Sion Mills Parish Bulletin

Page 89

24th Sunday in Ordinary Time
13 September 2026
Let It Go!
Peter thinks forgiving seven times is generous. Jesus 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 whole thing out.
Minutes later that same servant found a man who owed him a few
months' wages and took him by the throat.
Look at him closely. He has just been handed the gift of a lifetime and he
cannot see it. He is so buried in his own materialism, his own rights, his
own small world, that the master's mercy has not touched him at all. He
walked out of that room exactly the man he walked in. Forgiven, but not
free.
That is the danger for every one of us. We can receive God's mercy
again and again, in confession, at the altar, and still walk out clutching the
old grudge. The neighbour. The sibling. The house. The land. The job
promotion. The one who let us down. The First Reading 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 pretending 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 let it go, we are the
one set free. The weight lifts. We can breathe.
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 enjoy the freedom God's
love has won for us, now and forever.
Announcements
Sion Mills

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Triduum of Masses for Bishop Michael Router As the diocese and
parishes prepare to celebrate the joyous occasion of the Installation of
Bishop Michael Router as Bishop of Derry on Sunday 20 September, a
Triduum of Masses will be celebrated in parishes throughout the diocese,
on Friday 18, Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 September. In our parishes,
these Masses will be celebrated in St. Mary’s Church at 10.00am on
Friday 18 September; St. Theresa’s Church at 10.00am on Saturday 19
September and St. Mary’s Church at 11.30am on Sunday 20 September.
All are welcome to attend as we come together as God’s people to pray
for Bishop Router and the people of the diocese, that we may walk
together in faith and hope, guided by the Holy Spirit.
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
Agnes Walker, Tommy McGlinchey, Jimmy Coyle
Marcella Edginton, Eric Adams, Sarah McGettigan-Porter
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 special collections,
including Priest’s Collection by cheque are asked that 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 Office is closed, please use
the letterbox.

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Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament will take place in St. Mary’s,
Melmount tomorrow, Monday 14 September after 10.00am 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 September. 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 .
Vocations In today’s gospel Jesus teaches a powerful lesson on
forgiveness. We pray for the men called to priesthood that, as they
celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation with their 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 to the
Parish Office on Monday 21 September from 2.00pm - 4.30pm. The
Draw for September will take place on Thursday 24 September at
10.30am in the Parish Office.
Baptism Dates Melmount
September: Saturday 19.
October: Sunday 4; Saturday 10; Saturday 17; Saturday 24.
November: Sunday 8; Saturday 14; Saturday 21; Saturday 28.
Baptisms will be at 3.30pm on a Saturday and 12.45pm 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-minded young adults
who have Christ at the centre of their lives. Our September event will be
a Holy Hour and meditation on Thursday 17 September, 7.00pm at Our
Lady of Lourdes Church, Steelstown, Derry, delivered by Fr. Declan
McGeehan. The meditation will be followed by Solemn Benediction and
light refreshments. We are actively seeking new members. 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 Draw will be held at
1.00pm.

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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 around the world. We provide
everything you need including training and support. All we ask is a little
time and a big heart. Last Christmas 50 parishes took part – and we’d
love to grow that number even more this year! If you 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
riseandshine.ie. Closing date for applications is 15 October 2026.
Applications are also sought for carers aged 18+ who would be interested
in accompanying guests on the trip. Carers applications at
riseandshine.ie. For more information visit www.riseandshine.ie 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 October 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 Office 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 contact Marie O’Kane,
the Diocesan Designated Liaison Person (DLP) on +447596500793 or
email@ dlp@derrydiocese.org Social Work Services 0800 1979 995.
Click here to view Daily Readings from CatholicIrel and.net

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