CLONMACNOIS PARISH BULLETIN MAY 16th 2020 

MASS SCHEDULE & INTENTIONS

Sat May 16th 7:00p.m. Leslie Price

Sun May 17th  10:30a.m. Rose & Jack Minnock & sons Michael  Martin & Stanley & daughter Dympna & extended family members.

Mon 18th May 10a.m. (St. John 1, Pope & Martyr) [Centenary  of birth of St. John Paul II ]

Tues 19th May 10a.m.

Wed 20th May 10a.m. (St. Bernadine of Siena)

Thurs 21st May 10a.m.

Fri 22nd May 10a.m. (St. Rita of Cascia)

[All Masses streamed & available on Facebook  “Tom Cox” and “Parish of Clonmacnois” ] Type in  https://www.facebook.com/tomas.macconchoille

Sat 23rd May 7p.m.

Sun 24th May 10:30a.m.

Feast of the Ascension will be celebrated on Sunday 24th May – World Communications Day.

PENTECOST “CEREMONY OF LIGHT” Bishop Francis Duffy will stream this ceremony at 7pm. On Saturday May 30th (Pentecost Eve) from St. Mel’s Cathedral, Longford. A welcome  to all our Confirmation Candidates as we await new dates for Confirmation once restrictions are lifted.  Details to come

Offertory:  €380 Donations:€50  Electronic Transfer €55

Easter Dues €1,740 Trócaire €480

WELCOME TO ALL I'm very grateful to some very special people

(you know who you are) who have kept both Clonfanlough & Shannonbridge Churches open. In many dioceses and parishes this has not been the case. These are reopening for the first time since mid March on May 18th for private prayer. It's been a blessing for us to have these places of prayer available thanks to your help. I don’t take that for granted– nor should we.

 We had open doors to minimise

surface contact by visitors. Unfortunately our feathered friends (birds) have also decided to visit. I'm trying to get a screen curtain to suit- but with shops shut in restrictions that may be difficult. I'm sure you understand & will be patient. As I seem to be saying a lot of late– for every solution there’s a problem! Am trying to reverse that statement!

SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER

I will give you another Advocate

 In his inaugural address in 1961 President John F. Kennedy announced to his fellow citizens that the torch had been passed to a new generation. As Jesus prepared to return to the home of the Father He left the same message with His disciples. It would be their task to continue His work and carry His Word to the ends of the earth. He reassures them, however, that He is not abandoning them. He will send the Spirit whom He describes as the Paraclete. The word Paraclete means advocate or helper, one who stands beside you in time of difficulty, providing a comforting, supportive and encouraging presence. What Jesus is really saying to the disciples in this, His final address is: ‘I am sending you on a difficult and dangerous mission but you will not be alone. I will send you someone who will guide you as to what to do and enable you to do it’. Jesus continues to walk with and guide His Church through the working of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit will always point people to finish the work of Jesus but He does not gate-crash any person’s heart. He waits to be welcomed-in and there is only one person who can open the door. If we do open ourselves to His promptings we can, through His power renew the face of the earth. The torch is passed!

PANDEMIC

What if you thought of it as the Jews consider the Sabbath the most sacred of times? Cease from travel. Cease from buying and selling. Give up just for now, on trying to make the world different than it is. Sing. Pray. Touch only those to whom you commit your life. And when your body has become still, reach out with your heart. Know that we are connected in ways that are terrifying and beautiful. (You could hardly deny it now.) Know that our lives are in one another’s hands. (Surely that has come clear.) Do not reach out your hands. Reach out your heart. Reach out your words. Reach out all the tendrils of compassion that move, invisibly, where we cannot touch. Promise this world your love for better or for worse, in sickness and in health, so long as we all shall live. (Rev. Lynn Ungar)

"The Holy Spirit—our Advocate/Helper
In a time when 30 young people from our parish were preparing to make their First Communion and Confirmation (9 this Saturday 23rd for First Communion and 21 last March for Confirmation) we are conscious of how disappointed
you are and we offer you our support and prayers at this time. Children don’t always admit that they need help, and they usually
find that their problems grow when they fail to ask for help. In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells his disciples that he will send them a helper, an advocate. In Baptism we have also received the gift of the Holy Spirit, our helper, whom we can call upon to lead us to knowledge of the Father. The challenge for all of us at this time, young and old, priest and lay person is to try to discern or understand what the Holy Spirit has to say to us in a time of disappointment. During the coming week each of us should try to think of three
positive things or blessings that have come our way
as a result of the lockdown and the corona virus.

Act of Spiritual Communion  “My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Blessed Sacrament. I love You above all things and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot now receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You have already come , and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen”

OUR LADY OF CLONFERT, I come to you, as one of your children, who will never forget the importance of a woman like you. I come because I believe in you. I come to say thanks for the past and the present and ask you to bless me in the future. You know me, you know how I live and you know my needs. Please help me especially when I need you most.

I have problems, worries and anxieties the same as everyone else - help me to cope. So often I would just love to give up when life hurts me and people betray me, but give me the courage never to lose heart. Bless my family, my life and my friends. Help me, no matter what happens to me in life, to believe, to trust  and to hope. Our Lady of Clonfert, pray for us.

NEW MEALS ON WHEELS SERVICE Anyone who would like to avail of this new service or knows of anyone  that would like to avail of it can contact 087 2410587

WORD OF THANKS  Sincere thanks to all those who so kindly continue to contribute to the various Church collections. We are extremely grateful and greatly appreciate your generosity in these challenging times. Thanks to Moran’s Gala &  Post Office  and staff for kindly facilitating the collection of the envelopes and Trocaire Boxes.

If anyone would like to offer financial support to the Parish you can do so by electronic transfer if it is more convenient to do so. The bank details are as follows.

BIC-BOFIIE2DXXX   

IBAN-IE90BOFI90368011629381

Name of Account: “Clonmacnois Parochial A/c  Please note your name or box number.

"HOOVES FOR HOSPICE"  Shannonbridge GAA & fellow Offaly Clubs are fundraising to build a level 3 Hospice Facility in Tullamore. We need more locals to help donate/rear/fund an animal.  Further details at http://h4h.midlandhospice.ie/ . Please call  086 8822451 or any Committee Member

FIRST COMMUNION Next Saturday 23rd we should have been celebrating with our 9 First Communion children & their families.  As we know- for the moment such celebrations are not  possible. But we WILL celebrate well and fully with you when  restrictions are lifted. I will be marking at 7pm Mass on Sat 23rd by way of  audio recording of their voices a special time with the children. Maybe as a family you would like to mark the day with a small celebration.

We so look forward to the re-arranged day when we will be able to celebrate with you and welcome you into our Faith Eucharistic community of Clonmacnoise Parish. We have a little ceremony prepared with you have received and I will also post on our Blog and Facebook page.

FREE ACCESS TO “GROW IN LOVE” To help teachers students & parents during this difficult time we are granting free access. Logon to www.growinlove.ie Email:trial@growinlove.ie Password: growinlove