Fourth Sunday of Lent

10 March 2024

Laetare Sunday

Out into the light

Today, the ‘middle’ Sunday of Lent, is known as Laetare Sunday – Laetare means ‘Rejoice!’ We tend not to think of Lent as a time to rejoice, but signs of joy are central at Mass today, such as the use of flowers on the altar and rose-coloured vestments for the priest instead of the usual Lenten purple. The shadow of the cross still looms large, but we look forward with hope to Easter, when light will conquer the darkness.

We are offered an opportunity today to pause and reflect on our Lenten journey. In our gospel we hear that ‘the [person] who lives by the truth comes out into the light’. On the other hand, Jesus says that those who ‘prefer darkness to the light’ live in fear that their actions will be exposed.

We hear a lot of talk these days about transparency. We have seen the damage caused by those whose private actions gravely contradict the message they proclaim in the public sphere. Some questions we might ask ourselves this Lent are: Am I living a truthful life ‘in the light’? Am I honest in my dealings with others, trying always to choose what is right and just, or are there things I do in secret that are unkind or dishonest? Am I attentive to the needs of others or am I more inclined to think of myself? 

Lent offers us an opportunity to step out into the light, to allow the light of Jesus to sweep away any darkness or destructive habits and to begin again.

‘We proclaim the resurrection of Christ when his light illuminates the dark moments of our existence, and we are able to share it with others; when we know when to smile with those who smile, and weep with those who weep; when we accompany those who are sad and at risk of losing hope; when we recount our experience of faith to those who are searching for meaning and happiness… and there – with our attitude, with our witness, with our life – we say ‘Jesus is Risen,’ with our soul.’ (Pope Francis)

Triona Doherty

Announcements

Last week’s collection amounted to £3236.00. 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.

Vocations: We pray God’s blessing on all those involved in a Vocations Retreat in Larne this weekend, for Fr. Ryan Connors who is leading the retreat, for the Vocations Directors of the northern dioceses who helped organise it and for the 28 men taking part in it, including 12 from our own diocese.

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

Shauna McGonagle and Michael Falconer

May they Rest in Peace

Deaths

Sr. Carmel Fanning, Convent of Mercy 

Terence McCafferty, 51 Owenreagh Drive

Sammy McDevitt, 23 Mourne Avenue  

Eamon Paul O’Connor, St. Johnston

Martina Kearney, 74 Townsend Street 

Constance McCann, Derry

Frances Brown, Plumbridge

Anniversaries

George Kirkpatrick, Neil McBeth, Eamonn McLaughlin

Roddy Gormley, Owen Sweeney, Martin Quinn

Mary Gallagher, Helen McDermott, Noel Conwell

Tom Patton, Mary Houston, Chelsey Leih McConnell

Michael McDaid, Michael McRory, Lorraine Fletcher

Tommy Burns, Eamon Foley, Eugene O’Donnell

Jennie Dobbins, Jim Gamble, Mattie Casey

Patsy McElroy, Neil Sweeney, Mickey Joe Doherty

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament will take place in the church on Monday 11 March after 10.00am Mass until 6.00pm.

Baptism Dates

March: Saturday 16.

April: Saturday 6; Sunday 14; Sunday 21.

May: Sunday 5; Saturday 11; Saturday 25.

June: Sunday 9; Saturday 22; Saturday 29.

July: Sunday 7; Saturday 13; Saturday 27.

August: Sunday 4; Saturday 10; Saturday 24.

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.

Mass Times this Week

Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday: 7.00am & 10.00am.

Tuesday: 7.00am & 7.00pm (Please note: No 10.00am Mass)

Saturday: Vigil 7.00pm

Sunday: 10.30am & 12.30pm.

Church Opening: The Church will open at 6.30am during Lent.

Mass Holy Cross College: Please Note: There will not be Mass in Holy Cross College on Friday 15 March at 8.00am.

St. Patrick’s Day: Next Sunday 17 March is St. Patrick’s Day. Masses will be at the usual time: Saturday Vigil: 7.00pm. Sunday: 10.30am & 12.30pm.

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.

Collection Envelopes We thank those who contributed to the Parish during the year. Those who made their contributions using the collection envelope will receive a new box to begin on Sunday 7 April. Envelopes will be delivered over the coming weeks. Please do not use these envelopes before the 7 April 2024 as they belong to a new tax year. If anyone who has not been using envelopes would like a box please contact the Parish Office on 71383777.

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 19/20 April; 17/18 May and 14/15 June. Courses can be booked online at www.accordni.com. Please note that all courses are now in person and NOT virtual.

Parish Draw: Promoters should make their returns for March to the Parish Office on Tuesday 19 March from 2.00pm - 4.00pm. The Draw for March will take place on Thursday 21 March at 10.30am in the Parish Office.

Congratulations to the P7 children of St. Mary’s P.S. who made their Confirmation over the past two weekends. We thank the teachers and parents for preparation of the children and all those who took part in the ceremony.

Carmelite Retreat Centre, Termonbacca

Sleeping St. Joseph Novena: 11 – 19 March. Mass each evening at 7.30pm. All welcome.

Day Retreat for Men: Saturday 16 March from 10.00am – 4.00pm. Talks by Robert Nugent and Fr. Antonio Maria. For bookings: email termonbacca@gmail.com or phone 71262512.

Accord NI Catholic Marriage Care Service seeking Marriage Preparation Facilitators

ACCORD NI is currently recruiting people to train as marriage preparation programme facilitators. If you have a positive attitude towards marriage in the Catholic Church and if you have the enthusiasm to be part of the Accord team in supporting couples who are preparing for the Sacrament of Marriage, Accord wants to hear from you! Successful applicants will receive professional training and will be part of a team delivering marriage preparation programmes locally. Contact Brenda on 90233002 or email info@accordni.com, log on to www.accordni.com

Derry Diocesan Youth Synod Gathering: Lizzie & Niamh of the Diocesan Youth Team invite all young people who work with young people in parishes and schools in the diocese to an evening of sharing faith with tea, chat and prayer. This event will be held in the Cathedral Hall, in the grounds of St. Eugene’s Cathedral on Tuesday 12 March from 6.30pm - 8.00pm and in Maghera Pastoral Centre on Wednesday 20 March from 6.30pm - 8.00pm. To register please email Lizzie on lizzie.rea@derrydiocese.org or telephone 71264087.