Sunday, February 28, 2010

Clonmacnois Parish Newsletter
Sunday 28th Feb 2010 – 2nd Lent 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; Adoration on First Fri Until 5pm
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €585. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: K.Price, C.Curley, P.Anderson
Eucharistic ministers: Group 4
Readers for next Weekend: Group 6, E.Casey, D.O’Carroll
Altar Servers for this week: Aoife, Athene, Saul, Jack
Mass on next Sun for the late James Joseph McManus

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Clonfanlough
Mass on First Fri @ 7pm
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €233. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: K.Kenny, A.Keans
Readers for next Sunday: A.Kelly
Altar Servers for next Sunday: Group A
Eucharistic minister for next Sunday: A.Rohan

Clonmacnois Prayer Centre
Mass on Wed @ 7.30pm to mark 12th Anniversary of its founding.
All welcome.
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Fairtrade
Everybody is invited to a cup of “Fairtrade” tea/coffee in Clonfanlough Hall after 10.30 am Mass on next Sun, 7th March, and in Shannonbridge Hall after 12 noon Mass on the same day.
When you support Fairtrade you assist people in poorer countries to get a fair & just price for their products & hard work.
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Clonmacnois Regional Pioneers
The annual Pioneer Quiz will be held in Castledaly Community Hall on Sun 7th March, starting with under 13s @ 3pm, followed immediately by under 16s and Senior. All Pioneers are welcome. The annual Pioneer Social takes place in Clonfanlough Hall on Fri 12th March. Music is by Paudge Bennett, and dancing is from 10pm to 1am; tickets are €10. All welcome.
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Suggestions for Lent
· Attend daily Mass; Say the Rosary or part of it.
· Make time for prayer-the Angelus, Grace before or after meals
· Follow the Way of the Cross – The Stations.
· Remember others, who may be sick, lonely or bereaved
· Keep our Parish litter free.
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Table Quiz on next Wed
The proceeds will go Trócaire, so your support will be valued.
Many thanks to those who organised & supported the Quiz on last Wed . €368.00 was raised to help poor children in Kenya.
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Shannonbridge Tidy Towns
Meeting will be held in the Health Centre on Mon, 1st March @ 9pm
All welcome.
¨¨¨¨
Free childminding information, advice and support are available to Childminders, potential childminders and parents.
Please contact Fiona on 057-9370631
Good to see John Kinlough in Shannonbridge for a few days this week
on a break from London life.

Welcome to Philip Russell and Linda to Shannonbridge where they have
taken up residence in The Murray home.

Also good to see Tony Ellis and his daughter Caroline this week in
Shannonbridge.

The river level has eased back a little and floodwater has gone from
the Callow north of Shannonbridge but there are some pools of water
in other areas, and lots more in others.

Awaiting to see the new lights erected recently on the Ballinasloe road
from Shannonbridge in operation soon.
A letter from Sister Maeve Guinan and Sisters in Mount Sackville to
the Ladies Club in Shannonbridge to thank them for organising the fund
raising table quiz for the St Joseph of Cluny Haiti Relief Fund.
The event raised 345 Euros to help their 7 communities in the
devastated area.This contribution will help provide medical aid,
shelter and relief that combines food aid with resources that make it
possible for the people there to buy local food and the wherewithal to
cook it.Your big-heartedness has made this most feasible and will
enable these people to rebuild their lives.The people of Shannonbridge
have been most generous and thank you for organising this event.
Your efforts are greatly appreciated and feeding the hungry is well
underway -thanks to your generous contribution.
We pray blessings on you and yours.
With gratitude
Sister Maeve Guinan and Sisters.

For your information their address is -
The Provincialate,
Mount Sackville
Chapelizod
Dublin 20
Tel (01)82113134 Email:clunyprov@sjc.ie

Friday, February 26, 2010

Last Friday 19th February Joan Carty Cloneish gave us a few lines that
came into her head.
"Clotty Mallotty
who lived down the lane
Was everyday washing
And ne'er a day clane"

"When the sun goes to rest
The laziest people
Work the best"

And on marriage -

Monday for wealth
Tuesday for health
Wednesday the best day of all
Thursday for losses
Friday for crosses
Saturday is no day at all"
Joan reckons that the list referred to suitable
days for marriage.

