SUNDAY 10th December 2023:
SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT
GOSPEL: PREPARE A WAY FOR THE LORD (ST MARK 1:1-18)
Advent is a time for us to prepare spiritually to celebrate the birth (the First Coming) of Jesus, and this sacred season, that starts off the new liturgical year, is a great opportunity for us to embark on a fresh journey of discipleship in preparation for the Day we will meet our Lord in His Second Coming, at the end of time.
Fulfilling the prophecies of the Old Testament, John the Baptist was the one sent as the messenger of God to announce the coming of the Messiah. We ask God today for the grace to respond positively to the call of John the Baptist to the people for repentance, conversion and renewal in heart and mind. One of the greatest ways in which we can restore our relationship with Jesus, and experience God’s boundless mercy, love and forgiveness, is in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. We are invited this Advent to take up the offer of the gift of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. The sacrament is available in our church each Saturday, from 11.00am – 12.00noon during Advent.
MASS SCHEDULE THIS WEEK:
Monday, Tuesday & Thursday, 10.00am
Tuesday, 9.30am
Friday, Feast of the Immaculate Conception (Holy Day of Obligation): Mass at 10.00am
(The Rosary is normally recited by the congregation 20 minutes prior to the midweek morning Mass). As always, you are invited to come along to this special time of parish prayer
and blessing in our church.
Saturday: Vigil Mass, 6.30pm.
Sunday: Mass at 10.00am
All Masses are livestreamed on our webcam; 10.00am Mass on Sunday is broadcast by Finn Valley Radio, 95.8FM
CONFESSIONS:
The Sacrament of Confessions is available in the church each Saturday of Advent, from 11.00am till 12.00noon. It is hoped that as many people as possible will avail of the opportunity to receive the sacrament, as part of their spiritual preparation for Christmas. In particular, I encourage parents to bring their children along to receive the sacrament.
†
Betty McColgan (nee Murray), late of Penny Lane, The Common
As a parish faith community, we offer our sympathy and our prayerful support to all who mourn the death of Betty, whose Funeral Mass took place in St Patrick’s last Sunday: to Pat, to Martin and Linda, Maeve and Paul, to Abáigh, to Martin and to the wider family circle and friends of Betty. May she rest in peace.
James Woods, late of Ballymonaster (The Bridge), Ballindrait
As a parish faith community, we offer our sympathy and our prayerful support to all who mourn the death of James, whose Funeral Mass took place in St Patrick’s on Thursday: to Ann, Conor and Gerard, to Michael, and to the wider family circle and friends of James. May he rest in peace.
ANNIVERSARIES:
We pray for those whose anniversaries occur at this time. May they rest in peace:
Susan O’ Brien, The Roughan; Vera Porter, Coolatee; Dan McGinley, Rossgier; Attracta Harron, Strabane
John McMenamin, Croaghan Heights; Danny & Annie Donnelly, Ballylennon; Seamus McBrearty, Tamnawood
Richard McBrearty, Chestnut Grove; Mary Clarke, Lifford.
MASS INTENTIONS:
Saturday 16 December, 6.30pm: Bobby Porter, Rossgier – First Anniversary
Sunday 17 December, 10.00am: Conleith Tourish, Curraghalane – First Anniversary.
THANK YOU as always for your generosity in last week’s collection, which amounted to €1,873.00
TROCAIRE Gifts of Change will be on sale after our Masses this weekend, 9 & 10 December. You are asked to be as generous as possible. Thank you.
PARENTS OF CHILDREN BAPTISED IN OUR CHURCH THIS YEAR: You are invited to pick up your child’s baptismal leaf from the Baptism Tree in our church and place it on your family Christmas tree.
A FESTIVAL OF CHRISTMAS PRAISE:
Ballindrait Presbyterian Church warmly invite you to this event today, Sunday, 10 December, at 7.00pm. Special collection in aid of Donegal Hospice. Tea and mince pies will be served!
ANAM CARA Monthly Parent Evening for bereaved parents, Thursday 14 December, at 7.15pm in the Raddison Blu Hotel, Letterkenny. This event is free and is open to all bereaved parents, regardless of the age your child died, the circumstances, or whether the death was recent. Online service also available. Tel 01 4045378.
DIGITAL ADVENT CALENDAR:
The Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference website, www.catholicbishops.ie, is offering its online Advent calendar this year again, going live today, Sunday. Behind each ‘door’, each day there is content aimed at assisting us to pray and to reflect on how best we can keep Christ at the centre of our Christmas preparations during this special liturgical season. Note: The virtual doors above cannot be opened ahead of their actual date!
TROCAIRE SCHOOL VOLUNTEERS:
Do you have experience in presenting to groups of school-children? Do you have a passion for making this world a better place, especially for the most vulnerable? Trócaire is looking for volunteers to support its School Talks Programme for Lent 2024 in schools the Derry Diocese. If you think you have the right skills and experience and will have a few free hours during Lent then we would love to hear from you! For more information call Casey Schell on 048 90 808 033 or email casey.schell@trocaire.org
STRABANE HISTORY SOCIETY:
The society meets this Thursday, 14 December, at 7.00pm ,in The Music Rooms, John Wesley Street, Strabane, opposite the Library, close to back gate of the Post Office. This month’s talk will be “Tell me that one again!. Story telling and oral history.” The speaker is Liz Weir, well-known story teller. Everyone welcome!
ONLINE LOUGH DERG CHRISTMAS SHOP is now open at www.loughderg.live/shop : Mass Bouquets, Christmas Cards, the limited edition Lough Derg Christmas Candle, a large range of Nativity Sets and other gifts are available. The Christmas shop provides much needed financial income to support the mission and ministry of Lough Derg outside of the Pilgrimage Season. Thank you for your support.
DO THIS IN MEMORY PROGRAMME:
Parents of First Holy Communion children, please note that our next Do This In Memory Mass is on the Fourth Sunday of Advent, Sunday 24 December, at 10.00am. I hope the children are all colouring in beautifully the Adent Calendar in Thumb! Parents, we ask for your co-operation, as always in helping the children to get involved in the activities in Thumb and Grapevine. Thank you!
SYMBOLISM OF THE ADVENT WREATH:
The Advent Wreath draws us to focus on the advent (coming) of the Light of Christ into the world.
The wreath is made of evergreens, signifying everlasting life.
The circle of the wreath, which has no beginning or end, symbolises the eternity of God,
unending love, the immortality of the soul, and the promise of everlasting life in Christ.
Cones and berries can be used to decorate the wreath, and are symbolic of the fruits of salvation.
The four candles represent the four weeks of Advent: (1. Hope, 2. Peace, 3. Joy and 4. Love).
They are lit gradually – one each week – drawing us out of darkness into light.
This symbolises not only the First Coming of Christ into the world,
but His Second Coming at the end of history.
Three candles are purple, the penitential colour used in Advent (and Lent).
One candle is rose; it is lit on the third Sunday of Advent, Gaudete Sunday, (Gaudete meaning Rejoice),
symbolising our joyful expectation of the imminent coming of the Light of Christ.
The white candle in the middle represents Christ, and is lit on Christmas Day.
On this Second Sunday of Advent, we light the second candle of the Advent Wreath,
representing Love:
God of Love, during the Advent season,
when life is busy and excitement is in the air,
we take time to think about the awesome gift of the birth of Jesus.
We reflect on the great love You have for us that will be shown through Your Son, Jesus.
May the light of this candle reflect the light that resides within each of us,
the love that we can bring to this world,
and the healing we can offer those who are suffering. 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