Sunday, April 26, 2009

Clonmacnois Parish Newsletter
Sunday 26th April 2009 - 3rd Sun Easter 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 5pm
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €437. 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: Caitríona, Siobhan
Mass on next Sat eve for the late Mae Rocke, Nancy & Michael
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Clonfanlough
Mass for First Fri on Thurs @ 7pm
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €200. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: E.Egan, A.McEvoy
Readers for next Sunday: A.Coughlan
Altar Servers for next Sunday: Group C Eucharistic minister for next Sunday: P. Darcy

I will visit the sick & housebound on Friday.

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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Vocation Sunday - 3rd May
The annual Prayer Service will take place in Clonmacnois on Sat eve,2nd May @ 5pm. The Theme will be 'The call of all the baptised to follow Christ'. All are welcome to attend & join in.
On Sun, 3rd May there will be an Open Day at Maynooth Seminary.
All those discerning a vocation to the Catholic Priesthood are welcome. It will start @ 2.30pm and end with Mass @ 5pm.
For more info visit www.maynoothcollege.ie/seminary.
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Stroke Support Group
Meeting 29th April @ 7pm on 'Gentle Arm Exercises.'
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Aware, helping to defeat depression
Public Lecture on 'Mental Health Recovery', followed by Questions & answers, on Mon 11th May @ 8pm by Mary Hughes.
Venue: Bridge House Hotel Tullamore. All welcome.
Refreshments served, and there is no Adm fee.
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Knock Summer Youth Festival - 23rd - 26th July
"You are the Light of the World." 18 - 35 years - €70 - Free buses.
For more info visit www.knockshrine.ie/youthfestival
Call 094-9375035, 094-9388100 or 087-6927850.
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Catholic Identity Card
'if you are proud to proclaim your identity as a Catholic you might like to carry an Identity card, stating that you are a Catholic, and in the event of an accident or emergency, please contact a priest.'
These cards are available from info@ www.world priest.com
Call 01-2314600 or 086-868190785.

Friday, April 24, 2009

Lecture: Law Enforcement in West Offaly 1800 - 1922.

Offaly Historical Society are hosting a lecture on the above subject, by Brendan Ryan (Ferbane), in their premises at Bury Quay, Tullamore on Monday next, 27th April at 8.15. This lecture will focus on the police force during that period, the RIC (Royal Irish Constabulary). Admission is free, with a cup of tea afterwards.

Golf.

Well done to Gerry McManus and Brian McCoy who took Gold and Silver at the Shannonbridge golf outing to a windswept Athlone on Wednesday.

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Some years ago a group of divers had a look at the underwater bridge crossing the River Shannon at Clonmacnois.
It runs from in front of the main gate of the castle and is roughly 1,000 years old.
From the information that they gathered they were able to re-construct a model of the bridge.
Last evening Doctor Mark Holley, underwater archeologist, based near the Great Lakes in Michigan arrived in
Shannonbridge.The OPW have invited Doctor Holley and another underwater biologist to have a look at the
underwater bridge at Clonmacnois. They will be using Sectar Scan Sonar to view what remains underwater.
No diving will be required.
Earlier the team have looked at five crannogs on Lough Ennell.
Doctor Holley had looked at these crannogs some twenty years ago and has noticed some change.
He told about working on an ancient city in Greece that had become submerged after an earthquake and
is now covered in ten feet of sea water.
Doctor Holley works with the Nautlic Marine Group.

Met a German visitor yesterday looking for a CD tape of Louise Killeen.
He told us that she is well known in Germany.
If one uses Google.D to rearch for Louise Killeen he told us that there is lots of information.

This morning a couple from Wellington New Zealand arrived in Shannonbridge.
The man was an engineer and had come to see The Bog Rail. Alas the train trip is not running this year.
I directed them to Clonmacnois instead.

This evening Michael Heenan from Christchurch paid a return visit to the area.
Michael was last here during the World Cup. He has good Irish family tree with Grandparents
called Monaghan and O'Farrell. Michael told us that he also was planning on visiting The Bog Rail
on this visit. He is a reader of this website and was surprised to hear that the Bog Rail Tour
is not running this year.
Michael is now retired but works part time at the car-park of a gambling casino.
They have recently installed coin meters at the entrance to the car park and the tips have been badly effected.
He has been on a visit to Newgrange and was very impressed with their tour guide.
She told them to stop talking and listen as they were visiting history.
Michael promised to write about his visit to Ireland and share it with us on this site.

