Clonmacnois Parish Newsletter
Sunday 13th Sept 2009 -24 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: €600. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: K.Price, C.Curley, P.Anderson
Eucharistic ministers: Group 4
Readers for next Weekend: Group 1, D.Finnerty, P.Corbett
Altar Servers for this week: Siobhan, Caitríona
Mass on next Sat eve for the Guinan Family deceased

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Clonfanlough
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €428. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: K.Norton, H.Darcy
Readers for next Sunday: C.Norton
Altar Servers for next Sunday: Group C
Eucharistic minister for next Sunday: A.Rohan
Mass on next Sun for the late Stephen Lantry

"We cannot hold a torch to light another’s path without brightening our own." (Ben Sweetland)

Questions people askQ. Recently there has been talk about a law against blasphemy. What exactly is blasphemy?A. Blasphemy means to speak ill of God or sacred beliefs or objects in words of hatred, defiance, mockery or trivialisation. Not only is it seriously disrespectful to God but it is offensive to the religious sensibilities of believers. Profanity, which is close to blasphemy, means taking the sacred name of God or of the Saviour without proper respect. Am I correct in thinking that no other people come near the Irish in the matter of appalling disrespect for the name of Jesus Christ? (Fr Silvester O’Flynn OFM Cap)
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The ‘Wait-a-bit’ Bush
While travelling, a tourist noticed a curious shrub growing near the roadside. His companion informed him that the local people call it the wait-a-bit bush. Stepping closer to inspect it more closely, his clothes touched it, and he found himself snared by thorns which resembled fish hooks. The more he struggled to free himself, the more he became entangled by its barbs. Finally he had to rely on his companion to release him from the hopeless situation. There are many wait-a-bit bushes along the road of life. Men and women can easily be hooked by some evil habit, or sinful influences. They can become overly concerned with material goals which can entangle their life and detain them from answering the all-important questions of life.
Night Prayer Vigil, Clonmacnois Prayer Centre Fri 17th Sept, starting with Mass @ 10pm; then Adoration until 3.10 am. Mass every Wed @ 7.30pm. All welcome.
Co Offaly Childminding Initiative will host a 2-day QAP/Childminding in the Home course starting Sat 10th Oct in Birr. For more info call Fiona on 057-9370631.
Umbra Clothing Collection (for funds to educate poor children in Kitui, Kenya) at Clonfanlough & Shannonbridge Halls on Sat 19th Sept 9am – 12noon.
Coffee Morning in aid of Offaly Hospice next Thurs 17th Sept in Killeens @ 10.30am