First Reading: Wisdom 11: 22 – 12: 2
You are merciful too all because you love all that exists.

Second Reading: 2 Thessalonians 1: 11-22
By his power – fulfill all your desires for goodness.

Gospel: Luke 19: 1-10
Catch a glimpse of Jesus.

Home Alone

If there are little green men out there, why haven’t we seen any sign of them? They could be big instead of small and blue instead of green, like the Na’vi on Pandora in the sci-fi film Avatar. Size and colour don’t matter. What does matter is that to date we seem to be the only intelligent life form in this or any neck of the universe. According to recent scientific investigations complex life is rare even in our own galaxy and probably even rarer in other parts of the universe. Like it or not, it seems we’re home alone.

That’s a scary scenario for some - and would be for all did God not exist. His word in today’s First Reading (Wis 11:22-12:2) expands our mind. It asks us to think big, to embrace the universe and allow the inevitable feeling of wonder to work its magic in our spirit. It tells us that God hates nothing that he has made. What exists is here because he wants it here. As we’re still relatively new to the universe we’re still finding these things out. Therefore, an open mind is essential both towards little green men and God alike.

The crowd in today’s Gospel (Luke 19:1-10) don’t have an open mind towards Jesus eating with Zacchaeus, a tax collector and, in their eyes, a sinner. Because of that, they miss out on an important truth: Jesus comes to seek out and save the lost. What truths do we need to open our minds to so as not to lose out?

Fr. Tom Cahill

Announcements

All Saints Day

Monday 1 November is the Feast of All Saints and is a Holy Day.

Masses will be on Monday at 10.00am and 7.00pm.

Collection for Retired Priests

The Annual Collection for Retired Priests will be taken up at all Masses on All Saints Day. This is a collection to help assist priests who have retired from active ministry. There is a special envelope in your box. Anyone contributing to this collection by cheque should make it payable to ‘Melmount Parish’. The words ‘Clergy Retirement Fund’ or ‘Retired Priests’ should not appear on the cheque. This is a requirement of the bank.

All Souls Day Tuesday 2 November is the Commemoration of the Faithful Departed. Masses for All Souls Day will be at 10.00am and 7.00pm. It is not a Holy Day of Obligation but a day when many people like to come to Mass to pray for their dead.

First Friday

Friday of this week is the First Friday. Masses will be at 10.00am and 7.00pm. Confessions will be on Thursday after 10.00am Mass and on Friday at 6.15pm.

Dates for Baptism

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

November: Sunday 14; Saturday 20; Sunday 28.

December: Saturday 4; Sunday 19; Wednesday 29.

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

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

Lily May Foley

Erin Dawn Logue

Lilly May Duddy

Sarah Emily Patton

Myah Francina McCauley

Parish Draw

Promoters should make their returns for November to the Parish Office on Monday 15 November from 2.00pm - 4.30pm and from 7.30pm - 8.30pm. The Draw for November will take place on Thursday 18 November at 10.30am in the Parish Office.

Dates for Confirmation and Holy Communion 2011

Bishop Lagan will administer the Sacrament of Confirmation to the Primary 7 pupils of our schools on Saturday 5 February 2011 at 11.00am.

First Holy Communion for Primary 4 pupils of St. Mary’s Boys P.S. and St. Mary’s Girls P.S. will take place on Saturday 14 May. A reminder to parishioners whose children are not at one of the Primary Schools in the Parish and who wish their children to receive the Sacraments in Melmount to contact Fr. Doherty as soon as possible.

May they Rest in Peace - Deaths

Martin McElwee, 24 Ballycolman Estate

Patrick McMenamin, Co. Down

Annie McGurk, Donemana

John Henderson, Lifford

Anne Farry, Lifford

Annual Service for the Dead

The annual service in remembrance of deceased members of our families and parish will take place on Sunday 7 November at 5.00pm. Families who have suffered a bereavement since November 1, 2009 are asked to nominate a representative to carry a candle to the altar in commemoration of their dead. (Candles will be provided).

Anniversaries

Margaret Anne McGinley, David McFeeters, Kathleen McCrossan,

Sarah Hegarty, Mary Duffy, Joseph O’Neill,

Eddie Brogan, Hugh Moss, Desmond Kane,

Cecil Cunningham, Annie Kane, Patsy Harkin,

Billy Hamilton, Annie McSheffrey, Mary Ellen McHugh,

Nellie Gillespie, John Murphy, Kathleen McGroary,

Chris McHugh, Betty Porter, Rosaleen McLaughlin

Collection Counters

The following are asked to count the collection for the month of November: Bill Doherty, Sally Drumm, Dessie Drumm, Maureen Hegarty, Helen Foster, Brian Foster, Cecilia McDaid, Patricia McDaid, Teddy Quigley.

Cleaning of Church

Many thanks to the Patricia McDaid’s team for cleaning the church during the month of October. The team for cleaning the church during the month of November is Mary McGuigan’s team.

An evening for Church Flower Arrangers will take place in the Thornhill Centre, Derry on Thursday 18 November from 7.30pm – 9.00pm.

Melmount Centre - There will be no Bingo tonight, Sunday 31 October.

The monthly devotions in honour of Our Lady will take place in the Carmelite Retreat Centre, Termonbacca, Derry on Tuesday 2 November starting with confessions at 7.30pm followed by Rosary and Mass, finishing around 10.00pm. All are welcome.

Strabane Friends of Marie Curie Cancer Care present ‘Showstoppers’ featuring L’derry Musical Society & Britannia band on Thursday 11 November at 8.00pm in the Alley Theatre. Tickets cost £10.00 and all proceeds are in aid of Marie Curie Cancer Care. For tickets contact the Alley Theatre on 71384444.

Diabetic Association will meet on Wednesday 3 November at 8.00pm in Mulvey House, Bridge Street. The speaker is Jennie McGiven from Belfast. Everyone is welcome.

Alcoholics Anonymous Tyrone Area is holding a public information meeting on Wednesday 10 November at 8.30pm in the Community Hall, Main Street, Sion Mills.

Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes 2011: Gift Vouchers (£20/£30/£50) for the Pilgrimage are available from Rosemary at the Diocesan Pastoral Centre, telephone 71362475.

The YARD Project Family Support Programme (Sat 13 November from 10.00am - 5.00pm in Columba House, Queen Street, Derry). This one day programme is for anyone over 18 yrs who has been affected by or is concerned about the abuse of alcohol, drugs or gambling of a family member or friend. The programme will help people understand addiction and through support, encouragement and information, help you learn new ways to cope and improve the quality of your life. Places are limited so to register please contact Claire on 71269113 or email claireyard3@btinternet.com.