Sunday, November 28, 2010

Clonmacnois Parish Newsletter
Sunday 28th Nov 2010 – 1st Adv A
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 6pm
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €414. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: M.Darcy, M.Murphy, M.McManus
Eucharistic ministers: Group 3
Readers for next Weekend: Group 3, M.Killeen, O.Costello
Altar Servers for this week: Athene, Saul, Jack

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Clonfanlough
Mass for First Fri & Holy Souls will be on Thurs eve @ 7pm
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €238. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: E.Egan, A.McEvoy
Readers for next Sunday: N.Kenny
Altar Servers for next Sunday: Group C
Eucharistic minister for next Sunday: D.McEvoy
Mass on next Sun for the late Eileen Holly

Annual Carol Service in Clonmacnois
On Sun 12th Dec @ 4pm. Refreshments afterwards. All welcome

Questions people ask (Fr O’Flynn – Intercom) Q. Isn’t Advent a season of preparing for Christmas? Why is there never any reference to this on the First Sunday of Advent? A. Advent is certainly a preparation for Christmas but it has other dimensions too. Advent prepares for the coming of Christ, past, present and future. Christmas celebrates Christ’s coming once upon a time in past history. But it also includes the coming of Christ to us each present day. And its future dimension is a reminder to be ready for the coming of Christ at the end of life, a date we do not know. The future coming of Christ is the focus of attention in the liturgy of Advent’s first Sunday.
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Christmas Party on Fri next starting with Mass in Shannonbridge Church @ 6pm
Invitations have been sent out. Please reply as soon as possible by contacting the number on the invitation, 087-2410587.
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Advent Prayer in Ard Chiaráin each Monday eve starting on 29th Nov @ 5.30pm. All welcome.
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Samaritans Gala Christmas Concert, Thurs 9th Dec @ 8pm
In the Franciscan Friary Athlone, featuring the Army Band of the 4th Western Brigade, Simon Casey, Anam folk group, and St Peter’s School Choir. Adm €10.00. Tickets available at Golden Island Shopping Centre at Music World, & the Castle Gift Shop Athlone.
Athlone Samaritans are at 3 Court Devenish. They are a voluntary organisation dedicated to befriending the anxious, the lonely, the despairing and the suicidal, or anyone who is troubled and just needs to talk to someone in complete confidence. They are available 24 /7 at 1850-609090.
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Morning prayer (Anon)
Lord, I thank you for the blessing of this new day. May I use it to reflect your presence in all my thoughts, words and actions, so that these hours might end with the world a bit better and someone’s life a bit happier because of my efforts."

Monday, November 22, 2010

Garden Birds Survey starts next Monday

The annual Birdwatch Ireland Survey of garden birds starts next Monday 29th November. The idea is to get an accurate estimate of the numbers of garden birds in Ireland by doing a count in your garden and recording the number of each species on a special form for each week until 21st February 2011. The form is then posted to Birdwatch Ireland to become part of the overall national picture.
Forms are available for download from www.birdwatchireland.ie or from Rose Ryan 090 9674176.
As the cold weather gets underway, the birds will appreciate a little bit of birdfeed and a drink of water.

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Clonmacnois Parish Newsletter
Sunday 21st Nov 2010 - Christ the King 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: €436. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: A.Ryan, L.Turley, M.Mitchell
Eucharistic ministers: Group 2
Readers for next Weekend: Group 2, M.Anderson, E.Quinn
Altar Servers for this week: Oisín, Andrea, Stephanie
Mass on next Sun for the late Richard Hynes
Mass on next Fri morning for the late Jack Butler

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Clonfanlough
Mass for the Holy Souls on Tues @ 7pm
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €283. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: M.Devery, A.Kelly
Readers for next Sunday: C.Norton
Altar Servers for next Sunday: Group B
Eucharistic minister for next Sunday: B.Coughlan

