Your Parish Newsletter for Sunday 9th May 2021:
SUNDAY 9 MAY 2021 – SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
GOSPEL: ST JOHN 15:9-17 CALLED TO LOVE
In last Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus used the relationship of branches to the vine to illustrate our relationship with Him. Today’s Gospel follows on from that, enlarging on the implications of that life-giving link. The word love (or loved) is used nine times is today’s Gospel passage, leaving us in no doubt as to the message of Jesus. He tells His disciples, “This is my commandment: love one another, as I have loved you” (Vs 12). ‘Commandment’ seems a strong term to use in relation to love but, in effect, Jesus is commissioning His disciples and giving them direction on how love must be at the heart of everything they do and say, when they take up His work. Love is about imitating Jesus’ ways, as taught to us in the Scriptures. It is about living out the virtues of the Beatitudes – having an internal attitude that influences everything we think, say and do. In our human weakness, we don’t always get it right, but God, who is Love, in His boundless mercy, is always waiting to welcome us with His love when we have strayed from His ways.
Mass Schedule for the Parish this Week:
I am delighted to be publishing the reopening of our church for public worship, with effect from tomorrow, Monday 10 May. For those who are unable to come out, all our Masses will continue to be available on our parish webcam:
Our 11.00am Mass is also broadcast live each Sunday on Finn Valley Radio on the 95.8FM frequency.
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday: Mass at 9.30am
Saturday, Vigil Mass: 6.30pm Sunday: 9.00am and 11.00am
The Rosary will be recited Monday – Friday at 9.10am, before Mass.
REOPENING OF THE CHURCH FOR PUBLIC WORSHIP:
The news of the reopening of the churches has been most welcome and I know that many of you have been looking forward to this day. It is most important that everyone attending feels safe in our church and, to this end, I ask that you comply with the following necessary precautions:
Please enter the church by one of the two back doors.
Please use the hand sanitiser that is available inside the door.
Please maintain social distancing at all times in the church.
Please wear a mask / face covering while in the church.
Please place your envelope / cash contribution in one of the baskets inside the door.
Please leave the church by one of the two side doors (the one that is closest to you).
Communion will be distributed at the end of Mass. You are asked to leave the church afterwards.
Please do not congregate outside in the church grounds.
A new fogging machine has been purchased and this will be used after every public service, when the congregation leaves the church. Thanks to Hugh for his faithful attention to keeping the church sanitised.
While it is regrettable that so many restrictions have to be put in place, these are in place for the protection and safety of everyone attending. It is important that we all care for each other and take no unnecessary risks. Please note that if you are not confident about returning to Sunday Mass, you may choose to attend Mass on a weekday. It is important, however, that anyone who is vulnerable or unwell and, especially, anyone with any symptoms that might suggest Covid-19 infection, should stay at home and, if possible, participate, via the parish webcam (or Finn Valley Radio on Sunday at 11.00am).
I very much look forward to welcoming you back and will be so pleased to celebrate Mass with parishioners in the church again. While the webcam has allowed us to stay connected – and will continue to do so – it will be wonderful to have a congregation again. We thank God for this day. Thank you all for your co-operation and patience. St Patrick, pray for us.
MASS INTENTIONS THIS WEEK:
Saturday 15 May, 6.30pm: Elizabeth Mc Brearty, The Common (first anniversary).
ANNIVERSARIES:
We remember in prayer the souls of those whose anniversaries occur at this time….
Ellen Doherty, Cloughfin; Mary Foley, Tober; Rita Farrell, England/Tober;
Michael Lannon, Clydebank; Gabrielle Quinn, Clydebank; Edward Harkin, Edenmore;
Danny Mc Laughlin, Letterkenny Road; Danny Boy Mc Laughlin Coolatee.
May they rest in peace.
