Clonmacnois Parish Newsletter
Sunday 6th Dec 2009 -2nd Adv C
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, Thurs, Sat @ 10am, Fri @ 8pm
Tues, 8th Dec, Feast of the Immaculate Conception - a Holy Day:
Vigil Mass on Mon @ 8pm; Mass on Tues @ 12noon
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €444. 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: Athene, Aoife, Saul, Jack
Mass on Mon eve for the late Ciaran, Maryanne & Brian Flannery.
Memorial Mass for Simon McManus (brother of Eamonn & Ger) on Fri eve @ 8pm.
Mass on Sat morning for the late Denis Lyons.
Mass on Sat eve for the late Brigid & William Duffy.
Mass on next Sun for the late Elizabeth McManus.
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Clonfanlough
Mass for The 'Immaculate Conception' on Tues @ 10.30am
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €185. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: M.Guinan, A.Guinan
Readers for next Sunday: A.Kelly
Altar Servers for next Sunday: Group E
Eucharistic minister for next Sunday: A.Rohan
Mass on next Sun for the late Mary & Ciaran Daly, & Tom Mannion
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!
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Ecumenical Carol Service in Clonmacnois
On next Sun 10th Dec @ 4pm. Refreshments afterwards.
All welcome.
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Shannonbridge A.R.A. Christmas Social on Wed 9th Dec @ the 'Old Fort'. Dinner,@ 7.30pm. Music by Paudge Bennet. Enquiries to 090-96-74117.
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Samaritans Christmas Concert
In the Friary Church Athlone on 9th Dec @ 8pm. Adm. €10.00. Tickets available at Music world & usual outlets.
Athlone Samaritans, situated at 3 Court Devenish, are a voluntary organisation, dedicated to befriending the lonely, the despairing and the suicidal, or anyone troubled, who needs to talk to someone in complete confidence; available 24x7 on 1850-609090.
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Clonmacnois School is collecting old, unwanted mobile phones for the charity Jack & Jill Foundation. If you have any such phones please leave them at the school.
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Ballinasloe Flower & Garden Club
Christmas Flower Arranging Demo in Gullanes Hotel on 9th Dec @ 8pm

West Offaly Training: 9th Dec, 1 day Internet & email Course - €45.
10th Dec, 1 day Introduction to Office 2007 - €45. Call 057-9152003
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Questions people ask (Fr O’Flynn – Intercom)Q. On a television programme it was claimed that Christmas was a development of the pagan cult of Mithra, a pagan god associated with worship of sunlight. Is there any reason to doubt the traditional belief that the Son of God was born at Bethlehem?A. Pagan myths lack all foundation in historical fact whereas Christianity is rooted in facts about real, historical people and geographical places. Read St Luke’s list of real people and places in today’s Gospel. The incarnation, that is the coming of God in human flesh and blood, is no imaginary myth but historical fact.