Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe

26th November 2023

A Different Sort of King

Today’s gospel leaves us in no doubt as to what Jesus expects of his followers. It is a gospel of contrasts. It begins with a scene of judgement, with Jesus in the role of king, sitting on the throne of glory. It would have been a familiar image to the people of the time, who were expecting a great Messianic king. In the time of Jesus, kings were powerful rulers, and sometimes were tyrants. 

We know from earlier in Matthew’s Gospel that kings like Herod were capable of brutal acts. It is an image that remains familiar to us today, thanks to popular fairy tales, movies and TV shows - the all-powerful ruler sitting on their throne, passing judgement on their subjects.

But the king that Jesus talks about here turns these images upside down. He is not focused on riches or power, or inciting terror or fear. Instead, he is a fair judge, a shepherd who knows his flock. He invites all those who have acted with justice and generosity to take their place in his kingdom. He is in solidarity with the ‘least’ of his people - a king whose main concern is those who are hungry, displaced, sick or imprisoned. He refers to them as ‘brothers’.

Jesus’ kingdom is centred around charity, compassion and forgiveness. He expects us to treat everyone we encounter with welcome. There are simple acts of kindness we can carry out each day. Such love for others is love for God: ‘In so far as you did this to the least of these brothers of mine, you did it to me.’

‘In the evening of life, we shall be judged on love.’ ST JOHN OF THE CROSS

                       Jane Mellett

Announcements

Last week’s collection amounted to £2850.00. Thank you.

Mission Sunday Collection amounted to £2082.21. 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 27 November after 10.00am Mass until 6.00pm.

Blessing of Graves The Annual Ceremony of the Blessing of Graves will take place here in Melmount on Sunday 19 May 2024 at 4.00pm.

Parish Draw Promoters should make their returns for December to the Parish Office on Monday 4 December from 2.00pm - 4.00pm. The Draw for December will take place on Wednesday 6 December at 10.30am in the Parish Office.

May they Rest in Peace

Deaths

Fidelma Doherty, 41 St. Colman’s Drive       

Danny Carlin, 17 Columban Terrace

Ruby McConnell, 28 Glebe Park          

John Casey, 11c Curlyhill Road

John Conway, Dunamanagh                        

Anne Stewart, Lifford

Anniversaries

Mary Harley, Elizabeth McConnell, Jim Tinneny                  

Patrick Patton, Joe Morrison, Eileen Casey

Eddie MacIntyre, James Gallagher, Mary McLennan

Mark McGrath, Mary McGrath, Martha Devine

Vincent McCafferty, Winifred McCanny, Anthony McBrearty

Charlie McDermott, John Doherty, Cissie Devenney

Hugh McCormack, Mary McColgan, Albert McNally       

Charles McConway, Eve Edgar

Weekday Masses Next Week Because the priests of the diocese are away at a conference from Wednesday - Friday next week there will be no 10.00am Mass on Thursday 30 November and Friday 1 December here in Melmount. There will be no Confessions on Thursday morning.

Masses are as follows:

Monday: 10.00am

Tuesday: 7.00pm.

Wednesday: 10.00am.

Thursday: No Mass.

Friday: No Mass.

Saturday: Vigil 7.00pm.  

Sunday: 10.30am & 12.30pm.

Baptism Dates

December: Sunday 3; Saturday 16; Saturday 30.

January: Sunday 7; Saturday 20; Saturday 27.

February: Sunday 4; Saturday 17; Saturday 24.

March: Sunday 3; Saturday 16; Saturday 23.

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.

St. Vincent de Paul Collection The St. Vincent de Paul Society depends on your generosity all year round but especially at Christmas time. They will hold a special collection at all Masses next weekend 2/3 December.  There is an envelope marked ‘St Vincent de Paul’ in your box of envelopes for this collection. Anyone contributing to this collection by cheque should make it payable to ‘St. Vincent de Paul Society’.

Vocations We pray for those who hope to serve as priests of the diocese of Derry, that they will play their part in building up the Kingdom of Christ from Aghyaran to Coleraine, from Malin Head to Bellaghy. Bishop McKeown has said ‘We will be more like the Holy Spirit-filled Body of Christ when our diocese is blessed with many families of faith, people of all ages exploring and developing their faith, official ministries of Lector, Acolyte and Catechist, the presence of consecrated virgins, female and male religious, permanent deacons and ordained priests’.

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.

SVDP are currently recruiting volunteers to assist them with their work helping those in the community. If you have some time to spare and would be interested in helping them, please contact one of the committee members: Paddy Gillespie, Martha O’Donnell or Jim Devlin.

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.

First Holy Communion for pupils of the Gael Scoil will take place on Saturday 18 May 2024.

Confirmation for pupils of the Gael Scoil will take place on Saturday 24 February 2024.

Accord Derry Marriage Preparation Courses (Pre Marriage Courses) will take place on January 19/20; February 23/24; March 22/23, 2024. Venue:  Everglades Hotel, Prehen Road, Derry. Please note that these courses are NOT virtual and are in person. Bookings are now being taken on www.accordni.com

Trócaire Gifts of Change Trócaire gifts will be on sale over the weekend of 16/17 December at all Masses here in Melmount. Trócaire Gifts of Change help some of the poorest people in the world to work their way out of poverty. There are 22 gifts to choose from starting at £5 for the Gift of Soap. All these Gifts help families in war torn South Sudan, Ethiopia and Ukraine. The gifts are real items, sourced in-country which go to families in need of our support. For more information go to https://www.trocaire.org/gifts. Also, it would be a great help if you had the correct money for the gifts you are purchasing. We thank you for your help in this.

John Rutter’s ‘Gloria’ will be performed by Strabane Chorale, with guest singers and musicians, on Sunday 3 December at 4.00pm here in St. Mary’s Church, Melmount. With additional concert pieces, this promises to be an extravaganza of music and singing to suit all tastes, conducted by Gerard Bradley. There will be a retiring collection for local charities and Choir funds.

Strabane History Society Strabane History Society will meet on Thursday 30 November at 7.00pm in the Music Rooms, John Wesley Street, close to the back gate of the Post Office. This month’s talk will be ‘Railway Days in Strabane’. The speaker is Jim Tinneny, co-author of Railway Days.

Priory Institute Online Advent Retreat The Priory Institute is delighted to offer a Free of Charge online retreat ‘Reflecting on the Sunday Gospels of Advent’. Visit prioryinstitute.com to register and for more information.