The next day Patrick Kenny had a couple of verses
that were supposed to be said when Thomas Moore met
Robbie Burns while cleaning a bridge in Leeds.

"You Scottish Loon
Leave down the broom
And let Thomas Moore
Pass by"

"You Irish ass
Have'nt you room to pass
Betwixt the wall and I"

And on The Irish Times Book Club supplement on Saturday
there was a translation from Irish of the poem we knew
as "Anois teacht an earrai" or "The coming of Spring"
written by Anthony Raftery, blind poet (c1784-1835)
and translated by Michael Coady.

The Blind Poet's Vision of Spring

With the coming of spring the light will be gaining
So after Brid's feast day I'll set my course -
Since it entered my head I'll never rest easy
Till I'm landed again in the heart of Mayo.
I'll spend the first night in the town of Claremorris
And in Balla I'll raise my glass in a toast,
To Kiltimagh then, I could linger a month there
Within easy reach of Ballinamore.

I testify here that my heart in me rises
Like a fresh breeze lifting fog from the slopes
When I think on Carra and Gallen below it,
On Sceathach a'Mhile or the plains of Mayo.
Killedan's a place where all good things flourish,
Blackberries,raspberries,treats by the score,
Were I to stand there again with my people
Age would fall from me and I'd be restored.

When Patrick Kenny read the cutting he started off with
"Anois teacht an earrai;
Beidh an la ag dull chun sinne
O chuir e mo ceann e
Naoir stoppaige me choite
Gur seasa me sios ith lar Coinde Maoi.

Then he gave us some verses of the poem
"Mise Raftarai an file
Lan dochas is gra etc
Sorry about the Irish spelling.
Last Saturday Peggy Byrnes Shannonbridge and her twin sister
Maura Argue celebrated their birthdays together. Maura travelled
over from Scotland for the party and of course was late for the ferry.

And on Saturday last Shannonbridge's own Karl Rock. now based in London
was home to announce his engagement to Katherine Mc Gilligan a native
of Kerry.
Congratulations and best wishes to the Birthday Girls and to the
newly engaged.

Sunday 21/2/2010 Michael Molloy,Tullamore reported catching a pike
weighing 6 lbs-2 ozs caught on a dead roach and returned alive.
Martin Lynch,Ballyboy fished with Michael and had a 7lbs 7 ozs pike
caught on a dead bait and returned alive.
They were fishing on the Shannon where Martin remembered catching
a 31 - 06 lbs pike on 27th April 2008 also fishing with dead bait.
Fishing catches are welcome so that they can be recorded on this site.
The catch book is in Killeen's Shop Shannonbridge.
Heard that John Gleeson who fishes this area has been seen fishing
in Florida recently for Swordfish and Sting -Ray etc.

Monday night Seven Brides for Seven Brothers was presented by the
Ballinasloe Musical Society and was a very enjoyable performance.

On Thursday 25th February Brendan and Mary Kilduff called in.
Their parents were Berni Kilduff and Mai Kilduff. Berni Kilduff lived
in Creggan and married a Mai Kilduff and then lived in Ballinasloe.
Berni was a builder and built the Grocery Shop of Killeens Shannonbridge
in the late Forties.Mai had a popular sweetshop in Main Street in
Ballinasloe. They are related to Rory Kilduff the saddle maker.
They told that Rory's mother died on 25th February 1969
Brendan and Mary are both living in Dublin.
Mary has three children Katy, Rory and Brian.
Brendan and Mary reckon that their grandfather and my grandfather
were First Cousins.
Brendan himself is a young looking Grandfather.

