Its time to clear out some reminder notes from my shirt pocket before it gets its Christmas wash.

Willie Joyce from Birr called in on 4^th December and was in great form. He is still at the furniture selling in Birr and I think Aughrim or Ahascragh.

Liam Duffy, Clondelara, celebrated his 21^st Birthday on 5^th December and belated birthday greetings to Liam.

That weekend a daughter of the late Frank Kinlough was in Shannonbridge for a weekend visit but I did not get a chance to talk to her.

By now most people will have heard of the pig scare due to dioxins in the pig feed.

On 10^th December a Lady phoned the Joe Duffy Radio Show and told that she had sent a Galtee Xmas Gift Parcel to her daughter in America. After hearing of the dioxins found in the pig-meat she phoned the Galtee contact number to voice her worries, and to enquire if their pork products in the gift parcel would be all right. A woman with an American accent that answered the phone assured her that the parcel was fine, as the rashers were Danish and their sausages were sourced in America. Galtee are one of the leaders in pork and bacon products here in Ireland. Nice one Galtee. Enjoy as they say in America.

On Friday 12^th December the Annual Senior Citizen’s Party took place in the Community Center, after the special Mass. The Ladies Group and Helpers that organised the event had ordered a traditional Christmas Dinner of turkey and ham, a choice of plum pudding or trifle, from The Fort Restaurant. Tea or coffee was served with Christmas cake prepared by Catherine Curley. There was a Christmas Present for each of those attending. There was music and dancing and singing for a few hours afterwards making for an enjoyable night.

The death occurred on 12^th December of Mrs Ina Green, America, Falty, relic of the late Patrick Green. My sister was telling us that Ina’s mother Kate Green was a sister of the late Jack Mulvey, who lived across from the old castle at Clonmacnois. One of the women had a cure for baldness and included in the ingredients was rum and olive oil. May they rest in peace.

It was good to see Eugene Carty and his son Brendan home from Boston to attend the wedding of his niece Bernadette Carty, daughter of Tom and Margaret Carty, to Conor Griffin in mid December. The wedding ceremony took place in Abbeyleix Church with the Reception in Durrow Castle in Laois.

Congratulations to the newly weds.

The death occurred on 10^th December of Sheila Smith, Roscrea, and mother of Dymphna O Carroll from the Ely House Guesthouse in Shannonbridge. May she rest in peace.

A bit of religion from Mary Craughwell of Athlone Cruisers. Mary was telling us one Saturday night recently that she often attends the Sunday Market in Clara. She has got to know a settled Lady Trader well over the years. This Lady Trader is very religious. Mary asked her if she ever handled goods that fell off a lorry. The Trader asked what she meant. Mary asked her if she ever handled stolen goods.

The Lady Trader said that she had.

Mary asked her how she was so religious and was able to sell stolen goods.

The Lady Trader replied that she went to Confession.

The Irish Times on Monday contains a regular little gem entitled “Where’s That” written by Flann O Riain. The column on 15^th December dealt with Coskeam. It is named after Coisceim Choiligh, the Irish for “A cock’s step” The name Coskeam is found in counties Clare, Cavan and Meath.

The article that day had a note added telling of the death of Flann O Riain. May he rest in peace.

Already this week the Shannonbridge Carol Singers have been busy singing their Christmas Carols and collecting funds for their chosen charity which is The Tullamore Hospice. Oliver Hilliard, Sean Kelly, Martin Donegan and Johnny Deeley were to the fore. This year Shannonbridge Pottery produced a 100 mug special that features a photograph of Saint Ciaran’s Church, Shannonbridge on each mug. These were presented to the carol singers and sale of the mugs will be added to the Hospice Fund as well as donations. Well done to all concerned.

Don’t forget to keep the used stamps for the Missions. Sister Marie from Ard Chiarain will gladly accept them and pass them on.

Good to see The Crib erected in the Church today by Stevie Kenny family on Tuesday.

Congratulations to Mark Donegan, Shannonbridge and Mary Harding, Belmont on the recent announcement of their engagement.

