SUNDAY 25th DECEMBER 2022
NATIVITY OF THE LORD
MASS SCHEDULE & LITURGIES THIS WEEK:
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday: 10.00am
Friday, Feast of the Holy Family: 10.00am and 7.00pm (First Anniversary Patrick Dooher)
Rosary commences 20 minutes before morning Mass
Saturday, 31 December: Vigil Mass, for Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God: 6.30pm.
Immediately after our 6.30pm Vigil Mass on Saturday, at 7.15pm, we will have a special liturgy,
including guided prayer, quiet prayer time and reflection, in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament,
to thank God for the blessings of 2022 and to pray His blessing on all our families for 2023.
Sunday 1 January: Mass for Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God: 9.00am and 11.00am
All Masses are livestreamed on our webcam; 11.00am Mass on Sunday is broadcast by Finn Valley Radio, 95.8FM
†
Conleth Tourish, late of John Wesley St, Strabane, and formerly of Curraghalane
As a parish faith community, we offer our sympathy and our prayerful support to all who mourn the death of Conleth; to Mary, Carmel, William, Patrick, Yvonne and Fidelma and to the wider family circle and friends of Conleth, whose Funeral Mass took place in St Patrick’s on Monday. May he rest in peace.
†
Bobby Porter, late of Rossgier, Lifford
As a parish faith community, we offer our sympathy and our prayerful support to all who mourn the death of Bobby; to Becky, to Carole, Kym, Robyn, Shane, Gail, Leigh and Ray, to the daughters-in-law, sons-in-law, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, to Gary, Niall, Mary, Elva, Teenie, Pauline, Margaret and Vie, and to the wider family circle and friends of Bobby, whose Funeral Mass took place in St Patrick’s on Monday. May he rest in peace.
MASS INTENTIONS:
Monday 26 December (St Stephen’s Day), 10.00am: Pat McGirr, Drumboy
Tuesday 27 December, 10.00am: Caroline McBride, Croaghan Heights,
Friday 30 December, 10.00am: John Dooher; 7.00pm Patrick Dooher, The Fields, Boyagh (First Anniversary).
ANNIVERSARIES:
We pray for those whose anniversaries occur at this time. May they rest in peace:
Kathleen Montague, Strabane; Pauline McCallion, Cavan, Ballindrait; Shaun Buchanan, Ballindrait
Patrick Gallagher, Sheercloon; Mgr Hugh Clarke, Porthall; Charles Clarke, Porthall; Sarah McBride, Scotland
Thomas and Elizabeth Doherty, Porthall; Helen McDonald, Letterkenny; Margaret Ann Patton, Carrigans; Vincent Crawford Snr, Porthall; Sarah Kelly, Butcher Street; Elizabeth Caulfield, Gallows Lane; Isobel Hoare, Tamnawood.
THE FEAST OF THE HOLY FAMILY is normally celebrated on the Sunday between Christmas Day and the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God (1 January). When a Sunday does not occur between 25 December and 1 January, the Feast of the Holy Family is celebrated on 30 December, as is happening this year (Friday of this week). We will have Mass for Feast of the Holy Family at 10.00am and 7.00pm on Friday (30 December).
THANK YOU for your generosity in last week’s collection, which amounted to £1,953 and, indeed for your generosity to the collection throughout the year. Thank you also to all who contribute by Standing Order or online.
THANK YOU! I am delighted to report that the amount received back from the Revenue Commissioners under the Gift Aid (Charitable Donations) Scheme in our parish this year reached almost €10,000 (€9,856 with, perhaps, a residual amount to come in). This is fantastic and has been achieved through your generosity and your co-operation in joining in the scheme. Well done to everyone who contributed to this achievement. With our substantially increased energy costs this year, this is a very welcome source of income and, happily, at no extra cost to those who have signed up for the scheme. Thank you!
CHRISTMAS MESSAGE:
As we gather together to celebrate Christmas, each of us does so with our own memories of 2022. It will have brought joys and sadness, and highs and lows, at different levels, to individuals and to families. In celebrating the birth of the Christ-Child, we share in the joy of the families of our parish who celebrated the birth of a child this year. We share in the joy of those who have been privileged to celebrate other joyous milestones and occasions this year. At the same time, we share in the sadness of those who suffered the loss of a loved one during the course of the year. We also share in the worries of those who have health concerns, those who are struggling financially, and all who have worries and troubles of any kind in their lives. We pray that the celebration of the birth of Jesus, and His constant presence in our lives, will bring peace and joy to all.
We pray for those who have died this year. May they share in the everlasting light and peace of Christ.
I thank God for all with which we have been blessed as a parish faith community this year and for the witness of you, the People of God; thank you for all you have done to support and develop our parish, at so many different levels. I was so pleased this year that we were finally able to return, albeit gradually, to normality again, after two years of Covid restrictions. I have been delighted that our various ‘working groups’ have been able to get up and running, playing an active role in the life and happenings of our church and parish. Our Saturday evening Vigil Mass has been greatly enhanced this year, with the introduction of our great Folk Choir. In August this year, many of us were privileged to unite in prayer, in honour of Our Lady, in our lovely Parish Pilgrimage to Knock. I have been so pleased this year also that we have been able to get our Do This In Memory programme up and running, in support of our First Holy Communion children. The liturgical highlight of our year was, of course, our Parish Mission at the start of October; it was a great privilege for me to have journeyed with you through these very special days of prayer and renewal in our parish. Thank you, one and all.
At parish property level, this too was the year we were able to complete our graveyard extension project and commence our ‘indoor toilet’ project at the church, which is now well under way. Thank you for your patience!
The greatest blessing that our parish can have is for its parishioners come along, as families, to Sunday Mass. It is particularly heartening to see young families coming out to the celebration of the Eucharist. I encourage all our families to make a special effort this coming year to attend one of our Sunday Masses. May God’s house be a place where our children will be familiar faces and active members.
I wish you all a very happy Christmas. I thank you very much for your kindness and support to me throughout the year. Thank you to those who have sent or given me cards and gifts, and for your words of encouragement. It is much appreciated. Thank you especially for your prayers. I can assure you of my prayer for you all and I pray that the peace, joy and true meaning of Christmas will be at the heart of your homes and families as we celebrate the Birth of Jesus.
May the blessings of the Christ Child be upon you all.
Fr Colm.
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 Twitter: @clonleighparish
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