CLONMACNOIS PARISH BULLETIN MARCH 26TH 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                            

Facebook Page “Parish of Clonmacnois”

ST. CIARAN’S, SHANNONBRIDGE

Sat 25th  8p.m.

Mon 27th 10:00a.m.Mass

Tues 28th  10:00a.m.Mass

Wed 29th Communion Service

Thurs 30th  10:00a.m.Mass

Fri 31st 10:00a.m.Mass

Sat 1st 10:00a.m. 10:00a.m.Mass

Sat 1st 8:00p.m.  Peoples Intention

ST. CIARAN’S, CLONFANLOUGH

Sun 26th 10:30a.m. Peoples Intention

Mon 27th 7:00p.m. —

Sunday 2nd April 10:30a.m.

CHURCH COLLECTIONS

Offertory Mar. 17th €610 Mar.19th  €570

PARISH ACCOUNTS 2016 have been finalised/balanced & returned to Diocesan Office as required annually. I’m as ever  struck and humbled by peoples support of their parish. I hope with the help of Parish Finance Committee to  publish a more readable (!) version for parishioners.

“Mothering Sunday Quotes” “No matter how old a mother is, she still watches her middleaged children for signs of improvement.” -Florida Scott. Mothers of teenagers understand perfectly why animals eat their young.” -Jane Sellman. “Never marry a man who hates his mother because he will end up hating you.” -Jill Bennett. “All women become like their mothers. That is their tragedy. No man does. That’s his!” -Oscar Wilde. “We never know the love of a parent until we become parents ourselves.” -Henry Beecher. “A mother’s role is to deliver children obstetrically once, and by car forever after.” Peter De Vries.

 UPCOMING CHURCH ROSTERS                                                                 

Shannonbridge:  1st April 2017 8p.m.

Altar Servers: Group Group 4 Darragh, Lauren & Isobel

Reader: Dympna O’Carroll

Euch. Minister: Martha Murphy

Church Cleaners Shannonbridge (weekly Eileen Quinn, Dolly Deeley, Veronica Hynes

Clonfanlough:-  Sun 2nd April 2017 10:30a.m.

Altar Servers: Group Group 4 Conor D, Roisin D, Teegan D., Rory D.

 Reader: Anne Rohan

 Minister of the Eucharist:Mary Kelly

 Monthly Cleaning Rota  (March )

Josie Egan/ Betty Dolan  (April) Bernie Kenny, Margaret Lantry

RECENT DEATH Harry Gunning (Shannonbridge) John V. (Seán) Kelly (Athlone) son of Ciarán (band leader)  Clonfanlough

MINISTRY OF PARISH CATECHIST AND OF PERMANENT DEACONS

 The diocese is actively promoting these two important initiatives: For information on the Ministry of Catechist contact Fr. Nigel Charles, Boherquill, Lismacaffrey, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath., 043-6685847 nigelcharles2003@yahoo.co.uk For information on the Order of Deacon  contact Fr. Aidan Ryan, Ballinahown, Athlone, Co. Westmeath. 090 643 0124. aidanfryan@eircom.net Also at the following website http://www.dublindiocese.ie/vocations/permanent-diaconate/

 BAPTISM MEETING  for our Pastoral Area. On Tues 11th April & Thursday 18th May 8-9p.m. in Parochial House Ballinahowen. Contact Fr. Tom about attendance at these meetings.

Diocesan Safeguarding Conference Tuesday, April 4^th @ 7. 30 pm., in St. Mel’s College, Longford. Guest Speaker:Breda O’Brien, Irish Times Columnist.All Welcome.

SUMMERTIME Clocks forward 1 hour Sat. Night

STATION MASSES

Thursday March 30th Niamh & Declan Egan Clonlyon 8p.m.

Friday March 31st @ 8p.m.Patty & Pat Corbett

Shannonbridge  8p.m.

Friday April 21st  @ 8p.m. Celia Molloy Glebe

MOTHERING SUNDAY Mothering Sunday is the fourth Sunday of Lent. Although it is often called Mothers’ Day, it has no connection with the American festival of that name. Traditionally, it was a day when children, mainly daughters, who had gone to work as domestic servants were given a day off to visit their mother and family.

