Clonmacnois Parish Newsletter
Sunday 6th Jan 2008 - Epiphany A
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, except Fri @ 8pm
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: € Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: M.Moran, M.Murphy, M.McManus
Eucharistic ministers: Group 4
Readers for next Weekend: Group 2, N.Duffy, E.Quinn
Altar Servers for this week: Ciara, Dylan
'Months Mind' Mass for Mary Burke on Fri @ 8pm
Mass on next Sat eve for the late Michael Brennan
Mass on next Sun for the late Kieran Kelly

Clonfanlough
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €150. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: M.Halligan, M.Kelly
Readers for next Sunday: I.Maleney
Altar Servers for next Sunday: Group E
Eucharistic minister for next Sunday: P.Darcy
Mass on next Sun for the late Mick Rocke.
I will visit the sick & housebound on next Friday
The Year to come – some central Feasts in 2008
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 23rd March – Easter Sunday.
After Easter there comes forth and are reckoned all the days we keep holy: Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent, 6th February; the Ascension of the Lord, 4th May; Pentecost, 11th May;
First Sunday of Advent, 30th November.
The Sacrament of Confirmation: the Bishop hopes to celebrate Confirmation in Clonfanlough Church on Wed 14th May 2008.
First Holy Communion: 26th April 2008.

Questions people ask
Q. Who were the three wise men from the east?
A. They are called Magi, suggesting that they were into magic and secret knowledge. They looked out for secrets in the world of nature, especially in the movement of the stars. They acknowledged their need of the divine revelation that the Jews had.
After receiving this they journeyed forward, entered the house and worshipped the Lord. It is a story that represents the Gentile people who were entering the Church when Matthew was writing, while very few Jews came forward. Offering gold, frankincense and myrrh may indicate giving up their utensils of magic and worship of idols. Fr O’Flynn

Prayer Centre in Clonmacnois
Mass will be said every Wed @7.30pm, starting on next Wed 9thJan

Youth Services in Shannonbridge A follow-up Meeting to discuss the above will take place in the Hall on Tues next @ 8pm. A representative from the Midland Regional Youth Services will also attend.

Congratulations & best wishes to Paul Fitzgerald & Catherine O'Connor who were married recently in Kinnitty Church.

We welcome into the Christian Community Teagan Daly, daughter of Cathal & Noelle who was baptised last weekend in Clonfanlough.