Sister Maura from the Ursulines Ard Chiarain at Terrys Hill has returned from a brief visit to Kenya.
While there she brought some money to help children with their education. This money is donated weekly
at the meeting of the Shannonbridge Active Retirement Group. Sister Maura's arrival was just in time
as they were almost out of food. Some of the youngsters wrote thank you letters to S.A.R.

After five days of sunshine it looks like the old rain is about to return.

Sunday, April 19, 2009

Clonmacnois Parish Newsletter
Sunday 19th April 2009 -2nd Easter 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
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €656. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: G.Brennan, D.Deeley, V.Hynes
Eucharistic ministers: Group 3
Readers for next Weekend: Group S.Grennan, P.Duffy
Altar Servers for this week: Aoife, Athene
Mass on next Sat eve for Kieran J. Mannion & family deceased.
Mass on next Sun for the late John J. Egan & Margaret O’Shea
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Clonfanlough
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €498. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: M.Devery, A.Kelly
Readers for next Sunday: A.& L.Devery
Altar Servers for next Sunday: Group B
Eucharistic minister for next Sunday: N.Egan
Station Mass on Fri eve @ 8pm at the home of G.& J. Rigney

Meeting of Parish P.C. on Mon @ 8pm in Shannonbridge
This is divine Mercy Sunday
‘Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his love has no end.’
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Pilgrimage to Poland; 23rd – 30th September 2009
4 nights in Krakow, 3 nights in Warsaw, visiting Religious & Historical places of interest, including the Sanctuary of the Divine Mercy and the tomb of St Faustina, as well as the Black Madonna of Czestochowa (biggest Marian Shrine in Poland).
We will also visit the birth town of the late Pope John Paul 2 and the one time home of St Maximilian Kolbe, who sacrificed his life for a fellow inmate of the notorious Concentration Camp of Auschwitz, which will also be part of our itinerary.
There are also many other places of great interest.
Spiritual director is Fr John Naughton; Tour leader is Nuala Power.
For more info or for booking forms call 090-9675148,086-3038267.
You may also call Pilgrimages Abroad Office on 01-6359300.
Price per person sharing: €969, (including tax & insurance)
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Commitment Fr Mark Link
There are people in this world, some you might even know, who realize that they are going to make only a microscopic dent in the problems of the world. But they also realize that the worse evil is to do nothing because they can do only a little.… Their commitments make us ask ourselves, "What have I done in the past to get involved? What am I doing in the present to make a difference? What ought I do in the future even if it makes only a microscopic dent in the problems of the world?"
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West Offaly Education Project
Will run a 4-week Digital Photography Course for Beginners in Clonfanlough Hall starting on Wed 22nd April from 7.30-9.30pm.
For more info contact Michelle or Jolene @ 057-9351392
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Co Offaly Childminding Initiative
Will host a Childminder Information Seminar on ‘Old Fashioned Play’ on Sat 25th April , 10am – 1.30pm, followed by lunch, in Tullamore; cost €15.00 per person. This is open to Childminders & intending Childminders. For more info call 057-9370630.
Lovely sunshine on Saturday and Sunday. Testing.

Saturday, April 18, 2009

Shannonbridge GAA Lotto.

Congratulations to Shane Flannery (Creevagh) and Valerie Gorman, last week's winners of the local lotto - €4,600 - well done!.

Garda Shane Kelly.

Also congrats to Shane Kelly (Shannonbridge) who was one of three Offaly recruits in the recent passing out parade at Templemore. Shane is now based in Ashbourne.

Church Building.

The building of the new toilets at the church in Shannonbridge are proceeding at pace and should be finished shortly.

Book Launch.

The launch of the reprinting of Dr. John Feehan's classic study of the Slieve Bloom area "The Landscape of the Slieve Bloom" takes place in Kinnitty Castle next Monday 20th April at 8pm. The book is a study of the natural and human heritage of the area and was originally published in 1979. It will be officially launched by Dr. Pat Wallace, Director of the National Museum.
Notes from Dermot 18.04.09.