Clonmacnois Parish Newsletter
Sunday 21st Dec 2008 - 4th Sun Adv B
Tel (090) 9674125 Fax (090) 9674267
Mass times: Shannonbridge - Weekend, 8pm (Sat), & 12noon Sun;
Weekdays, 10am. Clonfanlough - Sunday, 10.30am

Shannonbridge
Masses: Mon - Wed, Sat @ 10am; Thurs & Fri @ 12noon
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €516. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: J.Kelly, M.Killeen, A.Keena
Eucharistic ministers: Group 2
Readers for Christmas: Group 4, S.Grennan, P.Duffy
Readers for next weekend: Group 5, C.Mannion, C.Doolan
Altar Servers for this week: Megan, Andrea, Aoife
Mass on Sat eve for the late MaryAnn, Ciaran & Brian Flannery
¨¨¨¨
Clonfanlough
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €300. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: J.Egan, B.Dolan
Readers for Christmas: I.McEvoy, A.Kelly
Reader for next Sun: H.Coughlan
Altar Servers for Christmas & next Sunday: As arranged. Eucharistic minister for next Sunday: P.Darcy
Mass on Thurs for the late Michael Kelly (Lakefield)

'To talk well & eloquently is a very great act, but an equally great one is to know the right moment to stop.' (W.A. Mozart)

TIMETABLE FOR CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS
Shannonbridge Clonfanlough

24th December 24th December
Christmas Eve night mass @ 9pm Christmas Eve night mass
@7pm
Thursday 25th December Thurs 25th December
Mass for Christmas Day @ 12 Noon Mass for Christmas @ 10.30am

Thurs 1st Jan 2008- New Years Day Thurs 1st Jan 2008
Feast of Mary Mother of God Feast of Mary Mother of God
Mass for peace @ 12 Noon Mass for peace @ 10:30 am

¨¨¨¨
Gifts Without Cost
Some gifts you can give this Christmas are beyond monetary value:
* Mend a quarrel, dismiss suspicion, tell someone, "I love you."
* Give something away-anonymously.
* Forgive someone who has treated you wrong.
* Turn away wrath with a soft answer.
* Visit someone in a nursing home.
* Apologize if you were wrong.
* Be especially kind to someone with whom you work.
* Give as God gave to you in Christ, without obligation, or announcement, or reservation, or hypocrisy. (C. Swindoll, Growing Strong, pp. 400-1)
¨¨¨¨
Beannachtaí na Nollag agus Síocháin san Ath Bhliain do gach duine

A special word of thanks to all who contribute to the various collections during the year, and to all who help out in any way in the Church and community. It is much appreciated.

'When giving Christmas gifts think & buy Fair Trade and thus help producers in poorer countries.'

Clonmacnois Parish Newsletter
Sunday 14th Dec 2008 - 3rd Sun Adv B
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: €510. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: G.Brennan, D.Deeley, V.Hynes
Eucharistic ministers: Group 1
Readers for next Weekend: Group 3, M.Killeen, O.Costello
Altar Servers for this week: Michaela, Oisín
Mass on next Sat eve for the late Damien Kenny.
Mass on next Sun for the late James F. & Leo Coakley
••••
Clonfanlough
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €273. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: K.Kenny, A.Kearns
Readers for next Sunday: A.& L.Devery
Altar Servers for next Sunday: Group B Eucharistic minister for next Sunday: N.Egan
Mass on next Sun for the Devery family deceased

Station Mass
Mon @ 7.30pm at the home of C. & M. Claffey, Aughincabe

Carol Service: in Clonmacnois this Sun @ 4pm. All welcome
Sacrament of Reconciliation on Fri 19th Dec, in Clonfanlough @ 7pm; Shannonbridge @ 8pm, preceded by a Carol Service
••••
A special word of thanks & appreciation is due to the kind people who organised & facilitated the recent Christmas Parties in both Shannonbridge & Clonfanlough. It demanded much hard work by many people; but the enjoyment given and shared by the guests is its own reward!
••••
Youth 2000 Christmas Retreat
For young people aged 16 - 35 @ Newbridge College, Co Kildare from Fri 19th Dec to Sun 21st Dec; "an opportunity not to be missed to experience the Catholic faith and meet many new friends.
Call the office on 01-6753690, or Mark on 086-8550417 for more info. Donations only, no charge." Visit www.youth2000
••••
Holy Hour of Quiet & Reflection for young people
Ferbane Church, Sat 20th Dec, 8-9pm. 'We invite all young people to a space of peace in the presence of Christ in the Holy Eucharist' - "Come to me … and I will give you Rest."
••••
Questions people ask (Fr O'Flynn - Intercom)
Q. What is the Jesse tree and its relationship to Advent?
A. Jesse was the father of King David. The Jesse tree refers to the line of Jesus’ human ancestors. ‘A shoot shall spring forth from the stump of Jesse, and a branch out of its shoots’ (Isaiah 11:1). In Advent, as we prepare for the coming of Jesus, a tree, or a banner representing a tree, may be erected. Each day, or once a week, something is attached to recall a person or event from the time before Christ. In the Middle Ages it was a popular way of teaching Old Testament history. It is much closer to the real meaning of Christmas than the popular Christmas tree.

