Your Parish Newsletter for Sunday 12th September 2021:
TWENTY-FOURTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (YEAR B)
GOSPEL: ST MARK 8:27-35 – THE COSTS OF DISCIPLESHIP
Our lives can be a journey of ups and downs, certainties and uncertainties, joys and disappointments, with some people and families seeming to have more crosses to bear than others. We are naturally inclined to shy away from the crosses and disappointments of life and, even, to wonder why we are burdened with them. We like to cling to what we perceive to be happiness and security. Crosses, however, are part of life’s journey and, while they can put our faith to the test, we know that nobody carried a greater cross than Jesus himself. Ironically, it is often in times of trial and trouble – in the crosses we carry – that we can best get to know who Jesus is and encounter His loving presence in our lives. It is in these moments that we get a clearer understanding of the meaning of discipleship. Jesus reminds us today:
“If anyone wants to be a follower of mine, let him renounce himself and take his cross and follow me.”
Mass Schedule for the Parish this Week:
For those who are unable to come out to church, all our Masses will continue to be available on our parish webcam, and our 11.00am Mass is also broadcast live each Sunday on Finn Valley Radio: 95.8FM
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday: 10.00am. Tuesday: 9.30am
The Rosary will be recited on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at 9.40am (before Mass)
and, on Tuesday, at 9.10am
Saturday, Vigil Mass: 6.30pm Sunday: Masses at 9.00am and 11.00am
Everyone attending church is asked to wear a face covering, use the hand sanitiser that is available and maintain social distancing. Please enter the church by one of the back doors and leave by the side door that is closest to you. It is important that everyone attending feels safe and welcome in our church. The church continues to be ‘fogged’ and cleaned each day, after use. Thank you very much for your co-operation.
MASS INTENTIONS THIS WEEK:
Tuesday, 14 September, 9.30am – Ned Rodgers, Croaghan Heights
Saturday, 18 September, 6.30pm – 60th Wedding Anniversary Mass for Gerry & Kathleen Kavanagh, Tober
Sunday 19 September, 9.00am – Danielle Melaugh, Liskey.
ANNIVERSARIES:
Mickey Melaugh, Croaghan Heights; Nan McGettigan, Tamnawood; Catherine O’Brien, Lifford
Maggie Doherty, Gortgrannagh; Ned Rodgers, Croaghan Heights; Michael O’Hanlon, Ballindrait.
COLLECTION:
THANK YOU for your ongoing generosity to the weekly collection which, last week, amounted to €2,153. Thank you also to those who faithfully contribute by Standing Order and Online. Please note: 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.
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.
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION:
CONGRATULATIONS and Well Done to the boys and girls of our three schools who received their First Holy Communion on Saturday. It was a lovely and very prayerful day in our parish. Thank you to the teachers, parents and all who contributed in any way to this very important occasion in the faith journey of the children. I pray that the children will always know Jesus as their friend, growing in relationship with Him through regularly receiving Holy Communion. Please continue to support the children by keeping them in your prayers.
VISITATION OF THE SICK AND HOUSEBOUND of the parish will take place this week, as follows:
Wednesday (15 September) starting at 11.00am: Areas to be visited –
Murlog; Lifford; Coneyburrow; Letterkenny Road; Croaghan Heights.
Friday (17 September), starting at 11.00am: Areas to be visited –
Ballindrait; Tober; Cloughfin; Rossigier; Coolatee; Porthall; Cavan Hill.
I would be very grateful if family members, friends or neighbours could let those whom they know to be visited aware of the arrangements, if possible. If there is anyone who is normally part of the visitation but does not wish to be visited for any reason, please let me know. Likewise, if there is anyone who is not normally visited but would like to be visited, please let me know and I will be more than happy to bring you the Eucharist.
Please note: I will wear a face covering, use sanitiser and observe all the recommended Covid precautions, during visitation, in the best interests of everyone’s safety. Thank you. Fr Colm.
SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM:
As we know, the Sacrament of Baptism is the beginning of the most important relationship of our lives, our sacramental relationship with Jesus. It is also an important day in the lives of the parents presenting children for the Sacrament, for their families, the Godparents and, indeed, for the parish.
