Saturday, September 29, 2007

Glad to see Paddy Steiger and some old Swiss friends arrive on Friday night.

Just in time for the October Fair Week which this year starts on this Saturday 29th Sept.

Paddy is a gifted creative artist so keep him in mind for your new logo.

Thursday the funeral took place of Brian Nally from Clonbonny after Mass in the

Franciscan Church in Athlone to Clonmacnois cemetery. Brian who was 79 year old,

slipped and fell into a slurry pit earlier in the week. He is survived by his wife Margaret

and children Peter, Johnny and Angela (Gaffey). Johnny lives in Shannonbridge.

On Friday Benny Grehan from Creagh and late of Moore was buried in Creagh Cemetery

After Mass in Creagh Church. Benny operated a successful rewind business for many years

From his in Creagh and was very much involved in life before catching the cancer.

May they rest in peace.

A regular Belgian visitor on the Shannon Eddy de Stickere told us that in Belgium he ha seen

And recorded a four part serial on holidaying on the River Shannon. He has promised to

Forward a copy to let us see it when he returns home next week. He told us that he smokes

Kapp and Peterson pipes and has a selection of about twelve at present. His first venture

to Ireland was c 1994 in a mobile home with his wife. When he tried to park in Dublin in

two different places he was told to move by Gardai. The third time he was more lucky as the

Garda escorted him back to the police barracks and let him park in the barrack yard.

After a great fine week of weather a slight shower fell for Benny Grehan and Friday evening

Remained a bit cold and broken.

Thursday, September 27, 2007

The sister, Doc in Oughterard went off on a One Day Pilgrimage to Lough Derg recently.

And we received a lovely card from her that tells us she prayed for our intentions and

Arranged that they be included in the prayers and Masses in Saint Patrick’s Purgatory.

Find out more about Lough Derg under www.loughderg.org

The card hasa lovely colour picture and the words of

The Breastplate of Patrick.

Christ be with me,

Christ be within me,

Christ be before me,

Christ be behind me,

Christ beneath and Christ above,

Christ on my right hand,

Christ on my left,

Christ with me waking,

walking and sleeping.

Christ in every heart thinking of me,

Christ on every tongue speaking to me,

Christ in every eye that sees me,

Christ in every ear that hears me

Today Thursday 27th September I met the Mulgrew Family. They were on a cycle trip from Galway to Dublin and set off from Galway earlier today, making their first stopover at Shannonbridge.

Six members of the family are cycling.

Hugh, the father is from County Down.

Paul now lives in Dublin.

Jacqui came over from Boston USA for the trip.

Edward lives in Lurgan, County Armagh.

Hugh, Junior lives in Glasgow.

Jacqui got the idea from a Boston newspaper story about a Father and Son that were planning to cycle from Los Angeles to New York. So she asked her dad if he would like to cycle from Galway to Dublin. Of course he agreed as did her three brothers and sister.

They plan to stopover in Tullamore tomorrow night and get to Dublin Sunday morning.

Thursday 27th September 2007

Last weekend had a spate of weddings in the area.

On Saturday Agnes Kelly from Clonfad, daughter of P.J. and Agnes Kelly

and John Gowing from Tullamore were married in Clonfad Church with reception in Kinnity

Castle afterwards.

On Saturday 22nd Sept Annette Moynihan, Lowtown, Moore married Paul Kelly, son

of Peter and Ann Kelly, Clonmacnois in Moore Church with reception in the Bridge

House Tullamore.

Michael Camon from Birr and New York and his bride from Manhattan came over to

Ireland to be married in Birr on Saturday, with reception in Dooley’s Hotel in Birr afterwards.

At one time Michael worked as a barman in Dooley’s before moving to New York.

On Sunday some forty guests took a river trip from Banagher to Shannonbridge aboard the

River Queen. Many of the party from America told us that it was their first trip to Ireland and

promised to return soon again for a longer visit.

We had a pleasant visit from angler Colin Wollaston and his May bride Carol Oakley for a brief

visit on a sightseeing holiday.

Congratulations and Best Wishes to all the newly weds.

The National Ploughing Championships took place on Tuesday, Wednesday and today

on a farm near Tullamore and Geashill. They were blessed with fine drying days and large

crowds were in attendance. Some 45,000 on Tuesday, 80,000 yesterday and another big

turnout today.

Ballinasloe Fair Week commences on Sunday 30th September and hopefully they will get

the crowds and weather similar to the Ploughing Championships. The organisers have produced an

interesting free official festival guide for 2007 in advance. Sorry but I failed to find a website

if there is one.

Pet Problem. Met a man who has a dog. He will not follow people walking. He will not follow people

in a car. He will only follow people on a bicycle. What should he do with the dog. ?.