Yesterday John Coughlan from Clonfert was telling me that while working near Clonfad Church he saw his first swallow this year. His nephew Padraig Coughlan was with him and he told us that he heard the Cuckoo on 14th April over near Woodford. Talking to Frank Henry, Clonfinlough last night, he told me that the swallows are back in Clonfinlough since early last week. Frank says that they are up in the clouds. The level of the river has risen in the past week; some say up to a foot. Paddy O Halloran, 80, from Clonbur, near Cong is a sheep farmer. He owns three small islands on Lough Conn and has sheep on these islands. At this time during lambing season some relatives from Oregon come to Ireland to help Paddy with the lambing. Today five of the cousins on their way to Clonbur after visiting the Cobh Immigration Center and the Rock of Cashel stopped by in Shannonbridge. One of the cousins Cindy Holmes told me that she had never heard of Clonmacnois but had a good look at the village bridge. I persuaded them to take a visit to Clonmacnois. I told her that a Tom O Holleran had once lived at Templedew one mile from the village. ThisTommy came originally from County Clare. He married a Rose Claffey and they had five children Lily, Kathleen, Gretta, Billy and Jack. Kate Thornhill is home after spending some time in Central America. On the Aer Lingus flight home she watched the Ireland Waterways as her inflight entertainment and was interested to see Clonmacnois and shots of Shannonbridge. The cameras showed Killeens Pub and people in the back lounge including some of Kate’s family. Some months ago The Philadelphia Enquirer had a story titled “Lookingfor cousins, finding Ireland” written by a Kathleen Healy for the Enquirer. There was a picture of the writer’s mother with a barrow load of turf sods taken on the Bog Rail Tour. My brother in New Jersey gets the Enquirer daily and he e-mailed a copy of the story. At a meeting one morning I showed the copy to a group.This week I was surprised to hear that one of the group had made contact with the women in the article and had spoken to them twice in the past week. They are cousins. And the American cousin told her Irish cousin that she looked like other family members. No photographs had been forwarded but the Americans had come up with a picture thanks to a Google search

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Notes by Dermot 14.04.2009.

Congratulations to Mark Pillion of Clonfinlough and Paula O Neill from Kiltimagh who were married in Kiltimagh on Saturday 4th April and arepresently on their honeymoon in Orlando and New Mexico.
Ted Mc Evoy was in Shannonbridge again recently. He is writing a book on Bord na Mona and is interested in photographs of events and people connected with Bord na Mona. Please forward photographs to tedmcevoy@btinternet.com with details .
Regular visitors to Shannonbridge Dave and Paulien Kemp from Bradford and Steve and Liz Nell from Sheffield are spending the Easter in Shannonbridge. Dave and Paulien’s daughter Catherine joined the Kemps for Easter. Catherine told us that her brother Michael is working in Poland. On 6th April Kieran Pat Devery originally from Leharrow, telephoned from Mayo where he is spending Easter with his good wife Ann. He told us that he was speaking with his brother Sean in America, who told him he had been speaking with Jim Killeen in Chicago. So he decided to ring up and get some fresh news. Larry Malone and his wife Barbara nee Mc Cormack from Avril Park NewYork have been re-visiting Shannonbridge. This time they brought their daughter Nancy along with her husband Arthur Ng and their two daughters Spencer and Taylor Ng. Larry told us that it was his third visit to Ireland. They had visited Donegal and Sligo before visiting Clonmacnois, where they stayed in Kajon House. Spencer and Taylor are both gifted piano players and played a few tunes for us. Larry is interested in the Malone Family Tree. If you have any information on The Malone Family you can contact him at LBM7@verizon. Met some friends of Mark Flynn and Linda Devlin at the weekend. Both from DublinThey told us that Mark and Linda are getting married on 29th May and are having their wedding reception in The Fort Restaurant in Shannonbridge. Expect to see more of them around as they got the idea while on a boat trip on the Shannon. On Good Friday I heard that a group of about thirty people were planning on visiting Clonmacnois. Most of this group are attending a type of history and archaeology two year night class in Roscommon under the umbrella of UCG. Our local man Christy Cunniffe was along for the day so what better way to spend a Good Friday?. Over fivehours in sunshine we had a good look at Clonmacnois, The Nunnery and Clonfinlough Stone. A most enjoyable day having a closer look On Easter Sunday Father O Hanlon announced that morning Mass would beat 12.00 on Monday and at the usual 10.00am for the rest of the week.It was a surprise to find an almost full church for an Easter Monday and I had to ask the obvious question “Has He Risen”. But I had forgotten about Alice Egan’s 90th Birthday and a special concelebrated Mass started the day. Afterwards there was a Birthday Dinner in The Fort Restaurant. After the Mass Jimmy Anderson from Rhode came over to say hello. Jimmy is married to a Keegan, a niece of Alice Egan. Jimmy first met me in Rhode Power Station when with seven others we went to learn practical work on running a power station. I was surprised that Jimmy was able to name most of the eight including Bosco Muldoon, Tony Mc Teague, Dennis O Grady, Vincent Lennon, Terry ODriscoll, Oliver Keenaghan and Bosco Gleeson.Glad to hear from Martin Bertram from England who used to come fishing to this area many years ago with his parents Harry and Dot. I was sorry to hear that his mother Dot died from cancer some years say.Please say a prayer for her soul. Sonny Ward, ex Premier Aces is joining North To Alaska for an EasterMonday Music in Killeens tonight.