Q. The parents of Mary were Joachim and Anne. What of Joseph? Q. The names of Mary’s parents are not given in the Bible but come from Christian tradition. Matthew 1:16 lists Jacob as the father of Joseph, whereas Luke 3:23 calls Joseph the son of Heli. It is possible that Jacob and Heli were different names for the same person, something not unusual at the time. These genealogies were not compiled for reasons of historical accuracy. Matthew’s purpose was to trace Joseph back, through David, to Abraham. The universal scope of the Gospel of Luke prompted him trace Jesus back to Adam. Neither written texts nor popular devotion tell the name of Joseph’s mother.
••••
Prayer Centre Clonmacnois: Prayer Vigil 19/20th Dec, 11pm to 4am, starting with Mass. All welcome. Enquiries to Dave on 085-7746763

Clonmacnois Parish Newsletter
Sunday 14th Dec 2008 - 3rd Sun Adv B
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: €510. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: G.Brennan, D.Deeley, V.Hynes
Eucharistic ministers: Group 1
Readers for next Weekend: Group 3, M.Killeen, O.Costello
Altar Servers for this week: Michaela, Oisín
Mass on next Sat eve for the late Damien Kenny.
Mass on next Sun for the late James F. & Leo Coakley
••••
Clonfanlough
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €273. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: K.Kenny, A.Kearns
Readers for next Sunday: A.& L.Devery
Altar Servers for next Sunday: Group B Eucharistic minister for next Sunday: N.Egan
Mass on next Sun for the Devery family deceased

Station Mass
Mon @ 7.30pm at the home of C. & M. Claffey, Aughincabe

Carol Service: in Clonmacnois this Sun @ 4pm. All welcome
Sacrament of Reconciliation on Fri 19th Dec, in Clonfanlough @ 7pm; Shannonbridge @ 8pm, preceded by a Carol Service
••••
A special word of thanks & appreciation is due to the kind people who organised & facilitated the recent Christmas Parties in both Shannonbridge & Clonfanlough. It demanded much hard work by many people; but the enjoyment given and shared by the guests is its own reward!
••••
Youth 2000 Christmas Retreat
For young people aged 16 - 35 @ Newbridge College, Co Kildare from Fri 19th Dec to Sun 21st Dec; "an opportunity not to be missed to experience the Catholic faith and meet many new friends.
Call the office on 01-6753690, or Mark on 086-8550417 for more info. Donations only, no charge." Visit www.youth2000
••••
Holy Hour of Quiet & Reflection for young people
Ferbane Church, Sat 20th Dec, 8-9pm. 'We invite all young people to a space of peace in the presence of Christ in the Holy Eucharist' - "Come to me … and I will give you Rest."
••••
Questions people ask (Fr O'Flynn - Intercom)
Q. What is the Jesse tree and its relationship to Advent?
A. Jesse was the father of King David. The Jesse tree refers to the line of Jesus’ human ancestors. ‘A shoot shall spring forth from the stump of Jesse, and a branch out of its shoots’ (Isaiah 11:1). In Advent, as we prepare for the coming of Jesus, a tree, or a banner representing a tree, may be erected. Each day, or once a week, something is attached to recall a person or event from the time before Christ. In the Middle Ages it was a popular way of teaching Old Testament history. It is much closer to the real meaning of Christmas than the popular Christmas tree.

