Your Parish Newsletter for Sunday 31st January 2021:
SUNDAY 31 JANUARY 2021 – FOURTH SUNDAY ORDINARY TIME
GOSPEL: MARK 1:21-28
He taught them with Authority
Today we hear St Mark’s account of Jesus’ first reported day in public life. It contains all the main characteristics of Jesus’ ministry. Mark very powerfully presents the impact that Jesus makes, introducing us to the astounded reaction of the ordinary people, who look on Him as a person of authority. Jesus’ mission to build the kingdom of God was revealed through His authoritative preaching, teaching, healing and praying. Key to His ministry was to engage disciples who would serve the mission. In effect, He was empowering people to build God’s kingdom.
We are all called to build God’s kingdom. Guided by the Holy Spirit, enriched by the Scriptures, nourished by the Eucharist and strengthened by prayer, we are called through our witness and example, to be beacons of light, encouraging others in their faith journey, and thereby build God’s kingdom here on earth.
Mass Schedule for the Parish this Week:
With our church being closed, you are invited to participate in our Masses via our parish webcam: WebCam – WATCH LIVE
Our 11.00am Mass is also broadcast live each Sunday on Finn Valley Radio, 95.8FM
SUNDAY MASSES:
Vigil: Saturday 6.30pm, Sunday Morning: 11.00am
(Note: there will only be one Sunday Morning Mass – 11.00am – while the church remains closed.
WEEKDAY MASSES:
Monday, 1 February: Feast of St Brigid, Patroness of Ireland: 9.30am
For those who have made St Brigid’s crosses, please have them available in your home for blessing.
Tuesday, 2 February: The Presentation of the Lord in the Temple – Candlemas Day: 9.30am
A box will be available from after Mass on Sunday, for those who wish to bring along candles for blessing
Wednesday, 3 February, Feast of St Blaise: 9.30am
Our Parish Novena to Our Lady of Lourdes will start on Wednesday (see details below):
It will be prayed at the 9.30am Mass and, also, each evening, at 7.30pm, as part of a short liturgy.
The Blessed Sacrament will be exposed each evening from 7.15pm. Please join in adoration.
Thursday, 4 February: 9.30am
First Friday, 5 February: Mass offered for the sick and housebound of the parish: 9.30am
The Angelus and Rosary will be recited each day at 12.00noon. Please join in via webcam.
PLEASE NOTE: THE CHURCH WILL BE OPEN EACH DAY FOR PRIVATE PRAYER
(OTHER THAN WHEN MASS IS BEING CELEBRATED OR THE ANGELUS/ROSARY RECITED).
I ENCOURAGE YOU TO VISIT THE CHURCH FOR QUIET PRAYER AND TO LIGHT A CANDLE.
MASS INTENTIONS THIS WEEK:
Wednesday 3 Feb, 9.30am: John Harte, Ballyduff; Saturday 6 Feb, 6.30pm: Olive McCullagh, Ballinbreen;
Sunday 7 Feb, 11.00am: Brendan Brolly, Cloughfin, Fonsie Brolly,Wales.
ANNIVERSARIES:
We remember in prayer the souls of those whose anniversaries occur at this time….
Josephine Byrne, Clady; Kieran Crawford, The Common; Brendan Devine, St Johnston; John Harte, Ballyduff.
Robert Rodgers, Carrigans; Pat Doherty, Cloughfin; Noel Gillespie, Porthall; William Doherty, Ardnasool
May they rest in peace.
COLLECTION:
THANK YOU for your generosity to the collection last week, which amounted to €1,813. I continue to be available in the church each day after the Rosary for those who wish to bring along their envelope. Envelopes can also be left through the door of the Parochial House. Thank you also to those who contribute by Standing Order. Download our Standing Order Form here.
You can also request envelopes by simply clicking on this link: ‘Get in Touch‘ and then select Parish Envelopes from the drop-down menu.
UPCOMING PROJECTS IN THE PARISH:
In August last year I brought to your attention two proposed capital projects in the parish: extension of the graveyard and indoor toilets in the church. Just to update you on this, the preliminary planning work has been ongoing. It is now complete and we are at the stage of seeking planning permission from Donegal Co. Council for both projects. The planning application will be lodged this week. Priority will be given to the graveyard project, with the indoor toilets project to be carried out as ‘phase two’ of the works. I will keep you informed of the relevant detail and proposals. In the meantime, sincere thanks to John Masterson for his expertise and direction.
ENROLMENT IN OUR THREE SCHOOLS:
Admissions Notices for enrolment for 2021/22 have now been published. Details available on: www.murlogns.scoilnet.ie, www.cloughfinns.com and Liffordns Townparks Facebook.
NOVENA TO OUR LADY OF LOURDES 3 – 11 FEBRUARY:
I invite you to join with me in praying a Novena to Our Lady of Lourdes, starting this Wednesday, 3 February, for the Sick. The Novena will finish on 11 February, which is Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes and is World Day of Prayer for the Sick. Each day we will have a different prayer intention, as below:
Day 1 – Wednesday 3 February:
For all who are suffering from Covid-19, especially those in hospital and in intensive care at this time
Day 2 – Thursday 4 February:
For all who are awaiting surgery or test results, and for all who are worried about their health
Day 3 – Friday 5 February:
For the sick and housebound in our parish, including those in our care homes and
those who are normally visited as part of the First Friday visitation
Day 4 – Saturday 6 February:
For all who have a terminal illness at this time
Day 5 – Sunday 7 February:
For the elderly, especially those who, through poor health, are no longer able to care for themselves
Day 6 – Monday 8 February:
For all who struggle with addiction
Day 7 – Tuesday 9 February:
For all in the caring profession – doctors, nurses, paramedics and ambulance staff, care assistants,
other support workers in our hospitals and care homes, all who care for sick family members at home
Day 8 – Wednesday 10 February:
For all who suffer from poor mental health
and those who are worried about their own mental health or that of a loved one at this time
Day 9 – 11 February:
For sick children, especially children who suffer long term illnesses, their parents and all who care for them
The Novena Prayer will be published on our parish Facebook page and the prayer intention will also be published on the Facebook page each day. The Novena Prayer will be prayed each morning at Mass and during a special short liturgy each evening for the nine days of the Novena. You can participate online, and/or you can pray it in your home, perhaps with family members or, if it suits you, you can come along to the church to pray it at a time that suits you.
A facility will also be available for you to place your own prayer intentions in the church and to pray the Novena privately in the church, if you so wish.
Please bring this Novena of Prayer for the Sick to the attention of anyone you may know who is suffering from any form of sickness at this time, to give them the opportunity to participate in this special time of prayer in our parish. Thank you.
NOVENA PRAYER:
Immaculate Mary, who appeared to St Bernadette at the Grotto of Lourdes,
continue in our time to be Mother of Mercy, Health of the Sick, Refuge of Sinners
and Comforter of those who are suffering.
At Lourdes, you created a sanctuary for people seeking God’s healing touch.
I come before you today, asking you to intercede with Jesus Your Son, for those I care about,
for those who have asked for prayers, for those wanting to be healed. (Pause for silent prayer).
O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee (3).
Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us. St Bernadette, pray for us.
Next Sunday, 7 February, is the Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time. The Gospel we will listen to is St Mark 1:29-39: ‘The Healing Ministry of Jesus’. You can check out the Readings in your bible, or on our parish website:
https://clonleighparish.com/sundays-mass-readings/
The Daily Mass Readings can also be accessed on our parish website: https://clonleighparish.com/todays-mass-readings/ . Alternatively, just google Clonleigh Parish readings.
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:
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 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
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Follow us on Twitter: @clonleighparish
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.