CLONMACNOIS PARISH NEWSLETTER DEC 23rd 2018
Christmas Arrangements
Christmas Eve Mon, Dec 24th
Clonfanlough 7:00p.m. Mass
Shannonbridge9:00p.m.Mass
Christmas Day (Tuesday) in Clonfanlough at 10.30 a.m. and 12 Noon Shannonbridge.
CONFESSIONS
Christmas Eve—Mon 24th
Ferbane 10:30a.m.—3:30p.m.
As I look back on 2018 the high point of the year for me was the World Meeting of Families. During his visit Pope Francis said “the World Meeting of Families has given us great hope and encouragement that families are growing more and more conscious of their own irreplaceable role in passing on the faith”. For him family is a key aspect of life.
Christmas is a family time, a time for all generations, just as the first Christmas was such a family moment. Not just the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph but, the entire family of God, all people of all generations. At Croke Park Pope Francis reminded us that a society that does not value grandparents will end up lacking that quality that really matters - love. A love and dream that so many including our parents and grandparents lived out and witnessed in the dream of marriage as he reminded in meeting married couples in the Pro-Cathedral. He encouraged each married person to keep repeating in their heart: “I will never fail you or forsake you!” They are the same sentiments God has for his people (Heb 13: 5).
The Christmas story is so familiar and yet it always seems fresh. There is the good news of a baby, the good news of a birth and good news of a bright future for all humanity. The Christmas story has expectation and joy and great hope for the future. But side by side with these positive elements are darker ones, uncertainty, vulnerability and danger. The circumstances of the birth of the Saviour were not at all easy for baby or parents. That is the way life often is. Side by side with great joy there can be sorrow, alongside hopes there can be fears, accompanying successes is sometimes failure. So the darker side, the vulnerable side of Christmas, is nothing new, it is very human and realistic that these contrasting emotions and circumstances coexist. Mary decided to invite the ‘source of peace’ to enter our world. Let us do the same.
I wish you and your family members a happy Christmas, a peaceful and hopeful experience, as we remember the birth of our Saviour
Francis Duffy Bishop of Ardagh and Clonmacnois
ST. CIARAN SHANNONBRIDGE
Sat 22nd 8:00p.m. Vigil Mass Eileen Higgins 1s Anniv.
Mon 24th 10:00a.m. No Mass
Mon 9:00pm Christmas Night
Tues 25th 12Noon Mass of Christmas Day
Wed 26th (St. Stephen) 12 Noon Service of Word & Communion
Thurs 27th (St. John) 10:00a.m. Mass Josephine & Brian Kenny (5th Anniv.) Clondelara
Fri 28th (Holy Innocents) 9:30a.m. Mass
Sat 29th 10:00a.m. (St. Thomas Becket) No Mass
Sat 29th 8:00p.m. Damien & Josephine Kenny
ST. CIARAN CLONFANLOUGH
Sun 23rd Dec 10:30a.m.
Mon 24th 7:00p.m. Mass of Christmas Eve
Tues 25th 10:30a.m. Mass of Chrismas Day
Sun 30th Dec 10:30a.m.
CLUAIN CHIARAIN Mass Resumes Wed, Jan 9th 2019
DEATHS We remember in our pr ayers Mary L’Estrange Rachra Park, Brendan Loonam (Huddersfield & formerly Carrowkeel, Clonfanlough) died 18th Dec. Funeral in England in January Padraig Egan nephew of Bernie Kilduff & Brother-in-Law of Deirdre Egan(Principal Clonmancois NS) May God grant to them and all our loved ones a place of light and peace this Christmas time.
SUNDAY READINGS 2019 is now available to buy for €5.00. Parish Readers may collect their free Copy
GODS’ WORD 2019 Available from Sacristy./Fr. Tom. The daily Mass readings with a short reflection. Cost price €6 A possible Christmas present
Trócaire Christmas Appeal 2018: ‚In Yemen people are facing the worst famine in a century, with five million at risk of starvation. In South Sudan, four million have had to leave their homes and seven million are in need of food aid. Trócaire’s Christmas Appeal provides food and support for the people in countries such as Soudan and Yemen. To donate this Christmas please visit the Trócaire at https://www.trocaire.org/christmas ‚
PARISH CALENDARS are in the Church porches and you are welcome to take a copy home
FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT The exact birthday of Jesus is unknown. In the fourth century Christians selected the 25th December to celebrate His coming into the world. It was a pagan festival in honour of the ‘sun god’, and since we believe Jesus to be the ‘Light of the World’, the date seemed especially appropriate. Take Christ out of these days and we are back in the pagan space. We should guard against returning to where we were! Let us, rather, be possessed by the mystery and message of these days. Our God is with us. As we stand before the crib, may we find there again the gentle reassurance of His presence, and may we understand with utter confidence, that we are loved. Then, let us fall silent and rest secure in the heart of God. Nollaig Shona.
MINISTRIES
Shannonbridge:Sat 29th Dec
Servr:Grp3:Michael C,Rachael,Paddy,Cliodhna
Reader: Catherine Doolan
Euch. Minister Marie McManus
Church Care:Gemma Moore, Doris Claffey, Geraldine Darcy
Clonfanlough:Sun 30th Dec @ 10:30
Server Gr.1Abigail K, RoryD.
Reader: Anne Rohan /Euch Min.:Kay Kelly
Ch Care- Dec K. Norton/Helen Darcy
DOON / SHANNONBRIDGE GAA LOTTO The winning numbers in last week’s lotto draw were 2, 21, 22, 25. , No jackpot winner. No match 3 winners. 5 x €50 draw winners. Next weeks Jackpot €3,800. Draw Doon Sunday 23rd Dec
CHRISTMAS PARTY Sunday 23rd December, Shannonbridge Hall 4-6p.m. . €3 per child €10 per family of 4. Raffle & special guest appearance
FOR YOUR DIARY: Shannonbridge Seniors Christmas Party Sunday, January 6th 2019 commencing with Mass in Hall at 1p.m Please contact 087 2410587. Please take this as your invitation.
OFFERTORY Sat/Sun Dec 15/16th €820 Shrine €250 (Dec)
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