Parish of Clonmacnois

ST. CIARAN’S CHURCH, SHANNONBRIDGE

ST. CIARAN’S CHURCH, CLONFANLOUGH

Fr. Gerard Brady P.P.

Tel. 087 231 2353

E-mail: frgerardbrady@eircom.net

shannonbridge.blogspot.ie

www.shannonbridge.com

THE FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT

19th/20th December, 2015

 

Mary visited Elizabeth.  As gifts she brought Jesus and she brought herself.  She gave Elizabeth the gift of her very presence.  Of all the earthly gifts we can give, that is the best gift of all.

µ       Mass times:- Shannonbridge, Saturday (Vigil), 8.00 p.m.; Sunday, 12.00 noon,  Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, 10.00 a.m.  Clonfanlough, Sunday, 10.30 a.m.

µ       Thursday is Christmas Eve.  Mass in Clonfanlough at 7.00 p.m. with dramatisation of the Liturgy of the Word (readings) incorporating Christmas Carols and Blessing of the Crib. ‘Midnight Mass’ in Shannonbridge at 9.00 o’clock preceded by the Blessing of the Crib. 

Mass on Christmas Day,  Clonfanlough, 10.30 a.m.; Shannonbridge, 12.00 noon.

µ       Christmas Carols.  Shannonbridge Choir will sing Christmas Carols in aid of Offaly Hospice, before Midnight Mass, as is customary, commencing 8.40 p.m. 

µ       Mass for the Intentions of the People of the Parish, Missa pro Populo, in Shannonbridge, on Christmas Eve, at 8.00 p.m.

µ       Mass on New Year’s Day, in Shannonbridge, at 12.00 noon.

µ       Advent Prayer at Árd Ciaráin, Shannonbridge, on Monday 21st, at 7.30 p.m., led by Brother Brian Johnson.  All are welcome.

µ       Sunday 20th is the Feast of St. Fachanan, patron diocese of Kilfenora, Co. Clare.  Kilfenora is in the ecclesiastical province of Cashel but the Bishop of Galway and Kilmacdu agh is its apostolic administrator.

Monday 21st, St. Peter Cansius, 1521-1597, Jesuit, born in Holland, published a catechism of 211 questions and answers in 1555.

Wednesday 23rd, St. John of Kanty, 1390-1473, taught Sacred Scripture at Krakow University, Poland, gave away his possessions, walked everywhere including four pilgrimages to Rome.

Saturday 26th, St. Stephen, the first martyr.

Sunday 27th, The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph.   St. John, Apostle and Evangelist.

Monday 28th, The Holy Innocents, killed at the behest of Herod.

Tuesday 29th, St. Thomas à Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury, murdered in his cathedral on 29th December, 1170.

Thursday 31st, St. Sylvester, Pope for 21 years, died 335.

Friday, 1st January, 2016, is the Feast of Mary, Mother of God, New Year’s Day and World Day of Peace.

µ       We welcome all who have come back to the Parish of Clonmacnois to join family and friends for Christmas and we think of those who have been unable to make the trip.

µ       Friday 1st is the First Friday of January and of 2016.  The Holy Communion calls to the sick and housebound will be made on Friday, 8th January.  Please note change of date.  Neighbours and carers are asked to inform those concerned.

µ       The Newsletter is, once again, available online at shannonbridge.blogspot.ie or www.shannonbridge.com  There are some formatting issues but it is hoped that these can be resolved in due course.

µ       Items for inclusion in next Newsletter by 6.00 p.m. on Thursday 31st, please.

µ       The Christmas Variety Show in St. Ciaran’s National School was enjoyed by a full house on Friday afternoon.  Well done to the staff, pupils and all who ensured the success of the show. 

µ       A Children’s Christmas Party, featuring the arrival of Santa, will be held at Shannonbridge Hall this Sunday 20th from 3.00 to 5.00 p.m.  €5.00 per family.  All are welcome.

µ       Rosters:-

Shannonbridge:-  Church Cleaners: Geraldine Brennan, Dolly Deeley, Veronica Hynes.

Altar Servers for this week: Group 2, Fiachra, Seán, Niamh, Rachel.

Readers for Christmas: Group 2, Kieran O’Connor, Olive Costello.

Readers for next weekend: Group 3, Michaela Anderson, Eileen Quinn.

Ministers of the Eucharist: Group 3, Christmas Eve, M. Duffy;  Christmas Day, Marie McManus.

Ministers of the Eucharist: Group 4, Saturday Evening, M. Claffey: Sunday, D. Finnerty.

Clonfanlough:-  Church Cleaners: Kathleen Norton, Helen Darcy.

Altar Servers for Sunday next: Jane Egan, Tadhg Trainor, Roisín Daly.

Reader for Christmas Day: Ann Rohan.  Reader for next Sunday: Mary Kelly.

Ministers of the Eucharist: Christmas Eve: Niamh Hynes, Leanne Quinn.

Minister of the Eucharist: Christmas Day: Niall O’Shea.

Minister of the Eucharist for next Sunday:- Enda Molloy.

µ       The Christmas Dues (Clergy Remuneration) should be handed in on Thursday or Friday, please.

µ       Thank you for last Sunday’s collections:

Shannonbridge, €632.00, including, Offertory Collection  €485.00,  Monthly €147.00.                   

Clonfanlough, €305.00, including,    Offertory Collection   €295.00,  Monthly  €10.00.

µ       Masses for the Dead:-

Sunday 20th, Shannonbridge, 12.00 noon, Damien Kenny, Lecarrow, and

                                                                    Josephine Kenny, Clondelara.

Wednesday 23rd, Shannonbridge, 10.00 a.m., Michael and Margaret Kelly, Shannonbridge.

Christmas Day, Clonfanlough, 10.30 a.m., Michael Kelly, Lakefield.

Saturday 26th, Shannobridge, 8.00 p.m., Nora Rockett nee Daly, London, and Kieran

and Mary Kate Daly and deceased members of the Daly Family, Creevagh.

New Year’s Day, Shannonbridge, 12.00 noon, James and Margaret Gleeson, Blueball.

Saturday, 2nd January, 2016, Shannonbridge, 8.00 p.m., Paul Kelly, Tullybeg.

Sunday 3rd, 12.00 noon, Josephine Scicluna, London.

Nollaig faoi shéan is faoi mhaise dhíbh

Happy Christmas