Shannonbridge GAA Club Notes

Training.
Training for the new season has commenced under new manager, Eamonn Mahon and Intermediate selectors, Denis Loonam and Gerry Corbett. The club will compete in Divisions two and four of the League and in the Intermediate and Junior Championships. First League game is scheduled for 16th. February.

Congratulations.
Congratulations to Jason Kelly, Offaly Footballer of the Year 2012, in New York.

Shannonbridge / Doon Lottery.
There was no winner of last week’s jackpot. The numbers drawn were 3, 12, 14 and 16 and there were four match three winners. This week’s jackpot is €3,200.

Membership.
Membership is now due. Rates are: Family €40.00, Players €30, Non-players €20, Seniors / Students €10. Please pay to Club Registrar, Damien Brazil or any committee member.

There will be a Collection of  clean used clothes, shoes, textiles etc on Wed 30th Jan by 'Friends Forever', a charity helping poor children in Africa.  Please put items in a bag and leave outside the hall in Shannonbridge or Clonfanlough from 9am on Wed

Clonmacnois Parish Newsletter

Sunday 27^th Jan 2013 – 3 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.  Adoration on First Fri, 4 – 5pm

Blessing of candles & throats on Sat morning

Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €573.   Many Thanks

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

Ministers of Holy Communion: Group 1

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

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

Mass on next Sun for the late Michael Brennan

¨¨¨¨

Clonfanlough

Mass on the First Fri @7pm, with the blessing of candles & throats

This Mass will be said for John Loonam & family deceased.

Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €274.   Many Thanks

Church Cleaners: M.Halligan, M.Kelly

Readers for next Sunday: E.McEvoy

Altar Servers for next Sunday: Group 2

Minister of Holy Communion for next Sunday: D.McEvoy

Mass on next Sun for the late Brigid Rigney

Clonmacnois Primary School

Enrolment for the academic year 2013-14 is taking place at the School.

Enrolment forms are available in the school office, or telephone 09096 – 74150 by Fri 8^th Feb.  Enrolment eve for new pupils will take place on Thurs 21^st Feb @ 7.30pm

¨¨¨¨

Remembrance Service in Portiuncula Hospital Chapel

For parents who have suffered a bereavement through the death of their children, miscarriage or stillbirth, Mon 4^th Feb @ 7.30pm.

¨¨¨¨

Message from An Garda Síochána

‘Shannonbridge Station will close on 31^st Jan 2013.  When Garda services are required members of the public may contact the following Garda Stations for assistance:

Ferbane at 09064-54302; Banagher at 05791-51310;

Birr at 05791-69710’

¨¨¨¨

Why not study Theology?

The Dominicans are offering a programme of theology leading up to a degree (BTh), if desired, in the distance learning format. People study from home with occasional study days at weekends, and with the support of on-line academic tutors. Hundreds of people have completed some or all of the Programme.  Would you like to know more?

For more info write to: The Priory Institute, Tallaght Village, Dublin 24.   Tel 01-4048124.  Email: enquiries@prioryinstitute.com

¨¨¨¨

Catholic Schools Week – 27 Jan-2^nd Feb

Catholic Schools Week is an annual celebration of the important role that Catholic Primary and Secondary schools across the country play in providing a values-added education for our young people. It aims to build community awareness of, and involvement in, Catholic schools in Ireland.

Catholic Schools Week has its ultimate inspiration in the person and life of Jesus Christ. Home, school and parish are called to be witnesses of Christian life in the world in which we live

Fri 1^st Feb is the feast of St Brigid, one of the patrons of our country

Shannonbridge GAA Club Notes

Take Your Pick Draw.
Many thanks to all who supported our “Take Your Pick” draw. The winners are: 1st. €1,000, Jim Killeen, Shannonbridge; 2nd. €500, Fergal McKeown, Tullamore; 3rd. €200, Deirdre O’Neill, c/o Roger Ryan; 4th. €100, Bridie Higgins, Clonfanlough; 5th. €100, David Brennan, Furbo, Co. Galway; 6th. €100, D. Baxter, c/o Kieran Hynes. A big thank you to the ticket sellers, who put in a big effort to make this fund raiser a success.

