Clonmacnois Parish

January 31st 2021

Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

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

Email: clonmacnoiseparish@gmail.com

     WEB  shannonbridge.blogspot.ie

FACEBOOK https://fb.me/saintciarans

FOURTH  SUNDAY OF THE YEAR
‘There was a man possessed by an unclean spirit’
In the first chapter of St. Mark’s Gospel we are given an insight into a day in the life of Jesus as He moves from prayer to active ministry. We find Him teaching in the synagogue, visiting the home of Peter, healing those who were sick and finally, praying in the wilderness. On entering the synagogue He is confronted by a man possessed by an unclean spirit. It is His first encounter with the Kingdom of Darkness and marks the beginning of a ferocious battle that will continue from Capernaum to Calvary. Good and evil are very hard to explain or understand. What we do know is that each of us is a mixture of both. ‘The battle line between good and evil runs through the heart of every person’ (Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn). The struggle is essentially an internal one. Consequently, we should make it our constant care to nourish our hearts with all that is good, beautiful, noble and worthwhile so that the light may triumph over the darkness. The greatest threat to our efforts occurs when the lines become blurred, when the unacceptable is seen as acceptable, the indefensible as defensible, the inappropriate as appropriate. This blurring of lines is sadly, a hallmark of our increasingly secular world. To see evil and call it good, mocks God. To see the good and choose the good, gives Him glory.
 ALL MASSES ONLINE—LEVEL 5
Sat 30th (St. Aidan of Ferns)
Vigil 7:00p.m. Anniv. Tommy, Geraldine & Simon McManus
Sunday  31st 10:30a.m. 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time  Patrick (Paddy) Dolan Glebe, Belmont , his parents & dec’d family members.
[You could leave a cloth outside for Brigid’s blessing tonight..an old tradition. Bratach Bríd ]
Mon. 1st Feb 10am- Feast of St. Brigid.
Anniv Mai (31st A) & Sean Hamell
If you wish you may make a St. Brigid’s cross and at the 10.00 am Mass I will say a prayer of blessing over all the crosses that have been made and are in the homes of the Parish. 
Tues 2nd Feb. 10am  & 7p.m- Candlemas Day:Today is the feast of the presentation of Jesus in the temple. Normally people bring candles to the church for blessing. This year, you may have the candles in your home and I will say a prayer of blessing over the candles at 10.00  or streamed online from Shannonbridge Church at 7pm for Candles left
Wed 3rd Feb. 10am Feast of St. Blaise:
Thurs 4th Feb. 10am Peoples Intention
Fri. 5th Feb. 10am
Sat 6th Feb  7:00p.m. Edel Anderson
Sunday 7th February (St. Mel’s Day)
10:30a.m.  Anniv Padraig Devery (Clonlyon)
RECENT  DEATHS  John (Jack) Carry (Ballinasloe/Roscrea) uncle of Joe Kenny & Charlie Carry (St. Kieran's Park)
 OFFERTORY Jan 24th €480  Jan Shrine €320 Jan Monthly €845
. CHURCH COLLECTIONS via …
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
-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
 1st February, St Brigid’s Day.
Weaver God, accept the offering of ourselves, of our separate strands, to be woven in and out, over, under and through. Grant us eyes to see the whole, of which we are a part, to see the tapestry you weave, calling us beyond our aloneness and security, to be surprised by miracles. Help us to perceive that it is out of parts that we weave a whole.
May Brigid bless us, possess us, caress us, with her ever faithful love. May Brigid hold us, enfold us, console us, with her ever faithful love.
A Naomh Bríd, a Mhuire na nGael, scar orainn do bhrat. A Naomh Bríd, a chroí na féile, stiúir sinn ar an mbóthar ceart. A Naomh Bríd, gheanúil ghrástúil, ar ár namhaid cosain sinn.  A Naomh Bríd, a bhean rialta álainn, ar uair ár mbáis glaoigh orainn.
 
 SEEKING OLD PHOTOGRAPHS -  Brosna Press are seeking old black and white photographs for inclusion in a forthcoming book of photographs from the early 1900s up to the 1960s. The photo can be of any subject, depicting life in West Offaly from the turn of the century onwards. Photographs will be carefully scanned and promptly returned to their owner.  If you have access to a scanner you can upload your photo at brosnapress.ie. All photographs to be supplied with captions. We are particularly interested in photos from Shannonbridge, Clonfanlough and Clonmacnoise. Call 090 6454327 Email diarmuid@brosnapress.ie  for more information.
 
