Shannonbridge GAA Club Notes

League Fixture.
Shannonbridge kick off the new season with a league game against Ferbane, in Ferbane, next Saturday, 6th February, at 3pm.

Shannonbridge / Doon Lottery.
There was no winner of last week’s jackpot. The numbers drawn were 5, 9, 14, 22 and there were three match three winners. This week’s jackpot is €4,400.

Clonmacnois Parish Newsletter
Sunday 30th Jan 2011 – 4 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; Tues is Feast of St Brigid;
Wed is Candlemas Day, with blessing of candles & throats.
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €581. 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
Mass on next Sun for the late Gerry & Eddie Egan
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Clonfanlough
Mass on Tues @ 7pm with blessing of candles & throats
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €331. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: B.Higgins, D.Guinan
Readers for next Sunday: C.Norton
Altar Servers for next Sunday: Group 3
Eucharistic minister for next Sunday: A.Rohan
Mass on next Sun for the late Padraic Devery
The sick & housebound will be attended as usual on the First Friday
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Catholic Schools Week begins this Sun
The theme, ‘Catholic Schools-Rooted in Jesus Christ’, is based on the words of Pope Benedict to the young people of Ireland: “Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus & his goodness, and shelter the flame of faith in your hearts.”
Catholic schools support the work of parents in teaching their children about Jesus’ love for them and are rooted in the values of the gospel of Jesus Christ. We are invited to articulate & celebrate our ethos & identity, and to acknowledge the role our schools play in the community.
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Q. I find it hard to agree with the Beatitudes. How could people happy if they are mourning or persecuted or poor?
A. Your problem stems from a poor English translation of the gospel. The word happy was used instead of blessed. Recent translations have gone back to using the word blessed. Happy refers to how one is feeling, and, as you say, it would not be true of people in mourning or persecution. The word blessed indicates one's standing in the eyes of God. Jesus is telling people that even when their present lot is difficult, still they are deeply loved by God and will receive consolation in the future. (Fr O'Flynn - Intercom)
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Prayer Centre Clonmacnois
Mass on Wed next, @ 7.30pm, will include a blessing of candles and a blessing of throats.
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Clonmacnois N.S.
As you know, Orla Sherry will retire from Clonmacnois N. S.at the end of Feb. Members of the B.O.M. are organising a celebration of Orla’s
career on Wed 23rd Feb with a Mass & Presentation @ 12 noon in the School. If you would like to join in the Mass and/or reception/presentation you are very welcome.
If you wish to show your appreciation in any other way, please do.
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Remembrance Service in Portiuncula Hospital Chapel
For parents who have suffered bereavement through the death of their children, miscarriage or stillbirth, on Wed 2nd Feb @ 7.30pm
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Offaly Holy Land Pilgrimage: 19 – 28th Oct 2011.
Direct from Dublin, 10 days - €1,145 P.P.S. half board, including all taxes. For further info contact Fr Tom Cox, Ferbane, 090-6454309

Sbridge GAA Club New Photo Albums on Facebook

New photo albums for Shannonbridge GAA Official Opening of Pitch and Celebrity Bainisteoir have now been uploaded to Shannonbridge GAA Club facebook page - over 200 photos. Check them out!

Shannonbridge GAA Club Notes

Start of League and Fixtures.
Shannonbridge's 2011 season kicks off next Sunday week, 6th February, with a Div 2 League game v Ferbane. A full list of fixtures for the year is on the GAA website - Shannonbridgegaa.com. Best of luck to the lads and here's hoping for a good year.

Shannonbridge / Doon Lottery.
No jackpot winner this week, 24.01.2011. The numbers drawn were 5, 9, 14, 22. There were three match three winners. Next week's jackpot is €4,400.

