Clonmacnois Parish Newsletter

Sunday 30^th Sept 2012 – 26 B

Tel (090) 9674125.  Email: jimboclonmacnois@gmail.com

Mass times: Shannonbridge: Weekend, 8pm (Sat), & 12 noon, Sun;

Weekdays, 10am.                  Clonfanlough – Sunday, 10.30am

Shannonbridge

Masses: Each day @ 10am; Adoration from 4 to 5pm on First Fri

Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €400.    Many Thanks

Church Cleaners: A.Ryan, L.Turley, M.Mitchell

Ministers of Holy Communion: Group 3

Readers for next Weekend: Group 2, M.Anderson, E.Quinn

Altar Servers for this week: Group 2,Oisín, Saul, Ffion

¨¨¨¨

Clonfanlough

Mass for the First Fri on next Thurs @ 7pm

Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €108.   Many Thanks

Church Cleaners: M.Devery, A.Kelly

Readers for next Sunday: N.Kenny

Altar Servers for next Sunday: Group 2

Minister of Holy Communion for next Sunday: N.Egan

Mass on next Sun for the late Larry &Brigid Rohan

I will visit the sick & housebound on Thursday

Clonfanlough Hall

Considerable improvements have been carried out in the hall, and now it calls for a good clean-up.  We are asking for volunteers (men & women) to come together on this Mon @ 7.30pm & give a helping hand.

¨¨¨¨

Ard Chiaráin Prayer Centre

‘The Church after Vatican Two’: to mark the golden Jubilee of Vatican Two a presentation on Vatican 2 & Impressionism will be given by Fr Brendan Staunton on Sat 6^th Oct 2.30 – 4.30pm.  All welcome.

¨¨¨¨

 Questions people ask                                                   (Fr O’Flynn –(Intercom)

Q. Is it true that systems such as the Enneagram, Reflexology and Aromatherapy are evil because they do not originate from a Christian source and involve the worship of a false god?

A. If there is only one God then how there be another god to receive worship? The Church has been a master at adapting what is good and God-given in other traditions to Christian celebrations. The mid-winter celebration of the Unconquered Sun was adapted for the celebration of the coming of Jesus, light of the world. The birth of John the Baptist, whose role was to decrease as Jesus increased, is celebrated as the summer sun starts to wane. Regarding the three systems you mention, I have availed of all three with great benefit. The goodness of God is not confined to Christianity. ‘Anyone who is not against us is for us.

¨¨¨¨

Congratulations & best wishes to Siobhán Higgins & Andy Fairbrother, who were married last weekend in Clonfanlough Church. Ad multos annos.

¨¨¨¨

Celebrating the Year of Faith

The Pope has announced that the period from October 2012 to November 2013 will be celebrated as the Year of Faith. The Year will begin on 11 October 2012 – the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council - and conclude on 24 November 2013, the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Universal King, ie the feast of Christ the King.

Everyone is invited to participate in this Year of celebration and mission, mindful that faith is not meant to be private, but professed and shared. Please do support it and get involved as you can.

Clonmacnois Parish Newsletter

Sunday 23^rd Sept 2012 – 25 B

Tel (090) 9674125.  Email: jimboclonmacnois@gmail.com

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: €.   Many Thanks

Church Cleaners:  K.Price, C.Curley, P.Anderson

Ministers of Holy Communion: Group 2

Readers for next Weekend: Group 1, D.Finnerty, P.Corbett

Altar Servers for this week: Group 1,Andrea, Stephanie, Jenny, Ciarán

Mass on next Sat eve for the late Oliver Macklin

¨¨¨¨

Clonfanlough

Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €Many Thanks

Church Cleaners: K.Norton, H.Darcy

Readers for next Sunday: C.O’Shea

Altar Servers for next Sunday: Group 1

Minister of Holy Communion for next Sunday: D.McEvoy

Mass on next Sun for the late Edward & Brigid Mannion

“Your talent is God’s gift to you.  What you do with it is your gift back to God.”                                                                  (Leo Buscaglia)

Celebrating the Year of Faith

Our Holy Father the Pope has announced that the period from October 2012 to November 2013 will be celebrated as the Year of Faith. The Year will begin on 11 October 2012 – the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council - and conclude on 24 November 2013, the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Universal King, ie the feast of Christ the King. The start date of 11 October 2012 also marks the twentieth anniversary of the publication of the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

One of the key emphases of the Year of Faith is to come to know better and deepen our understanding of our greatest treasure. Everyone is invited to participate in this Year of celebration and mission, mindful that faith is not meant to be private, but professed and shared. Please do support it and get involved as you can.

¨¨¨¨

Athlone Community College

Enrolment for Adult Education Evening Classes at the College on Tues 25^th Sept from7-8pm.

