Sunday, 13th June 2010

11th Sunday in Ordinary Time.

First Reading:
2 Samuel 12: 7-10. 13
King David receives the forgiveness of the Lord.

Second Reading:
Galatians 2: 16. 19-21
I live now, not with my own life, but with the life of Christ who lives in me.

Gospel: Luke 7: 36 - 8: 3
The repentant woman receives the forgiveness of Jesus.

Soft Touch

A gribble is a sea worm, 1 - 4mm long, and a pest. The scourge of seafarers, gribbles bore into ships’ planks and wreck them. Digesting their cellulose, they cause much destruction to marine timber structures such as jetties and piers. But, they’re peerless when it comes to recycling driftwood. Researchers have found that the enzymes gribbles use to break down woody cellulose and turn it into energy-rich sugars could convert wood and straw to liquid biofuel. So today’s pest may become tomorrow’s pet. By doing a-what-comes-naturally they help the environment.

The woman in today’s Gospel reading is also doing-a-what-comes-naturally (Luke 7:36-8:3). While it seems outrageous to the Pharisee that Jesus should be at ease with a woman of her type touching him, it really is a case of both her and Jesus doing a-what-comes-naturally: she, a sinner approaching him for forgiveness, and he, the Saviour, accepting the sinner graciously. The only one feeling discomfort is the Pharisee on the sideline. Despite any appearance to the contrary that can prove an uncomfortable place to be, at least for Christians, the self-righteous and hypocrites.

Jesus is open to all people, particularly those to whom society is closed. But he’s more than open. He doesn’t wait in the wings for them to approach him. He seeks them out and brings them centre stage.

Just as researchers have discovered that the grubby little gribble has something worthwhile to offer society, so too do we discover that those whom society considers grubby have much to offer when we regard them as Jesus does.

Fr. Tom Cahill

Pope’s Collection

There will be a second collection today Sunday 13 June for the Pope. There is a special envelope in your box for this collection. Anyone contributing to this collection by cheque should make it payable to ‘Melmount Parish’ only. This is a banking requirement as all cheques are now crossed and must state the name of the bank account into which they are paid. The words ‘Pope’s Collection’ should not appear on the cheque. Thank you for your help in this matter.

Dates for Baptism

The following are the dates for the Sacrament of Baptism during the months of June and July:

June: Sunday 13; Saturday 26.

July: Sunday 11; Saturday 17; Sunday 25.

Times for Baptism: Sunday 1.15pm; Saturday 4.00pm

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

Caoimhe Molly Kelly

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

Martin Walker and Grace Gillespie

Declan Murphy and Claire Duffy

May they Rest in Peace - Anniversaries

Michael Boyle, Richard McGrath, P.J. McGrath,

Margaret Arbuckle, Susan McBride, Catherine McCutcheon,

Rose Wallace, John Barr, Mary Meehan,

Hugh Boyle, Margaret Kearney, John McGlinchey,

Sarah Hannigan, Paddy Walsh, Michael Gallagher,

Winnie Gavigan, Timothy McCrossan, Stan O’Connor,

James Casey, Peter Russell, Bridie O’Hagan,

Adrian Doherty, Thomas McNally, Martha Madden,

Rose Mulreany, Charlie Kelly, Pat McBride,

John Mullen, Nellie Doherty , Patrick Donnelly,

Shaun Donnelly, David McGavigan, Oliver Jack, Joe Haughey Snr.

Parish Draw

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

Golden Jubilee

Fr. John Doherty’s Golden Jubilee Mass will take place on

Sunday 20 June at 5.00pm in the Sacred Heart Church, Derry Road.

Parish Census

Over the coming weeks more of the Parish Census Forms will be delivered to areas not yet covered. Many thanks to all who have returned theirs as it is of great help in updating the Parish Records.

The Holy Family Padre Pio Prayer Group will hold their monthly meeting in the Holy Family Church, Ballymagroarty, Derry on Monday 14 June starting with Mass at 7.30pm. All are welcome to attend.

Taize Prayer

Join us for an hour of meditative prayer and Taize chant on Wednesday 16 June in St. Colman’s Chapel from 7.30pm - 8.30pm. Everyone welcome.

A One Day Retreat for Senior Citizens and their friends will take place in the Carmelite Retreat Centre, Termonbacca on Wednesday 23 June. Registration from 10.30am finishing around 5.00pm. Cost £15.00 includes a four course lunch. Payment at the Centre on the Day. To book telephone 71262512 during office hours only.

Music Workshop: Tom Kendzia (US) is coming to Ireland to give the Church Music Summer School in Maynooth. He has been persuaded to come via Plumbridge to lead a workshop for singers/choirs on Wednesday 30 June from 7.30pm to 9.30pm in the Parish Hall, Plumbridge. For more details contact Sr. Perpetua on 71351233.

Taking the Time: Mary Murphy with Sr. Perpetua will lead an ‘Exploration of the Journey Inward’, using some of the finest poetry and classical music, with reflections on the Psalms. This retreat-like experience is an invitation to touch into the creative imagination. Begins at the Thornhill Centre, Derry on Friday 2 July at 7.00pm and ends on Saturday 3 July at 7.00pm. For more information contact: The Secretary, Thornhill Centre, 71351233.

Melmount Centre - Parish Bingo Sunday 13 June.

PTA Holy Cross College

The PTA for Holy Cross College will hold a table quiz on Thursday 17 June

in the Fir Trees Hotel to raise funds for the College.

Your support would be greatly appreciated.

Foyle Hospice’s Strabane Midnight Walk will take place on Friday 25 June. This is a ladies only 3.5 mile sponsored walk starting/finishing at Heaton’s Car Park, Railway Road and will commence at midnight! For further information and entry forms please contact Foyle Hospice Fundraising Centre on 71359888, Strabane Shop 71886241 or visit www.foylehospice.com or email rachelbruce@foylehospice.com

Rally for Life

A bus taking people to the Rally for Life in Belfast will leave from the Melmount Centre on Saturday 3 July at 8.45am. There will be Mass in St. Patrick’s Church, Belfast. For further details contact 71882048.

N.W. Regional College Strabane Campus will hold information sessions on Thursday 17 June from 10.00am - 12 noon and from 6.00pm - 8.00pm at their Derry Road Campus to provide details of the Full-time and Part-Time courses that are available from this September. For more information telephone 71382317. For a copy of the Part-Time Prospectus telephone 71276000 or email info@nwrc.ac.uk

Millennium Forum

‘The Priests’ with special guest Camilla Kerslake will appear at the Forum on Tuesday 15 June at 8.00pm. Tickets: £19.50/£24.50/£29.50. To book contact the Box Office 71264455.