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)
Vigil 7:00p.m. Tommy, Geraldine & Simon McManus
RECENT DEATHS Your prayers please for the soul of Bridie Geraghty Roscommon Rd. Athlone. (Mother of Imelda Geraghty-Dillworth )
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.
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)
SHANNONBRIDGE GAA Lotto Results 18th Jan 2021 2-25-28-29
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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
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.
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