CLONMACNOIS PARISH NOVEMBER 1st 2020

Clonmacnois Parish

November 1st 2020

Fr. Tom Cox (Adm) Tel. 090 9674125/  0868319500

Email: clonmacnoiseparish@gmail.com

     WEB  shannonbridge.blogspot.ie

www.facebook.com/Parish-of-Clonmacnois                   

 

 
MASS SCHEDULE & INTENTIONS
St. Ciaran’s Church Shannonbridge
Saturday 31st Oct (Vigil) All Hallows Eve
7:00p.m Peoples Intention
Monday Nov 2nd  7:00p.m. All Souls Parish Remembrance Mass / also Phil Coolahan 19th Anniv)
Tuesday November 3rd   10am (Private Intention)
Wednesday  Nov 4th 10am (Charles Borromeo)
Thurs Nov 5th 10am Mary & Kieran Henry
Fri Nov 6th  10amAll Saints of Ireland
Saturday Nov 7/8th 7:00p.m. Vigil 32nd Sunday Maureen Claffey 3rd Anniv
  St. Ciaran’s Church  Clonfanlough
Sunday 1st November  All Saints
10:30a.m. Peoples’ intention
3:00p.m. Diocesan Remembrance Service   (http://www.longfordparish.com/stmelstv.htm)
Sunday Nov 8th 2020 10:30am [32nd  Sunday]
 
OFFERTORY Oct 24/25th  € 365
October Monies Summary  Online €235
Monthly €385 Offertory October  €1660 (€555+€415+€325+€365) (€3210 in Oct ’19)  
October Shrine €350 (€200 in Oct ‘19)
Outgoing Bill Parish Insurance Premium  €5,761
CHURCH COLLECTIONS   ways people donate.
Moran’s Shop I am indebted to Fergal & Linda Moran of Moran’s Gala shop & Post Office who continue to offer a drop in facility.
Presbytery Letterbox Some leave envelopes in my door which I secure right away! Or to me in person.
Clonfanlough Box Sunday 10:30-12:15 at pier
Bank Transfer  There is the option of Electronic Transfer  which some have chosen to use. I just leave the details below and a request that you put your name or box number in the reference section. Instructions below.
Name of Account Clonmacnois Parochial Account.
BIC-BOFIIE2DXXX    
IBAN-IE90BOFI90368011629381 Please put your name and/or your box number in reference section. 

 
 FEAST OF ALL SAINTS The ‘official’ saints of the Church are well known to us. We are familiar with their stories. We honour them in our liturgies and litanies, men, women and children, who in their earthly lives reflected the glory of Jesus Christ in wonderful ways. They were people in rhythm with the heartbeat of God. They didn’t set out to have people follow them. They set out to follow Jesus and others followed them in pursuit of Him. But this is ‘Small Saints Day’ too, a day to remind us that sainthood is within reach. There are no sinless saints. ‘To be saints is not a privilege for the few but a vocation for everyone’ (Pope Francis).We salute the many ordinary people we have encountered along the road, who have lived life sacredly, loved life passionately, created life humanly and protected life tenderly. They have made the road holy by their passing feet. Saints then, come in all shapes, sizes and colours, but they do have certain qualities in common. They inspire us to be the best we can be; they instruct us by their words and example; they intercede for us before the throne. Their lives beckon us to something beautiful. We all have a saint in us. We just need to wake him/her up!
 
