Sunday, March 29, 2009

Clonmacnois Parish Newsletter
Sunday 29th March 2009 – 5 Lent B
Tel (090) 9674125 Fax (090) 9674267
Mass times: Shannonbridge: Weekend, 8pm (Sat), & 12 noon, Sun;
Weekdays, 10am. Clonfanlough – Sunday, 10.30am
Shannonbridge
Masses: Each day @ 10am
Adoration on First Fri until 5pm
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €466. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: K.Price, ClCurley, P.Anderson
Eucharistic ministers: Group 4
Readers for next Weekend: Group 2, C.Casey, E.Quinn
Altar Servers for this week: Caitríona, Siobhan
Mass on next Sat eve for Frank Coleman & family deceased

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Clonfanlough
Mass on First Fri @ 7pm
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €208. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: M.Halligan, M.Kelly
Readers for next Sunday: D. Norton
Altar Servers for next Sunday: Group A
Eucharistic minister for next Sunday: A.Rohan
Mass on next Sun for the late Jim & Ciss O’Shea

Prayer Centre Clonmacnois
Family Mass with healing service on Wed 1st April @ 7.30pm.
Principal celebrant will be Fr Lorenzo Bracken. All welcome
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Questions people askQ. I’ve always wondered what is meant by the line in the Apostles Creed, ‘He descended into hell’.A. A more recent translation of this creed states that Jesus descended to the dead. This makes it more clear that it wasn’t into the hell of the damned that he descended, but that his death was real and brought him to all the dead who were waiting on the Redeemer. To quote the Catechism of the Catholic Church: ‘Jesus did not descend into hell to deliver the damned, nor to destroy the hell of damnation, but to free the just who had gone before him.’Fr Silvester O’Flynn OFM Cap
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Ardagh & Clonmacnois Pilgrimage to Lourdes
27th May - 1st June -- 5 nights -- fully inclusive price: €725.00
Booking forms available now for the Pilgrim Section from
Joe Walsh Tours, 143 Lower Baggot Street, Dublin 2.
Tel 01-2410810. Pilgrimage director, Fr Noonan, Moate.
Application forms available for Invalid Section.
Contact Fr Scanlon, Cloghan, at 090-6457122.
Flights will depart from Knock
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West Offaly Education Project
Will hold an Open / Enrolment Evening on Wed 1st April @ 8pm in Clonfanlough Hall. Courses on offer include Computers for Beginners, Intermediate Computers, Interior Design, Tai Chi, Organic Gardening, Digital Photography and many more.
For more info call 057-9351392 or 057 -9151622.
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New Christians
We welcome into the Christian Community those who were baptised since the beginning of this year:
John Price, son of John & Noreen; Michael Carty, son of Mark & Caroline; Shane Kelly, son of Paul & Antoinette.

Sunday, March 22, 2009

Clonmacnois Parish Newsletter
Sunday 22nd March 2009 - 4th Sun Lent 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: €549. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: M.McManus, C.Slattery, A.Corbett
Eucharistic ministers: Group 3
Readers for next Weekend: Group 1, D.Finnerty, P.Corbett
Altar Servers for this week: Aoife, Athene
Mass on next Sat eve for the late Paddy Duffy.
Anniversary Mass for Jerry Greene on next Sun
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Clonfanlough
Mass for Lent on Mon @ 7pm
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €368. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: J.Noble, D.Fitzgerald
Readers for next Sunday: A.Kelly
Altar Servers for next Sunday: Group E Eucharistic minister for next Sunday: K.Kelly

