SUNDAY 17th December 2023:
THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT
The Third Sunday of Advent is known as Gaudete Sunday, Gaudete meaning Rejoice! Today we rejoice in the imminent celebration of the birth of the Christ Child, our Redeemer. We light the rose-coloured candle on our Advent wreath today, to symbolise our hope and joyful expectation. (Gaudete Sunday in Advent parallels Laetare Sunday in Lent).
John the Baptist, the last of the Old Testament prophets, is again the focus of today’s Gospel passage. Sometimes described as the ‘bridge’ between the Old Testament and the New Testament, John’s mission was to point us towards the coming of Christ our Light. We pray today that, in the darkness of our lives, our faith will enable us to see the light of Christ and to be beacons of hope to others, especially in times of darkness and uncertainty for them.
MASS SCHEDULE THIS WEEK:
Monday, 10.00am and 7.00pm (Month’s Mind Mass for Anne Stewart).
Tuesday, Thursday & Friday, 10.00am
Tuesday, 9.30am
(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 next Saturday from 11.00am till 1.00pm and 5.30pm – 6.15pm. 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.
†
Rose Peoples (née Doherty)
Late of 44 Castletown Court, Strabane (formerly Coolatee, Lifford)
As a parish faith community, we offer our sympathy and our prayerful support to all who mourn the death of Rose, whose Funeral Mass took place in St Patrick’s on Wednesday: to Johnny, to Wendy, Shaun, Deborah and Keith, to Tony, Lisa, Mark and Ciara, to the grandchildren and great-grandchild, to Sadie, Christina, Margaret, Geraldine, Carmel, Maureen, Pauline, Laurence and Liam, and to the wider family circle and friends of Rose. May she rest in peace.
ANNIVERSARIES:
We pray for those whose anniversaries occur at this time. May they rest in peace:
Patrick Clarke, Dublin; Willie Doherty, Cloughfin; John McCallion, Coneyburrow; John Foley, Tober
Akey Carlin, Coneyburrow; Patrick McGranaghan, Strabane; Bobby Porter, Rossgier
Conleith Tourish, Curraghalane; Hugh & Catherine Devine, Strabane.
MASS INTENTIONS:
Monday 18 December, 7.00pm: Anne Stewart, Croaghan Heights – . Month’s Mind Mass
Sunday 24 December, 7.00pm (Vigil Mass for Christmas):
Ray Jarrett, Tober; Susan Arthur, Townparks.
THANK YOU as always for your generosity in last week’s collection, which amounted to €1,922.00
LIFFORD NATIONAL SCHOOL:
Christmas Carol Service will be held in the church on Wednesday morning (20 Dec), at 11.00am. Everyone is welcome. In particular, parents, grandparents and family members of the children are invited to attend, if at all possible.
PARENTS OF CHILDREN BAPTISED IN OUR CHURCH THIS YEAR:
You are invited to pick up your child’s baptismal leaf from the Baptism Tree (if you haven’t done so already) and place it on your family Christmas tree.
DO THIS IN MEMORY PROGRAMME:
Parents of First Holy Communion children, please note that our next Do This In Memory Mass is next Sunday, the Fourth Sunday of Advent, 24 December, at 10.00am. It is important that all the children have the opportunity to participate in the parish programme, so I ask for your co-operation, as always, in having your child attend the Do This In Memory Mass. Thank you!
CLONLEIGH CHURCH OF IRELAND:
Carol Service by Candlelight this evening (Sunday 17th), at 7.00pm. Refreshments in hall after the service. Everyone is welcome.
VISITATION OF THE SICK AND HOUSEBOUND will take place this week, starting each day at 11.00am:
Monday – Ballindrait, Tober & Cloughfin; Tuesday – Rossgier, Coolatee, Porthall & Cavan Hill;
Thursday – Murlog, Lifford & Coneyburrow; Friday – Letterkenny Road, Croaghan Heights & Drumboy.
Please let your family member, neighbour or friend know that I will be calling, and please note that those normally visited on Wednesday will be visited on Tuesday this month. If there is anyone who is currently not attended but would like to be included, please let me know and I will be more than delighted to call with you and to bring you the Eucharist.
The “O” Antiphons of Advent:
In the Octave leading into the celebration of the Birth of Jesus, the “O” Antiphons shape the Church’s liturgy (17-23 December). The “O” Antiphons are seven short verses, of ancient origin, said/sung on each of these days during Evening Prayer of the Church. They are also echoed in the verses of the Gospel Acclamation on these dates. In each Antiphon, Jesus is invoked by a different title, there is a reference to one of the Old Testament prophecies (taken mainly from the prophet Isaiah) and there is a plea for the Messiah to come.
The seven “O’s” are:
O Wisdom O Adonai (Lord) O Root of Jesse O Key of David
O Rising Dawn O King O Emmanuel
The “O” Antiphons are the inspiration for the familiar hymn, ‘O come, O come, Emmanuel.’ When we listen to the verses of the hymn, we will hear that each verse parallels one of the Antiphons.
On this Third Sunday of Advent, we light the third candle (rose-coloured) of the
Advent Wreath, representing Joy:
God of Joy, as we get closer to the celebration of the birth of your Son,
we remain filled with joy.
We know that life often presents us with challenges
and that it is difficult to always be optimistic and cheerful.
However, we know that you wish us to be a joy-filled people.
Help us to focus on our blessings, to be appreciative of the many people who support us,
and to be ever mindful of your constant presence.
As we approach the celebration of Jesus’ birth, may the peace and joy of the season fill our hearts. Amen.
BAMBINELLI SUNDAY, BLESSING OF THE CHRIST CHILD:
The Third Sunday of Advent is also known as Bambinelli Sunday – Blessing of the Christ Child – having been instituted by St Pope John Paul II, during his papacy. Today, we bless the Baby Jesus figurine for our Crib. The figurine is then wrapped and laid beneath our Christmas Tree until the fist of our Christmas Masses, when the Baby Jesus will be brought to the Crib.
You are invited to participate in the tradition in your own home by sprinkling holy water and blessing the Baby Jesus figurine of your Nativity set at home, placing the figurine under your Christmas Tree, and then placing it with the Holy Family on Christmas morning, as the first gift of the day.
PLEASE NOTE THE CHRISTMAS MASS SCHEDULE IN OUR CHURCH:
Sunday 24 December, Christmas Eve: Vigil Mass, 7.00pm
Sunday 25 December, Christmas Day:
Dawn Mass, 7.30am. Christmas Day Mass, 10.00am
Note that the 10.00am Mass on Sunday 24 December is the
Mass for the Fourth Sunday of Advent and does not fulfil the Christmas obligation.
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