Easter Sunday, 4th April 2010

The Resurrection of the Lord

First Reading : Acts of the Apostles 10: 34, 37-43
We have eaten and drunk with him after his resurrection.

Second Reading: Colossians 3: 1-4
You must look for things that are in heaven, where Christ is.

Gospel: John 20: 1-9
Till this moment they had failed to understand the teaching of scripture,
that he must rise from the dead.

Fr. Doherty hopes and prays that, on this great feast of Easter, Parishioners and all who come to Mass in Melmount will be blessed with faith, hope and love.

Surfing in the Highest

According to The Times newspaper (14/12/09) millions of young people in Britain are lonely despite having hundred’s of so-called ‘friends’ on social networking sites. Presumably Britain is not alone in this. Those who seek friends at arms-length are bound to be unhappy. Friendship is intended to be right up close and personal. Virtual reality can’t substitute for the real thing. Surfing the Net may seem cool, bright and breezy, even exciting; but it’s well to remember that it’s not called the ‘net’ for nothing. Being trapped by virtual friendships that may well be just illusionary, if not downright predatory, won’t fill the void within an individual.

The survey of more than 2,000 adults found that loneliness was a major worry for 21 per cent of people aged 18-24, compared with only 8 per cent of those aged 55 and over.

Easter Sunday is the Church’s most important celebration. It may seem a bit of a virtual reality to some, but not to those of faith. Jesus came right up close and personal to bring us resurrection. Today’s Second Reading (Col 3:1-4) tells us what we should be ‘surfing’ for: the things that are above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. The ‘catch’, if you want to call it that, is that resurrection can’t be found in virtual reality. You won’t find it outside daily living with those you like and dislike.

Resurrection is rising through reality - even because of reality - to the glory God has in store for those who value real friends in real life.

Fr. Tom Cahill

Masses for the Coming Week

Monday; Wednesday; Thursday and Friday: 10.00am

Tuesday and Saturday: 7.00pm

Masses for Week beginning Monday 12 April

Monday 12 April: 10.00am

Tuesday 13 April and Wednesday 14 April: No Mass on either day.

Thursday 15 April: 10.00am

Friday 16 April: 10.00am

Parish Bulletin

There will be no Parish Bulletin next Sunday 11 April

Holy Week Ceremonies

A word of thanks to all those who helped out in anyway in the Easter Ceremonies in the Church. We thank the Choirs, Musicians, the Readers, Eucharistic Ministers, Altar Servers, Collectors and Stewards. We thank those who co-ordinated these activities and also our Sacristans Enda McDonnell and Tony Kelly for their work all during Lent.

Dates for Baptism

The following are the dates for the Sacrament of Baptism during the months of April and May:

April: Sunday 4; Saturday 17; Sunday 25.

May: Saturday 8; Sunday 16; Sunday 30.

Times for Baptism: Sunday 1.15pm; Saturday 4.00pm

May they Rest in Peace - week ending 4th April 2010

Sammy McDermott, 9 O’Nolan Park

Baby Chelsey Leih McConnell, 21 Whinn View

Paddy Kelly, 54 Fountain Street

Josephine Kelly, 7 Newtownkennedy Street

John Creggan, Dungannon

Anniversaries

Rosaleen McGranaghan, Katie Quinn, George Moore

Robert McCrea, Eugene McCrea, Sadie Donaghey

Lizzie Haughey, Isobel McColgan, Anna McKenna

Andrew Doherty, Pat Devine, Patrick McAleer

Philip Kane, Vera Kane, Charlie Doherty

Kathleen Kennedy, Alice Alexander, Grace Blee Sweeney

Liam McGlinchey, Sarah Devine, Chris Patterson

Paddy Sweeney, Willie McGirr, Colm Doherty

Annie Quinn, George ‘Brad’ Doherty, Mary McGinley Patrick McGinley.

Anyone who has not yet returned their Trocaire Collection Boxes can do so at any of the Masses over the coming week. It would be a great help to the counters if small coins could be changed to notes or pound coins.

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 11 April. Anyone who has not been using envelopes and who would like to receive a box should leave their name in the sacristy. Anyone who pays income tax, even those who are retired but who receive a taxable pension, and who would like to consider being part of the Gift Aid Scheme by using an envelope, which is of a tremendous benefit to the Parish, should contact the Parish Office on 71383777 for more information.

Blessing of Graves

The Annual Ceremony of the Blessing of Graves will take place on Sunday 23 May at 5.00pm.

Parish Draw

Promoters should make their returns for April to the Parish Office on Monday 19 April from 2.00pm - 4.30pm and from 7.30pm - 8.30pm. The Draw for April will take place on Thursday 22 April at 10.30am in the Parish Office.

Collection Counters

The following are asked to count the collection for the month of April: Maureen Devine, Eamon McColgan, Elizabeth McColgan, Ann Carlin.

Church Cleaners

Many thanks to Mary McGuigan’s team for cleaning the church during the month of March.
Melmount Centre - There will be no Bingo tonight Easter Sunday Night, 4 April. Parish Bingo Sunday 11 April.

Our Lady of Knock

A bus will leave Barrack Street car park on Sunday 23 May at 11.00am. Cost £12.00. Please bring a packed lunch. Contact Jonathon McGhee on 07563987919 for details. Everyone is welcome.

The monthly Devotions, in Honour of Our Lady will take place in the Carmelite Retreat Centre, Termonbacca, Derry on Tuesday 6 April starting with confessions at 7.30pm followed by Rosary and Mass, finishing around 10.00pm. All are welcome.