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

EASTER

26th/27th March, 2016

Easter is about rising up and moving on.  No, it’s not about denying Calvary. Calvary is very much part of the story.  Easter is about rising above Calvary and moving forward.  That can be a huge challenge in many human circumstances.  The Lord has done it.  He calls us to follow suit.

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

Mass for the Intentions of the People of the Parish, Missa pro Populo, in Shannonbridge on Holy Saturday at 9.00 p.m.

Sunday next is Divine Mercy Sunday.  Devotions at Cluain Ciaráin Prayer Centre,  Clonmacnois, commencing 1.30 p.m.  Eucharistic Adoration, Sacrament of Reconciliation, concluding with Mass at 3.00 p.m.  All are welcome.

Thank You!  Our thanks to all those who were directly and indirectly involved in planning and executing the ceremonies in the Parish during Holy Week and Easter - your input and effort are very much appreciated.

Easter Holy Water is now available for use at home.  Those taking Holy Water are asked to minimise spillages, please.

Welcome Home to all who have come back to Clonmacnois for Easter.

The Missalettes for Palm Sunday and for Holy Week are re-usable.  Please fold them correctly and return to the trays in the porches.  The return of ‘borrowed’ missalettes would also be appreciated.

Friday, 1st April, is the feast of St. Celsus, 1080-1129, bishop of Armagh where he initiated a programme of Church reform.  He attended the synod of Rathbreasail at which the boundaries of the Irish dioceses were defined.  St. Celsus is buried in Lismore, Co. Waterford, and was succeeded by St. Malachy.

Saturday 2nd, St. Francis of Paola, Italy, 1416-1507, founded a congregation of hermits.  He died at Tours in France.

Friday is the First Friday of April.  The Holy Communion calls to the sick and housebound will be made on Friday.

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

Rosters: Shannonbridge:-

Church Cleaners:

Geraldine Brennan, Dolly Deely, Veronica Hynes.

Altar Servers for this week:

Group 1, Roisín, Darragh, Matthew, Emily.

Readers for next weekend:

Group 4, Séamus Grennan, Kieran Kelly.

Ministers of the Eucharist: 

Group 1, Saturday Evening, M. Murphy, (C. Curley).

               Sunday, D. Fitzpatrick, (M. Killeen).

Clonfanlough:-

Altar Servers for Sunday next:

Group 3, Conor, Adam, Charlie, Kelan.

Reader for next Sunday: Della Fitzgerald.

Minister of the Eucharist for next Sunday: Enda Molloy.

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.

A benefit night for Micheál Camon takes place in Cloghan Hall on Friday, 1st April, at 8.00 p.m.  Auction and raffle, music and dancing.  Light refreshments will be served.  Tickets €10.00 each, available on the door or by calling 087 213 2692 or 085 145 4650.

A church gate collection in aid of the Disabled Drivers’ Association will be taken up on Saturday/Sunday, 2nd and 3rd April.  Support will be appreciated.

Trócaire.  Outstanding contributions as soon as possible, please.

The Easter Dues may be handed in this weekend, please; the Monthly Collection for April, on Saturday and Sunday next, 2nd and 3rd.

Recent collection totals:-     

St. Patrick’s Day..... €575.00.

Sunday last.............. €781.00.  Thank you very much.

Masses for the Dead:-

Sunday 27th, Clonfanlough, 10.30 a.m., Joe Darcy and Sr. Damien Darcy, Clonmacnois.

Saturday, 2nd April, Shannonbridge, 8.00 p.m., Michael, Margaret and Denis Kelly, Shannonbridge.

Sunday 3rd, Clonfanlough, 10.30 a.m., John Joe Maleney, Glebe, Month’s Mind.

Happy Easter

Beannachtaí na Cásca  oraibh go Léir

 

 

Shannonbridge GAA Club Notes

Shannonbridge / Doon Lottery.

Last week’s numbers were 8, 18, 21 and 28.  There were two match three winners.  The Jackpot this week is €6,200.

Football League.

Short a number of players due to illness / injury and All Ireland College commitments, Shannonbridge lost their second round game to Tubber by 4-8 to 0-5.

Best of Luck to Gallen Community School.

Best of luck to Barry Rohan, Ronan Hynes, Jack Darcy, Emmet Molloy and Dylan Quinn and all the Gallen C.S. players in their All Ireland Colleges Final in Croke Park next Saturday v Holy Rosary College, Mountbellew.  The game starts at 1.15pm and can be seen live on TG4.

Shannonbridge GAA Lotto.

This week's numbers are 8, 18, 21 and 28.
There were two match three winners.
Next week's Jackpot will be €6,200.

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

PALM SUNDAY

19th/20th March, 2016

On Palm Sunday we travel with Jesus as he moves from being acclaimed by the crowds for his good works, to someone rejected and despised.  How did it feel to be rejected for speaking the truth?  It’s hard to understand the motivation of the crowds who could welcome him one week but reject him the next.