 -West Offaly Training will run a number of online training courses in November. Some of the ones planned are:
4 week Introduction to Computers for Adults beginning Thursday, 12th at 6.30pm, cost is €30. Our More About Autism is due to begin on November 11th. We are also running Computers for Older Children, Manual Handling, Infection Control, Train the Trainer and many more. For further information call Carmel 0579152003/0868413082 or email carmel@westoffalytraining.com
LOCAL AREA  SYRIAN REFUGEE APPEALAll donations gratefully appreciated.  More details: www.creideamh.ie/blanket-appeal 
DOON/SHANNONBRIDGE GAA CLUB LOTTERY Draw held 26.10.2020 Winning numbers 5-13-15-16 No Jackpot winner. No Match 3 winners. Jackpot now stands at €4,400. Draw  online on Facebook Live Nov. 2nd   
REMEMBER IN NOVEMBER  Bishops letter available online on Facebook & Parish Blog. Also some copies in Church.
ALLHALLOWTIDE - The word ‘hallow’ means ‘holy’. The three days of ‘All Hallows Eve’, ‘All Hallows Day’ and ‘All Souls Day’ are referred to collectively as ‘Allhallowtide’, a time for honouring the saints and praying for our departed loved ones. 
FIRST FRIDAY (Nov 6th) Due to Level 5 restrictions, priests are not able to bring communion to their monthly calls. I am on call of course.
 INDULGENCE - From noon on November 1st until midnight on November 2nd a plenary indulgence applicable to the souls of the departed may be gained by visiting a church, praying for the Pope’s intentions and reciting one Our Father and the Apostles Creed or any prayer of your choice. The indulgence may also be gained by visiting a cemetery and praying for the dead from 1st-8th November. DIOCESE OF ARDAGH AND CLONMACNOIS REMEMBRANCE SERVICE FOR NOVEMBER - This Service is to take place on Sunday 1st Nov. at 3pm in Cathedrals and Churches throughout the country, and people will be invited to participate via webcam and other online media from their homes
PARISH REMEMBRANCE MASS Monday Nov 2nd 7:00p.m. online
LIST OF THE DEAD - Anyone who wishes to have their loved ones remembered in our Parish during the month of November can place the name of their loved ones in the box which will be left in Sanctuary of each Church. (http://www.longfordparish.com/stmelstv.htm)
A  PRAYER BEFORE BEDTIME
The Sign of the Cross In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy
Spirit. Amen.
O my God,
As the evening falls I come to you in prayer.
I thank you for being with me in every moment of this day, guiding me and protecting me,
keeping me from harm.
 
On this November night
I bring before you in prayer all those dear to me who have died.
(Name those for whom you wish to pray).
Remember them God in your loving kindness.
May they now rest in your eternal peace.
 
May we who still miss them and grieve for them
find comfort in our belief that we will one day see them again
in the kingdom of heaven.
 
I remember in my prayer this night
all those who have died and who have no one to pray for them.
For these and for our loved ones I pray:
 
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, let perpetual light shine upon them.
May they rest in peace. Amen.
May the Lord support us all the day long,
till the shades lengthen and the evening comes,
and the busy world is hushed and the fever of life is over
and our work is done.
Then in His love and mercy may He give us a safe lodging, a holy rest and peace at last. Amen.
(Blessed Henry Newman)
The Sign of the Cross In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy
Spirit. Amen.
 
  A PRAYER BY THE GRAVESIDE
You may wish to bring flowers and/or holy water for the grave you are visiting.
The Sign of the Cross In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Prayer O Lord of life and hope, as I stand at this grave I remember with love (Name) (pause) Thank You for the gift of them in my life. I have been truly blessed by their presence, their words and actions, and their love. The pain of their loss is a reminder of the depth of the bond we shared. Give me the strength and courage to leave them in your care. Help me, O God, to realize that the distance between us now is not so great and that one day, I will be reunited with them in heaven, sharing in Your promise of eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Scripture tells us God’s word of consolation to us today
Romans 8:38-39 “I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, not present things, nor future things, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature will be able to separate us from the love of God.”
Psalm 116:7-8 “Return to your rest, my soul, for the Lord has been good to you. For you, Lord, have delivered me from death.”
Philippians 3:20 “Our true home is in heaven, and Jesus Christ whose return we long for will come from heaven to save us.”
Our Father / Decade of the Rosary
THE FIRST GLORIOUS MYSTERY, THE RESURRECTION Pray the Our Father or one Our Father, ten Hail Mary’s and one Glory be…
Concluding Prayer Lord, with reverence, I leave my prayers and love at this grave and I remember, in faith and hope, the promise of the day of resurrection. Until that day, eternal rest be to (Name) and to all the holy dead. I place this prayer before you through Christ our Lord. Amen. In the Name of the Father..and of the...
The Sign of the Cross In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
   
