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
Sat 16th Jan 7:00p.m Seamus Grennan
Fri 22nd Jan 7p.m. Kieran Kelly M/M
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.
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.
IBAN-IE90BOFI90368011629381 Please put your name and/or your box number in reference section.
‘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’.
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.
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)
“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.
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