SUNDAY 24th September 2023:
TWENTY-FIFTH SUNDAY ORDINARY TIME
The core message of today’s parable is that God’s love is a free gift open to all of us – it is not for us to decide who is eligible to receive. God’s mercy is there for everyone – it is not for us to judge on who is entitled to it. His kingdom is open to all His children – it is not our place to pick who should be first and who should be last to enter.
We hear the Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard today. As God’s children, we are all called to be workers in His vineyard, to help build His kingdom. Just like the workers that we hear of in the parable today, we don’t always pull our weight – we too sometimes ‘stand idle’. God does not punish us for this; He continues to welcome us into His fold when we turn to Him. We are all equal in His eyes and He wants us all to build His kingdom together, in a spirit of love and understanding. God of mercy and compassion, pray for us.
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).
Saturday: Vigil Mass, 6.30pm. Sunday: Mass at 9.00am &11.00am
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:
Eleanor Clarke, Porthall; Jimmy Lawrence, Drumleen; Christopher Lawrence, Drumleen
Fr William McGaughey; Margaret Buchanan, Mullinaveigh; Donal McCauley, Rossgier
John James McDermott, Rossgier; Danielle Melaugh, Liskey; Elizabeth O’Kane, Castlefin
Jim Burns, Lifford Common.
MASS INTENTIONS:
Friday 29 September, 10.00am: Joseph Crawford, Burnley,
whose Funeral takes place in Burnley on this day. May he rest in peace.
THANK YOU for your generosity in last week’s collections: €2,869. Thank you also for your contributions to the Trust Fund for Retired Priests collection, £510.
A Prayer Assembly will be held this Wednesday, (27 September), in Cloughfin N S to ask God’s blessing on the new school year for the children and the teachers.
The Opening of School Year Mass for Lifford N S will be held on Friday of this week (29September) at 11.15am in the Community Centre (beside the school). All parents, guardians, grandparents, siblings and other family members are invited to come along. Please note the venue!
ENVELOPE BOXES FOR THE COMING YEAR:
The new boxes for 2023/2024 begin next Sunday, 1 October. They will be distributed to the homes during this week. I ask that those who normally distribute them call to the sacristy after Mass to collect the boxes for your area. Thank you very much for undertaking this task on behalf of the parish.
If there is anyone who has not had an envelope before and is now in a financial position to start contributing to the weekly collection, please let Lorna in the parish office or myself know this week and we will be glad to provide you with an envelope box. The envelope collection is, as you know, our main source of income and is essential to the day-to-day running costs of the parish. Thank you, as always, for your ongoing generous support of the parish.
CLONLEIGH PARISH – JUBILEE YEAR 2024:
An initial meeting will take place in Murlog School on Monday 2 October, at 7.30pm. I would like as many as possible to come along, please, to this meeting so that, together, we can have a chat and come up with some ideas about how we might celebrate our Jubilee Year in 2024.
FOR ATTENTION OF PARENTS OF CHILDREN CELEBRATING FIRST HOLY COMMUNION IN 2024:
‘DO THIS IN MEMORY’ PROGRAMME: The Information Evening for parents of children who will be preparing for the Sacraments of First Penance and First Holy Communion in 2024 takes place tomorrow evening, (Monday 25 September), at 7.30pm in Murlog National School. At this gathering we will explain the outline of the Do This in Memory Programme which begins in October and the timetable for the months ahead. This is a parish support programme for the children’s preparation, along with the schools, and I hope that full participation will be made by everyone.
The programme itself will start with Enrolment Sunday, next Sunday, 1 October, at the 11.00am Mass.
I very much look forward to your co-operation and participation, as it is very important that all the children will be well prepared to receive the Sacraments. Thank you.
Clonleigh Church of Ireland Lifford is hosting its Harvest Thanksgiving Service this evening, Sunday 24 September, at 7.30pm. Preacher will be Rev Liz Fitzgerald, Dean of Raphoe. Tea in the parish hall afterwards and all are welcome.
FEAST DAY OF ST VINCENT DE PAUL, Patron Saint of charitable works and societies, is celebrated on 27 September (Wednesday of this week). We take the opportunity this Day presents to express our sincere thanks and appreciation to those in our parish who give of their time to help others through their charitable work with SVP. The work of SVP is only possible, of course, through the support (financial and other) of parishioners. Thank you for all that you do to enable and facilitate the work of the SVP members in our parish community.
The local helpline number is 087 4647 991. Please know that all calls are in the strictest confidence.
“Charity is the cement that binds communities to God and individuals to one another” St Vincent de Paul.
HARVEST THANKSGIVING:
FLU VACCINATION CLINIC / COVID BOOSTER CLINIC in Castlefin Health Centre this Friday, 29 September, 2 – 4pm. The clinic is open to any patient registered with the Practice aged 65 years and over, anyone aged 18+ with any underlying conditions, and healthcare workers. It must be four months since your last covid vaccine booster and four months since any covid infection. If you wish to avail of this, call Lifford Health Centre on 074 9141024 to book an appointment.
World Day of Migrants and Refugees is celebrated in the Catholic Church today.
We pray today for those forced to flee their country in desperation from hunger, war and other grave dangers, in search of security, dignity and a safe life for themselves and for their families. As we do so, we note the words of Pope Francis in his Message for this Day:
“ ‘They took their livestock and the goods that they had acquired in the land of Canaan, and they came into Egypt, Jacob and all his offspring with him’ (Gen 46:6). A grave famine forced Jacob and his entire family to seek refuge in Egypt, where his son Joseph ensured their survival. Persecutions, wars, atmospheric phenomena and dire poverty are among the most visible causes of forced migrations today. Migrants flee because of poverty, fear or desperation. Eliminating these causes and thus putting an end to forced migration calls for shared commitment on the part of all, in accordance with the responsibilities of each. This commitment begins with asking what we can do, but also what we need to stop doing. We need to make every effort to halt the arms race, economic colonialism, the plundering of other people’s resources and the devastation of our common home.”
An Immigrant Prayer
Lord, make us bearers of hope, so that, where there is darkness, Your light may shine,
and where this is discouragement, confidence in the future may be reborn.
Lord, make us instruments of Your justice, so that, where there is exclusion,
fraternity may flourish, and where there is greed, a spirit of sharing may grow.
Lord, make us builders of Your kingdom, together with migrants and refugees,
and with all who dwell on the peripheries.
Lord, let us learn how beautiful it is to live together as brothers and sisters. Amen.
SEASON OF CREATION 1 SEPTEMBER – 4 OCTOBER (Feast of St Francis of Assisi)
“Because all creatures are connected, each must be cherished with love and respect,
for all of us as living creatures are dependent on one another.” From Laudato Sί
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