Saturday, December 25, 2010

Clonmacnois Parish Newsletter
Sat/Sun 25th /26th Dec 2010 - Christmas/ Holy Family A
Tel (090) 9674125 Fax (090) 9674267
Mass times: Shannonbridge: Weekend, 8pm (Sat), & 12 noon, Sun;
Weekdays, 10am. Clonfanlough – Sunday, 10.30am

Shannonbridge
Mass(or Communion Service) Mon @ 12 noon; Tues-Fri @ 10am
New Year's Day, next Sat, day of prayer for peace, @ 12 noon
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €585. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: K.Price, C.Curley, P.Anderson
Eucharistic ministers: Group 3
Readers for next Weekend: Group 1, D.Finnerty, P.Corbett
Altar Servers for this week: Siobhan, Sarah, Alisa, Ciarán
‘Month’s Mind Mass’ for Josephine Coughlan next Sat eve.
Mass on next Sun for the late Brendan Cogavin

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Clonfanlough
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €209. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: B.Kilduff, E.Kilduff
Readers for next Sunday: H.Coughlan
Altar Servers for next Sunday: Group A
Eucharistic minister for next Sunday: B.Coughlan

New Year 's Day - day of prayer for peace; Mass @ 10.30am

Gifts Without Cost
Some gifts you can give this Christmas are beyond monetary value:
* Mend a quarrel, dismiss suspicion, tell someone, "I love you."
* Give something away-anonymously.
* Forgive someone who has treated you wrong.
* Turn away wrath with a soft answer.
* Visit someone in a nursing home.
* Apologize if you were wrong.
* Be especially kind to someone with whom you work.
* Give as God gave to you in Christ, without obligation, or announcement, or reservation, or hypocrisy. (C. Swindoll, Growing Strong, pp. 400-1)
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Ten Commandments of Home Rule
1. If you sleep on it - make it up.
2. If you wear it - hang it up.
3. If you drop it - pick it up.
4. If you eat out of it - put it in the sink.
5. If you step on it - wipe it off.
6. If you open it - close it.
7. If you empty it - fill it up.
8. If it rings - answer it.
9. If it howls - feed it.
10. If it cries - love it. (The Fight, J. White, IVP, pp. 121ff)
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Beannachtaí na Nollag agus Síocháin san Ath Bhliain do gach duine

A special word of thanks to all who contribute to the various collections during the year, and to all who help out in any way in the Church and community. It is much appreciated. Míle Buíochas!

Sunday, December 19, 2010

Shannonbridge GAA Club Notes

Last Ten Days for Club Fund Raising Draw.
Last days now to support the club’s “Take Your Pick” fundraiser with the draw taking place in Luker’s Pub on 30th December. Tickets cost from €0.1 to €20.00 and prizes are €2,000, €1000, €500 and three of €100. This has been an exceptionally expensive year for the club, with the opening of our pitch and participation in the Celebrity Bainisteoir TV programme. The tickets are selling well and thank you to all who have purchased to date, all support is greatly appreciated.

Well Done.
To our Club Chairman Damien Brazil, who has been voted football referee in Offaly for the second year in succession.

Congratulations to Padraig Pearses U21s.
Congratulations to near-neighbours Padraig Pearses in capturing the Roscommon U21 title last Sunday. No fewer than six of the panel have close Shannonbridge connections. Eanna, Sean and Tomas Ryan and Niall and Conor Daly are sons of former Shannonbridge players, John Joe Ryan and Pakie Daly and Stephen McManus is a son of Gerry McManus, Garrymore.

Shannonbridge / Doon Lottery.
No winner of last week’s jackpot. The numbers drawn were 1,5,20 and 24. This week’s jackpot is €16,800 and ten prizes of €50 have been added for the Christmas Draw.

Christmas Greetings.
Happy Christmas to all Shannonbridge GAA followers both at home and abroad.

