Clonmacnois Parish Bulletin June 28th 2020
Clonmacnois Parish
Fr. Tom Cox (Adm) Tel. 090 9674125/ 0868319500
Email: clonmacnoiseparish@gmail.com
WEB shannonbridge.blogspot.ie
www.facebook.com/Parish-of-Clonmacnois
[All Masses streamed & available on Facebook “Tom Cox” and “Parish of Clonmacnois” ] Type in https://www.facebook.com/tomas.macconchoille
Monthly €382 Pentecost Dues €1,557 to date Many thanks
‘If anyone gives so much as a cup of cold water to one of these little ones he will most certainly not lose his reward’. It is true that the Church will always need great orators, gifted teachers and heroic saints to inspire the multitudes and carry out its mission, but it will also need ordinary folk who live graciously, love tenderly and serve generously away from the spotlight, those who welcome the stranger and offer generous hospitality in their homes. The world actually turns on the small and seemingly insignificant acts of ordinary people. It is touching that a simple act of kindness is the image chosen by Jesus in this extract from His final instruction to His disciples. The giving of a cup of cold water in His name will not go unnoticed or unrewarded. Nothing escapes His attention and all service ranks the same with Him. There is a significance to the insignificant. ‘Be great in little things’ (St. Francis Xavier).
Tomorrow most of our churches will open for public worship for the first time since early
March. Thank God and thanks to the care taken by the Irish people that we are this far. I ask
for understanding and patience in these early weeks because of the very restricted numbers
that can attend Mass, depending on social distancing and the size of churches. As we return,
safe practices such as the distribution of Holy Communion on the hand only, and avoidance
of a handshake as a sign of peace, will continue in addition to social distancing and signage.
The Sunday obligation continues to be lifted because the threat endures and there is the
danger of resurgence. Many people would like to attend Mass but are rightly cautious about
returning and will wait for a few weeks or attend on weekdays. I know you have been following Mass on social media, on webcams, on TV and on local radio. Although our communication is virtual, our personal communication with God and his with us, is real.
I thank our priests for the imaginative and innovative ways they have continued their pastoral
outreach by telephone, letters and cards and by various social media platforms. I thank you
for your generous support of your priests and your parish in these times. The virtual has
become an important means of communication and will continue.
One feature that is largely absent in our strange experience is the community dimension. We
miss interacting with others. This is especially true for those who have been cocooning. The
closure of schools presented an ongoing burden for families and for teachers. I thank
principals and school staffs for their online and remote engagement with pupils; an excellent
support to the young people and their parents.
I know that many have felt the very heavy cross of illness and of bereavement. The
immediate support that is a natural response has had to be measured and so the grieving
experience has lacked that valuable community dimension. Young people who are looking
forward to Confirmation will have an opportunity to celebrate the presence of the Holy Spirit
in their lives. It will be different than normal, administered by your priest at a date to be
decided locally. First Holy Communion will also take place, later than expected.
Economic uncertainty about the future remains and has impacted heavily on many individuals
and families. We remember in our prayers, our leaders who are tasked with our safety and
our economic recovery.
Our Diocesan Assembly has been postponed, but we continue to be in touch and will
incorporate the experience of the past few months into our deliberations when we resume, as
our theme puts it, “shaping the future with hope.”
I thank all who will assist in keeping our churches open and safe for the time to come. Such
selfless and generous work is a service to the community. We look forward to a careful,
albeit restricted and gradual, but welcome return to some degree of normality. We are at this
hopeful stage because of the excellent, and at times heroic work, of our front line personnel
and the vigilance of people in our country. We thank God for his continuing presence with us
in these times and we thank him for the hope and help created by the generosity, good
neighbourliness and community spirit of so many.+F. Duffy Bishop of Ardagh & Clonmacnois
Mass Readings Liturgical Readings for : Sunday, 28th June, 2020
Thirteenth Sunday— Cycle A
FIRST READING
A reading from the Second Book of Kings 4:8-11. 14-16
The man who is constantly passing our way must be a holy man of God.
The man who is constantly passing our way must be a holy man of God.
One day as Elisha was on his way to Shunem, a woman of rank who lived there pressed him to stay and eat there. After this he always broke his journey for a meal when he passed that way. She said to her husband, ‘Look, I am sure the man who is constantly passing our way must be a holy man of God. Let us build him a small room on the roof, and put him a bed in it, and a table and chair and lamp; whenever he comes to us he can rest there.’