Station Masses @ 8pm
Tues @ the home of P. & M.Brasil, Clongowney
Fri @ the home of S. & M.McManus, Clonever
Christmas Parties
Clonfanlough, Sun 28th Nov starting with Mass @ 2pm in the Hall.
Shannonbridge, Fri 3rd Dec , starting with Mass in the Church @ 6pm.
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Questions people ask (Fr O’Flynn – Intercom) Q. Jesus said to the repentant thief, ‘I promise you, today you will be with me in paradise.’ Doesn’t that mean there is no purgatory? A. Hold on a second, it’s not so simple. The text is not clear whether today refers to the day when the promise was made or to the time when the promise would be fulfilled. It depends on where the translator puts the comma. Then again, what does today mean? Scripture tells us that with the Lord a thousand years is like a single day. Furthermore, the promise made to one man does not necessarily refer to everybody, especially since not everybody is as repentant as that dying man beside Jesus on Calvary.
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The table Quiz on next Wed in Killeens will be for the Haiti fund

Church-gate Collection next weekend for the Shannonbridge Christmas Party. Please support these events.
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Church Envelopes
For the coming year all the envelopes are again in the one box, which comes into use on next Sunday, including the Priest’s revenue envelopes. For the Monthly collection you are again invited to make payment for the year or half-year if possible. I also invite those who don’t contribute to the collections to make a start this coming year. A sincere ‘thank-you’ to those who do contribute and those who organise the collections.
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Mass for deceased members of the Defence Forces will be celebrated on Tues 23rd Nov @ 11am in the Church of Sts Peter and Paul, Athlone.

Monday, November 15, 2010

Luker's Annual Turnip Awards

Donal and Myra Scoop Top Turnip Trophy.

Donal and Myra Guinan hit the jackpot in the Luker’s Annual Turnip Awards when they were the most accurate in guessing the weight of the turnip. The huge swede, supplied by local grower Rory Greene and weighed by Sean Kelly, observed by independent scrutineers Flannery and Reynolds, tipped the scales at 18lbs- 8ozs. Donal and Myra were nearest with 18-7, Cathal Daly next at 18–6 and Danny Farrelly 3rd with 18–4. Well done to all. Some growers are reported to be reviewing their choice of seed variety ahead of next year’s competition!

Sunday, November 14, 2010

Shannonbridge GAA Club AGM this Friday

The AGM of Shannonbridge GAA Club will take place this Friday in the clubrooms at 7.45pm. All are welcome, especially new members.

Shannonbridge Golf Society

Well done to Niall Price, winner of Jim Killeen's Captain's Prize last weekend at Connemara Golf Club. There was a good turnout of twenty seven members. Shane Kelly and Shane Killeen completed the podium, with Sean Kelly in fourth place. Mary Kelly won the ladies prize from Ciara Finn in second.
Clonmacnois Parish Newsletter
Sunday 14th Nov 2010 -33 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: €462. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: K.Price, C.Curley, P.Anderson
Eucharistic ministers: Group 1
Readers for next Weekend: Group 1, D.Finnerty, P.Corbett
Altar Servers for this week: Siobhán, Sarah, Alisa, Ciaran
Mass on Thurs @ 8pm for deceased members of the ESB.
Mass on nest Sat eve for Jimmy Coleman & family deceased
Mass on next Sun for the late Thomas Rocke
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Clonfanlough
Mass on Mon @ 7pm for the Holy Souls
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €298. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: K.Norton, H.Darcy
Readers for next Sunday: C.Rigney
Altar Servers for next Sunday: Group A
Eucharistic m minister for next Sunday: A.Rohan

Meeting of Parish P.C on Mon @7.30pm in Clonfanlough
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Station Masses @ 8pm
Tues @ the home of C & A. Rohan, Chapel St & the Hill
Fri @ the home of M. & B. Kilduff, Clonlyon
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It is proposed to have the Christmas Party in Clonfanlough Hall on Sun 28th Nov. and in Shannonbridge on Fri 3rd Dec.
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St Ciaran’s Community Alert invites applications from qualified electricians for the installation of security &emergency lighting and smoke & carbon monoxide alarms in homes locally. If interested please leave your name & contact details into the Garda Station.
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Night Prayer Vigil in Clonmacnois Prayer Centre
Fri 19thNov beginning with Mass @ 10pm. Adoration follows and finishes at 3.10am. All welcome. Enquiries Dave 085-7746763 . Mass every Wed at the Centre @ 7.30pm
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Questions people ask (Fr O’Flynn – Intercom) Q. All these floods, tsunamis, earthquakes and disasters of recent years, are they a sign that God is angry with the world and that the end of this world is near? So I have been told. A. Jesus in today’s Gospel tells us not to be misled by false, self-appointed prophets. He also tells us not to be frightened. At the time of the terrible Black Death plague, the mystic Julian of Norwich was granted a vision of God holding all that is like a little hazelnut in the palm of his hand. She was assured that God makes all things well. The God of love tells us not to be afraid.
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Clonmacnois Pioneer Association
Mass will be offered for all deceased members on Sun 21st Nov in Clonfanlough Hall @ 3pm. Everybody welcome,
Light refreshments will be served.