 
 
 

 ‘Remember In November’ – A Pastoral Letter from Bishop Francis Duffy 

November is a time to remember and pray for family members, colleagues, neighbours and friends who have died since this time last year. Those who have gone before us, those who were so much present with us, so central to our lives, have left us with a deep sense of loss. We look for peace, for healing of heartache, and for hope. This year is particularly difficult for those who have been bereaved since March. Those profound feelings of loss have been heightened by not being able to be present at a time of death and by the absence of the familiar family and community supports. 

Familiar Faces 

The lockdown and restrictions have impacted on how we say goodbye to our loved ones. Some sadly died without familiar faces around them, some left this life with the caring presence of hospital and nursing home staff, we are grateful to them. Familiar faces, consoling words and reminiscence are all important in our grieving process. Many have not had the traditional practices that help us: wakes, gatherings at home, reception of remains at the church and a funeral Mass with an unrestricted attendance. These experiences have added to the sense of loss. 

Sacraments 

We have been without the normal free flowing schedule of Masses and sacraments for over seven months now. Our priests and parishioners have made great efforts to keep our churches open and safe and welcoming, for this we are very thankful. Although we have moved online, and on television, for Mass, it is not the same. In his message for World Mission Day 2020, Pope Francis writes, ‘Being forced to observe social distancing and to stay at home invites us to rediscover that we need social relationships as well as our communal relationship with God.’ We long so much to be back in church, with the support of a gathering, and the meaningful participation of being present with others, an expression of who we are and what we believe in. 

Uncertainty for young people and the economy 

Our remembrance this November takes place at a time of continuing uncertainty, isolation and economic hardship. We take reassurance from the good practices learned in all areas of life about how to keep ourselves and others safe. Every day we should reassure our young people of our love and support and help them to nurture their God-given gifts. We take reassurance from the determination of our political leaders to bring us through this pandemic as safely and as socially and economically resilient as possible. We take reassurance from our belief in a caring God who encourages us to make wise decisions for the common good and to look out for each other. Jesus’ call to ‘love your neighbour as yourself’ has taken on a new meaning in the current context of caring and of keeping safe. Hope based in Jesus ensures all will be well We have the reassurance of the Lord that all will be well and that He will strengthen our ability to lift ourselves and others with resolve and hope during this terrible time. Resolve to do our very best to ensure maximum safety. Hope based in Jesus’ promise to be with us always ‘until the end of time’ (Matt 28: 20). In his extraordinary Urbi et Orbi address of March 2020, Pope Francis said, ‘In the midst of isolation when we are suffering from a lack of tenderness and chances to meet up, and we experience the loss of so many things, let us once again listen to the proclamation that saves us: he is risen and is living by our side’

The risen Lord is with us. 

#Remember in November During the month of November parishes will continue with their remembrance practices in so far as the restrictions allow, November lists, remembrance trees, candles and other local traditions. On Sunday 1 November at 3.00pm a special Remembrance Service will take place in Saint Mel’s Cathedral, Longford, and will be broadcast by webcam on www.longfordparish.com. I invite you to join us online as we remember, pray for those who have gone before us and for those who mourn. In a similar way on social media I encourage you to use the hashtag #RememberInNovember along with your prayerful messages to commemorate the souls of our loved ones. May our departed rest in peace and may the Lord bring consolation to those who grieve. +Francis Duffy, Bishop of Ardagh and Clonmacnois

 

Clonmacnois Parish

October 25th 2020

Fr. Tom Cox (Adm) Tel. 090 9674125/  0868319500

Email: clonmacnoiseparish@gmail.com

     WEB  shannonbridge.blogspot.ie

www.facebook.com/Parish-of-Clonmacnois                   

 