SHANNONBRIDGE GAA  Lotto Results 25th Jan 2021  1-8-20-31  No match three’s and no jackpot winner  Next weeks jackpot is a whopping €7,600!
PTAA - TEMPERANCE SUNDAY falls this year on Valentine’s Day, 14th Feb. Parents with young children could make another pledge of love & give up alcohol for the 6 weeks of Lent.
 
FEBRUARY  St Brigid’s month, the beginning of Spring, month of the lambs, month of three kinds of weather: rain wind and snow . The gloomy days of Winter are over. This is the time of year when the plants thrive and grow and already the snowdrops, crocuses and daffodils are above ground.  Lord, be with us during the month of February and may we praise and glorify you forever. Amen
 
POPE’S INTENTION for this month is: We pray for women who are victims of violence, that they may be protected by society and have their sufferings considered and heeded.
MISSING DOG A 3 year old Rough Collie since Sunday, Jan 24th around midday in Clonmacnois. Family pet, dark brown with some white and black features. He is very friendly and is microchipped. Contact 087 1388344 if you have any information
CEMETERY & HOLLY WREATHS Every year we have an annual ritual of  January dumping these items at the walls or worse into the next field. Could I plead with you to please bring  all items to discard from plots home with you.
A THOUGHT  Each day I am thankful for Nights that turned into Mornings, Friends that turned into Family, Dreams that turned into Reality and Likes that turned into Love.
 
 Monday 1st Feb is the Feast of St. Brigid and the first day of Spring. May the mantle of Brigit's loving care stretch over and protect our people these dark and anxious days. We place all who are in Hospital and in our Nursing Homes and all who care and protect them in the care of St. Brigid. May she weave a cross of blessings by their bedside as she did long age.
Tuesday 2nd Feb is Feast of the Presentation of the Lord  (Candlemas Day). The official end of Christmas Season on this 40th Day.. On this day we celebrate the gift that is Religious Life.
We remember all from our Parish who entered religious life and who by the witness of their life proclaimed the Gospel message.  
Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday evening at 7 p.m. At this Mass all of your candles will be blessed. You may wish to leave your wrapped/labelled candles spaced apart on the steps of the Sanctuary . I can also bless the candles you have in your home via the Webcam at Mass .
Blessing of Candles: O God, true light, who create light eternal, spreading it far and wide, pour, we pray, into the hearts of the faithful the brilliance of perpetual light, so that all who are brightened in your holy temple by the splendour of these candles may happily reach the light of your glory. Through Christ our Lord.
 A Prayer to St. Brigid, Feast – 1st February
Brigid: You were a woman of peace,
You brought harmony where there was conflict.
You brought light to the darkness.
You brought hope to the downcast.
May the mantle of your peace
cover those who are troubled and anxious,
and may peace be firmly rooted
in our hearts and in our world.
Inspire us to act justly and to reverence all God has made.  Brigid you were a voice for the wounded and the weary. Strengthen what is weak within us.  Calm us into a quietness that heals and listens. May we grow each day into greater wholeness in mind, body & spiritAMEN
St. Brigid’s Blessing
May Brigid bless the house where you
dwell. Bless every fireside every wall and door.
Bless every heart that beats beneath its roof. Bless every hand that toils to bring it joy.
Bless every foot that walks its portals
through. May Brigid bless the house that shelters you.
A Prayer to St. Blaise  Feast – 3rd February
Through the intercession of St. Blaise, bishop and martyr, may the Lord deliver you/me/us from all ailments of the throat and from every other sickness, in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

Clonmacnois Parish

January 24th 2021

Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

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

Email: clonmacnoiseparish@gmail.com

     WEB  shannonbridge.blogspot.ie

FACEBOOK https://fb.me/saintciarans

 