Q. The parents of Mary were Joachim and Anne. What of Joseph? Q. The names of Mary’s parents are not given in the Bible but come from Christian tradition. Matthew 1:16 lists Jacob as the father of Joseph, whereas Luke 3:23 calls Joseph the son of Heli. It is possible that Jacob and Heli were different names for the same person, something not unusual at the time. These genealogies were not compiled for reasons of historical accuracy. Matthew’s purpose was to trace Joseph back, through David, to Abraham. The universal scope of the Gospel of Luke prompted him trace Jesus back to Adam. Neither written texts nor popular devotion tell the name of Joseph’s mother.
••••
Prayer Centre Clonmacnois: Prayer Vigil 19/20th Dec, 11pm to 4am, starting with Mass. All welcome. Enquiries to Dave on 085-7746763

Clonmacnois Parish Newsletter
Sunday 7th Dec 2008 - 2nd Sun Adv B
Tel (090) 9674125 Fax (090) 9674267
Mass times: Shannonbridge - Weekend, 8pm (Sat), & 12noon Sun;
Weekdays, 10am. Clonfanlough - Sunday, 10.30am
Shannonbridge
Masses: Tues-Thurs, Sat @ 10am; on Fri @ 6pm
Mon, 8th Dec, Feast of the Immaculate Conception - a Holy Day:
Mass on Mon @ 12noon & 8pm.
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €688. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: M.Moran, M.Murphy, M.McManus
Eucharistic ministers: Group 4
Readers for next Weekend: Group 2, C.Casey, E.Quinn
Altar Servers for this week:
Mass on next Sat eve for the late Denis Lyons.
Mass on next Sun for the late Elizabeth McManus
¨¨¨¨
Clonfanlough
Mass for the 'Immaculate Conception' on Mon @ 10.30am
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €120. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: E.Egan, A.McEvoy
Readers for next Sunday: C.Norton
Altar Servers for next Sunday: Group A Eucharistic minister for next Sunday: D.McEvoy
Mass on next Sat @ 12noon for the late Earl & Petie Kelly
Mass on next Sun for the Late Anne & Ciaran Pillion

Carol Service: in Clonmacnois next Sun @ 4pm. All welcome.
Christmas Party in Shannonbridge Hall
Fri 12th Dec, starting with Mass in the Church @ 6pm.
Please reply quickly, as the organisers need to know how many are coming, by calling 087-2410587.
¨¨¨¨
Ballinasloe Flower & Garden Club,
A Christmas Demonstration, by J. & G. Donnelly,
Wed 10th Dec @ 8pm, in Gullanes Hotel
¨¨¨¨
Youth 2000 Christmas Retreat
For young people aged 16 - 35 @ Newbridge College, Co Kildare from Fri 19th Dec to Sun 21st Dec; "an opportunity not to be missed to experience the Catholic faith and meet many new friends.
Call the office on 01-6753690, or Mark on 086-8550417 for more info. Donations only, no charge." Visit www.youth2000
¨¨¨¨
Holy Hour of Quiet & Reflection for young people
Ferbane Church, Sat 20th Dec, 8-9pm. 'We invite all young people to a space of peace in the presence of Christ in the Holy Eucharist' - "Come to me … and I will give you Rest."
¨¨¨¨
Irish Cancer Society
Presentation on 'Understanding the emotional effects of a cancer diagnosis.' In Mullingar Park Hotel on Tues 9th Dec @ 7pm.
For more info call 01-2310533.
¨¨¨¨
The weight of a snowflake (Appleseds.org)
Not too long ago in a place not too far away, a field mouse asked a wise old owl what is the weight of a snowflake. "Why nothing more than nothing," answered the owl. The mouse went on to tell the owl about the time he was resting on a branch in a fir tree, counting each snowflake until the number was exactly 3 million, 471 thousand, 952. Then with the settling of the very next flake—crack. The branch suddenly snapped, tumbling mouse and snow to the ground. "Humph …Such was the weight of nothing," said the mouse
So the next time you think your contributions, your acts of charity, your works for justice, your gifts of love, and your talents are nothing, or that they are small in comparison to those of others, remember that when one is added to another, and then to another and so forth, great things can happen from nothing. In the same way, what seems to be ordinary can be transformed into something extraordinary with just a little extra nothing. Your mission is to create great things once again out of nothingness, to transform the ordinary into the extraordinary.

