Clonmacnois Parish Newsletter
Sunday 19th Feb 2012 - 7B
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; also on Ash Wed @ 8pm
Ashes will be blessed & signed during Masses on Wednesday
Please make a special effort for Lent, which begins next Wed.
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €350. 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: Group 3, Sarah, Alisa, Jack, Katie
Mass on next Sun for the late Gerry & Eddie Egan
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Clonfanlough
Mass on Ash Wed @ 7pm
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €231. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: M.Claffey, B.Coughlan
Readers for next Sunday: E.McEvoy
Altar Servers for next Sunday: Group 2
Minister of Holy Communion for next Sunday: B.Coughlan
Mass on next Sun for the late Michael & Mary Kelly & family
Commitment Ceremony for Confirmandi on next Sunday.
TEMPERANCE SUNDAY
‘Proverbially, Ireland is a land that combines the smile and the tear.’ So said Pope Pius XII in 1956. He went on to lament the fact that, as a result of intemperance, more tears were shed in Irish homes than ought to have been.
Many of us are only too well aware from painful, personal experience that the Pope’s observation was true. Like every gift of God, alcohol is good. It has its place in times of celebration and relaxation. However, it is also a drug that can be devastating in its consequences. What comes to us as a gift can be a curse for some, unless it is wisely used. (from a statement of the Irish Bishops)
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EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS – 10th -17th June
The Theme: ‘Communion with Christ and with one another’
The Eucharistic Congress is like a festival of faith. Consisting of seminars, concerts, workshops, exhibitions, teachings, testimonies & daily Mass.
The main events of the Congress will take place in the RDS, with the closing ceremony (Statio Orbis) in Croke Park on June 17th. The RDS will be laid out as a "Eucharistic Village". The central focus for each day will be the celebration of the Eucharist and a keynote address given by a visiting bishop or catechist. There will be testimonies given by lay people from around the world who have a story of faith to tell. Workshops in various languages as well as theatrical and musical performances will be on offer throughout the week. The Congress venue will also include a prayer space, a youth space and an exhibition space. A more detailed programme of activities will follow in the coming months as the programme takes shape.
More than 80,000 people are expected to attend the final Mass in Croke Park on 17th June. Each parish has been allotted tickets for this according to population. This Parish will receive 7 tickets. If you wish to go please let me know before 4th March, as booking must be done through the Parish, ASAP.
If the number wishing to go is greater than 7 then we will draw ‘from the hat.’

Our pastoral area hopes to run a bus to the RDS on Tues 12th June and also on Fri 15th June;

if you wish to travel please ler us know ASAP.

Congress Prayer
Lord, Jesus, you were sent by the Father to gather together those who are scattered. You came among us, doing good and bringing healing, announcing the Word of salvation and giving the Bread which lasts forever. Be our companion on life's pilgrim way.
May your Holy Spirit inflame our hearts, enliven our hope and open our minds, so that together with our sisters and brothers in faith we may recognize you in the Scriptures and in the breaking of bread.
May your Holy Spirit transform us into one body and lead us to walk humbly on earth, in justice and love, as witnesses of your resurrection.
In communion with Mary, who you gave to us as our Mother, at the foot of the cross, through you, may all praise, honour and blessing be to the Father in the Holy Spirit and in the Church, now and forever. Amen.

Ian Callinan, composer & musical director will conduct a workshop on music for the Eucharist in Ballinasloe on Sun 28th Feb, 2-6pm in Gullanes Hotel, and in Ferbane Church on Mon 8th March @ 8pm. A small charge will apply.
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Clonmacnois Regional Pioneers will hold their Annual Social in Ballinahown Hall on Fri 24th Feb, 9.30pm-12.30am. Music by J & S Sound. Tickets €10.
Everybody welcome.