On Monday a group of Hot Air Balloon competitors attending the Irish National Ballooning Championships

Visited Shannonbridge as it was too windy to run a competition and they were having a look

at likely areas to be used in the races. Tuesday was also windy so they had a Solve The Mysteries

event organised with some of the clues to be solved in Shannonbridge and Belmont.

On Wednesday the weather was fine for ballooning and some thirty balloons set off from Summerhill, Athlone early in the morning in a ‘chasing the hare’ race. The hare got a ten minute start and came down the Shannon as far as Shannonbridge where he turned and went to Cloghan and onto Birr, flying over

Birr Castle before landing in Birr Airfield where Anthony and friends at Birr Airfield had a most

Welcoming cup of tea and sandwiches waiting. The trip took 90 minutes from Athlone to Birr.

Some of the Hot Air people came back to Shannonbridge for lunch.

They told us that the Irish National event was the oldest in the world and is now in its 37th year.

Teams from USA, Italy, Ireland, Northern Ireland and Great Britain are competing. The event is

by invitation only. Try www.irishhotairballoonchampionship or a variation.

Later on Wednesday evening around 6 pm some 15 balloons were spotted travelling from the

Athlone direction. Louise and yours truly climbed onto the roof of the shed. Louise was armed

with a throwaway camera and I had two bright umbrellas to give them a wave of welcome. It had

an effect as one landed over near Patrick Kenny’s in America and two more landed in Clerhane.

One flew low over Aidan Carry’s house in Raghrabeg and Aidan was talking to the balloonist.

When he asked him where he was going he said he did not know.

Some cattle on land near Patrick Kenny’s went a bit wild during the morning race and broke down

some walls and fences. I noticed as the balloons got closer to the village the crows got scared and

flew off towards Dublin. Don’t worry I saw then back flying over their area today.

Mick was telling Louise about the time a large solo Hot Air Balloon passed over Shannonbridge over

some 50 years ago. Two men were saving turf in the bog. One of them looked up and saw the balloon

and asked his brother what did he think it was. The brother looked at the colourful thing in the sky

and said ‘I don’t know, but I’m going home to get the fekkin gun’. They had a hard job to convince

him not to shoot.

Someone else was remembering some years ago when a group of men were working on the bog

and a helicopter appeared. They took off their coats and started waving at it. The helicopter pilot

landed beside them thinking they were giving an emergency signal. Shall we say he was not at all

pleased. Now I am wondering if my two umbrellas caused the three balloons to land in America and

Clerhane.

Today people coming from the Ploughing Championships told me that on Thursday morn they saw

Balloons flying down near Taughmaconnell.

Thursday 27th September 2007

Last weekend had a spate of weddings in the area.

On Saturday Agnes Kelly from Clonfad, daughter of P.J. and Agnes Kelly

and John Gowing from Tullamore were married in Clonfad Church with reception in Kinnity

Castle afterwards.

On Saturday 22nd Sept Annette Moynihan, Lowtown, Moore married Paul Kelly, son

of Peter and Ann Kelly, Clonmacnois in Moore Church with reception in the Bridge

House Tullamore.

Michael Camon from Birr and New York and his bride from Manhattan came over to

Ireland to be married in Birr on Saturday, with reception in Dooley’s Hotel in Birr afterwards.

At one time Michael worked as a barman in Dooley’s before moving to New York.

On Sunday some forty guests took a river trip from Banagher to Shannonbridge aboard the

River Queen. Many of the party from America told us that it was their first trip to Ireland and

promised to return soon again for a longer visit.

We had a pleasant visit from angler Colin Wollaston and his May bride Carol Oakley for a brief

visit on a sightseeing holiday.

Congratulations and Best Wishes to all the newly weds.

The National Ploughing Championships took place on Tuesday, Wednesday and today

on a farm near Tullamore and Geashill. They were blessed with fine drying days and large

crowds were in attendance. Some 45,000 on Tuesday, 80,000 yesterday and another big

turnout today.

Ballinasloe Fair Week commences on Sunday 30th September and hopefully they will get

the crowds and weather similar to the Ploughing Championships. The organisers have produced an

interesting free official festival guide for 2007 in advance. Sorry but I failed to find a website

if there is one.

Pet Problem. Met a man who has a dog. He will not follow people walking. He will not follow people

in a car. He will only follow people on a bicycle. What should he do with the dog. ?.

On Monday a group of Hot Air Balloon competitors attending the Irish National Ballooning Championships

Visited Shannonbridge as it was too windy to run a competition and they were having a look

at likely areas to be used in the races. Tuesday was also windy so they had a Solve The Mysteries

event organised with some of the clues to be solved in Shannonbridge and Belmont.