Centuries ago it was considered important for people to return to their home or ‘Mother Church’ once a year. So each year in the middle of Lent, everyone would visit their ‘Mother Church’- the main Parish Church or Cathedral of the area. Inevitably the return to the ‘Mother Church’ became an occasion for family reunions when children who were working away returned home. (It was quite common in those days for children to leave home for work once they were ten years old.) And most historians think that it was the return to the ‘Mother Church’ which led to the tradition of children, particularly those working as domestic servants, or as apprentices, being given the day off to visit their mother and family. As they walked along the country lanes, children would pick wild flowers or violets to take to church or give to their mother as a small gift.

 DIARY THIS WEEK

MONDAY 27th Lenten Prayer  A Reflection on the Stations of the Cross continues Monday 27th, Ard Chiarain 8..00pm 

TUESDAY 28th

ACTIVE RETIREMENT ASSOC.  meeting at 10:30a.m. in Shannonbridge Hall.

WEDNESDAY 29th MARCH

Cluain Ciaráin Centre Mass 7:30p.m.

FRIDAY 31st MARCH

MASS OF HOPE for those bereaved by Suicide in St. Mary’s Church, Athlone on Fri. March 31st at 7:30p.m. There will be an opportunity to have your loved one included in the Mass. All are welcome, spread the word.

APRIL 1st/2nd Collection for World Meeting of Families

Pope Francis personally chose Dublin, to be the host diocese for the World Meeting of Families from 22-26 August 2018.  Planning for this great national and international celebration of faith is well underway.   A dedicated office and support team has been established and later this year a nationwide programme of talking about the family will begin with an emphasis on Pope Francis’ teaching and reflections.  The World Meeting of Families promises to be an occasion that will reflect on the faith experience of families from many parts of the world as well as on the challenges and celebrations which characterise the ups and downs of day-to-day family life. A collection (envelope in Parish Box of Envelopes) will be held on April 1st/2nd  to help meet the expenses of this Gathering.

The 21st Pioneer National Ball on Sat 8th April 2017, in the Sheraton Athlone Hotel, after 6.30pm Mass in St. Mary’s Church, Athlone, Celebrant:Bishop Francis Duffy. Tickets €30 (from Brenda Lynch 087-6189411 /Dermot Fagan 085-7201646) Guest Speaker: Jim Bolger. Music by Nite Fever. Fagan 085-7201646."

The 21^st Pioneer National Ball on Sat 8^th April 2017, in the Sheraton Athlone Hotel, after 6:30p.m. Mass in St. Mary’s Htel,affter 6.30pm Mass in St. Mary’s Church, Athlone, which will be celebrated by Bishop Francis Duffy. Tickets €30. Guest Speaker: Jim Bolger. Music by Nite Fever. For tickets/information - contact Brenda Lynch 087-6189411 or Dermot Fagan 085-7201646." 

CLONMACNOIS PARISH NEWSLETTER  MARCH 18TH/19TH 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                            

NEW! Facebook Page search for “Parish of Clonmacnois”

”

 ST. CIARAN’S, SHANNONBRIDGE

Sat 18th  8p.m. Gerry Greene

Mon 20th 10:00a.m.Mass -Peoples Intention

Tues 21st  Mass

Wed 22nd Mass.

Thurs 23rd  Mass

Fri 24th 8:00p.m. Mass & Adoration

“Hours with the Lord” (See Notice to right) 

Sat 25th 10:00a.m. Communion Service

Sat 25th 8:00p.m. —

ST. CIARAN’S, CLONFANLOUGH

Sun 19th 10:30a.m Joe Darcy, Sr. Damien Darcy & dec’d family members

Fri 24th Hours with the Lord  7:00p.m.

[Mass-Adoration & Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession) available.]

