GAA News from Conor Killeen

Presentation Night

Shannonbridge GAA club will hold a presentation night for the Division three Football league Winners who beat Rhode in the Final of the competition in October last.

The function takes place this Friday in the Old Fort Restaurant at 8.30. All are welcome, tickets are on sale for €20 and can be obtained from club officials .

You're a Star
Louise Killeen gave a another fine performance on Sunday night last in the Helix when she qualified for the next round of the You're a Star competition with her version of the David Bowie classic "Star Man".

The Shannonbridge song Writer was trilled to qualify to the next round
and thanked all the people of her home town and the midlands for their continued support in the Competition.

Next Sunday Louise will perform her own song "Starstruck". Shannonbridge GAA club hope that everybody will continue to support Louise in her bid to progress further in the Song contest .

Speedy recovery

Shannonbridge GAA club wish a speedy recovery to Dermot Turley who picked up a serious Shoulder injury while playing with the Bridge in a challenge
game against Loughrea last Sunday week.

Congratulations
Shannonbridge GAA club wish to congratulate Footballer Fergal McEvoy and his wife Eilis on the recent birth of their Son Adam.

Roscommon County Council has widened the roadway to Ballinasloe from around the turn into Correen Ford and has built new concrete walls to replace the old stone walls. But don’t despair. Aiden Carry has been employed to face the concrete with the natural stone on the mouth of the Correen roadway. He is using stone that was taken from the old walls and stone that came from the old Clonfad Church. This stone was stored in the bog and is now being put to good use. Well done to all concerned.

Our Kate in Uganda girl has been off visiting foreign parts for the past few months and is presently in Vietnam. We hear that she is texting some great stories and descriptions of the people and locations and if you are good hopefully she will share some of them with readers of this website.

On Saturday night three people arrived in around 8 pm and one of them said “I’m Freddy Mc Knight and this is Sid Shine and this boy is my grandson”. They were travelling by river and were taking The Fox, a barge, from Dromineer to Athlone. The Fox is the home of Sid Shine and it had been in Dromineer to have its wheelhouse refitted. They ran out of time and were staying overnight in Shannonbridge. Mick arrived in from evening Mass and in a few minutes Sid Shine was playing the piano playing a bagful of old favourites like – As time goes by, Danny Boy, Pennsylvania 6500, Big red rose, When you’re smiling, I love you because you understand, I could have danced all night, Cruising down the river, etc etc.

Sid once owned The Crescent Ballroom from 1948 to 1962 and his band Sid & The Saints provided the dance music. He also owned The Jolly Mariner Pub in Athlone.

Sid told us that he celebrated his 85^th Birthday last July. You can drop him a belated birthday card c/o The Fox Barge, Athlone, Ireland. He looks mighty fit and well.

Shannonbridge Active Retirement group started off their 2006 programme with Mass in Ard Chiarain this evening followed by a welcome cup of tea afterwards provided by Sisters Maura and Marie. They will get together after 10 am Mass on each Tuesday morning and old and new members are welcome.

Had a call from Brendan Scanlon, Birmingham? this morning telling that he is well and had looked at Louise on ‘You’re a Star’ last night. Louise sang Star Man, a David Bowie song. After last night seven acts remain including five solo girl singers, a male duo and a quartet of four girls. Louise will keep you updated on her webpage www.louisekilleen.com I think she will be singing one of her own songs next week and the week after the theme is A Love Song.

The Table Quiz in Killeens on this Wednesday night is in aid of Louise and she hopes to be around for it. Come along to support her or listen.

A number of people around are sick and a few little prayers might not go amiss. About a dozen come to mind and the first letter of their Christian names read K,J,M,J,G,P,E,R,M,A,U,M. Every little helps.

The paper today tells us that so far in January 36 people were killed on Irish roads. There was heavy fog around for most of the day with fairly heavy frost at night. The sun broke through for two hours this afternoon.

Meath beat Offaly in The O’Byrne Cup Gaelic Football Final yesterday. While eating lunch I was half listening to the local radio commentary and was convinced Offaly had it all wrapped up. Meath won by three goals or nine points.

Must say Happy Birthday to the nephew Robert in Dublin. By co-incidence Tullamore staged the musical 42^nd Street only last week.

The hairdresser Ultan Keena who works in Athlone was telling Pat that he is one of a family of 13 children and they live in Bel-Air near Boher, which was once the home of the Daly Family. The Daly family had four children who all became doctors with three of them in the USA and one in Meath. By co-incidence Mrs Daly was a Keena. Ultan thinks they are not related. Ultan often takes off into a Michael Flatley type dance so perhaps they are not.

A group of University students stopped off on Saturday after visiting Clonmacnois and the professor that was leading the group told us that they were studying church architecture. They had been in Rome for a few days and were now trying to find out what effect, if any, the Roman architecture had on Irish monasteries. He had been to Saint Brendan’s in Clonfert many times and knew in which house the church key was kept.

The draw for the European 2008 international soccer competition was made at the weekend. Ireland was drawn in Group D along with Czech Republic, Germany, Slovakia, Wales, Cyprus and San Marino. Two teams to qualify and four of the more important home games will be played in Croke Park as agreed with the GAA. Steve Staunton is the newly appointed manager and he has the veteran Englishman Bobby Robson as his assistant.

The RTE Guide at the weekend had a free poster on Wading Birds and a CD of some of the birds recorded around the country.

Peter the fisherman caught a pike that weighed 25 Lb last Friday using a dead fish as bait.

The river level was 3.5 Metres on Saturday and it has dropped to 3.4 Metres this morning.

Congratulations to our "Star Woman" Louise on progressing to the last 7 of "You're a Star", watch her sing David Bowie's "Starman" on her website - www.louisekilleen.com.

Clonmacnois Parish Newsletter
Sunday 29th Jan 2006 - 4th Sun B
Tel (090) 9674125
Fax (090) 9674267
E-mail. Parishnewsletter@eircom.net

Shannonbridge
Masses: Each day @ 10am; also on the First Fri @ 7pm, with the blessing of throats (feast of St Blaise). Adoration all day on Friday
Thurs is the feast of Candlemas: blessing of Candles during Mass.
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €557. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: G.Brennan, D.Deeley, C.Quinn
Eucharistic ministers: Group 3
Readers for next Weekend: E.Quinn, P.Corbett
Altar Servers: Darragh, Graham, Megan, Ciara, Amy
Mass on next Sat eve for Mary Mannion & family deceased.

