Clonmacnois Parish

February 28th 2021

Second Sunday of Lent

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

Email: clonmacnoiseparish@gmail.com

     WEB  shannonbridge.blogspot.ie

FACEBOOK https://fb.me/saintciarans

 

SECOND  SUNDAY OF LENT
‘He was transfigured’
Mountains in Scripture are places of revelation. We think of Nebo, Sinai, Tabor, Calvary. Mountains provide a different perspective. From the height, we see things in a new way. The Tabor event happened 1,800 feet above the plain, when Peter, James and John had withdrawn from the crowd, recalling the wilderness experience of Jesus, which was recounted in last Sunday’s Gospel. The disciples had been accompanying Jesus for a long time. They had walked with Him, talked with Him, listened to Him, but it was only in the quiet space that they saw Him in a different light. Jesus showed His disciples His glory, a glory that had been there all the time. We miss things that have been there all along. Most people spend their time ‘looking at’ life, but not actually ‘seeing into’ it. Children see magic, because they look for it. If only we opened ourselves to the world around us with the eyes of wonder we would notice the fingerprint of God in ordinary things from the spider’s web to the robin’s nest; from the rising of the sun to its’ setting; from the milky way to the ebb and flow of the tide. The glory of heaven is constantly breaking-in. Earth is the place where heaven unfolds. Heaven is very near. All we need is perception. ‘Nature is a magnificent book in which God speaks to us and grants to us a glimpse of His infinite beauty and goodness’. (St. Francis)
ALL MASSES ONLINE—LEVEL 5
Sat. 27th Feb. 7pm. Vigil 2nd Sun. of Lent John, Mary & Pat Maloney & Frank Moran anniversaries
Sun. 28th Feb 10:30am 2nd Sun. of Lent
Michael & Mary Kelly & family Members. & Amy Drὂll (Died in New York, sister of Michael Kelly) apologies for typing error last week.
Mon March 1st 10am Mass
St David St David is the patron saint of Wales, where he was an abbot and bishop in the sixth century. Several Irish saints of the time were his pupils. He died in 601.
Tues March 2nd 10am Mass
Wed March 3rd 10am Mass
Thurs March 4th (St. Casimir ) 10am James Joseph McManus (Leitra) (30th Anniv.)
Fri March 5th (First Friday)  7p.m.
St Kieran of Ossory  He was a priest and bishop who studied on the continent. He is associated with Ossory, Co Kilkenny, where he lives as a hermit on his father’s domain.
Sat March 6th 7:00p.m.
Sun March 7th 10:30a.m. John Joe Maleney (Anniv.)
ADORATION Shannonbridge 12-6p.m.
****** 
 OFFERTORY Feb. 21st  €309
February online €100 Annual Donation  €700 Shrove Dues Envelopes for Priests Income €1,249 (€1,447 in 2020)  February Monthly Envelopes €450
CHURCH COLLECTIONS We deeply appreciate your support during this difficult time. .Name of Account Clonmacnois Parochial Account.
BIC-BOFIIE2DXXX    
IBAN-IE90BOFI90368011629381
WORLD BOOK DAY QUIZ - Thursday 4th March is World Book Day. World Book Day is Ireland’s biggest annual event promoting the enjoyment of books and reading. Offaly Libraries would like to invite you to participate in our World Book Day Family Quiz. This is a fun quiz for all the family with multiple choice questions against the clock... Tickets must be booked in advance through Eventbrite. Quiz will commence @ 6pm
 SHANNONBRIDGE GAA  Lotto Results 15th Feb 2021  5-21-27-31
No Jackpot or Match three winners. €400 added to Next weeks jackpot €8,600! Draw on Facebook Live
 
