Parish Newsletter- 2nd Sunday of Advent: 7th December 2025
| Mass times for the week ahead | MASS INTENTIONS |
|---|---|
| Saturday 6th December @7.00pm Clara | Michael Henry & Mary T. White. |
| Sunday 7th December @10.00am Horseleap | Nancy Montgomery. Lena & Patrick Hughes. Bernadette and deceased of Digan family. Ita, Mary Bridget & John McGuinness. |
| Sunday 7th December @11.30am Clara | Nicky Keegan. Michael Nestor. Edward Grennan. Imelda Gibbons |
| Monday 8th December @10.00am Clara | Feast of the Immaculate Conception of Mary. |
| Monday 8th December @7.00pm Horseleap | Feast of the Immaculate Conception of Mary. |
| Tuesday 9th December @7.30pm Clara | Noel & Margaret O’Brien. |
| Wednesday 10th December @7.30pm Clara | Our Lady of Loretto. Deceased Musicians of Clara. Michael & Elizabeth Baggot. Sonia Murphy. |
| Thursday 11th December @10.00am Clara | St. Damasus 1 John & Annie Dunne. |
| Friday 12th December @10.00am Clara | St. Finnian. Patron Saint of Diocese of Meath. Baby Pulinchuvattil. |
| Saturday 13th December @10.00am Clara | St. Lucy John Buckley. Henry, Annie, Jimmy & Michael Dunne. Nora Newman. Kathleen Broadbent. |
| Saturday 13th December @7.00pm Clara | Eileen Johnston. Maureen & Frank Sheeran. Joseph & Cora Kelly. Claire Kelly Devine. Tom McLoughlin. Paul Keegan. Johnny & Misie Graham. Sean & Bridget McCaffrey. Mena Flynn. Jimmy Guinan. Catherine & Kathleen Fox. Jack & Ellen & deceased of Bracken family |
| Sunday 14th December @10.00am Horseleap | Willie Maxwell. Michael & Kathleen Kelly. Eugene Lynam. Patricia Handibode |
| Sunday 14th December @11.30am Clara | Anthony Kinahan (Month’s Mind). Deceased of Clara GAA. Ann Berry. Margaret Cunningham. Catch, Carmel & Marian Feehan. Ken & Anne Marie Smollen. John Tracey. |
Adoration of the Blessed Eucharist
CLARA: Monday & Friday – 5.00pm-6.00pm
CLARA: Tuesday & Wednesday – after 7.30pm Mass to 9.00pm.
HORSELEAP: Tuesday – 7.00pm-9.00pm
All are welcome!
Come and find peace in the Lord.
Please pray for Brendan O’Meara, Oratory Row; for Nena Vinten Sawyer, Clara/UK; and for Shelia Dixon (Fleming), Clara/UK: all recently deceased. R.I.P.
The One Who Follows Me Will Baptize You With The Holy Spirit And Fire
During this season of Advent, John the Baptist calls out to us, imploring us to ‘Get right with God,’ he tells us. ‘Repent. Seize the day, this day.’
Looked at another way: He’s the saint of starting over. He is the saint of “I’m sorry. Let’s talk.” He is the saint of “Where did I go wrong?” and “How can I make this right?” He is the saint of “I’m addicted and I need help.” He is the saint of “Bless me, father, for I have sinned” He is the saint of the slammed door being re-opened, the phone being picked up, the broken fence being mended, the raw wound being healed. Last week, we began a new liturgical year. Seen that way, this is a time for making New Year’s resolutions. It is a time for resolving to live differently, pray differently, love differently. It’s a moment to resolve to make room for God — the One who will be coming to us as a child, and arriving in a world that, as the Gospel puts it, had no room for him. This is a moment to hear from the saint of second chances — and take hold of every chance that comes our way. There is plenty of time ahead to prepare for Christmas; cards are waiting to be signed and lights to be hung. But perhaps more importantly, here and now, let’s listen to John the Baptist. Let’s use this early moment in Advent to prepare for Christ. As another prophet tells us in the first reading: “A shoot will sprout and a bud shall blossom.” The world is about to be made new. Are we ready??
The Second Candle on the Advent Wreath represents PEACE. It is called the ‘Bethlehem Candle’ as a reminder of Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem.
Collections 29th/30th November- Development Fund: €1,100; Plate: €735; October Offerings: €40.
Thank You Very Much!
For less than the cost of a cup of coffee, you can support our parish with a quick and simple donation, by simply clicking the button below:
Rosary will be recited at 11am before Mass in Clara for the Sundays of Advent, finishing on Christmas morning.
Advent in the Carmelite Church, Moate: ‘Preparing the Way’ Wednesday 10th December- Taize Prayer Service 8.00-9.00pm. Sunday 14th December, St. Vincent De Paul annual carol service at 6.00pm. Wednesday 17th December, Reconciliation service 8.00-9.00pm led by Fr. Vincent Sherlock PP Tubbercurry.
Annual Samaritan Christmas Concert takes place on Thursday 11th December in SS Peter and Paul’s Church, Athlone, at 8.00pm, featuring the Army Band of the 2nd Brigade, Athlone Pipe Band. Tickets: €20. Mulligan’s Roscommon Rd, Cunningham’s Pharmacies and Athlone Printing.com. The Samaritans are available 24hrs on free call 116 123 for anyone who is troubled or needs to talk to someone in confidence.
Clara Town Band present ‘Carols By Candlelight’ Friday 12th December at 7.00pm in St. Brigid’s Church, Clara.
Scoil Phroinsiais Naofa: Our Annual Christmas Coffee Morning and Raffle will take place on Friday, December 12th from 10.00am – 12.00noon. All Welcome. We wish to thank you for your support during the year, especially with our Fundraiser for our new playground.
Have Your Say about your Catholic School! For the Attention of Parents of children attending Primary Schools or have yet to start: the Dept. of Education is currently conducting a Primary School Survey that will determine the future provision of Primary Schools and crucially could lead to lasting changes in your school. In simple, direct terms, you are being asked if you want your school to stay a Catholic school or if you want that to change. Don’t leave it to others, have your say before 16th of December. To complete the survey, see – gov.ie/primaryschoolsurvey.
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