On Wednesday the weather was fine for ballooning and some thirty balloons set off from Summerhill, Athlone early in the morning in a ‘chasing the hare’ race. The hare got a ten minute start and came down the Shannon as far as Shannonbridge where he turned and went to Cloghan and onto Birr, flying over

Birr Castle before landing in Birr Airfield where Anthony and friends at Birr Airfield had a most

Welcoming cup of tea and sandwiches waiting. The trip took 90 minutes from Athlone to Birr.

Some of the Hot Air people came back to Shannonbridge for lunch.

They told us that the Irish National event was the oldest in the world and is now in its 37th year.

Teams from USA, Italy, Ireland, Northern Ireland and Great Britain are competing. The event is

by invitation only. Try www.irishhotairballoonchampionship or a variation.

Later on Wednesday evening around 6 pm some 15 balloons were spotted travelling from the

Athlone direction. Louise and yours truly climbed onto the roof of the shed. Louise was armed

with a throwaway camera and I had two bright umbrellas to give them a wave of welcome. It had

an effect as one landed over near Patrick Kenny’s in America and two more landed in Clerhane.

One flew low over Aidan Carry’s house in Raghrabeg and Aidan was talking to the balloonist.

When he asked him where he was going he said he did not know.

Some cattle on land near Patrick Kenny’s went a bit wild during the morning race and broke down

some walls and fences. I noticed as the balloons got closer to the village the crows got scared and

flew off towards Dublin. Don’t worry I saw then back flying over their area today.

Mick was telling Louise about the time a large solo Hot Air Balloon passed over Shannonbridge over

some 50 years ago. Two men were saving turf in the bog. One of them looked up and saw the balloon

and asked his brother what did he think it was. The brother looked at the colourful thing in the sky

and said ‘I don’t know, but I’m going home to get the fekkin gun’. They had a hard job to convince

him not to shoot.

Someone else was remembering some years ago when a group of men were working on the bog

and a helicopter appeared. They took off their coats and started waving at it. The helicopter pilot

landed beside them thinking they were giving an emergency signal. Shall we say he was not at all

pleased. Now I am wondering if my two umbrellas caused the three balloons to land in America and

Clerhane.

Today people coming from the Ploughing Championships told me that on Thursday morn they saw

Balloons flying down near Taughmaconnell.

Tuesday, September 25, 2007

Shannonbridge Fishing Report dated 25th September 2007

Sluice gates are open at Athlone and Meelick and there is a strong flow.

River level at village bridge is 2.34 metres.

September normally brings Colin Wollaston and this year he brought his new bride Carol

from Willenhall. They were married in May so this explains Colin missing

his usual May visit. Congratulations to them both.

- Benny Beerindect from Antwerp, Belgium fished the River Shannon on 17th September

on a cold day using Cream Lures to catch five pike measuring 86, 68, 57, 55, 45, Cm.

Then on an overcast 20th Sept. Benny caught two pike of 69 Cm and 62 Cm. using

The same Cream Lures.

- De Scheogen Steven fro Antwerp caught one 50 Cm pike on the River Shannon

on 17th Sept. On 20th Sept. he caught four pike on the River Suck 65, 60, 54, 36 Cm

using the American Cream Lure.

- Gary Wilkinson from Castleford, Yorkshire fished on the River Suck on 18th Sept.

using a rubber trout bait to catch a pike of between 15 and 20 lbs. He also caught one

tench about 6 lbs weight. On 19th Sept Gary used maggot and float to land some

25 lbs of roach and hybrids on an overcast day.

- Derek Gomersall, Gary’s friend fished on the River Suck on 17th Sept in mixed weather

using maggot float and leger to catch 15 lbs of roach and a few hybrids. Water 9 ft deep.

On 19th Sept Derek fished the same swim using maggot and chopped worm on the float

To catch 75 lbs of roach,(90 %) hybrids, and one skimmer from 6.30 am to 12.00 noon.

Eric Humphreys from Doncaster went pike fishing on the River Suck on a good 22nd September

And used dead bait to catch 6 pike. 2 x 10 lbs, 2 x 7 lbs, one 12 lbs and a great fish weighing 24 lbs.

All fish returned alive.

- Karl Barsch from Germany fished on the River Shannon on a mixed day and used a Gummerhind

Wobbler to catch 6 pike measuring 61, 55 and 4 x 35 Cm. All returned alive.

- Jem Sloep from Holland fished on the River Shannon on a mixed weather day along with his

three friends on a cruiser all using Shads spinners. Jem caught 4 pike between 60 to 80 Cm.

