Sunday, 16th May 2010

Ascension of the Lord ~ World Communications Day

First Reading : Acts of the Apostles 1: 1-11
It is what you have heard me speak about: John baptised with water but you,
not many days from now, will be baptised with the Holy Spirit.

Second Reading:
Ephesians 1: 17-23
May the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, give you a spirit of wisdom and
perception of what is revealed, to bring you to full knowledge of him.

Gospel: Luke 24: 46-53
Go, therefore, make disciples of all the nations: baptise them in the name of the
Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

High-minded

A recent survey conducted by researchers at Durham University, England, on people’s attitude to sermons came up with some surprises: 96.6% of those surveyed said they liked the Sunday sermon, and 60% said it gave them a sense of God’s love. Attitudes differed according to faith groupings. Evangelicals liked sermons most, Catholics wanted ones that educated rather than challenged. Baptists and Catholics favoured use of the Bible in sermons more than Anglicans and Methodists did. And, while Baptists wanted sermons to span an hour and then some, Catholics wanted them short. Ten minutes max.

So, what to say about the Ascension of the Lord that may be educative, and, yes, challenging too, yet brief? Its description in the first and third readings today (Acts 1:1-11 and Luke 24: 46-53) takes only seconds to read. To focus the mind, then, let me ask you which you think is weirder: to believe that the Ascension was real, or to believe that the value of a 6ft bronze sculpture by Alberto Giacometti, sold recently in Sotheby’s, is really worth the £65 million paid for it.

The fact of the Ascension is of immeasurably more value than any worked on piece of metal could possibly be. It has the power to stir the imagination, to engage the heart and to intrigue the mind with its promise. And, unlike artfully pressed and pounded metal, faith in the Ascension has the power to effect change. Belief in God’s Word ascending can raise even hearts of stone with money to burn hearts of flesh burning with love for those who suffer.

Fr. Tom Cahill

Announcements

Parish Draw

Promoters should make their returns for May to the Parish Office on Monday 24 May from 2.00pm - 4.30pm and from 7.30pm - 8.30pm. The Draw for May will take place on Thursday 27 May at 10.30am in the Parish Office.

Diocesan Purposes Collection

There will be a second collection today for Diocesan Purposes. There is a special envelope in your box for this collection. Anyone contributing to this collection by cheque should make their cheque payable to ‘Melmount Parish’ only. Thank you.

Dates for Baptism

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

May: Sunday 16; Sunday 30.

June: Saturday 5; 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:

Rionach Claire Moran ni Bhraonain

May they Rest in Peace - Deaths

Canon Frank O’Donnell, Wales

Kathleen Gallagher, 9 Linkside Park

Elsie Armstrong, 187 Ballycolman Estate

Tony Dempsey, 118 Berryhill Road, Artigarvan

Anniversaries

Elizabeth Walsh, Patsy Walsh, Rosaleen O’Donnell,

Kathleen Blee, Mary McLaughlin Patrick Gallagher, Alfie Crompton, John Scott, Catherine Devine,

Hugo Diver, Patsy Kane, Billy Farrell, Terence Sharkey, Hugh Vaughan, Marian Duffy.

Blessing of Graves

The Annual Ceremony of the Blessing of Graves will take place in Melmount on Sunday 23 May at 5.00pm. You are asked to bring with you a small bottle of Holy Water so that you yourselves may sprinkle the graves of your loved ones. Car parking facilities will be available at St. Mary’s Boys P.S., St. Mary’s Girls P.S. and Holy Cross College. Because of the huge numbers who attend this service you are asked to come in good time. Those who are able may find it easier to walk to the Cemetery rather than come by car.

Confirmation

Congratulations to all the girls and boys who were confirmed yesterday by Bishop Hegarty and also to their parents, families and teachers. A word of thanks to all those involved in the ceremony, in preparing the church and providing the refreshments afterwards.

Gaelscoil

Congratulations to the pupils from Gaelscoil Ui Dhochartaigh who made their Confirmation in St. Eugene’s Cathedral on Saturday 24 April. First Holy Communion for the Primary 4 pupils from Gaelscoil Ui Dhochartaigh will take place on Saturday 12 June.

First Holy Communion

First Holy Communion for our Primary 4 children in St. Mary’s Girls P.S. and St. Mary’s Boys P.S. will take place in the Church on Saturday 22 May at 11.30am. Children are asked to be in the Church for 11.00am.

Taize Prayer Group

Join us for an hour of meditative prayer and Taize chant on Wednesday 19 May in

St. Colman’s Chapel from 7.30pm - 8.30pm. Everyone welcome.

The Legion of Mary Acies Ceremony will be held on Tuesday 18 May.

Commencing with the Rosary at 6.35pm followed by

Mass at 7.00pm and Consecration to Our Lady. Everyone welcome.

Iona Carmelite Retreat Centre

A Mass for the Sick with Eucharistic Blessing will take place in the Carmelite Retreat Centre, Termonbacca, Derry on Tuesday 18 May at 8.00pm. All are welcome to attend. Termonbacca Community 16th Annual Funday will be held on Sunday 6 June. We would be grateful for any items you may wish to donate; e.g. clothes, toys, books, bric-a-brac etc for our funday stalls. Please bring them along to the Retreat Centre. If you are willing to help in anyway you can contact us during office hours on 71262512.

Melmount Centre - Parish Bingo Sunday 16 May.

A team from the NI Blood Transfusion Service will be in St. Patrick’s Hall, Barrack Street on Wednesday 19 May from 1.30pm - 4.00pm and from 5.15pm - 8.00pm. In order to maintain the vital supply of blood to our hospitals, the Blood Transfusion Service need the help not only of existing donors, but also of new donors.

Strabane Family History Society

The final meeting of the season of Strabane Family History Society will take place on Thursday 20 May at 7.30pm in the Community Library, Abercorn Square, Strabane. Ms. Elizabeth McAleer, Libraries NI Local Studies Group will be making a return visit to this meeting and those present at her first visit will not want to miss her return.

Alzheimer’s Support Group will meet on Wednesday 19 May at 7.30pm in Melmount Manor Care Home. Guest speakers: The Dementia Team, Western Trust, speaking on ‘Their Role in the Dementia Team’. Everyone welcome.

Foyle Hospice

Foyle Hospice’s first ever Strabane Midnight Walk will take place on Friday 25 June 2010. This is a ladies only 3.5 mile sponsored walk start/finishing at Heaton’s Car Park, Railway Road, Strabane and will commence at midnight. For further information and entry forms please contact Foyle Hospice Fundraising Centre, 71359888, Strabane Shop 71886241, visit www.foylehospice.com or email rachelbruce@foylehospice.com

Accord Derry: Time for a new challenge. Are you interested in becoming a facilitator with Accord Catholic Marriage Care Service? Please contact: Accord Derry, 164 Bishop Street, Derry or telephone 71362475, email: derry@accordni.com or visit the website: accordni.com.