Clonmacnois Parish
September 13th2020
Fr. Tom Cox (Adm) Tel. 090 9674125/ 0868319500
Email: clonmacnoiseparish@gmail.com
WEB shannonbridge.blogspot.ie
www.facebook.com/Parish-of-Clonmacnois
24th SUNDAY OF THE YEAR
‘Not seven times, but seventy-seven times’ Everyone has to confront the issue of forgiveness sometime. Forgiveness is a lovely idea until we have someone to forgive! In the end it’s a decision. We know the theory, but there comes a moment. In 1943 Eric Lomax, a British army officer, suffered severe mistreatment in a Japanese prisoner of war camp in Thailand. Fifty years later he decided to return to the place of his torture to meet and be reconciled with his brutal torturer Nagase Takashi. When asked to explain his magnanimous gesture he replied, ‘sometime the hating must stop’. A contrasting reaction comes from a Jewish inmate who survived Auschwitz concentration camp. When reflecting on his ordeal with a former colleague many years later he proclaimed defiantly that he would never forgive the Commandant of the camp. ‘In that case’, replied his friend, ‘he still has you in prison’. Forgiveness liberates. Unforgiveness enslaves. ‘The greatest form of giving is forgiving’ (G.K.Chesterton).
MASS SCHEDULE & INTENTIONS
St. Ciaran’s Church Shannonbridge
Saturday 12th/Sunday 13th September 2020
Sat Sept 12th 7:00p.m. Vigil 24th Sun Eileen, Sonny & Dessie Keena
St. Ciaran’s Church Clonfanlough
Sun 13th Sept 10:30a.m. Mass of the Pattern
[no outdoor Pattern at Site this year, owing to restrictions– outdoor gatherings limited to 15]
Mon 14th Sept 7:00p.m. Egan Family (Clonlyon) Exaltation of the Cross (Feast)
Co-Patron of our Diocese
Watch over your people,
Teacher and Friend,
Help us to see God’s presence
Prayerful youth,
Inspire the young
Pilgrim for God,
Be with all Missionaries,
Steep us in Gospel ways,
Protector and patron,
Confirm our faith
So that we may walk anew
With Christ. Amen
Amen.
BAPTISM We welcome Theodore Jack Connaughton this weekend to our Christian Community
Clearly, enclosed spaces are very hospitable to the spread of the virus: hence the importance of VENTILATION. As temperatures drop and winter approaches, I find myself in a quandary! To Which do you give precedence- ventilation or heat? Just sharing it with you. ...now where did I put that spare sweater...!
The numbers attending the Sunday Mass in both Shannonbridge and Clonfanlough are generally OK and just under the maximum 50. You will notice that I’ve created 2 evening Masses (Monday Clonfanlough) Thursday (Shannonbridge) to assist those who may wish to avail of them. Our capacity in each Church is 50 divided between 15 pews/benches. The Sunday obligation remains lifted. The deep desire to attend Sunday Mass is much appreciated, and we don’t wish to turn people away or to go down the ‘ticket route’. Thank you for your sensitivity and understanding. I’ve been worried for our Stewards but so far so good. Feel free to book weekday masses- if you book Saturday/Sunday I may need to know roughly how many coming (50 is our capacity). I may need to “share” Mass intention but will check beforehand with yourselves. I really miss Choir Music, altar serving and so many aspects of a full community present.
RADIO I’m still streaming online on Facebook but internet is not everyone’s “thing”, so I’m experimenting with a 15 Watt Radio transmitter from Shannonbridge Gallery. You will find it at 106.5FM. I’ve picked up my test broadcasts in Clonfad Church, beyond the blackwater and up to Creevagh. It’s far from perfect but it may help if you come to Church and find we are full.. At least you can listen in your car!
MUSIC AND SINGING AT MASS
With the current Covid 19 restrictions, regular large choirs are discouraged, as is children serving at Mass and with reduced numbers attending (maximum 50 capacity) for Eucharistic Ministers to serve. I'm sure you share my frustration with this. For instance playing CD recorded music and streaming same online is breach of copyright. Maybe there is someone who could sing "live" or record some tracks we could use.. Just a thought and an invitation
CLONMACNOIS PATTERN DAY
As you know today (Sept 13th) should have been our annual Pattern Day. We recorded with Bishop Francis a 30 Minute Pattern Video on September 9th last which will go live on the diocesan website www.ardaghdiocese.org on Sunday at 3p.m.
GRANDPARENTS PILGRIMAGE: is taking place virtually on Sunday Sept 13th @ 3p.m. in
Prayer for Grandparents
[Written by Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI in 2008 for the Catholic Grandparents Association ]
Lord Jesus, You were born of the Virgin Mary, the daughter of Saints Joachim and Anne. Look with love on grandparents the world over. Protect them! They are a source of enrichment for families, for the Church and for all of society. Support them! As they grow older, may they continue to be for their families strong pillars of Gospel faith, guardians of noble domestic ideals, living treasuries of sound religious traditions. Make them teachers of wisdom and courage, that they may pass on to future generations the fruits of their mature human and spiritual experience.
Lord Jesus, help families and society to value the presence and roles of grandparents. May they never be ignored or excluded, but always encounter respect and love. Help them to live serenely and to feel welcomed in all the years of life which you give them. Mary, Mother of all the living, keep grandparents constantly in your care, accompany them on their earthly pilgrimage, and by your prayers, grant that all families may one day be reunited in our heavenly homeland, where you await all humanity for the great embrace of life without end. Amen.
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