Erwin Wemer from Holland had 5 pike between 60 and 80 Cm also on the Shads lure.

- Con Bambenger from Holland caught 4 pike in the 60 to 80 Cm range using the Shads lure.

- Eddie Eeman from Holland had 6 pike ranging from 70 to 90 Cm on the Shads Lure.-

David Oliver England, has been feeding a swim at the mouth of the River Suck which is a mile

From the bridge in Shannonbridge. On 24th Sept David used maggot and worm to catch 25 lbs of

roach and hybrids.

Monday, September 24, 2007

Clonmacnois Parish Newsletter
Sunday 23rd Sept 2007 - 25th Sun C
Tel (090) 9674125
Fax (090) 9674267
Mass times: Shannonbridge - Weekend, 8pm (Sat), & 12noon Sun;
Weekdays, 10am. Clonfanlough - Sunday, 10.30am

Shannonbridge
Masses: Each day @ 10am
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €475. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: M.McManus, C.Slattery, A.Corbett
Eucharistic ministers: Group 1
Readers for next Weekend: Group 1, D.Finnerty, P.Corbett
Altar Servers for this week: Megan, Michaela.
Mass on next Sat eve for the late Oliver Macklin

Clonfanlough
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €256. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: E.Egan, A.McEvoy
Readers for next Sunday: L. & A. Devery
Altar Servers for next Sunday: Group C
Eucharistic minister for next Sunday: B.Coughlan
Mass on next Sun for the late Tim Devery.

Used Clothing Collection for orphans in Africa
On Wed 26th Sept @ Shannonbridge Hall Carpark @ 12 noon.
Dóchas Nasamu, an Irish registered charity, funds an orphanage for children with aids in Kenya. "We will take your unwanted used Clothing, Household textiles, used Footwear (paired)."
Money Will Buy…
A bed but not sleep;
books but not brains;
food but not appetite;
finery but not beauty;
a house but not a home;
medicine but not health;
luxuries but not culture;
amusements but not happiness;
religion but not salvation;
a passport to everywhere but heaven.
(The Voice In the Wilderness, quoted in Discipleship Journal, Issue 53, 1989, p. 21)

Other Quotes worth pondering
Measure wealth not by the things you have, but by the things you have for which you would not take money.

The real measure of our wealth is how much we’d be worth if we lost all our money. - J. H. Jowett

There are two ways in which a Christian may view his money—”How much of my money shall I use for God?” or “How much of God’s money shall I use for myself?” - W. Graham Scroggie

The futility of riches is stated very plainly in two places: The Bible and the Income Tax form!

Diocesan Fair-trade Workshop
Douglas Hyde Theatre, AIT, on Sat 29th Sept, starting @ 10am.
It is hoped to make the Diocese of Ardagh & Clonmacnois a Fair-trade Diocese, i.e. to promote Fair-trade and support products from Third-world countries. This Workshop aims to explain the value of this for developing countries, what it means, & how you can help.
All interested are invited. Contact 090-6471819, or 086-8430366.

Stroke Care Support Group Meeting: on 26th Sept in the Health Centre, Ballinasloe @ 7pm. Speaker: Dr Teresa Donnelly.

Monday, September 17, 2007

Shannonbridge Fishing Report Dated 17th September 2007.

The River Shannon level is 2.4 Metres today on the gauge upstream from the

Village bridge. There continues to be a strong flow on the river. The weather

has been fine and dry with sunshine for the first half of September.

Surprising the number of boating holidaymakers that say they are not fishing.

Brian is there a website where people can find a record of river levels ???

I am sorry that Dave Stedford and his three friends from Sutton –in- Ash did not

record their catch weights. They hired a Silverline Cruiser as usual and when they

arrived in Shannonbridge on Saturday 8th September they started off by feeding their

favourite swim near the mouth of the River Suck. Dave got off to a cracking start

next day catching 60 lbs of roach bream and skimmers. Next day his grandson

hooked and landed a 6 lbs bream. Dave showed him how to hold the fish for a

photograph and as he passed it back to the boy the bream leaped to safety. They

continued feeding and fishing the same swims for the week and were happy with

their catches each day. They had an advantage as John, one the party sings very like

Johnny Cash and everyone knows that bream and roach and rudd and hybrids all love

Johnny Cash.

- Ales Svozoda from Czech Republic fished on the River Shannon on 1st September

using maggot and caught one bream and one roach. Next day he fished on the River Suck

and caught two perch, three roach and one bream.

- George Byrne from the Clontarf Pikers used a Bulldog lure on 4th September to catch

his first River Suck pike that weighed 5 lbs on his first try.