Clonmacnois Parish Newsletter
Sunday 23rd Jan 2011 - 3A
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 @ 12 noon
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €623. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: J.Kelly, M.Killeen, A.Keena
Eucharistic ministers: Group 3
Readers for next Weekend: Group 5, ?, C.Doolan
Altar Servers for this week: Oisín, Andrea, Stephanie
Mass on next Sat eve for the late Fr James Masterson
Mass on next Sun for the late Geraldine & Tommy, & Simon McManus

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Clonfanlough
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €237. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: C.Spain, C.Guinan
Readers for next Sunday: C.Rigney
Altar Servers for next Sunday: Group 2
Eucharistic minister for next Sunday: K.Kelly
Mass on next Sun for the late Brigid Rigney

‘Many thanks for your generous contributions to S.V.P. Moore in Dec which realised €430.00’

Questions people ask (Fr O’Flynn- Intercom) Q. I have recently returned to Mass and want to get more understanding. What is the plan for selecting the Gospels for Sunday Mass? A. The four Gospels are spread over a three year plan. Matthew, Mark and Luke each have a year devoted to them. There are sections from John in each cycle, especially between Easter and Pentecost. This year concentrates on Matthew, a Gospel notable for the amount of Jesus’ teaching it contains. Especially important is the Sermon on the Mount, Chapters 5-7. It is there, more than anywhere else, that we read the charter of God for society. We are challenged to imitate the unconditional love of God the Father.
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Offaly Holy Land Pilgrimage: 19 – 28th Oct 2011.
Direct from Dublin, 10 days - €1,145 P.P.S. half board, including all taxes. For further info contact Fr Tom Cox, Ferbane, 090-6454309
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Portiuncula Hospital Remembrance Service
For parents who have suffered a bereavement through the death of their children, miscarriage or stillborn, on Wed 2nd Feb @ 7.30pm in the Hospital Chapel.
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Family Centre Ballinasloe
Eamon Rogers, Consultant Urologist, will give a talk on Prostate Cancer on 31st Jan @ 8pm. For more info call 0879840304.
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St Ciaran’s Youth Club
resume activities on Fri 28th Jan @ 7.30 pm in Clonfanlough Hall.
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Catholicireland.net
You can use the site to check Mass times, or to find contact details for religious orders and retreat houses, but there is something for everyone. Young children, for example, will love Talk2God, an interactive prayer page with colourful graphics and simple text.
There is also the Requiem section, with an interactive prayer feature, for those mourning loved ones, plus some reading material on bereavement.

Shannonbridge GAA Club

Intermediate Football Championship Group.
Shannonbridge have been drawn in a group with Durrow, Rhode, Birr, Bracknagh and Ballyfore. The first championship game is scheduled for 11th May.

Recent Deaths

Michael Srahan, Cloniff.
The death occurred, unexpectedly, of Michael Srahan, Cloniff, on Thursady 13th January. He is survived by his brothers Stephen and Pat, his sister-in-law Margaret and extended family. His funeral took place yesterday, Wednesday 19th, to Clonmacnoise.

Joe Turley, Terenure, Dublin and Rachrabeg.
Also passed away is Joe Turley, Terenure and formerly of Rachrabeg. He was a brother of Bill Turley, Rachrabeg. His funeral takes place in Dublin on next Saturday.

May they both rest in peace.

Clonmacnois Parish Newsletter
Sunday 16th Jan 2011 -2 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
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €502. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: G.Brennan, D.Deeley, V.Hynes
Eucharistic ministers: Group 2
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 Joe Coleman
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Clonfanlough
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €302. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: J.& C.Rigney
Readers for next Sunday: A.Coughlan
Altar Servers for next Sunday: Group 1
Eucharistic minister for next Sunday: P. Darcy
Mass on next Sun for John Loonam & family deceased.

Shannonbridge ARA will resume meetings on next Tues @10.30am. All welcome.