One day when he came, he retired to the upper room and lay down. ‘What can be done for her then?’ he asked. Gehazi answered, ‘Well, she has no son and her husband is old’. Elisha said, ‘Call her’. The servant called her and she stood at the door. ‘This time next year,’ he said ‘you will hold a son in your arms.’
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God
Responsorial Psalm Ps 88
Response I will sing for ever of your love, O Lord.
Response I will sing for ever of your love, O Lord.
1. I will sing for ever of your love, O Lord;
through all ages my mouth will proclaim your truth.
Of this I am sure, that your love lasts for ever,
that your truth is firmly established as the heavens. Response
through all ages my mouth will proclaim your truth.
Of this I am sure, that your love lasts for ever,
that your truth is firmly established as the heavens. Response
2. Happy the people who acclaim such a king,
who walk, O Lord, in the light of your face,
who find their joy every day in your name,
who make your justice the source of their bliss. Response
who walk, O Lord, in the light of your face,
who find their joy every day in your name,
who make your justice the source of their bliss. Response
3. For it is you, O Lord, who are the glory of their strength;
it is by your favour that our might is exalted:
for our ruler is in the keeping of the Lord;
our king in the keeping of the Holy One of lsrael. Response
it is by your favour that our might is exalted:
for our ruler is in the keeping of the Lord;
our king in the keeping of the Holy One of lsrael. Response
SECOND READING
A reading from the first letter of St Paul to the Romans 6: 3-4. 8-11
When we were baptised we went into the tomb with Christ, so that we too might live a new life.
When we were baptised we went into the tomb with Christ, so that we too might live a new life.
You have been taught that when we were baptised in Christ Jesus we were baptised in his death; in other words, when we were baptised we went into the tomb with him and joined him in death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the Father’s glory, we too might live a new life.
But we believe that having died with Christ we shall return to life with him: Christ, as we know, having been raised from the dead will never die again. Death has no power over him any more. When he died, he died, once for all, to sin, so his life now is life with God; and in that way, you too must consider yourselves to be dead to sin but alive for God in Christ Jesus. The Word of the Lord.Thanks be to God
Gospel Acclamation Acts 16: 10
Alleluia, alleluia!Open our heart, O Lord, to accept the words of your Son.
Alleluia!
Alleluia, alleluia!Open our heart, O Lord, to accept the words of your Son.
Alleluia!
GOSPEL
A reading from the Gospel according to Matthew 10:37-42
Anyone who does not take his cross and follow in my footsteps is not worthy of me. Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me.
Jesus instructed the Twelve as follows :
Anyone who does not take his cross and follow in my footsteps is not worthy of me. Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me.
Jesus instructed the Twelve as follows :
‘Anyone who prefers father or mother to me is not worthy of me. Anyone who prefers son or daughter to me is not worthy of me.
Anyone who does not take his cross and follow in my footsteps is not worthy of me.
Anyone who finds his life will lose it; anyone who loses his life for my sake will find it.
Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me; and those who welcome me welcome the one who sent me.
Anyone who welcomes a prophet will have a prophet’s reward; and anyone who welcomes a holy man will have a holy man’s reward.
‘If anyone gives so much as a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is a disciple, then I tell you solemnly, he will most certainly not lose his reward.’
Anyone who does not take his cross and follow in my footsteps is not worthy of me.
Anyone who finds his life will lose it; anyone who loses his life for my sake will find it.
Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me; and those who welcome me welcome the one who sent me.
Anyone who welcomes a prophet will have a prophet’s reward; and anyone who welcomes a holy man will have a holy man’s reward.
‘If anyone gives so much as a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is a disciple, then I tell you solemnly, he will most certainly not lose his reward.’
The Gospel of the Lord.
MASS SCHEDULE & INTENTIONS
St. Ciaran’s Church Shannonbridge
7:00p.m. Saturday 27th June Jimmy & Lizzy & James Joseph McManus & Baby Joseph
.Monday 29th 7p.m. (Shannonbridge) Ss Peter & Paul People’s Intention Tuesday 30th 10a.m. (Shannonbridge) Martyr of Rome Wednesday 1st 10a.m. (Shannonbridge) St. Oliver Plunkett Thursday 2nd 7:00pm(Shannonbridge) Friday 3rd 10a.m. (Shannonbridge) St. Thomas, Apostle Saturday 4th 7:00pm
St. Ciaran’s Church Clonfanlough
10:30a.m. Sunday 28th June
Wed 1st July 7p.m. (Intention)
Fri 3rd July 7p.m.
