Sunday 6th April 2008

The Third Sunday of Easter

Reflection
On the road to Eammaus, the disciples were slow to recognize Jesus or understand why he had to die and rise from the dead. Jesus explained the scriptures to them and they then recognized him in the breaking of bread. Our celebration of the Eucharist reflects their experience. We listen with open hearts to the scriptures, we hear Jesus speak to us, and we recognize and receive him in the bread which is his Body.

Death: Getting it Right

Resurrection depends on dying - but of the right kind. For there are two kinds: one that brings on death and one that brings on life. In his book, The Seed and the Sower, Laurens van der Post describes the former: ‘Death is not something that happens at the end of our life. It is imprisonment in one moment of time, confinement in one sharp uncompromising deed or aspect of ourselves. Death is exclusion from renewal of our present-day selves.’

Sound familiar? Something bad happens and we never free ourselves from its murky memory, or its corrosive touch. In a moment of madness something evil, or stupid, is done. That moment must not destroy a life.

The two travellers in today’s Gospel (Lk 24. 13-35) discover this. A ‘moment’ of collective madness had killed their Messiah and shattered their world. They could have slumped into despair and cowered in mediocrity. But no! They were dying to their disbelief by pondering news some women had brought that the Messiah was alive. They were dying to their confusion by opening to Jesus’ explanation of the scriptures. They were dying to despair in the friendship of breaking bread together. That dying led to their resurrection, their renewal.

And, renewed, they returned immediately to where they had left - no longer afraid of the dark.

Announcements

Last week’s collection amounted to £2820.00 Thank you.

The Collection for Easter Sunday amounted to £3891.00. Thank you.

Visitation of Sick and Housebound
Fr. Doherty: Monday Morning: Trust Area and Knockavoe Area
Monday Afternoon: Bridge End
Tuesday: Carlton Drive, Lisnafin & Country Area

Dates for Baptism
The following are the dates for the Sacrament of Baptism during the months of April, May and June:
April: Sunday 13; Sunday 20; Friday 25; Sunday 27.
May: Friday 9; Sunday 11; Sunday 18; Friday 30.
June: Friday 6; Sunday 8; Sunday 15; Friday 20.
Times for Baptism: Sunday 1.15pm; Friday 7.20pm.

Blessing of Graves
The Annual Ceremony of the Blessing of Graves will take place in Melmount on Sunday 22 June at 3.00pm.

Parish Draw 2008
Promoters should make their returns for April to the Parish Office on Monday 21 April from 2.00pm - 4.30pm and from 7.30pm - 8.30pm. The Draw for April will take place on Thursday 24 April at 10.30am in the Parish Office.

Collection Envelopes
New envelopes are in use from this weekend. 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 and who would like to consider being part of the Gift Aid Scheme by using an envelope should contact the Parish Office: Tel. 71383777.

Prayer Group
There will be Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament in the Day Chapel on Monday 7 April from 8.00pm - 9.00pm. Everyone welcome.

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

Cleaning of Church
Many thanks to Mary McGuigan’s Team for cleaning the Church during the month of March.

We welcome into God’s Family through the Sacrament of Baptism:
Ava Louise Heffernan
Aaron Damien McClay-Fowler
Jaden Patrick Stewart
Aoife Lorraine Miller
Beth Patricia Heaney
Conor John Tierney
Stephen James McGlinchey
Aimee Louise Farmer-Tracey
Dean Matthew Gallagher

May they Rest in Peace - Deaths
Larry Reilly, Brookvale
John Devine, Aughabrack
Patsy Flanagan, Gortin
Ann O’Neill, Derry
Kathleen Gallagher, Lifford

Anniversaries
Fr. Phil McGarrigle, Kathleen Kennedy, Eddie Kennedy,
Charlie Doherty, Philip Kane, Willie McGirr,
Jimmy Clifford, Sarah Devine , Eugene McCrea,
Vera McCready, Patrick McAleer, Robert McCrea,
Catherine McCready, Liam McGlinchey, Grace Blee Sweeney,
Jim Logue, George Moore , Billy Kearney,
Peggy Holland , John Casey, Andrew MacIntyre,
Mary Gallagher, Isobel Lindsay, Colm Doherty,
Pat Smyth, Teresa Smyth, Patrick McLaughlin, John Rowan, Rosaleen McGranaghan John McBride,Patrick McGlinchey.

Melmount Centre - Parish Bingo Sunday 6 April 2008

Alzheimer’s Society Annual Open Meeting
The annual open meeting will take place on Thursday 10 April in the White Horse Hotel, 68 Clooney Road, Derry at 7.30pm. The guest speaker will be Mairead Buckley (N.I. Court Service), speaking on ‘The Role of the Office of Care and Protection’. Everyone welcome.

Strabane Sigersons GAA
The Club’s Senior Team will open their O’Neills Sportswear Tyrone ACL campaign today Sunday 6 April at home to Dregish. Throw-in time is 3.45pm.

Poetry Evenings - ‘Sensing the Sacred’
Mary Murphy will lead a three-session workshop, leisurely exploring some of the longer poems in the Irish output, beginning with Patrick Kavanagh’s ‘The Great Hunger’. Dates: Wednesday 9, 16 and 23 April from 7.30pm - 9.30pm at the Thornhill Centre. The cost is £5.00 per night. Please telephone 71351233 to reserve a place.

St. Patrick’s Luncheon Club is holding a Social/Dance on Monday 21 April in St. Patrick’s Hall. Supper served at 9.00pm. Admission £5.00 or 7.00 Euro. Music by Patsy Harte.

Parish Draw 2008
The Draw for March took place on Thursday 20 March. The winners were:
£500: 1028 Harry Arbuckle - Sheelagh McKelvey
£250: 1488 Dolores Gallagher - Sheila McGonagle
£250: 1254 James Neeson - Frank Forbes
£250: 1793 Frank McElwee - Frank McElwee
£150: 1070 Jim Roulston - Helen Foster
£150: 1185 Jacqueline McGill - Juliana Murray
£150: 1784 Michael McKinney - Frank McElwee
£100: 1744 June Potts - Michael McGrath
£100: 1169 Catherine O’Reilly - Juliana Murray
£100: 1231 Philomena Patton - Margaret McLaughlin