 "FIRST CONFESSION & COMMUNION 2021
We all hoped for an open and inclusive celebration of the Sacraments in our Parish this year. Unfortunately, the need to plan ahead with restrictions in place, still exists. The issues arising are:
1) ) We presume reduced capacity along with the usual public health restrictions both on our gatherings in Church and afterwards as families until 70% of the population are vaccinated.
 2) Preparing children for the two Sacraments (First Confession & First Communion) in a compressed timeframe in school and with limited capacity in churches would bring a huge burden on all involved -School ,Parish and parent body.
3)We discussed this as local Clergy with our Bishop Francis Duffy. It was pointed out that we simply cannot issue dates for 2021.
In our Diocese, a few parish First Communions of 2020 have not been celebrated yet.
For all these reasons and to give some guidance in unclear times, it would be best to defer to 2022 when we hope an “Open Ireland” will prevail for all to celebrate such a First Communion  Day worthily, fully and well. Yours
Tom Cox (Adm. Clonmacnois Parish)
Michelle Donnelly (Class teacher)
  
COVID-10 VACCINATION PROGRAMME
The Irish bishops have encouraged Catholics to support the Covid-19 vaccination programme,
“not only for their own good, but for the protection of life and the health of those who are
vulnerable and for the common good of humanity.” (Irish Bishops) As vaccination is a medical
issue, it is important that people discuss it with their own GP. For further information on the
Church’s position with regard to vaccines, see
https://www.catholicbishops.ie/2020/12/09/bishops-conference-statement-welcomingvaccines-for-the-common-good/
 
A LENTEN PRAYER
We walk about with secret fears and grief's,
With troubles, worries and problems
unknown to those around us……………..
We know not what weighs upon the heart of the person next to us in line,
Ahead of us in traffic, or the man or woman,
boy or girl, passing by us on our way…………..
Help me be gentle, Lord, today with all whose paths cross mine,
Remind me that their burdens are at least
as many and just as heavy as the ones I bear myself. Amen.
 
THE SECOND WEEK OF LENT SUNDAY
Loving God,
there is so much darkness in my life
and I hide from you.
Take my hand
and lead me out of the shadows of my fear.
Help me to change my heart.
Bring me to your truth
and help me to respond to your generous love.
Let me recognize the fullness of your love
which will fill my life.
Free me from the darkness in my heart.
TROCAIRE BOXES
Because of the difficulties in distribution this year due to the Covid lockdown, An Post have very kindly offered to display the Trócaire boxes that
had been intended for a schools audience,
throughout all post offices in the country. These have arrived at Shannonbridge Post Office. Over 120,000 English language boxes and 3,300 Irish boxes will be Distributed nationally . So you can pick up a Trócaire box from any  post office.
Your support can help families like Ajak’s and
Awut’s hurt by conflict survive and thrive.
 
“The word 'listen' contains the same
letters as the word 'silent'.”
 GALILEE ONLINE LENTEN EVENINGS  Hope Springs… Spirituality for Lent 2021 Three Tues. March 9th, 16th & 23rd from 7.30 – 9 p.m. via Zoom. €5 each evening. All welcome. Booking and link: info@galilee.ie
March 9th Elizabeth Davis RSM, the congregational leader of the Sisters of Mercy, Newfoundland, has been a teacher and a health care administrator. She holds a doctorate in Scripture and teaches Old Testament at Queen’s College in St. John’s NL.
March 16th Ms. Carol Barry is a retreat director, lecturer, spiritual director here in Ireland and abroad.
March 23rd Ms. Niamh Morris is a Parish Pastoral Worker of the Dublin Diocese, serving in Brackenstown Parish. She is passionate about accompanying people on their journey of faith
 
WOMEN'S WORLD DAY OF PRAYER This First Friday of March is World Day of Prayer with the theme this year of“Building on a Strong Foundation” Please click on: Women’s World Day of Prayer 2021 for resources.  Written by Christian women of Vanuatu
 
FR SEAN McDONAGH BOOK LAUNCH
Fr Seán’s new book, Robots, Ethics and the Future of Jobs, will be launched Thursday 4 March at 7pm by Professor John Sweeney and Dr Lorna Gold. To join the launch on Zoom
just email https://www.messenger.ie/product/robots-ethics-and-the-future-of-jobs/ and wait for the invitation to enter the room!
 
