Fourth Sunday of Easter

21st April 2024

Day of Prayer for Vocations

The Good Shepherd

In Jesus’ time, being a shepherd was not a pleasant job. Sheep became easily lost and the shepherd’s job was to guide them back to safety. There were many dangers and the sheep were totally dependent on the shepherd. Shepherds would round up their sheep in the evening and guide them into their pen. 

But it had no gate, so the shepherd would have to lie across the space in case the sheep were attacked in the night. The shepherds literally lay down their lives for their flock. John compares the sacrifice of the shepherd to the ‘hired hand’ who is not really committed to the flock. He does what he has to but flees at the first sign of trouble.

This Good Shepherd Sunday the Gospel describes Jesus as the ‘genuine’ Shepherd who wants a personal relationship with each one of us and who would lay down his life for us. The Gospel emphasises the importance of relationship as the shepherd knows his flock and cares for them. They ‘Follow Him’ and it is not a Facebook or Twitter type of following, rather it is a genuine relationship. Everyone matters to the Good Shepherd, regardless of their situations. We are told ‘I know my own and my own know me’. 

We are called today to follow Jesus in a more personal more intimate way. Even when we stray off the path and get lost, it is then especially that the Good Shepherd comes looking for us.

‘We think we are fleeing from God, but in fact we are running into his arms’.

(Meister Eckhart)                                                        

Jane Mellett

Announcements

Last week’s collection amounted to £2960.00. 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 22 April after 10.00am Mass until 6.00pm.

Holy Hour for Vocations will take place today Sunday 21 April, Good Shepherd Sunday, in St. Theresa’s Church, Sion Mills at 5.00pm. Everyone is welcome.

First Holy Communion for the pupils of St. Mary’s P.S. will take place on Saturday 27 April. Confessions will be at the usual time of 11.30am.

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.

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

Donnacha Gavin Og McElroy

May they Rest in Peace

Deaths

Gerard Owens, Clady

Anniversaries

Sr. Theresita O’Sullivan, Louis O’Sullivan, Margaret McLaughlin

Martin Mannion, Margaret McDonald, Brian McDonald             

Emily McCosker, Tony Kelly, Olivia Coyle

Edward Cashell, Stephen McGlinchey, Thomas McGuinness

Tony Floyd, Robert McCrea, Eugene McCrea

Teresa Gallagher, John Houston, Isobel Houston

Karen Patton, Nora Boyle, Rose Gallagher

Hugh O’Neill, Margaret Conaghan, Tony Conaghan

Dessie Smith, Sadie McGillian, James Nelis

Sally Kearney, Gertie McLaughlin, Paddy Doherty                        

Baptism Dates

May: Sunday 5.

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.

Vocations As we celebrate Good Shepherd Sunday/Vocations Sunday we ask God’s blessing on our diocesan seminarians in Rome, Maynooth and Salamanca and for all those working in the area of priestly formation. We pray for those discerning their vocation at this time, that they will allow themselves to be guided by the Holy Spirit speaking to them through their Spiritual Director and in their personal prayer. We ask God’s blessing on those applying these days to begin their studies in seminary next January. May the Lord inspire many more men to answer His call to serve the people of this diocese as priests.

Accord Derry Marriage Preparation Courses (Pre-Marriage Courses) will take place on 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 May to the Parish Office on Monday 13 May from 2.00pm - 4.00pm. The Draw for May will take place on Thursday 16 May at 10.30am in the Parish Office.

Lough Derg Pilgrimage Season Three Day Pilgrimages from Friday 31 May - Thursday 15 August. Admission €80. Booking advised. One Day Retreats: May 5, 6, 12, 14, 18, 25, 27. August 17, 20, 25, 26, 31. September 4, 7, 10, 14, 15, 21, 22. Admission is €45 and booking is essential. For more information contact Lough Derg on info@loughderg.org or telephone 00353 7198 61518.

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.

The Deepening - A Morning Retreat on Saturday 27 April from 10.00am - 1.30pm in An Grianan Hotel, Burt. For more information contact Erin on 07736832458 or thornhillministries@derrydiocese.org led by Fr. Paschal. This retreat morning allows us to hold Easter hope and a renewed Pentecost in our lives. Retreat includes Contemplation, Input, Personal Time and Celebration of Eucharist and lunch.

Day Retreat in Honour of St. Peregrine in the Carmelite Retreat Centre, Termonbacca on Thursday 2 May from 10.00am - 3.00pm. Cost including lunch £20.00. To book telephone 71262512.

St. Eugene’s Cathedral Pilgrimage to Fatima from 19 - 24 October. Cost £770 per person sharing, with a single room supplement of £150 (subject to availability). For more information please contact Anne Marie Hickey on amhickey@derrydiocese.org or telephone 71262894

Pilgrimage to Medjugorje, Dublin - Split. May 8 - 15. Spiritual Director Fr. Kevin Conway. There are a few places remaining. Cost £710/pps. For more information contact Anne Duffy 07736005396.

Spring Concert in Holy Cross College on Wednesday 24 April at 7.30pm. Admission is free with a retiring collection. A celebration of the array of musical talent in the College.

Strabane History Society will hold their next meeting on Thursday 25 April at 7.30pm in the Music Rooms, John Wesley Street (close to the back gate of Post Office). This month’s talk will be ‘Disappearing Strabane’. This is the second in a series of talks on the changes to Strabane and surrounding areas. The talk is by our Chairman Michael Kennedy and includes participation by all attending. Everyone welcome.

Parish Draw

The Parish Draw for April took place on Thursday 18 April. The winners are as follows: 

£500:         1250 Marie Early – Sheelagh McKelvey

£250:         1549 Francis Haughey – Elizabeth O’Hare

£250:         1355 Kathleen Bonner – Sheelagh McKelvey

£250:         1297 John Rouse – Elizabeth O’Hare   

£150:         1540 Finola Forbes – Katrina Houston

£150:         1066 Susan McLaughlin – Pauline Wilson

£150:         1087 Mervyn & Ann King – Carolann Stewart

£100:         1362 May Diver – Sheelagh McKelvey   

£100:         1665 Donna McCauley – Dolores Houston

£100:         1473 Rita Boyle – Elizabeth O’Hare