¨¨¨¨

Congratulations & best wishes to Dora Flannery & Damien Donohue, who were married last weekend in Shannonbridge Church.  Ad multos annos!

¨¨¨¨

 Congratulations to Shannonbridge football team on winning the Junior C final on last weekend!

‘Many thanks for your contributions to the “Brainwave” Church gate Collection which realised €188.00’

‘We collected €400. 00 from the “Coffee Morning” on Thurs.  Many thanks for all your support.’

¨¨¨¨

 Focal Scoir

“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.”                                  ( J.F.Kennedy)

Shannonbridge GAA Club

Division Four Football League.

Result: Shannonbridge 0-6, St. Brigid’s 3-9. Shannonbridge top their group and are through to the semi final.

Sympathy.
The club extends it’s sympathy to the Rocke and Kelly families on the passing of Teresa last weekend. May she rest in peace.

Shannonbridge / Doon Lottery.
There was no winner of last week’s jackpot. The numbers drawn were 3, 8, 15 and 16 and there were four match three winners. This week’s jackpot is €6,400.

Bon Voyage.
Best wishes and a big thank you from all in the club to our Physio, Edel Turley, who leaves for Australia this week.

Shannonbridge GAA Club

Junior C Football Final.

Congratulations to Shannonbridge - Offaly Junior C Football Cahmpions 2012.


Shannonbridge overcame a stiff challenge by neighbours Doon to claim the Junior C Championship, at a well appointed Ferbane venue, on Sunday evening. Playing with a strong breeze Shannonbridge conceded the first score before Adrian Kelly opened their account with the only goal of the game after five minutes. Accurate free taking by Harry Kearns, a brilliant save from Colm Kelly, the first of three, and some wayward shooting by Doon, left the half time score 1-4 to 0-2. Throughout the second half Shannonbridge had to withstand serious Doon pressure, with heroic defending by all six backs led by Ciaran and Adrian Coughlan. Shannonbridge scored three points on the breakaway, two from Kearns and one from Michael Corbett, their last of the game on twenty one minutes, to win by 1-7 to 0-6. Jim Killeen gave a man of the match performance at midfield, ably backed up by some high fielding from Mark Carty and Colm Kenny. In a hard working forward line Adrian Kelly, Kieran Kearns and Michael Corbett fared best. After the game Padraig Boland presented the trophy to captain Adrian Kelly.

Well done to all involved on a great result for our club, our sponsor Deerpark Windows and in particular to our team management of Gerry Quirke, Frank Guinan and Vinny Costello.

Team: C. Kelly, K. Norton, C. Coughlan, M. Moloney, K. Egan, A. Coughlan, E. Casey, J. Killeen, M. Carty, M. Deeley, C. Kenny, A. Kelly (Capt) 1-0, J. Guinan, K. Kearns (0-6), M. Corbett (0-1). Subs: D. Finn, A. Quinn, E. Keena, M. Kilduff, A. Devery.



Shannonbridge / Doon Lottery.

There was no winner of last week’s jackpot. The numbers drawn were 6, 9, 18 and 23 and there were four match three winners. This week’s jackpot is €6,200.

Clonmacnois Parish Newsletter

Sunday 16^th Sept 2012 – 24 B

Tel (090) 9674125.  Email: jimboclonmacnois@gmail.com

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: €    Many Thanks

Church Cleaners: M.McManus, C.Slattery, A.Corbett

Ministers of Holy Communion: Group 1

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 Sat eve for the late Guinan family (Clonfanlough)

¨¨¨¨

Clonfanlough

Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €   Many Thanks

Church Cleaners: M.Halligan, M.Kelly

Readers for next Sunday: A.Kelly,

Altar Servers for next Sunday: Group 2

Minister of Holy Communion for next Sunday: B.Coughlan

Mass on nest Sun for the late Peg & Andy Rocke

Shannonbridge ARA

Mass in Ard Chiaráin on this Mon @ 7pm. All welcome.

Many thanks to all who helped in any way to facilitate, prepare for and celebrate Pattern Day in Clonmacnois last Sunday; and to all those who provided refreshments.  Many people provided their services very generously, and it is much appreciated.

¨¨¨¨

 Night Prayer Vigil in Clonmacnois Prayer Centre

Fri 21^st Sept, beginning with Mass @ 10pm.  Adoration follows and finishes at 3.10am.  All welcome.  Enquiries Dave 085-7746763

Mass every Wed @ 7.30pm.

 ¨¨¨¨

 Coffee Morning in aid of Offaly Hospice in Killeens after Mass on next Thurs 20^th Sept.  Please support.