WEST OFFALY TRAINING - Are offering Train the Trainer, QQI Level 6. This course will be offered online from the 15th March for 10 sessions. For more information call 057 9152003 / 086 8413082 or email josephine@westioffalytraining.com.
 
Mobile Foot Health Practitioner Service - House Calls Available Daytime and Evening. Contact Maura at 086-8053671 to arrange an appointment.                                                  
  
 

 

Clonmacnois Parish

February 21st 2021

First Sunday of Lent

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. 20th Feb. 7pm. Vigil 1st Sun. of Lent
Anniv Moira Macklin 16/2/2007
Sun. 21st Feb 10:30am 1st Sun. of Lent James Harrington anniv & Dec’d  family
ADORATION Shannonbridge 12-6p.m.
 
Mon Feb. 22nd  10am Mass Chair of St Peter This ancient feast relates to an early Roman custom at this time of the year of remembering the ancestors of the family. The feast celebrates St Peter as Bishop of Rome, head of the diocese.
Tues Feb. 23rd 10am Mass St Polycarp He was bishop Smyrna, present day Turkey. Born around the year 69, he was a disciple of St John the Apostle.
Wed Feb 24th 10am Mass
Thurs Feb 25th 10am Mass
Fri Feb 26th 10am Mass
Sat. 27th Feb. 7pm. Vigil 2nd Sun. of Lent
Sun. 28th Feb 10:30am 2nd Sun. of Lent
Michael & Mary Kelly & family Members. & Mary Droll (Died in New York, sister of Michael Kelly)
ADORATION Shannonbridge 12-6p.m.
****** 
RECENT DEATHS Eddie Clouder (Rathcline) cousin of Marian Daly
OFFERTORY Feb. 14th  €550.80 Thank you for returning Shrove Dues Envelopes for Priests Income
 
. CHURCH COLLECTIONS We deeply appreciate your support during this difficult time. .Name of Account Clonmacnois Parochial Account.
BIC-BOFIIE2DXXX    
IBAN-IE90BOFI90368011629381
Lent & Trócaire This year, due to the Covid-19 restrictions I am asking parishioners to collect their Trócaire packet (which contains the Trócaire Box) from the back of the Church as there is no other means of distribution. Also please take one for your neighbour(s) who are not out and about. Thank you.
SHANNONBRIDGE GAA  Lotto Results 15th Feb 2021  5-11-21-27. No Jackpot Winner, Four  match three.  Next weeks jackpot €8,200!
 FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT
‘The Spirit drove Jesus into the wilderness’
The word Lent means springtime. It is the season of lengthening days, new life, new hope, new beginnings. The Latin root of the word is ‘lente’, which suggests the call to slow down, proceed slowly, gently, carefully. In the first three centuries of the Christian era, the followers of Christ prepared for Easter by praying and fasting for three days. In some places, this was extended to the entire week before Easter. By the fourth century Lent had developed to its’ current length of forty days to replicate the time Jesus spent in the wilderness in preparation for His public ministry. The Wilderness is a barren strip, thirty-five miles by fifteen between Jerusalem and the Dead Sea. In that bleak place, He couldn’t have been more alone. He is confronted by Satan, but emerges victorious from the struggle. Nobody witnessed the dramatic event, so He must have reported it often to His friends. The episode raises the curtain on the Lenten drama and invites us once more to enter the quiet place where deepening and re-evaluation take place.
 ‘Solitude is the audience chamber of God’.
 LENT 2021  from Knock
TUESDAY NIGHTS Our Tuesday Scripture reflections series continues on Tuesday, February 23rd at 8pm. Young students from St. Louis’ Community School, Kiltimagh, Co. Mayo will reflect on how this piece of Scripture speaks to them in their daily lives. The reflection will be streamed on our website www.knockshrine.ie at 8pm.
‘Living the Christian Faith - Lenten Conversations’. Knock Shrine, Thursdays of Lent at 8.30pm, chaired by Fr. Eamonn Conway, DD, Professor of Theology at Mary Immaculate College. Topic for Thursday 25th February: ‘Living Christian Faith as Young Adults’. A group of young Irish adults, for whom Christian Faith is of great importance, will discuss the strength it gives them and how we can better communicate the joy of the Gospel today. www.knockshrine.ie/watch-live or on Facebook @knockshrine.
 
