Your Parish Newsletter for Sunday 7th March 2021:
SUNDAY 7th MARCH 2021 – THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT:
GOSPEL: ST JOHN 2:13-25 ‘THE CLEANSING OF THE TEMPLE’
In St John’s account of the Cleansing of the Temple today, Jesus confronts those who are abusing the sanctity of His Father’s house – those who are selfishly using it as a place for uncharitable dealings, rather than for prayer, holiness and acts of righteousness.
In our homes this Lent we have created Sacred Spaces to help us in focussing on this penitential season. With our churches closed for public worship, our ‘domestic church’ settings for worship are indeed an opportunity that, in ‘ordinary times’, we might not consider or take up. Our homes are indeed the ‘temple’ where our faith journey starts and is, hopefully, nourished. We talk of ‘handing on the faith’ but, essentially, this means that, through the example of faith well lived, others might be inspired to mirror the virtues of the Gospel in their day to day lives and remain faithful to the sacraments. We ask God today for the grace to use well the Sacred Space in our homes, to create time and space for prayer and, more importantly, to listen to what God is saying to us so that our thoughts, words and actions will reflect the sanctity of our bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit and cleanse us in heart and mind.
Mass Schedule for the Parish this Week:
With our church being closed, you are invited to participate in our Masses via our parish webcam: WebCam – WATCH LIVE
Our 11.00am Mass is also broadcast live each Sunday on Finn Valley Radio, 95.8FM
SUNDAY MASSES:
Vigil: Saturday 6.30pm, Sunday Morning: 11.00am
(Note: there will only be one Sunday Morning Mass – 11.00am – while the church remains closed.
WEEKDAY MASSES & LITURGIES:
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and First Friday: Mass at 9.30am
The Angelus and Rosary will be recited Monday – Saturday at 12.00noon.
Walking the Via Dolorosa (The Way of the Cross) with Jesus: Sundays of Lent at 12.00noon.
Our church remains open for private prayer (other than when public liturgies are being celebrated). Two things Scripture tells us of Jesus’ prayer life are that, He sometimes went off to pray alone, and He prayed regularly. In this Sacred Season of Lent, with our churches closed for public worship, you are invited and encouraged to come along to the church, regularly if you can, at a time that suits you, for private prayer, and to light a candle.
MASS INTENTIONS THIS WEEK:
Tuesday 9 March, 9.30am: Helena Crawford, Coolatee: Month’s Mind
Wednesday 10 March, 9.30am: Maisie Matthewson, Lurganshannagh
Saturday 13 March, 6.30pm: Bobby Kelly, Murlog
Sunday 14 March, 11.00am: John Tourish, Albert Terrace.
ANNIVERSARIES:
We remember in prayer the souls of those whose anniversaries occur at this time….
Liam Tourish, Curraghalane: Johnny Rushe, Ballybun; William Lynch, Ballinabreen;
Josephine Riley, Co Cavan; Deta Anderson, Strabane; John and Martha Mitchell, St Johnston;
Kathleen Brolly, Cloughfin; Anton and Kathleen Gallagher, Tironeill; Mary and Joseph Quinn;
Sean Quinn; Foncie Brennan, Coneyburrow; Martin Tourish, The Roughan.
May they rest in peace.
COLLECTION:
THANK YOU for your generosity to the collection last week, which amounted to €2,055. I continue to be available in the church each day after the Rosary for those who wish to bring along their envelope. Envelopes can also be left through the door of the Parochial House. Thank you to those who contribute by Standing Order and online.
Download our Standing Order Form here.
You can also request envelopes by simply clicking on this link: ‘Get in Touch‘ and then select Parish Envelopes from the drop-down menu.
DON’T FORGET: to check in on our Thought for the Day each day of Lent, on our parish Facebook. The Thoughts are based on the Stations of the Cross.
PLEASE JOIN ME each Sunday at 12noon via the parish webcam for our Lenten journey with Jesus – Walking the Via Dolorosa (The Way of the Cross). This short liturgy starts shortly after 11am Sunday Mass. The theme today is: “The trial before Pilate”.
PROVISIONAL SACRAMENTAL DATES:
The following provisional dates have been agreed with the schools:
First Holy Communion:
Saturday 5 June: 11.00am, Murlog NS (Scoil Naomh Padraig);
Saturday 5 June: 2.00pm, Lifford NS ( Scoil Mhuire gan Smal) and Cloughfin NS (Scoil Naomh Colmcille)
Confirmation:
Saturday 12 June: 11.00am, Lifford NS ( Scoil Mhuire gan Smal) and Cloughfin NS (Scoil Naomh Colmcille); Saturday 12 June: 14.00pm, Murlog NS (Scoil Naomh Padraig).