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Clonfanlough
Mass on Thurs eve (Candlemas Day) @ 7pm, with the blessing of candles & throats, and in anticipation of the First Friday.
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €215. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: M.Halligan, M.Kelly
Readers for next Sunday: D.Norton
Altar Servers for next Sunday: Group 1
Eucharistic minister for next Sunday: K.Kelly
Mass on next Sun for the late Tommy & Rose Rohan
Remembrance Service in Portiuncula Hospital
For parents who have suffered bereavement through the death of their children, miscarriage or stillbirth.
Thurs 2nd Feb @ 7,30pm in the Hospital Chapel
????
Vacancies in Fás Scheme
Positions are available for Clerical Adm (1) and operatives in the Ferbane, Belmont, and Cloghan area. Fás criteria apply.
For more details call 090-6454068. Open to both male & female.
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Active Retirement Group
Mass on Mon @ 7pm in Ard Chiaráin.
Meetings will resume on Tues morning next after Mass.
????
PTAA
Clonmacnois region of the Pioneer Association will hold their Annual Dance in Cloghan Hall on Fri 10th Feb. Adm is €10.00
All welcome.
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Interesting and helpful Websites
www.parishandfamily.ie ---- notes on family ministry & spirituality.
www.gettingmarried.ie ---- this site is an invaluable help for couples preparing for marriage, with information on Church expectations, essential steps, marriage preparation, faith and knowledge. It also offers help in preparing a booklet, giving the options for the promises, prayers, readings and hymns etc.
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Success is Started . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(William Arthur Ward)

"Success is started by the battery of ambition and the spark plugs of purpose. It is powered by the pull of persistence, lubricated by the elbow grease of effort, guided by the steering wheel of common sense, and smoothed by the shock absorbers of faith and forgiveness."

Hillbilly Medical Terms
Benign ………. What you be after you be eight.
Bacteria... …… Back door to cafeteria.
Barium.………. What you do with dead folks.
Clonmacnois Parish Newsletter
Sunday 29th Jan 2006 - 4th Sun B
Tel (090) 9674125
Fax (090) 9674267
E-mail. Parishnewsletter@eircom.net

Shannonbridge
Masses: Each day @ 10am; also on the First Fri @ 7pm, with the blessing of throats (feast of St Blaise). Adoration all day on Friday
Thurs is the feast of Candlemas: blessing of Candles during Mass.
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €557. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: G.Brennan, D.Deeley, C.Quinn
Eucharistic ministers: Group 3
Readers for next Weekend: E.Quinn, P.Corbett
Altar Servers: Darragh, Graham, Megan, Ciara, Amy
Mass on next Sat eve for Mary Mannion & family deceased.

????
Clonfanlough
Mass on Thurs eve (Candlemas Day) @ 7pm, with the blessing of candles & throats, and in anticipation of the First Friday.
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €215. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: M.Halligan, M.Kelly
Readers for next Sunday: D.Norton
Altar Servers for next Sunday: Group 1
Eucharistic minister for next Sunday: K.Kelly
Mass on next Sun for the late Tommy & Rose Rohan
Remembrance Service in Portiuncula Hospital
For parents who have suffered bereavement through the death of their children, miscarriage or stillbirth.
Thurs 2nd Feb @ 7,30pm in the Hospital Chapel
????
Vacancies in Fás Scheme
Positions are available for Clerical Adm (1) and operatives in the Ferbane, Belmont, and Cloghan area. Fás criteria apply.
For more details call 090-6454068. Open to both male & female.
????
Active Retirement Group
Mass on Mon @ 7pm in Ard Chiaráin.
Meetings will resume on Tues morning next after Mass.
????
PTAA
Clonmacnois region of the Pioneer Association will hold their Annual Dance in Cloghan Hall on Fri 10th Feb. Adm is €10.00
All welcome.
????
Interesting and helpful Websites
www.parishandfamily.ie ---- notes on family ministry & spirituality.
www.gettingmarried.ie ---- this site is an invaluable help for couples preparing for marriage, with information on Church expectations, essential steps, marriage preparation, faith and knowledge. It also offers help in preparing a booklet, giving the options for the promises, prayers, readings and hymns etc.
????
Success is Started . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(William Arthur Ward)

"Success is started by the battery of ambition and the spark plugs of purpose. It is powered by the pull of persistence, lubricated by the elbow grease of effort, guided by the steering wheel of common sense, and smoothed by the shock absorbers of faith and forgiveness."

Hillbilly Medical Terms
Benign ………. What you be after you be eight.
Bacteria... …… Back door to cafeteria.
Barium.………. What you do with dead folks.

Sam Sloan from Kilcullen and his daughter and her husband and their child called in last weekend. Sam is in great form and he was telling us that he is great friends with Sean Fitzpatrick so he is well up to date with Shannonbridge news. Sam’s father was once a Garda Sergeant in Shannonbridge and the family have kept in touch with people that they knew in the village a few score years ago.

On Sunday Eric Wachdorf and three ladies from Wisconsin stopped off in Shannonbridge. Eric has been studying birds and wildlife and was anxious to buy a pair of binoculars to help see some of the Irish birds. There were a fair scattering of various small birds busy on the nut feeders in our backyard and he knew the names of them all. He borrowed some binoculars and went out to the reserved bog lake at Blackwater on Monday but was disappointed as there were not many wader type birds to be seen. He had better look at the Cliffs of Moher with the sea birds.

Had a letter from Debbie Haley from Limerick, Pennsylvania who visited Shannonbridge with Lorraine from Pottstown twice. She is working part time in a boys home and I think she needs a bottle of The Rub from Dorrie.

Saint Brigit’s Feast day is on the 2^nd February. The Irish Catholic tells us that she was born in County Louth in 453 AD. You can find out lots of more information on Brigid and other Irish saints and monasteries on the website www.catholicireland.net/monasticireland

The two co-owners of the Schoolmasters residence in Clonfinlough have both been in the area recently. They have sold the house to a family named Osmond from Kildare town and they have taken up residence. There is a local connection as Mr. Osmond is a grand-nephew of Paddy Lawless who once had a shop in Clonfinlough. Anyhow the Osmonds are very welcome to the parish of Clonmacnois.