GALWAY TO  ATHLONE CYCLEWAY
There are only 8 days left to make submissions to get the greenway to Shannonbridge!!
Please take the time to fill in A form & circulate to all your friends & family! I  cant’ publish the link (it’s long!) in print but will send to anyone! Text/Call Shannonbridge Action Group members or myself at 086 8319500. Thanks. More at
 
Galway to Athlone Cycleway Home
 
A JOURNEY THROUGH LENT. Westport Alpha team invite you to join them on Zoom for a journey through Lent this year. The series continues  on Wednesday evening at 8.00 p. m on 24th February and each successive Wed. eve. to 24th March.
The series of presentations are on the theme of conversion. The evenings offer a fresh look at faith by reflecting on the lives of six Biblical characters. The series of six evenings surround the lives of the blind Bartimaeus; the rich young man; the call of Matthew, Jonah, the Woman at the Well; story of the Maji. Admission is free. No biblical experience is necessary. Zoom Meeting ID: 822 8770 5307 Passcode: 444555
Mobile Foot Health Practitioner Service - House Calls Available Daytime and Evening. Contact Maura at 086-8053671 to arrange an appt.                                                  
 1st READING A reading from the book of Genesis      9:8-15
God spoke to Noah and his sons, ‘See, I establish my Covenant with you, and with your descendants after you; also with every living creature to be found with you, birds, cattle and every wild beast with you: everything that came out of the ark, everything that lives on the earth. I establish my Covenant with you: no thing of flesh shall be swept away again by the waters of the flood. There shall be no flood to destroy the earth again.’
God said, ‘Here is the sign of the Covenant I make between myself and you and every living creature with you for all generations: I set my bow in the clouds and it shall be a sign of the Covenant between me and the earth. When I gather the clouds over the earth and the bow appears in the clouds, I will recall the Covenant between myself and you and every living creature of every kind. And so the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all things of flesh.’
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God
Responsorial Psalm         Ps 24
Response Your ways, Lord, are faithfulness and love for those who keep your covenant.
1. Lord, make me know your ways./Lord, teach me your paths./Make me walk in your truth, and teach me:/for you are God my saviour.                     Response
2. Remember your mercy, Lord, and the love you have shown from of old./ In your love remember me, because of your goodness, O Lord.         Response
3. The Lord is good and upright. /He shows the path to those who stray,/he guides the humble in the right path; / he teaches his way to the poor.               Response
SECOND READING
A reading from the 1st letter of St Peter        3:18.22 Christ himself, innocent though he was, died once for sins, died for the guilty, to lead us to God. In the body he was put to death, in the spirit he was raised to life, and, in the spirit, he went to preach to the spirits in prison. Now it was long ago, when Noah was still building that ark which saved only a small group of eight people ‘by water’, and when God was still waiting patiently, that these spirits refused to believe.
That water is a type of the baptism which saves you now, and which is not the washing off of physical dirt but a pledge made to God from a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has entered heaven and is at God’s right hand, now that he has made the angels of the Dominations and Powers his subjects.
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God
Gospel acclamation            Mt 4:4
Praise to you, O Christ, King of eternal glory! Man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God. Praise to you O Christ…..
GOSPEL A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark      1:12-15 Glory to you, O Lord
The Spirit drove Jesus out into the wilderness and he remained there for forty days,Jesus and choice and was tempted by Satan. He was with the wild beasts, and the angels looked after him.
After John had been arrested, Jesus went into Galilee. There he proclaimed the Good News from God. ‘The time has come’ he said ‘and the kingdom of God is close at hand.
Repent, and believe the Good News.
 