Monday, November 08, 2010

Shannonbridge GAA Club Notes

Fund Raising Draw.

Tickets are now on sale for the club’s “Take Your Pick” fund raiser with the draw taking place on 30th December 2010. Tickets cost from €0.01 to €20.00 and prizes are € 2,000, €1,000, €500 and three of €100. This has been an exceptionally expensive year for the running of our club, with the pitch opening and participation in Celebrity Bainisteoir and your support is greatly appreciated.

Annual General Meeting.
The Annual general Meeting is fixed for 7.45pm on Friday November 19th, in the clubhouse. All are welcome, especially new members and anyone who can help in any way with the running of the club.

Congratulations.
Congratulations from all in the club to Dermot Turley and Liz Guckian who announced their engagement last week.

Best Wishes.
Best wishes to Michael Donegan, Crinkle, on his retirement from teaching in Birr. Michael taught for many years in Shannonbridge, where he is fondly remembered and where he made a big contribution to the development of underage football in the parish.

Shannonbridge / Doon Lottery.
No winner of the lottery last week. There were twelve match three winners, with the numbers drawn 7, 10, 17, 27. This week’s jackpot is €15,600.

Sunday, November 07, 2010

Clonmacnois Parish Newsletter
Sunday 7th Nov 2010 -32 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: €614. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: M.McManus, C.Slattery, A.Corbett
Eucharistic ministers: Group 4
Readers for next Weekend: Group 6, D.O’Carroll
Altar Servers for this week: Athene, Saul, Jack
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Clonfanlough
Mass for the Holy Souls on Mon @ 7pm
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €331. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: M.Halligan, M.Kelly
Readers for next Sunday: A.Coughlan
Altar Servers for next Sunday: Group C
Eucharistic minister for next Sunday:
Mass on next Sun for the late Philomena Coolahan

It is proposed to have the Christmas Party in Clonfanlough Hall on Sun 28th Nov. and in Shannonbridge on Fri 3rd Dec.

Today we welcome Fr Patsy McDermott, diocesan Youth Co-ordinator, who will speak at the Masses about Youth Ministry.

Station Masses @ 8pm
Thurs for Glebe at the home of C.Healy
Fri for Carrowkeel at the home of T.& R. Downey
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Questions people ask Q. My mother was a genuine and devout Christian all her life. I believe she is now with God so why should I pray for her? Is it alright to pray with her? A. To pray with her is a great idea. A special moment at Mass is when we join with the angels and saints in proclaiming the song of heaven, ‘Holy, holy, holy’. Those who are with Jesus in heaven are now part of the perfect worship of the Father. Our Mass is an anticipation of perfect worship. Your good mother is part of the real thing while we are part of the rehearsal.
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The Table Quiz on next Wed in Killeens will be in aid of the Shannonbridge Christmas Party. Please support.
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Community and Tourist Office: practise your computer skills, learn to type, surf the net or conduct research. Broadband Internet access now available – Mon-Thurs10am to 2pm; Fri 10am-1.30pm.
All welcome.
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St Ciaran’s Community Alert invites applications from qualified electricians for the installation of security &emergency lighting and smoke & carbon monoxide alarms in homes locally. If interested please leave your name & contact details into the Garda Station.
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FROM CHURCH BULLETINS These sentences have actually appeared in church bulletins or in typewritten announcements for church services.
‘The Fasting & Prayer Conference includes meals.’ ‘The sermon this morning: "Jesus Walks on the water." The sermon tonight: "Searching for Jesus." ‘
‘Remember in prayer the many who are sick of our community. ‘