Bereavement Support One—to—one

Bereavement Support - confidentiality

assured. No appointment necessary and no

costs involved. At the Armagh Diocesan

Pastoral Centre, The Magnet, The Demesne,

Dundalk, every Thurs morning from 10.30am –

12.30pm Enquiries please call 042-9336393

between 10am – 2pm.

Drogheda Accord Marriage Preparation

courses for 2014. Courses will take place over

the year on the following dates: January 17 &

18 — February 7 & 8 — March 7 & 8 — April

11 & 12 — May 16 & 17 — September 19 &

20 — October 10 & 11 — November 14 & 15.

To book please call 041-984 3860. Website -

accorddrogheda@eircom.net.

Clogherhead Credit Union Going to College? Improving you home? Changing your car? Special Occasion?

Clogherhead Credit Union offers a competitive rate for loans. Flexible 3rd level Student loans at a great rate now available.

Terms & Conditions apply. Open Daily. Phone 041-982 2951.

Advent Prayer

Father in heaven, our hearts desire the warmth of your love and our minds

are searching for the light of your Word. Increase our longing for Christ our

Saviour and give us the strength to grow in love, that the dawn of his coming

may find us rejoicing in his presence and welcoming the light of his truth.

We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord. Amen

I r ish Blood Transfusion Service

HELP US TO HELP OTHERS

The mobile unit visits the Dunleer area and you have the opportunity of giving blood at

SCOIL UÍ MHUIRÍ, DUNLEER

tomorrow Monday 16th December from 5.30pm — 9.00pm

Please note the new venue and Clinic opening times.

It is important that we all remember that many patients in hospitals need our blood and this

need never ceases.

PLEASE SUPPORT

THIS ESSENTIAL SERVICE

Further info. Mrs Margaret Flood, 5 Church View, Dunleer, Co. Louth.

Tel. 041 685 1567

Coping Programme

On January 16th, 23rd, 30th, February 6th, 13th

2014. 5 Sessions Thursday Nights 8pm – 10pm.

In the Armagh Diocesan Pastoral Centre, The

Magnet, The Demesne, Dundalk. Enquiries

please call 042-9336393 between 10am – 2pm.

A Ceremony of Carols with Dundalk Institute

of Technology Choir and Chamber Orchestra

will take place on Thursday 19 December 2013

at 7.30pm in the Church of the Holy Redeemer,

Ard Easmuinn, Dundalk, presented by Ceol

Oirghialla, DkIT. Admission is Free. To reserve

tickets please contact 042 9370280 or email

ann.coffey@dkit.ie

ARCHDIOCESE OF ARMAGH

Clogherhead Parish St Colmcille’s Pastoral Area

Mission Statement - To build bridges, bring together and renew the parish community

in a spirit of faith, trust and hope through loving service of God and our neighbour www.clogherhead.myparish.eu

E-mail: clogherheadparish@hotmail.com

THE ARCHDIOCESE OF ARMAGH — REVIEW OF SAFEGUARDING PRACTICE

On Tuesday 10 December past Cardinal Seán Brady published the Review of Safeguarding

Practice in the Archdiocese of Armagh by the National Board for Safeguarding Children in the

Catholic Church in Ireland (NBSCCCI)

The Review has found that safeguarding practice in the Archdiocese of Armagh conforms to

the highest national standards. Cardinal Brady expressed his immense gratitude to the

multitude of lay representatives and clergy who have worked hard to attain these high

standards.

Cardinal Brady repeated his apology to those who have been abused, saying that they had

suffered terribly and that he was truly sorry.

While acknowledging the Report’s findings that the response in the past was not as robust

and coordinated as in the present, the Review recognises that the archdiocese is fully

committed to safeguarding children and young people; it also acknowledges that all current

child protection concerns are reported fully and without delay to the Police and Social

Services. The reviewers established that forty five out of the forty eight assessment criteria

have been “fully met” and the remaining three have been “partially met”.

At all times, however, whenever and wherever children are involved in Church activities,

“vigilance” shall continue to be the watchword of the Archdiocese of Armagh.

As part of our outreach to those who have suffered, the Archdiocese of Armagh supports the

work of Towards Healing (contact details below), a counselling and psychotherapy service for

those who have been abused as children by people working for the Catholic Church in Ireland.

Your Parish Priest will be able to obtain a full copy of the Review for any parishioner who requests

same or you may download the full Review Report yourself from the Armagh diocesan website:

www.archdioceseofarmagh.com

Towards Healing Website: www.towardshealing.ie Freephone: 1800 303 416

Third Sunday of Advent Gaudete Sunday 15th December 2013

Sunday Cycle A Psalter Week 3 Weekday Proper

St Michael Clogherhead Sts Peter & Paul Walshestown

Fr. Martin McVeigh P.P. Parochial House 041 982 2438

Fr. William Murtagh P.E.A.P. 041 982 2224

Sacristans: St Michael’s Maura Kearney 041 982 2211; Sts. Peter & Paul’s May Caffrey 041 685 2097

Parish Schools: St Denis’ Callystown 041 982 2873 Principal Mr Ambrose McGinnity

St Paul’s Walshestown 041 685 2285 Principal Mrs Nóra Molloy

Parish Secretary: Ann McEvoy at Parochial House Wednesday 9.30 - 12.30 pm & Friday 2.30 – 5.30 pm

041 982 2438 or 087 648 6809

Mass Times

Clogherhead — St Michael’s: Vigil (Sat) 7.30pm, Sunday 11.30am

Walshestown — Sts Peter & Paul’s: Sunday 10.00am

______________

Weekday Masses St Michael’s: Mon. 11am;

