Clonmacnois Parish

April 18th  2021

Third Sunday of Easter

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

Email: clonmacnoiseparish@gmail.com

     WEB  shannonbridge.blogspot.ie

FACEBOOK    https://www.facebook.com/tomas.macconchoille  (Live)
https://fb.me/saintciarans  (saved to it afterwards)
 
THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER
“The Confusion of Faith”
On Good Friday the disciples were frightened and disillusioned. They went into hiding for fear of the Jews. Their hopes were dashed, their dreams unfulfilled. The man in whom they placed their trust was nailed to the cross as a common criminal. Their very survival in Jerusalem looked perilous and two of them decided to get out of town and travelled to Emmaus – anywhere to get away.
And then the confusion started. The women at the tomb had discovered it empty on Easter Sunday and an angel told them Jesus had risen from the dead. The two on the road had encountered Jesus, but he had disappeared again from them. Some of the Apostles in hiding had been visited by the Risen Jesus, though Thomas was unconvinced and the others were not sure that it was not a ghost they had seen. Then today he appeared to them again and this time he ate food and explained the scriptures to them. They were overcome with joy.
The gift of faith is given by God to those whom he has chosen. We have been gifted and are asked to be witnesses to the faith in all we say or do. From despair through fear, to confusion then to joy, the disciples of Jesus made their faith journey. We endeavour to follow in their footsteps – along the pathway known as “The Confusion of Faith.”
 
ALL MASSES ONLINE—LEVEL 5  Sat April 17th 7:00p.m. David Macklin Anniv & dec’d parents  Oliver & Philomena (Billie) Macklin
Sun April 18th Third Sunday of Easter
10:30a.m. Michael J. Molloy & parents Michael & Annie
Mon 19th April 10am Mass
Tues 20th April  10am Mass
Wed 21st April (St. Anselm) 10am Mass
Thurs 22nd April
Fri 23rd April 10am Mass (St. George/ Adalbert)
Sat 24th April  (St. Fidelis
7p.m. Margaret Carty (6th Anniv)
Sun 25th April 10:30am Peoples Intns.
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TRÓCAIRE -Trócaire needs our help more than ever. Owing to current restrictions it is much harder for people to return Boxes/Envelopes and I am always immensely touched at your thoughtfulness and faithfulness in that regard. Please return either your Trócaire  Box or the contents  in an envelope to the Presbytery at your earliest convenience.  Thanks to Shannonbridge Post Office/ Moran’s Gala for also receiving Trócaire Boxes on your behalf.
 OFFERTORY April 4th  €450 Trócaire €2,272
I am very conscious that in these frightening times that your own resources may be restricted. This message is for those who can afford to continue to support the parish in these challenging times– we can all pray as individuals and as family units for an end to this pandemic.  Fr Tom
 
THE POSTAGE STAMP LESSON
 There was a little postage stamp No bigger than your thumb. But still it stuck right to the job Until the work was done. They licked it and they pounded it ‘Till it would make you sick; And the more it took a lickin’ The better it would stick. Let’s all be like the postage stamp In playing life’s rough game; And just keep a-stickin’ Tho’ we hang our heads in shame. The stamp stuck to the letter ‘Till it saw it safely through; There’s no one can do better Let’s keep sticking and be true. Anonymous
TREES AND INSECTS OF FERBANE A free online virtual tour  by Nessa Darcy.  (Saturday 17th April 11:00-12:30) giving a virtual tour of Ferbane’s trees and insects. Nessa is a entomologist and will offer tips on identifying trees and hear about their folklore & uses. Register via www.eventbrite.ie and search for “trees and insects of Ferbane” to book in.
NATIONAL SYNOD For  submission of ideas and suggestions (maximum 300 words by May 22) go to www.catholicbishops.ie/synod  on the form or nature of the process not the Themes (that’s for the next phase of consultation) bishops are inviting submissions to reflect on what methods/models to adopt in these coming two years  For example: parish hall meetings, focus groups, questionnaires, deep-listening sessions; written submissions; family-focused gatherings; summary of findings of assemblies that have already taken place across dioceses; and/or conferences. . Bishop Duffy plans to reanimate our own Diocesan Assembly plans for 2022.
 3rd Sunday of Easter `From darkness to light In all the Easter work of Jesus, he led the disciples out of darkness into light, out of sadness into joy, out of isolation into community, giving the living bread of hope for the dry bread of disappointment. He did this by sharing himself with them, sharing the scripture that spoke of him, and the bread that was his body. No long instructions, no long exhortations, just the openness of sharing himself with them. This is his plea to us, his Church: be light in darkness, be joy in sadness, be community in isolation, be Eucharist to dry bread, be wholeness to broken  (Fr. Donal Neary SJ)
 
