Clonmacnois Parish Newsletter
Sunday 27th Nov 2011 – 1Adv B
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 from 2.30 – 4.30pm
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €700. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: K.Price, C.Curley, P.Anderson
Ministers of Holy Communion: Group 3
Readers for next Weekend: Group 6, A.Hynes, D.O’Carroll
Altar Servers for this week: 3, Sarah, Alisa, Jack, Katie
Mass on Fri for the late Jack Butler
Anniversary Mass on next Sat eve for the late Josephine Coughlan
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Clonfanlough
Mass for the Holy Souls on Mon @ 7pm
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €292. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: B.Maleney, H.Hynes
Readers for next Sunday: A.Coughlan
Altar Servers for next Sunday: Group 1
Minister of Holy Communion for next Sunday: B.Coughlan

Clonmacnois Regional Pioneers will celebrate Mass in Boora on Fri 2nd Dec @ 7pm. All welcome
LEARNING ABOUT THE MASS WITH KATH AND QUMEN
WHAT IS A DEACON?
The word ‘deacon’ comes from the Greek word ‘diakonia’, which means ‘service’. The work of the deacon is an act of service to the community. Deacons can read the Gospel, preach the homily, baptise and perform other ceremonies. There are two types of deacon who minister in the church. The first is someone who is training to be a priest and this is the last step before finally being ordained a priest. The second is called a Permanent Deacon and he is not going to be ordained a priest. We know that priests cannot get married but a married man can be ordained a Permanent Deacon. At the moment we have very few Permanent Deacons in our country. But this may change in the next few years.
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Nomination Forms
You should receive these with your box of parish envelopes, and you are asked to return them as soon as possible.
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Shannonbridge Christmas Party - Fri 2nd Dec
By now, you should have received your invitation. Please let us know if you will attend by calling 087-2410587.
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Shannonbridge ARA Annual Social
On Fri 9th Dec in the Old Fort @ 7pm. Members & friends welcome. Cost €20
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Parenting Talk with Geraldine Butler on Wed 30th Nov in High Street Hall @ 8pm. Adm is €5. Light refreshments served. All welcome. 087-9374424
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Annual Commemoration Mass & wreath laying for deceased members of the Defence Forces in SS Peter & Paul’s Church Athlone on 30th Nov @ 11am
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Irish Wheelchair Association will hold a ‘High End Fashion & Accessory Sale’ on Thurs 1st Dec, (6-11pm) in The Radisson Hotel Athlone. Adm is free.
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Table Quiz in aid of Shannonbridge Tidy Towns on Fri 2nd Dec in Killeens @ 9pm. Table of 4, €20. Raffle on the night. Please support.

Members of St Ciaran's Community Alert will be calling to houses to get signatures for a petition opposing the possible closure of the Garda Station in Shnnnonbridge. Please support.

Shannonbridge Aaction Group Christmas cards are on sale locally. Please support.

Clonmacnois Parish Newsletter
Sunday 20th Nov 2011 – Christ the King 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: €409. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: M.McManus, C.Slattery, A.Corbett
Ministers of Holy Communion: Group 2
Readers for next Weekend: Group 5, ? C.Doolan
Altar Servers for this week: Group 2, Oisín, Saul, Siobhán, Ffion

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Clonfanlough
Mass for the Holy Souls on Mon @ 7pm
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €200. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: N.Egan, A.Gunning
Readers for next Sunday: D.Boland
Altar Servers for next Sunday: Group 3
Minister of Holy Communion for next Sunday: A.Rohan

Christmas Parties: Clonfanlough Nov 27th; Shannonbridge 2nd Dec

Ard Chiaráin: Advent Prayer each Mon @ 8pm starting on Mon 28th Nov
LEARNING ABOUT THE MASS WITH KATH AND QUMEN
THE GOSPEL
After the second reading, the Minister of the Word will invite us to stand and greet or welcome the Gospel. Before the Gospel is read we sing or say the Gospel Acclamation. For most of the Church year we greet the Gospel with the word ‘Alleluia’, a joyful song of praise.
The Alleluia is followed by a verse of scripture from the Bible. This verse reminds us of the theme of the Mass and readings. During the season of Lent we do not use the word ‘Alleluia’. The Gospel stories tell us about Jesus and we hear what he said to his friends and those who came to listen to him. So the reading of the Gospel is different from the other readings. It is the most important part of the Liturgy of the Word.
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Nomination Forms
You should receive these with your box of parish envelopes, and you are asked to return them as soon as possible.
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Congratulations & best wishes to Dermott Turley & Liz Guckian, who were married recently in Leitrim Village Church

