Sunday 15th November 2009

33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time.

First Reading Daniel 12: 1-3
A prophecy about the final Judgement.

Second Reading Hebrews 10: 11-14.18
Christ has offered one single sacrifice for sins and taken his place at the right hand of God.

Gospel Mark 13: 24-32
The coming of Christ in glory.

Beyond the Senses

There are only two possibilities: human life has meaning or it hasn’t. It has direction powered by purpose, or else it’s like a fungus, free-floating on a speck of cosmic dust going nowhere fast. But if there is nothing beyond what we see, touch, taste, hear and smell from where comes the heart’s deep yearning for things beyond the senses? Francis Thompson expresses that yearning in his poem, In No Strange Land: ‘O world invisible, we view thee/O world intangible, we touch thee/ O world unknowable, we know thee/ Inapprehensible, we clutch thee!’

That clutching is for that which gives life its mystery, for that which shatters the daily deceit of seemingly ordinary things to grace us with a glimpse of their grandeur. It’s palpable in music that captives the soul, in poetry that punctuates the mundane with rhythm from another zone. It’s in art that states the eye with beauty transcending time. It’s in people when they love, and even when they don’t.

When we’re in touch with mystery today’s First Reading (Dan 12:1-13) will not seem as bizarre as it might otherwise appear. Its style won’t take from its substance. Resurrection of the dead is clearly central to God’s plan for his creation.

We need to focus on resurrection else death will have the final say. And the spot for that focus is life’s ordinary things. Again Francis Thompson: ‘Not where the wheeling systems darken/And our benumbed conceiving soars!/The drift of pinions, would we hearken/Beats at our own clay-shuttered doors.’

Fr. Tom Cahill

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.

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

Kyra Caroline Mullen

Dara Liam Alex Logue

Parish Draw 2009

Promoters should make their returns for November to the Parish Office tomorrow 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.

A Word of Thanks

Fr. Peter Walters would like to thank the people of Melmount for their welcome and their generous donation to his charity ‘Let the Children Live’. We have sent on £7000.00 and will publish the full amount very soon.

A word of thanks to Conor Bowman, who met Fr. Peter in Colombia, and who suggested that he visit Melmount. Thanks also to Conor’s parents, Dave and Carmel, for looking after Fr. Peter and his co-worker Jairo.

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.

Advent Retreat (Open to Everyone)

Ards Friary Retreat and Conference Centre, Creeslough, Co. Donegal will hold an Advent Retreat from Saturday 28 November - Sunday 29 November commencing at 9.30am. Fr. Owen O’Sullivan OFM Capuchin will take the retreat. Cost 85 Euro residential, 60 Euro Non residential. Contact Ards Friary 00 353 74 9138909 or info@ardsfriary.ie.

A Mass for the Sick with Eucharistic Blessing will take place in the Carmelite Retreat Centre, Termonbacca, Derry on Tuesday 17 November at 8.00pm. All are welcome to attend.

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

James Nicholl and Maria Ann Kelly

Michael Curran and Pamela Doherty

May they Rest in Peace - Deaths

Billy Mills, 28 Bridge Street

Lucia O’Kane, 5 Primrose Park

Paddy McGrath Snr., 14 Parkside Gardens

John McCann, Derry

Anniversaries

John Ponsonby, William Ponsonby, Mary McCrossan,
Mary McCutcheon, Tommy Masterson, Mamie McDaid,
John Doherty, Teddy Roulston, Patrick Kelly,
Susan Carlin, Annie McCrory, Charlie McDermott,
Marc Harkin, Mary O’Reilly, Sean McLaughlin,
Pat Kelly, Winnie Friel, Susan Tusie Gallagher,
Denise O’Donnell, George Simpson, Mary Rose Stevenson,
Patrick Gallagher, John McDaid, James McBride, Molly Floyd, Conal Boyle.

Doneyloop Prayer Group

Eucharistic Adoration Holy Hour on Thursday 19 November at 7.30pm in St. Columba’s Church, Doneyloop followed by a short prayer service in the nearby community centre. Tea and light refreshments served. All welcome.

Children in Crossfire are launching their 2009 Advent campaign in Melmount Parish. Children in Crossfire Advent calendars will be available to collect from outside the church after all Masses over the weekends of 21/22 and 28/29 November. The proceeds from these Advent Calendars will help vulnerable children and young people in Ethiopia and Tanzania. For more information visit www.childrenincrossfire.org/advent.

Alzheimer’s Support Group will meet on Wednesday 18 November at 7.30pm in Melmount Manor Care Home. The Guest Speaker will be Ruby Sutherland, RNID - Sensory Support Service. Everyone welcome.

A Celebration of the Mystery of Life’s Cycle

The Thornhill Centre, Derry presents a very special evening this month when we remember our dead. Poetry readings led by Mary Murphy. Music led by the Cathedral Choir on Wednesday 18 November from 8.00pm - 9.00pm. Suggested Donation £5.00. Tickets available at the Thornhill Centre 71351233.

Church Flower Arrangers Workshop

will take place in the Thornhill Centre on Tuesday 24 November from 7.30pm - 9.00pm. All welcome.

Melmount Centre - Parish Bingo Sunday 15 November.

Bridge Street C.C.D.A.

AGM will take place on Tuesday 17 November at 7.30pm in Mulvey House. All welcome.

Strabane Family History Society

The next meeting of the Strabane Family History Society will take place in Strabane Community Library on Thursday 19 November at 7.30pm. Mr Roddy Hegarty will be the speaker for the evening. New members are most welcome.

Ceili

Ceili in St. Patrick’s Hall on Sunday 15 November. Dancing from 8.00pm - 11.00pm.

Music by Gallagher & Logue. Admission £5.00 includes supper.

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.