Lord, today I choose to release all that holds me back. Help me to let go of the past, to let go of bitterness, to let go of failures and missed opportunities. Help me today to embrace your grace in my life, that I may live it to the full and help me be a blessing to others. Amen -Fr. Richard Gibbons, Knock
 
No matter how you are emotionally, mentally, physically, Invite hope into your life. Allow hope to enter into your mind. Allow hope to enter into your spirit. Allow hope to enter into your body. Allow yourself to be filled with hope. Imagine the Spirit of Jesus stirring up newness, finding the dead places that exist within your spirit, and creating a meadow of flowers inside of you. Visualise this open space, the flower buds unfolding, filling the spacious meadow with colour and fragrance. Let hope fill your mind with a sense of purpose and direction. Let hope fill your spirit with life and enthusiasm. Let hope fill your heart and draw you into renewed love. Rest quietly in your restored hope. Let the power of Risen Love reign in your heart. -Joyce Rupp
 
WORD OF THANKS
Marian McManus would like to thank everyone who supported and publicised her recent 12,000 steps for the month of March  fundraiser for the Irish Cancer Society.  Special thanks to Caitriona who walked with Marian everyday. Final amount raised is €3,000 which is much appreciated by the Irish Cancer Society .
Well done Marian.!!
Please let us know of any fundraisers if we can be of any assistance in publicising it.
 STUDIES PROGRAMME - Will be commencing at Banagher FET Centre on Monday 19th April. Modules include: Concreting; Floor and Wall Tiling; MIG Welding and NZEB Awareness and Safe Pass Training. A training allowance is payable where applicable. Contact: (M) 085 8016195 / 085 8051912. MOBILE FOOT HEALTH PRACTITIONER SERVICE House Calls Available Daytime and Evening. Contact Maura at 086-8053671 to arrange an appointment.       GALILEE SPIRITUALITY CENTRE ONLINE: In the Age of the Spirit: Four conversations for Eastertide, Tuesdays 7.30 - 9 p.m. For our first evening April 20th we welcome, very special guest, Ruth Patterson: Rev. Dr. Ruth Patterson, OBE. The Beloved Community – An Endangered Species? April 20th Booking and Zoom link: info@galilee.ie. €5. All welcome.
PASTORAL EASTER MESSAGE OF BISHOP FRANCIS DUFFY, “We are an Easter people: our faith in the risen Lord remains undimmed” can be viewed online at ardaghdiocese.ie & on parish blog & FB. Copies in  Church                                   SHANNONBRIDGE GAA LOTTO DRAW  April 12th 2021 Numbers drawn  7-12-13-29 No Jackpot Winner.Two Match 3 Winners. Jackpot €10,200. Draw on Facebook Live.
NEXT SUNDAY will be VOCATIONS SUNDAY. “St Joseph – the Dream of Vocation” is the theme of Vocations Sunday 2021. We prayerfully reflect on the vocation of all Christians, a call to serve others in our Church and world that is rooted in our baptism. More particularly, do you hear a call to the diocesan priesthood, the permanent diaconate or consecrated life? Speak to your local priest or the Diocesan Vocations Director Fr. Seamus O’ Rourke 074 96200554
 vocations@ardaghdiocese.org   or Email the National Vocations Office: email: info@vocations.ie
YEAR OF ST. JOSEPH (December 8th 2020 - December 8th 2021) Hail, Guardian of the Redeemer, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, to you God entrusted his only Son, in you Mary placed her trust; with you Christ became man. Blessed Joseph, to us too, show yourself a father and guide us in the path of life. Obtain for us grace, mercy and courage, and defend us from every evil. Amen. St. Joseph, pray for us