Clonmacnois Parish Newsletter
Sunday 9th March 2008 - 5th Sun Lent A
Tel (090) 9674125 Fax (090) 9674267
Mass times: Shannonbridge - Weekend, 8pm (Sat), & 12noon Sun;
Weekdays, 10am. Clonfanlough - Sunday, 10.30am

Shannonbridge
Masses: Mon - Fri @ 10am
Mass for Feast of St Patrick, next Sat 15th March @ 12 noon
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €526. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: M.McManus, C.Slattery, A.Corbett
Eucharistic ministers: Group 1
Readers for next Weekend: Group 5, C.Mannion, C.Doolan
Altar Servers for this week: Megan, Michaela
Mass on next Sun for the late John Joe Egan & Margaret O'Shea
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Clonfanlough
Mass for Lent on Mon @ 7pm
Mass for St Patrick's Feast on Sat @ 10.30am
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €340. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: B.Kilduff, E.Kilduff
Readers: St Patrick's Feast, D.Norton; Sunday, H.Coughlan
Altar Servers for next Sunday: Group D Eucharistic minister for next Sunday: B.Coughlan
Mass on nest Sun for the late Francie Devery

Celebrating St Patrick in 2008
Next Sun is Palm Sun, the beginning of Holy Week.
Since the days of Holy Week & Easter Week take precedence over all feasts & solemnities, the feast of St Patrick must be transferred this year. Normally, the feast would be moved forward, but in order to keep the feast as close as possible to the traditional date (17th March), Saturday 15th March was chosen. Thus the liturgical observance of St Patrick will take place on 15th March.
Will this be a Holyday of "Obligation"?
No. The general rule is that when a Holyday is transferred, then it is not of "obligation". It remains, of course, a solemn feast, best celebrated by attending Mass on that day.
This occurred last in 1913, and will not happen again until 2160!!
However, some may remember the year 1940, when St Patrick's day fell on Palm Sunday.
Feast of St Joseph (normally celebrated on 19th March) will be solemnised on Friday 14th March, in Ireland only.
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Meeting of Parish Pastoral Council
Mon @ 7.30pm in Clonfanlough
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First Penance for First Communicants
Next Tues in Clonfanlough Church @ 7.30pm
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Meeting of Members of BOM of all local schools
Next Thurs @ 8pm in the Girl's School, Ferbane
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Youth 2000 will have a Vigil Service from 11pm to 4am on 14th - 15th March in the Prayer Centre, Clonmacnois, starting with Mass. All welcome to pray for the renewal of faith & evangelisation of Ireland. For more information contact Helen on 086-1678027.
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Co Offaly Childminding Initiative will hold an information workshop for intending Childminders on 26th March @ 7.30pm in Tullamore. Cost, €5 per person. Call Fiona on 057-9370630
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Shannonbridge GAA Club will hold a Church Gate Collection on 15th -17th March in aid of Conradh na Gaeilge Language Fund.
This is a national collection.