Good to hear that some coarse fishing people are heading to Shannonbridge. George Stokes has his party piece “Fields of Athenry” all ready for the end of May. Brad and Dave, two regulars are coming for the first two weeks in June.

Glad to see that Louise got through to the next round of “You’re a Star” last Sunday. For next Sunday the remaining eight contestants are asked to sing a pop song and Louise has chosen to sing a David Bowie number called Star Man. She got a pleasant surprise this week when Colton Motors , Tullamore presented Louise with a new Ford car suitably decorated with “Vote for Louise” all around. They told her that she can keep it for as long as she remains in the competition and wait. If she wins the competition she may keep the car with their compliments. Colton’s telephone number is 0506- 21607 if you wish to contact them. Last night Louise was a guest on a local live radio program from the pub in Pullagh and I was glad that she found time to call in to the Bridge Club in Ferbane to thank the members for supporting her this far by telephoning in their votes. Visit her webpage at www.louisekilleen.com to see some of her recent clips from the You’re a Star series.

Weather has been good and fine this week with the river level easing back to 3.7 Metres.

Temperatures are being effected by clouds at night. Temperatures from 7 to 9C.

Clonmacnois Parish Newsletter
Sunday 22nd Jan 2006 - 3rd Sun B
Tel (090) 9674125
Fax (090) 9674267
E-mail. Parishnewsletter@eircom.net

Shannonbridge
Masses: Each day @ 10am
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €543. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: K.Price, C.Curley, P.Anderson
Eucharistic ministers: Group 2
Readers for next Weekend: S.Grennan, S.Quinn
Altar Servers: Brian, Ruaidhrí, Ailbhe, Tara, Mary Ann

????
Clonfanlough
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €262. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: J.Noble, D.Fitzgerald
Readers for next Sunday: A.Kelly
Altar Servers for next Sunday: Group 4
Eucharistic minister for next Sunday: P.Darcy
Mass on next Sun for the late Paddy Gunning

The week of prayer for Christian Unity began on 18th Jan.
You are invited to a special Service in St John's, Ballinasloe on Wed 25th Jan @ 7.30pm
Questions people ask
Q. We have Mark’s gospel on Sundays this year. What should we watch out for in Mark?
A. Mark was a great storyteller. If you read his gospel from start to finish you will be swept along at breath-taking pace. He has the knack of bringing the reader into the action. He makes Jesus feel very close, portraying him as looking at people, reaching out and touching.
Mark places great emphasis on the power of Jesus over illness and evil. He wrote for a community of suffering Christians to reassure them that Jesus has conquered the darkness and is very near to us.
(Fr O’Flynn-Intercom
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Stroke Care Support Group
Meeting: Health Centre Ballinasloe, Wed 25th Jan, 7-8pm.
????
Remembrance Service in Portiuncula Hospital
For parents who have suffered bereavement through the death of their children, miscarriage or stillbirth.
Thurs 2nd Feb @ 7,30pm in the Hospital Chapel
????
Vacancies in Fás Scheme
Positions are available for Clerical Adm (1) and operatives in the Ferbane, Belmont, and Cloghan area. Fás criteria apply.
For more details call 090-6454068. Open to both male & female.
????
Invitation to give blood in the Emerald Ballroom Ballinasloe on Tues & Wed, 25th & 26th Jan, from 4.30pm - 8.30pm
????
Farm Radio Initiative
Fidelma Keely Kiernan Dept S& FA will present Topic 3, 'PRSI and Credits for Farmers' on Midlands Radio 3 on Thurs 26th Jan @ 7pm
For further info contact 0509-51662 or 050622623
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Ecumenical Service in Ferbane Church on Tues next @ 7.30pm.
Ballroom Dance Classes (Beginners & Intermediate), Haydens Hotel, Thus 26th Jan @ 8pm. Call Seán Casey on 087-9761692.
Open Night, Gallen Community School, Ferbane
Thurs 26th Jan from 7.30pm.

The latest video of Louise performing on You're a Star (Sunday 22nd January) is now available at www.louisekilleen.com. Don't forget to watch and vote next Sunday.

Margaret Mannion from Aughnacabe was telling us today that her mother Mary Dunning is celebrating her One Hundredth Birthday tomorrow. Mary is in the Garbally Nursing Home and like the rest of her family and friends she is looking forward to her big day. Congratulations Mary and have a great day.

An article on the paper today tells about Flann O Brian’s book The Third Policeman being mentioned in a Television series in America called Lost. As the viewers went in search of possible clues some 14,000 copies of the book were sold in a week which is equivalent to about six years sales. The series starts on Irish television on 6^th February.

There is a copy of the book in Shannonbridge Library, but don’t all rush now. The same Flann O Brian wrote a great fairytale novel called At Swim Two Birds and the story was about two swans living at Devenish Island, midway between Clonmacnois and Shannonbridge.

Our local fisherman, Peter, who once was a banker, was recounting the story of a Dublin girl that went into the Bank of Ireland to change a foreign note. When the teller told her that it was only worth 74 Cents she exclaimed “And to think I gave him his breakfast as well”

Good to se two of the Polish welders, Tom and John, back in Shannonbridge after a four week holiday back home in Poland where they had snow knee deep. The other John, the taller one, is expected back this week. They work with Bridgway Engineering producing a wide range of farm equipment such as feeders, trailers, bale carriers, etc.

Glad to hear from an old angling gentleman from England Tom Coulson. For many years Tom and his wife Vicky attended many fishing Gala weeks in Ireland including the Ballinasloe Gala Week. He is fishing away and was looking for my e-mail address which of course is out of commission.

The D.Killeen who makes The Rub contacted me today. She wants to set up a website for The Rub and I directed her to our web site maker Kerrill Thornhill. Unfortunately Kerrill is away in Australia at present but I feel sure she will wait for his return. I used the Rub twice during the week to reduce swelling and relieve pain and I found it worked like a dream. No I am not telling where the swelling was. I will let you know the website number when it is gets up and running.

Today started off with some brilliant sunshine and Mick decided to ease up on the landscape gardening and went out for a few hours on the boat. While he was gone Aine telephoned from Limerick to say that they had a very heavy fog there. She also called to see Martin Burke who is recovering after an operation and will not be allowed to speak for another month. He looks fine. Mick was only gone a few mile downstream when the fog started to arrive and he had to cut the trip short as the river is 3.9 Metres and there is flood water out on the Callows.