ALL MASSES ONLINE—LEVEL 5
Sat 23rd Jan 7p.m. Rita Kenny (2nd)
Sun 24th Jan 10:30a.m. 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Peoples Intention
Mon 25th  10a.m (Conversion of St. Paul) Anniv: Tess & Tommy Corbett
Tues 26th 10am Ss Timothy & Titus
Wed 27th 10am St. Angela Merici (founder of Ursulines)
Thurs 28th 10amSt.Thomas Aquinas
Fri 29th 10a.m (St. Gildas the Wise) Margaret, Michael & Denis Kelly
Sat 30th (St. Aidan of Ferns)
Vigil 7:00p.m. Tommy, Geraldine & Simon McManus
Sun 31st 10:30a.m. 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time
RECENT DEATHS   Your prayers please for the soul of Bridie Geraghty Roscommon Rd. Athlone. (Mother of Imelda Geraghty-Dillworth )
 THIRD SUNDAY OF THE YEAR
Casting and mending
Jesus’ new team takes shape. Four men, Peter, Andrew, James and John are selected. Ordinary people doing their everyday chores are now called to do extraordinary things. Fishermen casting and mending nets are summoned to become fishers of men and women. From a life bringing fish to shore they are now asked to bring people to God. I wonder why Jesus chose fishermen to be His first disciples? Could it have been something to do with the qualities of patience and persistence that are essential to the work of the fisherman? The good fisherman never gives up. The persistent fisherman tends to catch more and bigger fish. The patient fisherman will always find an imaginative way. As with the fishermen so it is with disciples of every age. Today as ever the disciple must find ways of casting out to those who have never heard the Good News and, increasingly, to those who have slipped from the net. The disciple must mend too. The more progress we make in our world the more brokenness lies all around. The casting and mending of the nets represent the Church’s unchanging twofold task of maintenance and mission, a task that demands today as never before the qualities of the fisherman - patience and persistence.
 The Hill We Climb: (Amanda Gorman)
And so we lift our gazes not to what stands between us
but what stands before us
We close the divide because we know, to put our future first, we must first put our differences aside
We lay down our arms
so we can reach out our arms
 to one another
We seek harm to none and harmony for all
Let the globe, if nothing else, say this is true:
That even as we grieved, we grew
That even as we hurt, we hoped
That even as we tired, we tried
That we’ll forever be tied together, victorious
Not because we will never again know defeat
but because we will never again sow division
Scripture tells us to envision
that everyone shall sit under their own vine and fig tree
and no one shall make them afraid.
(Extract from Inauguration of President Joe Biden)
 SEEKING OLD PHOTOGRAPHS -  Brosna Press are seeking old black and white photographs for inclusion in a forthcoming book of photographs from the early 1900s up to the 1960s. The photo can be of any subject, depicting life in West Offaly from the turn of the century onwards. Photographs will be carefully scanned and promptly returned to their owner.  If you have access to a scanner you can upload your photo at brosnapress.ie. All photographs to be supplied with captions. We are particularly interested in photos from Shannonbridge, Clonfanlough and Clonmacnoise. Call 090 6454327 or email diarmuid@brosnapress.ie for more information.
SHANNONBRIDGE GAA  Lotto Results 18th Jan 2021  2-25-28-29
3 match three’s and no jackpot winner  Next weeks jackpot is a whopping €7,200!
Important Notice:   GAA AGM Zoom details  Everyone is welcome!
Topic: Shannonbridge GAA 2020 AGM              Time: Jan 26, 2021 08:30 PM Dublin
Join Zoom Meeting Meeting ID: 741 8609 7658       Passcode: kS1C71
PTAA - TEMPERANCE SUNDAY falls this year on Valentine’s Day, 14th Feb. Parents with young children could make another pledge of love & give up alcohol for the 6 weeks of Lent.
REFLECTING ON AN INAUGURATION  Why is it that the same words spoken by two different people can have such a different effect. For example, listen to me read Shakespeare … and then listen to an actor use the same words. It’s the same with liturgy: one person grabs the attention of a congregation and they go through the words to a different place; someone else does it and it’s like having the telephone directory read out. I say this because yesterday’s inauguration ceremony in Washington was pregnant with resonant language. For example, that we should be judged not by the example of our power, but by the power of our example. A truism? Maybe. But, the words create a space, suggesting a first word and not the final nail in a dogma. There is room to explore – as my own imagination did during the ceremony. “Here we stand”, said the President. And I thought of Martin Luther, standing in front of the emperor five hundred years ago and articulating that all-too-human predicament: I hold to this conviction, but with vulnerability before the potential cost. We heard of St Augustine, often maligned as the original sinner when it comes to sex, but who couldn’t escape the depths of love and grace and mercy. We heard Amazing Grace – a familiar hymn which is dragged from the depths of a complex and conflicted man (John Newton) who knew that when all is stripped away, we are left with a human fragility that knows its need of unmerited generosity and mercy. As Jesus told his friends prior to his own death: if you are to live and give grace, you need first to recognise your own need of it and receive it. The thing about yesterday was that, whether spoken or accompanied by music, words have the power to transcend mere pragmatism – policies and how to enact them in legislation, for instance; they inspire the imagination. This is language that resonates, that is spacious, that lifts our eyes and hearts to perceive an experience that might hitherto have eluded us. I think this is what was being addressed yesterday. Not the language of settling scores. Not an articulation of pride or self-consciousness. Not an expression of dry dogma. But, as Amanda Gorman illustrated, a poetry that clears a way for hope. Surely it’s the poets who penetrate the jungle of defended argument and debate. For the poet uses words to shine light from a different angle, surprising the imagination, subverting expectation, and opening our eyes to a new possibility. In silent vigil for those who have died of Covid, Joe Biden said: “To heal, we must remember.” I would add: “ To heal, we must be surprised by subversive words of love.”  Bishop Nick Baines
CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK Jan 24– 31st 2021 (Theme Communities of Faith and Resilience.  As our school buildings remain closed this week we are conscious of the domestic school taking place at home As we live through an unprecedented time of challenge and uncertainty, our faith and our resilience can be tested. We can ask questions like “will things ever be the same again?”, “When can we get back to normality?”, Where is God in all of this?” In response to this, we reflect upon how Catholic Schools are communities of faith and resilience. In Catholic Schools, we are called to support each other and to have faith in the promise of the Good News. Catholic Schools are inspired by the belief that God has created each one of us with capacity to give love and receive love. This love is bound in faith and is more resilient than any virus. While each Catholic School is such a community, every Catholic School fosters the holistic development of its students, promotes their well being and offers them cultivation of a deeper, loving relationship with God. Jesus teaches us to love one another as he has loved us. This week, we celebrate the gifts and talents we have in following Jesus’ teaching. This year we celebrate how we are called to be communities of faith and resilience, through our thoughts, words and actions. In doing so, we live out the meaning of the beautiful hymn Ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est. (Where charity and love are, God is there )
 