Week of prayer for Christian Unity: 18th – 25th Jan.
Night Prayer Vigil in Clonmacnois Prayer Centre
Fri 21st Jan, 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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Family Centre Ballinasloe
Eamon Rogers, Consultant Urologist, will give a talk on Prostate Cancer on 31st Jan @ 8pm. Please call 0879840304 in order to register.
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Questions people ask Q. It upsets me that none of my grown-up children go to Mass and have not brought their children for baptism. They say that it is only a matter of time before the Catholic Church in Ireland is extinct. How can I answer them? A. The Catholic Church is far from extinct. My guess is that we probably have two million people at Mass on any Sunday. The Catholic Church has survived many crises over its 2,000 years. A famous writer said that there were five times in history when the Church had gone to the dogs but it was the dogs that died! Jesus promised: ‘You are Peter and on this rock I will build my church and the gates of the underworld can never overpower it.’ The words of Jesus contain the answer for your children.
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This is World Migrant and Refugee Sunday (Pope Benedict XVI)
“All belong to the one family, migrants and the local populations that welcome them, and all have the same right to enjoy the goods of the earth whose destination is universal, as the social doctrine of the Church teaches.
It is here that solidarity and sharing are founded.
Immigrants have the duty to integrate into the host country, respecting its laws & its national identity.”
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Shannonbridge GAA Minor Club
AGM will take place on Mon 17th Jan @ 8pm in the Club meeting rooms.

Shannonbridge GAA Minor Club AGM

The AGM of the Minor Club will take place on next Monday night, 17th January, at 8pm, in the club Meeting Rooms.

Shannonbridge / Doon GAA Lotto Won at €17,400

Congratulations to Carol Ryan, Doon, winner of the €17,400 jackpot this week. The numbers drawn were 4, 11, 22 and 24. There were six match threes. Next week’s jackpot starts at €4,000, so if you are not a regular lotto player. contact your local ticket seller to be in with a cahnce to win a great prize and also to help your local club. All support is very much appreciated.

Clonmacnois Parish Newsletter
Sunday 9th Jan2011 – Baptism of Jesus 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
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €739. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: M.Darcy, M.Murphy, M.McManus
Eucharistic ministers: Group 1
Readers for next Weekend: Group 3, M.Killeen, O.Costello
Altar Servers for this week: Athene, Saul, Jack
Mass on next Sat eve for the late Ciaran Kelly
Mass on next Sun for the late James Higgins

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Clonfanlough
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €293. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: M.Claffey, B.Coughlan
Readers for next Sunday: D.Boland
Altar Servers for next Sunday: Group C
Eucharistic minister for next Sunday: N.Egan
Mass on Sat for the late Earl & Petie Kelly @ 12 noon
Mass on next Sun for the late Mick Rocke

Questions people ask (Fr O’Flynn-Intercom) Q. Can you explain why Jesus who was sinless had to receive baptism from John? A. This of course wasn’t the sacrament of baptism as we know it but a ritual washing which John used to indicate a change of life. Although Jesus did not need this ritual washing, he freely chose to enter into solidarity with all who needed salvation. Thus he anticipated his sacrificial death on Calvary when he died to save us from our sins. His involvement with sinful humanity was total. St Paul wrote that God made the sinless one to be sin so that we might be justified before God.
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Shannonbridge Community Library will be closed, until further notice, due to water damage in the Health Centre.
Similarly, the Parish Hall & the old National School will be closed, until further notice, due to water damage.
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Lourdes Invalid Fund Collection will take place on next weekend.
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Athlone Community College – Open Eve on 12th Jan @ 7pm.
“Boys and Girls in their final year in Primary School, together with their parents/guardians, are invited to attend.”
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Theology From Home
The Dominicans are offering a programme of theology leading up to a degree (BTh) in the distance learning format. For more info write to: The Priory Institute, Tallaght Village, Dublin 24
Tel 01-4048124/127. Email: enquiries@prioryinstitute.com
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Prayer Centre Clonmacnois
Mass next Wed & every Wed @ 7.30pm. All welcome.
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‘A Íosa a cheannaigh mé, A Íosa a bheannaigh mé,
Le saol na saol go raibh i bhFlaitheas mé.’