Sun 26th 10:30a.m. Peoples Intention

CHURCH COLLECTIONS

Offertory March 12th  €1,040 Shrine €195

Lenten Alms envelope (March 19th) goes to run Diocesan Office, School Advisors Primary & Secondary, Bishop’s Secretary, Diocesan Secretary (50%), Education Sec, Pastoral Development Office, Bishop’s expenses, Cura, Accord, Marriage Tribunals, safeguarding office & training

DIOCESAN ADVISOR We welcome Mr Peter Walsh to Clonmacnois N.S. this week

 UPCOMING CHURCH ROSTERS                                                                 

Shannonbridge:  25th March 2017 8p.m.

Altar Servers: Group Group 3 Rachael, Kate, Paddy, Cliodhna

Reader: Catherine Doolan

Euch. Minister: Marie McManus

Church Cleaners Shannonbridge (weekly Jacinta Kelly, Mary Killeen, Ann Keena

Clonfanlough:-  Sun 26th March 2017 10:30a.m.

Altar Servers: Group Group 2 Jane, Tadgh , Charlie

 Reader: Bridie Coughlan

 Minister of the Eucharist:Enda Molloy

 Monthly Cleaning Rota   (March )

Josie Egan/ Betty Dolan

RECENT DEATH Eileen Dunican, Clonshask, Oldtown, recently pre-deceased by her husband Brendan.

MINISTRY OF PARISH CATECHIST AND OF PERMANENT DEACONS

Ministry of Parish Catechist and of Permanent Deacons – The diocese is actively promoting these two important initiatives: Further info on the Ministry of Catechist is available from Fr. Nigel Charles, Boherquill, Lismacaffrey, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath., 043-6685847 nigelcharles2003@yahoo.co.uk Further info on the Order of Deacon is available from Fr. Aidan Ryan, Ballinahown, Athlone, Co. Westmeath. 090 643 0124. aidanfryan@eircom.net Also at the following website www.dublindiocese.ie/anentdiaconate.

 BAPTISM MEETING  for our Pastoral Area. On Tues 11th April, Thursday 18th May 8-9p.m. in Parochial House Ballinahowen. Contact Fr. Tom about attendance at these meetings.

PASTORAL LETTER A short pastoral from Bishop Francis outlining the Diocesan situation in terms of priest numbers is available this weekend.

GERRY HARRINGTON– master of traditional Fiddle playing will be in Lukers on Wednesdays from 9:30p.m . Booking lessons at mtma.ie

HOURS FOR THE LORD

As we did in Lent last year, we will again this week celebrate an “Hour with the Lord” in each of the ten Churches in our Pastoral area. The hour in each Church will begin with a Mass of Reconciliation, followed by 30 Minutes of Eucharistic Adoration during which the visiting celebrant will offer individual absolution to those who wish to receive it.

Wed 22nd March: Boora 7p.m. (Fr. Tom Cox)

Thurs 23rd: Ferbane 7p.m. (Fr. Scanlon) Fr. Pierre Pepper to assist with Confessions.

Thurs 23rd: High Street 8p.m. (Fr. Aidan Ryan)

Thurs 23rd: Cloghan 8p.m. (Fr. Tom Cox)

Thurs 23rd Banagher, 7p.m. (Fr. Peter Burke)

Fri 24th Clonfanlough 7pm.(Fr. James McKiernan

Fri 24th Shannonbridge 8p.m. (Fr. Aidan Ryan)

Friday 24th Boher 7p.m. (Fr. Peter Burke)

Friday 24th: Pullough  7p.m. (Fr. Michael Morris)

Fri 24th: Ballinahowen 7:30p.m. (Fr. Pierre Pepper)

DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES

May 27-June 1st (5 nights fully inclusive €725), Contact Joe Walsh Tours 01-2410812. Requests for sick/assisted pilgrims, please contact Fr. Michael Scanlon in Cloghan 090-6457122

MASS OF HOPE for those bereaved by Suicide in St. Mary’s Church, Athlone on Fri. March 31st at 7:30p.m. There will be an opportunity to have your loved one included in the Mass. All are welcome, spread the word.

THANK YOU to all who attended our pre-St. Patrick’s day Dinner on Wednesday and to the organisers. A great time was had by all!