We welcome into the Christian Community Keelan Earl Kelly, Carrowkeel, son of Padraic & Edel who was baptised recently in Clonfanlough Church
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“Many thanks to all who supported the ‘Team Hope Christmas Shoebox’ Appeal. Over 80 shoeboxes were collected, which will bring joy & hope to children in poor regions of Eastern Europe.”
“For assistance in CV preparation, letters of application, typing reports or photocopying call into the Tourist Office Mon-Fri 9.30-1pm.”
“A public Meeting will be held in Shannonbridge Hall on Mon 21st Nov @ 9pm to form a Lobby Group to oppose the possible closure of the local Garda Station. A good turnout is necessary to take any action.”
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Focal Scoir
‘The Christian home is the place where children receive the first proclamation of the faith. For this reason the family home is rightly called “the domestic Church”, a community of grace and prayer, a school of human virtues and Christian charity.’ (Catechism of the Catholic Church,n.1666)

Shannonbridge GAA Club

National School Finals.
Congratulations to Clonmacnois National School boy’s team who defeated Rhode in last Monday’s Cumann na mBunscoil Divisional final, played at O’Connor Park. Trained by John Ryan and Brendan Butler, they were deserving winners and after the final whistle was blown, Conor Butler accepted the trophy on behalf of the team.
Also on Monday, in front of a great crowd, Clonmacnois / High Street Girls National School, overcame the challenge of Ballinagar to win their Cumann na mBunscoil Divisional final. This team was managed by teacher Amy Heraty and Rosie Arnold whose shrewd half-time switches turned a tight game in their favour. After the game Emma Kelly was presented with the trophy, on behalf of the team.
The victorious teams travelled into Shannonbridge in a flag waving horn blaring cavalcade. The parents and teams were treated to tea and hot food in the local hall. Many thanks to the parents and Shannonbridge GAA Club who organised the homecoming, it was greatly appreciated.

Shannonbridge / Doon Lottery.
There was no winner of last week’s jackpot. The numbers drawn were 1, 3, 4 and 26 and there were three match three winners. This week’s jackpot is €6,600.

Thomas Rhodes Swivel Bridge gets a Facelift.

Good to see that Waterways Ireland have cleaned and painted the 1843 Thomas Rhodes' Swivel Bridge on it's plinth at the jetty Shannonbridge. This brige is of great historical interest, being designed by Thomas Rhodes, one of the Shannon Commissioners and brother of Cecil Rhodes of Africa fame and cast by J. and R. Mallet, Dublin. The bridge was installed in 1844, as part of major navigation works on the river. It was last opened in 1943 and replaced by the present fixed span in 1984.

Offaly Historical Society Publication - Offaly Heritage 6.

Offaly Historical Society have just published their 6th Year-book, Offaly Heritage 6, with over 360 pages of historical articles of local Offaly interest - great value at €15. One chapter by Padraig Turley (Clerhane and Dublin), gives a detailed account of the arrival of the St. Joseph of Cluny Nuns, to Ferbane, in 1896 and their contribution to Offaly, especially in education, over a period of more than 100 years. He lists no fewer than 19 nuns fron Clonmacnoise Parish who joined the order: Sr. Monica Claffey, Clerhane, Sr. Cecilia Curley, Clonmacnoise, Sr. Kieran Curley, Clonmacnoise, Sr. Damien Darcy, Clonmacnoise, Sr. Hugh Darcy, Clonmacnoise, Sr. Jude Devery, Clonlyon, Sr. Laurence Egan, Creevagh, Sr. Meave Guinan, Clonfanlough, Sr. Peter Kelly, Clonfanlough, Sr. William Kelly, Clonmacnoise, Sr. Agnes Kenny, Clondelara, Sr. Mel Kenny, Clondelara, Sr. Madeleine Moore, Glebe, Sr. Michael Moore, Glebe, Sr. Teresa Moore, Glebe, Sr. Mel Pillion, Clonmacnoise, Sr. James Pillion, Clonmacnoise, Sr. William Pillion, Clonmacnoise, Sr. Pascal Turley, Clonfanlough.

