SUNDAY 3rd September 27th 2023:
TWENTY-SECOND SUNDAY ORDINARY TIME
‘If anyone wants to be a follower of mine, let him renounce himself
and take up his cross and follow me (Matthew 16:24)
MASS SCHEDULE THIS WEEK:
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, 10.00am.
Tuesday: 9.30am.
(The Rosary is normally recited by the congregation 20 minutes prior to the midweek morning Mass).
Saturday: Vigil Mass, 6.30pm. Sunday: Mass at 9.00am &11.00am
All Masses are livestreamed on our webcam; 10.00am Mass on Sunday is broadcast by Finn Valley Radio, 95.8FM
†
Patrick Murray, late of Liscooley Villas, Liscooley (formerly of Gortin South, Castlefin)
As a parish faith community, we offer our sympathy and our prayerful support to all who mourn the death of Patrick: to Annie, to his nieces and nephews, and to the wider family circle and friends of Patrick, whose Funeral Mass took place in St Patrick’s on Tuesday. May he rest in peace.
MASS INTENTIONS:
Saturday 9 September, 6.30pm: James Crawford, Burnley (First Anniversary) and Maggie Doherty, Gortgrannagh Sunday 10 September, 11.00am: Martin McKnight, Gallow’s Lane (Month’s Mind Mass).
ANNIVERSARIES:
We pray for those whose anniversaries occur at this time. May they rest in peace:
Stephen McBrearty, The Common; Vincent O’Donnell, Castlefin; Anne McElhinney, The Diamond
Hughie McElhinney, The Diamond; Robert McClay, Strabane; Harry Patton, Coneyburrow; Ann Henderson, Porthall Philomena Gallagher, Guystown; Carrie McGahern, Glencush; Danny McDaid, Curraghalane
Sarah Huston Richmond, Cavanacor; Gladys Melaugh, Ballindrait; Robert Porter, Coolatee; Bill Barron, Derry
James McNamee, Drumkeen; Margaret Kearns, Mullaghanney; Mickey Melaugh, Croaghan Heights.
THANK YOU for your generosity in recent collections: 19/20 August: €2,428; 26/27 August: €1,932.00
WELCOME BACK to the children and staff of our three schools this week. Special welcome to those who are starting school for the first time! We hope the weeks and months ahead will be a great time of learning and happiness for all. We remember too the boys and girls who have just left national school and are starting their second-level education this week. We think of all the young people from our parish who are preparing to start or return to university at this time. We remember too those who are seeking employment at this time or have just commenced employment. May the Holy Spirit guide and protect all of our children and young people in the challenges and opportunities of this coming year.
SACRAMENTAL DATES 2024 – CONFIRMATION AND FIRST HOLY COMMUNION:
Confirmation:
Lifford N S and Murlog N S: Saturday 20 April 2024, at 11.00am
First Holy Communion:
Cloughfin N S and Lifford N S: Saturday 11 May 2024, at 11.00am
Murlog N S: Saturday 18 May 2024, at 11.00am.
CLONLEIGH PARISH – JUBILEE YEAR 2024:
On 4 May 1964, our church was officially opened – 60 years ago next year. Clonleigh as an independent parish (formerly a part of the Parish of Camus and Clonleigh) was formed in 1974 – 50 years ago next year.
At a meeting of our Faith Formation Working Group on Monday night, in discussion about these upcoming milestones for our parish, we agreed that next year should be marked as a Jubilee Year in the parish, with a programme of celebrations. To organise programme of events / celebrations, I invite volunteers who would be willing to be part of a Jubilee Working Group, to work alongside myself and the Faith Formation Group. In order to have the Jubilee Working Group up and running for October, I invite you to make contact with me before the end of September, if you would like to be part of it. I am hoping that our Group will have representatives from all age-groups and areas of the parish.
ALTAR SERVERS:
The parent(s) of any boys or girls from 3rd Class to 6th Class who would be interested in becoming an altar server for our Masses in the parish are asked to leave their child(ren)’s name(s) in the sacristy after Mass, this weekend or next weekend. Please also leave your name and a contact number. Alternatively, you can ring me on the Parochial House number with these details. We hope to have altar servers back at our weekend Masses in a few weeks’ time. The children have no need to worry at all, as we will be more than delighted to provide training for them. We very much look forward to having altar servers at our Masses again.
CHOIRS:
Our Saturday evening Folk Choir and our Sunday morning Choir (11.00am) will be back with us providing music and hymns at our Masses next weekend. We will be delighted to have them back again! Both choirs welcome new members. If you would like to join one of the choirs, let me or one of the members know, and we’ll let you know when the practices are! All new members are welcome. “To sing is to pray twice”. St Augustine.
MINISTERS OF THE WORD:
The names of the Readers for the months of September and October are displayed at the back of the church. Anyone who would like to become a Reader at Mass, please let me know!
BLESSING OF BIKES – St Aengus’ Church, Burt:
Blessing of motorbikes and scooters on Sunday 17 September, at 1.00pm. Service in St Aengus’ Church at 1.00pm; prayers will be said for all our biker friends who have died since this time last year. Names can be emailed to gerardsweeney@ymail.com. A collection will be taken up for the RNLI. After the blessing, there will be a run to the RNLI Station at Ned’s Point, Buncrana. Mass will be celebrated at the Sacred Heart Church, Derry Road, Strabane at 11:30am, on the same day. The Mass will be in remembrance of all deceased bikers. Leaving immediately after Mass to go to St Aengus, Burt.
SEASON OF CREATION 1 SEPTEMBER – 4 OCTOBER (Feast of St Francis of Assisi):
The theme for Season of Creation 2023 is “Let Justice and Peace Flow,” taking inspiration from the Prophet Amos who declares, “Let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!” (Amos 5:24). In his Message for Season of Creation, Pope Francis ties the theme in with the synodal journey of the Church, saying, “In the same way that a river is a source of life for its surroundings, our synodal Church must be a source of life for our common home and all its inhabitants. In the same way that a river gives life to all kinds of animal and plant life, a synodal Church must give life by sowing justice and peace in every place it reaches.” The Season of Creation is marked throughout the Christian world; it celebrates the joy of creation and encourages initiatives to protect the natural environment.
The full Message of Pope Francis for the Season of Creation is available on catholicbishops.ie
Please pray:
A Prayer for our Earth
All-powerful God, You are present in the whole universe and in the smallest of Your creatures.
You embrace with Your tenderness all that exists.
Pour upon us the power of Your love, that we may protect life and beauty.
Fill us with peace that we may live as brothers and sisters, harming no-one.
God of the poor, help us to rescue the abandoned and forgotten of this earth,
so precious in Your eyes.
Bring healing to our lives that we may protect the world,
that we may sow beauty, not pollution and destruction.
Teach us to discover the worth of each thing, to be filled with awe and contemplation,
to recognise that we are profoundly united with every creature,
as we journey towards Your infinite light.
Encourage us, we pray, in our struggle for justice, love and peace. Amen.
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 X: @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