- Dariusz Gredski from Poland recorded catching ten bream to 45 Cm. while fishing with

sweetcorn at Clondra near Lanesboro.

- Koise Werner from Germany caught four pike on the River Shannon using a blinker.

The best fish measured 75 Cm.

- R. Feyoihn from Germany also had a 75 Cm Shannon pike on 9th September.

- Kerber Berni from Germany caught a 65 Cm Shannon pike using a blinker.

-Cliff Mynard from Halifax W. Yorkshire recorded three days catches,

Cliff fished the same swim on the River Suck using feeder caster and maggot in sunshine.

On 3rd September he had 28 lbs of roach and hybrids. One hybrid weighed 2 lbs.

On 6th September he caught 12 lbs of roach and hybrids and on 7th September he caught

14 lbs of roach and skimmers.

- Baumann Reinhard fished the Shannon on 10th September using a lure to catch two pike

measuring 70 Cm and 60 Cm.

- Dave Kemp from Bradford was over to celebrate his marriage to Pauline in Ballinasloe

thirty years ago. He also fished around - fishing the Suck, Grand Canal and the Backriver.

Using maggot and worm he caught between 11 lbs and 30.5 lbs each day over six days.

- Steve Nell from Sheffield fished the River Suck on a hot 8th September and used maggot

and sweetcorn to catch hybrids and skimmers.

- Paul Rochford from Dun Laoghaire fished the Shannon on 15th September using a split

pike lure to catch two pike that weighed 5 lbs and 9.5 lbs. Returned alive.

- Philip Martin from Dublin fished with Paul on the 15th September and also used a split

lure to catch six good perch and two six pounder pike. All returned alive

- Martin Handwell from Bristol fished the Shannon near Holy Ground on 16th September

using worm and sweetcorn to catch 10 lbs of quality roach to a pound.

- Mike Tuck from Bristol fished the same methods alongside for a similar catch.

This was the first day so we await what will come from this virgin stretch.

- Graham Ruck from Ashford Kent fished near Meelick Church on a bright and sunny

15th September using red maggot and sweetcorn to catch 20 lbs plus of roach.

“Nice place to fish” says Graham “as there are no boats”. He must be in a backwater

as boating holidays remain very popular.

Clonmacnois Parish Newsletter
Sunday 16th Sept 2007 - 24th Sun C
Tel (090) 9674125
Fax (090) 9674267
Mass times: Shannonbridge - Weekend, 8pm (Sat), & 12noon Sun;
Weekdays, 10am. Clonfanlough - Sunday, 10.30am


Shannonbridge
Masses: Each day @ 10am
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €400. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: J.Kelly, M.Killeen, A.Keena
Eucharistic ministers: Group 4
Readers for next Weekend: Group 5, C.Mannion, C.Doolan
Altar Servers for this week: Ciara, Dylan
Mass on next sun for the late Martin Burke

Clonfanlough
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €180. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: B.Boland, A.Kelly
Readers for next Sunday: A.Kelly
Altar Servers for next Sunday: Group B
Eucharistic minister for next Sunday: A.Rohan

Coffee Morning in aid of Tullamore Hospice
Thurs 20th Sept in Killeens

M.E. Support Group Meeting on Wed next, 19th Sept in Gullanes Hotel, Ballinasloe @ 4pm.
Many thanks to all who helped in any way to prepare for and celebrate Pattern Day in Clonmacnois last Sunday; and to all those who provided refreshments. Many people provided their services very generously, and it is much appreciated.

Shannonbridge Parent & Toddler Group
Will begin meeting on Thurs 20th Sept @ 10.30am in the Parish Hall. Parents, Grandparents, Carers, all welcome.
For enquiries, please contact Linda on 087-6485892.

Youth 2000 will have a Vigil Service from 11pm to 4am on 21st-22nd Sept in the Prayer Centre, Clonmacnois, starting with Mass. All welcome to pray for the renewal of faith & evangelisation of Ireland. This Vigil is held on the third Fri of every month. For more information contact Helen on 086-1678027

Carrying the Light
A series of 3 talks by Maureen Cahalan for all who are struggling with loss of any sort, whether through bereavement, separation, relationship, etc. in Portiuncula Hospital, Ballinasloe on Tuesdays 11th, 18th, 25th Sept from 7.30pm -9.30pm sharp.
These talks also helpful for those working with individuals who are dealing with life separation / loss issues.

West Offaly Training will begin Computer training for all grades, in Banagher & Birr, in mid-Sept. Contact Carmel on 057-9152003

MABS Helpline - Money advice & budgeting service.
For advice on money management call 1890-283438.