There is a bit of re-awakening on the river this week. At least two cruisers were seen and three different groups made the trip to Shannonbridge by car and told that their boats were in mooring in Banagher and Shannonharbour.

Joe Coleman from Shannonbridge and Leeds rang last night to wish Louise the best of luck in the next you’re a Star program which will be broadcast on RTE 1 on tomorrow Sunday evening from 6.30 to 7.30 pm. Joe tells us that he can get both Irish radio and television in his home in Leeds.

Your A Star

Shannonbridge Woman Louise Killeen lit up the Stage in the Helix on Sunday night last to retain her place in the your a Star completion.

The Singer who just turned 30 on the night was left sweating when she was called out on the fourth call, but there was never going to be a doubt as she gave an exceptional performance of the Christie McCall hit "they don't know about us".

Louise also has a big interest outside of Music which is the GAA. A Keen Shannonbridge Supporter, Louise also played Gaelic Football with the Offaly Ladies club in Sanfrancisco when she spent a year on stateside.

Shannonbridge GAA club wish Louise the best of luck in the up and coming rounds of the competition.

Training resumes
Shannonbridge Junior and Senior teams returned to training on Friday night last and the Session was very well attended.

From GAA PRO Conor Killeen

The local papers this week have news on Belly Dancing in Charleville Castle near Tullamore on tomorrow afternoon. You should wear comfortable clothing and bring a scarf.

Hayden’s Hotel in Ballinasloe are commencing Ballroom Dancing Classes that will continue for six weeks.

Ferbane is getting a new Boutique. Best wishes to Geranner Ladies Boutique, Main Street, Ferbane who are opening their doors on Friday 27^th January at 12.00 Noon.

The Weather Eye on today’s Irish Times talks about the appearance of mystery rocks found away from their home base and explain that they were moved at the time of the Ice Age. The end of the column tells about a lecture being given tonight in Trinity College tonight by Peter Coxon while is highly recommended. Peter Coxon has a Shannonbridge connection as his father and mother and brother John were yearly visitors to Shannonbridge for many years.

Sorry to hear of the death of Sister Andrea in America this week who was a family friend. Her funeral takes place today. Say a prayer for soul and may she rest in peace.

Shannonbridge Library has reopened after the Christmas break and you are welcome to visit or join any Thursday evening from 7 to 9 pm.

The table quiz last night in aid of Bothar was a great success. The organizers presented some very attractive prizes for the raffle and the supporters responded by purchasing over 600 Euro in ticket sales. The night was worth almost 1000 Euro to the cause. They were wondering if anybody might be interested in rearing baby goats which would later be sent to families in Africa. Contact Ritchie Brown if interested.

Today was another overcast day with temperatures of 12C / 54F.

Marie from Saint Mary’s, Cherry Hill was on the telephone and is going to look at Louise singing on You’re a Star last Sunday which Louise has available on her website www.louisekilleen.com

Mary is taking part in the bird survey for Birdwatch Ireland ( local contact Rose Ryan ).

Last week she recorded 2 Grey Wagtails, 1 Dunnock, 1 Robin, 2 Coal Tit, 6 Blue Tit, 6 Great Tit, 14 Hooded Crow, 15 Starlings, 6 House Sparrow, 6 Chaffinch, 8 Greenfinch, 20 Goldfinch, 1 Linnet feeding on five nut feeders and on trays of food on the roof.

No sign of a Wren, Goldcrest, Long Tailed Tit, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Siskin, Bullfinch, Redpole, Feral Pigeon, Woodpigeon or Sparrow Hawk.

If you have not started then why not get a few nut feeders and a supply of nuts and enjoy the birds as they feed.

The Alone organization have a full page advert in The Irish Catholic this week. It contains a number of facts and one that caught my eye went like this –

“I still remember that Sunday night, April 17^th 1949 at midnight the 26 Counties left the British Commonwealth and became The Irish Republic”.

After watching Louise get through to the next round of You’re a Star last Sunday on RTE 1 @ 6.30 pm my sister Doc was remembering a series of Shannonbridge Notes that appeared weekly in The Midland Tribune around 1948 to 1952 that were very entertaining as they were mainly fictional and had reports on hockey, cricket and a variety of topics. The files for this newspaper have been placed on computer by Independent Newspapers under a trade name of Irish Media and Print. Need some more information on this.

Louise was in Shannonbridge today after visiting a number of schools. She had to sing in each school and had to pack it in early as she feared for her voice. She is appearing on ‘You’re a Star’ again on next Sunday evening at 6.30pm.Readers abroad can look at her performance last Sunday on her website www.louisekilleen.com or on the www.rte.ie site under programmes. It is the viewers that vote after 7.30pm and if you wish to vote next Sunday then “vote Louise 53600” which is her code. You can watch the program live via the www.rte.ie website. Joe Coleman was watching it in Leeds last week.

The Reynolds pet food factory in Edgewardstown was severely damaged by fire at the weekend C+D Foods have over 500 people employed in that area and hopefully they will have it up and running again soon.

The Angelus at 12.00 brought good news to Fergal and Eilis McEvoy and their daughter Leah when Eilis gave birth to a baby boy that weighed in at just under 6 Lbs. Well done girl.

On babies Geraldine Brennan was telling us that Michelle’s baby mentioned recently is spelled Ava. And I had run it by the ABC spell check.

Weather has been fine and overcast this past few days with temperatures of 10C / 50F.

River level is at 4 Metres and the flood is out on the Callows. The swans have moved in for the fresher feed.

HELP GET BROADBAND INTERNET ACCESS IN SHANNONBRIDGE

Shannonbridge community group along with last mile broadband were approved last September for the Government Group Broadband Scheme. Lastmile wireless are a company in Athlone who have supplied wireless broadband for Ferbane, Clonbullogue, Kinnity and several other places in the midlands. More information can be seen on their website www.lastmile.ie

Before lastmile setup access to Broadband in Shannonbridge there has to be demand for it from the area. If you are interested please contact them on 0906 477701 and e-mail them at info@lastmile.ie and let them know that you are interested.

The more people that contact them the better, they are rolling out broadband to the areas of highest interest first, so put the word out with anyone you think might be interested in the Shannonbridge and surrounding areas. Businesses and frequent internet users will find it very helpful. If you are very interested in helping to get this set up contact me on kerrill@gmail.com.

In case anyone missed it, you can watch a clip of Louise Killeen on "You're a star" here. You'll need real player to view this video (and probably broadband (which is hopefully coming soon)).