John, 3.16
'Khubela Wele asiima sibala mala aana Omwana wewe omutelwa, nio buli omundu yesi yesi omusubila alobe khutiba ta, mala anyoole bulamu bukhaliwayo ta.'
Questions people askQ. I can accept praying for somebody, but what is the point of lighting a candle for some intention?A. The language of prayer can take many forms and it is not confined to human speech. St Paul wrote that when we do not know how to pray, then the Spirit makes our petitions in groans that cannot be put into words. We pray in gestures such as kneeling or the sign of the cross. Lighting a candle, or votive light, is a sign of the light of faith. A candle is a powerful symbol of unselfish service as it gives of itself totally in spreading light.Fr Silvester O’Flynn OFM Cap ¨¨¨¨
Ardagh & Clonmacnois Pilgrimage to Lourdes
27th May - 1st June -- 5 nights -- fully inclusive price: €725.00
Booking forms available now for the Pilgrim Section from
Joe Walsh Tours, 143 Lower Baggot Street, Dublin 2.
Tel 01-2410810. Pilgrimage director, Fr Noonan, Moate.
Application forms available for Invalid Section.
Contact Fr Scanlon, Cloghan, at 090-6457122.
Flights will depart from Knock
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Helpful Courses on Family Matters
In the Pastoral Centre Longford. (in St Mel’s College)
.26th March @ 8pm: Communication in Marriage – Fr Peter Burke.
2nd April @ 8pm: Marriage Breakdown & Annulment – Fr Mike Burns, Galway Marriage Tribunal
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Ard Chiaráin Prayer Centre
Two days of reflection, Tues 24th & Wed 25th March, on the Second Vatican Council, its teachings and aftermath. Has it lived up to expectations? And what can you do about it?
Time: 11am to 5pm. Facilitator will be Fr Brendan Staunton, S.J.
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Stroke Support Group
Meeting March 25th in Health Centre Ballinasloe @ 7pm
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‘Thanks to all who took part in the Table Quiz for the Day Centre Ballinasloe. €1000.00 was collected on the night.’
The Irish Rugby team won the Triple Crown and the Nations Cup on Saturday beating Wales 17 points to 15 points. A nail biting finish when Wales were awarded a penalty kick in the last minute. Lucky for Ireland that he failed in the attempt. It was their first treble -crown for 61 years.
Earlier in the day Ferbane defeated Shannonbridge in their football match.

