Sunday, 20th June 2010

Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time

First Reading: Zechariah 12:10-11
The prophet looks forward to a time when a new spirit will be poured out on the
people as happened at Pentecost and they will mourn over the death of Jesus.

Second Reading: Galatians 3:26-29
Our unity in Christ has done away with distinctions, and means that
Jesus and Gentiles alike are heirs to the promises made to Abraham.

Gospel: Luke 9:18-24
Jesus is revealed as the Messiah, but a suffering Messiah.
Suffering will be part of the lives of his followers too.

Crying Shame

It’s official: women cry more than men do. Researchers in Germany have discovered that while men shed tears six to 17 times a year women do so 30 to 64 times. And, whereas men go with the flow for two to four minutes, women’s tear ducts once activated stay in hyperdrive for up to six minutes. Furthermore, if a woman starts weeping she accelerates to full-blown sobbing in 65 percent of cases. For men, it’s six percent. Now to end this mini-deluge of drippy data: women cry when they feel inadequate, facing dicey situations, or when remembering past events; men cry from empathy, or because of a failed relationship.

The last bit makes me wonder how Peter feels in today’s Gospel reading (Luke 9:18-24) when Jesus practically rebukes him for giving an honest answer to his question. Jesus is praying; stops for a moment, and as if still in prayer asks a worried question: ‘Who do people say I am?’ He doesn’t react when his disciples say John the Baptist, or Elijah, or a prophet, but he comes down heavily on them when Peter nails him as the Messiah. This is too close to the bone. Jesus’ hour for self-acceptance has not yet come. But it will. He journeys to self-knowledge and self-acceptance as we do: gradually.

On that same journey our personal question is not about what others think of me but about what I think of myself. Has my ‘hour’ come for my discovery and acceptance of self as God’s son or daughter? If not, what a crying shame!

Fr. Tom Cahill

Visitation of Sick and Housebound

The sick and housebound will be visited on Tuesday 22 June as follows:

Tuesday Morning:

Carlton Drive, Melmount Park, Urney Road, Lisnafin Park, Castletown, Country Area

Dates for Baptism

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

June: Saturday 26.

July: Sunday 11; Saturday 17; Sunday 25.

August: Sunday 8; Saturday 21; Sunday 29.

Times for Baptism: Sunday 1.15pm; Saturday 4.00pm.

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

Kayden Lee Russell
Kayla Mary McCool
Jared Brody Buchanan
Ayla Rose Healy

Parish Draw

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

Accord Derry

Accord Derry will hold Marriage Preparation Workshops (Pre-Marriage Courses) on 24/25 September and 22/23 October in the Thornhill Centre, Culmore Road, Derry. The course will run from 6.45pm to 10.00pm on Friday and from 10.00am to 4.00pm on Saturday. To book a place contact Rosemary on 71362475 (Monday - Thursday 9.30am - 1.30pm).

Healing through Remembering: Day of Private Reflection on Monday 21 June at Columba House, Derry; St. Anthony’s Retreat Centre, Burnfoot and the IOSAS Centre and Celtic Prayer Garden, Muff. This is available to anyone who wishes to mark this day of individual reflection. Visit www.dayofreflection.com for more details about the day.

Congratulations to all the boys and girls of the Gael Scoil who received Holy Communion for the first time last Saturday. We thank all the teachers and parents for preparation of the children and all those who took part in the Mass.

St. Mary’s Girls P.S. - End of Year School Mass for St, Mary’s Girls P.S.
will take place in the Church on Thursday 24 June at 10.00am.

Carmelite Pilgrimage to Knock Sunday 18 July. Coach leaves Termonbacca at 7.30am with pick up point at the Melmount Centre at 8.00am returning to Derry at approx 11.00pm. Return coach, snack on the way and four course evening meal. Fare £35.00 or 40 Euro. For further information telephone Termonbacca on 71262512 during office hours only.

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

Matthew Robbins and Jacqueline O’Donnell-Roe

May they Rest in Peace - Deaths

John James Doherty, Melmount Manor

Michael Brown, 8 Olympic Drive

Aidan Friel, Lifford

Mickey O’Brien, Killygordon

Anniversaries

Geraldine McLaughlin, Mamie Forbes, Dan McCrea,

Kevin McCrossan, William Traynor, Danny Rouse Snr,

Isabel McDermott, Ala McKenna, Mary McCool,

Eleanor McMahon, Jean Devine, Francie Devine,

Maggie-May Moss, Denis McDevitt.

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.

Hearing Aid Clinic in Ballycolman Community Centre

on the last Thursday of every month from 10.00am - 12.00 noon.

For more information telephone 71320132.

Strictly Come Dancing Competition

on Friday 25 and Saturday 26 June in ‘The Den’ (Melmount Centre). Tickets are available at all local shops: Mace, McFadden’s, Davey’s and Spar Shop, Urney Road. Tickets are £10.00 each and doors open at 8.00pm. This promises to be a great night for all ages.

Melmount Centre - Parish Bingo Sunday 20 June.

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

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.

Mount Melleray Grotto:

A bus will leave Barrack Street Car Park at 1.00pm on Saturday 14 August for an all night vigil at the grotto. Mass at 10.00am. Breakfast will be served afterwards in Flynn's Guest House. Please bring a packed lunch. For more information contact Jonathon McGhee on 07707916327.

Liam Bradley Tours: Galway 14 September, Dublin 27 September. Four days for £225 pps. Telephone 71269109 anytime. Departs Abercorn Square at 9.20am.