With all the ongoing disruption in our schools and no word at this time of our churches being reopened for public worship, the above dates are offered as provisional, but we pray that we will be able to go ahead with the celebration of the sacraments for our children on these dates. In the meantime, parents are asked to support their children in whatever ways they can in their preparation for the sacraments and, as a parish faith community, we pray for the children as they prepare for these important days in their faith journey.
TRÓCAIRE:
If you haven’t yet picked up your Trócaire Box, there are boxes available at the back of the church. The Trócaire Box can form part of the Sacred Space in our homes this Lent, serving to remind us of our duty to be generous to those less fortunate than ourselves. South Sudan is the focus of this year’s campaign.
MASTERS IN CATHOLIC SCHOOL LEADERSHIP:
The Derry Diocesan Catechetical Centre, working in Partnership with Saint Mary’s University, Twickenham, offers this post-graduate degree dedicated to the professional development and spiritual formation of Catholic school leaders. It is a great opportunity for those currently in leadership roles and those who aspire to, or have an interest in, leadership roles within the Catholic school system. The next intake will be Autumn 2021. If you require any further information, please contact the Derry Diocesan Catechetical Centre on 028 71264087 or email tferry@derrydiocese.org.
PARISH FINANCE COUNCIL MEETING:
On Tuesday evening of this week I met with the Parish Financial Council. Matters discussed included the current financial situation of the parish and the Parish Financial Statement for the year 2020, upcoming graveyard extension project and indoor toilets, upgrade of heating system in the Community Hall, fundraising, promotion of the Charitable Donations (Gift Aid) Scheme as a means of raising funds for the parish and possibilities for the future use of Boyagh old school.
The Parish Accounts for the year 2020 show that, despite the long periods of church closure and disruption in so many ways, you remained incredibly generous and faithful to the weekly collection (envelopes, Standing Order and online payments), for which we are most grateful. The parish ran within its budget for the year, without eating in to resources, which is a fantastic achievement, given the circumstances. Well done and thank you for your loyalty and support. Sincere thanks also to those who gave donations to the parish.
Please note: A Summary Income & Expenditure Account for 2020 is now displayed on the noticeboard of our church. You are invited to take the time to view it at your convenience, when you visit the church. If anybody has any queries on it or anything they would like clarified, please do contact me.
We will be seeking your support in building up the Charitable Donations Scheme (Gift Aid) to its full potential, so that we can maximise in claiming from the Revenue Commissioners on all eligible donations – at no extra cost to you!
Graveyard extension: this proposed project is being brought to the Diocesan Building Committee this coming week for approval. The proposed plan is currently available on the church noticeboard for you to view.
I will keep you informed.
I am very grateful to the members of the Parish Finance Council for their support, good advice and counsel.
Each day of Lent everyone is encouraged to pray the Diocesan Lenten Prayer:
Loving Father, To prepare for His mission of proclaiming Your kingdom to the world
Your Son Jesus was guided by Your Holy Spirit to the quiet of the desert.
In these Lenten days, I pray that I will be guided by that same Spirit,
to a place of renewal in my heart and mind,
so that I will seek opportunities for daily personal prayer,
personal sacrifices and acts of kindness.
With Your help, may I too be truly prepared to share in the story of the
passion, death and resurrection of Jesus Your Son, our Lord. Amen.
Next Sunday, 14 March, is the Fourth Sunday of Lent. The Gospel we will listen to is St John 3:14-21, ‘Jesus’ encounter with Nicodemus.’ Check out the Readings on our parish website:
https://clonleighparish.com/sundays-mass-readings/
The Daily Mass Readings can also be accessed on our parish website: https://clonleighparish.com/todays-mass-readings/ . Alternatively, just google Clonleigh Parish readings.Or, remembering the words of Pope Francis, “The Bible is not just a beautiful book to keep on a shelf,” check out the Readings in your bible!
Covid-19 Protocols: Clonleigh Parish:
The current Clonleigh Parish protocols can be viewed by following the link to this page on our website and we recommend that you regularly check this page for any new updates:
ONLINE CONTRIBUTIONS:
Donate to the Church in the following ways:
1. Parish Envelopes
2. Online donation via our website. Click the Donate button below.
3. Standing Order. Set up a standing order through your online banking portal or – Download this form: Standing Order Form and we can set it up on your behalf. Send to or email to the Parish Office: clonleighparish@derrydiocese.org
Download our Standing Order Form
Parish Contact Details:
Parish Priest: Fr Colm @ 074-9142022
Fr Colm Mobile: 0833665530
Parish Office – Secretary: Lorna Porter @ 074-9142001
Email: clonleighparish@derrydiocese.org
Parish website: www.clonleighparish.com
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