Friday, March 20, 2009

Notes from Dermot

The GAA Club finals were played yesterday. In hurling Portumna defeated DE La Salle2 - 24 to 1 – 8. In the football Kilmacud Crokes defeatedCrossmacglenn 1 - 9 to 0 – 7.The rugby Six Nations decider games take place next weekend. Results from last weekend were Ireland 22 points Scotland 15,England 34 France 10, and Italy 15 Wales 21. After four rounds of matches Ireland have 8, Wales 6, England 4,France 4, Scotland 2 and Italy 0.Ireland play Wales in their final match on Saturday at 5.30 pm Irish time
Eddie Browne from England telephoned last evening. Eddie has been to Ireland a number of times seeking information on his family tree. He is particularly interested in the Coughlan Family from Clonascragh. Hewas delighted to get a phone-call from a Peter Kennedy from South America who had read of Eddie’s search on this site some months ago.Peter is living in South America and had information on the Coughlan Family for Eddie. Eddie did not have a phone number or e-mail forPeter so on Eddie’s behalf ‘thank you Peter for contacting Eddie andindeed for reading this web.Eddie is still searching for a copy of Brendan Ryan’s book titled ’A Land By The River Of God’ which has a lot of information on the Coughlan Family.
The actress Ana Manahan has died at the age of 84 years and was laidto rest in her native Waterford. I heard on the radio that playwright John B Keane wrote the play Big Maggie for the late Ana. May she restin peace.
Cheltenham Races took place last week and Irish horses won nine racesin all. Irish jockey Ruby Walshe had a great four days riding sevenwinners in total. Heard today that somebody has been running a very successful advertisement that says Unwanted Horses Wanted. There appears to be a surplus of horses in the country and in other countries horse meat is very popular.
Some recent visitors. Two American girls on a sight seeing trip with Paddy Wagon stopped by.One girl told me that she was in university in Chicago but was fromPennsylvania Her companion was also attending the university and theywere sharing an apartment. When I asked what State she was from shetold me that since coming to Ireland she was almost ashamed to saythat she was from Romania. Last week Gary and Kelly Brown stopped by. Both are nurses and afterfinishing their rota of night duty, they drove to the CincinnatiAirport and flew to Dublin. There they hired a car and were on theirway to Galway having stopped off in Clonmacnois. Driving on the lefthand side was scary and they lost their way in Dublin. It was theirfirst visit to Ireland and had no Irish family roots. A friend thatwas coming to Dublin for the Saint Patrick’s Day persuaded them tocome along.Today 18th March four Americans arrived in Shannonbridge also from Ohio. One lady told Mick that her name was Perry and her people camefrom this area about three or four steps back. They saw the Perry Mill linen print in the bar and decided that they were heading for the mill at Belmont.
John the brother was telling me that he was reading a book called Connemara . Listening To The Wind. He told me that Shannonbridge was mentioned in it and there was a story of an engineer named Illiad thatworked on the bridge. I think he is mixing up his Greek writers as it was probably Thoms Omer who was working on the canal system in the mid1700’s. A friend of John’s Marie O Gorman was telling John that she reads theShannonbridge website. Recently she was on holiday in Florida and noticed that the weekly church offering came to $50,000 each weekcompared to*00 Euros in Shannonbridge/Clonfinlough for a good week. Padraig Turley and his wife were in Shannonbridge on a visit lastweek. Padraig told us that his uncle Joe Claffey was 33 years dead. Say a prayer for him. Padraig was in London recently and visited theRoyal Victoria Museum. While putting in a swivel bridge and lock gates and Lockhouse at Shannonbridge in the 1800’s the OPW in London who were in charge of the work used journeymen painters to paint a picture of the work completed. The painting in the Royal Victoria was painted in 1876 and was such a work. Padraig purchased a copy of the painting and it now hangs in his home in Dublin. Recently I heard that the OPW,( office of public works) has a displayof various Irish marble in their head-office in Dublin located onSaint Stephen’s Green. Among the Kilkenny and Galway and Dublin etcstands a display of Clononey Marble. Seems it was quarried nearClononey Castle in the early 1800’s. Padraig Turley knows about it andI feel he will be visiting OPW on Stephen’s Green.
Came across a stamp today in memory of Louis Braille. I did not check if it was Irish.
On the pub family tree. JJ Killeen bought the pub from Willie Price.Wilsons owned it before that. Mrs Wilson was an Aunt to Willie Price.Before that Andersons and before that Corrigan Family were the owners.Three of the Corrigan boys were killed at the battle of Aughrim in1698 in the William and James battle. This information was given bythe late Mick Coughlan, Garryduff and one of his grand-uncles toldhim. This grand-uncle was a hedge school master.
Banagher had two Saint Patrick Parades last Sunday. The first was a Boat Parade and some 50 boats took part. Afterwards there was an excellent parade in the town. School-children had been busy on Saturday decorating the pavements. One of the prizes on offer was for the best dressed Saint Patrick from a boat in the Boat Parade. The winner was Tony Buggy.
The death occurred last week of Brendan Coulter, Cavan. For many years Brendan acted as Honorary Secretary to the National Coarse Fishing Federation of Ireland.May he rest in peace.
The weather has been good this past week or more and the forecast is also good. A few anglers were in action and five double figure pike were caught mostly on dead bait. Birds are enjoying the weather and gardens are like the Concert Hall at times. Mick found an elaborately made birds-nest in the garden atthe weekend. Are birds union members? This morning at 9.45 there were no birds on the bird feeders in the back yard. Ten minutes later tenbirds arrived to start work.