The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

Clonmacnois Parish

February 14th 2021

Day of Prayer for Temperance

Sixth 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
Saturday 13th February 7p.m. Joan Farrelly (Months Memory)
Sunday 14th February 10:30a.m. Mass Joe (25/12/76)  & Kathleen Mahon (16/2/76) & Gregg
Mon 15th Feb 10am Mass Emma Martin 39th Anniv. (Mass of the Angels)
Tues 16th Feb 10am Mass & 8p.m. Stations of the Cross/ Ash Wed Vigil Service
Wed 17th Feb 10am MassAsh Wed
Day of Fast & Abstinence
Thurs 18th Feb 10am Mass
Fri 19th Feb 10am  Mass Worldwide Day of Prayer for Survivors & Victims of Sexual Abuse
Sat. 20th Feb. 7pm. Vigil 1st Sun. of Lent
Sun. 21st Feb 10:30am 1st Sun. of Lent
ADORATION Shannonbridge 12-6p.m.
****** 
OFFERTORY Feb. 7th  €762
. CHURCH COLLECTIONS via …
Moran’s Shop  OR Presbytery Letterbox
-Clonfanlough Box Sunday 10:30-12:15 at pier  OR 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
 
Some consider a temporary
FATHER MATTHEWS’ PRAYER
Apostle of Temperance Father Mathew (1790-1856) was a Capuchin friar from Tipperary whose 19thcentury crusade against the abuse of alcohol gained him the title of “Apostle of Temperance”. Father Mathew’s call to sobriety has relevance to modern Ireland. The cost to
the nation by way of, human suffering, abstention from work, criminality and social upheaval is inestimable. Compassionate  Lord and Saviour, you inspired the Capuchin Friar Theobald Mathew to show your compassionate face to those addicted and burdened by the abuse of alcohol or addicted behaviour, and to promote temperance. May we today, continue to serve our brothers and sisters with love and joy, And to foster balance, and moderation in our life styles with the help of God. So, we pray, “here goes in the name of God.” Amen
 
SIXTH  SUNDAY OF THE YEAR
‘Jesus stretched out His hand and touched him’
A recent television documentary on the heroic men and women who are working on the front line in our hospitals in the battle against Covid-19 revealed in a striking way that compassion costs. It always does. In today’s Gospel Jesus reaches out in tender compassion to touch a leper. In doing what He did, He was crossing a significant boundary and breaking every law, taboo and convention of His day. The leper was the most miserable outcast in  Jewish society. He/she had to live away from the community, wear a bell and cry out, ‘Unclean, unclean’. To touch a leper made oneself unclean. The judgement of Jesus does not follow society’s standards, however. He understood how it felt to be rejected, to feel unwanted, to find no room at the inn and so, an untouchable one is touched, an outsider is brought in, an excluded one is made to feel welcome, a suffering human being is healed in body and spirit. No life, however broken or rejected is beyond God’s reach. Today, as in every generation, there are ‘untouchables’ in our world, people on the edge, the least, the lost, the last. The leper represents those whom society considers to be flawed. Our challenge is to do as Jesus did; to notice and be courageous enough to step out to bring inclusion where there is exclusion so that no brother or sister has to carry the cross alone. Jesus’ ministry of compassion cost Him. It will cost us too.
 