Snow, Carols and Christmas Lights in Shannonbridge

As we head into Christmas week we are experiencing the severest weather for years - snow and icy roads and temperatures down to -10C. Great to see the village lit up with christmas lights and especially the lights on the bridge looking wonderful. Also to hear the carol singers in the freezing cold outside the church before evening Mass yesterday. Many thanks to all the volunteers involved, it certainly helps to lift the spirits.
Clonmacnois Parish Newsletter
Sunday 19th Dec 2010 – 4Adv A
Tel (090) 9674125 Fax (090) 9674267
Mass times: Shannonbridge: Weekend, 8pm (Sat), & 12 noon, Sun;
Weekdays, 10am. Clonfanlough – Sunday, 10.30am
Shannonbridge
Masses: Mon - Fri @ 10am; Christmas Eve Mass on Fri @ 9pm
Mass on Christmas Day @ 12 noon (No evening Mass on Sat)
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €567. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: M.McManus, C.Slattery, A.Corbett
Eucharistic ministers: Group 2
Readers for Christmas: D.O’Carroll
Altar Servers for this week: Athene, Saul, Jack
Carol Singing & Service of Reconciliation: Mon eve @ 8pm
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Clonfanlough
Mass on Christmas Eve @ 7pm; on Christmas Day @ 10.30am
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €340. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: B.Kenny, M.Lantry
Readers for Christmas, D.Norton, for Sun,A.& L. Devery
Altar Servers for next Sunday: Group C
Eucharistic minister for C.Day, K. Kelly, for Sun, A.Rohan
Sacrament of Penance on Tues @ 7pm
Children’s Carol Service on Wed eve @ 7.30pm in the Church.
All welcome.
Mass on Christmas Day for the late Michael Kelly (Lakefield)
Mass on next Sun for the Devery family deceased (Clonlyon)

Shannonbridge A.R.A. Social is postponed for the present.

Questions people ask Q. Mary was betrothed to Joseph. Was this like being engaged or was it more? A. Marriage customs at that time and place were different from ours. Betrothal meant that the couple were married with full conjugal rights but the woman still lived at her parents’ house under the male authority of that house. Joseph knew that the child of Mary’s pregnancy wasn’t his. In planning a divorce he was observing the law but he would do it with total respect for Mary. Perhaps, knowing the depth of Mary’s holiness, he already suspected some divine mystery was involved.

Clonmacnois N.S.
As you know Liam Broderick is resigning as Principal of Clonmacnois N. S. The members of the B.O.M. are organising a celebration of Liam’s career on Wed 22nd Dec with a Mass in Clonfanlough Church @ 11.30am. A reception will follow in the School, where a presentation will be made to Liam. If you would like to join in the Mass and/or reception, you are very welcome.
If you wish to show your appreciation in any other way, please do.

St. Ciaran’s Community Alert: The committee would like to inform people that our application for funding has been approved and installation of personal and home security equipment will commence early in the New Year. We would like to thank everyone for their help and support during the year and wish a happy and peaceful Christmas and New Year to all.

"Life is a constant Advent season: we are continually waiting to become, to discover, to complete, to fulfil. Hope, struggle, fear, expectation and fulfilment are all part of our Advent experience. The world is not as just, not as loving, not as whole as we know it can and should be. But the coming of Christ and his presence among us—as one of us —give us reason to live in hope: that light will shatter the darkness, that we can be liberated from our fears and prejudices, that we are never alone or abandoned.
May this Advent season be a time for bringing hope, transformation and fulfilment into the Advent of our lives."
(CONNECTIONS, 11-28-93)

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Shannonbride Action Group

Shannonbridge Action Group would like to invite everyone (adults) to a Community Christmas Party in Killeens Bar on Saturday night 18th December. Starting @ 9:30 there will be music, food and craic on the night so come along and enjoy the atmosphere. Raffle on the night with lots of prizes.

St. Ciarans Community Alert

The committee would like to inform people that our application for funding has been approved and installation of personal and home security equipment will commence early in the New Year. We would like to thank everyone for their help and support during the year and wish a happy and peaceful Christmas and New Year to all.

Monday, December 13, 2010

Comments and Feedback

Comments are always very welcome on this forum. Great to hear from Mike Burke this week logging in from the UK, Swindon I think.

Shannonbridge GAA Club Notes

Last Two Weeks for Club Fund Raising Draw.
Last couple of weeks now to support 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. The tickets are selling well and a thank you to all who purchased to date, all support is greatly appreciated.

Shannonbridge / Doon Lotttery.
There was no jackpot winner in last week’s draw. There were four match threes. This week’s jackpot is €16,600.

Season’s Greetings.
A Happy Christmas to all Shannonbridge GAA followers both at home and abroad.

