Sunday, 8th November 2009

32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time.

First Reading 1 Kings 17; 10-16
In the middle of a famine, a poor widow shares the last of her food with the prophet Elijah and far from losing by so doing, she is enriched.

Second Reading Hebrews 9: 24-28
Through his death Christ has taken our sins upon himself and has opened for us the door to salvation.

Gospel Mark 12: 38-44
In the eyes of others the offering of the widow was the least, but in the eyes of Christ it was the greatest.

The Widow’s Mite

The widow’s mite symbolises generosity. A small gesture bursting with meaning grabs the imagination and immortalises itself. Today’s Gospel reading (Mark 12:38-44) notes that the widow has two coins. She could give one, keep the other, and still be considered generous. But no! Her generosity is not half measure. Her reverence for God and her respect for the Law and its requirements are total.

The spotlight is on the quality of her giving. We don’t know what happens to her afterwards. But somehow we just know she’s not going to die of starvation. We can’t prove it, of course. But God doesn’t respond to generosity with punishment. What kind of a god would that be!

It’s the same for us. When we respond generously to life’s demands we’re not punished for doing so. Here are some more things we can’t prove, but which are true nonetheless: the more we give the more we discover we have to give; and, not only are those who receive enriched, so too are those who give.

When I worked in Indonesia as a missionary occasionally I gave money to people in need, or spent it for medical treatment on their behalf. To my surprise, on several occasions I received money out of the blue from home in the form of Mass offerings within weeks of having given help to others. Like the jar of meal and the jug of oil in today’s First Reading (1 Kings 17:10-16) my small jar was never empty either.

It really does work that way. Try it and see.

Fr. Tom Cahill

Welcome

We welcome to Melmount this weekend

Fr. Peter Walters

who will be speaking about his work in Columbia with his charity ‘Let the Children Live’.

Visitation of Sick and Housebound

The sick and housebound will be visited this week as follows:

Monday Morning: The Trust, Knockavoe Area.

Monday Morning: Ashgrove Park, Olympic Drive, Ballycolman Estate, Laurel Drive.

Tuesday Morning: St. Colman’s Drive, Pearse Gardens, Bridgend.

Tuesday Morning: Carlton Drive, Melmount Park, Urney Road, Lisnafin
Castletown, Country Area.

Dates for Baptism

The following are the dates for the Sacrament of Baptism during the months of

November and December:

November: Sunday 15; Sunday 22; Friday 27.

December: Sunday 6; Friday 11; Sunday 20.

Times for Baptism: Sunday 1.15pm; Friday 7.20pm.

May they Rest in Peace - Deaths

Daniel Wright, Melmount Manor

John McBride, Newtownstewart

Annual Service for the Dead

The annual service in remembrance of deceased members of our families and parish will take place today 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).

Anniversaries

Fr. Anthony Mulvey, William Cooke, Thomas Cooke,

Joe Hegarty, Edward McGuinness, Sean Duffy,

Charlie Maxwell, Madge Gillespie, Tommy McGarrigle,

Annie McSheffrey, Mary Devlin, Mary Ellen Connolly,

Edward Walsh , Brian McKeever.

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.

SPRED Group

Do you have two hours a week to give to the SPRED Group in the Parish? The work of SPRED is to encourage and facilitate growth in faith and spiritual development in people with special needs in the Parish. The only requirement to become a member of the group is an open and loving heart. The best way to experience the work of SPRED is to come and observe one of the sessions and then decide if it is something you would like to be involved in. If you are interested call 71883017 or 71883889.

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.

Padre Pio

The Holy Family Padre Pio Prayer group will hold their monthly meeting in the Holy Family Church, Ballymagroarty, Derry on Monday 9 November starting with Mass at 7.30pm. There will be two 1st class relics of St. Pio at this meeting. Everyone is welcome.

Cleaning of the Church

The team for cleaning the Church during the month of November is Mary McGuigan’s Team.

Iona Carmelite Retreat Centre

A one day retreat for Senior Citizens and their friends will take place in the Carmelite Retreat Centre, Termonbacca on Tuesday 10 November. Registration from 10.30am finishing around 5.00pm. Cost £15.00 or 18 Euro includes a four course lunch. Payment on the day. To book telephone 71262512 during office hours only.

Alcoholics Anonymous

Sion Mills Group is holding a public information meeting in Sion Mills Community Hall on Wednesday 11 November at 8.30pm. Everyone welcome.

Set Dancing Classes

have started recently in Gaelscoil Ui Dhochartaigh, Ballycolman Estate. The classes take place on a Monday night from 7.30pm - 9.00pm in the school hall and cost £2.00 per week. Everyone is welcome.

Melmount Centre - Parish Bingo Sunday 8 November.

St. Vincent de Paul Lucky Lotto

The Draw for November took place on Sunday 1 November. The numbers drawn were: 13, 15, 22, and 24. There were 4 people who matched three numbers - Brendan MacIntyre, Ann Sweeney, Kevin Walsh and Anna Tinneny. The Jackpot for December is £1,300.00. Promoters are asked to have December draw envelopes returned on or before 27 November. The next draw will take place at 9.00pm on Sunday 6 December at Melmount Parish Bingo.

Strabane Community Project,

St. Patrick’s Hall provides a daily luncheon club with activities Monday - Friday. You can also have your meal delivered to your home in our new microwaveable containers. To find out about our range of services telephone 02871883102 or email strabanecommunityproject@btopenworld.com or call in to St. Patrick’s Hall.

Friends of Knockavoe School will host ‘Beat the Banker’ in ‘The Den’ on Saturday 14 November at 8.00pm. This game show comes complete with a customised and professionally designed TV-styled production set inspired by the TV show Deal or No Deal. The format is simple, buy a ticket for £10.00 and then on the night tickets are drawn to determine who plays for up to £1000.00. Local Highland Radio DJ Lee Gooch will be your host. Tickets are available from the school, any member of the committee or at the door on the night. (Strictly Over 18’s)

The first meeting of the Strabane St. Patrick’s Day Committee will take place in Strabane Community Library on Tuesday 10 November at 7.00pm. The committee is inviting businesses, community groups, sporting bodies and the general public to come along and get involved in the planning and delivery of the 2010 parade.