 
MASS SCHEDULE & INTENTIONS
St. Ciaran’s Church Shannonbridge
Saturday Vigil) 25th October. 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time. 7:00p.m. Kieran Rock (1st Anniv)
Monday 26th Oct   10a.m.
Tuesday 27th Oct (St. Otteran) 10a.m.
Wednesday 28th Oct ( SS Simon &Jude) 10a.m.
Thursday 29th Oct (St. Colman) 10a.m.
Friday 30th Oct  10a.m.
Saturday 31st Oct (Vigil) All Hallows Eve
7:00p.m Peoples Intention
  St. Ciaran’s Church  Clonfanlough
Sunday 25th October  30th Sunday
10:30a.m. Edward & Bridget Mannion
Sunday 1st November  All Saints
10:30a.m. Peoples’ intention
3:00p.m. Diocesan Remembrance Service   (http://www.longfordparish.com/stmelstv.htm)
OFFERTORY Oct 17th/18th  €325
[Will publish October Returns next week]
NOVEMBER REMEMBRANCE  One of the important dates in our Calendar has been the annual Mass for the bereaved celebrated in November. This  year we will have to celebrate this Mass online. I invite you to join us on the 2nd November, the Feast of All Souls at 7p.m. for this Mass. I ask you to inform other family members and friends who may wish to join in.
CHURCH COLLECTIONS
I list the ways people donate.
Moran’s Shop I am indebted to Fergal & Linda Moran of Moran’s Gala shop & Post Office who continue to offer a drop in facility.
Presbytery Letterbox Some leave envelopes in my door which I secure right away! Or to me in person.
Clonfanlough Box Sunday 10:30-12:15 at pier
Bank Transfer  There is the option of Electronic Transfer  which some have chosen to sue. I just leave the details below and a request that you put your name or box number in the reference section. Instructions below.
Name of Account Clonmacnois Parochial Account.
BIC-BOFIIE2DXXX    
IBAN-IE90BOFI90368011629381 Please put your name and/or your box number in reference section. 
 30th SUNDAY OF THE YEAR -
In today’s extract from Matthew’s Gospel Jesus reduces the 613 regulations of the Old Law to just two basic commandments: Love God and love your neighbour. The two are closely intertwined and Victor Hugo expressed this truth quite beautifully at the end of his classic work ‘Les Miserables’: ‘To love another person is to see the face of God’. American author Kyle Idleman annunciates the same truth from the other end of the spectrum by saying ‘we love others best when we love God most’. It begins with God. All we have and are comes from Him and awareness of that fact is the wellspring from which love of self and neighbour flow. If we accept that God has fashioned man and woman in His own                                                                                                                                                                                                                             image then all people are loveable. What then does love of neighbour look like? The answer lies close to home! The wonderful Musical ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ contains a memorable and touching scene where the husband Tevye asks his wife Golde, ‘do you love me’? Her reply is powerful in its’ simplicity: ‘for twenty five years I’ve washed your clothes, cooked your meals, cleaned your house, given you children, milked the cow… If that’s not love, what is’? Indeed!
 World Mission Sunday: On behalf of Pope Francis and the poorest and most vulnerable communities in our wider Church family, thank you for supporting World Mission Sunday last weekend. Your kindness &  prayers for our overseas missionaries and the people they serve are  appreciated &  needed. To donate go to www.wmi.ie/mission, call Fiona on 01 4972035, or lodge directly: IBAN—IE12 BOFI 9007 5456 9616 36, BIC—BOFIIE2D,  A/c name—Society for the Propagation of the Faith.
 CLOCKS GO BACK—don’t forget to put your clocks back one hour  at 1am on Sunday Morning.
CONGRATULATIONS to Jim Killeen & Ciara Finn who married recently
 
