Clonmacnois Parish Newsletter
Sunday 29th April 2007 - 4th Sun Easter C
Tel (090) 9674125
Fax (090) 9674267
G-mail. cpnewsl@gmail.com






Shannonbridge
Masses: Daily @ 10m, (except Wed @ 8.30am)
Adoration all day on First Fri until 6pm
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €480. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: M.Moran, M.Murphy, M.McManus
Eucharistic ministers: Group 4
Readers for next Weekend: D.Finnerty, P.Corbett
Altar Servers for this week: Ciara, Dylan
Mass on next Sat eve for the late Mae Rocke, Nancy & Michael,
'Months Mind' Mass for Andy Lestrange on next Sun.


Clonfanlough
Mass on the First Fri @ 7pm
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €318. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: B.Boland, A.Kelly
Readers for next Sunday: H.Coughlan
Altar Servers for next Sunday: Group B
Eucharistic minister for next Sunday: P.Darcy

"A willing helper does not wait to be called." (Danish Proverb)

First Holy Communion, Clonfanlough Church,12th May @ 12noon.
There will be a Meeting for the Parents on Mon 30th April @ 8pm, in Clonmacnois School.
.
Unwanted Clothes & Shoes
Will be collected on next Wed 25th April at the Car parks beside the Halls in Shannonbridge and Clonfanlough before 12 noon. 'All types of clean, dry, ladies, gents, children's clothing, bed linen, curtains, towels & shoes'.
The name of the group is Umbra Collections, and your support helps to educate poor children in Africa. The group is from Clones.

Offaly Co Childcare Committee, Ltd
Will hold a Coffee Morning for parents with young children in Shannonbridge Hall on Thurs 3rd May from 11 to 12.30 approx.
"Meet other parents, have a chat, book for our Parent Seminar with David Coleman and have some fun with the children.
We will bring toys, materials and childcare information."

The above Committee is also hosting a Play & Developing Child Course in Tullamore. The course is for parents, childminders & those considering working with young children.
For more info contact Catherine on 057-9135878.

Alzheimer's Tea Day
Thurs 3rd May - 'to support your local Alzheimer Society services you are invited to host a Tea Break. Simply freephone 1800-719 820 to receive your party pack.'

Clonfert Pilgrimage to Medjugorje - 13th - 20th Oct.
Group Leaders, Eddie & Lucy Stones. Cost per person - €589.00
Early booking is essential.

Summer Party in Clonfanlough Hall
We hope to have this annual party on Fri 25th May, so please keep this date free.

Novena to the Holy Spirit - in Ferbane Church, @ 7.45pm, Wed 2nd May, & every Wed until 20th June, with a guest speaker & Mass

Clonmacnois Parish Newsletter
Sunday 22nd April 2007 - 3rd Sun Easter C
Tel (090) 9674125
Fax (090) 9674267
G-mail. cpnewsl@gmail.com

Shannonbridge
Masses: Each day @ 10am
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €460. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: A.Ryan, L.Turley, M.Mitchell
Eucharistic ministers: Group 3
Readers for next Weekend: C.Mannion, E.Quinn
Altar Servers for this week: Ailbhe, Aoife
Mass on next Sat eve for the late Kieran Joe Mannion


Clonfanlough
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €277. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: K.Norton, H.Darcy
Readers for next Sunday: D.Norton
Altar Servers for next Sunday: Group A
Eucharistic minister for next Sunday: N.Egan
Mass on next Sun for the late Lil & Tom O'Connor

Parish Pastoral Council
Meeting on this Mon 23rd April in Clonfanlough @ 8pm

Vocation Sun 29th April
'Join us for a Prayer Service in Clonmacnois on Sat 28th April (eve of Vocation Sun) @ 6pm'. All welcome, as "the Lord has a plan for each of us; He calls each one of us by name. Our task is to learn how to listen, to perceive his call." (Pope Benedict

Unwanted Clothes & Shoes
Will be collected on next Wed 25th April at the Car parks beside the Halls in Shannonbridge and Clonfanlough before 12 noon. 'All types of clean, dry, ladies, gents, children's clothing, bed linen, curtains, towels & shoes'.
The name of the group is Umbra Collections, and your support helps to educate poor children in Africa. The group is from Clones.

Offaly Co Childcare Committee, Ltd
Will hold a Coffee Morning for parents with young children in Shannonbridge Hall on Thurs 3rd May from 11 to 12.30 approx.
"Meet other parents, have a chat, book for our Parent Seminar with David Coleman and have some fun with the children.
We will bring toys, materials and childcare information."