As part of a couple of initiatives I hope to start in our parish in relation to the Sacrament, it is my intention, from now on, to visit the homes (in advance) of the parents of babies / children who are to be presented for Baptism. The purpose of the visit is simply to meet you, to congratulate you, to chat through and familiarise you with the elements of the Sacrament and to answer any questions you may have so that, together, we might be adequately and spiritually prepared for your child’s first Sacrament of Initiation and the start of his / her journey as part of the family of God. Very importantly, on my visit, I would like to meet the little person who is soon to become part of our parish faith community.
Baptisms should continue to be booked through Lorna in the parish office but I would ask that you book the date well in advance of the proposed date for the sacrament (if possible) and that you leave your name, address and contact number with Lorna when you ring. I will then contact you to arrange a mutually suitable time/date to call with you. Thank you very much.
MASTERS IN CATHOLIC SCHOOL LEADERSHIP:
The Derry Diocesan Catechetical Centre, working in Partnership with Saint Mary’s University, Twickenham, offers this post-graduate degree dedicated to the professional development and spiritual formation of Catholic school leaders. It is a great opportunity for those currently in leadership roles and those who aspire to, or have an interest in, leadership roles within the Catholic School system. Applications for the Autumn intake close 30th September 2021. Tel 004428 71264087 or email tferry@derrydiocese.org
GUIDED PILGRIMAGES on the Lough Derg Pilgrim Path will be offered on Sunday 12, Wednesday 15, Saturday 18 & Sunday 26 September, and Sunday 3 October, with Mass outdoors, weather permitting. The full route is a 12km loop, with a shorter 8km option. Advance booking is essential. For further information email info@loughderg.org or telephone 071 9861518. Visit website on: www.loughderg.org
SEASON OF CREATION: 1 SEPTEMBER – 4 OCTOBER (FEAST OF ST FRANCIS OF ASSISI)
THEME FOR 2021: RESTORING OUR COMMON HOME:
In Laudato Si’, Pope Francis asks us to reflect on our interdependent relationship with all of life, not just seeing plant and animal life as mere resources. He states that, “Once we come to an appreciation of different species, we must take practical steps to ensure their survival so that each creature can give glory to God.” As we reflect on our responsibilities, we give thanks to God for all creation:
PRAYER OF GRATITUDE FOR THE EARTH:
For the marvellous grace of Your creation, we pour out our thanks to you God:
for sun and moon and stars, for rain and dew and winds, we thank You.
We praise you God for mountains and hills, for springs and valleys, for rivers and seas.
We praise you God, for plants growing in earth and in water,
for life inhabiting lakes and seas, for life creeping in soils and land.
We give glory to You for creatures living in wetlands and waters,
for lifeline flying above earth and sea, for beasts dwelling in woods and fields.
How many and how wonderful are Your works, O Lord.
Creator God, we thank You for the miraculous gift of creation, of which we are a part.
Catholics are urged to sign the “Healthy Planet Healthy People” petition as a key action for this year’s Season of Creation: https://thecatholicpetition.org/
Please pray for one another and for our parish. Please pray the Parish Prayer.
PARISH PRAYER
God our Father,
pour forth Your Holy Spirit on our parish.
Guide us in Your ways, grant us Your vision. Be our wisdom.
Open our hearts and minds to Your Holy Word,
strengthen us with the Holy Eucharist,
our food for the journey.
Help us to be people of prayer,
trusting in Your constant presence
in the challenges that we face.
With Your help,
may our parish always be a place where
Your love is known, Your light shines
and our parish families grow together in faith and mission.
We ask this through Christ our Lord, Amen.
St Patrick, pray for us.
Next Sunday, 19 September, is the Twenty-Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B). You can access the Readings on our parish website:
https://clonleighparish.com/sundays-mass-readings/
I hope that having the Readings available on our parish website is also helpful to our Scripture readers, for the purpose of checking them out in advance. The Daily Mass Readings are also on our website: https://clonleighparish.com/todays-mass-readings/ . Alternatively, just google Clonleigh Parish readings.
ONLINE CONTRIBUTIONS:
You can donate to the Church via The Parish Envelopes or by Standing Order. Download this easy to fill form: Standing Order Form – & send to or email the Parish Office: clonleighparish@derrydiocese.org
Parish Contact Details:
Parish Priest: Fr Colm O’Doherty Parochial House: 074-9142022
Mobile: 0833665530
Parish Office – Secretary: Lorna Porter @ 074-9142001
Email: clonleighparish@derrydiocese.org
Parish website: www.clonleighparish.com
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