 DOON/SHANNONBRIDGE GAA CLUB LOTTERY Draw held 19.10.2020 Winning numbers 3-12-16-28 No Jackpot winner. One Match 3 winners. Jackpot now stands at €4,000. Draw  online on Facebook Live Oct 26th
WEST OFFALY TRAINING - West Offaly Training has some great courses coming up via ZOOM - this month we have Infection Control, Meet & Code on the 27th, 28th & 29th which is free, Halloween class for the kids on the 30th. Computers for older children (13+), Manual Handling, Train the Trainer, More About Autism and many more all coming in November - the best thing about all of our courses is that you can participate from anywhere. Call 0579152003 or email carmelwestoffalytraining@gmail.com to find out more.
 An uplifting letter from the oldest person in Ireland—Nancy Stewart My name is Nancy Stewart and I was born on the 16th of October 1913. This weekend I turn 107 years of age. Imagine turning 107 in a world pandemic. This definitely is something very unusual even for me and all I have been through. I live in Clonard in County Meath and have lived in my home for over 83 years. I lost my husband in a car crash in 1989, and lost my twin daughters Margaret in 2007 to motor neurone and Anne in 2010 to utter heartbreak of losing her sister. I’ve lost all my friends throughout the years which comes with living so long on this earth. I’m very lucky to still have three daughters Kathleen, Mary and Olive and one son Finian and I have 84 grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren. I have faced many heart-breaking moments and also have seen many hard times in our country witnessing world wars, division in our people and numerous sad times for our nation. I write to you today to send you my love and to offer you my prayers. We are in a very difficult time at the moment in our country, in our lives and in our world. But I reach out to you in this letter to offer you hope, faith and belief that everything will be ok in the end. We are in another stage of this battle against the virus but we will get through this. Like everything I’ve been through since the day I was born in 1913, no matter how bad things have got, I’m the living proof that we can survive and in years to come, this will just be a distant memory. I have a great faith and it has helped me keep positive throughout the struggles I’ve met. I thank you for keeping your faith and for keeping your resilience strong, through this hard time. Sadly for the moment, we can no longer stretch out to a friend and embrace them nor can we call to each other’s houses. But I’m here to share my story. I have been in lockdown in my house since March, alongside my granddaughter Louise and even though it has been a tough time, we have got through it together. We drink tea. We say prayers. We bake. We laugh. We make phone calls. I can even video call lots of my family and friends and am making new friends everyday that God gives me on this earth. And that’s a very important thing to say. If you are feeling low, make sure to try call someone or even go for a walk. I also ask God to help me if I’m feeling low. This is a hard time for everyone but please make sure you keep yourself well and wear your mask. If you keep healthy, your mind will stay healthy too. Keep talking to one another. All my life I have always believed in chatting and drinking tea and saying a prayer or a decade of the rosary and it has got me through. This is our moment to keep our faith and to keep believing that everything will turn out ok. We must try to make sure we leave nobody behind and also that we don’t lose sight of each other. This is a moment for humanity to step forward to take care of the other. We must mind ourselves but we must also mind all those around us. Look up and smile even if you have your mask on. Your eyes will smile and that might be all someone needs to keep going. No good deed ever goes unnoticed so try your best to keep being good. We are not here to live for ourselves but to live for each other. I can’t believe I’ve made it to this age, I only feel like I’m 50 but now that I’m here, all I can say is please God I’ll be here for my next birthday. We must always look forward. I can’t believe I’m the oldest person in Ireland living in my own home, I don’t feel that old. When God wants me, he will come take me but for now I will keep enjoying my life, I’ll keep loving my family and I’ll keep saying my prayers day by day…..oh and not to forget eating lots of good wholesome food is my tip. Good food and lots of tea is my secret to a long life as well as keeping positive as best we can. We must always look forward and hope for the best. Thank you for thinking of me in your prayers and your thoughts and I promise I will think of you in my many rosaries I say everyday. Thank you so much for reading my letter also and I hope I have, in even a little way, helped you feel less alone in this moment. There is always hope and once we keep talking to one another, no day will seem empty and we can get through this together. It only takes a small candle to take away the dark and in each of us, we can be that light in the world. This hard time will indeed pass like all the rest and all that matters is that we helped each other through. Many blessings &much love,Granny Nancy x Clonard
RECENT DEATHS June Gilson 22 Oct (London & Tullamore)  Mother of Alan Gilson (Glebe)
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 

