Clonmacnois Parish Newsletter

Sunday 10^th Feb 2013 -5 C

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; also on Ash Wed @ 8pm

On Ash Wed, Ashes will be blessed & signed at both Masses

Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €496.   Many Thanks

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

Ministers of Holy Communion: Group 2

Readers for next Weekend: Group 3, M.Killeen, O.Costello

Altar Servers for this week: Group 3, Alisa, Jack, Katie

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Clonfanlough

Mass & signing of Ashes on Wed @ 7pm – the first day of Lent

Mass on next Sun for the late Anne & Kieran Pillion

Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €202.   Many Thanks

Church Cleaners: M.Devery, A.Kelly

Readers for next Sunday: C.O’Shea

Altar Servers for next Sunday: Group 1

Minister of Holy Communion for next Sunday: P.Darcy

'Happiness is a wondrous commodity; the more you give, the more you have.'                                                              (Voltaire)

Mon 11^th Feb, feast of O. L. of Lourdes, is a day of prayer for the sick.

The Anointing of the sick will be offered to those who wish to receive this Sacrament

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 Ash Wednesday, is the first day of Lent, the 40 days that precedes Holy Week and Easter. In the Christian Scriptures the number 40 relates to the period spent in the Ark by Noah, the period spent by Israel seeking the Promised Land after the Exodus, and the amount of time Jesus was in the Wilderness after his baptism and prior to beginning his ministry. For us, the Season of Lent is an invitation to 40 days of renewal ("Lent" means "spring"), 40 days to prepare ourselves to take in the Good News of Easter through deeper disciplines of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Ashes are the traditional sign of sorrow and repentance and are also a sign of "mortality". Receiving the sacrament of Penance reminds us that God's love is triumphant over sin and death, and that God remains "in communion" with us, that in Christ, our mortality is overcome.

                                                                                          Rev Richard Fairchild

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Q. Why are ashes used at the start of Lent?

 A. Ashes are a grim reminder that the things of this world do not last forever … ‘dust thou art and unto dust thou shall return’. Being marked with ashes is a public sign that one is taking on some act of penance during Lent. To repent means literally to think again. It entails taking an honest look at oneself with a decision to improve. Jesus prepared for his public mission in forty days of prayer and fasting. Lent is a season of preparation for the renewal of our baptismal commitment to Christ at Easter.                            (Fr O’Flynn – Intercom)

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Night Prayer Vigil in Clonmacnois Prayer Centre

Fri 15^th Feb, beginning with Mass @ 10pm.  Adoration follows and finishes at 3.10am.  All welcome.  Enquiries Dave 085-7746763

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 We welcome into the Christian Community Daragh Seery, son of Mark & Laura, who was baptised last weekend in Shannonbridge Church

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 "The moral test of government is how it treats those who are in the dawn of life – the children; those who are in the twilight of life – the aged; and those who are in the shadows of life – the sick, the needy and the handicapped."

( Hubert Humphrey)

Lenten Prayer in Ard Chiaráin every Mon until Easter, starting on this Mon 11^th Feb @ 8pm.  All welcome.

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 Digital Lifestyle Skills Course begins in Clonmacnois Primary School on 19^th Feb, 7 – 9.30pm and runs for 7 weeks.  If you wish to enrol, forms are available in Morans Shop.  Limited to 12 participants, and costs €25.00.

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 Clonmacnois Regional P.T.A.A.

Will hold their Annual Social in Clonfanlough Hall on Fri 22^nd Feb.

Dancing: 9.30 – 12.30.  Tickets, €10.  Refreshments served.  All welcome

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 Ferbane Bridge Club

Lessons for beginners continue weekly from Wed 20^th Feb @ 8pm