 DIARY THIS WEEK

MONDAY 20th

Lenten Prayer  A Reflection on the Stations of the Cross continues Monday 20th, Ard Chiarain 8..00pm 

TUESDAY 21st

Celebrating the 100 Anniversary of Our Lady of Fatima, A Pilgrim Statue of  Our Lady of Fatima was blessed by Pope Francis on January 11th. It was  crowned by Archbishop Eamon Martin on 3rd March in Armagh and from there it  is travelling around Ireland. It will be in the in Ss. Peter & Paul's  Church, Athlone on Tuesday, 21st Match arriving at 6 p.m. for public  veneration and confessions. Holy Mass commences at 7 p.m. Consecration of  the Homes and Families to the Immaculate Heart of Mary and the Sacred Heart  of Jesus and enrolment in the brown scapular will take place at the end of  Mass. This will be followed by Holy Hour. All are most welcome. 

ACTIVE RETIREMENT ASSOC.  meeting at 10:30a.m. in Shannonbridge Hall.

WEDNESDAY 22nd MARCH

Cluain Ciaráin Centre Mass 7:30p.m.

APRIL 1st/2nd Collection for World Meeting of Families

Pope Francis personally chose Dublin, to be the host diocese for the World Meeting of Families from 22-26 August 2018.  Planning for this great national and international celebration of faith is well underway.   A dedicated office and support team has been established and later this year a nationwide programme of talking about the family will begin with an emphasis on Pope Francis’ teaching and reflections.  The World Meeting of Families promises to be an occasion that will reflect on the faith experience of families from many parts of the world as well as on the challenges and celebrations which characterise the ups and downs of day-to-day family life. A collection (envelope in Parish Box of Envelopes) will be held on April 1st/2nd  to help meet the expenses of this Gathering.

CLONMACNOIS PARISH NEWSLETTER MARCH 17TH 2017

ST. CIARAN’S, SHANNONBRIDGE

Thursday 16th 8:00p.m. Darren Egan  (Vigil of St. Patrick’s Day)

Sat 18th 10:00a.m.  Communion Service     Sat 18th  8p.m. Gerry Greene

ST. CIARAN’S, CLONFANLOUGH

Fri 17th 10:30a.m. St. Patrick’s Day

Sun 19th 10:30a.m Joe Darcy, Sr. Damien Darcy & dec’d family members

CHURCH COLLECTIONS Offertory March 12th  €1,040 Shrine €195

WED 22ND A Community and Text Alert meeting will be held in Shannonbridge Hall on Wednesday 22nd March at 8:30p.. Please attend.

FRIDAY 17TH Special 10th Anniversary St Patrick's day Prayer Vigil in Cluain Chiarán, Clonmacnois for the renewal of faith life in Clonmacnois and the re-evangelisation of Ireland. Friday 17th March. Mass at 9pm. Adoration and Prayers follow until 2.15am. Contact Dave 085-7746763

Celebrating the 100 Anniversary of Our Lady of Fatima, A Pilgrim Statue of  Our Lady of Fatima was blessed by Pope Francis on January 11th. It was  crowned by Archbishop Eamon Martin on 3rd March in Armagh and from there it  is travelling around Ireland. It will be in the in Ss. Peter & Paul's Church, Athlone on Tuesday, 21st Match arriving at 6 p.m. for public  veneration and confessions. Holy Mass commences at 7 p.m. Consecration of  the Homes and Families to the Immaculate Heart of Mary and the Sacred Heart  of Jesus and enrolement in the brown scapular will take place at the end of  Mass. This will be followed by Holy Hour. All are most welcome. 

From a traditional Connacht prayer to Saint Patrick

A Phádraig atá I bPárthas Mhic Dé inniu, Faigh áras dúinn ann, an áit a bhfeicfimiid thu. [O Blessed Patrick, with the Lord now in His holy place, Win a home for us there to see you face to face]

April 1st/2nd Second National Collection for the World Meeting of Families 2018: Pope Francis has personally chosen Dublin to be the host diocese for the World Meeting of Families from 21st-26th August 2018. Planning for this great national and international celebration of faith is well underway. Hosting this important event requires an enormous amount of planning and funding. In this regard a second national collection (Envelope in Parish Box)will be held on the weekend of 1st and 2nd April 2017. Your support is appreciated.

