Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

8th September 2024

‘Ephphatha’

This Sunday is the First Sunday of the Season of Creation, a global ecumenical season which runs from 1 September until the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, 4 October. All Christians are invited to embrace this season in prayer, especially in our liturgies, in deep reflection, in living more sustainably and in raising our voices in the public sphere. 

We are invited to think more deeply about what is happening at present to the earth, the environmental destruction which now threatens our world and the call to ‘eco-conversion’. The theme for this year’s Season is ‘To hope and act with creation’. It offers all of us a unique opportunity to renew our vocation to care more deeply for God’s creation.

In today’s Gospel Jesus heals a man who was deaf and who had a speech impediment. Jesus says to him, ‘Ephphatha’, which means Be Opened. Immediately this man was healed. There are many issues in our world to which we might be deaf or are ‘closed’ to, sometimes because they overwhelm us. The environmental crises are an example. 

Pope Francis invites us to in Laudato Sί, his letter on the environment, to really hear and listen to the earth, which is crying out to us, to the scientific community who are sounding the alarm bells, to young people who are deeply concerned. Ephphatha! May we be open to hearing these cries, to praying for our world and to take action where we can. We begin with the small actions and encourage others to do the same. Ephphatha! Let us all be open to this call more deeply and ‘Restore Our Common Home’.                                          

Jane Mellett

Announcements

Last week’s collection amounted to £2900.00. 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 9 September after 10.00am Mass until 6.00pm.

Collection for Retired Priests The Annual Collection for Retired Priests will be taken up at all Masses next Sunday 15 September. This is a collection to help assist priests who have retired from active ministry. There is an envelope marked ‘Clergy Retirement Fund’ in your box of envelopes for this collection. Anyone contributing to this collection by cheque should make it payable to ‘Melmount Parish’. This is a banking requirement.

Daily Mass Please Note there will be no 10.00am Mass on Wednesday 11, Thursday 12 and Friday 13 September.

Accord Derry Marriage Preparation Courses (Pre-Marriage Courses) will take place on September 20/21 and October 18/19. Please note that these courses are NOT virtual and are in person. Bookings are now being taken on www.accordni.com

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

Scarlett Elizabeth O’Hare 

Fionn James Boggs         

Brandon Josie McCormack   

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

Jordan McDaid and Thomas Semple

May they Rest in Peace

Deaths

Columba O’Neill, 1 Ardnalee Park                

Aidan Callaghan, 102 Laurel Drive

Dympna Coyle, 5 Courtrai Park

Anniversaries

Molly O’Hare, Brendan Kearney, Kathleen Christy

Pearl McAneny, Bridie Rouse, Niamh Nolan

Martha Reid, Marie Logue, John McHugh

Sarah Richmond, Frances Gallagher, Mariah McElwee

Johnnie Montague, Daniel McDaid, Frances Duncan

Rosemary Stewart, Patrick McGurk, Willie Falconer

Margaret Blee, Clare McGonigle, Hugh Gallagher

Mary Rose Conwell, Melissa Conwell                                            

Baptism Dates

September: Saturday 28.

October: Sunday 6; Saturday 26.

November: Sunday 3; Saturday 16; Saturday 30.

December: Sunday 8; Saturday 14; Saturday 28.

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

Vocations Fr Pat O’Hagan, diocesan Vocations Director, will celebrate the 12.30pm Mass in St. Mary’s Oratory, Buncrana, today Sunday 8 September, as part of a Day of Prayer for Vocations to the diocesan priesthood. Fr. Patrick Lagan will lead a Holy Hour for Vocations from 5.00pm – 6.00pm. Both celebrations may be followed on the Buncrana parish webcam at: www.buncranaparish.com

Derry Diocesan Pilgrimage to Knock Bishop Donal McKeown will lead the Derry Diocesan Pilgrimage to Knock on Saturday 28 September. Mass with Anointing of the Sick will take place at 3.00pm in the main Basilica, accompanied by the Long Tower Parish Folk Group.

Society of St. Joseph St. Juan Vianney Branch will meet on Tuesday 10 September in the Church of the Immaculate Conception. Rosary after 10.00am Mass and meeting will continue in St. Patrick’s Hall, Barrack Street afterwards. New members 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.

Adoption – Could you be part of a child’s journey? Are you interested in adopting a young child into your family? The Western Trust is holding a Virtual Information event about Adoption on Tuesday 10 September from 3.00pm – 5.00pm, via Microsoft Teams. If you would like to join the online event, please contact the Adoption & Permanence Team in Omagh on 028 82835114.

Irish Pilgrimage Trust Easter 2025 Pilgrimage Applications are invited from young people with additional social, emotional, physical and learning needs aged 11 - 30 who are interested in travelling as guests to Lourdes with the Irish Pilgrimage Trust. Applications are also sought for carers 18+ who would be interested in accompanying the guests on the trip. The trip is free for guests as volunteers complete fundraising and carers pay their own fare. Guests complete online applications at https://form.jotform.com/212932685135054

Carers applications at https://form.jotform.com/21179306289105

For more information visit: https://www.irishpilgrimagetrust.com or telephone Sian at +44 (0) 7960211352

Church of the Immaculate Conception As part of European Heritage Open Days 2024, we will be offering a Guided Tour of the Church of the Immaculate Conception from 2.30pm - 3.30pm on Sunday 15 September. (Meet at the front door). Come along to find out more about the history and restoration of this beautiful church.

Could you ‘Host for Hospice’. October is officially Foyle Hospice ‘Coffee Morning Month’. We are calling on supporters to help us raise vital funds by hosting a Coffee Morning. Whether it’s at home, work or in your local community. To request your FREE host pack or for more information call Ailbhe McDaid on 028 71359888 or email: ailbhe@foylehospice.com

Anam Cara Donegal, the organisation that supports bereaved parents, is holding its monthly Parent Evening for bereaved parents on Thursday 12 September at 7.15pm in the Radisson Blu Hotel, Letterkenny. This event is free and open to all bereaved parents regardless of the age your child died, the circumstances of their death or whether their death was recent or not. We also offer an online service. For more information telephone 00353 1 4045378.

Blessing of Motorcycles All are welcome to the blessing of motorcycles on Sunday 15 September in St. Aengus’ Church, Burt, Co. Donegal at 1.30pm and then bike ride to RNLI Station, Ned’s Point, Buncrana for refreshments. Donations on the day in aid of RNLI. Fr. Gerry Sweeney will be celebrating Mass in St. Patrick’s Chapel, Dungiven at 11.30am that Sunday and any bikers are welcome to come along to Mass and then head to Burt after the brief blessing service.