 CLONMACNOIS PARISH OCTOBER 18TH 2020 

Clonmacnois Parish

October 18th 2020

Fr. Tom Cox (Adm) Tel. 090 9674125/  0868319500

Email: clonmacnoiseparish@gmail.com

     WEB  shannonbridge.blogspot.ie

www.facebook.com/Parish-of-Clonmacnois                   

 

(Photo by Mary Egan- Lisdermott, Ferbane)

29th SUNDAY OF THE YEAR -

MISSION SUNDAY

Today we join with over one billion of our Catholic brothers and sisters around the world who are observing Mission Sunday. It is a day when our attention is drawn to the Baptismal Font, the place where our faith journey began. On that day we were called to be sharers in the mission of the Church. Mission is at the heart of our Church because our Founder, Christ was the first missionary. If you take all references to mission out of the Bible, you will have nothing left except the covers! Consequently, the true greatness of our Church lies not in how many it seats it fills but in how many it sends! The Church must send or the Church will end! We are sent then, to make His voice heard and His face seen. All we need to be successful missionaries is embedded in the gifts, talents, capabilities, dreams and visions we possess. We just need to use them!
 
Take Care  President Michael D. Higgins
 In the journey to the light,
the dark moments should not threaten. Belief requires that you hold steady. Bend, if you will, with the wind.
The tree is your teacher,
roots at once more firm
from experience in the soil made fragile. Your gentle dew will come and a stirring In the misery of the I, in rage,
 it is easy to cry out against all others; but to weaken is to die in the misery of knowing the journey abandoned towards the sharing of all human hope and cries, is the loss of all we know of the divine reclaimed for our shared humanity. Hold firm. Take care. Come home together.
 
MASS SCHEDULE & INTENTIONS
St. Ciaran’s Church Shannonbridge
Sat 17th 7:00p.m. John Flannery (Anniv)
Monday, 19th October. 10a.m. St. Paul of the Cross.
Tuesday, 20th October. 10a.m.
Wednesday, 21st October. 10a.m.
Thursday, 22nd Oct 10amSt. John Paul II, Pope.
Friday, 23rd October. 10am St. John of Capistrano
Saturday, 24th October. St. Anthony Mary Claret
7:00p.m. Kieran Rock (1st Anniv)
Saturday Vigil) Sunday, 26th October. 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time.
  St. Ciaran’s Church  Clonfanlough
Sunday 18th October 10:30a.m. 29th (Mission Sun)
Tim Devery (Carrowkeel) Anniv
Sunday 25th October  30th Sunday
10:30a.m. Edward & Bridget Mannion
 
Remembrance of the Dead and Prayer for the Bereaved: This year, the month of November, in which we traditionally remember the dead and pray for the bereaved, will be particularly poignant. We sense a huge yearning for consolation and hope in the heart of our people. We are especially mindful in 2020 of those grieving families, who, because of restrictions, have been unable to experience the customary spiritual and community supports which are so much part of our Irish tradition. On November 1st at 3.00 p.m. the bishops and priests of Ireland will lead a short service of prayer to dedicate the month of November to “Remembrance of the Dead and Prayer for the Bereaved”. We invite the whole country to unite in this moment which well be followed by parish liturgies throughout the month of November, reaching out as much as possible to those who cannot by physically present. (Bishop Francis)
OFFERTORY Oct 10th/11th  €415
Harvest Dues €1,710
 
CHURCH COLLECTIONS
I list the ways people donate.
Moran’s Shop I am indebted to Fergal & Linda Moran of Moran’s Gala shop & Post Office who continue to offer a drop in facility.
Presbytery Letterbox Some leave envelopes in my door which I secure right away! Or to me in person.
Clonfanlough Box Sunday 10:30-12:15 at pier
Bank Transfer  There is the option of Electronic Transfer  which some have chosen to sue. I just leave the details below and a request that you put your name or box number in the reference section. Instructions below.
Name of Account Clonmacnois Parochial Account.
BIC-BOFIIE2DXXX    
IBAN-IE90BOFI90368011629381 Please put your name and/or your box number in reference section. 
 