Today Friday 26th February Donal Coughlan from Newington Conneticut
stopped by with his friends Simon and Maureen Kavanagh from Clare-
Galway.
Donal's parents were Dan Coughlan and Nellie Lucas
and he was reared in Clonfert.He was remembering people from
the Callows such as Comers,McDermotts,Traceys,etc and mentioned that
a Michael Hough had written a history of the Clonfert Callow Families.
Talked about the floods and how the families lived with the floods.
Also about the great number of eggs and the amounts of unsalted
country butter produced and the amount of snuff used mostly by the
ladies.
Donal has two cousins priests in New Jersey Jackie and Eugene Boland.
Maureen Kavanagh visited the new Shannonbridge Pottery Shop located
where the old post office operated.So Donal went away with a gift
from Shannonbridge.

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Shannonbridge GAA Club Notes

Lotto.
There was no winner of the jackpot of €8,000 this week. The numbers drawn were 5,8,9,16. Match three winners were Brendan McManus c/o Eamon McManus; Mick Heavin, Eircom, Athlone; Shauna O'Shea, Clonfanlough and Lisa Duffy, Ferbane. Next week's jackpot will be €8,200.

Under 21 Football Championship.
Shannon Gaels (St. Rynagh's and Shannonbridge) made their exit, at the quarter final stage, from this year's championship last weekend. They were defeated by St. Patrick's (Edenderry) on a scoreline of 1-13 to 2-06.

Club Social Night.
Dont forget the club's social night out, with dinner in the Old Fort is on Saturday 6th March. Tickets €25 from any committee member.

Sunday, February 21, 2010

Clonmacnois Parish Newsletter
Sunday 21st Feb 2010 – 1st Lent 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: €548. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: M.McManus, C.Slattery, A.Corbett
Eucharistic ministers: Group 3
Readers for next Weekend: Group 5, C.Doolan
Altar Servers for this week: Michaela, Oisín, Andrea

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Clonfanlough
Mass for Lent on Tues @ 7pm
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €289. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: E.Egan, A.McEvoy
Readers for next Sunday: A.Kelly
Altar Servers for next Sunday: Group E
Eucharistic minister for next Sunday: K.Kelly
Mass on next Sun for the late Michael & Mary Kelly

Meeting of Parish P.C. on Tues in Clonfanlough @ 7.30pm

Mass in Prayer Centre Clonmacnois on Wed @ 7.30pm
Support Fair Trade


Fair Trade Changes Lives
Often poor people in developing countries do not get a fair price for their products. Our Diocese, along with groups like Trócaire, Concern, Oxfam, ICTU are promoting Fair-trade Products. These have the special Logo, which you see above, and guarantee that the producers in developing countries get a fair price for their products, e.g. tea, coffee, bananas, etc.
By changing to Fair-trade certified products, when possible, you can make a real difference to the lives of workers & farmers of developing countries
The forty days of Lent is the annual retreat of the people of God in imitation of Jesus' forty days in the wilderness. Forty is a significant number in the scriptures. Moses went to the mountain to seek the face of God for forty days in prayer and fasting. The people of Israel were in the wilderness for forty years in preparation for their entry into the Promised Land. Elijah fasted for forty days as he journeyed in the wilderness to the mountain of God. We are called to journey with the Lord in a special season of prayer, fasting, almsgiving, and penitence as we prepare to celebrate the feast of Easter, the Christian Passover.
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Shannonbridge GAA Club
Congratulates all the U12 & U14 girls & boys of the Parish who were presented with County medals for football & hurling with Ferbane/Belmont clubs at a presentation ceremony held in High Street Hall on Sun 14th Feb. Well done to all and a huge ‘thank you’ to all involved!
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Table Quiz on Wed next @ 9.30pm in Killeens
To help poor children in Kenya attend school & get school fees.
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TRÓCAIRE
The usual Trócaire boxes for Lent are available in the Church porch

'It is time to put the Third World First.' (Anon)

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Some heavy showers on Tuesday followed by a bright and sunny Ash
Wednesday.Floods have eased back well but there must be lots of
water still around.Swans were swimming in the floodwater a few days
ago but now the drains are just slightly overfilled.
Had a phonecall from a Dublin angler yesterday enquiring if the access
road to the Hot Water Stretch was passable.He is going to try his luck.
In the past week a few pike anglers have been fishing but did not
hear any results.

