CLONMACNOIS PARISH JAN 1ST 2017

ST. CIARAN’S CHURCH, SHANNONBRIDGE                                                                    

ST. CIARAN’S CHURCH, CLONFANLOUGH                                                                     

Fr. Tom Cox Adm. (Administrator) Tel. 090 9674125/ 086-8319500     

E-mail: thomascox@eircom.net   shannonbridge.blogspot.ie

Masses for Dec. 31st/January 1st 2017

Sat Dec 31st 8p.m.-  Shannonbridge

Sun Jan 1st 2017 10:30a.m. Paul Kelly (3rd A) Clonfanlough

Weekdays

 Jan 2nd Holiday Monday No Mass

Tues 3rd/Wed 4th/Thurs 5th 10a.m.

Thurs 5th 8p.m. (Eve of Epiphany)

Fri 6th Clonfanlough 10:30a.m. (Epiphany) replaces 7pm First Fri eve Mass.

Masses for Jan 7th/8th

Sat. 7th Jan 2017 Shannonbridge 8:00p.m. Jimmy & Joe Coleman & dec'd

Sun 8th Jan 2017 10:30a.m. Clonfanlough

Saints of the Day: Sun Jan 1st Mary-Mother of God, Fri 6th Epiphany (Holyday of Obligation), Sat 7th St. Raymond

Offertory Dec 25th    €1440

Shrine €90

Christmas Dues Thank you to all who have returned their envelope. You can do so at any Mass.

CLONMACNOIS PARISH STATISTICS FOR 2016

Baptisms 11

First Communions 10

Confirmations 19

Marriages 4

Deaths 5

ST. PAUL’S SUNDAY MISSAL 2017 – Parish Readers may collect their free copy in the sacristy.  Also available generally to buy for €6.00. 

Offaly Domestic Violence Support Service Re-Opens Wednesday the 4^th of January at 10am.  In case of emergency please contact the Tullamore Gardaí on: 057 93 27600 or National Freephone Helpline on: 1800 341 900

  

 UPCOMING CHURCH ROSTERS                                                                 

Shannonbridge:  7th Jan 2017 8p.m.

Altar Servers: Group 1. Darragh, Matthew & Emily.

Reader: Michaela Anderson

 Eucharistic Minister: Martha Murphy

Church Cleaners Shannonbridge (weekly)  Kathleen Price, Catherine Curley & Patricia Anderson

Clonfanlough:-  Sun 8th Jan 2017 10:30a.m.

Altar Servers: Group 3 Conor D., Adam E., Charlie G., Kelan C.

Reader: Alan Devery

 Minister of the Eucharist:Bridie Coughlan

Monthly Cleaning Rota   (January ) Mary Guinan Anne Guinan

2017 PARISH CALENDAR  available in our Churches to take home. Please be mindful of neighbours or others who may not otherwise receive a Calendar.

BAPTISM We welcome Conor James Turley & Ȇanna Hugh Mitchell  into the  Christian Community in Baptism.

 BLESSINGS OF THE NEW YEAR

-In January–the month of darkness& frost Saints Saran  Manchan –Be with us Lord

-In February – the month of rain, wind and snow – Be with us Lord.

-In March – the month of farmers, lambs, and new life – Be with us Lord.

-In April – the month of swallows, growth and green grass - Be with us Lord.

-In May – the month of the cuckoo, flowers and Summer - Be with us Lord.

-In June – the month of exams, the mid-Summer sun - Be with us Lord.

-In July – the month of holidays, the dry grass and Summers end - Be with us Lord.

-In August – the month of harvest, wheat and corn - Be with us Lord.

-In September – the month of fruits, school and our own St. Ciaran - Be with us Lord.

-In October – the month of falling leaves, nuts and Halloween - Be with us Lord.

-In November – the month of the dead, the Holy Souls and the Saints - Be with us Lord.

-In December – the month of the gift of light and our Saviour - Be with us Lord.Amen.

Air of AULD LANG SYNE (L.M.)

1. An-oth-er year of set-ting suns, of stars by night re-vealed, of spring-ing grass, of ten-der buds by win-ter's snow con-cealed.

2. An-oth-er year of sum-mer's glow,  of au-tumn's gold and brown, of wav-ing fields, and rud-dy fruit the bran-ches weigh-ing down.

3. An-oth-er year of hap-py work, that bet-ter is than play, of sim-ple cares, and love that grows more sweet from day to day.

4. An-oth-er year to fol-low hard, where bet-ter souls have trod, an-oth-er year of life's de-light, an-oth-er year of God.

Wishing All a Happy & Blessed New Year

ANNUAL MUMMERS FESTIVAL takes place in New Inn Leisure Centre on Saturday 7th Jan at 7:30p.m. and Sun 8th Jan at 2:30p.m. A feast of traditional entertainment.

SHANNONBRIDGE COMMUNITY LIBRARY reopening on Thursday 5th January.

1st  FRIDAY Jan 6th Sick will be visited

2017 BIBLE DIARIES in stock. Containing Reading of Day, reflection & journal space. Cost price €7 available from me (Fr. Tom Cox)

BLESSING THE HOME AT EPIPHANY TIME  There is a lovely  family custom in some countries of blessing homes  with blessed chalk. I’ll leave some in the Churches for Jan 5th vigil  (8p.m.) & Jan 6th @ 10:30a.m. Calling on the 3 Magi (Wise Men) Caspar [C], Melchior (M), and Balthasar (B)  Take (blessed) chalk (of any colour) and mark on the lintel of your front door to look like this 20 + C + M + B + 17 saying:

“The three Wise Men, C Caspar,  M Melchior,  B and Balthasar followed the star of God’s Son who became human  20 two thousand 17 and seventeen years ago. ++ May Christ bless our home  ++ and remain with us throughout the new year. Amen”

A Prayer as the year turns…

To you Lord Jesus, I open the door of my heart; I begin again,  Ready for a better year

I make a new start; I begin again.

Ready to live life anew,

I leave my past to your mercy;

I begin again.

Ready for each new day

I leave my present to your car;

I begin again. Ready for life’s challenges I leave my past to your providence;  With your help I begin again. Amen.

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