Late Fr. James Masterson

The parish will sad to learn of the passing of Fr. Jim Masterson, who was a popular curate in Clonfanlough from 1987 to 1992. A member of the Holy Ghost Order, his postings included Nigeria and Florida. His funeral took place yesterday, Saturday 8th January, in Streete, Co. Westmeath. May he rest in peace.

Fr. Masterson was a keen GAA supporter and composed a song “Shannonbridge Victors” on the occasion of our Junior Championship win in 1989.

Shannonbridge Victors
A song composed by Fr. Jim Masterson (C.C. Clonfanlough from 1987 to 1992). It was composed on Sunday 29th October 1989 when Shannonbridge won its second Junior Football Championship.

(Musical air - For These Are My Mountains)

Shannonbridge is now happy
With laughter and song.
We’re now junior champions
For this we did long
Struggling and training
In a lengthy campaign
Our team we salute you
The cup you did gain.

Chorus: -
For these are our heroes
And this is our team
We’ve waited a long time
At last we’ve our dream
The lads now are victors
On every field,
Against all opponents,
They never would yield.

‘Tis fifty three long years
Since our team won
We thank all the lads
For the job they have done
And the man from Athlone
Who inspired victory,
And the lad who to help us
Came over the sea.

Chorus.

The first team who conquered
The trophy they won,
In the year thirty six,
Neath the bright shining sun
Are now smiling on us,
And some can still cheer,
They’re praying success for us
Over the years.

Chorus.

Shannonbridge GAA Club Notes

“Take Your Pick” Draw.
Many thanks to all who contributed to the success of the club draw. The prize winners are: 1st. €2,000 – David McCormack, c/o Seerys, Athlone, 2nd. €1.000 – Carol Halpin c/o Mary Moloney, 3rd. €500 – Conor Whelan, Doonbeg, Co. Clare, 4th. €100 x 5 – Frank Guinan, Rachrabeg, Kieran Higgins, Clonfanlough, Roger Ryan, Woodbank, Stephen Kenny, Shannonbridge and Michael Evans c/o Geraldine Heavin.

Shannonbridge / Doon Lottery.
There was no jackpot winner last week. The numbers drawn were 10, 17, 18 and 24 and there were 13 match three winners. The jackpot this week is €17,200.

Retirement of Liam Broderick, NT, Clonmacnoise.
The club extend their very best wishes to Liam Broderick, who retired on the 23rd. of December last after twenty eight years as principal teacher in Clonmacnoise National School. A big thank you, for all those countless hours of coaching and fostering a love of Gaelic games in the school. Carrying on the work of the late Jack Walshe, whom he succeeded in 1982, and in co-operation with Michael Donegan, Liam played a major part in laying the foundations for the underage successes of the club in the late 1980s. This ultimately led to the breakthrough at adult level, with Junior and Intermediate titles in 1989 and 1991 respectively. It is interesting to recall, that when the club captured the Senior title in 1996, no fewer than twelve of the starting fifteen were past pupils of Liam’s. We wish him a long and happy retirement and the best of luck for himself and his family in the future.

Late Joe Coleman, Shannonbridge and Leeds.

Joe Coleman passed away on St. Stephen's Day, in Leeds, after a long illness. Although over fifty years in England, he was an annual visitor to Shannonbridge and always had a great interest in his native parish. He was involved in the GAA in Leeds and was also a keen follower of the fortunes of Shannonbridge and Offaly teams. He was a brother of Kathleen Quinn, Shannonbridge. His funeral will take place in Leeds on next Saturday. Mass will be offered for Joe on Saturday 22nd January in Shannonbridge. May he rest in peace.

Shannonbridge Community Libarary

The Shannonbridge Community library will be closed until further notice, due to water damage sustained by the Health Centre during the recent frost. The closure is regretted and we hope to be up and running in the not too distant future.

