Sunday, 1st November 2009

All Saints

First Reading Apocalypse 7: 2-4, 9-14
I saw a huge Number, impossible to count, of people from every nation, race, tribe and language.

Second Reading 1 John 3: 1-3
Think of the love that the Father has lavished on us, by letting us be called God’s children.

Gospel Matthew 5: 1-12
Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.

Back to the Future

This year marks the 150th anniversary of the publication of Charles Darwin’s book, The Origin of Species. Many scientists today accept that there is a huge body of evidence supporting the view that we have descended from an animal with chimpanzee-like capacities. If we have, then what we hear today’s First Reading (Apoc 7:2-4, 9-14) telling us is all the more amazing. For there we have attained near god-like capacities.

Which is more difficult to believe: that a crude chimp is now a sophisticated human who composes sublime symphonies, produces fabulous works of art, explores cosmic vastness and penetrates atomic depths; or to believe that this human is destined for near divinity in a new ordering of creation?

Science serves truth in dull and detailed prose. Scripture sets it in sweeping story and inspiring imagery that lifts us higher than science can ever do. Science examines and reports. Scripture reveals and inspires. Science fixes us firmly to matter; scripture frees us as spirit.

Saints - all of them - are the poets among us. Not vice versa, though. They are, what the old pop song jingles out, ‘poetry in motion’. As poetry opens pathways to understanding, refines human emotions and grants glimpses of transcendence we would not otherwise experience, so saints have done and continue to do through the generosity and sanctity of their lives. They show us what life can be like because of what it will be like. They bring the future to our doorstep.

Whether we grant it entrance to our home is up to us.

Fr. Tom Cahill

Announcements

Collection for Retired Priests

The Annual Collection for Retired Priests will be taken up at all Masses today Sunday 1 November. This is a collection to help assist priests who have retired from active ministry. There is a special envelope in your box. Anyone contributing to this collection by cheque should make it payable to ‘Melmount Parish’.

All Souls Day

Monday 2 November is the Commemoration of the Faithful Departed. Masses for All Souls Day will be at 10.00am and 7.00pm. It is not a Holy Day of Obligation but a day when many people like to come to Mass to pray for their dead.

First Friday

Friday of this week is the First Friday.
Confessions will be on Thursday after 10.00am Mass and on Friday from 6.15pm - 6.45pm.

Dates for Baptism

The following are the dates for the Sacrament of Baptism during the months of November and December:

November: Friday 6; Sunday 15; Sunday 22; Friday 27.
December: Sunday 6; Friday 11; Sunday 20.
Times for Baptism: Sunday 1.15pm; Friday 7.20pm.

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

Jacob Bryan Kennedy

Naomi Mary Ruth Hoey-Vaughan

Ashden Liam Lafferty

Madison Marie Earley

Annual Service for the Dead

The annual service in remembrance of deceased members of our families and parish will take place on Sunday 8 November at 5.00pm. Families who have suffered bereavement since November 1, 2008 are asked to nominate a representative to carry a candle to the altar in commemoration of their dead. (Candles will be provided). If you would like a relative mentioned who was not a parishioner and who died in the last year please leave the name in the Parish Office 71383777, the Sacristy or with one of the Priests.

Parish Draw 2009

Promoters should make their returns for November to the Parish Office on Monday 16 November from 2.00pm - 4.30pm and from 7.30pm - 8.30pm. The Draw for November will take place on Thursday 19 November at 10.30am in the Parish Office.

St. Joseph’s Young Priests Society

will meet on Monday 2 November after 10.00am Mass in St. Colman’s Chapel. All welcome.

May they Rest in Peace - Deaths

Billie Hamilton, 47 St. Colman’s Drive

Jean Walsh, Belfast formerly Sion Mills

Gordon Ferguson, Sion Mills

Anniversaries

Tommy Kelly, Francie Kelly, Kathleen Kelly, Paddy Kelly,
Gerard Kelly, Mary Duffy, John McGlynn, David McFeeters,
Sarah Hegarty, Kenny Boggs, Cecil Cunningham, Annie Kane,
Mary Ellen McHugh, Edward Duffy, Patsy Harkin, Kathleen McCrossan,
Hugh Moss, Dessie Kane, John Quigg, Martha Murray,
Frances McGhee, Annie Woods, Joseph O’Neill, Eddie Brogan,
Kathleen McDaid, John Patton, Eddie Catterson, Nellie Gillespie,
Samuel McNulty, Shane O’Connor, Margaret McGarrigle, Betty Porter,
Annie Sweeney, Joe Lavery, Maggie McCanny, John Murphy,
Kathleen McCool, Rosaleen McLaughlin.

Holy Cross College Annual Mass

The Mass for the Senior School (Years 11-14) will take place in the Church on Wednesday 4 November at 11.15am.

Mass for the Junior School (Years 8-10) will take place in the Church on Wednesday 4 November at 2.15pm.

Prayer Group

There will be Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament in St. Colman’s Chapel on Monday 2 November from 7.30pm - 8.30pm (after 7.00pm Mass). All welcome on this special day of devotion for the Faithful Departed.

Marian Movement Cenacle

A Regional Marian Movement day of prayer for priests and laity, led by Fr. Michael Maher, will take place on Saturday 7 November in St. Mary’s Chapel, Ardmore from 12.00 noon - 4.30pm. The day will include Adoration, Confessions, Talks and Mass. All welcome. Please bring a packed lunch.

Divine Mercy Devotions

There will be Divine Mercy Devotions every Sunday from 3.00pm - 4.00pm in

St. Colman’s Chapel with Eucharistic Adoration. Everyone welcome.

Collection Counters

The following are asked to count the collection for the month of November: Bill Doherty, Sally Drumm, Dessie Drumm, Maureen Hegarty, Cecilia McDaid, Patricia McDaid, Teddy Quigley, Brian Foster and Helen Foster.

Cleaning of Church

Many thanks to Patricia McDaid’s team for cleaning the church during the month of October.

Melmount Centre - Parish Bingo Sunday 1 November.

A Team from the N.I. Blood Transfusion Service will be in St. Pat’s Hall on Wednesday 4 November from 1.30pm - 4.00pm and 5.15pm - 8.00pm. In order to maintain the vital supply of blood to our hospitals the support of not only existing members but also new donors is needed.

St. Patrick’s Hall will hold a Fashion Show on Tuesday 3 November beginning at 8.00pm featuring Electric Candy Boutique, Blanca Bridal, RK’s Menswear, CnR Designer Kidswear, La Moda, Bon March and New Look. Admission is £8.00 and includes a wine and cheese reception. Tickets available from all shops taking part or from St. Patrick’s Hall. Tel.: 71883102 or 71382452. All proceeds in aid of the Hall and St. Patrick’s Luncheon Club.

October Draw

£500: 1001 James & Myra O’Connor - Elizabeth O’Hare
£250: 1539 Maureen O’Donnell - Sheila McGonagle
£250: 1400 Ross McDaid - Helen Foster
£250: 1192 Miriam McElroy - Juliana Murray
£150: 1177 Catherine Sheerin - Juliana Murray
£150: 1456 Ursula Coyle - Michael McGrath
£150: 1703 Ken Devine - Helen Foster
£100: 1230 Maura McElroy - Mar Hagan
£100: 1451 Pauline McGrath - Elizabeth O’Hare
£100: 1015 Patsy McCallion - Elizabeth O’Hare