Sunday, April 12, 2009

Clonmacnois Parish Newsletter
Sunday 12th April 2009 – Easter Sun B
Tel (090) 9674125 Fax (090) 9674267
Mass times: Shannonbridge: Weekend, 8pm (Sat), & 12 noon, Sun;
Weekdays, 10am. Clonfanlough – Sunday, 10.30am

Shannonbridge
Masses: Mon @12noon; Rest of week @ 10am
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €493. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: M.Murphy, M.McManus
Eucharistic ministers: Group 2
Readers for next Weekend: Group 4, S.Grennan, P.Duffy
Altar Servers for this week: Megan, Andrea
Mass on next Sat eve for the late Edward & Margaret Cogavin
Mass on next Sun for the late David Macklin
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Clonfanlough
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €253. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: K.Norton, H.Darcy
Readers for next Sunday: D.Boland
Altar Servers for next Sunday: Group A
Eucharistic minister for next Sunday: D.McEvoy
Mass on next Sun for the late Jim Dolan

We welcome into the Christian Community Seán O’Shea, son of Niall & Sinéad who was baptised last weekend.
A VERY HAPPY & PEACEFUL EASTER TO EVERYONE!
Many thanks to all those who made any contribution to the celebration of the Holy Week ceremonies; to all who played a part in preparing for & in the celebration of the Liturgy, and to all who encouraged us by their attendance & co-operation.
Toradh na Páise oraibh; Mac na hÓighe slán!
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West Offaly Education Project
Will run a 4-week Digital Photography Course for Beginners in Clonfanlough Hall starting on Wed 22nd April from 7.30-9.30pm.
For more info contact Michelle or Jolene @ 057-9351392
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Gatekeepers Community Education Project
This programme will cover a range of topics, including Positive Mental Health, Suicide, Depression and Self harm. It will run for 6 Thursday nights , starting on 23rd April, in the Heritage Centre Ferbane. It is free of charge and open to all.
For more info call 086-8157850, or 057-9351392.
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Pilgrimage to Poland; 23rd – 30th September 2009
4 nights in Krakow, 3 nights in Warsaw, visiting Religious & Historical places of interest, including the Sanctuary of the Divine Mercy and the tomb of St Faustina, as well as the Black Madonna of Czestochowa (biggest Marian Shrine in Poland).
We will also visit the birth town of the late Pope John Paul 2 and the one time home of St Maximilian Kolbe, who sacrificed his life for a fellow inmate of the notorious Concentration Camp of Auschwitz, which will also be part of our itinerary.
There are also many other places of great interest.
Spiritual director is Fr John Naughton; Tour leader is Nuala Power.
For more info or for booking forms call 090-9675148,086-3038267.
You may also call Pilgrimages Abroad Office on 01-6359300.
Price per person sharing: €969 (including tax & insurance)
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Coffee morning & cake sale in aid of Belmont & Offaly Chernobyl Children’s Fund in Hineys, Ferbane on 16th April & 10.30am

Many thanks to all who supported the recent Table Quiz, which
raised €175.00 for Church flowers.

Sunday, April 05, 2009

Notes by Dermot, 5.4.09.

