Parish Newsletter- 3rd Sunday of Advent: Gaudete Sunday- 14th December 2025
| Mass times for the week ahead | MASS INTENTIONS |
|---|---|
| Saturday 13th December @7.00pm Clara | Eileen Johnston. Maureen & Frank Sheeran. Joseph & Cora Kelly. Claire Kelly-Devine. Tom McLoughlin. Paul Keegan. Johnny & Maisie 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. |
| Tuesday 16th December @7.30pm Clara | John & Marion Moran. Jimmy & Kitty Lowe. |
| Wednesday 17th December @7.30pm Clara | Michael Doorley. PJ Hynes. Brendan, Kathleen & deceased of Kennedy family. |
| Thursday 18th December @10.00am Clara | St. Flannan No Intention. |
| Friday 19th December @10.00am Clara | No Intention. |
| Saturday 20th December @10.00am Clara | St. Fachanan Kevin, Peggy, Pat & Mary Cornally. |
| Saturday 20th December @7.00pm Clara | Terry Daniles. Andy, Una & Eileen Hennessy. |
| Sunday 21st December @10.00am Horseleap | Matt & Elizabeth McGuinness. Maureen Mullins. |
| Sunday 21st December @11.30am Clara | Liam Corcoran (Month’s Mind). Deceased of Sawyer family. William, Josephine, Michael & Theresa Sheridan. |
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 Anne Maylott, Church Lane: recently deceased. R.I.P.
‘A greater than John the Baptist has never been seen’
In today’s Gospel we see that John the Baptist and Jesus came from very different backgrounds and experiences. They had radically different understandings of God and of God’s Kingdom. We could probably say their understandings were contradictory! However, in God there is no contradiction. God is “the alpha and the omega; the first and the last; the beginning and the end”. God is greater, higher, deeper, wider that anything we say or believe. At the end of the Gospel this week, Jesus acknowledges the greatness of John. Though they were so different they were sincere and genuine in their search for God. Sincerity and authenticity are so much greater than intellectual or moral differences. The greatness of John and Jesus, and their ability to break through their differences and doubts and remain friends, shouts to us from the rooftops that, no matter what we are told by the Kings of this world, tolerance and acceptance of the differences between us will outlast prejudice, hate and the lies people tell to sow fear for their own gain.
The pink candle, lit today on Gaudete Sunday, symbolizes a shift in tone within the Advent journey. The preceding weeks have been characterized by themes of hope, love, and anticipation. The lighting of the pink candle today introduces an element of rejoicing and exuberant expectation, emphasizing the imminent joy of the Birth of Jesus and the profound significance of God becoming one of us.
The word Gaudete is latin for REJOICE. In times when the focus of our anticipation is negative or fearful, this celebration is a reminder that God who loves us, is still in charge and that we should wait for his coming, not with fear, but with tremendous joy and anticipation.
Collections 6th/7th December- Development Fund: €1,575; Plate: €840; Christmas Offerings: €80.
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 11.00am before Mass in Clara for the Sundays of Advent, finishing on Christmas morning.
Come and receive God’s Mercy! The Sacrament of God’s Forgiveness will be celebrated at all Masses next weekend.
Advent in the Carmelite Church, Moate: ‘Preparing the Way’: this Sunday 14th December, St. Vincent De Paul annual carol service at 6.00pm. Wednesday 17th December, Reconciliation service 8.00pm-9.00pm led by Fr. Vincent Sherlock PP Tubbercurry.
The Church of Ireland Christmas Carol Service will take place on Saturday 20th December at 8.00pm. All Welcome!
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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