Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time - 12 July 2020

Rich Soil

Today’s Gospel is in three parts: the parable Jesus taught, an explanation on how to listen, and an explanation of the parable Jesus taught. The parable itself is well known and concerns seeds, where they land, and what happens to them. We might take note of the seeds as representing God’s Word and the effect it has, or does not have, on us. What makes the difference in the parable is the type of soil the seed lands on and how suitable it is for growth to take place. Let us consider our own hearts as the soil: how open are we to receiving seeds that may be planted there? What condition is our ‘soil’ in?

Any decent gardener will know that good soil is key in order to cultivate anything. Soil needs to be weathered, broken down; it can be too acidic, or it can be too alkaline. Good soil needs organic matter such as compost or manure. It needs lots of air and water; it needs to be tended and prepared.

We too are weathered down by various forces in our lives, and at times have manure thrown at us. This can either close us down and harden our hearts, or it can open us up to help us to grow, ready to receive the seeds that are scattered. Like the soil, we must take care of our bodies, hearts, and minds, adopt a holistic approach to our well-being.

The lesson on ‘hearing’ in the Gospel today is also important. How do we listen? Do we listen or read God’s word while being distracted by many things, or are we fully attentive, even for a few minutes each day? How do we listen to one another? Fully attentive or with one eye on our phone? There is a great richness in the text today, spend time with it. Perhaps think about how you might prepare better the soil for planting.

 ‘The soil is the great connector of lives, the source and destination of all. It is the healer and restorer and resurrector, by which disease passes into health, age into youth, death into life. Without proper care for it we can have no community, because without proper care for it we can have no life.’ (Wendell Berry) Jane Mellett

Announcements

Last week’s collection amounted to £3250.00. Thank you.

Those who pay to the weekly collection or any special collections, including Priest’s Collection, by cheque are asked that all cheques should be made payable to ‘Melmount Parish’.

Parishioners can still leave their contributions in the Parish Office during this time of uncertainty. Contributions can be made by cheque made payable to Melmount Parish or cash. If the Office is closed please use the letterbox.

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament will take place on Monday 13 July from 10.30am until 4.30pm.

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

Ralph Ryan Friel

May they Rest in Peace

Deaths

Eamon McGarrigle, 24 Newtown Street

Anniversaries

Tina Doherty, James Duffy, Molly McDaid

Mary Boyle, Mary Connolly, Francis Moss

Joe McElroy, Nellie McKinney, John Ellis

Tobias Molloy, Charlie Boyle, Kathleen Boyle

John Tracey, Paddy O’Connor, David McDaid

Harry McCrossan, Robbie Campbell, Hugh O’Donnell

Church Opening Times

The Church will open on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday & Sunday at 9.30am and close at 5.00pm. On Tuesday and Saturday the church will open at 11.00am & close at 7.30pm. This is to facilitate cleaning and sanitizing.

Baptisms: To arrange Baptisms please telephone the Parish Office on 028 71383777.

Bulletin Notices and Anniversaries

All anniversaries and notices for the bulletin should be left at the Parish Office by 10.00am on a Wednesday for inclusion in that weekend’s bulletin.

For your safety the main sacristy will be closed before and after masses. If you wish to leave an anniversary during these times please leave the details on the table at the entrance to the altar servers’ sacristy

Cleaning of the Church: For your safety the church is cleaned and santised everyday. There may be times when you will be in the church when the fogging machine is being used to disinfect the seats etc. The product used is called ‘DEW’ and is non-toxic, hypoallergenic, ph skin friendly and FREE from alcohol, aldehydes, parabens, dyes and scents. It will not harm you or your clothes. We appreciate your understanding in this matter and apologise for any inconvenience caused.

Collection Counters: For your safety and in line with guidelines during this period of uncertainty it will not be possible to have our collection counters return at this point in time. We thank you for all you help in the past and will keep you updated over the coming weeks and look forward to your return.

Church Envelope Contributions by Standing Order

If you would like to make your church envelope contribution by Standing Order please contact the parish office on 71383777 for more information.

Church contributions via a Donate button on the parish website.

We have now added a Donate facility to our Website which allows you to pay your envelope contribution by debit or credit card. If you have any difficulties in using this please contact the parish Office 71383777.

Melmount Parish Webcam: The Webcam can be viewed by logging onto Melmount Parish Website and selecting view the webcam or by logging onto Churchmedia.tv and selecting Melmount Church from the list available. It is no longer available through MCN Media.

Confirmation for P.7 Classes 2019/2020.

Confirmation will take place as follows:

P7A - Saturday 5 September at 11.30am; P7B - Saturday 5 September at 3.00pm;

P7C - Sunday 6 September at 3.00pm

First Holy Communion for P.4 Classes 2019/2020

First Holy Communion will take place as follows:

P4A - Saturday 12 September at 11.30am; P4B - Saturday 12 September at 3.00pm;

P4C - Sunday 13 September at 3.00pm.

Further information will be available in due course.

Parish Draw

The Parish Draws for July and August took place on Thursday 9 July. The winners are as follows:

July Draw

£500: 1319 Claire McNamee – Michelle Cairns

£250: 1375 Jean Conway – Sheelagh McKelvey

£250: 1133 Clare Gallagher – Elizabeth O’Hare

£250: 1180 Christina O’Shea – Dolores Houston

£150: 1413 Adrian Moore – Michelle Langan

£150: 1598 Declan Duffy – Emma McGonagle

£150: 1659 Aideen Devine – Ann Donaghey

£100: 1564 Joan Crossle – Emma McGonagle

£100: 1392 Donna Tracey – Elizabeth O’Hare

£100: 1042 Tony & Frances Devlin – Maureen Hegarty

August Draw

£500: 1446 Joan Liversidge – Sheelagh McKelvey

£250: 1226 Damian Neeson – Elizabeth O’Hare

£250: 1512 Kath Duffy – Mar Hagan

£250: 1567 Catherine Keating – Emma McGonagle

£150: 1018 Dolores Houston – Dolores Houston

£150: 1508 Brian McLaughlin – Elizabeth O’Hare

£150: 1239 Brian Murray – Pauline Wilson

£100: 1312 Eugene Mullen – Michelle Cairns

£100: 1496 Annette McGarrigle – Mar Hagan

£100: 1177 Siobhan McGee – Bosco McCready