Tuesday, March 15, 2016


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


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.
 
 

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