SUNDAY 3rd March 2024:
THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT
St John’s Gospel, that we hear on this Third Sunday of Lent, is the story of the Cleansing of the Temple. Our Lenten journey is an opportunity for cleansing and renewal. As Temples of the Holy Spirit, we pray today that the cleansing of our hearts and minds will be a priority this Lent, with our thoughts, words and actions always honouring God and reflecting the sanctity of our bodies.
Lord God, we ask that our hearts may be a worthy dwelling place for You, always open to Your love and always surrendering to You will, through the guidance of Your Holy Spirit.
‘For God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom,
and God’s weakness is stronger than human strength.’ St Paul.
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). 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
†
ANNIVERSARIES:
We pray for those whose anniversaries occur at this time. May they rest in peace:
Sarah Gibson, Letterkenny Road; Margaret Crawford, Porthall; James McFeely, Porthall
Hughie Rooney, Convoy; John O’Brien, The Roughan; Detta Anderson, Strabane Lifford
Patrick Gallagher, Liskey; Josephine Reilly, Co Cavan; John & MaryRose Colhoun, Ballindrait
Martin Tourish, The Roughan; Tommy Quinn, Raphoe; Anthony Connolly, Raphoe
Geraldine Duddy, Derry- Rossgier.
MASS INTENTIONS:
Saturday 9 March, 6.30pm: Gary McGinley, Moneen – First Anniversary; Pat Gibbons, Tironeill
Sunday 10 March, 10.00am: Maisie Matthewson, Lurganshannagh.
WE WELCOME the First Holy Communion children to our 10.00am Do This in Memory Mass today. First Holy Communion in our parish will be celebrated in May: Saturday 11 May – Cloughfin NS and Lifford NS; Saturday 18 May – Murlog NS. Both ceremonies will be at 11.00am.
FIRST CONFESSIONS in our parish will be on Wednesday 20 March, at 6.30pm. As the children continue to prepare to receive the sacrament for the first time, parents are asked to help them by spending some prayerful time with them each evening during Lent, at the family’s Sacred Prayer Space, reflecting on the ways in which everyone in the family might have distanced themselves from each other and from God that day through their words or actions, and praying together the Act of Sorrow from last month’s Grapevine:
O my God, I thank you for loving me.
I am sorry for all my sins, for not loving others and not loving You.
Help me to live like Jesus and not sin again. Amen.
FAMILY AND CARE REFERENDUMS – FRIDAY 8 MARCH:
The Irish Catholic Bishops have issued a Statement ahead of this week’s referendums: Excerpts from the Statement:
‘The proposed Family amendment to the Constitution diminishes the unique importance of the relationship between marriage and family in the eyes of Society and State and is likely to lead to a weakening of the incentive for young people to marry.’
‘The Care amendment would have the effect of abolishing all reference to motherhood in the Constitution and leave unacknowledged the particular and incalculable societal contribution that mothers in the home have made and continue to make in Ireland … The role of mothers should continue to be cherished in our Constitution.’
You are encouraged to take a few minutes this week to read the Statement in full: it is available on the website catholicbishops.ie
THE DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES takes place from Monday 1 July to Friday 5 July, leaving from City of Derry Airport. It will be led by Bishop Donal McKeown. Full board £799, single room supplement £150. The pilgrimage office is now open from 11am to 1pm on Thursdays and Saturdays. You can phone 048 71260293 or email derrypilgrim@outlook.com
Remember, as part of our Parish Jubilee celebrations 2024, it is hoped that a number of people from our parish will participate in the Diocesan Pilgrimage and, as part of the pilgrimage, we will hold our own parish celebrations while participating in the diocesan pilgrimage in Lourdes. I will be honoured to guide and lead parishioners in making it a very special time for us as a parish in our Jubilee year. If you have any queries at all (over and above booking arrangements above), please contact me.
Please let me know if you are intending to participate in the pilgrimage!
THANK YOU for your generosity in last week’s collection, which amounted to €2,232. Thank you, as always, to those who contribute by Standing Order.
MICHAEL ENGLISH Gospel & Country Concert will be held in St Patrick’s Church, Castlederg, this Friday, 8 March, 8.00pm, in the church. Doors open 7.00pm. Tickets £30 each (unallocated seating). Tickets available via eventbrite.co.uk or email the parish office on castledergparish@derrydiocese.org
DAY RETREAT for Readers and Eucharistic Ministers: next Saturday, 9 March, 10.30am – 4.00pm, at Ards Friary, Creeslough. The day will include some input, silent time, social time and a full lunch. Contact Ards Friary on 074 9138909 or email info@ardsfriary.ie for further information.
PALM SUNDAY RETREAT:
The Columba Community invite you toSt Anthony’s Retreat Centre, Dundrean, Burnfoot, for a Day of Healing Prayer. The Day will include Scripture meditations, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, Teaching and Celebration of Eucharist as we enter Holy Week together. Sunday 24 March, 11.00am – 4.00pm. Mass celebrated at 3.00pm. Light lunch included. Suggested donation £20. Email columbacommunity@hotmail.com to book or call 048 7126 2407.
OUR JUBILEE 2024 CELEBRATIONS will be launched on St Patrick’s Day. Our church and grounds will be suitably decorated and the sacramental children from our three schools will provide displays for our church which will, of course, be on the theme of St Patrick, to celebrate the patron saint of our country and the saint to whom our beautiful church is dedicated.
KATH AND QUMEN have been asking how the children are getting on with their Lenten sacrifices. Kath is finding it difficult, putting her weekly ‘sweets money’ into the Trocaire box, but when she remembers that her little sacrifice is helping other little children who have so much less than she has, she is proud of her efforts and of being able to help them.
Qumen is quite pleased with himself, sharing his games and toys with his little brother without causing a fuss. His little brother is certainly happier, and that brings a smile to Qumen’s face. He said that, if he is honest, he didn’t realise sharing could be such fun!
Kath and Qumen wish the children every blessing as they prepare to receive the Sacrament of First Penance for the first time, on 20 March.
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