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 am.

Our thanks to Stephen and Colm Kenny who provided the palm used in today’s ceremony in Shannonbridge and Clonfanlough.

Confessions in St. Mary’s Church, Ferbane, after 10.00 a.m. Mass, on Monday 21st, and on Holy Saturday from 11.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m.

HOLY WEEK CEREMONIES:-

Holy Thursday, Mass of the Lord’s Supper, followed by procession to the Altar of Repose.  Clonfanlough, 7.00 p.m.; Shannonbridge, 9.00 p.m.  People are invited to spend some time in Adoration at the Altar of Repose.

The children for First Holy Communion and their parents will be among those participating in the Liturgy on Holy Thursday in Clonfanlough, as part of their ongoing involvement in the “Do This in Memory” programme.

Good Friday is a day of Fast and Abstinence.

Celebration of the Lord’s Passion, Shannonbridge, 3.00 p.m.; Clonfanlough, 7.00 p.m.

Holy Saturday:- Lighting of the Paschal Fire followed by the Easter Vigil.  Clonfanlough, 7.00 p.m.; Shannonbridge, 9.00 p.m.

Easter Sunday; Celebration of The Resurrection, Clonfanlough, 10.30 a.m.; Shannonbridge, 12.00 noon.

Do make a special effort to attend the ceremonies, particularly the Easter Vigil.  During the reading of the Passion on Palm Sunday and Good Friday please participate in the crowd scenes - bold print on missalette.

It is generally acknowledged that the multiplication of Holy Week ceremonies in Clonmacnois Parish is unnecessary and unsustainable.  The issue was discussed at the recent meeting of the Parish Pastoral Council.  Unfortunately nobody was prepared to say which ceremonies should be deleted and which should be retained!

The Chrism Mass will be celebrated in St. Mel’s Cathedral, on Holy Thursday, 24th, at 11.00 a.m.  All are welcome.

Monday 21st is the Feast of St. Enda, a late vocation.  His sister Fænche, a nun, turned his thoughts to the religious life.  On her urging he went to Aran.  He died c 520.

Wednesday 23rd, St. Turibius of Mongrovejo, 1538-1606.  Archbishop of Lima, Peru.  He built up the Church in that country.  Patron of Peru and Latin American bishops.

Thursday 24th, St. Macartan, first bishop of Clogher Diocese.

Friday 25th, The Annunciation of the Lord; Giving her consent to God’s Word, Mary is to become the mother of Jesus.  (The feast will be celebrated on 4th April.)

Baptism.  Kian Shay Hynes, son of Simon and Magdalena (Tarnas) Hynes, Galway,  was welcomed into the Christian community on Saturday, 12th March.

Rosters: Shannonbridge:-

Church Cleaners: Jacinta Kelly, Mary Killeen, Ann Keena.

Altar Servers for this week: Group 3, Kate, Paddy, Adam.

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

Ministers of the Eucharist: Group 3, Saturday Evening, M. Claffey.

                                                           Sunday, D. Finnerty.

Clonfanlough:-

Altar Servers for Sunday next: Group 2, Jane, Tadhg, Roisín.

Reader for next Sunday: Kathleen Guinan.

Minister of the Eucharist for next Sunday: Leanne Quinn.

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

The Table Quiz for St. Ciaran’s National School, Clonmacnois, raised €964.00.  The School Board of Management thank the organizers and all who supported the event.

The Table Quiz in aid of Ballinasloe Social Services, held in Killeen’s, Shannonbridge, realized €600.00.

Daffodil Day raised €320.00 for the Irish Cancer Society.  The organizers of both initiatives thank all who contributed generously.

The TRÓCAIRE collection will be taken up during the ceremonies on Good Friday.  Family fast boxes may also be returned on Holy Thursday.  Please change coin into notes and €2 or €1 coins.

The Easter Dues should be handed in next weekend, please.

Recent collection totals:-     

Sunday last......... €810.00.

Lenten Alms....... €525.00.          Thank you very much.

Masses for the Dead:-

Saturday 19th, Shannonbridge, 8.00 p.m., Jeremiah Greene,

Thomas and Catherine Greene, Blackwater Lodge.

Sunday 20th, Clonfanlough, 10.30 a.m., Kieran and Rose Dolan,

Kieran, James and Thomas Dolan, Clonlyon.

Sunday 20th, Shannonbridge, 12.00 noon, John Joe and Mary Egan, Woodbank, and Margaret O’Shea.

Sunday 27th, Clonfanlough, 10.30 a.m., Joe Darcy and Sr. Damien Darcy, Clonmacnois.

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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 FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT

“Go away and don’t sin any more.”