The above Committee is also hosting a Play & Developing Child Course in Tullamore. The course is for parents, childminders & those considering working with young children.
For more info contact Catherine on 057-9135878.

Alzheimer's Tea Day
Thurs 3rd May - 'to support your local Alzheimer Society services you are invited to host a Tea Break. Simply freephone 1800-719 820 to receive your party pack.'

Trócaire Collection
Many thanks for your donations. We have sent €3,900 to the Fund.

First Holy Communion, Clonfanlough Church,12th May @ 12noon.
We are in the final days of preparation with the children, who are
Ethan Mulrooney, Athene Hynes, Laura Kelly, Lauren Daly,
Ronan Devery, Barry Rohan, Jack Darcy.
There will be a Meeting for the Parents on Mon 30th April @ 8pm.

Dated 16^th April 2007

Some sport results to start. An Irish horse Silver Birch won last Saturday's Aintree Grand National at odds of 33 / 1

In the Irish Grand National the winner was Butler's Cabin trained by J O Neill, owned by JP Mc Manus and ridden by A P Mc Coy.

Chelsea beat Blackburn 2 -1 to advance to the FA Cup final where they will meet Manchester United.

Offaly footballers drop to Div 4 next year after losing to Roscommon.

Offaly Senior hurlers now drop to Div 2 after losing to Limerick 6 -20 to 1 -18.

Offaly Under 21 Footballers were defeated by Laois on Saturday 0 -16 to 1 – 10

Dublin Senior Footballers drop a division after their recent defeat by Kerry.

National Football League Div 1 semi final

Donegal 1 -13 Kildare 1 – 11.

Mayo 2 – 10 Galway 1 – 12.

National Hurling League Div 1 semi finals

Kilkenny 2 -22 Wexford 2 - 7

Waterford 1 – 19 Cork 1 - 16.

Liverpool v Chelsea in the Champions League semi-final.

Manchester United beat AS Roma 7 – 1 in their second leg of the champion's league semi-final. Now play AC Milan.

Joe Lyons from Banagher won the West of Ireland Golf Championship.

In rugby there was a shock when French and English clubs stated they would not be competing in the Heineken Cup in 2008 but they have had a second think and things are safe for now.

In five days at Easter 52 cyclists rode from Malin Head in Donegal to Mizan Head in Cork some 450 miles in five days. All in aid of the Mick Turley Spin for the Irish Cancer Society. Mick was born in Garrymore near Shannonbridge and lived in Athlone. He died from cancer in March 2006. The family organised the bicycle trip and a number of fund raisers as a thanks for Mick's Palatial Care. Many thanks to all who helped out.

About a week ago a couple from Cork called in to enquire about a Grehan who married a Wise or Wyse from near Shannonbridge. Now living in Cork.

The water quality in Galway has been getting a lot of bad publicity lately.

The Art Beat cartoon in a recent Irish Times shows two witches watching a boiling cauldron with –

"Eye of newt,

Leg of toad,

Drop of Galway Water.

Recently Father Tony Cummins celebrated 75 years in the priesthood with a Mass in Kilconnell Church . Father Cummins was born in Kilnadeama near Loughrea.

Great to hear that many caravanners are discovering the great amenities being offered at The Glebe Caravan Park Clonfinlough.

Heard a radio program about ten days ago that was all about Flann O Brian author of The Third Policeman, At Swim Two Birds, The Hard Life and An Baol Bocht. Unfortunately for me the program was in Irish.

Andy L'estrange, Shannonbridge died on Easter Sunday morning and was buried in Knockdrin near Mullingar.

Paddy Kiernan, Belmont and late of Shannonbridge ESB power plant has died and was buried in High Street Cemetery on Saturday. The Lad has gone home to God.

Michael J. Molloy from Glebe died on April 9^th and was buried in Clonmacnois.

Johnny Hart the cartoonist that created BC and The Wizard of Id has died.

May they rest in peace.

Over the Easter a son of Phelim Walls, the piano player from Athlone, called in with his wife and children.

The river levels have dropped back to normal after over three weeks of dry weather. The colder evenings have kept the water cooler

Many of the goldfinches that were using the bird feeders for weeks seemed to have found more natural food.

The last of the old Lanesboro Power Plant was scheduled for demolition last Friday. I met some asbestos handlers who were visiting Shannonbridge to have a look at Shannonbridge Station. Last Friday there was a retirement party for Pat Treanor the manager of Shannonbridge / Lanesboro generating stations.

Posted on behalf of Derry.

