Melmount (& Camus) Parish Bulletin

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24th Sunday in Ordinary Time
13 September 2026
Let It Go!
Peter thinks forgiving seven times is generous. Jes us says seventy-
seven. Which means: stop counting!
Then Jesus tells a story about a servant who owed a fortune he could
never repay. He begged, and the master wiped the wh ole thing out.
Minutes later that same servant found a man who owe d him a few
months' wages and took him by the throat.
Look at him closely. He has just been handed the gi ft of a lifetime and he
cannot see it. He is so buried in his own materiali sm, his own rights, his
own small world, that the master's mercy has not to uched him at all. He
walked out of that room exactly the man he walked i n. Forgiven, but not
free.
That is the danger for every one of us. We can rece ive God's mercy again
and again, in confession, at the altar, and still w alk out clutching the old
grudge. The neighbour. The sibling. The house. The land. The job
promotion. The one who let us down. The First Readi ng puts it bluntly:
resentment is a thing we nurse, and it eats the one holding it. It narrows
our vision until, like that servant, we cannot see past the debt.
Jesus ends the parable with one condition: we must forgive from the
heart. Not through gritted teeth. Not a cold truce that keeps the old score
sheet handy in a drawer. Forgiveness is not pretend ing the wrong did not
matter, but it is a real letting go, deep down from where the grudge lives.
And the most powerful thing is that the moment we l et it go, we are the
one set free. The weight lifts. We can breathe.Melmount (& Camus) https://www.melmountparish.com

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So this week, as you receive mercy from God, go and be mercy in action.
Name it. Let it go from the heart. Then you will en joy the freedom God's
love has won for us, now and forever.
Announcements
Triduum of Masses for Bishop Michael Router As the diocese and
parishes prepare to celebrate the joyous occasion o f the Installation of
Bishop Michael Router as Bishop of Derry on Sunday 20 September, a
Triduum of Masses will be celebrated in parishes th roughout the diocese,
on Friday 18, Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 September. In our parishes,
these Masses will be celebrated in St. Mary’s Churc h at 10.00am on
Friday 18 September; St. Theresa’s Church at 10.00a m on Saturday 19
September and St. Mary’s Church at 11.30am on Sunda y 20 September.
All are welcome to attend as we come together as Go d’s people to pray
for Bishop Router and the people of the diocese, th at we may walk
together in faith and hope, guided by the Holy Spir it.
We welcome into God’s Family through the Sacrament of Baptism
Siofra-Mai Ellen Patton
May they Rest in Peace
Deaths
Sr. Rose Ann Mulholland , St. Joseph’s Convent of Mercy
Kathleen O’Hagan , Lifford
Albert O’Neill , 15 Sycamore Avenue
David Mullan , Omagh
Mickey McAleer , Woodmount Nursing Home

Anniversaries

Sonny Magee, Bridie Rouse, Mary Gormley
Donna Coulter, Hugh Gallagher, Bridget French

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Agnes Walker, Tommy McGlinchey, Jimmy Coyle
Marcella Edginton, Eric Adams, Sarah McGettigan-Por ter
Ellen Clarke, Clare McGonigle, Rebecca Coyle
Denis Sweeney, Patsy McElroy, Eileen McBride
Cissie Donaghey, Brian Semple, Willie Falconer
John Hegarty, Eugene Hegarty, Charlie Foley
Elizabeth Molloy, Daniel Molloy, Helen Callaghan
Noel McBride, Jim Patton
Last week’s collections amounted to: Melmount: £3315.00; Sion Mills :
£1135.00. Thank you.
Those who pay to the weekly collection or any speci al collections,
including Priest’s Collection by cheque are asked t hat all cheques should
be made payable to ‘Melmount Parish’ or ‘Sion Mills Parish’ depending on
the Parish. This is a banking requirement. Parishioners can still leave
their contributions in the Parish Office. If the Of fice is closed, please use
the letterbox.
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament will take place in St. Mary’s,
Melmount tomorrow, Monday 14 September after 10.00a m Mass until
6.30pm. The Blessed Sacrament can be adored in the Adoration Room,
St. Theresa’s, Sion Mills anytime while the church is open.
Collection for Retired Priests The Annual Collection for Retired Priests
will be taken up at all Masses today Sunday 13 Sept ember. This is a
collection to help assist priests who have retired from active ministry.
There is an envelope marked ‘Clergy Retirement Fund’ in your box of
envelopes for this collection. Anyone contributing to this collection by
cheque should make it payable to ‘Melmount Parish’ or ‘Sion Mills Parish’
depending on the Parish .