Clonmacnois Parish Newsletter
Sunday 2nd Jan 2011 – 2Christmas A
Tel (090) 9674125 Fax (090) 9674267
Mass times: Shannonbridge: Weekend, 8pm (Sat), & 12 noon, Sun;
Weekdays, 10am. Clonfanlough – Sunday, 10.30am
Shannonbridge
Masses: Feast of the Ephinany, Thurs 6th Jan, a Holy Day
Masses: Mon,Wed @ 10am; & Wed eve @ 8pm.
Thurs @ 12 noon. For rest of week @ 10am
Adoration on First Fri until 5pm
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €450. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: A.Ryan, L.Turley, M.Mitchell
Eucharistic ministers: Group 4
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 Michael Brennan
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Clonfanlough
Mass for the Epiphany, a Holy Day on Thurs @ 10.30am
To be said for the late Ciaran & Mary Daly & Tom Mannion
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €231. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: M.Loonam, A.Egan
Readers for next Sunday: A.Rohan
Altar Servers for next Sunday: Group B
Eucharistic minister for next Sunday: D.McEvoy
Mass on next Sun for the Devery family deceased (Glebe)

Questions people ask (Fr O’Flynn – Intercom) Q. Why is the eagle chosen as a symbol for the Gospel of John? A. The eagle soars high above the earth and John soars high in reflecting on the incarnation. Furthermore, the eagle is reputed to be the only creature that can look directly into the light of the sun without damaging its eyes. The Gospel of John looks into the inner life of the Blessed Trinity. The blinding light of God’s glory is filtered for our eyes through the humanity of Jesus. ‘No one has ever seen God; it is the only Son, who is nearest the Father’s heart, who has made him known.’
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A New year Prayer
Dear Lord, please give me
A few friends who understand me and remain my friends;
A work to do which has real value, without which the world would be the poorer;
A mind unafraid to travel, even though the trail be not blazed;
An understanding heart; A sense of humour;
Time for quiet, silent meditation; A feeling of the presence of God;
The patience to wait for the coming of these things, with the wisdom to recognize them when they come.

Theology From Home
The Dominicans are offering a programme of theology leading up to a degree (BTh) in the distance learning format. For more info write to: The Priory Institute, Tallaght Village, Dublin 24
Tel 01-4048124/127. Email: enquiries@prioryinstitute.com

A word from the late Cardinal Hume as we begin a New Year:
'You think because you don't find prayer easy, because attendance at Mass is not congenial, because your record in the service of God
is not good, that the things of God are not for you. Can't you see that the more inadequate you are the more you need God's help?'

Annual Mummer’s Festival in New Inn Leisure centre.
on Sat 8th Jan @7.30pm for senior groups;
On Sun 9th Jan @ 2.30pm for junior groups.







Questions people askQ. Why is the eagle chosen as a symbol for the Gospel of John? A. The eagle soars high above the earth and John soars high in reflecting on the incarnation. Furthermore, the eagle is reputed to be the only creature that can look directly into the light of the sun without damaging its eyes. The Gospel of John looks into the inner life of the Blessed Trinity. The blinding light of God’s glory is filtered for our eyes through the humanity of Jesus. ‘No one has ever seen God; it is the only Son, who is nearest the Father’s heart, who has made him known.’ , the eagle is reputed to be the only creature that can look directly into the light of the sun without damaging its eyes. The Gospel of John looks into the inner life of the Blessed Trinity. The blinding light of God’s glory is filtered for our eyes through the humanity of Jesus. ‘No one has ever seen God; it is the only Son, who is nearest the Father’s heart, who has made him known.’ ear Lord, please give me… A few friends who understand me and remain my friends; A work to do which has real value, without which the world would be the poorer; A mind unafraid to travel, even though the trail be not blazed; An understanding heart; A sense of Time for quiet, silent meditation; A feeling of the presence of God; The patience to wait for the coming of these things, With the wisdom to recognize them when they come. Amen.
has real value, without which the world would be the poorer; A mind unafraid to travel, even though the trail be not blazed; An understanding heart; A sense Time for quiet, silent meditation; A feeling of the presence of God; The patience to wait for the coming of these things, With the wisdom to recognize them when they come. Amen.