SUNDAY 7th May 2023:
FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
JESUS, THE WAY, THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE (St John 14:1-12)
In preparing His disciples on Holy Thursday night for His departure, Jesus tells them that He is the Way, the Truth and the Life. The disciples are perplexed: not understanding where Jesus is going or how to follow Him, they are anxious and fearing for their own future.
Like the disciples, on our journey we too have moments of panic, times when we are anxious or fearing for our future; we have moments of feeling lost or not knowing where Jesus is in our lives. It is only through daily personal encounter with Jesus – through talking to Him in prayer, building on our relationship with Him through regularly receiving the Eucharist, and placing our thoughts, words and actions in His care – that we can, without fear, spread the Way, the Truth and the Life of Jesus in our homes, in our parish, in our workplaces and with all we encounter.
Jesus, our Way, guide me in life; Jesus, our Truth, teach me Your meaning of life;
Jesus, our Life, love me always.
MASS SCHEDULE THIS WEEK:
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday: 10.00am; Tuesday: 9.30am
Rosary: Each morning, twenty minutes before Mass.
Saturday: First Holy Communion, 11.00am: children to be seated by 10.45am
Saturday: Vigil Mass, 6.30pm. Sunday morning: Mass at 9.00am and 11.00am
All Masses are livestreamed on our webcam; 11.00am Mass on Sunday is broadcast by Finn Valley Radio, 95.8FM
MASS INTENTIONS:
Wednesday 10 May, 10.00am: Sean Moore, Strabane
Saturday 13 May, 6.30pm: Month’s Mind Mass for Gloria White, Drumbuoy
Sunday 14 May, 9.00am: Sean Porter, The Common, and John Porter, Edenmore
Sunday 14 May 11.00am: Paul McLaughlin, Grotto House, Porthall.
ANNIVERSARIES:
We pray for those whose anniversaries occur at this time. May they rest in peace:
Johnny Whyte, Gallows Lane; Tilly McGranaghan, Lifford; Annabelle McGranaghan, Lifford
Ellen Doherty, Cloughfin; Benny Gallagher, Porthall; Bridie Kiernan, Porthall; Sean Moore, Strabane
Margaret Tinney, Ardnaglass; Phil Grogan, Coneyburrow.
We pray for the souls of those recently enrolled in the Derry Diocesan Society:
Kathleen Sharkey, Carrickmore; Frances Devenney, Tober; Gertie McDaid, Letterkenny Road
Seamus Behan, Butcher Street; Gary McGinley, Moneen
Masses are offered throughout the year in parishes and churches across the diocese,
including our own, for all who are enrolled in the Derry Diocesan Society.
The Derry Diocesan Society poster which is displayed at the back of the church gives details of these Masses.
VISITATION OF THE SICK AND HOUSEBOUND will take place this week, starting each day at 11.00am:
Monday – Ballindrait, Tober & Cloughfin;
Wednesday – Rossgier, Coolatee, Porthall & Cavan Hill;
Thursday – Murlog, Lifford & Coneyburrow;
Friday – Letterkenny Road, Croaghan Heights & Drumboy.
Please let your family member or neighbour know. If there is anyone who is not normally visited but would like me to call, please do let me know, and I will be more than happy to bring you the Eucharist.
THANK YOU for your generosity in last week’s collection, which amounted to €2,148. Thank you also to those who contribute by Standing Order. Sincere thanks for further contributions to the Diocesan Purposes collection and Trocaire. Totals for these will be published in due course.
Our Gift Aid (Charitable Donations Scheme) claim will be submitted shortly. If you are eligible to sign up and haven’t yet done so, then you are invited to contact Lorna in the parish office this week, who will be happy to provide you with a Mandate. Thank you very much to those who recently signed up for the scheme.
As a parish faith community, we offer a warm welcome to the new members of our parish who have joined us in recent weeks, having journeyed from a variety of countries, including Algeria, Afghanistan, Bolivia, Uganda, Georgia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, South Africa, Nigeria, Pakistan, El Salvador and Ukraine. We pray that they will find peace, contentment, hospitality and happiness in our community. Thank you to all who are and have been reaching out the hand of friendship and welcome to these families.
“For I was hungry and you gave me food; I was thirsty and you gave me drink;
I was a stranger and you made me welcome” Matthew 25:35
MAY – MONTH OF MARY:
You are invited to place your prayer intentions in the Prayer Intentions box at our May Altar. Each time Mass is celebrated during this month, your prayer intentions will be remembered. During the month, you are invited, as always, to honour Our Lady by bringing along some flowers or plants to adorn the May Altar. Parents are invited to involve their children in this practice. (Any vases/containers that you leave will be kept for you). You are also invited to light a candle.
Our Rosary Group continues to pray the Rosary every week-day, starting twenty minutes before morning Mass. Perhaps you might like to make special effort this month to come along and join them.
ROSARY AT OUR LADY’S GROTTO, PORTHALL will take place this year again. The date and time will be published as soon as they are confirmed.
UPCOMING DATES OF NOTE FOR OUR PARISH:
Monday 8 May: Retreat for the Confirmation children (Community Centre Lifford)
Saturday 13 May: First Holy Communion, at 11.00am
Sunday 11 June: Corpus Christi Procession with the First Holy Communion children, 11.00am Mass
Monday 12 June: Blessing of the Graves, at 7.00pm. Please let your relatives and friends know.
Saturday 12 August: Second Annual Parish Pilgrimage to Knock Shrine. Full details will follow.
And so, boys and girls, just six days to go until you receive the Sacrament of Holy Communion for the first time. This is a very special day in your lives, in the lives of your families and for our parish family.
I am very much looking forward to this very special occasion in our parish. As your friends in the parish family, we will keep you all in our prayers this week as you make your final preparations.
Kath and Qumen are excited too and they wish you all the best for next Saturday.
‘LEARNING ABOUT THE MASS’ CORNER:
KATH: This day week, Qumen, it’ll be all over! Imagine!
QUMEN: I said that to my mum this morning, but she and my Gran very quickly said back to me, “This day week it will be all starting!” My Gran said First Holy Communion is the start of a very special journey with Jesus and that it is a great privilege.
KATH: What did she mean by saying it’s the start of a journey?
QUMEN: Gran meant that it is the start of a very special relationship with Jesus that can grow, because receiving Jesus often in the Eucharist helps us to stay close to Him and helps us on our journey through life. After our First Holy Communion next Saturday, we will be able to receive Holy Communion every time we are at Mass – but you need to be at Mass, Kath, to receive Holy Communion!
KATH: I love the idea of getting to know Jesus better and of Him being part of my ‘journey’ in Holy Communion. Your mum and Gran are always right.
KATH & QUMEN: We wish all the boys and girls well in their final week of preparation for the Sacrament of First Holy Communion! We are feeling very blessed.
Access the Readings on our parish website:
The Daily Mass Readings are also on our website: https://clonleighparish.com/todays-mass-readings/ . Alternatively, just google Clonleigh Parish readings.
The Daily Mass Readings are also on our website: https://clonleighparish.com/todays-mass-readings/ . Alternatively, just google Clonleigh Parish readings.
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
Follow us on Twitter: @clonleighparish
Find us on Facebook:. Clonleigh Parish
SAFEGUARDING NOTICE:
If you have any concerns about safeguarding children or adults in need of protection within the Church, please contact Marie Gormley, the Diocesan Designated Liaison Person, on 07596 500793 or by email on marie.gormley@derrydiocese.org