Sunday, December 12, 2010

Friday, December 10, 2010

Shannonbridge GAA Club Notes

Annual General Meeting.
In the Chairman’s and Secretaries’ reports a successful year was reviewed. Our Intermediate team got to the semi-final stage of the championship before bowing out to Durrow. The huge voluntary effort by club members and the involvement of the community in the official opening of our pitch by Mr. Christy Cooney, President of the GAA and the club’s involvement with the Celebrity Bainisteoir TV programme, sends the club into the new year with renewed spirit. In addition, our under twelve footballers contested the U12 B Final, before losing to Kilcormack / Killoughy in a replay. This was our first underage final for several years. A total of €8,550 was raised for the Aware Organisation by the club during the year. A big thank you to sponsor Kieran Hynes, Deerpark Windows and to all others who sponsored the club this year.
The following is the club committee for 2011:
Presidents: Fr. O’Hanlon, Kieran Rohan, Frank Guinan.
Chairperson: Damien Brazil.
Vice Chairperson: Joe Duffy.
Secretary: Roger Ryan.
Assistant Secretary: Gerry Quirke.
Treasurer: Olive Costello.
Assistant Treasurer: Declan Rohan.
Registrar: Conor Killeen.
Assistant Registrar: Pat Joe Kelly.
PRO: Declan & Rose Ryan.
Safety Officer: Vinny Costello.
Club/School Coordinator: Neil Darcy.
Co. Board Delegates: Tom Moore, Noel Rocke.
Executive Committee: Karl Kelly, Jim Killeen, Des McEvoy, John Ryan, Kieran Flannery, Shane Flannery, Oliver Flynn. Minor Board delegates to be co-opted.

Club Membership.
Membership rates for 2011, payable to Conor Killeen or Pat Joe Kelly are as follows:
Non playing member €20.
Family €40.
Player €30.
Junior €5.
OAP/Student €10.

Club 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.

Shannonbridge / Doon Lotttery.
No winner of last week’s draw. This week’s jackpot is €16,400.

Wednesday, December 08, 2010

Late Mrs Tess Coughlan, Shannonbridge

Shannonbridge lost a popular resident with the passing of Teesh Coughlan (nee Kelly, High st.) last Saturday, 4th December. She is survived by her husband Pat, son Ciaran, daughters Mary and Patricia, sons-in-law Kevin and Philip, daughter-in-law Patricia, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, brother Paddy and sister Kathleen and extended family.
A pleasant and outgoing neighbour, noted for her wit and always having the right answer, she will be sadly missed. Her funeral took place to High St cemetary after requiem mass in Shannonbridge. May she rest in peace.

Sunday, December 05, 2010

Clonmacnois Parish Newsletter
Sunday 5th Dec 2010 – 2Advent A
Tel (090) 9674125 Fax (090) 9674267
Mass times: Shannonbridge: Weekend, 8pm (Sat), & 12 noon, Sun;
Weekdays, 10am. Clonfanlough – Sunday, 10.30am
Shannonbridge
Masses: Mon, Tues, Thurs-Sat @ 10am
Wed, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of Mary, is a Holy Day. Mass on Tues eve @ 8pm for the Flannery family deceased; 12 noon on Wed for the Shrahan family deceased.
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €505. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: G.Brennan, D.Deeley, V.Hynes
Eucharistic ministers: Group 4
Readers for next Weekend: Group 4, S.Grennan, P.Duffy
Altar Servers for this week: Siobhán, Sarah, Alisa, Ciarán
Mass on next Sat eve for the late Brigid & Billy Duffy
Mass on next Sun for the late Elizabeth McManus

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Clonfanlough
Mass on Wed for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, which is a Holy Day, @ 10.30am
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €129. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: K.Kenny, A.Kearns
Readers for next Sunday: E.McEvoy
Altar Servers for next Sunday: Group A
Eucharistic minister for next Sunday: N.Egan
Mass on next Sun for the late Ciaran & Anne Pillion
Questions people ask (Fr O’Flynn – Intercom) Q. I’ve struggled for years with an addiction. I keep on falling. Is there any hope for me? A. There is always hope for the simple reason that God’s love for you never ceases, no matter how often you fall. God’s help comes in many ways such as medical help, addiction counselling, prayer, pilgrimage to a holy place and especially through the understanding and support of fellow strugglers in an addiction fellowship. Advent is the season of hope. Come, Lord Jesus, into our desert areas and places of darkness.
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Ballinasloe Cancer Support Centre – Society Street
Free & confidential services, Opening hours: Mon, 7-9pm;
Wed & Fri 10 – 1pm. Tel 090-9645574
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Annual Carol Service in Clonmacnois
On Sun 12th Dec @ 4pm. Refreshments afterwards. All welcome
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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.
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1. In response to the question of John, Jesus let his actions speak for him. Some people show by the way they live what it means to be a follower of Jesus. Who has given you such an example? Perhaps there have been times when you have done the same for others.

2. John marked the end of an era, Jesus the beginning of a new one. In our lives we are constantly been asked to respond to new challenges. We have to be able to let go, to move forward in hope and love into a new situation. How do we honour the past and yet be free to move on into a new experience? (John Byrne, o.s.a.)