Sunday, 22nd November 2009

Our Lord Jesus Christ, Universal King

First Reading Daniel 7: 13-14
The prophet Daniel foresees the coming of one who will have dominion over all peoples.
Christians see this as a reference to Christ, the Universal King.

Second Reading Apocalypse 1: 5-8
Christ will take full possession of his Kingdom only at the end of time.

Gospel John 18: 33-37
Jesus declares before Pilate that he is indeed a King,
but that his Kingdom is not like the kingdoms of this world.

Truth Reigns

Someone remarked that there are three sides to every story; your side, my side and the truth. In today’s Gospel reading (John 18: 33 - 37) Jesus links the reign of his kingdom very closely with testifying to truth. Celebrating Jesus as universal king, means celebrating truth’s triumph over falsehood, the victory of good over evil.

However, lest triumphalism makes us cocky, we need to remember the cost of this triumph - nothing less than the torture and murder of God’s Son on earth. Sounds a bit strange put that way, doesn’t it? We’re more used to hearing about the passion and death of Jesus. Passion has become a sanitised word sounding less harsh than torture, even though the pain of it isn’t. Crucifixion, while a terrible word and an even more terrible reality, still sounds that bit more distant than murder does.

Jesus was murdered because he spoke the truth. Anyone who speaks as Jesus did risks the same fate ultimately. Yet, in spite of threats from those with vested interests who don’t want the truth to be told, truth will out and does prevail. That’s what we celebrate this day. But, not only do we celebrate the victory of truth, we also celebrate the fact that people are prepared to die for it. We have examples of that throughout history. We have martyrs for truth among us today. We will have them into the future too.

Today we celebrate the three sides to this story: I testify to truth, you testify to truth and truth triumphs, for all three become one.

Fr. Tom Cahill

Fr. Peter Walters

The total amount sent to Fr. Peter for his charity ‘Let the Children Live’ was £7551.22.

Thank you all for your generosity.

St. Vincent de Paul Collection

The St. Vincent de Paul Society depends on your generosity all year round but especially at Christmas time. They will hold a special collection at all Masses next weekend. There is a special envelope in your box for this. Anyone contributing to this collection by cheque should make it payable to ‘St. Vincent de Paul Society’.

Dates for Baptism

The following are the dates for the Sacrament of Baptism during the months of November and December:

November: 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:

Tammie Michelle Frances Farrell

Erin Debra-Ann Brown

Lily Alexandra Bradley

Feast of St. Columbanus

Monday 23 November is the Feast of St. Columbanus. The 7.00pm Mass on Monday will be offered for deceased members of the Knights of St. Columbanus. Past and present members are invited to attend.

Derry Diocesan Lourdes Pilgrimage 2010

Why not give someone an opportunity of going on the Lourdes Pilgrimage 16 - 21 July 2010 as your Christmas gift. Gift vouchers (£25.00 - £100.00) are now available from the Pilgrimage Office, 164 Bishop Street, Derry. Office opens Tuesday 11.00am - 1.00pm, Thursday 11.00am - 2.00pm and Saturday 11.00am - 1.00pm. Telephone 71260293.

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. Contact Ards Friary 00 353 74 9138909 or info@ardsfriary.ie for information.

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.

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

Justin McDaid and Antoinette Hamilton

May they Rest in Peace - Deaths

Kevin Goan, Castlederg

Willie Breslin, Troy Park, Derry

Werner Schumann, Fintown, Co. Donegal

Anniversaries

Thomas Gerard Moss, Mary Meehan, Billy Canavan,

Adam Bristow, Frances Hannigan, Rebecca Duffy,

James Duffy, Packie McAnenny, Marcel Griffin,

John Christy Jnr, David Coyle, Mary Gallagher,

Mary McKenna, Patrick Patton, Harry Doherty,

Annie McGeady, Isobel McGuinness, Jean Houston,

Isobel Stewart, Mamie Gallagher, Mary Foley, Harry Devine.

Strabane History Society

meeting will take place in the Library, Railway Road on Thursday 26 November at 8.00pm.

Lecture by Eamon O’Cairdha from University of Ulster at Magee,

on Outlaws and Raparees in West Ulster in the 17th Century. Visitors welcome.

Melmount Centre - Parish Bingo Sunday 22 November.

Sharing Fair Christmas Sale November 28 & 29

Once again the Good Shepherd Sisters will be in ‘The Den’ with their Sharing Fair Sale over the weekend of 28 & 29 November. Through this project aid is given to disadvantaged girls and women in developing countries. All crafts sold at the fair are the product of the girls’ labour. Thank you for your generosity last year and we realise that times are hard but please remember that by spending just £2.00 you help to feed a family for one week! Please come and see.

Friends & Relatives of Greenfield will hold a dance on Friday 27 November in ‘Murphy’s On The Green’.

Dancing by T-Junction from 10.00pm - 1.00am.

Tickets are available from Greenfield Office or £4.00 payable at the door on the night.

All proceeds will go towards the Resident’s Comfort Fund.

St. Peter’s P.S. in Plumbridge has the opportunity to win £50,000 from the People’s Millions (Big Lottery Fund). To win we need your vote. On Wednesday 25 November the school will compete with another project on the UTV evening news and the winner will be the organisation which secures the most votes. The number to vote will be released to the school at 9.00am on Wednesday 25 November. Please telephone the school on 028 81648412 to get the number or email the school info@stpeters.plumbridge.ni.sch.uk. The number will also be given out on UTV news at 6.00pm. Please vote for us as we hope to turn wasteland into an activity area.

November Draw

£500: 1557 Michael & Mary Bradley - Sheila McGonagle
£250: 1206 Joe Timoney - Ann Bell
£250: 1358 R. Duffy - Paul Gallagher
£250: 1195 Kevin Barr - Ann Bell
£150: 1395 Clare & Edel McCready - Bosco McCready
£150: 1611 Madaline McColgan - Frances McLaughlin
£150: 1036 Dympna Boyle - Maureen Hegarty
£100: 1427 Bridie McCrory - Helen Foster
£100: 1101 Sean Ferguson - Margaret McLaughlin
£100: 1473 June Potts - Michael McGrath

Parish Draw 2009

Promoters should make their returns for December to the Parish Office on Monday 7 December from 2.00pm - 4.30pm. The Draw for December will take place on Thursday 10 December at 10.30am in the Parish Office.