Niall Mellon Township Trust
Just a quick note from Cape Town in South Africa to say that we (all 2000 of us) finished our building blitz today, and met our target of building 250 houses for the people of Khaylitsha township in Cape Town.
The work was extremely tough in temperatures up to 34 degress celsius, but very rewarding.
Thanks to everyone who helped me with fundraising and who made donations to allow me to take part in the project,
Michael

GAA News from Club PRO Jason Mahon

Shannonbridge GAA Annual General Meeting

The Shannonbridge AGM was held on Friday last, 28^th November in Shannonbridge national school in which there was a very good turn-out between members and players alike.

Chairman Tom Moore thanked all who contributed throughout the past year, especially Roger Ryan who excelled in his first year as Club Secretary, Olive Costello as Treasurer and particularly Frank Guinan for his tireless work both in selling lotto tickets and his work out at the playing field. As has been stressed in previous years, without Frank the club would struggle to exist.

It was seen as a mixed year for the Bridge, on the playing field our Seniors importantly retained their senior status for another year, the championship got off to a flying start defeating near neighbours Ferbane by 6 points in Doon, before losing narrowly to Leinster kingpins Rhode by the minimum in O’Connor park before finally succumbing by 6 points to Tullamore in the final group game where a loss by only 3 points would still have guaranteed us a place in the quarter finals of the championship.

Our Juniors were very unlucky in the ‘B’ championship, missing out on the knockout stages cruelly on score difference after both Rhode & Tullamore were impressively defeated, we lost by 3 points to eventual champions Clonmore Harps and drew with Ballycommon in the final group game.

Off the field the club can be satisfied with its efforts, fund raising was achieved in the form of a bowling night last March and very successful golf classic held in Ballinasloe in August. Plenty of thanks must go to Jim Killeen, Vinnie Costello and Roger Ryan for all their efforts collecting sponsorship and arranging the fourballs etc..

The club wishes to thank all who contributed to spot prizes, sponsorship and to all who took part.

Minor secretary Ger Corbett gave a very good run-down on the underage grades. Once again from U-12 to minor, the club’s youngsters competed with neighbouring Ferbane, and the club would like to thank Ger & Tony Rohan for their efforts during the year as well as thank Ferbane GAA.

A lot of praise must also go to those who helped organise what was a very successful under-8 tournament at the sports field during the summer. There was a terrific turn-out of youngsters and we would also like to thank other clubs such as St. Rynaghs, Doon, Ferbane, Castledaly and Tubber for contributing to a brilliant occasion for all concerned. A special word of thanks must go to John Ryan, Tony Rohan, Ger Corbett and Noel Mannion who were out at the field throughout coaching sessions and helped make it happen.

We would like to thank outgoing senior football management team Michael Mahon, Mick Devine & Mick Flanagan for their efforts last year.

A lot of thanks must go to Junior manager Tom Moore and his selectors Niall O’Shea & Frank Guinan for all their work this year.

Special word of thanks

The club wishes to extend its deepest gratitude towards outgoing chairman Tom Moore for his tireless work done throughout the club, especially in the past 5 years that he has been chairman. Tom is and has been a great ambassador for the club throughout the years both as a player, team manager & as a club officer and we are delighted that he will remain on in another capacity within the club.

Thanks a million Tom.

Club Officers for 2009

The club would like to announce the following as club officers for the coming year.

Chairman – Dennis Loonam

Vice-chairman – Frank Guinan

Secretary – Roger Ryan

Assistant Secretary – Jason Mahon

Treasurer – Olive Costello

Club Registrar – Declan McEvoy

PRO – Jason Mahon

County Board Delegates – Noel Rocke & Tom Moore

Senior & Junior team secretaries – Jason Mahon & Tom Moore

Club membership

Club membership is now due for the coming year, it can be paid to registrar Declan McEvoy, players representative Niall Price or any committee member.

It will be €20 for singles and €30 for families (2 adults & 2 children U-18).

Management for 2009

Mick Devine has been announced as the Senior football manager for the coming year. Mick was part of the management team for the last year and his knowledge and experience will be priceless as we attempt to make our mark in the county next year.

We wish him the best of luck!!

His selectors and junior management team have yet to be confirmed.