Annual General Meeting.
The committee for 2013, elected at a well attended meeting last Friday night, are: Presidents: Fr. F. O’Hanlon, Kieran Rohan, Frank Guinan; Chairman: Eamonn Mahon; Vice Chairman: Jim Killeen; Secretary: Noel Rocke; Asst. Secretary / Registrar: Damien Brazil; Treasurer: Olive Costello; Asst. Treasurer: Gerry Quirke; PRO: Declan and Rose Ryan; ASA Officer: John Murphy.

Executive: Niamh Egan, John Ryan, Kieran Hynes, Colm Kelly, Roger Ryan, Anthony Kelly, Des McEvoy, Christian Brazil, John Egan, Mark Carty.

Field Committee: Frank Guinan, Vinnie Costello, Pakie Brazil, Philip Egan, Kieran Flannery, Adrian Kelly, Des McEvoy, Peadar Kelly.

Championship and League Competitions 2013.
Shannonbridge will contest the Intermediate and Junior Championships and Division Two and Four in the League. Under 21 Football will continue with St. Rynagh’s under the Shannon Gaels banner. Training is now underway with new team manager Eamonn Mahon and Intermediate selectors Denis Loonam and Gerry Corbett.

Shannonbridge / Doon Lottery.
The lotto is the club’s main source of income and all support is very much appreciated. Please buy a weekly ticket or better still a long term one from any committee member. Thanks.

Membership.
Membership for 2013 is now being collected, payable to Registrar Damien Brazil. Rates: Family €40, Players €30, Non-players €20, Senior / Student €10.

Clonmacnois Parish Newsletter

Sunday 20^th Jan 2013 – 2 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

Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €489.   Many Thanks

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

Ministers of Holy Communion: Group 3

Readers for next Weekend: Group 6, A.Hynes, D.O’Carroll

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

Mass on next Sat eve for the late Tommy, Geraldine & Simon McManus

Anniversary  Mass on next Sun for Josephine Scicluna

¨¨¨¨

Clonfanlough

Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €251.   Many Thanks

Church Cleaners: D.Fitzgerald

Readers for next Sunday: A.Coughlan

Altar Servers for next Sunday: Group 1

Minister of Holy Communion for next Sunday: B.Coughlan

‘Months Mind’ Mass for Kieran & Sheila Maleney on next Sun

Clonmacnois Prayer Centre:  Mass on this Wed & every Wed @ 7.30pm

Shannonbridge ARA

Will resume Meetings on this Tues @10.30am in the Parish Hall.  All welcome.

¨¨¨¨

RUAH: Youth Prayer Meeting.
Elation Ministries, a group of young people committed to spreading the Good News through worship and song, invite you to Ruah, this Friday, 25th January from 8pm-09:30pm.  (And on the last Friday of each month)  It will consist of Prayer through music, time of silence, and a reflection on scripture from Rev Michael Duignan, Diocese of Elphin and Lecturer in St Angela's College, Sligo. All are welcome to attend this time of prayer in the Chapel of Adoration, 8 Castle Street Athlone. For more info please contact 0879404299, or check out www.elationministries.com.

¨¨¨¨

 Questions people ask

Q. At the wedding in Cana there were six large jars, each holding twenty to thirty gallons. That would come to five hundred bottles or more! Are these numbers to be taken literally or symbolically?
A. Common sense demands that we look for symbolism. The setting is the marriage of an unnamed couple. The evangelist John is interested in the wedding of God and humanity in the mission of Jesus. As the multiplication of the loaves and fishes prepared the disciples to accept the consecration of the bread at the Last Supper, similarly the miracle of the wine foreshadowed the consecration of the wine into the blood of Christ. It was the blood of Christ which sealed the new covenant as a marriage bond by which people are adopted as the children of God.

¨¨¨¨

Catholic Schools Week

Sun 27^th Jan marks the beginning of Catholic Schools Week 2013.

The purpose of the week is to highlight & celebrate the wonderful contribution that Catholic schools make to our local community & society in general.  The theme of this year’s celebration is Catholic Schools in the Community of Faith: Sharing the Good News.

¨¨¨¨

On next Sun in Clonfanlough Church we will have the Mass for the “Do this in Memory” Children, preparing for First Confession & First Communion.

