Your Parish Newsletter for Sunday 20th December 2020.
Dear Parishioners,
This will be the final (interactive) Parish Newsletter that will be uploaded in it’s current iteration as some parishioners have contacted Fr Colm stating that it is too long and involves too much scrolling. We offer our sincere apologies. In addition, Fr Colm has asked that the Parish Newsletter be presented in pdf version in order to echo the printed form that is available at the doors of the Church.
Therefore today, the newsletter is being uploaded today in its last current format and we will also upload in pdf format. From next weekend, the pdf format will be the only format available with the Thought for the Week also combined to keep in sync and uniformity with the printed copy.
However, there can be some drawbacks to reading a pdf type document on a screen.
In order to read PDF versions of our newsletter you will need to have a pdf reader on your computer, tablet or mobile phone. Most modern devices will already have this software already installed on your device.
However if you cannot read the link you will need to download a ‘pdf reader’ from your respective App Store either the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store.
Then simply click on the ‘pdf link’ and the newsletter will download to your device and if you are using a mobile device then simply pinch to zoom in to read any section of the newsletter.
Wishing you a Happy Christmas and a peaceful new year. Stay safe.
Thank you,
Website Admin.
Mass Schedule for the Week:
SUNDAY MASSES:
Vigil: Saturday 6.30pm, Sunday Morning: 9.00am and 11.00am
WEEKDAY MASSES:
Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday: 9.30am
The Rosary will be recited at 9.10am, prior to morning Mass, Monday – Wednesday
CHRISTMAS MASSES:
Christmas Eve (24th): 6.00pm and 9.00pm
Christmas Day (25th): 7.00am, 9.00am and 11.00am
Please note, the two Christmas Eve Masses are fully booked, and the Christmas Day 9.00am Mass is fully booked. Places are still available at the 7.00am Mass and 11.00am Mass and can be booked by phoning or emailing Lorna at the parish office, 074 9142001: or email: clonleighparish@derrydiocese.org between 10am and 12noon, on Monday. Please note that Monday is the last day you can book. Lorna will need to know: the name of the person booking, the number of family members being booked in, the contact number/email. Children aged 7 or under do not require a ticket.
All tickets for the Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Masses must be collected today (Saturday / Sunday) after Mass or, at latest, after the 9.30am Mass tomorrow, Monday (except for those still to be booked for the 7.00am and 11.00am Masses). Please note: stewards will collect your ticket as you enter the church for the Christmas Mass you have chosen to attend. I would very much appreciate your co-operation with the stewards. Also, please use the hand sanitiser that is available and maintain social distancing both inside and outside the church and wear a face covering.
MASS INTENTIONS FOR THIS WEEK
Saturday 19 December, 6.30pm Vigil: Ray Jarrett, Tober
Sunday 20 December, 11am: Pauline Mc Callion, Cavan Hill
Remember that all our Masses continue to be live-streamed on webcam:
Our 11.00am Mass on Sunday is also broadcast live on Finn Valley Radio, 95.8FM
https://clonleighparish.com/webcam
ANNIVERSARIES:
We remember in prayer the souls of those whose anniversaries occur at this time ….
Sarah Kelly, Butcher Street; Susan Arthur, Townparks; Charlie Clarke, Porthall; Msgr Hugh Clarke, Porthall;
Vincent Crawford, Porthall; Patrick Gallagher, Shercloon; Denis Mc Geehan, Coneyburrow;
Edmund Breslin, Croaghan Heights; John Foley, Tober; Kathleen Porter, The Common; Willie Doherty, Cloughfin;
Margaret Ann Patton, Carrigans; Ray Jarrett, Tober; Pauline Mc Callion, Cavan Hill; Patrick McGranaghan, Strabane.
May they rest in peace.
COLLECTION:
THANK YOU for your generosity to the collection last week, which amounted to €2615.98. Thank you also to those who contribute by Standing order. Your on-going financial support of the parish is very much appreciated.
You can request envelopes by simply clicking on this link: ‘Get in Touch‘ and then select Parish Envelopes from the drop-down menu.
CAROLS BY CANDLELIGHT’:
An online Carol Service will take place tonight, Sunday, at 8.00pm, from the Basilica at Knock Shrine. Livestreamed on knockshrine.ie
A wide range of classic Christmas carols will be sung, including ‘O Holy Night’, ‘Joy to the World’, ‘In the Bleak mid-Winter’ and many more well-known favourites.
An Act of Perfect Contrition: Making Peace with God:
Many of us have become familiar with the practice of making a spiritual communion during the current pandemic – when it is not possible to attend Mass and receive Holy Communion.
Similarly, while the pandemic continues, the Church reminds us all of the practice of making an act of Perfect Contrition, (to receive pardon for our sins) – when it is not possible to attend the Sacrament of Confession.