 ASH WEDNESDAY PRAYER  Dearest Lord, help me to honour this day with the ashes on my forehead. They help me remember where I have come from and where I am going. May I acknowledge to you my sins & my deep need for your loving forgiveness & grace. I pray that this Lenten season will make me so much more aware of how much I need your healing in my life. I know how much you love me. It’s hard for me to feel it sometimes, but I know your love is always with me. Help me to use your love as a way to persevere in my Lenten intentions. I am weak, but I know with your help, I can use these small sacrifices in my life to draw closer to you
 LIVING THE CHRISTIAN FAITH- Lenten Conversations’. Knock Shrine, Thursdays of Lent, chaired by Fr. Eamonn Conway, DD, Professor of Theology at Mary Immaculate College. Topic for Thursday 18th February: ‘Living Christian Faith in the Family’.
www.knockshrine.ie/watch-live or on
Facebook @knockshrine.
SHANNONBRIDGE GAA  Lotto Results 8th Feb 2021  9-11-14-29. Two match three and no jackpot winner  Next weeks jackpot is a whopping €8,000!
Mobile Foot Health Practitioner Service - House Calls Available Daytime and Evening. Contact Maura at 086-8053671 to arrange an appointment.                                                  CLONMACNOIS NS ENROLMENT  2021/2022-we are now enrolling for September 2021.To request an enrolment form please email the school at  clonmacnoisns.ias@eircom.net with your details  
LENTEN THOUGHT: What to give up for Lent 2021 ? May Grumbling, Irritability, Cynicism, Apathy, Hostility and Negativity among other things we might consider giving up. There is room for taking up during Lent - Kindness, Encouragement, Graciousness, Patience, Tenderness, Selflessness-ah! There is so much we could take up that could make a real difference, lengthen our days & shorten the Lent.( Fr. Vincent Sherlock)
LENT TEXTS If you would like a  daily thought sent to you by text message. A little prompt on your phone to pause each day during this Lenten Journey. Text your number to me 086 8319500 to sign up. I formed a Bulletin Mailing List last March in early Pandemic & if anyone wants to be added or deleted let me know!! No hassle!
 ASH WEDNESDAY This coming week begins the Holy time of Lent on Ash Wednesday. Sadly there will be no public Mass or distribution of Ashes this year—another “Lenten Sacrifice” in this year of many sacrifices. It could be true to say we are all “doing Lent” since last St. Patrick’s Day. The Liturgy Committee for the Diocese have prepared a Lenten Pack  “Our Journey through Lent” for people to take home with them from Ash Wednesday. We ask you to place the ashes contained in a container and add some water (some recommend oil) before placing them with a sign of the cross on your forehead. Packets of ashes are limited so we ask you to take only one packet per household. 
Pack to include:
1 A small envelope with Blessed Ashes from the morning Mass on Ash Wednesday. On the Envelope will be printed a short ritual for the home.   2. A folded leaflet, with the Stations of the Cross, using images and short text   3. A Postcard with the Breastplate of St. Patrick, people would be invited to send this to neighbours in Nursing Homes, or Isolating at  home.  4. A ‘Journeying Through Lent’ Sheet: This would mention the elements of Lent, and give suggestions for prayer.  5. A card with prayers for Children preparing for the sacraments this year.   6. These would be placed in white envelopes, label on the outside: 'Our Journey Through Lent' These packs will be available from Ash Wednesday.
We always associate Lent with the Trocaire Box. Please take home your Trocaire box with your Lenten Pack also.
I hope to also provide a printable sheet for Lectio Divina (means  Prayerful Reading) for the Sundays of Lent
Prayer for Lent
Loving God, as the season of Lent unfolds, you call us to return again and again. As you invite us to reflect on your love made visible in the person of Jesus, align our lives more closely with you through prayer, fasting and generous giving. Bless our desire to accompany Jesus’ suffering here and now in the crucified people of our world. With your grace, may we live Lent fully and move with transformed hearts into the abundant life of Easter morning. Amen.
Prayer on St. Valentine’s Day
 Loving Father, I pray for an open heart and mind, so that I may recognise and be grateful for all the love in my life. I pray that I might find a new sense of wholeness, joy and peace in your love. Remove all obstacles so that I may grow in love throughout my life. Give me the grace to trust in your loving plan for me, so that whatever my circumstances over the course of my life, I may know that I am not alone, that I am loved by You, my Loving Father, who is full of tenderness, mercy and compassion. Amen.