COLLECTION:
THANK YOU for your generosity to the collection last week, which amounted to €1,775. Envelopes / weekly contributions can be left in the baskets inside the doors any morning of the week at Mass time. For those unable to attend Mass you can drop your envelope into the Parochial House letter box at any time. Thank you so much for your ongoing generosity throughout the closure of the church. Thank you also to those who contribute by Standing Order and online. Contributions for the month of April amounted to €298.00.
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.
TROCAIRE:
Thank you for your great generosity to the Trocaire collection, which amounted to €5,078 and £142. This is a fantastic response, and I know as well that some parishioners sent money directly to Trócaire this year. As you know, South Sudan is the focus of this year’s Lenten campaign. On the Trocaire box, we were introduced to Awut and Ajak who, having lost their homes and loved ones to the conflict in South Sudan, are shining examples of resilience, friendship and solidarity in the face of unimaginable challenges, including poverty, hunger, injustice, war, conflict and, of course, Covid. It is our compassion and generosity that help change the lives of so many people facing challenges similar to that of Awut and Ajak. Constant themes of Jesus’ ministry and teachings are love, compassion and reaching out to the poor and vulnerable. Our response to Trócaire this Lent well matches these virtues. Thank you very much for your great response!
CHARITABLE DONATIONS (GIFT AID) SCHEME:
I am most grateful to all who have so kindly returned a CHY3 Certificate in the last couple of weeks, to enable the parish to claim Gift Aid on their donations. It is most encouraging. Thank you very much for your co-operation and attention to this.
Parishioners who are eligible to join in the scheme are those who:
1) contribute €250 or more in a tax year to the parish and,
2) pay income tax / capital gains tax on €250 or more in the tax year.
If you are eligible, then we appeal to you to consider joining, thereby increasing the parish income substantially, over and above your already very generous donations. Remember, there is no extra cost to you! The parish requires to have a CHY3 Certificate completed by you to enable a claim to be made to the Revenue Commissioners.
NOTICE FOR ATTENTION OF WORKS CONTRACTORS:
As you know, it is intended to carry out works to extend the (new) graveyard at St Patrick’s and also to construct accessible indoor toilets in the church. We invite expressions of interest from persons who wish to submit tenders for the works. Please forward your details, by Wednesday 19 May 2021, to Fr Colm O’Doherty PP, 6 Orchard Park, Murlog, Lifford, Co. Donegal F93 VYA5, or by email to odohertycolm@outlook.com. Thank you.
SAFEGUARDING IN THE DIOCESE OF DERRY:
Ms Marie Gormley has been appointed as the new Diocesan Liaison Person for the Diocese of Derry. The Diocesan Liaison Person is the person to contact with any safeguarding concern or allegation. Marie’s contact details are: Email: marie.gormley@derrydiocese.org Tel: 07596 500 793.
Ms Briege O’Neill has been appointed as the new Safeguarding Co-ordinator for the diocese. The Safeguarding Co-ordinator develops safeguarding policy and procedures in the diocese, and coordinates training and diocesan safeguarding audits. Briege is based in the Safeguarding Office in the Diocesan Pastoral Centre, Bishop Street, Derry: Email: safeguarding@derrydiocese.org Tel: (028) 71362475.
MAY – MONTH OF MARY:
Thank you to all who have brought along some flowers or plants to adorn our May Altar in the church. You are welcome to leave flowers / plants during the month, in honour of Our Lady. I also invite you to place your prayer intentions in the petitions box in the Church and, each day during May, when I am celebrating Mass, your prayer intentions (those in the church and those placed at your May Altar in your home) will be remembered. (Please note: In keeping with Covid-19 precautions, pen and paper are not available in the church, so please write your prayer intention at home and then drop it in the box that will be placed at the May Altar). Queen of the May, pray for us.
Please remember to email in a photo of your May Altar to be posted on our parish Facebook page. Thank you!
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.
ONLINE CONTRIBUTIONS:
Donate to the Church in the following ways:
1. Parish Envelopes
2. 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
3. Online donation via our website. Click the Donate button below.
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
Follow us on Twitter: @clonleighparish
Find us on Facebook: Clonleigh Parish
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.