Shannonbridge GAA Club

Scrap Metal Collection.
Fundraising scrap metal collection on this Friday 18th and Saturday 19th November.
We will gratefully accept a wide range of metal, iron or steel items no longer needed. Included are - Old Equipment, Machinery, Containers, Pots, Pans, Sink Tops, Radiators, Pipes, Barrels, Garden Furniture, Bicycles, Gates, Fencing Wire etc.
Items which unfortunately cannot be accepted – Fridges, Freezers, Televisions, Tyres, Gas Cylinders, Beer Kegs and any containers holding Liquid like Oil, Paint or Gas.
List of people to contact for scrap metal collection:
Shannonbridge:
` Jim Killeen 0868181729.
Vincent Costello 0879010340
Gerry Quirke 0879875479
Clonmacnoise / Creevagh:
Neil Darcy 0876896074
Joe Duffy 0876870193
Clonfanlough:
Damien Brazil 0879138767
Declan Rohan 0868343290
Glebe / Clonlyon:
Declan McEvoy 0879530518
Ger Rigney 0868075703.

Annual General Meeting.
The AGM has now been fixed for Sunday, 11th December, at 6pm, in the Clubhouse.

Shannonbridge / Doon Lottery.
There was no winner of last week’s jackpot. The numbers drawn were 1, 9, 22 and 26 and there were no match three winners. This week’s jackpot is €6,400.

Clonmacnois Parish Newsletter
Sunday 13th Nov 2011 – 33 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: €414. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: J.Kelly, M.Killeen, A.Keena
Ministers of Holy Communion: Group 1
Readers for next Weekend: Group 4, S.Grennan, P.Duffy
Altar Servers for this week: Group 1, Andrea, Stephanie, Jenny, Ciarán
Mass on Thurs @ 8pm for deceased members of the ESB
Mass on next Sat eve for Jimmy Coleman & family deceased
Mass on next Sun for the late Richard Hynes
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Clonfanlough
Mass for the Holy Souls on Mon @ 7.30pm
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €230. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: A.Walshe, R.Gunning
Readers for next Sunday: C.Rigney
Altar Servers for next Sunday: Group 2
Minister of Holy Communion for next Sunday: K.Kelly

Meeting of Parish P.C on Tues in Shannonbridge @ 8pm
Parish Envelopes for the year beginning 27th Nov next will soon be delivered to your homes, together with a Parish Calendar. A special word of gratitude is due to those who carry out this task.
A big ‘thank-you’ to all those who contribute to the various collections during the year! It is hoped that you will continue to do so in the year ahead. A very special appeal is made to those who have defaulted on these collections, or who may have simply forgotten to send in the envelope. As Scripture tells us, ‘Let us bear one another’s burdens’.
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LEARNING ABOUT THE MASS WITH KATH AND QUMEN
THE LITURGY OF THE WORD - THE READINGS
The Minister of the Word goes to the ambo to read. The first reading is usually from the oldest part of the Bible called the Old Testament. In the Easter Season the first reading comes from the New Testament. The stories that we hear during the first reading are the same stories that Jesus would have heard when he was a child. Some of the stories from the Old Testament are thousands of years old. They remind us of how long people have been listening to God’s word. They also tell us how much God loves us. Even though the stories are very old, they still have an important message for us today.
OUR RESPONSE TO THE READINGS: At the end of each of the readings the Minister of the Word finishes by saying, ‘The Word of the Lord’ and we all respond with the words, ‘Thanks be to God.’ This is our way of saying thank you to God for these stories which help us to grow together as members of God’s family.
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Night Prayer Vigil in Clonmacnois Prayer Centre
Fri 18th Nov, beginning with Mass @ 10pm. Adoration follows and finishes at 3.10am. All welcome. Enquiries Dave 085-7746763
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Proposed Badminton Club
Meeting in Clonfanlough Hall on Mon 14th Nov @ 8pm. All welcome.
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A 2 day intensive anger management programme will be held in Knock on 19th & 20th Nov. For more info call 09493-75032.
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“Many thanks for your donations to the recent Collection for the Irish Heart Foundation which realised €375.”

Shannonbridge Tidy Towns Meeting on Mon 14th Nov @ 9pm in the Health Centre. All welcome.

Shannonbridge Development Group AGM is rescheduled for Fri 18th Nov @ 8pm in the Tourist Office. All invited to attend.

Shannonbridge GAA Scrap Metal Fundraiser

Shannonbridge GAA Club -Scrap Metal Collection.

Fundraising scrap metal collection on Friday 18th and Saturday 19th November.
We will gratefully accept a wide range of metal, iron or steel items no longer needed. Included are - Old Equipment, Machinery, Containers, Pots, Pans, Sink Tops, Radiators, Pipes, Barrels, Garden Furniture, Bicycles, Gates, Fencing Wire etc.