              A Word in your Ear St Patrick has become fossilised in our folk memory. Trapped by tradition, the most common image is that of an elderly bearded bishop, dressed in flowing green vestments, complete with Roman mitre. Even the snakes still coil around his ankles! He fell victim to the wildly inaccurate imaginings of some 19th century Italian artists. Their work still decorates the walls of many an Irish kitchen. St. Patrick’s Day enjoys a unique festive status throughout the world. People of every creed and colour will assemble this weekend to celebrate the festival. No other saint has such a firm grip on the Irish imagination. Of course this international outpouring has nothing whatsoever to do with Patrick’s beliefs or his holy life. A number of factors have played their part in the evolution of the Patrician myth: emigrants carried his memory, or his myth, wherever they went. Irish missionaries of the late 19th and early 20th century made a significant contribution. Politicians too played their part. 19th century Catholic Nationalists dressed Patrick in green vestments and recruited him for their sectarian team. (Up to this, Patrick’s colour had always been blue). Some Church of Ireland historians responded in kind by claiming Patrick as their own: did not Patrick himself tell us clearly that he came to Ireland at the prompting of his own conscience? No Pope nor Prelate sent him. Therefore, Patrick was a Protestant and, moreover, the Church in Ireland was Protestant from its very foundation! Patrick had his uses! His two letters, his ‘Confessions’ and his ‘Letter against the Soldiers of Coroticus’ are the only two surviving documents from 5th century Ireland or Britain. While the actual manuscripts we have today are 9th century copies, experts tell us that the Latin is 5th century, that both documents were written by the same person, and that his name was Patrick because he tells us so! In fact these documents salvage Patrick the man from Patrick the myth. His two documents merit close attention. We learn here that he came from Britain where his father had been of the official Roman ‘well-to-do’ class. The man who wrote the documents was a courageous, passionate man: “I would not have chosen to speak as harshly as I must,” he says, “but the zeal of God compels me, Christ’s truth urges me, for love of the children on whose behalf I gave up my parents and my homeland.” The bland popular images of the man does him scant justice. In many ways he was a human reflection of the country through which he travelled, which was, as Seosamh Mac Grianna wrote, “fissured by streams and rugged with stones and rocky crags.” Indeed the rugged landscape aptly parallels the man. He built on solid foundations. Just as well! Because, in his wildest dreams, he can never have foreseen the force of the storm that his Church would be called upon to withstand. Enjoy the festival, and don’t forget the saint!

1)Hail, Glorious St. Patrick Hail, glorious St. Patrick, dear saint of our Isle, /On us thy poor children bestow a sweet smile;/And now thou art high in the mansions above,/On Erin’s green valleys look down in thy love./On Erin’s green valleys, on Erin’s green valleys, On Erin’s green valleys look down in thy love.

2)Ever bless and defend the sweet land of our birth,  Where the sham rock still blooms as when thou wert on earth,  And our hearts shall yet burn, wherever we roam,  For God and St. Patrick, and our native home. On Erin’s green valleys….

Dóchas linn Naomh Pádraig  Aspal mór na hÉireann, Ainm oirdearc gléigeal, solas mór an tsaoil é. D'fhill le soiscéal grá dúinn d'ainneoin blianta    i'ngéibheann. Grá mór Mhac na páirte, d'fhuascail cách ón daorbhroid.

Sléibhte, gleannta máighe,

's bailte mór na hÉireann,

Ghlan sé iad go deo dúinn,

míle glóir dár naomh dhil.

Iarrmaid ort, a Phádraig,

guí orainne na Gaela,

Dia linn lá 'gus oíche 's Pádraig Aspal Éireann.