Millennium Partnership Fund for College Students.
West Offaly Partnership will administer the Fund this year. Applications are welcome from students that are resident in the WOP area & are in receipt of a third level grant. Closing date for applications is Fri 28th Sept. For more info call 057-9151622

Training Course for actor/drama groups or anyone interested will take place in the Radisson Hotel, Athlone on 25,26,27th Sept.
Contact Shane Munro on 074-9126994.

Saturday, September 15, 2007

Feast Of St Ciaran, Clonmacnois

Sunday 9th September 2007

Pattern Day Celebrations

Mass and Stations

Homily

John Cullen P.P. Kiltoom

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke 10:1-9

The harvest is rich but the labourers are few.

The Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them out ahead of him in pairs, to all the towns and places he himself was to visit. He said to them ‘The harvest is rich but the labourers are few, so ask the Lord of the harvest to send labourers to his harvest. Start off now, but remember, I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. Carry no purse, no haversack, no sandals. Salute no one on the road. Whatever house you go into, let your first words be, “Peace to this house!” And if a man of peace lives there, your peace will go and rest on him; if not, it will come back to you. Stay in the same house, taking what food and drink they have to offer, for the labourer deserves his wages; do not move from house to house. Whenever you go into a town where they make you welcome, eat what is set before you. Cure those in it who are sick, and say “The kingdom of God is very near to you”

This is the Gospel of the Lord.

As we gather here in Clonmacnois, in the place of the seven Churches, we follow the Pattern of St. Ciaran, who is known as one of the Twelve Apostles of Ireland. My hope is that all of us here, will be able to bring our own words and thoughts, our own few loaves and fishes of insight, to the prayer of this special day! Each persons presence here prays, proclaims and preaches a fresco meanings, of Gods loving actions in our lives.

Clonmacnois – pulsates with prayer and throbs with faith, as a mosaic of pilgrim people, etch the spirit of St. Ciaran, whose gospel – ‘patterned’ life, continues to inspire and motivate.

Clonmacnois – embraces memories, prayers and secrets that will forever pre-date our own experiences and recollections.

Clonmacnois – echo’s the sound of silence and whispers in “the deep hearts core” a Gospel call… which St. Ciaran responded to… with an undivided heart.

Clonmacnois – whose quarried High Crosses carve for us, the image of Christ and proclaim todays Gospel message. “Let your first words be ‘peace to this house’ (Lk, 10:5)

Clonmacnois - Medieval - yet modern

- Monastic - yet Missionary

- Isolated – yet International

- Prayerful – yet Prophetic

- Solitary – yet Social

- Ancient – but ever new

Today on Pattern Day, the feast day of St. Ciaran, we have an opportunity – not just to let our eyes wander and skim over the waters surface but to dip below that shimmering surface… launch out into the deep and have a thirst for the living waters of the Gospel in our world of 24/7.

Think of this… most people in the midlands region – where the three counties meet, Longford, Westmeath and Roscommon, were baptised with the waters from the font that is the river Shannon and like St. Ciaran – we are called to immerse ourselves with faith and trust into the full current of Gods purpose for us – even when the reservoirs of our hearts, (jer 2:13) is temped the despair, that the abundant, living waters (jn 7:37) of Gods love will become scarce. Here in Clonmacnois we step into the stream of faith that has flowed down from ancient times into our modern Irish society.

Clonmacnois is a good metaphor for Ireland and the Irish Church today. It is a place that has struggled through bitter times of invasion, agitation and conspiracy and whose only consolation was the celebration and power of the Eucharist. It is the celebration of the Eucharist that flows like a stream through the history of this place and links us directly to St. Ciaran and his monastic community, who came here in the middle of the fifth century. Today – Clonamcnois and the Cenacle – the Upper Room, The Hill of Calvary and the empty tomb are linked together, as we celebrate the presence of the Risen Christ – who is our Saviour and Hope. Today – from this sacred site – “let the message and the presence of Christ, find a home” in every one of our hearts.

* This message is for the troubled, the fearful and the drug addict whose life is trapped by addiction and the harsh brutality and greed of the faceless drug dealer;

* For the bereaved at a loss in search of an answer to the mystery of death….sadly for too many people in Ireland today…death is a violent act, leaving a shattered legacy of revenge and bitter memories

* For the immigrant, the asylum seeker and the refugee who struggle for words to find accommodation and work in the Ireland of the welcomes. “whenever you go into a town where they make you welcome” (Today’s Gospel). Is this their experience among the Irish?

* for all who have to face the crucial dilemma of a “crisis of meaning” which has serious and practical consequences for some people, their families and communities – we think of the vulnerable, the weak, the deeply troubled and in particular to those, whose lives are torn to pieces and who desperately give up on life, through self harm, self destruction and suicide. “peace to the house” of every heart that feels alienated, abandoned and aggressive.