Tues., Thurs. & Fri. 9.00am

We pray for our deceased relatives & friends, the Parish List of the Dead, deceased benefactors

of the Parish, the recently deceased: Sheila Devine, Freda Doherty, Kevin Stanley, Luke

Sharkey, Evelyn Breen, and those for whom Masses are offered:

M a s s

Intentions

St Michael, Clogherhead

Vigil Darryl Tallon, Owen Maguire,

Dermot Campbell, Michael & Catherine McLeer & Family

Sunday Janey & Joe Rath

Monday Sheila Devine (funeral Mass 11am)

Tuesday Brendan & Joan Gogan,

Ann & Renaus & Ray Harrington

Thursday David Gallagher & Geraldine Gallagher

Friday Phil Kirk, Kevin Robinson

Next Vigil Hugh O’Kane (1st Anniv.) Greenhills, Julia Byrne,

John McMahon, Larry, Maggie & Jane Kirwan (Harbour Road),

Eugene McKenna, Lil McKenna, Jonathan McKenna,

John Smith

Next Sunday Philip Moore, Mary & Christy Mitchell,

Robert Fanning, Martin Dawe, Kate & Joseph Smith,

Jane & Paddy Byrne & Family members.

Last week’s Sunday Church plate &

envelope collection for the Parish Development

Fund: 91 envelopes received totalling €742.90.

Loose Plate €350.70. The Special Collection

amounted to €676.00, Grateful thanks.

St. Vincent de Paul: Assistance available

Contact 086 — 039 0612 or 041 — 983 5914

It is intended to have another clean up of Sts Peter & Pauls Church, Walshestown in time for Christmas. Volunteers are asked to come along this Tuesday 17 th December @ 7pm and to bring any cleaning materials they can, eg. Brushes, dusters, polish, brasso etc.

Sts Peter & Paul, Walshestown

Sunday Msgr. George Tancred

Next Sunday

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord,

and let perpetual light

shine upon them.

May the souls of the faithful departed,

through the mercy of God,

rest in peace. Amen.

Diocesan Safeguarding Officer Pat McGlew 0044 784 110 1687

Parish Safeguarding Representative Nora Molloy 086 894 9320

Order of Malta Services annual Church Gate Collection this weekend.

O Jesus, send labourers into your fields which

are awaiting holy apostles, saintly priests,

heroic missionaries and dedicated sisters and

brothers. Enkindle in the hearts of men and

women the spark of a vocation. Grant that

Christian families may desire to give your

Church helpers in the work of tomorrow. Amen.

SEEING YOUR LIFE THROUGH THE LENS OF THE GOSPELS

Matthew 11:2-11

1 In response to the question of John, Jesus let his actions speak for him. Some people show by the

way they live what it means to be a follower of Jesus. Who has given you such an example?

Perhaps there have been times when you have done the same for others.

2 John made a journey of faith from an incomplete knowledge of Jesus to a deeper understanding

of who he was. Recall similar steps in your journey of faith.

3 Faith is not primarily about answering abstract theological questions but about living the gospel.

What in your life has helped you to get that sense of perspective? 4 John marked the end of an era, Jesus the beginning of a new one. In our lives how do we honour the past and yet be free to move on into a new era? john byrne osa

Clogherhead Calendars on Sale throughout

the Village and available from any of the

Clogherhead Development Group

committee.

Trócaire Christmas Gifts this year Trócaire have a brand new range of gifts which you may

consider as a thoughtful gift for family and friends. Each gift is sourced locally in the country

where it is needed, so whatever gift you choose, you can be sure that 100% of its value will go to

the developing country. Prices start at only €7. To find out more call 1850 408 408 or visit —

www. Trocaire.org/gifts. “It is in giving that we receive” (St. Francis of Assisi).

GIFTS FOR THE POOR THIS WEEKEND IN ST MICHAEL’S AND STS. PETER & PAUL’S:

toys and non-perishable foods You can still leave them by Monday for Eamon Victory to

bring them to the St Vincent de Paul for distribution to needy families in our Parish

and area.

We welcome the children and families who came

to the 10am Sunday Mass this morning in SSts

Peter & Paul’s for the special celebration in

preparation for Christ’s birth next week. A word

of sincere thanks to Carmel and to the Principal

and teachers and ancillary staff of St Paul’s and to

the parents for the obvious preparation and care

that went in to today’s ceremony. Well done all!

Christmas Mass Times

Christmas Eve Vigil Masses:

Sts Peter & Paul, Walshestown @ 7.30pm

St. Michael’s @ 9.00pm

Christmas Day Masses:

Sts Peter & Paul, Walshestown @ 10.00am

St. Michael’s @ 11.00am

Christmas Confessions

St. Michael’s Church :

Saturday 21st @ 6.30-7.15pm

Monday 23rd & Tuesday 24th 9.30-10.00am

Finance Committee Meeting on Monday evening

16th December @ 8pm in the Parochial House.

Help Needed! Has anyone the time to help

decorate St. Michael’s Church for Christmas?

Please contact Maura @ 041 982 2211.

Christmas Family Quiz

and Santa Visit Fun Family Quiz will be taking place in

Callystown School from 3pm to 5pm to-day

Sunday 15th December with great

prizes. Santa will be arriving to meet all the

children from 3pm. The Monster Christmas

Raffle will take place on the day. Everyone

welcome to come along to what should be a

great fun day!