Our local referee Damien Brazil and his umpires Frank Guinan and
Noel Rock were engaged at matches in Blessington last Saturday and
in Kilkenny on Sunday.Frank Guinan told us that the Saturday match
was a Leinster Colleges match between a Dublin and Athy schools.
The Dublin team and trainer spoke in Irish to each other during
the game. Frank got no chance of selling either team a lottery
ticket for the Shannonbridge/Doon Lotto with a Jackpot of 8,000 Euro.

A padlock that was very hard to open after a hard nights frost was
opened with some Dairygold butter after a pliers, WD40, and lots of
curses had failed to make an impression.

If you are going out for a few hours and frost is expected, you might
try Brid Larkin's solution and take along a hot water bottle with you
in the car.Wrap the bottle in a cloth and leave it on the windscreen.

Belated Happy Twenty First Birthday to Donal Corbett from Rachra House
who celebrated the occasion on last Friday.

Martin Donegan was telling us that his son Daithi Rua is on a tour of
Ireland at present.He also has a new CD available. Find out all about
his goings on through his website www.daithirua.com

Martin Donegan remembers many years ago that one day the late Kieran
Hynes and Martin were having a drink at the bar when some visitors
came in.One of them asked what was the Soup de Joure?
Hold on a second and I will find out.
After a minute I retuned and told him that it was the soup of the day.
You learn something everyday if you only ask.

Last Friday Tom Allen Conway and his wife Carol from Ohio stopped by
after a visit to Clonmacnois.Tom told that he believes that his
forefathers came from Offaly.They emigrated to Pittsburg after the
Great Famine and worked in the coal- mines.
Tom now lives in Ohio and his Aunt Hazel,103,lives in Baltimore,Maryland.
Tom and Carol were taking time out for Saint Valentines Day and were
staying at Adare near Limerick.

A letter from Margaret O Reilly,Adelaide, in the Irish Times caught
my eye.On her last trip to Ireland,driving around and staying with
family friends in Galway. Driving around she stopped and asked an
older man on the road "Does this road go to Corrandulla?"
He just quietly looked at her and said,
"This road goes nowhere,it just be where it is."

Monday, February 15, 2010

Shannonbridge GAA Club Notes

Offaly Co. Football League 2010.

Division 2A: Shannonbridge, St. Rynagh's, Raheen, Clonbullogue, Clara, Kilclonfert and Cappincur.

Division 5: Shannonbridge, Bracknagh, Walsh Island, Kilclonfert, Durrow and Doon.

The football league commences on 13th / 14th March.

Sunday, February 14, 2010

Clonmacnois Parish Newsletter
Sunday 14th Feb 2010 - 6 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; Mass also on Ash Wed @ 8pm to mark the start of Lent including blessing & signing of Ashes.
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €512. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: J.Kelly, M.Killeen, A.Keena
Eucharistic ministers: Group 2
Readers for next Weekend: Group 4, S.Grennan, P.Duffy
Altar Servers for this week: Caitríona, Siobhán, Sarah
Mass on next Sun for the late Eugene Sheehy

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Clonfanlough
Mass on ASH WED @ 7pm with blessing & signing of Ashes
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €266. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: M.Devery, A.Kelly
Readers for next Sunday: I.McEvoy
Altar Servers for next Sunday: Group D
Eucharistic minister for next Sunday: P.Darcy

Community Alert
Meeting in Shannonbridge School on Wed 17th Feb regarding Community Alert @8.30pm. All welcome
¨¨¨¨
Night Prayer Vigil in Clonmacnois Prayer Centre
Fri 19th Feb beginning with Mass @ 10pm. Adoration follows and finishes at 3.10am. All welcome. Enquiries Dave 086-7746763.
¨¨¨¨