Clonmacnois Parish Newsletter
Sunday 15th April 2007 - 2nd Sun Easter C
Tel (090) 9674125
Fax (090) 9674267
G-mail. cpnewsl@gmail.com


Shannonbridge
Masses: Each day @ 10am
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €648. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: K.Price, C.Curley, P.Anderson
Eucharistic ministers: Group 2
Readers for next Weekend: S.Grennan, C.Doolan
Altar Servers for this week: Brian, Caitríona
Mass on next Sat eve for the late Edward & Margaret Cogavin.

Clonfanlough
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €468. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: M.Kelly, K.Kelly
Readers for next Sunday: L.& A.Devery
Altar Servers for next Sunday: Group E
Eucharistic minister for next Sunday: D.McEvoy
Mass on next Sun for the late Jim Dolan.

Prayer Centre Clonmacnois: Mass every Wed @ 8pm.
Youth 2000 will have a Vigil Service from 11pm to 4am on 20-21st April in the Centre, starting with Mass.
Today is Divine Mercy Sunday, ‘the day the gates of Heaven are open’. For more info visit www.divinemercy.info

Shannonbridge Active Retirement Association
Members invite anyone interested to join them on a tour to Sligo on 2nd May, starting @ 9am. There will be stop in Boyle for light refreshments, a cruise on Lough Gill, free time in Sligo to spend as you wish, dinner at the Clarion.
The inclusive cost: members, €60.00; non-members: €70.00.
If interested contact any member of the ARA before 19th April.

Holy Ghost Missions
Fr Des Arigho writes to express his sincere gratitude for your welcome on his visit to the Parish, and your response to his appeal. The total amount collected was €1830.20.

Smallholder Service
Those needing help with Single Payment Applications, or other forms, contact the Service in Banagher on 057-9151622, or 086-8336873, Tuesday or Wednesday.

HSE, Tullamore
Public Tours of the new Hospital in Tullamore will take place on Sat 28th April, from11am to 5pm. Each tour will begin at 10-minute intervals & will take about 1 hour. Free parking & light refreshments will be available on the day.

Flora Women's Mini Marathon
Volunteers are needed to walk or run this Marathon (10km /6.2mls), which takes place in Dublin on Mon 4th June, to raise funds for the 'Special Care Baby Unit & Children's Cancer Ward @ Portiuncula Hospital. For more info please contact Mary Lennon, Kiltoom at 087-2337242. Closing date for applications is 24th April 2007.

Charity Concert, with Comhaltas Ceolteori in aid of Mullingar Mental Health Association, 27th April in Mullingar Arts Centre.
Unislim Classes every Wed eve during April, in Ballinasloe, 6.30 - 7.30pm; In High Street from 8.15 -9.15pm. Cost is €15.
For more info call Marian on 087-6199103.

Clonmacnois Parish Newsletter
Sunday 8th April 2007 - Easter Day C
Tel (090) 9674125
Fax (090) 9674267
G-mail. cpnewsl@gmail.com

Shannonbridge
Masses: Mon @ 11am; rest of week @ 10am
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €496. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: M.McManus, C.Slattery, A.Corbett
Eucharistic ministers: Group 1
Readers for next Weekend: M.Killeen, P.Duffy
Altar Servers for this week: Megan, Michaela
Mass on next Sat eve for the late David Macklin

Clonfanlough
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €277. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: T.Rohan, A.Rohan
Readers for next Sunday: A.Kelly
Altar Servers for next Sunday: Group D
Eucharistic minister for next Sunday: B.Coughlan
'Months Mind' Mass for Ciaran Kelly on next Sun

Vocation Sun 29th April
'Join us for a Prayer Service in Clonmacnois on Sat 28th April (eve of Vocation Sun) @ 6pm'. All welcome, as "the Lord has a plan for each of us; He calls each one of us by name. Our task is to learn how to listen, to perceive his call." (Pope Benedict)
A VERY HAPPY & PEACEFUL EASTER TO EVERYONE!
Many thanks to all those who made any contribution to the celebration of the Holy Week ceremonies; to all who played a part in preparing for & in the celebration of the Liturgy, and to all who encouraged us by their attendance & co-operation.

Mission Statement of Clonmacnois Pastoral Council
Clonmacnois Parish Pastoral Council is a group of parishioners coming together with their Parish Priest to identify the spiritual and pastoral needs of the Parish. We aim to respond to these needs by communicating with and involving all in our community.
The Council gets its core values from the life and teachings of Christ.

"Celebrating Childminders in Offaly"
You are invited to an information event on 20th April in Days Hotel, Tullamore from 10.30am - 12.30pm. Children with childminders are welcome. Refreshments served. Call Fiona on 057-9328109.

