SUNDAY 18th June 2023:
ELEVENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME:
The celebration of Corpus Christi last Sunday embodied the celebrations and liturgies of the previous number of weeks – the passion, death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus, Pentecost Sunday and Trinity Sunday. And yet, as we return to ‘Ordinary Time’ today, the focus in St Matthew’s Gospel passage, is the key message of Jesus’ ministry – our call to proclaim the Good News of the kingdom of heaven. It is in our ordinary, daily encounters that we have the opportunities to spread the light of Christ to others. However, to do so, we must first be able to see it shining in our own lives. It is through guidance by the Holy Spirit, through prayer, through Scripture and God’s everlasting gift to us of the Eucharist that we can spread the joy of faith and encourage others on their faith journey. God’s transformative love is offered to all of us.
MASS SCHEDULE THIS WEEK:
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday: 10.00am
Tuesday: 9.30am.
The Rosary is prayed each weekday, starting twenty minutes before Mass.
Saturday: Vigil Mass, 6.30pm. Sunday morning: Mass at 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
MASS INTENTIONS:
Sunday 25 June, 9.00am: Derek Currie, Tamnawood; 11.00am: Sean O’Brien, Townparks.
ANNIVERSARIES:
We pray for those whose anniversaries occur at this time. May they rest in peace:
George Clarke, Coolatee; Eamon Crawford, Lancaster; Marguriette Kennedy, Castlefin
Liam Kennedy, Strabane; Hugh Bonner, Formerly The Diamond; Alex Carolan, The Common
Elizabeth Roulston, Rossgier; Richard McGrath, Strabane; Darry McDaid, Cavanacaw.
THANK YOU for your generosity in last week’s collection, which amounted to €1,807. Sincere thanks also to those who contribute by Standing Order.
VISITATION OF THE SICK AND HOUSEBOUND will take place this week, starting each day at 11.00am:
Monday – Ballindrait, Tober & Cloughfin;
Wednesday – Rossgier, Coolatee, Porthall & Cavan Hill;
Thursday – Murlog, Lifford & Coneyburrow;
Friday – Letterkenny Road, Croaghan Heights & Drumboy.
Please let your family member or neighbour know that I will be bringing the Eucharist to them this week.
If there is anyone who is not normally visited but would like me to call, please do let me know,
and I will be more than happy to bring you the Eucharist.
WELL DONE to our First Communicants last Sunday! It was lovely to have you join in our Corpus Christi procession, in your First Holy Communion outfits, for the final of our Do This In Memory Masses. It was certainly a privilege for all of us to process with the Eucharist on the day when the church celebrates the Body and Blood of Christ. I do hope you will join us for one of our Sunday Masses every weekend and I encourage all parents to bring your children along to our Mass to celebrate with our parish family.
I am most grateful to Louise and Patricia who, throughout the year, co-ordinated the Do This In Memory Programme for the children; sincere thanks also to the parents who helped, and thanks to our three schools for their support of the parish programme. Finally, we are grateful to Kath & Qumen for imparting all their knowledge about the Mass!
WELL DONE to our 6th Class children on Thursday. We had a lovely celebration of Mass, and it was great to have so many parents, grandparents, and family members there for this Mass. Special thanks and well done to those who proclaimed the Readings, to those who read the Prayer of the Faithful, to those who brought forward the gifts and, of course, to our lovely choir! It was a very special occasion, and we continue to offer the children our prayerful support as they begin a new chapter in their lives.
ALTAR SERVERS:
If you have a child in 3rd Class up to 6th Class who would like to become an Altar Server, please let me know over the summer. Training will be provided before the start of September. I very much look forward to having Altar Servers at our Masses again, starting in September.
THANK YOU to everyone who came along to our Blessing of the Graves on Monday evening. It was a very special time of prayer for our parish, and it was lovely to see so many people – parishioners and those who travelled – gather together to prayerfully honour your loved ones who have died. We thank God for the weather holding out for the occasion, despite some threats of thunderstorms earlier in the day!
I am very grateful to everyone who helped in any way, both on the evening and in advance of the event. Thanks to the Rosary Group, the choir, the Readers, and the Stewards who did a great job in helping everyone to get parked and keeping everyone safe. Sincere thanks to the grounds staff, who do such sterling work, not just for Blessing of the Graves, but throughout the year. Special thanks to Martin Tyres for providing the lorry, which was a great facility for the occasion. Thank you to Michael Kielty and staff for providing the sound. As always, thanks to our sacristan, Hugh. The united efforts of everyone resulted in a lovely, prayerful ceremony for everyone.
Thank you for your generosity to the gate-collection. The amount contributed will be reported next weekend.
We wish our Parish Choir members, who are taking a break for the summer, a well-earned rest. Thank you very much to Raíchéal, our proficient organist, and all the choir members, for your dedication to your ministry and your valuable contribution to our 11am Masses throughout the year. It is very much appreciated.
DAY FOR LIFE 2023 is celebrated today, Sunday, 18 June. Day for Life is the day in the Church’s year dedicated to raising awareness about the meaning and value of human life at every stage and in every condition. The theme this year, ‘Listen to Her’, focuses on the experiences of a Catholic woman, Jane, in the aftermath of abortion. It tells of her journey towards healing. Jane’s story is available on catholicbishops.ie and on our parish Facebook.
Pope Francis has sent a Message to all who celebrate Day for Life today. The Pope reminds us that, “Each human being is called by God to enjoy the fullness of life and is entrusted to the maternal care of the Church.”
Pope Francis offers prayer for all who celebrate Day for Life, particularly for all expectant mothers and their families. Through the intercession of the Mother of God, the Holy Father cordially imparts his Apostolic Blessing to all participants and invokes an abundance of Divine graces.
SUMMER MASS SCHEDULE:
Starting on Sunday 2 July, we will have one Mass on Sunday morning for the summer months, at 10.00am. I warmly invite those who normally come to the 9.00am or 11.00am to come to this Mass. Our Saturday evening Vigil Mass, at 6.30pm, will continue as normal.
Don’t forget! Our second annual Parish Pilgrimage to Knock will take place on Saturday 12 August!
Further details of how you can book etc will be published next week.
DERRY DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE TO LOUGH DERG:
Parishioners are invited to join Bishop McKeown, who will lead the annual Diocesan Lough Derg pilgrimage, from Friday 23 June – Sunday 25 June. Open to age 16+. (For those for whom it is convenient, a bus will travel from St Eugene’s Cathedral, Derry). You are welcome to make your own way there are meet the pilgrims at Lough Derg. Tel +44 (0)28 71264 087 for enquiries or email lizzie.rea@derrydiocese.org
UPCOMING DATES OF NOTE FOR OUR PARISH:
DERRY DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE TO LOUGH DERG: from Friday 23 June – Sunday 25 June.
Saturday 12 August: Second Annual Parish Pilgrimage to Knock Shrine. Full details will follow.
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
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