¨¨¨¨

Station Masses

This is the time of year when we celebrate the ‘Station Masses’, a long-standing tradition in Ireland, and an unbroken link with the faith and practice of our ancestors.  We are looking for volunteers to host the Station Mass, even if it is not your ‘turn’, or/and having it for the first time; or you may simply wish to have Mass in your home.  We would encourage people to keep the occasion as simple as possible.  We do not want this to be a burden on anybody.

 For this time I would like to have all Station Masses in October.

¨¨¨¨

 Music in the Liturgy

Music & Singing are a vital part of good Liturgy.  We are very grateful to all those who provide this for us in both Shannonbridge & Clonfanlough.

We are now looking for new members to join in the singing and music in both Churches.  “Those who sing pray twice” – (St Augustine)

¨¨¨¨

Athlone Community College

Enrolment for Adult Education Evening Classes at the College on Mon 17^th Sept from 7-8pm, and on Tues 25^th Sept from7-8pm.

¨¨¨¨

Focal Scoir

‘Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.’

‘When people speak ill of you, live so that no one will believe them.’

‘Always stand for the right; then you will win even if you lose.’    (Anon)

Shannonbridge GAA Club Notes

Interrmediate Football Championship.
Shannonbridge’s campaign ended with defeat by Raheen, at Tubber, on Saturday last. A strong start and a good competitive first half saw Shannonbridge lead by 0-6 to 0-5 at the break. However the game turned on two Raheen goals immediately on the resumption, for a five point lead. Shannonbridge could not overcome this deficit and Raheen ran out winners 3-8 to 0-10.

Although disappointed to be out of the championship at this stage, the dedicated and professional approach to this year’s competition, by both players and management, will stand the club in good stead going forward.

Team: Donal Corbett, S,. Flannery, P. Moloney, M. Darcy, P. Kelly, N. Price, Darragh Corbett (0-1), J. Egan, J. Ryan, P. Egan, P. Deeley (0-6), T. Mahon, K. Flannery, E. Egan, K. Kelly (0-2). Subs: R. O’Connor, R. Ryan.



Shannonbridge / Doon Lottery.
There was no winner of last week’s jackpot. The numbers drawn were 1, 12, 16 and 28 and there were four match three winners. This week’s jackpot is €6,000.

Fixtures.
Div. 4 league Sbridge v St. Brgid's, tomorrow evening Tuesday 11th Sept, in Sbridge, 6.45pm. (M.Walsh).
Junior C Championship Final, Sbridge v Doon, Sunday 16th, in Ferbane, 12.00 noon. (T. Anderson)
  

Clonmacnois Parish Newsletter

Sunday 9^th 2012 – 23B – St Ciarán

Tel (090) 9674125.  Email: jimboclonmacnois@gmail.com

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: €   Many Thanks

Church Cleaners: G.Brennan, D.Deeley, V.Hynes

Ministers of Holy Communion: Group 4

Readers for next Weekend: Group 5, ?  C.Doolan

Altar Servers for this week: Group 2, Oisín, Saul, Siobhán, Ffion

‘Months Mind’ Mass for Bridie Moran on next Sat eve

Mass on next Sun for the late Mary & Martin Burke

¨¨¨¨

Clonfanlough

Last Sunday's Offertory collection:.   Many Thanks

Church Cleaners: D.Fitzgerald

Readers for next Sunday:  E.McEvoy

Altar Servers for next Sunday: Group 1

Minister of Holy Communion for next Sunday: A.Rohan

Mass on next Sun for the late Lena & Michael O’Shea

Shannonbridge ARA will resume meetings on Mon 10^th Sept at the usual time.  All members, new & existing, welcome

A special word of thanks to those valiant men & women who came to clean & tidy up Clonmacnois Cemetery in recent days.  The whole community is indebted to them.

¨¨¨¨

 World Suicide Prevention Day

Ecumenical Service of Remembrance & Hope in the Church of the Assumption Tullamore, on Mon 10^th Sept @ 7.30pm.

All are welcome.  For more info call Bernie on 086-1600641

¨¨¨¨

The ‘Wait-a-bit’ Bush

While travelling, a tourist noticed a curious shrub growing near the roadside. His companion informed him that the local people call it the wait-a-bit bush. Stepping closer to inspect it more closely, his clothes touched it, and he found himself snared by thorns which resembled fish hooks. The more he struggled to free himself, the more he became entangled by its barbs. Finally he had to rely on his companion to release him from the hopeless situation.         There are many wait-a-bit bushes along the road of life. Men and women can easily be hooked by some evil habit, or sinful influences. They can become overly concerned with material goals which can entangle their life and detain them from answering the all-important questions of life.

¨¨¨¨

Questions people ask                                (Fr O’Flynn – Intercom)

Q. I find it hard to believe in the vengeance of God. Isn’t God all-merciful? Or does God keep a catalogue of every sin we ever committed?