 

Clonmacnois Parish Newsletter

Sunday 13^th Jan 2013 – Baptism of Jesus 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

Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €.   Many Thanks

Church Cleaners: J.Kelly, M.Killeen, M.Mitchell

Ministers of Holy Communion: Group 2

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

Altar Servers for this week: Group 2, Ciarán, Róisín, Ffion

Mass on next Sat eve for the late James Higgins

‘Months Mind’ Mass for Maura Moran on next Sun

¨¨¨¨

Clonfanlough

Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €.   Many Thanks

Church Cleaners: C.Healy, T.Milner

Readers for next Sunday: C.& P. Rigney

Altar Servers for next Sunday: Group 3

Minister of Holy Communion for next Sunday: A.Rohan

Mass on next Sun for the late Petie & Earl Kelly

Week of prayer for Christian Unity begins next Fri 18^th Jan

Mass in Clonmacnois Prayer Centre resumes on nest Wed @ 7.30pm

Church Gate Collection for Lourdes Invalid Fund on next weekend

¨¨¨¨

 VIGIL FOR LIFE

Sat 19^th Jan @ 4.30pm,Merrion Sq Dublin

An Invitation from ‘Unite for Life’.

“Ireland is on the brink of legalising abortion.

The Government says it plans to legislate early in 2013, and abortions will then be carried out in Ireland for the first time.  This is a chilling prospect.

That’s why we are asking you to join with thousands of others at the UNITE FOR LIFE vigil on 19^th January.

We all agree that pregnant women should receive all treatments necessary to safeguard their lives.  However, those pushing for abortion are blurring the distinction between necessary medical treatments and abortion.

Ireland, without abortion, is a world leader in safety for pregnant mothers.  Yet, right now, we are closer to abortion than ever before.

It is a defining moment for our country.  Will you stand united to be a voice for those who cannot speak for themselves?  Can we count on you being there on the day?

For more info visit our ‘vigil for life’ facebook page, and www.unite4life.net”

Questions people ask                         (Fr O’Flynn – Intercom)
Q. Is it true that Jesus did not know that he was the Son of God until he heard the voice from heaven saying ‘You are my Son, the Beloved’ on the occasion of his baptism?
A. This theory is strongly rejected by Pope Benedict XVI in his book Jesus of Nazareth. Such theories, he says, belong to the category of a ‘Jesus novel’, a book which attempts a psychological story while using a very liberal reading of the words of scripture and a lot of conjecture. The mysterious union of divine and human natures in Jesus is beyond our psychological explanations.

Clonmacnois Parish Newsletter

Sunday 6^th Jan 2013 – Epiphany 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

Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €498.   Many Thanks

Church Cleaners: M.Darcy, M.Murphy, M.McManus

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

Mass on next Sun for the late Michael Shrahan

¨¨¨¨

Clonfanlough

Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €154.   Many Thanks

Church Cleaners: B.Maleney, H.Hynes

Readers for next Sunday: A.Rohan

Altar Servers for next Sunday: Group 2

Minister of Holy Communion for next Sunday: K.Kelly

Mass on next Sun for the late Tom Mannion, Mary & Kieran Daly

The Year to come – some central Feasts in 2013

The centre of the whole liturgical year is the Paschal Triduum of the Lord, crucified, buried and risen, which will culminate in the solemn Vigil of Easter, during the holy night that will end with the dawn of the 31^st March – Easter Sunday.

After Easter there comes forth and are reckoned all the days we keep holy: Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent, 13^th February;       the Ascension of the Lord, 12^th May;  Pentecost, 19^th May

First Sunday of Advent, 1^st December
First Holy Communion:  11^th May

¨¨¨¨

 Athlone Community College
Open eve on Thurs 10^th Jan @ 7pm. Pupils in their final year in Primary Schools, together with their Parents/ Guardians are invited to attend.

¨¨¨¨

From “God’s Little Devotional Book”

There may be many reasons why a person might question why God would choose to use him or her.  But don’t be too concerned about your “faults”.  You are in good company.

v  Moses stuttered; Timothy had stomach problems;

v  Jacob was a liar; David had an affair;

v  Abraham was too old; John was self-righteous;

v  Naomi was a poor widow; Paul was a murderer;

v  Jonah ran from God; Miriam was a gossip;

v  Gideon doubted – and so did Thomas;

v  Jeremiah was depressed; Elijah was burnt out;

v  Martha was a worrier; Amos’ training was in fig-tree pruning.

God doesn’t look at our faults, finances or failings.  He only looks at our willingness.  If you are willing to be used by God in the lives of others…get ready.  You are just the right candidate for a job God has in mind.

¨¨¨¨

Year of Faith

“Faith grows when it is lived as an experience of love received, and when it is communicated as an experience of grace and joy”