CLONMACNOIS PARISH NEWSLETTER MARCH 11/12th 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                             

NEW! Facebook Page search for “Parish of Clonmacnois”

www.shannonbridge.com

ST. CIARAN’S, SHANNONBRIDGE

Sat 11th  8p.m. Edel Anderson M/M

Mon 13th  10:00a.m. — Mass

Tues 14th 10:00a.m. — Mass

Wed 15th  10:00a.m. — Mass

Thurs 16th 10:00a.m. Comm. Service

☘Thursday 16th 8:00p.m. Darren Egan  (Vigil of St. Patrick’s Day)

Sat 18th 10:00a.m.  Comm. Service

Sat 18th  8p.m. Gerry Greene

ST. CIARAN’S, CLONFANLOUGH

Sun 12th 10:30a.m Paddy Dolan M/M

[Do This in Memory of Me  Mass]

Tues 14th March  7p.m.— Mass

☘Fri 17th 10:30a.m. St. Patrick’s Day

Sun 19th 10:30a.m Joe Darcy, Sr. Damien Darcy & dec’d family members

CHURCH COLLECTIONS

Offertory March 5th  €715 Shrine €100

Lenten Alms envelope (March 19th) goes to run Diocesan Office, School Advisors Primary & Secondary, Bishop’s Secretary, Diocesan Secretary (50%), Education Sec, Pastoral Development Office, Bishop’s expenses, Cura, Accord, Marriage Tribunals, safeguarding office & training

 Shrove Dues Envelope please return

SAINTS OF THE WEEK Mon 13th St. Euphrasia Tues 14th St Leobinus; St. Matilde Wed 15th St. Louise de Marillac Thurs 16th  St. Finnian Fri 17th St. Patrick  Sat 18th  St. Cyril of Jerusalem

 UPCOMING CHURCH ROSTERS                                                                 

Shannonbridge:  18th March 2017 8p.m.

Altar Servers: Group 2 Fiachra, Sean, Niamh & Rachel

Reader: Linda Moran

Euch. Minister: Margaret Duffy

Church Cleaners Shannonbridge (weekly Mairead Darcy, Martha Murphy, Marie McManus

Clonfanlough:-  Sun 19th March 2017 10:30a.m.

Altar Servers: Group 1 Conor S. Conor B.,  Eoin S., Abigail K.

Reader: Alan/Leanne Devery

 Minister of the Eucharist:Anne Rohan

 Monthly Cleaning Rota   (March )

Josie Egan Betty Dolan

BAPTISM We welcomed baby Patrick Shrahan (Creevagh) into the Christian Community last weekend.

MINISTRY OF PARISH CATECHIST AND OF PERMANENT DEACONS

Ministry of Parish Catechist and of Permanent Deacons – The diocese is actively promoting these two important initiatives: Further info on the Ministry of Catechist is available from Fr. Nigel Charles, Boherquill, Lismacaffrey, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath., 043-6685847 nigelcharles2003@yahoo.co.uk Further info on the Order of Deacon is available from Fr. Aidan Ryan, Ballinahown, Athlone, Co. Westmeath. 090 643 0124. aidanfryan@eircom.net Also at the following website www.dublindiocese.ie/permanentdiaconate.

               Pioneer Lenten Challenge! Many people abstain from alcohol and take the Short-Term Pledge for the duration of Lent.  Make your Lenten pledge by visiting www.pioneerassociation.ie and joining online or by contacting your local Pioneer centre representative.

BAPTISM MEETING The next meeting for parents in our pastoral area who have a child for Baptism will be held in the Parochial House, Ballinahowen on Thursday March 15th from 8-9p.m. Subsequent baptism meetings on  Tues 11th April, Thursday 18th May. Contact Fr. Tom about attendance at these meetings.

PILGRIM STATUE A statue of Our Lady of Fatima is being brought around Ireland. Locally it will be at Ss Peter & Paul’s, Athlone on Tues 21st March at 6p.m. and on Wed. 22nd, Thurs. 23rd at Emmanuel House, Clonfert.

DANCE CLASSES with Gerard Hickey in Fonenagh Community Centre (Thursdays) and Shearwater Hotel, Ballinasloe (Mondays)

Kids 7-8p.m. (€5), Adults 8:15p.m. (€10)

PRAYER FOR LENT—WEEK TWO

Lord, be my strength as I continue to move into Lent. This week be at my side in my resolve to do your will, I ask you to bless me and to be my guide.