Sunday, March 15, 2009

Clonmacnois Parish Newsletter
Sunday 15th March 2009 - 3rd Sun Lent 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 to Sat @ 10am
Tues is the feast of St Patrick, a Holy Day - Vigil Mass on Mon @ 8pm; Mass on Tues @ 12 noon, the Anniversary for Darren Egan
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €428. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: J.Kelly, M.Killeen, A.Keena
Eucharistic ministers: Group 2
Readers for St Patrick's Day, Group 5, C.Mannion, C.Doolan
For next Sun, Group 6, E.Casey, D.O'Carroll
Altar Servers for this week: Megan, Andrea
Mass on next Sun for Katie & John O'Shea & family deceased
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Clonfanlough
Mass for St Patrick on Tues @ 10.30am
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €231. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: C.Healy, T.Milner
Readers for next Sunday: I.McEvoy
Altar Servers for next Sunday: Group D Eucharistic minister for next Sunday: P.Darcy
First Penance for the children on Thurs @ 8pm in Clonfanlough
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Volunteers Needed
At present we are seeking people to help out in a number of different ways: as ministers of the Word, in Music & Singing, as Eucharistic ministers, in helping with finance (counting the various collections as they occur).
We also invite people to host the Station Masses, as many areas have been without Stations for some time.
If you are willing to do any of the above, please let me know, or inform any member of the Parish Pastoral Council.
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Co Offaly Childminding Initiative
Will hold an arts & crafts event for Childminders/pre-school children on Thurs 2nd April in Tullamore. For more info call 057-9370630
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A Day for the Bereaved
Ferbane Heritage Centre on Sat 21st March from 10.30am to 3pm.
Lunch will be served. Facilitator for the day is Sr. Bernadette O'Grady. The purpose of the day is to enable people to understand & reflect on the grieving process. Hopefully, it will be a source of comfort & healing for all who attend. All welcome.
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Samaritans Information Evening
For new volunteers, Wed 18th March @ 8pm in 3 Court Devenish, Northgate St Athlone. For more info call 087-9030621.
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Ard Chiaráin Prayer Centre
Two days of reflection, Tues 24th & Wed 25th March, on the Second Vatican Council, its teachings and aftermath. Has it lived up to expectations? And what can you do about it?
Time: 11am to 5pm. Facilitator will be Fr Brendan Staunton, S.J.
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Trócaire - working for a just world
'Over 26 million people worldwide have been forced to flee their homes because of conflict. That's 26 million people who urgently need your support to rebuild their lives. This Lent please give what you can to Trócaire.'

Sunday, March 08, 2009

Clonmacnois Parish Newsletter
Sunday 8th March 2009 - 2nd Sun Lent 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: €410. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: G.Brennan, D.Deeley, V.Hynes
Eucharistic ministers: Group 1
Readers for next Weekend: Group 4, S.Grennan, P.Duffy
Altar Servers for this week: Oisín, Michaela
Mass on next Sat eve for the late Brendan & Mary Rooney
Mass on next Sun for the late Tom Nugent
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Clonfanlough
Mass for Lent on Mon @ 7pm
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €310. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: B.Maleney, H.Hynes
Readers for next Sunday: C.Norton
Altar Servers for next Sunday: Group C Eucharistic minister for next Sunday: N.Egan
Anniversary Mass for Joe Darcy on next Sunday

Meeting of Parish P.C.
This Mon in Clonfanlough @ 7.30pm
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Ardagh & Clonmacnois Pilgrimage to Lourdes
27th May - 1st June -- 5 nights -- fully inclusive price: €725.00
Booking forms available now for the Pilgrim Section from
Joe Walsh Tours, 143 Lower Baggot Street, Dublin 2.
Tel 01-2410810. Pilgrimage director, Fr Noonan, Moate.
Application forms available for Invalid Section.
Contact Fr Scanlon, Cloghan, at 090-6457122.
Flights will depart from Knock
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Helpful Courses on Family Matters
In the Pastoral Centre Longford. (in St Mel’s College)
Thurs 19th March @ 8pm: The Experience of Loss & Separation for Young People. – Ms Evelyn Breen.
26th March @ 8pm: Communication in Marriage – Fr Peter Burke.
2nd April @ 8pm: Marriage Breakdown & Annulment – Fr Mike Burns, Galway Marriage Tribunal
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Umbra Clothing Collection - 'Supporting Education in Africa'
Wed 11th March 9 am - 12noon in the Car parks at Shannonbridge Hall and Clonfanlough Hall
Table Quiz on Wed
Will be in aid of the Day Care Centre in Ballinasloe
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Information night for golf beginners
Ballinasloe Golf Clubhouse, 12th March @ 8pm
Ballinasloe Flower & garden Club
Talk on ‘Spring/Summer in the Garden’ by Liam Heneghan.
Wed 11th March in Gullanes Hotel @ 8pm
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Something to ponder
“If we are going to stop wars on this earth, we are going to have to make war on hunger our number one priority.” (David W. Brooks)

We can make some contribution to this sentiment by encouraging and supporting ‘FAIR TRADE’, and remembering to do our ‘bit’ for TRÓCAIRE during Lent.

Monday, March 02, 2009

GAA.