 
 
World Mission Sunday 18th October 2020. World Mission Sunday is Pope Francis’ annual appeal for spiritual and financial support so the life-giving work of overseas missionaries can continue. Worryingly, it is in jeopardy. The pandemic will mean less offerings for this vital collection. The implication for overseas communities in the months ahead will be devastating. In many of our poorer parishes in Africa, Asia and Latin America, it is missionaries who are on the front line. They already do so much. Walking hand in hand with struggling communities, long before and after any emergency. Covid 19 adds even more challenges for these women and men, many of whom are in war-torn countries; remote areas where political conflicts, violent protests, extreme poverty, malnutrition and disease are rife. These are crises faced on a daily basis and looking beyond Covid 19, sadly these crises will remain. YOUR support of World Mission Sunday will play an enormous part in easing suffering by providing overseas missionaries with essential aid.
If you are in a position to help, envelopes are available in the Church or at the Parochial House or just put your donation in any envelope marked Mission Support. Alternatively, offering can by made over the phone by calling 01/ 4972035 or go online at www.wmi.ie/mission.
Mission Sunday Prayer. Lord God, I ask you for grace and strength for our Missionaries. Watch over them, be with them in their trials and struggles, and keep them safe. Be with their families and all who are special to them. Guide, direct and support them today and always. Amen
 
Mission responds to life. The challenge for the Church’s mission right now is that of “Understanding what God is saying to us at this time of pandemic”, Pope Francie acknowledges. As people die alone or are abandoned, as others lost their jobs, with the necessity of social distancing or staying at home, the Pope says that we are invited “to rediscover that we need social relationships as well as our communal relationship with God”. This situation can increase our awareness of the need to relate to others, he says. God will touch our hearts through prayer which will always open us to understand others’ needs. Those of us who have not been able to participate in the Church’s liturgical life now understand “the experience of the many Christian communities that cannot celebrate Mass every Sunday”, the Pope said
 
DOON/SHANNONBRIDGE GAA CLUB LOTTERY Draw held 12.10.2020 Winning numbers 1-6-27-28 No Jackpot winner. Three Match 3 winners. Jackpot now stands at €3,800. Draw  online on Facebook Live Oct 19th
 
WEST OFFALY TRAINING - We have some great courses coming up via ZOOM. Infection Control on Tuesday 20th, Meet & Code, 27th, 28th & 29th (FREE) and a Halloween Class for the kids on the 30th. Computers for older children (13+), Manual Handling, Train the Trainer, More About Autism and many more all coming in November. Contact: 057 9152003 or email carmelwestoffalytraining@gmail.com.
 
Caring for our Common Home: Coming together with Laudato Sí (Pope Francis’ letter to the world on the environment) with presenter Ms. Jane Mellett, Laudato Sí Officer, Trócaire. Awakening: What in the world is happening - October 20th Conversion: A Spirituality Which Includes All that Lives - October 27th These evenings will explore the climate crisis. A short presentation will be followed by questions and a facilitated discussion. 7.30 – 8.30 p.m. via Zoom. Details, bookings, link: info@galilee.ie
 
MABS: The Money Advice and Budgeting Service is the State’s money advice service, and is free, independent and confidential. We can advise on mortgage and personal loan arrears, rent arrears, utility arrears and other debts. We also offer general budgeting advice. If you have a problem debt, or if your debt may become a problem please contact MABS today. LOCAL OFFICE: Tullamore, Co Offaly. Tel: 076 1072710. Email: Offaly@mabs.ie
 
Covid 19 Support Line ALONE is the name of a support line for older people who have concerns relating to the virus Covid 19. Professional staff are available to answer queries, and give advice and reassurance when necessary. This service is open 7 days a week, 8.00am to 8.00pm. Phone 0818222024
Family Rosary Crusade: Families and friends in the Parish and all over Ireland are invited during this month of October to pray the Rosary for God’s Protection during this time of the coronavirus
JUST A THOUGHT There are only two days in the year that nothing can be done. One is called yesterday and the other is called tomorrow, so today is the right day to love, believe, do and mostly live.
 
Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise, so I am changing myself. Rumi