In your goodness help me this week to become the kind of person I wish to be.

Grant me the grace to feel free in my heart, to turn to you in confidence, knowing you love me, wanting our friendship to grow. May you guide me throughout this week, so that in spice of the demands and all the distractions that come each day this week I may keep a spiritual focus. I know you will be my strength. Amen.

DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES

May 27-June 1st (5 nights fully inclusive €725), Contact Joe Walsh Tours 01-2410812. Requests for sick/assisted pilgrims, please contact Fr. Michael Scanlon in Cloghan 090-6457122

MASS OF HOPE for those bereaved by Suicide in St. Mary’s Church, Athlone on Fri. March 31st at 7:30p.m. There will be an opportunity to have your loved one included in the Mass. All are welcome, spread the word.

 DIARY THIS WEEK

MONDAY 13th

Lenten Prayer  A Reflection on the Stations of the Cross continues Monday 13th, Ard Chiarain 8..00pm 

Walking Group: (Monday &Wednesday) Assemble at Church: earlier time of 7:30pm.

Shannonbridge GAA Minor Club 
Registration Night for all age groups, with training for Under 8’s and Under 6’s On Monday  13th March  in Clonfanlough Hall from 7-8pm Cost €15 per child Or €60 per family

TUESDAY 14th

ACTIVE RETIREMENT ASSOC.  meeting at 10:30a.m. in Shannonbridge Hall.

PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL 8p.m. Parochial House.

WEDNESDAY15th MARCH

SOCIAL AFTERNOON  will be held in Shannonbridge Hall from 1:30-4p.m. to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. All ages welcome. Lunch provided. Phone 087 2410587 if    attending. €5 cover charge

Cluain Ciaráin Prayer Centre Mass 7:30p.m.

TABLE QUIZ Wed. March 15th  in Killeens at 9p.m. in aid of Social Services Ballinasloe. Good raffle, free food.

FRIDAY  17th MARCH

Special 10th Anniversary St Patrick's day Prayer Vigil in Cluain Chiarán, Clonmacnois for the renewal of faith life in Clonmacnois and the re-evangelisation of Ireland. Friday 17th March. Mass at 9pm. Adoration and Prayers follow until 2.15am. Contact Dave 085-7746763

 FIRST  COMMUNION DATES

1st Confession Wed March 15th at 7:00p.m.  St. Ciaran’s Church, Clonfanlough

 Ten children will come to the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time

 First Communion Sat. May 13th St. Ciaran’s Church, Shannonbridge

CLONMACNOIS PARISH MARCH 4-5TH 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 Sat 4th /Sun 5th March 2017

Sat 4th  8p.m. Bina & Tom Nugent

Sun 5th 10:30a.m. Michael & Mary Kelly (Clonfanlough)

WEEKDAY

Mon March 6th-Sat 11th @ 10:00a.m.

Tuesday 7th March Clonfanlough 7p.m.

Masses for Sat 11th /Sun 12th Mar.  2017

Sat 11th  8p.m. Edel Anderson M/M

Sun 12th 10:30a.m Paddy Dolan M/M

CHURCH COLLECTIONS

Offertory Feb 26th €775  February Monthly €505 (March Monthly envelope due this weekend-thank you.)

Shrove Dues Envelope please return

SAINTS OF THE WEEK Mon 6th St. Colette, Tues 7th Ss Perpetua & Felicity Wed 8th St. John of God Thurs 9th  St. Frances of Rome Fri 10th St. John Ogilvie  Sat 11th  St. Aengus

  UPCOMING CHURCH ROSTERS                                                                 

Shannonbridge:  11th March 2017 8p.m.

Altar Servers: Group 1 Darragh, Matthew &  Emily

Reader: Seamus Grennan

Euch. Minister: Marion McManus

Church Cleaners Shannonbridge (weekly Anne Ryan, Lena Turley, Maureen Mitchell

Clonfanlough:-  Sun 12th March 2017 10:30a.m.