Suicide in Ireland is an urgent issue of serious public and political concern, which deserves and demands, the same effort and resources from the government, health care and pastoral organisations, as other life care issues, such as reducing road deaths. We need to appreciate as a people that every life has value, purpose and meaning. No one’s life is senseless or meaningless.

* for our own church where our defects are fractured publicly and cause us to take a longer look at the face of the church. Many people today are asking: why remain in the church? What can we say to the drug addict? The bereaved? The broken family?

* All need to hear first and last of the nature of god the father, son and spirit

* all need to hear that the supreme attribute of God is mercy and that in Christ, God’s desire is to heal, forgive, love and liberate us, once and for all, from the burden of guilt, the fear of death and the reality of our sins.

*All need to hear of the dignity of our own nature as human beings, men, women and children, made in god’s image and likeness and re-made in Christ.

* All need to here that when, in our own day, the face of evil shows itself nakedly before our eyes, the grace of Christ, will more and more be given to us.

* All need to hear, that even in the darkest hours, when hope fails to rise like a spring of water, it may well be percolating secretly underground, as experienced by celtic churches in Clonmacnoise, Glendalough, Durrow, Killeedy, Clonard, Kells, Downpatrick, Gougane Bara, Clonfert, Kildare Iona and Lismore.

* All need to hear that we are called to share in christ’s own passionate determination to care for the weak and “stay in their same house” curing those who are sick and saying to them “the kingdom of god is near to you” (today’s Gospel)

* All need to hear that the “Kingdom” is being built by many hands – our immigrants, the stranger the prisoner and our own.

Today we offer the work of our hands and hearts to the service of our church – wherever we live “all the town and places that Christ visits” (todays Gospel)

* All need to hear that the purpose, mission and message of the church – its saving and only purpose is to make Christ, our risen lord, present to each person’s life this risen presence encircles our broken world

* all need to hear the reasons as to why it makes sense – why it is the “cause of our joy” to stand together as a community, Sunday after Sunday, for the creed and to declare not only that I believe in God but that “I believe in the Holy Catholic Church” Start off now

*Despite our many failures, let us realise that we belong to a church that

*For all it represses there is the spirit of freedom

*For all that is despised there is a community of love

*For all that is feared there is a redemption

*For all the sins there is absolute forgiveness,

*in an age so inhuman we touch the tears of compassion

*in a world so grim and humourless, we share a rich joy and laughter “a joy no one can take from us”

*in the midst of death we hear in our church and especially in Clonmacnoise whose ancient stones whisper an incomparable message of life and eternal life.

For the apparent absence of god when this thriving monastic site was reduced to ruin the destruction never banished the real presence of Christ that we pattern in our time. As believers now we are pilgrims of the future. Clonmacnois is our treasured inheritance. We thinkers, artists, craftsmen, numerous witnesses and all those hidden, anonymous saints whose sheer goodness blessed our lives who have left us a compelling legacy of vision, faith and hope. We have to ask: have we thrown out on our many landfill sites the best of the old for the worst of the new?

On this pattern day:

Ask the Lord of the harvest for the grace to remind ourselves and our fractured world of the reality of God.

Though the labourers are few… let us thank God for the rich harvest of faith and good works that shape our lives.

We are sent amoung wolves by the Good Shepard to recover Irelands soul and to embody a sense of the sacred, a respect for creation and an awareness of the importance of community and family.

Peace to this house of Ireland… at last where there is no more death or weeping due to the decades of violence that scarred so many people and communities.

Peace to this house of Clonmacnois – whose roof is the sky and the heavens!!! May peace rest in this house of each ones heart as we move from home to home and in Gods own time move nearer to His kingdom… (todays Gospel)

John Cullen, P.P. Kiltoom.

Sunday, September 09, 2007

Clonmacnois Parish Newsletter
Sunday 9th Sept 2007 - 23rd Sun C
Tel (090) 9674125
Fax (090) 9674267
Mass times: Shannonbridge - Weekend, 8pm (Sat), & 12noon Sun;
Weekdays, 10am. Clonfanlough - Sunday, 10.30am

Shannonbridge
Masses: Each day @ 10am
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €528. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: G.Brennan, D.Deeley, C.Quinn
Eucharistic ministers: Group 3
Readers for next Weekend: Group 4, S.Grennan, P.Duffy
Altar Servers for this week: Ailbhe, Aoife
Mass on next Sun for the late Willie Dillon

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Clonfanlough
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €255. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: K.Norton, H.Darcy
Readers for next Sunday: I.McEvoy
Altar Servers for next Sunday: Group A
Eucharistic minister for next Sunday: K.Kelly