12th/13th March, 2015

St. Patrick’s story is extraordinary.  He was taken here initially not even as an emigrant but as a slave.  He made good his escape.  And yet he was to return.  The call to come back and spread the Good News among the Irish was irresistible.  Just now is a trying time for Church and faith.  We need to take inspiration and motivation from St. Patrick who overcame so many negatives to bring the faith to our shores.

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

Thursday 17th is St. Patrick’s Day, a Holyday of Obligation.  Mass times:- Shannonbridge, Wednesday (Vigil), 8.00 p.m.; Thursday, 12.00 noon;  Clonfanlough, Thursday, 10.30 am. 

The dates of St. Patrick's life cannot be fixed with certainty but tradition has it that, having spent his youth as a slave in Ireland, he returned as bishop in 432.  His mission was eventually very successful making a tremendous number of converts.  He died in 461 and is buried at Downpatrick, Co. Down.  St. Patrick is venerated as Patron Saint of Ireland.

Sunday next is Palm Sunday, the commencement of Holy Week.  Palms will be blessed at the beginning of Mass on Saturday and Sunday.

Mass for the Intentions of the People of the Parish, Missa pro Populo, in Shannonbridge on St. Patrick’s Day, at 12.00 noon.

The Rosary is recited in church at 9.45 am. (before Mass) on the weekdays of Lent.

Mass is celebrated at Cluain Ciaráin Prayer Centre, on Wednesday evenings at 7.30.  A Night Prayer Vigil will take place at the centre on Friday 18th.  Mass at 9.00 p.m.  Adoration and prayer follow, concluding at 2.10 a.m.  All Welcome.  Enquiries: 085 774 6763.

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

An Afternoon of Prayer and Meditation, in preparation for Holy Week and led by Br. Brian Johnson, will take place in the Wheery Room, Ferbane, on Saturday 19th, from 2.30 to 4.00 p.m.  All are welcome.

Tuesday 15th is the Feast of St. Louise de Marillac, 1591-1660, France, widowed at 34, she founded the Daughters of Charity with St. Vincent de Paul, patron saint of social workers.

Friday 18th, St. Cyril of Jerusalem, 315-386, Bishop of Jerusalem, catechist and administrator, exiled in his fight against heresy.

Saturday 19th, St. Joseph, Husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary, venerated as protector of Christian families.  Patron of Canada, carpenters and manual workers.

Proclamation Day 2016 will be marked at St. Ciaran’s National School, Clonmacnois, on Tuesday 15th, at 1.00 p.m.  The event will feature reading of the Proclamation and blessing and raising of the National Flag.

Offaly 100  ̶  Together We Remember.  Civic commemoration of 1916 on Sunday 20th, in Tullamore.  6.00 p.m., Wreath laying ceremony at the Courthouse.  Centenary Concert in the Church of the Assumption at 7.30 p.m.  Admission free - all are welcome.

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

Rosters: Shannonbridge:- 

Church Cleaners:

Mairéad Darcy, Martha Murphy, Marie McManus.

Altar Servers for this week:

Group 2, Fiachra, Seán, Niamh, Rachel.

Readers for next weekend:

Group 2, Kieran O’Connor, Olive Costello.

Ministers of the Eucharist: Group 3, Saturday Evening, M. Duffy.

                                                       Sunday, Marie McManus.

Clonfanlough:- 

Altar Servers for Sunday next:

Group 1, Conor S., Conor B., Eoin, Abigail.

Reader for next Sunday: Ann Guinan.

Minister of the Eucharist for next Sunday: Niall O’Shea.

Offaly Domestic Violence Support Service is based at 2 Cormac Street, Tullamore.  It provides essential assistance and services for those affected by domestic violence.    info@odvss.ie, www.odvss.ie.  For appointment contact: 057 935 1796.

Recent collection totals:-   Sunday last,   €610.00.

Shrove Dues,  €1,700.00. Thank you very much.

Shrove Dues: 104 envelopes were returned out of 276 in circulation, representing a return rate of 38%.

Masses for the Dead:-

Saturday 12th, Shannonbridge, 8.00 p.m., Tom and Bina Nugent, Shannonbridge.

Sunday 13th, Clonfanlough, 10.30 a.m., John P. and Mary Margaret O’Shea, Lakefield.

Sunday 13th, Shannonbridge, 12.00 noon, Mai Fitzgerald,

    Dublin.

Wednesday 16th, Shannonbridge, 8.00 p.m., Darren Egan, 

    Shannonbridge.

Saturday 19th, Shannonbridge, 8.00 p.m., Jeremiah Greene,  

    Thomas and Catherine Greene,  Blackwater Lodge.

Sunday 20th, Clonfanlough, 10.30 a.m., Kieran and Rose Dolan,

    Kieran, James and Thomas Dolan, Clonlyon.

