CLONMACNOIS PARISH BULLETIN DECEMBER 6th 2020
Clonmacnois Parish
December 6th 2020
Fr. Tom Cox (Adm) Tel. 090 9674125/ 0868319500 Radio 106.5FM
WEB shannonbridge.blogspot.ie
FACEBOOK https://fb.me/saintciarans
MASS SCHEDULE & INTENTIONS
St. Ciaran’s Church Shannonbridge
Saturday, 5th December 7p.m. Kieran, Mary Ann & Brian Flannery
St. Ciaran’s Church Clonfanlough
Sunday, 6th December. 2nd Sunday in Advent 10:30a.m. Acknowledgement & Thanksgiving Mass for intentions of all who sympathised at death of late June Gilson mother of Alan Gilson & family(Glebe)
Kieran, Mary Ann & Brian Flannery
Sunday 13th December 10:30a.m.
Kieran & Mary Daly & Tom Mannion
Diary 2021: To book an Anniversary Mass
CHURCH COLLECTIONS November Shrine €510 Mission Sunday €380
If you would like to be added to our Parish List please let me know. Some prefer to use Electronic Transfer by Bank. On behalf of your parish– thank you. .
SVP - As we are not allowed to have our annual Church Gate Collection we will be leaving envelopes in the Church porches, anybody who wishes t o contribute can return the envelopes with the offertory collection or can drop them in the letterbox in the Presbytery. Your generous support throughout the years has been very much appreciated, we would like to sincerely thank you for your help and support
“Prepare a way for the Lord”
The words of John the Baptist came alive for me during a trip to Thailand some years ago. In that country, whenever the King sets out on a journey the police go before him to clear the roads so that he can travel unhindered. All traffic and people must give way to the monarch. In Advent all roads lead to Bethlehem and during this time we the followers of Jesus are asked to make way for the King. We are to remove all obstacles from our hearts that keep Him at a distance. Perhaps there are valleys of hurt to be filled in, mountains of bitterness to be laid low, crooked paths of division to be straightened. Whatever the obstacle, let us use the season of opportunity to put things right. Advent minded people should never live by the ‘rule of tomorrow’.
The last nine months have been very difficult for many people with the continuing threat to health, lives and livelihood. As we prepare for Christmas during this season of Advent we remember that Jesus Christ was born into a family and there he grew up. Although Church activities have been restricted for most of this year our commitment to safeguarding children continues. I thank Parish Safeguarding Representatives and our priests for their thorough and vigilant work in ensuring the safety of children and adults at risk in our Church related activities. I encourage anyone with concerns regarding the safety of children or anyone who suffered in the past to contact our Designated Liaison Person, Sean Leydon (087 743 1649) or our Deputy Designated Liaison Person, Róisín O’Doherty (087 705 7516).Francis Duffy Bishop of Ardagh & Clonmacnois
ONLINE ADVENT CALENDAR www.catholicbishops.ie/adventcalendar.
CHRISTMAS 2020 ARRANGEMENTS
Shannonbridge Dec 24th 5pm & 9pm
Clonfanlough Dec 24th 7pm
Of course!
More silent and with more depth.
More like unto the first one, when Jesus was born in solitude.
Without many lights on earth
but with the star of Bethlehem
shining on paths of life in its immensity.
Without colossal royal processions
but with the humility of feeling as if we are
shepherds, young and old, seeking the Truth.
Without big tables and with bitter absences
but with the presence of a God who will fill everything.
Will there be Christmas? Of course!
Without streets overflowing with people
with our hearts burning
for the One who is about to arrive.
Without noise or festivals,
complaints or stampedes …
but living the Mystery without fear
of the “COVID-Herod” that tries to
rob us even of the dream of waiting.
There will be Christmas because GOD is on our side
and He shares, as Christ did in a manger,
our poverty, trials, tears, anguish & orphanhood.
There will be Christmas because we need
a divine light in the midst of such darkness.
COVID-19 will never be able to reach the heart or soul
of those who put their hope and their high ideal in heaven.
THERE WILL BE CHRISTMAS!
WE WILL SING CHRISTMAS CAROLS!
GOD WILL BE BORN AND WILL BRING US FREEDOM! (J. Leoz)
CHRISTMAS DINNERS Regrettably with the present circumstances both the Clonfanlough and Shannonbridge meals for our local Seniors have to be postponed. The committees send their very best wishes to all.
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