Clonmacnois Parish Newsletter
Sunday 15th Jan 2006 - 2nd Sun B
Tel (090) 9674125
Fax (090) 9674267
E-mail. Parishnewsletter@eircom.net

Shannonbridge
Masses: Each day @ 10am
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €561. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: M. McManus, C.Slattery, A.Corbett
Eucharistic ministers: Group 1
Readers for next Weekend: C.Mannion, P.Duffy
Altar Servers: Dean, Michael, Shannen, Nicola, Kayleigh
Mass on next Sat eve for the late Tommy McManus;
Mass on next Sun for the late Kieran Kelly
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Clonfanlough
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €198. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: C.Healy, T.Milner
Readers for next Sunday: A.Rourke, S.Rourke
Altar Servers for next Sunday: Group 3
Eucharistic minister for next Sunday: N.Egan
Mass on next Sun for John Loonam & family deceased
Meeting of Social Group in the Hall on this Mon @ 9pm

We acknowledge with thanks the receipt of €117.00, for flowers for the Church, the proceeds of a Table Quiz in Killeens.

Lourdes Invalid Fund Collection will take place next weekend.
The week of prayer for Christian Unity begins on 18th Jan.
You are invited to a special Service in St John's, Ballinasloe on Wed 25th Jan @ 7,30pm
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Offaly Co Childcare Committee Ltd
The "Calendar of Events 2006" is now available. The Calendar provides details of upcoming Childcare Training, Workshops and Events for 2006. If you wish to receive the Calendar, contact:
Offaly Co Childcare Committee
St Joseph's Community Centre
Kilcormac, Co Offaly. (0509-35878)
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A new Christian
We welcome into the Christian Community Róisin Daly, daughter of Cathal & Noelle, Ballyhearth, who was baptised last weekend in Clonfanlough Church.
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Post-Christmas Prayer . .. . . . CONNECTIONS, (Jan '95)
"Long after the angels disappear into the heavens, the shepherds return to their flocks, the magi journey home and the great star sets, Jesus remains.
The Child in whom we rediscover God’s great love for humanity becomes the adult Redeemer who challenges us to imitate his selflessness and compassion in order that we might transform our world in love…
May we allow the miracle of Christmas to continue long after the holiday trappings have been packed away;
May we welcome the adult Messiah and his challenging Gospel to recreate our lives, making the peace, justice and hope of this holy season a reality in every season of the New Year."
????
Look out for a Shannonbridge entrant in the 'You're a Star'
Competition this Sun on RTE @ 6.30pm

Louise Killeen has been busy visiting schools during the week drumming up support for her self in the You’re A Star competition which will be broadcast live on RTE 1 television at 6.30 pm. She was telling us that for some reason the bookmakers lowered her odds from 14 / 1 and 16 / 1 down to 3 / 1 on Thursday. One of the people working in Boylesports told her that he reckoned it would take about £20,000 to lower the odds by this amount.

Good to hear that Father Peter Kenny is staying with my brother Jim in Chicago while he carries out a number of Mission / Retreats. He then goes to Florida for some more Missions before returning to California. Think that Jim is going with him to Florida as Father Pete will be stationed near our cousin Annie Lawlor. Father Pete concentrates on people with a Philippine background so maybe he might do a day in Cherry Hill.

Heard from the brother in Cherry Hill that some other members of the family that were over in November tracing the Egan / Kenny family lines will be in Ireland soon. I was talking to Michael Egan, the monumental sculpture in Kilbeggan and he would like to meet them if they are over. Tel 0506 – 32167

Made a mistake about last weeks table quiz. In fact next Wednesday’s Table Quiz will be in aid of the Moate branch of Bothar to help them send animals to the missions. It is at 10.00 pm in Killeens.

Brendan Cauldwell the actor died on January 12^th aged 83 years. May he rest in peace.

The media were telling us during the week that a new Landsdowne Stadium is to be built.

It will cost 365 Million Euros and will have a seating capacity 0f 50,000. Government funding will be about 187 Million and it is hoped to have the stadium complete by 2009.

Some persistent rains mid week have brought the level of the river up to 3.9 Metres on Saturday morning and Brian of the Barge says that this is the highest it has been this winter. There are lots of Darcy’s Callow upstream flooded but it is nowhere near a high winter flood level.

Please note that a green fishing box , containing baits and fly line was left behind either at Clonmacnois or Shannonbridge before Christmas. Would the finder please contact the owner Peter Ryan, Killeigh Telephone 087 – 2723910 and make it a happy new year for him.

A number of robberies took place last week in the locality. Murrays in Shannonbridge was broken into on Tuesday night and on Thursday night Hineys in Ferbane and Daly’s the Butchers in Cloghan were robbed.

Only heard from my friend BC tonight that John and Michelle Mc Hugh, nee Brennan from Clonburren had a baby daughter Aoifa. John’s mother was Katie Curley from Crevagh and Michelle is a daughter of Geraldine and the late Michael Brennan from Shannonbridge. Congratulations.

Weather was wet mid week and there was frost at night. Some days were cold and miserably wet and the others had welcome sunshine.

Our Web Master Michael is home for the weekend to celebrate Cary, his father’s birthday on Saturday 14^th. He has promised to look into the possibility of adding an ongoing photo album to which people would be able to add photographs and ?.

This morning after Mass at 10.00 my attention was drawn to a plastic bag stuffed into the waste bin across from the church on the green area. It was a Hydrosoft granular water softener salt bag and it contained some interesting items. These included –

- Two old calendars, the 2003 calendar was from Broadrick’s Pharmacy, Ballinasloe and the 2005 calendar was from Keanes of Ennis Wholesalers. No trace of the 2004 calendar.

- A lovely colour poster of various GAA footballers.

- The wrapping from a Comfort toilet roll.

- A printout of www.uibhfhaili.com/offalygaa 2004 review of the Offaly Senior Football Championship.

Do visit their website

The Midland School of Child Care have arranged a part time course titled “Special Needs Assistant Course” which will be held in Ballinasloe and it commences in January. Contact Phone 044-43607 or e-mail deecoleman@eircom.net for further details.

Supermacs are coming to Shannonbridge. They have purchased The Shannonside Diner and work has commenced on renovating the layout of the building to their needs. They have not given an opening date but it should be ready in a few weeks, possibly Easter.