Sunday 20th, Shannonbridge, 12.00 noon, John Joe and Mary   

    Egan, Woodbank, and Margaret O’Shea.

 

 

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 LENT

LÆTARE SUNDAY

5th/6th March, 2016

The Prodigal Son

Today’s gospel offers the picture of the God that Pope Francis might wish us to imagine during this Jubilee Year of Mercy, ‘Merciful like the Father’.  In the story of the Prodigal Son we see three faces of God the Father’s mercy:  The first face of mercy is the love that lets us be.  The Father takes the risk of giving us freedom of choice.  The second face of mercy is the love of God that waits.  See the patience, see that long-suffering in the heart of the father, see his eager expectation.  And then the third face of mercy is the love of God that welcomes. There is no judgement here, no condemnation, no ‘I told you so'.

And maybe that’s where the story should end because we like happy endings.  But it doesn’t.  There’s a twist in the tale because, remember, there’s an older brother.  The story ends on the outside.  Outside the door. This is the Door of Mercy.  Mercy always begins at the door. Welcome.  Welcome back.  Like the shepherd of another story who leaves behind the ninety-nine in search of the lost, here now the Merciful Father turns his back on the party for the returned exile to plead with the other who feels excluded.

Fr. Michael McGrath, “The Furrow”, February, 2016.

Mass times:- Shannonbridge, Saturday (Vigil), 8.00 p.m.; Sunday, 12.00 noon, Weekdays, 10.00 a.m.; 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.

A Holy Hour is 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 Sunday, 6th, at 12.00 noon.

Sunday 6th is the Feast of St. Colette, 1381-1447, a French nun who undertook reform of the Poor Clares.

Monday 7th, St. Perpetua, a young upper-class married woman, martyred at Carthage, (Tunisia), in 203.

Monday 7th, St. Felecity,  a slave girl also martyred at Carthage in 203.

Tuesday 8th, St. John of God, 1495-1550, native of Portugal; patron saint of nurses.

Tuesday 8th, St. Senan, Kilrush, Co. Clare, founded a monastery on Scattery Island, anamchara (soul-mate) of St. Ciaran and St. Brendan, died 544.

Wednesday 9th, St. Frances of Rome, 1384-1440, a married woman, outstanding in her devotion to the needy.

Thursday 10th, St. John Ogilvie, Jesuit, 1579-1615, Scotland, a convert to Catholicism,  preached in disguise in Glasgow because of the restrictions of the time, betrayed and hanged; canonised 1976.

Friday 11th, St. Aengus, Clonenagh, Co. Laois.  Abbot and bishop.  Died 830.

The Parish Pastoral Council will meet in the Health Centre on Wednesday 9th, at 8.00 p.m.  Items on the agenda include Palm Sunday, Holy Week and Easter, funding of the Parochial House refurbishment project.

Rosters:

Shannonbridge:- 

Church Cleaners: Anne Ryan, Lena Turley, Maureen Mitchell.

Altar Servers for this week: Group 1, Roisín, Darragh, Matthew, Emily.

Readers for next weekend: Group 1, Ffionn Anderson, Pattie Corbett.

Ministers of the Eucharist: Group 2, Saturday Evening, S. Ryan (M. Flannery). Sunday, Marian McManus.

Clonfanlough:- 

Altar Servers for Sunday next: Group 3, Conor, Adam, Charlie, Kelan.

Reader for next Sunday: Mary Kelly.

Minister of the Eucharist for next Sunday: Ann Guinan.

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

A Fundraising Table Quiz for St. Ciaran’s National School, Clonmacnois, takes place in Clonfanlough Hall on Friday 11th at 7.30 p.m.  5 people per table including at least one child.  €20.00 per table.  All are welcome.

A Table Quiz in aid of Ballinasloe Social Services will be held in Killeen’s, Shannonbridge, on Wednesday 9th, at 9.00 p.m.  Support will be appreciated.

Contributions to the Monthly Collection for March, this weekend, please.

Recent collection totals:- Sunday last €675.00.

Monthly Collection, February, €615.00. Thank you very much.

Masses for the Dead:-

Sunday, 6th March, Clonfanlough, 10.30 a.m.,

Joseph, Kathleen and Gregory Mahon, Clonfanlough.

Saturday 12th, Shannonbridge, 8.00 p.m., Tom and Bina Nugent, Shannonbridge.

Sunday 13th, Clonfanlough, 10.30 a.m., John P. and Mary Margaret O’Shea, Lakefield.

Sunday 13th, Shannonbridge, 12.00 noon, Mai Fitzgerald, Dublin.

Please pray for John Joe Maleney, Glebe, Belmont, who died on Friday.  Removal this Sunday arriving at St. Ciaran’s Church, Clonfanlough, for Funeral Mass at 2.30 p.m.  Burial afterwards in Clonmacnois Cemetery.

 Happy Mothers Day to all Mums