As a faith community, a special Penitential Liturgy will be streamed live from the church at the end of this week. I encourage as many as possible to join in via the webcam. During the Penitential Liturgy people will be invited to make an Act of Perfect Contrition. The time for this special liturgy is: Sunday 20th December 6:00 pm
How to make an Act of Perfect Contrition
· I become aware of the presence of God.
· I take time to think of the following:
- Christ’s death on the Cross and how he bore the weight of sin.
- The call to follow God’s way of love.
- The reality of my own weakness
- The ways I have not been loving towards others
- My need to be in right relations with God and others
· I make a commitment to try not sin again
· I express my sorrow e.g. “Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner.”
· I resolve to receive the Sacrament of Penance when it is possible to do so.
A message from Fr Colm:
When we were exchanging greetings for Christmas and New Year this time last year, none of us could have imagined the year that lay ahead. Little did I think that, just six months after I was privileged to be appointed as your Parish Priest, I would be closing the doors of the church while I would celebrate Mass alone, hoping that parishioners would participate via webcam. Becoming an ‘online parish community’ was certainly not the pastoral direction I had hoped our parish would take. However, in these last nine months, despite all the disruption which you have had to endure, in so many aspects of your life, I have been humbled by your faithful support of our parish, not least in your financial support. I have been greatly encouraged by your resilience, your co-operation, your patience and ability to acclimatise quickly to the ever-changing rules and restrictions. For all your support, in so many different ways, and for your kind words of encouragement to me, I am most grateful. Most of all, thank you for your prayerful support.
Christmas, as we know, may not be celebrated with all its usual traditions and trimmings this year and, in our church, we will celebrate Christmas in smaller units than normal; this will not take away, however, from the joy and true meaning of Christmas, the great celebration of the birth of the Christ Child.
I wish you all peace and joy this Christmas. Special Christmas blessings on all the children of our parish, especially the children who were born and baptised into our parish faith community this year.
To all who are carrying the cross of sickness this Christmas, especially those whom I would normally attend at part of my Visitation of the Sick and Housebound, may the blessings of the Christ Child be a source of strength and comfort to you. Blessings too on all who care for the sick. I think especially of those in the caring profession who comforted patients in hospital, and residents of care homes, who were unable to have family and friends visiting because of the pandemic.
To the families in our parish who have suffered bereavement this year, may our prayerful support be a comfort to you at this time. May the souls of the faithful departed rest in peace.
I ask you to continue to pray, through the protection of St Patrick, for an end to the pandemic and, most importantly, in the meantime, stay safe, create a safe environment for others and abide by the restrictions in place for our benefit.
I look forward to journeying with you in faith in the coming year and to the day when the rules and restrictions in our churches, especially for our liturgies, can be safely lifted.
May the blessings of the Christ Child be upon you all this Christmas. Fr Colm.
THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS – PRAYER BOOKLET:
I am delighted to offer you a Prayer Booklet to facilitate prayer, scripture and reflection in your home, with family, or during quiet time in the church, over the Twelve Days of Christmas. It will be available as you leave the Church after the Christmas Masses. In particular, you might bring one home to a family member or friend who is not able to get out to Mass. The booklet is also available online, on www.derrydiocese.org
Date for the Diary:
Confirmation will take place in the parish on Saturday 13th March 2021. Full details will be published in the coming weeks as well as the dates for the Parents Meeting and the Services of Light. Please keep the children in your prayers at this special time on their journey of faith.
Sunday Mass Readings:
If you would like to view or download a copy of the Sunday Mass Readings, you can do so by following the link below on our website:
Covid-19 Protocols: Clonleigh Parish:
The current Clonleigh Parish protocols can be viewed by following the link to this page on our website and we recommend that you regularly check this page for any new updates:
As is already the case now, weddings with up to 25 guests will be permitted, as will funerals with up to 25 mourners.
ONLINE CONTRIBUTIONS:
Donate to the Church in the following ways:
1. Parish Envelopes
2. Online donation via our website. Click the Donate button below.
3. Standing Order. Set up a standing order through your online banking portal or – Download this form: Standing Order Form and we can set it up on your behalf. Send to or email to the Parish Office: clonleighparish@derrydiocese.org
Download our Standing Order Form
Parish Text Group
Join our free Clonleigh Parish Text Service on WhatsApp. We will text you when we update our website with the Parish Newsletter etc. And you can link in to read the latest updates.
Follow this link to join:
You can easily join/mute/leave/rejoin the group whenever you please.
https://chat.whatsapp.com/JgVd2VgJmmq8kFKaoGiNzK
Parish Contact Details:
Parish Priest: Fr Colm @ 074-9142022
Fr Colm Mobile: 0833665530
Parish Office – Secretary: Lorna Porter @ 074-9142001
Email: clonleighparish@derrydiocese.org
Parish website: www.clonleighparish.com
Find us on Facebook: Clonleigh Parish
Follow us on Twitter: @clonleighparish