The weekend papers and the weekly papers have articles on the bodies of two Old Bogmen aged 2,300 years. One was found in a bog in Meath and the second one was found in a bog in Croghan, County Offaly .They were found in a remarkable state of preservation and one photograph shows a pair of well manicured nails. Seems that both were killed and their bodies were then buried in the bog. If you do a search for “Old Croghan Man” you may get more information. The BBC is to feature the two bodies in a Timewatch episode and this will be broadcast at 9.00 pm on January 20^th on BBC 2.

Both local papers have a short piece on the Offaly girl in You’re A Star and they give the odds quoted by Boylesports and Paddy Power bookmakers. Boylesports quote Louise at 14 /1 and Powers go 16 /1. She has a warm up session this week as a guest with Brendan Keeley in the Bridge House.

The weather was wet yesterday and as forecast the sun shone bright today. There was talks of winds but they did not materialise except for Moby in the car last night between Cloghan and Shannonbridge. He more than made up for the lack .

There is a Table Quiz tonight in Killeens which is being run in aid of the Moate branch of Bothar who are a voluntary charity group that fundraise and send animals such as cattle, sheep, goats, pigs and fowl to families in Africa.

The January edition of the Athlone Aerial contains snippets from the past section with items from Freeman’s Journal. On 3^rd July 1835 they reported that a man named John Craig was planting potatoes at Curnamagh, Athlone, when he discovered a large quantity of broad pieces of Spanish silver coin. The quantity of silver is of the purest description and £18 worth of it was sold to Mr.Nolan, watchmaker, bringing as high as 4s 8d an ounce. The coins dated 1622 and 1679.

27^th November 1845 the Journal reported that the canal passenger boat “Longford” left Dublin at 2o’clock for Mullingar with about 40 passengers on board. When between the bridges of Porterstown and Clonsilla, the ordinary helmsman left the boat and a less experienced man took charge of the helm. He in turn gave it to a boy, but he returned to the helm soon again but does not seem to have taken proper charge. The boat struck against the bank and capsized with the result that 15 persons were drowned. Among them were: Thos Bannon, Merchant, Athlone; Mrs Forde, Mullingar; Mr Ed Ruttledge, Cashcarrigan, County Roscommon. Only about half of those drowned were subsequently identified.

For 8^th June, 1849 it is stated that a valuable silver mine has been discovered in Inchmore (island) on the Shannon.

On the 9^th November, 1846 the Journal reported that a company of the 75^th Regiment has left Athlone for duty in Shannon Harbour district to protect the canal boats conveying foodstuffs.

Me thinks that The Freeman Journal later became Independent Newspapers. Last Saturday the Independent celebrated its centenary and included a free calendar with some black and white photographs from its collection. Some of the pictures used were Harry Boland, Michael Collins and Eamonn De Valera at a meeting of the first Dail at the Mansion House in 1919. The Irish Hospital Sweepstakes draw 1964. O’Connell Bridge and Street after the rebellion April 1916. John F. Kennedy in Eyre Square Galway in June 1963. Mohammad Ali in Dublin July 1972. Mary Robinson after being elected President in November 1990. The last train leaving Harcourt Street rail station in Dublin in December 1958.

The entire collection of some 300,000 items was donated to the National Library of Ireland in 2004. www.nli.ie

Today’s Irish Times has an interesting Weather Eye by Brendan Williams. Brendan writes about Mother Shipton from Yorkshire, who was born in 1488 and was noted for making long term forecasts and predictions. Some of these covered topics such as ladies fashions, combine harvesters, movies, aeroplanes and submarines. Some of what she wrote -

For in those wondrous far off days

The women shall adopt a craze

To dress like men

And trousers wear

And to cut off their locks of hair

And roaring monsters,

With men atop

Shall seem to eat

The verdant crop.

And men shall fly as birds do now

And give away the horse and plough.

Pictures shall come alive with movements free

And boats, like fishes,

Swim beneath the sea.

You can read her climate matters under Weather Eye. bmcwilliams@irish-times.ie

Shannonbridge’s own Oliver Hilliard has just started collecting the vast amount of information on Open Fixtures in Irish golf clubs which he will arrange and publish as The Irish Golfers Guide to Open Fixtures. He has a target publishing date set at 21^st March 2006. He is prepared to post and package a copy for £7 sterling or $ 20...His address is

8, Saint Ciaran’s Park

Shannonbridge,

Athlone,

Ireland.

It was great to get a letter from Dale Lee in Yorkshire who wants to return on a fishing trip to Shannonbridge. Dale was last here in 1976.

Mary Kelly’s Christmas card arrived today from South Africa. Mary is a daughter of the late Bill Kelly, Dublin and of the late Bernie Devery, Lecarrow.

Clonmacnois Parish Newsletter
Sunday 8th Jan 2006 - Baptism of Jesus B
Tel (090) 9674125
Fax (090) 9674267
E-mail. Parishnewsletter@eircom.net

Shannonbridge
Masses: Each day @ 10am
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €513. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: J.Kelly, T.Goldie
Eucharistic ministers: Group 4
Readers for next Weekend: D.Finnerty, C.Doolan
Altar Servers: Darragh, Graham, Megan, Ciara, Amy
Mass on next Sat eve for the late Flo Murray
Mass on next Sun for the late Michael Brennan

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Clonfanlough
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €187. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: B.Maleney, H.Hynes
Readers for next Sunday: I.McEvoy, C.Egan
Altar Servers for next Sunday: Group 2
Eucharistic minister for next Sunday: D.McEvoy
Mass on next Sat for the late Petie Kelly @ 12noon
Mass on next Sun for the late Sonny Egan