 
OFFERTORY Jan 17th €740
. CHURCH COLLECTIONS via …
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
CEMETERY & HOLLY WREATHS Every year we have an annual ritual of  January dumping these items at the walls or worse into the next field. Could I ask you to please bring away from plots
WORD OF GOD SUNDAY Jan 24th   A Prayer  Dear God, this is a scary time, but I know You are in control. I pray for protection over my loved ones and friends. Please keep them safe from this virus. I ask that you place Your angels around each one of us to protect our bodies. You will be the only One who gets us through. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
 
 

 

 Clonmacnois Parish

January 17th 2021

Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

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

Email: clonmacnoiseparish@gmail.com

     WEB  shannonbridge.blogspot.ie

FACEBOOK https://fb.me/saintciarans

ALL MASSES ONLINE—LEVEL 5
Sat 16th Jan  7:00p.m Seamus Grennan
Sun 17th Jan 10:30am Peoples Intention
Mon 18th Jan 10a.m. Mass
Tues 19th Jan 10a.m. Mass
Wed 20th Jan 10a.m. Mass (St. Fabian)
Thurs 21st Jan 10a.m. Mass (St. Agnes)
Fri 22nd Jan 7p.m. Kieran Kelly M/M
Sat 23rd Jan 7p.m. Rita Kenny
Sun 24th Jan 10:30a.m. 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Peoples Intention
RECENT DEATHS Sean Dolan  Aughrim, Ballinasloe (died 6/1/21) brother in law of Kiearn & Eoghan Devery Clonlyon. Sean built extension to sacristy in Clonfanlough Church some years ago.
OFFERTORY Jan 10th €248
. CHURCH COLLECTIONS
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. 
 SECOND SUNDAY OF THE YEAR
‘What are you looking for’?
‘What are you looking for’? These are the first recorded words of Jesus in St. John’s Gospel as He addresses His new disciples. It is the most fundamental question in life. One could say that the rest of the Gospel contains a series of responses to that question. For those seeking nourishment for the soul Jesus says ‘I am the bread of life’. For the many longing for hope in the darkness that surrounds us, Jesus says ‘I am the light of the world’. For those searching for a meaningful authentic way to live Jesus says ‘I am the Way’. For all who crave truth in a world of ‘fake news’ Jesus says ‘I am the Truth’. For the young and old of every nation who need reassurance in the face of death Jesus says ‘I am the resurrection and the life’. Having posed the question, Jesus invites the disciples to ‘come and see’. By spending time with Him, they not only came to see who He was, but they came to see who they could be. Having begun as seekers they moved to being followers and ended as disciples. If we want to go beneath the surface of our lives and find the answers to our deepest questions, we must spend time in His presence. He alone is the answer. If He is not the answer, there is no answer, but we must ‘come and see’.
 Mobile Foot Health Practitioner Service - House Calls Available Daytime and Evening. Contact Maura at 086-8053671 to arrange an appointment.
Strength for this Challenging Time We pray for your love and compassion to abound as we walk through this challenging season. We ask for wisdom for those who bear the load of making decisions with widespread consequences. We pray for those who are suffering with sickness and all who are caring for them. We ask for protection for the elderly and vulnerable to not succumb to the risks of the virus. We pray for misinformation to be curbed that fear may take no hold in hearts and minds. As we exercise the good sense that you in your mercy provide, may we also approach each day in faith and peace, trusting in the truth of your goodness towards us. Amen.
The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity  (Jan 18-25th) in 2021 has been prepared by the Monastic Community of Grandchamp in Switzerland. The theme that was chosen, “Abide in my love and you shall bear much fruit”, is based on John 15:1- 17 and expresses Grandchamp Community’s vocation to prayer, reconciliation and unity in the Church and the human family.
 Stamps for the Missions: Keep the stamps from your post, leave a small margin around each stamp and post them to St. Patrick's, Kiltegan, Co. Wicklow or you can drop them into the Convent in Ferbane.
 Mother and Baby Homes report:
