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 SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT

THE TRANSFIGURATION

20th/21st February, 2016

 

The Transfiguration was to be for the disciples a source of encouragement in the challenging times that would follow.  Often we’re unsure of our ability to face a challenge.  In those instances the encouragement of our peers can make the difference - when somebody says, “You’d be good at that”, or “You can do it.”  We need that attitude if the vocations trend is to be reversed.  We also need prayer.  People do pray.  They pray especially for things that are really important to them.  Let’s hope that some of that fervour can be channelled into our prayer for vocations.

 

Mass times:- Shannonbridge, Saturday (Vigil), 8.00 p.m.; Sunday, 12.00 noon, Weekdays, 10.00 am.; Clonfanlough, Sunday, 10.30 am., Monday, 7.00 p.m.

Mass is celebrated at Cluain Ciaráin Prayer Centre, on Wednesday evenings at 7.30.

The Rosary is recited in church at 9.45 am. (before Mass) on the weekdays of Lent.  We compliment those who lead the recitation and those who come early to participate.

A Holy Hour will be facilitated at Árd Ciaráin, Shannonbridge, on the Mondays of Lent, 7.30 - 8.30 p.m.

Mass for the Intentions of the People of the Parish, Missa pro Populo, in Shannonbridge this Saturday, 20th, at 8.00 p.m.

Sunday 21st is the Feast of St. Peter Damian, 1007-1072, Italian Cardinal, one of the greatest reformers of the Middle Ages.

Monday 22nd, the Chair of St. Peter, a celebration of St. Peter as Bishop of Rome, and a celebration of Christ’s choice of Peter for the service of the whole Church.

Tuesday 23rd, St. Polycarp, a disciple of St. John the Evangelist, bishop of Smyrna in Turkey, martyred 155.

Friday 26th, St. Alexander, who became Bishop of Alexandria, Egypt, in 312.  He challenged the Arian heresy which denied the divinity and sinlessness of Christ.  The Emperor Constantine sided with Alexander at the Council of Nicea in 325 and Arianism was officially condemned.  He died the following year, 326.

First Confessions, in St. Ciaran’s Church, Shannonbridge, on Wednesday 24th, at 7.00 p.m.  Ten children will come to the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time.

Vocations.  We welcome Dave Murray, Coosan, Athlone, who will speak at this weekend’s Masses on the urgent issue of Vocations.

Pastoral Letter.  Bishop Francis Duffy has written a Pastoral Letter for the Year of Mercy.  In two pages the letter presents and explains the Year of Mercy.  Copies are available at the church doors.  Please take one and read it.  See also: http://www.ardaghdiocese.com  http://www.im.va/content/gdm/en.html

General Election.  The Irish Bishops have issued a Pastoral Statement in anticipation of the General Election.  It deals with issues including Health, Housing, Education, Security, Human Ecology, particularly the right to life of the unborn.  The statement is essential reading for Catholic voters.  See catholicbishops.ie

Revised Mass Schedule.  The revised Mass programme comes into effect on the first weekend of July, 2016.  Copies of a statement giving details and background are available at the church doors.

Shannonbridge Active Retirement Association resumes its meetings/activities on Tuesday 23rd, at 10.30 a.m., in the Parish Hall.  The €15.00 Affiliation Fee for 2016 is now due.

The Annual Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes takes place from Friday, 27th May, to Wednesday, 1st June.  Five nights.  Fully inclusive price €715.00.  Flights from Knock.  Contact: Joe Walsh Tours, 143 Lower Baggot Street, Dublin 2,  ' 01 241 0811, 01 241 0812.  Details regarding the special section for the sick from Rev. Michael Scanlon P.P., Cloghan, ' 090 645 7122.  The organisers request the names of sick people who would like to join the pilgrimage.  Names should be submitted as soon as possible, please.

Rosters:

Shannonbridge:-  Church Cleaners: Dympna Fitzpatrick, Dympna O’Carroll, Edel Anderson.

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

Readers for next weekend: Group 5, Linda Moran, Catherine Doolan.

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

Clonfanlough:-  Altar Servers for Sunday next: Group 1, Conor S.,  Conor B., Eoin, Abigail.

Reader for next Sunday: Sophie Gilson.

Minister of the Eucharist for next Sunday: Enda Molloy.

Newsletter. Items for inclusion in the Newsletter by 6.00 p.m. on Thursday, please.

Thank you for last Sunday’s collection, €850.00.

Contributions to the Lenten Alms Collection, next weekend, please.

Masses for the Dead:

Sunday 21st, Shannonbridge, 12.00 noon, Peadar Allen, Shannonbridge, Month’s Mind.

Saturday 27th, Shannonbridge, 8.00 p.m., Kathleen Lantry, Tullabeg, Month’s Mind.

Sunday 28th, Clonfanlough, 10.30 a.m., Michael and Mary Kelly, Clonfanlough.