I will visit the sick & housebound on next Fri 13th Jan

The Year to come – some central Feasts in 2006
The centre
of the whole liturgical year is the Paschal Triduum of the Lord, crucified, buried and risen, which will culminate in the solemn Vigil of Easter, during the holy night that will end with the dawn of the 16th April – Easter Sunday.
Every Sunday, as a weekly Easter, holy Church makes present that great and saving deed by which Christ has forever conquered sin and death. From Easter there comes forth and are reckoned all the days we keep holy: Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent, 1st March;
the Ascension of the Lord, 28th May; and Pentecost, 4th June;
First Sunday of Advent, 3rd Dec.
Likewise, in the feasts of the Holy Mother of God, of the apostles and saints, and in the commemoration of all the faithful departed, the pilgrim Church on earth proclaims the resurrection of Christ the Lord.
The Sacrament of Confirmation: the date set by the Bishop is 14th May 2006, in Shannonbridge.
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Wedding Celebration
Congratulations to David Fitzpatrick & Dympna Quinn, who were married last weekend in Ferbane Church. Ad multos annos!
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An Invitation
There will be a Meeting in Shannonbridge Hall on next Sat 14th Jan to discuss the future of the Village.
Shannonbridge has had little or no housing, industry or any development in recent years.
If you wish to reverse this trend and help to promote the interests of your village, please attend this meeting.
The West Offaly Partnership will attend, and will work with the community to build a better future for all in Shannonbridge.
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The local branch of the Irish Guide Dogs
Will have their annual collection next weekend. The organisation relies completely on voluntary donations to offer guide dogs, long cane & independent living skills training to the blind & visually impaired. They need volunteers; if you can help, call Arnold Walsh on 090-9747196, or Deirdre Keaveney on 093-527220.

Shannonbridge GAA Notes

Shannonbridge Community Meeting

There will be a Meeting held in Shannonbridge Hall this Saturday at 6pm sharp to discuss the future developments in the Village.

The Shannonside Village has seen a decline in recent years with a lack of housing and Enterprise in the area.

With such a decline in population local organisations such as the GAA has been unable to field any underage teams in recent years. The National School currently only has eight Children and will be reduced to five at the end of term.

There will also be other issues such as lack of street lighting and play areas brought up in the meeting. Further development or total decline is now in the hands of the residents of the Village and Parish.

West Offaly partnership will be liasing with the Community to help build a better future for all in Shannonbridge

All are welcome to the meeting and your contribution will be greatly appreciated.

Kathleen ( Kay ) Donegan is celebrating a special birthday at the moment. During the week friends and neighbours and family gathered in her home where Father O’Hanlon celebrated Mass. Tomorrow night the celebration continues at The Fort Restaurant. Glad to see that Marian and Daithi Rua are home to join in the fun. Wishing her a happy birthday and many of them.

Today our Head Chef in the Fort Brian Maher has walked up the aisle with his bride who lives near Portarlington. His brother Sean was telling us that Brian’s family and friends are travelling to the wedding by coach and the guests are being coached back after the wedding to a meal and reception in The Fort. Wishing them all the best.

Met Ray Gunning from Belmont yesterday .I had not met him for some time and the reason was clear when he told me that he runs a language school in Dublin and lives in Tullamore. His students come from China, Japan and Shanghai and he spends almost six months of the year out of the country in organising the people that wish to use the school. While he is away Ray keeps up to date with home affairs by connecting to the

www.rte.ie website which allows him to listen to RTE radio and television programmes. He often uses the archived section to listen to Val Joyce on Radio 1 who is on the radio a few nights a week from 12.30 to 2.00 at night in Ireland.

Ray kindly gave us cards from two pubs he visits in Shanghai – The Blarney Irish Pub and O’Malley’s Irish Pub.

Peter told us that he has not been fishing recently but he noticed his friend Mark on the bankside and he walked over to see how he was faring out. He was very excited as he had just landed a big pike and had placed him safely in a drain while he went to fetch his camera. It weighed 27.5 Lbs and was returned back to the river safe and sound. Peter reckons that he has caught this pike when it weighed a pound heavier and a pound lighter.

Magpies seem to be increasing in numbers and Mary counted seven in the garden yesterday. Mary’s version of the Magpie Chant goes –

One for Sorrow,

Two for Joy,

Three for a Wedding

Four to Die

Five for Silver

Six for Gold

Seven for a Secret

Never to be Told.

The river level is easing back again and there has been some frost at night which would help this drop. Bob and Peter were saying this morning that they unlocked their boat and left the lock on the seat of the boat. When they arrived in Shannonbridge the lock was frozen to the seat. Bob was taking no chances on getting cold as he pulled on two knitted caps over his golfers cap.

Louise was lucky to have her CD selected as Album of the Week on Galway Bay FM this week and today Ricey Scully from Midlands Radio in Tullamore had a chat with her as she went shopping in Dublin for an outfit to wear on You’re A Star on RTV 1 for her next appearance on January 15^th. Follow Ray Gunning’s lead and catch it on the archives on www.rte.ie/star Why not have a squint at her first appearance in Galway and in her second at Vicar Street.
Met a couple from Kilkenny a few days ago who knew Denny Hayes and Tony and Maisie Teehan. Got the feeling that Denny told them to call.

Today has cleared from a bit of fog in the morning to a warm sunny day 10C.

Brian from the barge has been telling about the build up of litter bags being left near the two full skips at the new jetty upstream. There is a belief around that all these litter bags are not all coming from the boatusers.

So on with the pair of rubber gloves and off to the jetty to have a look. The containers are full to overflowing and four large plastic sacks have been left alongside the bins.

In Sack One the owners use Roscrea rashers, Mc Cain Oven Ready chips, both Aquafresh and Euthymol toothpaste and recently purchased a Colgate toothbrush. Three bags of ashes were neatly packed in white bags and they seem to exist on Pat the Baker Traditional Thick Sliced Pans judging by the three wrappers. They use Liquid Radox in the shower and have finished off a full jar of Q10 Anti Wrinkle Day Cream. Wonder what they wear when they drop off the bag at night.?

Bag 2 drink Pint bottles of Bulmer’s Cider and Longneck Budweiser, discarded a pine shaped car freshener and smoke Blue Silk Cut. They ate Cadbury Mini-Yule Logs, Perri Crisps…. Beasties and they failed to finish some Cadbury Roses which looked tempting.

Denny Traditional rashers and Green Rizla Paper and one Gregovite Uniflu were used. One tablet remained so I hope they are better from the flu. There were two Electronic Services in the big black bag.

Looking for names in other bags I came across a five page hand written letter and a legal document with names and details of insurance policies pertaining to a couple who were celebrating Christmas by splitting up.

What is this all about.? ?? The crows and magpies have a field day pulling these sacks apart and scattering the contents all around. The sixteen arch stone bridge looked a jewel reflected in the calm still water in bright sunshine and it would look better if the bank-side was litter free.
Unfortunately we cannot blame the crows for all the litter. New Years Resolution ???

Forgot to mention yesterday that Barney Finlay lived for some time in his youth with Brian and Peter Curley in Corrigeen.