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Vocations In today’s gospel Jesus teaches a powerful lesson o n
forgiveness. We pray for the men called to priestho od that, as they
celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation with thei r people, they will help
them to know and experience the Lord who ‘…is compassion and love,
slow to anger, and rich in mercy.’ (Responsorial Psalm).
Parish Draw Promoters should make their returns for September t o the
Parish Office on Monday 21 September from 2.00pm - 4.30pm. The
Draw for September will take place on Thursday 24 S eptember at
10.30am in the Parish Office.
Baptism Dates Melmount
September: Saturday 19.
October: Sunday 4; Saturday 10; Saturday 17; Saturd ay 24.
November: Sunday 8; Saturday 14; Saturday 21; Satur day 28.
Baptisms will be at 3.30pm on a Saturday and 12.45p m on a Sunday.
The Columban Young Adults are a new group for those aged 18 – 30 in
the diocese, who are seeking a community of like-mi nded young adults
who have Christ at the centre of their lives. Our S eptember event will be a
Holy Hour and meditation on Thursday 17 September, 7.00pm at Our
Lady of Lourdes Church, Steelstown, Derry, delivere d by Fr. Declan
McGeehan. The meditation will be followed by Solemn Benediction and
light refreshments. We are actively seeking new mem bers. Please come
along and bring a friend!
Coffee Morning in aid of Foyle Hospice will be held in Murphy’s on the
Green on Friday 25 September from 9.30am – 12.30pm. Draw tickets
£1.00 per line will be available on the day, the Dr aw will be held at
1.00pm.
Could You Help Share the True Spirit of Christmas? Each year,
volunteers in parishes across the north of Ireland set up a small stall after
Masses to sell Trócaire Gifts of Change – meaningful gifts that make a
real difference to families living in poverty aroun d the world. We provide

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everything you need including training and support. All we ask is a little
time and a big heart. Last Christmas 50 parishes to ok part – and we’d
love to grow that number even more this year! If yo u would like to find out
more about how you can help, please email Mark at
Mark.Mcmahon@Trocaire.Org
or call 028 90808030.
Rise and Shine Trust Easter 2027 Pilgrimage Applications are invited
from young people with additional social, emotional , physical and learning
needs aged 11 – 30 who are interested in travelling as guests to Lourdes
with the Rise and Shine Trust. The trip is free to guests travelling with the
Group. The application form is available online at risean dshine.ie. Closing
date for applications is 15 October 2026. Applicati ons are also sought for
carers aged 18+ who would be interested in accompan ying guests on the
trip. Carers applications at riseandshine.ie. For m ore information visit
or contact Sian 07960211352 or Maurice 07711504821.
Michael English Church Concert An evening of Faith, Hope and
Inspiration. The concert takes place on Friday 2 Oc tober at 7.15 pm in St.
Patrick’s Church, Keenaught, Desertmartin. Tickets are £30.00 and
available to buy at Heron’s Gift Shop, Draperstown, Moneyneena Post
Office, Ballinascreen and Deresrtmartin Parish Offi ce or online with
Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/michael- english-band-
fundraising-concert-tickets-1996641829460.
Sion Mills Buildings Preservation Trust Heritage Open Day at The
Stables, Sion Mills Sunday 13 September Museum open 2.00pm –
5.00pm. Heritage Trial at 2.00pm.
Safeguarding Notice If you have any concerns with regard to the
Safeguarding of children within the church please c ontact Marie O’Kane,
the Diocesan Designated Liaison Person (DLP) on +44 7596500793 or
email@
Dlp@Derrydiocese.Org
Social Work Services 0800 1979 995.