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
‘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 The Tabor event happened 1,800 feet above the plain, when Peter, James and John had withdrawn from the crowd, recalling the wilderness experience of Jesus, which was recounted in last Sunday’s Gospel.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
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.)
Sat March 6th 7:00p.m.
Sun March 7th 10:30a.m. John Joe Maleney (Anniv.)
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OFFERTORY Feb. 21st €309
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
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.
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
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.
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