 I welcome the publication of the Mother & Baby Homes Report. As a Church leader today, I accept that the Church was clearly part of that culture in which people were frequently stigmatized, judged and rejected. For that, and for the long-lasting hurt and emotional distress that has resulted, I unreservedly apologise to the survivors and to all those who are personally impacted by the realities it uncovers. Mindful of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which calls us to protect life and dignity and to treat everyone – especially little children and all who are vulnerable – with love, compassion and mercy, I believe the Church must continue to acknowledge before the Lord and before others its part in sustaining what the Report describes as a “harsh … cold and uncaring atmosphere”. The Commission’s Report helps to further open to the light what was for many years a hidden of our shared history and it exposes the culture of isolation, secrecy and social ostracizing which faced “unmarried mothers” and their children in this country….. Together we must ask “How could this happen?” We must identify, accept and respond to the broader issues which the Report raises about our past, present and future. Above all we must continue to find ways of reaching out to those whose personal testimonies are central to this Report. They have shown determination in bringing to light this dark chapter in the life of Church and society. We owe it to them to take time to and reflect on the findings and recommendations of the Report, and commit to doing what we can to help and support them. The Report makes it clear that many are still learning about their personal stories and searching for family members. The rights of all survivors to access personal information about themselves should be fully respected and I again urge the State to ensure that any remaining obstacles to information and tracing should be overcome. This report will stir many emotions as it further uncovers disturbing and painful truths about our past. I commend those who have fought to have this story told and I thank those who have already been supporting survivors through various organisations and providing a platform for their voices to be heard.   Eamon Martin (Primate of All Ireland)
 Pope Francis- Dublin 26th August 2018  Prayer for Forgiveness For Those Hurt by Abuse
“We ask forgiveness for the cases of abuse in Ireland, the abuse of power, the abuse of conscience
and sexual abuse on the part of representatives of the Church. In a special way, we ask forgiveness
for all those abuses that took place in different kinds of institutions directed by men and womenreligious and other members of the Church. We also ask forgiveness for cases in which many minors were exploited for their labour. “We ask forgiveness for all those times when, as a Church, we did not offer to the survivors any type of abuse compassion and the pursuit of justice and truth
by concrete actions. We ask forgiveness for some members of the hierarchy, who took no responsibility for these painful situations and kept silent. “We ask forgiveness for those children who were taken away from their mothers, and for all those times when so many single mothers who tried to find their children that had been taken away, or those children who tried to find their mothers, were told that this was a mortal sin. It is not a mortal sin; it is the fourth commandment! “May the Lord preserve and increase this sense of shame and repentance and grant us the
strength to ensure that it never happens again and that justice is done. Amen.”
DOON/SHANNONBRIDGE GAA CLUB  Results Jan 11th 2021 8-26-27-31 No jackpot winner, One  match three. Next week's jackpot on18/1/21  will be €7000.
 SHANNONBRIDGE GAA  A.G.M  Our GAA club 2020 AGM will take place on Tuesday 26th January at 8.30pm via Online platform. All of our club members are welcome to join in on our ‘Zoom’ meeting. In order to do so you need to register your interest to join our AGM by sending an email to secretary.shannonbridge.offaly@gaa.ie or text your name to 086 8211559. Nearer to the time we will send on the link for the Zoom platform through email or WhatsApp for the meeting. Further to this, closer to the date all of the annual reports will be made available for viewing. We are always looking for new members to come on board to join our club and everyone most welcome! All motions and nominations must be with our club secretary Niamh see email above no later than Monday 18th January. We look forward to seeing all our members on the night and welcoming new faces as well!
FOOD APPEAL THANK YOU To The People of Shannonbridge and Clonmacnoise Hi Everyone,  Thank you very much for your recent large and very generous donation of non-perishable food and treats for children to the KS Food Appeal. Your generosity is very much appreciated and will certainly help us to continue visiting the growing list of families on our list who are experiencing food poverty in the West Offaly area. Ken Smollen 085 143 2898