Kieran Hanniffy (Jnr.) 1st Anniv
10:30a.m. Sunday 5th July Shane Hynes
Word of Thanks: Sincere thanks to all who have helped in so many ways in recent months. Thank you for your support, prayers and generosity. As we prepare the way for parishioners and friends to attend Mass, I would like to say thanks to all who have volunteered to help, to organise and to arrange the various requirements for the safety and protection of everyone. This is a new learning curve for everyone,so I invite you to be patient and understanding especially in the coming weeks. In the words of Julian of Norwich – Our hope is “that all will be well.”
CONFIRMATION - Bishop Francis has delegated Parish Priests to administer the Sacrament of Confirmation in their Parishes during this year. To lessen pressure on our reduced capacity we propose 2 Ceremonies on the same day. Sixth Class at 12 Noon and Fifth Class at 3p.m in the Church of St. Ciaran, Shannonbridge August 22nd 2020.
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION - We propose to celebrate First Holy Communion as follows: 12 noon in St. Ciaran’s, Clonfanlough on September 26th 2020
We follow the best advice in terms of public health and guided by the ever evolving NPHET (National Public Health Emergency Team) protocols.
CEMETERY SUNDAYS The Diocese has decided that due to the impossibility of achieving social distance around family graves, it is prudent to cancel. I will say Mass in the Cemetery closer to the August 3rd Date set and web-stream a blessing of the Graves.
REFLECTION “This is the time to be slow, Lie low to the wall Until the bitter weather passes. Try, as best you can, not to let The wire brush of doubt Scrape from your heart All sense of yourself And your hesitant light. If you remain generous, Time will come good; And you will find your feet Again on fresh pastures of promise, Where the air will be kind And blushed with beginning. -John O’Donohue, To Bless the Space Between Us: A Book of Blessings
COVID-19 EMERGENCY FUND - Pope Francis has announced a COVID 19 Emergency Fund to help overseas missionaries and vulnerable communities to defend themselves against Covid-19. If you can, please give so that our less-fortunate brothers and sisters have a fighting chance against this virus. Donate by going online: www.wmi.ie/covid-fund or call Fiona on 01 4972035. Bank of Ireland Transfer details: Account Name: Society for the Propagation of the Faith. IBAN: IE12 BOFI 9000 7545 6961 636 BIC: BOFIIE2D
DEEP CLEANING of both Churches taking place this weekend. Similar to what is undertaken in large Acute Hospitals.
FIRST FRIDAY CALLS Following Thursdays Council of Priests meeting it was agreed that First Friday Calls should not resume until August and then only on the invitation of the person to be visited.
SEVEN “S’s” AS A RECAP ON RETURN TO PUBLIC WORSHIP
1) Signage—follow the signs advice when in the building.
2) Sanitisation -hand hygiene/cough etiquette
3) Seating—use only assigned seating areas. Seats available for use will have signage. Please only sit on these seats. Families are welcome to sit together. Two people per seat from different household. (seated on either end of the seat).
4) Stewards may be necessary to guide people to the available seat.
5) Social Distancing currently at 2 metres (6 feet). We can’t all gather in one area. People who live together can sit together
6) Symptoms If you are feeling unwell or showing symptoms.. Please remember ask for
7) Support
The Sunday obligation of Mass has been suspended. You can fulfil your Sunday obligation by attending Mass on weekdays. People with underlying conditions or concerns should avail of the Online and Televised options.
Our Offertory Collections bags or baskets will not be used for the time being. We have two free standing units at the Porches-you can donate as you exit.
HOLY COMMUNION may only be received on the hand and reception of the chalice is suspended. I will be wearing a face covering ONLY for that time of Holy Communion.
In the event there is no place– external speakers of Church will be in operation and Masses streamed on the internet.
FACE COVERINGS/MASKS The wearing of face coverings is a personal decision by those attending Mass. It is not compulsory at this time to do so.
MISSALETTES St. Paul’s have not been producing Missalettes since Covid 19. They will start again on 20th July. We still issue a Newsletter each week.
We need to be patient and take our time. Initially, those who are vulnerable or nervous might prefer to continue to join the community by radio, television or over the internet
WE’RE BACK—IN CHURCH: VOLUNTEERS NEEDED We are appealing for more volunteers to assist with cleaning and stewarding at each Sunday Mass. We intend to setup a rota to limit the demands on those who volunteer If you would like to volunteer to assist with the preparations for the resumption of public Mass you are very welcome to come to a meeting on Wednesday, 1st July at 8p.m. in Shannonbridge Hall Many thanks..
SHANNONBRIDGE GAA LOTTO returns on Monday, July 6th 2020. Jackpot rolled over from March to €14,400