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

Reader: Marie Egan

 Minister of the Eucharist:Bridie Coughlan

 Monthly Cleaning Rota   (March )

Josie Egan Betty Dolan

ERROR  Apologies for an error in Clonfanlough & Shannonbridge Rota as printed last weekend.  I mistakenly duplicated the  Clonfanlough Servers/Reader/Minister of the Eucharist rota  of Feb 19th to Feb 26th Bulletin. And the Servers and Eucharistic Minister for Shannonbridge. Rota’s and lists are not my forte! point!

 Family Carers Ireland                                           Family Carers Ireland (formerly The Carers Association) provides support and home respite services in order for a carer to get a well-deserved break.   We also sponsor a Community Employment Scheme where we provide training and development to male and female participants who have been in receipt of a social welfare payment for 12 months or more and aged 21 years and upwards.                                                           

There are so many work opportunities out there in the “caring” sector and this could be the way for you to get into it.                                                                          

  If you are interested and would like more information, please feel free to contact Sheilah Kinsella at 086 0208507 or 057 9322920:                                       email: skinsella@familycarersireland.ie

           LENTEN TROCAIRE CAMPAIGN

–Box available from the Churches of the Parish. Your generosity is  greatly appreciated.

Pioneer Lenten Challenge! Many people abstain from alcohol and take the Short-Term Pledge for the duration of Lent.  Make your Lenten pledge by visiting www.pioneerassociation.ie and joining online or by contacting your local Pioneer centre representative.

Take this opportunity to help someone you know/love with an alcohol or drug problem by offering up your Lenten sacrifice as a prayer for their freedom and well-being. Go for it and make a difference to someone’s life!

BAPTISM MEETING The next meeting for parents in our pastoral area who have a child for Baptism will be held in the Parochial House, Ballinahowen on Thursday March 15th from 8-9p.m.

STATION MASSES: The tradition of hosting Mass in the home is a beautiful part of our faith tradition. If  you would like to help continue this– I’d love to hear from you. Remember simplicity is best. No need for fuss, just a cup of tea.  

Ideas for the Fridays of Lent.

Go vegetarian for the day.

Cut your television viewing by half.

Fast from your electronic devices (mobile, pad, music device) for 1/2/3 hours.

Spend 10 minutes in silence and stillness.

Google ‘Sacred Space’ and follow a prayer exercise there.

Put €2 in the Trócaire Box.

Go to Mass or visit a Church.

Ring or call to someone living alone.

Read a chapter of the Bible.

Say a decade of the Rosary – The Sorrowful Mysteries

 DIARY THIS WEEK

MONDAY 6th

Lenten Prayer  A Reflection on the Stations of the Cross  Every Monday, Ard Chiarain 8..00pm 

Walking Group: (Monday &Wednesday) Assemble at Church: earlier time of 7:30pm.

Shannonbridge GAA Minor Club 
Registration Night for all age groups, with training for Under 8’s and Under 6’s On Monday  6th March  in Clonfanlough Hall from 7-8pm Cost €15 per child Or €60 per family

TUESDAY 7th

Active Retirement Association meeting at 10:30a.m. in Shannonbridge Hall.

WEDNESDAY 8th MARCH

Cluain Ciaráin Prayer Centre Mass 7:30p.m.

ARDAGH & CLONMACNOIS PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES 2017 – 27^th May – 1^st June, five nights, fully inclusive price €725. Please contact: Joe Walsh Tours, 143 Lower Baggot St., Dublin. Tel: 01-2410812 or 01-2410811. Pilgrimage Director: Monsignor Bernard Noonan, PP, Moate, Tele: 090 6481180. Director Special Section for Sick/Assisted Pilgrims: Rev. Michael Scanlon, Tele 090 457122.

 FIRST  COMMUNION DATES

1st Confession Wed March 15th at 7:00p.m.  St. Ciaran’s Church, Clonfanlough

 Ten children will come to the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time

 First Communion Sat. May 13th St. Ciaran’s Church, Shannonbridge