Ballinasloe Flower & Garden Club
Gardening talk by Barry Ward, 11th April in Haydens Hotel @ 8pm.
Grower's Competition: 6 Tulips & 6 Narcissi.

Shannonbridge Active Retirement Association
Members invite anyone interested to join them on a tour to Sligo on 2nd May, starting @ 9am. There will be stop in Boyle for light refreshments, a cruise on Lough Gill, free time in Sligo to spend as you wish, dinner at the Clarion.
The inclusive cost: members, €60.00; non-members: €70.00.
If interested contact any member of the ARA before 19th April.

Flora Women's Mini Marathon
Volunteers are needed to walk or run this Marathon (10km /6.2mls), which takes place in Dublin on Mon 4th June, to raise funds for the 'Special Care Baby Unit & Children's Cancer Ward @ Portiuncula Hospital. For more info please contact Mary Lennon, Kiltoom at 087-2337242.
Closing date for applications is 24th April 2007.

Dated 2^nd April 2007

Starting with some hurling results-

Kilkenny 1-19 Galway 0-18

Cork 1-13 Clare 0-14

Wexford 3-31 Down 0-6

Offaly 3.15 Waterford 1-19

Limerick 4-17 Antrim 0-13

In football -

Roscommon 1-14 Sligo 0-10

Mayo 0-12 Dublin 0-9

Kerry 0-9 Tyrone 0-9

Cork 1-15 Fermanagh 0-6

Limerick 2-12 Donegal 4-6

Monaghan 0-13 Offaly 0-12

Leitrim 2-8 Roscommon 0-11

In rugby –

Wasps 35 Leinster 13

Leicester 21 Stade Francais 20

Yesterday Brian and Dympna Carroll from Ely House guesthouse were seeking someone that was well up in birds as a white / grey bird with a yellow plume had landed in their garden. Rose Ryan and Kieran Guinan were recommended. Then I noticed Donal Guinan in the shop and when he heard about the bird he said it belonged to his Dad as a cockatiel had flown away on Saturday. It still remains in a free state.

Yesterday was Paddy Kenny from America Ireland’s birthday. In a thirty minute spell yesterday morning he made April Fools out of seven people in the shop. He was very thankful to all the friends that brought him bottles of whiskey for his birthday and he told us that it was a waste as he never drank at home.

Seamus Dennigan from Cloghan County Offaly phoned to enquire where he might get a good photograph of Clonmacnois as his daughter now living in Dublin would like a framed memento.

Banagher Concrete manufactured and delivered five 146 ft-long bridge beams weighing 135 tons for a bridge in Limerick recently which was quite an undertaking.

The old ‘pot still’ at Kilbeggan Distillery has been re-activated after 53 years. The old single still pot will produce 250,000 bottles of whiskey a year which will mature in the adjacent stone warehouses. This is the oldest pot still working in Ireland. Members from the families connected with the distillers – The McManus, The Codds and The Lockes attended the firing of the old pot still.

Olly Corless from Dunmore in Galway stopped by yesterday seeking a bow-saw. He told us that he bought one in the shop some years ago which had a spare blade. He still has the spare blade but a neighbour has the saw. He was reminiscing about the horse races at Galway and Tuam and the Three Card Trick men. One of the better known operators was a family from Longford and Olly told us that one of them now lives in Tuam. Apart from the three card trick they had many more good ideas. Castlehackett Hill in Galway is renowned for its white sand. Our Tuam friend at one time got a bag of this sand and several thousands of small plastic bags. He apportioned a small amount of the white sand into each bag. Then dressed in religious clothing he went to Knock Shrine and proceeded to sell ‘Sand from The Holy Land’ to all and sundry.

Olly also told of a Paddy Mc Kenna from Tuam who operated a test of skill to find the loop in a folded leather belt. The prize was a chicken for any lucky winner competing. Naturally these were scarce as the loop was hard to find.

For some time the Ford Brothers have been sending text messages to the Late Date radio program with host John Creedon on RTE radio one. Two weeks ago one of the brothers had got two offers of marriage and he sought advice on what to do. On Friday night one of the brothers texed to tell us that his brother had gone to see the film Amazing Grace. When he came home the other brother asked what it was like. He said it was amazing.

Saturday Irish Times told us that the Irish Times Poetry NOW Award has been won by Seamus Heaney for his latest collection ‘District and Circle’.

Every day I see an advert for a car hire firm whose owner was born in Raghrabeg. Joe Turley is one of our own and he and his family operate arguscarhire.com and they have a phone number 01-4904444 which before changes was Dublin 44444.

Mrs Molly Donegan, nee Guinan relic of Captain Sean Donegan has died and funeral takes place in Dublin.

