Sunday, 18th April 2010

Third Sunday of Easter

First Reading : Acts of the Apostles 5: 27-32.40-41
We see the apostles courageously witnessing to the resurrection of Jesus gladly suffering for it.

Second Reading: Apocalypse 5: 11-14
We hear a hymn in praise of the crucified and risen Christ.

Gospel: John 21: 1-19
This relates an appearance of the risen Jesus to seven of his apostles on the shore of the lake of Gennesareth.
The incident is built around Peter.

Jack-of-all-Trades

Jack has been the most popular name for baby boys in Britain for 13 years running. In Ireland for a number of years it was the second most popular name to ...yes Sean. No playmate leapfrogging from John to Jack. It was up front, plain and simple, in-your-face-from-the-start, Jack. So what, you may ask. Well, it might indicate that the poetry of life has gone out the door for many parents and that a pedestrian prose has replaced it. If so, what a pity! With due apologies to the Jacks of all shades, the name does have its yawn factor.

The equally soporific Charles, on the other hand, can be an intoxicant, when followed by the name Dickens for collectors of curios. Proof? Well, a 150-year-old wine bottle of his sold for £1,500. Just the bottle, empty! But then, it did have part of a label on the outside and dried sediment on the inside. But it was the owner’s name that counted. Joe Bloggs wouldn’t have got a look in.

Today’s First reading refers to a name: As they left the council they rejoiced that they were considered worthy to suffer dishonour for the sake of the name. (Acts 5:27-32, 40-41) If a famous name can add so much value to an otherwise worthless object how much more so the name of Jesus when branded by baptism on a human heart! It’s important that the ‘brand’ name ‘Christian’ be recognised through its bearer becoming ‘all things to all men’, and not just a Jack-of-all-trades to the few.

Fr. Tom Cahill

Announcements

Dates for Baptism

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

April: Sunday 25.

May: Saturday 8; Sunday 16; Sunday 30.

June: Saturday 5; Sunday 13; Saturday 26.

Times for Baptism: Sunday 1.15pm; Saturday 4.00pm

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

Sarah Terry Elizabeth Sharkey

Lexie McGlynn

Aodhan Paul McLaughlin

May they Rest in Peace - Deaths

John Houston, 9 Mourne Avenue

Alice Breslin, Omagh

Anniversaries

Patricia Rouse, Karen Patton, Teresa Gallagher,

Kathleen Coates, Mollie McGrath, Jim Gibb,

Harry McNulty, Alex Curry, Joe McAteer,

Margaret Holland, Hugh Crossan, Ceceline Meehan,

Nora Boyle, Martha Doherty, Elizabeth Haughey,

Francis Haughey, Patrick Dunnion, Kathleen Cunningham,

Kathleen McNally, Cassie Sweeney, Brendan ‘Don’ Crampsie,

Catherine Gallagher.

Visitation of Sick and Housebound

The sick and housebound will be visited on Tuesday 20 April and Wednesday 21 April as follows:

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

Wednesday Morning: The Trust, Knockavoe Area

Confirmation

A Service of Commitment will take place for the P.7 pupils of St. Mary’s Boys and St. Mary’s Girls Primary Schools on Monday 19 April at 7.30pm in the Church.

Confirmation and First Holy Communion

Confirmation will take place in our Parish on Saturday 15 May at 11.00am and First Holy Communion will take place on Saturday 22 May at 11.30am. A reminder to parishioners whose children are not at one of the Primary Schools in the Parish and who have arranged for their children to receive the Sacraments in Melmount to contact Fr. Doherty as soon as possible.

Collection Envelopes

New envelopes are now in use. Anyone who has not been using envelopes and who would like to receive a box should leave their name in the sacristy or contact the parish office. Anyone who pays income tax, even those who are retired but who receive a taxable pension, and who would like to consider being part of the Gift Aid Scheme by using an envelope, which is of a tremendous benefit to the Parish, should contact the Parish Office on 71383777 for more information.

Parish Draw

Promoters should make their returns for April to the Parish Office tomorrow Monday 19 April from 2.00pm - 4.30pm and from 7.30pm - 8.30pm. The Draw for April will take place on Thursday 22 April at 10.30am in the Parish Office.

Taize Prayer Group

Join us for an hour of meditative prayer and Taize chant on Wednesday 21 April in St. Colman’s Chapel from 7.30pm - 8.30pm. Everyone welcome.

Blessing of Graves

The Annual Ceremony of the Blessing of Graves will take place on Sunday 23 May at 5.00pm.

Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes July 16-21

The pilgrimage is anxious to have the assistance of 3 more nurses in the provision of care for those registered for medical support. There are also places available for general pilgrims. Please contact the Pilgrimage Office on 71260293.

A Mass for the Sick with Eucharistic Blessing will take place in the Carmelite Retreat Centre, Termonbacca, Derry on Tuesday 20 April at 8.00pm. All are welcome to attend.

Medjugorje Pilgrimage from 19 - 26 September for 7 nights. Cost £535.00. Full religious programme. For details contact Anne Duffy on 71880372 or 07736005396.

Melmount Centre - Parish Bingo Sunday 18 April.

Foyle Hospice’s Bark in the Park, a sponsored dog walk, will take place on Sunday 9 May in St. Columb’s Park, Limavady Road, Derry. Registration fee £5 per dog and includes a certificate and goodie bag for your pooch on the day. For further information and registration packs contact Foyle Hospice Fundraising Centre on 71359888 or email rachelbruce@foylehospice.com.

Coffee Morning on Friday 23 April in Oysters Restaurant, 37 Patrick Street, from 10.00am - 12.00 noon, includes prize raffle. All proceeds in support of the Ulster Cancer Foundation.

Alzheimer’s Support Group will meet on Wednesday 21 April at 7.30pm in Melmount Manor Care Home. Guest speaker from Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service speaking on ‘Home Safety’. Everyone welcome.

Strabane Community Project will hold a Social Evening on Monday 19 April in St. Patrick’s Hall. Music by Dallas. Admission £5.00. Doors open 8.30pm. Light supper provided. All proceeds in aid of St. Patrick’s Luncheon Club.

Adoption

Could you make a child happy again after a difficult start in life? Family Care Society is presently seeking adoptive parents who would be interested in parenting children aged between 3 - 8 years who need the love and attention of a caring and understanding family. Could this be you? For further information please contact Family Care Society on 90691133 or 71368592, email@familycaresociety.org.

Ceili in St. Patrick’s Hall on Sunday 18 April. Dancing from 8.00pm - 11.00pm. Music by Gallagher and Logue. Admission £5.00 including supper.