Mixed fortunes for Shannonbridge in their first two Div One Football League games for 2009. After defeating Tullamore in the opener by 1-7 to 0-3, they had to give best to Ballycumber yesterday, at Ballycumber on a scoreline of 0-8 to 0-4.

Library Quiz.

Last Wednesday night's quiz in Killeens, raised €154.00 for the Community Library. Many thanks to all who contributed. This money goes towards the running costs, including insurance. The library is open every Thursday from 7 pm to 9 pm - why not come along and see the extensive array of books.

Late Cathal O'Leary, Clonascra.

Sad news last week of the death of Cathal O'Leary, Enfield and Clonascra, following a traffic accident. He was laid to rest in Clonmacnoise on Thursday following mass in Ballinahown. May he rest in peace.

Bidwatch Ireland Magazine focus on Offaly.

Birdwatch Ireland's magazine, Wings - Spring edition, carries an excellent article by Alex Copland, on watching birds in Offaly. The top five sites include the Shannon Callows. It lists the species of birds, describes the habitat and details points of access. In summer species to look for are Corncrake, Snipe, Sedge and Grasshopper Warblers, Whinchat and Stonechat. Lapwing, Redshank and Curlew all breed in the calows. On the river the Great Crested Grebe. In winter a whole different population of birds appear - Wigeon, Golden Plover, Lapwing, Whooper Swan, Pintail, Shoveller, Teal, Dunlin, Curlew and Black Tailed Godwit.
The other sites listed in the area are the Little Brosna, Turraun Nature Reserve, Lough Boora and Slieve Bloom.

Sunday, March 01, 2009

Clonmacnois Parish Newsletter
Sunday 1st March 2009 - 1st Sun Lent 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. Adoration on First Fri until 6pm
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €684. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: M.Moran, M.Murphy, M.McManus
Eucharistic ministers: Group 4
Readers for next Weekend: Group 3, M.Killeen, O.Costello
Altar Servers for this week: Siobhán, Caitríona, Athene
Mass on next Sat eve for the late James McBride
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Clonfanlough
Mass on the First Fri @ 7pm.
This Mass will be said for the late Tom Mannion
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €243. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: N.Egan, A.Rohan
Readers for next Sunday: A.Coughlan
Altar Servers for next Sunday: Group B Eucharistic minister for next Sunday: D.McEvoy
Mass on next Sun for Mary & Michael Kelly & family deceased
TRÓCAIRE BOXES are available in the Church today; please take one.
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Launch of the Diocesan Fairtrade Status
'All parishioners are invited by the Ardagh & Clonmacnois Diocesan Committee on Fairtrade to the launch on Wed 4th March, which will take place in the Hospitality Building, Athlone IT @ 6.30pm.
Light refreshments will be served.'
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Ardagh & Clonmacnois Pilgrimage to Lourdes
27th May - 1st June -- 5 nights -- fully inclusive price: €725.00
Booking forms available now for the Pilgrim Section from
Joe Walsh Tours, 143 Lower Baggot Street, Dublin 2.
Tel 01-2410810. Pilgrimage director, Fr Noonan, Moate.
Application forms available for Invalid Section.
Contact Fr Scanlon, Cloghan, at 090-6457122.
Flights will depart from Knock
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Questions people askQ. Could you tell me about the temptations of Jesus. Was it the way we are tempted to sin?A. The temptations of Jesus may be understood as attempts by the devil to divert his mission from its real purpose. The devil’s name is diabolos, a Greek word meaning one who misleads people, throwing them off course. Providing free bread or floating on angels’ wings would certainly arouse curiosity, but would it lead to conversion of life? Jesus rejected these diabolical suggestions and chose the way of solidarity with human powerlessness, even death. This showed his total love for us. And then, resurrection from the dead was a sign infinitely more important than miraculous stunts.Fr Silvester O’Flynn OFM Cap
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Helpful Courses on Family Matters
In the Pastoral Centre Longford. (in St Mel’s College)
Thurs 19th March @ 8pm: The Experience of Loss & Separation for Young People. – Ms Evelyn Breen.
26th March @ 8pm: Communication in Marriage – Fr Peter Burke.
2nd April @ 8pm: Marriage Breakdown & Annulment – Fr Mike Burns, Galway Marriage Tribunal