A. The vengeance of God is totally different from human vengeance. Human vengeance is about getting your own back on somebody. God’s idea of vengeance is to destroy the sin by saving the sinner. Isaiah in today’s First Reading has a good description of God’s vengeance. ‘Vengeance is coming, the retribution of God; he is coming to save you.’ What a privilege is ours to celebrate God’s infinite mercy in the sacrament of Confession. Mercy keeps no catalogue of past sins. 

Ballinasloe Flower & garden Club

Flower Arranging Demo by Dianne Gallagher, Aoifa, in Gullanes Hotel on Wed 12^th Sept @ 8pm.  Non members, €5.00

Shannonbridge GAA Club Notes

Intermediate Football Championship.


Shannonbridge concluded the group stages with a 2-9 to 1-8 win over St. Bridget’s. They will now play Raheen in the quarter final this Friday evening, 7th September, in Tubber, at 6.45pm.
Wishing the lads the best of luck and hoping for a big turn out of support.



Shannonbridge / Doon Lottery.

There was no winner of last week’s jackpot. The numbers drawn were 3, 5, 21 and 25 and there was one match three winner. This week’s jackpot is €5,800.

Clonmacnois Parish Newsletter

Sunday 2^nd Sept 2012 – 22 B

Tel (090) 9674125.  Email: jimboclonmacnois@gmail.com

Mass times: Shannonbridge: Weekend, 8pm (Sat), & 12 noon, Sun;

Weekdays, 10am.                  Clonfanlough – Sunday, 10.30am

Shannonbridge

Masses: Each day @ 10am.  Adoration on First Fri 4 – 5pm

Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €   Many Thanks

Church Cleaners: J.Kelly, M.Killeen, A.Keena

Ministers of Holy Communion: Group 3

Readers for next Weekend: Group 4, S.Grennan, P.Duffy

Altar Servers for this week: Andrea, Stephanie, Jenny, Ciaran

Anniversary Mass for Kieran Curley on next Sat eve

‘Months Mind’ Mass for Tommy Corbett on next Sun

¨¨¨¨

Clonfanlough

Mass on First Fri @ 7pm

Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €   Many Thanks

Church Cleaners: C.Healy, T.Milner

Readers for next Sunday: N.Kenny

Altar Servers for next Sunday: Group 3

Minister of Holy Communion for next Sunday: K.Kelly

Mass for the late Willie Dillon on next Sun

Shannonbridge ARA will resume meetings on Mon 10^th Sept at the usual time.  All members, new & existing, welcome.

 Feast of St Ciaran – Pattern Day

We will celebrate Mass for the feast of St Ciaran, on Sat 8^th Sept in Clonmacnois @ 7pm.  There will be a Procession in honour of Our Lady from the Prayer House in Clonmacnois  on Sat eve starting @ 6pm,  and arriving for Mass @ 7pm.There will be no evening Mass on Sat in Shannonbridge, but we will have the usual Sun Masses @ 10.30am & 12noon.  Stations & Mass for Pattern Day will begin @ 3pm.

Again, we are asking all our trusted helpers to carry out their usual duties on the day.

¨¨¨¨

 Study Theology from home

The Dominicans are offering a full programme of theology through distance learning, leading to a certificate or a degree.   Students study from home, supported by a network of centres around the country.  You may also join the programme without wishing to do exams or obtain academic credits – at a more relaxed level.

For more info call 01- 4048124, or write to The Priory Inst. Tallaght Village, Dublin 24.  www.prioryinstitute.com

¨¨¨¨

Medjugorje Irish Centre

“Every month we are giving away one weeks free apartment accommodation for up to 4 people. Phone 048-82241888.”

¨¨¨¨

World Suicide Prevention Day

Ecumenical Service of Remembrance & Hope in the Church of the Assumption Tullamore, on Mon 10^th Sept @ 7.30pm.

All are welcome.  For more info call Bernie on 086-1600641

¨¨¨¨

Children of Mary Retreat

In St Michael’s Church Ballinasloe, conducted by Fr Tom Kenny, Mon –Wed 3^rd -5^th Sept, with Mass @ 8pm. All welcome.

¨¨¨¨

Questions people ask:                       Q. ‘Lead us not into temptation.’ How could God lead us into temptation?            (Fr O’Flynn – Intercom)

A. Of course God would not lead us in the direction of sin. Here we ask God to lead us away from those areas where we are weak and subject to temptation. We follow that petition by asking God to deliver us from evil, that is, from the Evil One, Satan, who is the source of temptation. Jesus recognised the existence and influence of the devil but many exorcism stories in the gospel clearly showed his power over the Evil One. In the Our Father we are asking a share in the victory of Jesus over Satan