Saturday, December 23, 2017

CLONMACNOIS PARISH BULLETIN DECEMBER 24th 2017
Fr. Tom Cox Adm. (Adm)
Tel. 090 9674125/ 086-8319500
Email: thomascox@eircom.net
WEB shannonbridge.blogspot.ie
SOCIAL MEDIA www.facebook.com/parishofclonmacnois
Offertory : Dec 17th €970.00

 BISHOP’S Christmas Message 2017
At Christmas we recall the birth of a baby in Bethlehem.  A birth that would dramatically change the relationship between God and the human race.  We remember that Jesus was born into a family; he was a son.  He was brought up by Mary and Joseph and by his wider family and local community. 
We think of our own family and we miss those who are not with us.  At this time we are mindful of families that are vulnerable because of poverty, homelessness and exile.
Next August the World Meeting of Families will take place in Ireland.  Dublin was chosen by Pope Francis as the venue to host this important event.  It will be a conversation about the value of family life; all are welcome to prepare and to participate.  We hope that Pope Francis will be there and I hope that you will be able to come and to celebrate family. 
I wish you and your family and your friends a Christmas that is joyful and peaceful and full of hope, because of the birth of Jesus, God among us. 
Francis Duffy
Bishop of Ardagh and Clonmacnois
ENVELOPES FOR 2018 Envelopes for the new year 2018 are shortly available. We thank our parishioners who distribute boxes.
 Contributing through the envelope system has the extra benefit for the parish because the parish, as a charitable institution, can reclaim tax on your contributions, provided your total for the year reaches €250 or more. The envelope system is necessary for a paper trail as evidence that you have contributed.
Note: your number may change from year to year with changes.. If you didn’t receive a box, contact Fr. Tom or any member of the Parish Pastoral Council and it will be sorted. Thank you for your continued support.
 MINISTRIES
Shannonbridge:  Sat 30th Dec  @8p.m.
Altar Servers: Group 3 Rachael, Kate, Paddy, Cliodhna
Reader:  Seamus Grennan
Euch. Minister: Dympna Fitzpatrick
Church Cleaners Shannonbridge (weekly)  Anne Ryan, Lena Turley, Maureen Mitchell.
Clonfanlough:Sun 31st Dec  @  10:30
Altar Servers:Group 3 Conor D., Roisin D, Teagan D., Rory D.
Reader: Marie Egan
Min. of Eucharist: Declan McEvoy
Monthly Cleaning Rota  (Dec) Kathleen Norton/Helen Darcy
SUNDAY 24th 7p.m.
Reader : Alan Devery
Euch Min Declan McEvoy/Kay Kelly
MONDAY 25th 10:30a.m.
Reader : Anne Rohan
 Euch Min Bridie Coughlan
SHANNONBRIDGE ACTION GROUP would like to thank everyone for their support in getting the village lit up for Christmas. Thanks for the generous contributions and we hope you all we have a happy Christmas. The names of all those
 For whom bulbs were purchased will be placed on the tree at the Church 
RECENT DEATHS Eileen Higgins Clorhane   Eileen Walker Glasson, sister in law of Dorothy Darcy.
WORLD MEEETING OF FAMILIES CARD will be distributed at Christmas Eve Masses. You are welcome to use them for a mealtime prayer at Christmastime

ANNUAL CAROL SERVICE re-scheduled to January 6th at 4p.m. in
Shannonbridge

He who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it
under a tree. [Roy L. Smith]

A Gift of Kindness…
While Christmas is also about gift giving in a tangible way, there are many other gifts that we are and can bring that have no price tag– such as kindness..
If all children would like to bring a picture of an act of kindness for Christmas (could be helping out at home, being patient with someone etc.) we can hang it up in the Church. We will display them over the Christmas Season.
BAPTISM - The next meeting for parents in our pastoral area who have a child for baptism will be held in the Parochial House in Ballinahown on Thursday 18th January & after that Thursday 15th February. Please contact me in advance.

SHANNONBRIDGE GAA Minor Club calendars available in Killeens & Morans- €5.  Also available after Mass.

E.G.M  of Shannonbridge GAA on Sunday 7th January @5p.m. in Clubhouse
(please note change of venue)

CHRISTMAS MESSAGE
In August of next year Pope Francis will visit Ireland on the occasion of the Wold Meeting of Families.  As we cross the threshold of this special year of celebration we pray that it may be a time of grace and renewal for our own individual families, for our Parish family, and for the wider family of the Church.  Thank you most sincerely for your loyal support, unfailing kindness, and generous hospitality during 2017. 
Nollaig Shona agus Athbhliain Shuaimhneach Fr. Tom
PARISH COUNCIL Enda Molloy, Shane Hynes, Anne Guinan, Doris Claffey, Kathleen Norton, Eileen Quinn, Vincent Darcy, Dympna Fitzpatrick,
Tom Cox, Patricia Anderson, Anne McEvoy


  
Mass of 4th Sunday of Advent (Sat 23/Sun 24th)
8p.m. Shannonbridge
Sat 23rd 8:00p.m. Damien & Josephine Kenny
Sun 24th 10:30a.m. Peoples Intention
 Confessions for Christmas
Christmas Eve Confessions—Sun 24th
Ferbane 12 Noon—4p.m.
 I invite all penitents to come for the short preparation beforehand and wait for the prayer of thanksgiving afterwards. As part of the celebration of the World Meeting of Families 2018 this is a good opportunity to come as a family for reconciliation and healing
Christmas Eve/Day Masses
 Sunday, Dec 24th  Christmas Eve
Clonfanlough 7:00p.m.
Shannonbridge 9:00p.m.
 Monday, Dec 25th Christmas Day Clonfanlough  10.30 a.m.
(Michael Kelly Anniv)
12 Noon Shannonbridge.
CHRISTMAS WEEK MASSES
Tues 26th 12 Noon Funeral Mass of Eileen Higgins
 Wed 27th 10amCommunion Service
 Thurs 28th 10:00.m. Mass
Fri 29th 10:00a.m. Communion Service
Sat 30th 10:00a.m. Communion Service
Sat 30th 8:00p.m.Shannonbridge
 Paul Kelly (4thA.)
Sun 31st 10:30a.m. Clonfanlough Peoples Intention
Monday Jan 1st 2018 12 Noon
(Margaret Gleeson)
 SAINTS OF THE WEEK
Tues 26th St. Stephen, Wed 27th St. John, Thu 28th Holy Innocents Fri 29th St. Thomas Becket Sun 31st The Holy Family




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