Knock Marriage Introduction Bureau
‘The aim of the Bureau is to introduce people considering marriage to a suitable marriage partner. Over 800 marriages have taken place as a result of these introductions. If you are searching for a suitable partner, why not consider applying? For more information contact the Bureau at Knock, phone 094-9375960, or visit our website www.knockmarriagebureau.com
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Medjugorje Irish Centre
‘Every week we are giving away one week’s free apartment accommodation for up to 4 people. Text the work pilgrim followed by your name and county to 53030 or call 048-82241888.’
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Soundings

‘One man said to another, “My greatest fear is that I will be standing behind Mother Teresa in the Final Judgement line and I’ll hear God saying to her, “You know…… you should have done more!”

We’ve conquered outer space but not inner space
We’ve cleaned up the air but polluted the soul
We’ve split the atom but not our prejudice.

Understand that happiness is not based on possessions, power or prestige, but on relationships with people you love and respect.’

Trócaire Boxes are available in the Church from today
Please take one and bring home.

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

A review of the RTE Vanbrugh Quartet performance at The Old Fort in
Shannonbridge last Friday night for our web -

When Gregory Ellis introduced the RTE Vanbrugh Quartet at The Old
Fort in Shannonbridge on Friday 5th February,he likened the venue
to the taverns in 18th century Vienna where Mozart's String Quartets
would have been first heard.
The barrelled roof of the dining room provided perfect acoustics
for exquisite Mozart,Shostakovich and Beethoven performed so
beautifully by the Quartet.
The glass of wine,the open-fire and the candlelight added greatly
to the performance on this,the first chamber-music evening in
Shannonbridge.
The organisers are to be congratulated on their choice of venue
and a challenging programme and we look forward to many more
such evenings.

Tuesday, February 09, 2010

Doon / Shannonbridge GAA Lottery

There was no winner of the jackpot of €7,600 this week. E. Egan, Ballyduff is a match three winner. Next week's jackpot is €7,800 and the draw is in Doon.
Best wishes to Laura Carty,Cloneish,daughter of Joan and the late John,
and to Niall Kelly,Brackernagh,Ballinasloe,from Peter Kelly shop
opposite Portiuncula,who are getting married on Friday 12th February
in Clonfad Church at 1.00pm.
Reception will take place in Hodson Bay Hotel Athlone.

Tip for controlling smell from new paint.
Cut a large onion in half and leave it in the room being painted.
Be a devil and use two or three.

The 'Words we use column in yesterdays Irish Times dealt with the
word "hoosht".Some old man in Kerry was asked what he thought about
banks and he thought that you would be better off keeping it in a
hoosht under the bed.
I was expecting a reference to its use around here for getting
chickens or children etc to move out of the way.
Someone told that the word to call hens or chickens was 'chuck chuck'
which probably derived from the irish word teacht.

Monday, February 08, 2010

Shannonbridge GAA Club Notes

Sincere sympathy:
Shannonbridge GAA would like to express their sincerest sympathies to the following families on their recent bereavements.
The Kenny family Clonbonniff, Belmont on the death of their beloved daughter Michelle.
Eamon Joe Ryan, Derryholmes, on the untimely death of his wife Phil.
Eithne Rohan, wife of Junior Manager Tony, on the recent passing of her father, Paddy Daly, Ballinahown.
May they rest in peace.

Club Dinner and Social.
The club are holding a social night in the Old Fort Restaurant, on Saturday 6th March @ 8.30pm, with music by the band ‘Perswade’. The will be a four course meal, raffle, spot-prizes and presentation of trophies to the Senior and Junior Player of the Year. A complimentary bus service home will be provided for all patrons. Tickets, priced at €25, from any committee member or Olive Costello (0877708163). Sounds like a great night, so why not come along and enjoy.

Under 21 Football Championship.
Well done to Shannon Gaels who overcame St. Manchan’s Gaels, at Shannonbridge on Sunday, with a score-line of 4-10 to 3.11, after extra time.

