Clonmacnois Parish Newsletter
Sunday 13th Dec 2009 -3rd 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: Each day @ 10am
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: € Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: A.Ryan, L.Turley, M.Mitchell
Eucharistic ministers: Group 1
Readers for next Weekend: Group 2, C.Casey, E.Quinn
Altar Servers for this week: Caitríona, Siobhan, Sarah
Mass on next Sat eve for the late Damien Kenny

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Clonfanlough
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €230. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: A.Walshe, R.Gunning
Readers for next Sunday: D.Norton
Altar Servers for next Sunday: Group A
Eucharistic minister for next Sunday: B.Coughlan
Mass on next Sat @12noon for the late Petie & Earl Kelly
Mass on next Sun for the late Anne & Ciaran Pillion

Ecumenical Carol Service in Clonmacnois
On this Sun 13th Dec @ 4pm. Refreshments afterwards.
All welcome.
Night Prayer Vigil, Clonmacnois Prayer Centre Fri 18th Dec, starting with Mass @ 10pm; then Adoration until 3.10 am. Mass every Wed @ 7.30pm. All welcome
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Sacrament of Reconciliation on Mon 21st Dec, in Clonfanlough @ 7,30pm, & Shannonbridge @ 8pm, preceded by a Carol Service.

'Forgiveness is the key that unlocks the door of resentment and the handcuffs of hate. It is a power that breaks the chains of bitterness and the shackles of selfishness.' (A survivor of Auschwitz)
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Christmas Youth Retreat – Newbridge College
For 16 – 35 year olds. Inspiring talks, Workshops, Great Music,
Meeting new people, Celebration of the Christmas Season.
Just bring a sleeping bag. For more info call 01-6753690.
Visit www.youth2000.ie
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Questions people askQ. How does one explain the difference in the preaching of John the Baptist and that of Jesus? John was far more severe and promoted the fear of an impending judgement.A. There are two ways of correcting: the stick of punishment or the candy of reward for improvement. John the Baptist came from a people who expected a Messiah who would immediately rid the world of all evil and sin. Hence the need for complete renunciation of wrongdoing or else face instant condemnation. The approach of Jesus did not expect instant perfection. He put less emphasis on condemnation and more on fanning into flame the possibility of goodness hidden in people. (Fr O’Flynn – Intercom)

Words of Wisdom
'The secular mind does not always find it necessary to deny God, but it must always reduce him to a comfortable size. Above all else He must be a manageable God, who does not watch or judge.'
(William K. Kilpatrick, U.S.)
“Words of encouragement fan the spark of genius into the flame of achievement." (Wilfred A. Peterson
"Characters live to be noticed. People with character notice how they live." (Nancy Moser)