflict across Ethiopia, South Sudan and Ukraine. You can take action and make a difference through a range of activities, including the promotion of its Gifts of Change - training and support will be provided. For more information about what you can do to help now or over the Advent and Christmas period, please email Mark McMahon on infoni@trocaire.org or call 028 9080 8030.

Silent Retreat in Knock: Fr. Joseph K. Bill - 5 Day Silent Retreat given by Fr. Anthony Saji, VC at Knock Shrine from 8 - 12 October. For more information or booking contact Maeve on 07815319710.

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.

Accord Derry Marriage Preparation Courses (Pre Marriage Courses) will take place on 16/17 October; 6/7 & 27/28 November; 11/12 December. All of these courses are virtual and should be booked online at www.accordni.com

Versus Arthritis 6 Week Pain Management Course in Strabane from Tuesday 3 October - Tuesday 7 November (6 sessions). Time: 10.30am - 1.00pm at ASDA Strabane, 2 Branch Road. To register of for more information telephone 90782940 or email: s.gilchrist@versusarthritis.org

Drugs Awareness Information Session on ‘Prescription Misuse’ at Fountain Street Community Centre in Partnership with HURT on Tuesday 3 October at 7.00pm. Everyone is welcome to attend.

A Team from the NI Blood Transfusion Service will be in Strabane Presbyterian Church on Monday 2 & Tuesday 10 October from 12.30pm - 4.00pm & 5.00pm - 7.30pm. To give blood now you must make an appointment. Call 08085 534 653 or log on to www.nibts.org. The Blood Transfusion Service needs the help not only of existing blood donors but also new donors. Please give blood to help.

Yoga & Pilates Autum Timetable: Yoga: Monday: 11.00am & 8.00pm (suitable for everyone), Castlederg; Tuesday: 10.00am & 7.30pm (beginners); Restorative Yoga 4.30pm (beginners), Strabane; Thursday: 11.15am (beginners), 6.00pm (mixed ability) & 7.30pm (beginners), Strabane; Saturday: 9.00am (suitable for everyone). Pilates: Monday: 6.00pm (beginners), Strabane; Wednesday: 7.30pm, Strabane; Thursday: 10.00am (beginners), Strabane; Friday: 10.00am, Castlederg (suitable for everyone). Also taking bookings for 1-2-1’s, Group Sessions, Sports Recovery, Yoga for MS, Anxiety, Yoga in School and Teacher Training. To book and for more information contact Annie’s Yoga on 07716034570.

The Parish Draw for September took place on Thursday 21 September. The winners are as follows: 

£500:          1007 Eleanor McCarron – Dolores Houston

£250:          1583 Malachy Houston – Katrina Houston

£250:          1223 John & Edwina Begley – Elizabeth O’Hare

£250:          1356 Mabel Preston – Pauline Wilson  

£150:          1562 Rose Houston – Katrina Houston

£150:          1501 Anna Margaret McGowan – Katrina Houston

£150:          1492 Kieran McBride – Maureen Hegarty

£100:          1043 James & Beth Heaney – Maureen Hegarty        

£100:          1486 Marcella Hagan – Elizabeth O’Hare

£100:          1604 Maria McKane – Brenda Brolly