Sunday, February 07, 2010

Clonmacnois Parish Newsletter
Sunday 7th Feb 2010 - 5C
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: €536. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: G.Brennan, D.Deeley, V.Hynes
Eucharistic ministers: Group 1
Readers for next Weekend: Group 3, M.Killeen, O.Costello
Altar Servers for this week: Aoife, Athene, Saul, Jack

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Clonfanlough
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €293. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: K.Norton, H.Darcy
Readers for next Sunday: N.Kenny
Altar Servers for next Sunday: Group C
Eucharistic minister for next Sunday: N.Egan
Mass on next Sun for the late Mick Rocke

Again many thanks for your contributions to the Haiti disaster Fund.
We are now sending a further €1,110.00 to the Fund.

Athlone IT
Enrolment for Spring term Evening Classes will be held on this Mon and Tues, 8th & 9th Feb from 7.30 – 9.30pm
¨¨¨¨
Samaritans Information Day
For new volunteers will take place on Sun 7th Feb @ 3.30pm at 3 Court Devenish Athlone (opposite Credit Union Offices)
All welcome.
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Offaly Co Childcare Committee
Will host childminder events during Feb. For more information contact Fiona on 057-9370631
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Ardagh & Clonmacnois Diocesan Conference on Youth Ministry
In St Mel’s Pastoral Centre Longford on Sat 13th Feb, 10.30am to 4pm. Registration begins @ 10am with tea or coffee.
Programme: Open Forum on creating a strategy for developing faith in young people in the Diocese.
Guest speaker: Debbie Moore, Slí Eile.
Cost: €20. Includes lunch, copy of youth framework document ‘Called Together Making a Difference’
Call 086-8255178 or email info@aym.ie
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Questions people askQ. What does holy mean? (Fr O’Flynn – Intercom)A. I consider holy to be one of the most expressive words in the English language. It is a word that comes up from the depths of the lungs, expressing a sigh for the infinite God who is over all, beyond all and within all. When Peter saw the power of Jesus manifested in the huge haul of fish, he experienced the otherness or holiness of God in contrast to his own frailty or sinfulness. Form your breath into that word, holy, and it becomes a mantra sighing for God.

Shannon Gaels play St Manchan Gaels in Cloghan on Sun 7th Feb at 12noon. Please support.
Proposed meeting in Shannonbridge School on 17th Feb regarding Community Alert @8.30pm. All welcome.

Friday, February 05, 2010

Shannonbridge GAA Notes

Doon / Shannonbridge GAA Club Lotto.
The jackpot was not won this week. Clionan Rohan, Doon, matched three numbers and won €200. Next week's draw is in Allen's, Shannonbridge and the Jackpot is €7,600.

Thursday, February 04, 2010

Clonmacnois Parish Newsletter
Sunday 31st Jan 2010 -4 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; Mon is feast of St Brigid;
Tues is feast of the Presentation - Candlemas Day: there will be a blessing of Candles and throats during Mass.
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: € Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: M.Murphy, M.McManus
Eucharistic ministers: Group 4
Readers for next Weekend: Group 2, C.Casey, E.Quinn
Altar Servers for this week: Michaela, Oisin, Andrea
Mass on next Sun for the late Gerry & Eddie Egan.
Many thanks to all who supported the Lourdes invalid collection.
Total collected in Shannonbridge was €400.
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Clonfanlough
Mass @ 7pm, on First Fri which will include the “blessing of throats” & the blessing of candles.
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: € Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: M.Kelly, Kelly
Readers for next Sunday: C.Norton
Altar Servers for next Sunday: Group B
Eucharistic minister for next Sunday: D.McEvoy
Mass on next Sun for the late Padraic Devery