Con Lyons was here on 26th March 2009 and told us that his mother MaryTheresa Lyons, wife of the late John Lyons of Leharrow, Shannonbridge,died recently on 10th February 2009 in her family home in Ballinrobe,County Mayo. The late John Lyons was a brother of Geraldine Mc Manus,wife of the late Tommy Mc Manus of Leharrow.
The Irish Catholic dated 26th March www.irishcatholic.ie has aninteresting article on Paul’s first letters. Paul used collaborators to help in his response and a secretary to write down his words as Paul spoke. He had to be trained in shorthand. ‘’Quick as speech is, the hand is quicker’’ Before the tongue stops the hand has finished.The article describes how the short-hand copy was written with a pointed metal rod on a shallow wax filled wooden form roughly the size of a page. When the wax work was finished and the rough draft approvedby Paul, the scribe prepared two clean copies, one to be sent, the other to be retained for Paul’s archives. It describes the paper that was used and the pen and the ink and the cost. Words were notseparated, no punctuation or capital letters. Have a look at their web.
Stephen Brady is celebrating his 80th Birthday on Wednesday 8th April.On next Monday Alice Egan will be celebrating a special birthday.
Pat Joe Guinnessy was telling us that on the www.ballinasloe.comwebsite a camera shows shots of Main Street and Saint Michaels Square.Pat Joe makes use of it when his children are coming home by bus. Hecan see them getting off the bus outside of Kellers and then goes to collect them.
In a recent Under 20 All Ireland Rugby Quarter Final between Buccaneers and Lansdowne Conor Higgins Clerhane, Owen Doolin Shannonbridge, Joe Kenny Mullaghature, Rory Walsh and Lorcan Walsh Clonlyon were included on the Buccaneers panel and four of them played. Lansdowne had seven of the Irish Under 20 International team playing with them. Lansdowne won the match 30 points to 10 points.
Ciaran Flannery of Clerhane and Athlone was buried on Saturday 28thMarch in Clonmacnois. May he rest in peace.Coming out from the funeral the field opposite Cluain Chiarain hadmany daffodils in bloom. Kieran Darcy once lived there. The house is long gone but the flowers bloom on. The same day the funeral took place of Martin Ryan in Moore. Martin was a brother of the late Willie Ryan and of the late Mrs Pat Flannery of Crevagh. May he rest in peace.Yesterday the funeral took place of Alo Mc Namee, Delvin Park Ferbane and he was laid to rest in his native Tubberdaly near Rhode. Alo worked in the ESB and was involved in the organisation NITRO orNational Income Tax Relief Organisation. After hearing Father Declan Coyle telling on The Late Late Show, how in a typical week working in Manila he would attend to about six funerals of Manila children Alo was moved to action and with a few friends met Father Coyle and found a fund to help. They got colleagues in the ESB to make a small weekly contribution. Declan Coyle gave assurance that this money would be used to help the Manila Children.At the funeral Mass yesterday Declan Coyle was happy to tell that some 400.000 Euros have been collected to date. One of Alo’s hobbies was flying a small plane based in the Birr airfield. Remember when a friend took him for a flight some months ago during his illness Alo broke a wrist when trying to fly the plane May he rest in peace.
Good to see Michael Green home from Boston to attend the Memorial Massfor his late father, Gerry who died about one year ago.
Clonmacnois Parish Newsletter
Sunday 5th April 2009 – Palm Sun B
Tel (090) 9674125 Fax (090) 9674267
Mass times: Shannonbridge: Weekend, 8pm (Sat), & 12 noon, Sun;
Weekdays, 10am. Clonfanlough – Sunday, 10.30am
Shannonbridge
Masses: Mon-Wed @ 10am
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €529. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: A.Ryan, L.Turley, M.Mitchell
Eucharistic ministers: Group 1
Readers for next Weekend: Group 3, M.Killeen, O.Costello
Altar Servers for this week: Oisín, Michaela
Mass on next Sat eve for Michael Kelly & sisters deceased
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Clonfanlough
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €213. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: M.Kelly, K.Kelly
Readers for next Sunday: H.Coughlan
Altar Servers for next Sunday: Group as arranged
Eucharistic minister for next Sunday: B.Coughlan
Mass on next Sun for Michael J. Molloy & family deceased

PENITENTIAL SERVICE: Monday 6th April Clonfanlough: 7.pm; Shannonbridge: 8pm
Confessions also possible after the Good Friday Ceremonies

HOLY WEEK CEREMONIES
Holy Thursday: Mass of the Lord’s Supper with a Vigil of Adoration afterwards:
Shannonbridge: 9pm; Clonfanlough: 7pm

Good Friday: Celebration of the Lord’s Passion:
Shannonbridge: 7.30pm; Clonfanlough: 5pm
Also in Shannonbridge @ 3pm: STATIONS OF THE CROSS
Good Friday is a day of fast and abstinence.

Holy Saturday: Easter Vigil and Mass:
Shannonbridge: 9pm; Clonfanlough: 7pm
Please bring a candle for the Renewal of Baptismal Promises

Please bring your Trócaire offerings to the Ceremony on Holy Thurs or Good Friday
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Our Lady’s School of Evangelisation Knock
Empowering young men & women for life;
ü Thinking of a Gap Year? Want a Career Break?
ü Looking for More Meaning in Life?
ü Discover the Special Plan God has for you’
Now Recruiting for Sept ’09: 18 – 35 yrs olds.
Participants on the OLSE Programme may also avail of the opportunity of a Diploma in Pastoral Studies from NUI Galway.
Open Youth Day – last Sun of every Month, April, May, and June.
For more info call 094-9388245 or 087-2351294.
Visit www.olseknock.com
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Ballinasloe Flower & Garden Club
Demo by C. White Naul in Gullanes Hotel on 8th April @ 8pm
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Many thanks for your contributions to the Lenten Alms, €960. This money is used by the Diocese for promoting Catholic Education (training & payment of Catechists etc), and supporting ‘Accord’ (Marriage preparation programmes etc) and ‘Cura’ (counselling in crisis pregnancies etc)




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