Items which unfortunately cannot be accepted – Fridges, Freezers, Televisions, Tyres, Gas Cylinders, Beer Kegs and any containers holding Liquid like Oil, Paint or Gas.
List of people to contact for scrap metal collection:
Shannonbridge:
` Jim Killeen 0868181729.
Vincent Costello 0879010340
Gerry Quirke 0879875479

Clonmacnoise / Creevagh:
Neil Darcy 0876896074
Joe Duffy 0876870193

Clonfanlough:
Damien Brazil 0879138767
Declan Rohan 0868343290

Glebe / Clonlyon:
Declan McEvoy 0879530518
Ger Rigney 0868075703.

Clonmacnois Parish Newsletter
Sunday 6th Nov 2011 – 32 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-Wed, Fri- Sat @ 10am; Thurs @ 9am
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €392. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: G.Brennan, D.Deeleey, V.Hynes
Ministers of Holy Communion: Group 4
Readers for next Weekend: Group 3, M.Killeen, O.Costello
Altar Servers for this week: Group 3, Sarah, Alisa, Jack, Saul
Mass on next Sat eve for the late Mickey McEvoy
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Clonfanlough
Mass for the Holy Souls on Mon @ 7pm
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €279. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: M.Guinan, A.Guinan
Readers for next Sunday: A.Rohan
Altar Servers for next Sunday: Group 1
Minister of Holy Communion for next Sunday: P.Darcy
Christmas Party in Clonfanlough on Sun 27th Nov. @ 2pm

Ard Chiaráin Prayer Centre
You are invited to a Mass for the ‘Holy Souls’ on Tues 8th Nov @ 8pm, when we pray for all your loved ones who have died.
Questions people ask (Fr O’Flynn – Intercom)Q. I don’t see the point of purgatory. If God has forgiven sins the person goes straight to heaven. If one has not received forgiveness the person goes straight to hell. There is no in-between. A. That’s a cold, legal notion of God’s justice, not allowing space for mercy and growth. God may have granted full forgiveness but a person’s co-operation with this grace may be still incomplete because of the damage done to one’s character from sinful behaviour in the past. God’s mercy does not demand perfection at the time of death but grants a process of purification which is called purgatory. It’s like cleaning a mirror until the soul is cleansed of all selfishness, lust, anger and so on in becoming the perfect reflection of God’s glory.

LEARNING ABOUT THE MASS WITH KATH AND QUMEN
Opening Prayer
After the Gloria the priest will invite us to pray. The prayer begins in silence. This gives us time to talk to God in our hearts. We might want to thank God for something good that has happened or we might want to ask God to take care of something that we are worried about.
Then the priest takes all our prayers and offers them to God. The words of the Opening Prayer differ from Sunday to Sunday and reflect the theme of the Mass. We respond by saying ‘Amen’. Amen means that we believe that whatever God does is OK with us.
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“Shannonbridge GAA Club will hold a Fund-raising Scrap metal collection on Fri & Sat, 18th & 19th Nov. Contact any Committee member.”
“Please return Shoeboxes for the Christmas appeal to Clonmacnois School, or the Tourist office Shannonbridge before 10th Nov.”
“Shannonbridge Action Group AGM will take place on Fri 11th Nov in the Tourist Office @ 8pm. Come along to find out about ongoing & new developments in the Parish.”
“St Ciaran’s Community Alert has received a Defibrillator for the Clonfanlough area from the Tony Parker Foundation. People are needed to be trained to use it. If interested, contact a committee member.”
Gala Flower Arranging Demo by Bernadette Scanlon in Gullanes Hotel on 9th Nov @ 7.30pm. (In aid of Brothers of Charity Building Fund)

Shannonbridge ARA
All members are invited to the Annual Social Eve by the BLC Active Age Group Ballycumber on Wed 9th Nov @ 7pm. If you wish to go please contact Ann Rohan (086-8142714), or Sr Margaret Mary (087-2990833), ASAP.

Badminton in Clonfanlough Hall
Some people are anxious to play Badminton in the Hall. If you are interested, please call Tina on 086-8758280.
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Parenting Talk – ‘The Challenges & the Rewards’By John Lonergan (retired Governor of Mountjoy Prison) on Thurs 10th Nov @ 8pm in Lumcloon N.S. Tickets €10. Light refreshments served. Question & Answer session follows talk