The Connemara Marathon is over and the Doc was telling us that she had only 22 for dinner yesterday in Oughterard. I thought that some 3000 people were taking part.

That Kay girl in England is a friend of Russ Parker. Her friend that came to seek prayers from Emmanuel House had to wait some nine hours on Saturday before he got to meet Eddy Stones as about 1500 others were also there. Anyhow help her out with one of your own prayers.

Glorious day of sunshine and got a little colder again on Monday evening.

Shannonbridge Fishing Report dated 2^nd April 2007

On Saturday morning at 5.00am four pike anglers from Gorey Cunty Wexford set off to fish at Shannonbridge. At 8.00am they started fishing. Matthew Shanahan and Philip Bolger chose Clonmacnois and fishing with a legered dead herring they caught five pike.

Matthew had an 18lb fish in the morning and a 20lb specimen in the afternoon.

Philip landed two pike, a 12lb and a 9lb in the morning and he also caught a specimen 20 pounder after lunch.

Their pals Edward Sheehan and Thomas Phayres fishes on the River Suck and caught nothing before lunch. After lunch they chose to fish on the bankside where they had observed some cormorants. And it payed off handsomely. Fishing with legered dead herring and mackerel, Edward caught an 8 pounder and two 13 pounders.

Thomas also caught three pike, 7lbs, 13lbs and 14lbs.

These anglers carry certified scales and phone cameras and promised to record their specimen fish and forward photos to the Shannon­-fishery-board.

Local angler Darren Finn tried his luck on the Shannon yesterday and used a spinner to catch a fine five pound pike.

English anglers Steve Nell and Dave Kemp arrived over on Saturday and had a go on the Grand Canal catching a mixed bag of roach and hybrid. Yesterday they fished on the River Suck and caught some small roach. They found that the water temperature is still low. This despite that the water level has continued to ease back and about ten fine days on the trot with sunshine thrown in.

Clonmacnois Parish Newsletter
Sunday 1st April 2007 - Palm (Passion) Sun C
Tel (090) 9674125
Fax (090) 9674267
G-mail. cpnewsl@gmail.com

Shannonbridge
Masses: Mon-Wed @ 10am
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €475. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: J.Kelly, M.Killeen, A.Keena
Eucharistic ministers: Group 4
Readers for next Weekend: D.Finnerty, O.Costello
Altar Servers for this week: Ciara, Dylan
Mass on next Sun for the late Paddy Duffy

Clonfanlough
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €207. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: M.Halligan, M.Kelly
Readers for next Sunday: I.McEvoy
Altar Servers for next Sunday: Group C
Eucharistic minister for next Sunday: A.Rohan
'Months Mind' Mass on next Sun for the late Mary Egan

I will attend the sick & housebound on next Wed

Congratulations & best wishes to Pat Molloy & Gina Farrell, who were married last weekend in Ferbane.

HOLY WEEK CEREMONIES

Holy Thursday: Mass of the Lord’s Supper with a Vigil of Adoration Shannonbridge: 9pm; Clonfanlough: 7pm

Good Friday: Celebration of the Lord’s Passion:
Shannonbridge: 8pm; Clonfanlough: 6pm
Also in Shannonbridge @ 3pm: STATIONS OF THE CROSS
Good Friday is a day of fast and abstinence.

Holy Saturday: Easter Vigil and Mass:
Shannonbridge: 9pm; Clonfanlough: 7pm
Please bring a candle for the Renewal of Baptismal Promises.

CELEBRATION OF RECONCILIATION: Monday 2nd April:
Clonfanlough: 7.30pm; Shannonbridge: 8pm
Confessions also possible after the Good Friday Ceremonies.

Please bring your Trócaire offerings to the Ceremony on Holy Thurs or Good Friday

A thought for Holy Week: God does not ask about our ability or our inability, but our availability. (The Arkansas Baptist)

The Mass of Chrism will be celebrated in the Cathedral in Longford on Holy Thurs @ 11am. There is an open invitation to all to join in the Celebration, and to pray for vocations to the Priesthood on this day, which is always a reminder of Christ's gift of Priesthood.

Support Group Sarcoidosis - ISARC
Meeting on first Wed of every month @ 7.30pm in the Health Centre, Arden Rd Tullamore for sufferers, family & friends.

Shannonbridge Active Retirement Association
Members invite anyone interested to join them on a tour to Sligo on 2nd May, starting @ 9am. There will be stop in Boyle for light refreshments, a cruise on Lough Gill, free time in Sligo to spend as you wish, dinner at the Clarion.
The inclusive cost: members, €60.00; non-members: €70.00.
If interested contact any member of the ARA before 19th April.