Portiuncula Hospital Ballinasloe
Annual Remembrance Service for bereaved parents of children who died, or who suffered miscarriages will be held in the Hospital Chapel, on Tues 2nd February @ 7.30pm
¨¨¨¨
I will attend the sick & housebound as usual on Friday.
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Catholic Schools celebrate their Mission -31st Jan – 7th Feb
‘This week recognises & celebrates the huge contribution that Catholic schools make to the mission of the Church & to the wider society. It is also seen as an opportunity for all those involved in schools to deepen their sense of what it means to be a Catholic school.
The theme for this year is: “Catholic Schools a light for every generation.” Thus we are linking the vision of Catholic education with the Church’s mission to bring the light of Christ to the world.’
This year, on Wed 3rd Feb, Grandparents are being remembered in a special way with gratitude for the values they have given us, and the part they play in handing on the light of our Faith.
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Some Special Feasts
1st Feb – feast of St Brigid, patroness of Ireland
A tradition associated with this day is the making of “St Brigid’s crosses”. The story behind the crosses goes like this: she was nursing a non – Christian chieftain who was dying; sitting by his bedside she picked up some rushes from the floor and started plaiting them, from which she wove a cross, and used it to explain Christ’s passion and death. Brigid then spent some time telling the chieftain about Jesus, and before his death, he became a Christian.
2nd Feb – The Presentation of the Lord – Candlemas
Today we bless candles, which remind us of Christ, the light of the world. They are used daily at Mass. Also at Baptism, Holy Communion, Confirmation, at death, and on Easter night, the candle is part of the celebration.
You are invited to bring candles for a blessing; then bring them home or leave them for use in the church.
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Shannonbridge ARA will resume Meetings on Tues 2nd Feb
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Mass every Wed eve @ 7.30pm in the Prayer-Centre Clonmacnois
¨¨¨¨
Many thanks for your contributions to the Haiti disaster Fund. So far we have sent €1,400.00 to Trócaire
On Wednesday evening 3rd February around 6.00pm Pat Anderson from
Crevagh observed a shooting star in the sky with a tail of fire.
Pat said it landed somewhere north of Clonmacnois.
Seems that parts of the meteorite are very valuable if found.

Four people from Bangor near Belfast stopped by yesterday on their way
to Limerick were telling us that they had their own boat on the
River Erne and have come on trips by boat on the Shannon about eight
times.

On Tuesday three clergymen visited Clonmacnois and stopped off in
Shannonbridge. One of them a Rev.Wall is a son of Olive Price, a
daughter of Willie Price - the previous owner of Killeens.
Rev Wall believes that his mother was born in Shannonbrige and the
family moved to Kilbeggan after selling the pub to J.J.Killeen.
It was his first time in Shannonbridge and he wanted to see the pub.
He also had a look at Prices house where his grand-uncle Jack Price
lived. One of his companions is based in Athy and has a boat on the
canal told us that he has often been in Shannonbridge going by water.

Heard that the musical 'Seven Brides For Seven Brothers' is running in
Ballinasloe.
And tomorrow night in The Fort the RTE Vanbrugh Quartet perform.
Some more money for The Cluny Sisters Haiti Fund.
The proceeds from the table quiz held for Haiti on 20th January
came to 364 Euros and this money is being sent to The Cluny Sisters
in Mount Sackville Dublin to help with their work relief plan in Haiti.

Monday, February 01, 2010

Henry Robinson, Canal House Belmont died on 28th January, one day
before the scheduled closure of G.R.Robinson Mineral Waters and
Distributors in Belmont.
Henry took particular interest in the making of their famous mineral
drinks.May he rest in peace.

Some good news for the Cluny Sisters Fund for Haiti.
The money raised at the weekend Pool Tournament in Killeens and the
proceeds from the well supported raffle amounted to 724 Euros and is
being forwarded to the Cluny Sisters.

Jimmy Galvin Ballinahown was telling that his uncle Tom Galvin from
Cloniffeen and Waterbury,Conn,USA died some months ago in America.
He is survived by his wife Mary,(nee Fallon),and three daughters
Eileen, Marjorie and Joan and son Tom.Tom Galvin emigrated to America
around 1947.
May he rest in peace.