Mike and Claire stopped by today on their way back to Dublin from Oughterard and gave Pat the Word Magic which is a selection of favourite poems chosen by Ulick O’Connor and comments by Ulick.Printed by Curragh (press) www.currach.ie

I liked the Frances Ledwidge poem on Thomas Mc Donagh. Remember it ?

THOMAS MCDONAGH

He shall not hear the bittern cry

In the wild sky, where he is lain,

Nor voices of the sweeter birds

Above the wailing of the rain.

Nor shall he know when loud March blows

Thro’ slanting snows her fanfare shrill,

Blowing to flame the golden cup

Of many an upset daffodil’

But when the Dark Cow leaves the moor,

And pastures poor with greedy weeds,

Perhaps he’ll hear her low at morn

Lifting her horn in pleasant meads.

O’Connor tells us that Ledwidge was a road ganger in County Meath

And that he wrote the poem about his university professor friend,

Thomas McDonagh, executed in the 1916 Rising.

The Dark Cow is a metaphor for Ireland

Other poems featured include Clonmacnois, Aughrim, Raglan Road,

Ringsend, Trees and The Diviner

Heard on the radio some days ago that Father Brown the Jesuit priest who died in 1960 left 42,000 negatives from his hobby of taking photographs. A selection of these was printed some years ago and now a second book of photographs concentrating on Limerick has just been published. Father Brown died in 1960 and most of his negatives were in black and white.

Met two students from Imperial College London who stopped for a break in a walk from Galway to Dublin. They set out from Galway on December 29^th and reached Shannonbridge in two days. Mike Brownnutt and Phil Lorbishley are science engineering students and for the past two years they walked the 80 miles along Hadrian’s Walk in England in 2003, and they did The Great Glenway Walk in Scotland in 2004.

They had a target of six days set to walk from Galway to Dublin and reached Shannonbridge on the evening of the second day. At night they camp along the route and after having some food they set out in the dark hoping to find the Grand Canal as they planned to walk alongside the canal from Moystown to Dublin. They met Mary Allen when they crossed the bridge and Mary directed them to the pub for food.

Mike said he was in his seventh year in Imperial College and I got the impression he was beginning to like it there. Maybe they will select The Pilgrims Walk to Clonmacnois one year as their route this year did not have time for a visit.Eamon Brady, London and Culliagh is home on holiday for a few days. Eamon is son of Stephen Brady and he works at Heathrow Airport with a firm that carry out maintenance work on the runways.

People who died recently include Dr. Francis Mac Kiernan who was bishop of Kilmore Diocese. Des O Brien who was a member of the 1948 Grand Slam Irish rugby team that won the Grand Slam. Barney Finlay Athlone well known publican in Athlone and London and auctioneer. May they rest in peace.

At Barneys funeral today the guest celebrant of the Funeral Mass remembered Barney’s establishment in London which was known as Dublin Castle. It was a great meeting place for thousands of Irish and others in London and provided drinks and meals and acted as a work center where people advertised looking for workers or seeking work. Barney often acted the part of matchmaker and often contacted the celebrant to arrange for couples to get married. Father Colm Conlon was telling us on the phone today that he met Barney’s son Ray some years ago in California.

We had some rain for a couple of days and Brian has noted that the river level has risen from 3.25 Metres on Saturday to 3.50 Metres this morning.

A Dublin couple stopped off the other day and they wanted to know where they might buy a bag of turf as they liked the aroma from a peat fire. When Mick offered to sell them a bag they asked if it was smokeless as they live in a smoke free zone in Dublin. No sale. When we told Patrick Kenny from America, Falthy, Oldtown, Athlone he said that he would have sold them a bag of smokeless turf. The only condition was they were not to light it.

Great news that Michelle Egan, nee Devine gave birth to a baby girl this morning. Michael and Brid will be particularly pleased as this is the first of their godchildren that was a girl. The Egan family originated in Garrymore near Shannonbridge.

Clonmacnois Parish Newsletter
Sunday 1st Jan 2006 - Mary Theotokos Sun
Tel (090) 9674125
Fax (090) 9674267
E-mail. Parishnewsletter@eircom.net
Shannonbridge
Masses: Mon-Thurs & Sat @ 10am
Fri 6th Jan is the Feast of the Epiphany, a Holy Day;
Vigil Mass on Thurs @ 8pm, on Fri @ 12noon.
Fri is also the First Fri: Adoration after Mass until 5pm
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €1147. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: M.Killeen, A.Keena
Eucharistic ministers: Group 3
Readers for next Weekend:
Altar Servers: Brian, Ruaidhrí, Ailbhe, Tara, Mary Anne
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Clonfanlough
Fri is the Feast of the Epiphany: Mass @ 10.30am
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €701. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: N.Egan, A.Rohan
Readers for Epiphany: S.Coughlan; For next Sunday: A.Loonam, P.Guinan
Altar Servers for next Sunday: Group 1
Eucharistic minister for next Sunday: B.Coughlan

The sick will be attended not on this Fri, but on Fri 13th Jan
THE FAMILY
Some Quotations

? Home is where the heart is. (Pliny the Elder)
? What a father says to his children is not heard by the world, but will be heard by posterity. (Jean Paul Eixhter)
? The family, grounded on marriage freely contracted, monogamous and indissoluble, is and must be considered the first and essential cell of humanity. (Pope John 23rd)

Some Proverbs

? There are no praises and no blessings for those who are ashamed of their families. (Jewish Proverb)
? Nobody’s family can hang out the sign ‘Nothing the matter here.’
(Chinese Proverb)
Humour

? The one thing children wear out faster than shoes is parents.
(John Plump)
? Children are adept at comprehending modern statistics. When they say, ’Everyone else is allowed to,’ it is usually based on a survey of one. (Paul Sweeney)
? As I understand it, heredity is what a man believes in until his son begins to act like a delinquent. (Presbyterian Life)
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Word-Picture
Most people have forgotten nowadays what a home can mean, though some of us have come to realise it as never before. It is a kingdom of its own in the midst of the world, a haven of refuge amid the turmoil of our age. It is not founded on the shifting sands of private and public life, but has its peace in God. For it is God who gave it its special meaning and dignity, its destiny & worth. (Dietrich Bonhoeffer
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The Mummer's Festival takes place @ New Inn Leisure Centre on Sat next @ 8pm for Seniors; on Sun @ 2.30pm for Juniors.