Shannonbridge Active Retirement Association
Will resume Meetings on Tues 11th Sept @ 10.30am
Mass in Ard Chiaráin on Mon 10th Sept @ 7pm
Carrying the Light
A series of 3 talks by Maureen Cahalan for all who are struggling with loss of any sort, whether through bereavement, separation, relationship, etc. in Portiuncula Hospital, Ballinasloe on Tuesdays 11th, 18th, 25th Sept from 7.30pm -9.30pm sharp.
These talks also helpful for those working with individuals who are dealing with life separation / loss issues.
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Informal Professors . . . . . . . . . (John Carmody, - The Progressive Pilgrim)
"Teaching, like study, is clearly both formal and informal.
The parent can lecture as much as the professor.
The grandparent can be concerned with the little one’s souls as much as the priest.
Even friends and peers are teachers. They push and prod our clay, leave considerable impact on our meaning, our reality.
Like it or not, each day we are lectured by a variety of informal professors on the ways of the world, both for good and for bad."
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Certificate Course in Pastoral Ministry
The Conference Hall Birr, on Tues nights from 11th Sept 2007 to 25th March 2008. Credits will be offered by U.C.L. for this Course.
For more info contact 067-37138, 087-2905365 or 057-9121023
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Shannonbridge Library
Will open next Thurs & every Thurs from 7 - 9pm
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Shannonbridge Parent & Toddler Group
Will begin meeting on Thurs 20th Sept @ 10.30am in the Parish Hall. Parents, Grandparents, Carers, all welcome.
For enquiries, please contact Linda on 087-6485892.
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West Offaly Training will begin Computer training for all grades, in Banagher & Birr, in mid-Sept. Contact Carmel on 057-9152003

Ganley School of Irish Dancing will begin on 12th Sept in Dún Na Sí Moate @ 7pm. Tel 090-6481045

Monday, September 03, 2007

Clonmacnois Parish Newsletter
Sunday 2nd Sept 2007 - 22nd Sun C
Tel (090) 9674125
Fax (090) 9674267
Mass times: Shannonbridge - Weekend, 8pm (Sat), & 12noon Sun;
Weekdays, 10am. Clonfanlough - Sunday, 10.30am

Shannonbridge
Masses: Each day @ 10am.
Adoration on the First Fri until 6pm
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €521. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: M.Moran, M.Murphy, M.McManus
Eucharistic ministers: Group 2
Readers for next Weekend: Group 3, M.Killeen, O.Costello
Altar Servers for this week: Brian, Caitríona

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Clonfanlough
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €204. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: M.Kelly, K.Kelly
Readers for next Sunday: S.Coughlan
Altar Servers for next Sunday: Group E
Eucharistic minister for next Sunday: P.Darcy

Mass for the First Fri eve will be in Clonmacnois @ 7pm


Pattern Sunday, Clonmacnois
The Bishop will lead the celebration on Sun 9th Sep, which is the actual feast of St Ciarán, beginning @ 3pm.
The visiting speaker will be Fr John Cullen.
"All those who wish to walk the ancient pilgrim way from Ballinahown to Clonmacnois assemble at Ballinahown car park @ 11am. After Mass visitors will be welcome to enjoy musical entertainment & light refreshments in Ballinahown Hall."
(We ourselves hope to provide a cup of tea for those unable to go Ballinahown).
"There will also be an all night Prayer Vigil for young people aged 17 to 25 years, 8.30pm - 5pm. Contact Fr Patsy on 087-6505882."
We ourselves, locally, will celebrate the feast on Fri eve 7th Sept.

Again, we are asking all our trusted helpers to carry out their usual duties on the day.
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Would you like to use your skills to help others?
Viatores Christi is an Irish Catholic lay missionary association, founded in 1960, which recruits, trains & places people in areas of need overseas & at home. We currently have requests for volunteers for assignments in Africa, Asia, South America & Ireland.
We recruit from all types of backgrounds & professions.
If you would like to make a difference, come to an information session in St Mary's Presbytery, Athlone on Wed 5th Sept from 7.30pm - 9.30pm. For more info call 01-8749346 / 8728072.
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Carrying the Light
A series of 3 talks by Maureen Cahalan for all who are struggling with loss of any sort, whether through bereavement, separation, relationship, etc. in Portiuncula Hospital, Ballinasloe on Tuesdays 11th, 18th, 25th Sept from 7.30pm -9.30pm sharp.
These talks also helpful for those working with individuals who are dealing with life separation / loss issues.
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Children of Mary Retreat in St Michael's Church Ballinasloe, Mon 3rd Sep until Thurs 6th Sept. & 8pm. All welcome.