Clonmacnois Parish

August 15th 2021

Feast of the Assumption

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)

 

FEAST OF THE ASSUMPTION
 ‘Of all women you are the most blessed’
 Mary is explicitly mentioned in only five of the twenty-seven books of the New Testament. We don’t know the dates of her birth or her death and yet her light shines like a beacon down the ages. She is ‘everywoman’. She is the woman for all times and seasons. She is the most famous woman in history who has inspired more art and music than any other woman. In our own time, she has appeared on the cover of Time magazine more often than any other woman. Without Mary, there is no Gospel. She is the one who is present where she is needed the most. She is there for her Son in all the pivotal moments of his journey from the hill country of Judea to the Hill of Calvary. She is constantly leading others to Him. ‘Her greatness consists in the fact that she wants to magnify God, not herself’ (Pope Benedict).When Jesus challenged His followers to live, give and forgive like Him, she showed by her humble service that it was possible. Jesus cannot be understood without His mother. ‘The reason why Christ is unknown today is because His mother is unknown’ (Newman). From the sixth century the belief grew, that because Mary’s life and work were so closely united to that of her Son, she was not separated from Him in death. Orthodox Christians hold that she died first and was then taken directly to be with her Son while some in the Catholic tradition believe that she was not allowed to experience death, at all. The Assumption was finally defined as a dogma of faith by Pope Pius XII on November 1st 1950 when, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit he pronounced that: ‘The Virgin Mary having completed the course of her earthly life was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory’. As the shadows lengthen and the shades of autumn appear, we salute Mary ‘the highest honour of our race’ and allow her to come close. ‘Mary is a sign of sure hope and solace for the pilgrim people of God’ (Lumen Gentium). We see in her what we can all become with God’s grace. She is ‘an echo of the heart of God’ (St. Elizabeth of the Trinity). She is ‘our tainted natures’ solitary boast’ (William Wordsworth). She has opened the world’s door to God. She has opened earth to heaven. ‘One ship has rounded the headland. We are the little ships following her home’ (Joseph Cassidy)
 SHANNONBRIDGE(15 seats/Max 50
Saturday August 14th [St Maximilian Kolbe ] 7p.m.
Mon. 16th: 10am Service
Tues. 17th: 10am Mass
Wed. 18th: 9am - People’s Mass Intn. Thurs. 19th: 7pm Mass 
Fri. 20th: 10am
Sat. 21st: 10am
 SATURDAY 21st AUGUST - 7pm
CLONFANLOUGH   (Max 50)
Sun 15th August 10:30a.m. —
Mon 16th  7p.m. Mass   
Sunday 22nd August 10:30am
OFFERTORY August 8th 2021 €520
SAINTS FOCUS
Tuesday: Our Lady of Knock.
Friday 20th : St. Bernard—reformer of the Cistercian Order (1090-1153) He was made abbot of the Cistercian monastery of Clairvaux (France) in 1115. He is the patron saint of Gibraltar.
Saturday 21st Aug St Pius X  was pope from 1903-1914. He encouraged frequent reception of Holy Communion, to which he admitted young children.
Sunday Aug.: 22nd The Queenship of Mary During the middle ages Mary was venerated as Queen of the angels and saints. Pope Pius XII prescribed the feast for the universal c hurch at the end of the 1954 Marian Year. It is placed on 22nd to stress the connection of Mary’s Queenship with the Assumption.
Eurovision Mass for the Feast of the Assumption Sunday 15 August On the 15th August, the Feast of the Assumption, a special Eurovision Mass will be celebrated and broadcast live from the Basilica. The main celebrant will be Fr Richard Gibbons. The liturgy will feature music by the Schola Cantorum Basilicae under the direction of Úna Nolan with Organist Mark Keane. The Mass will be broadcast on television on RTÉ 1 at 10am and also via the Eurovision Global Network, making it available to watch in France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Switzerland. You can also join with us for this special celebration on our website www.knockshrine.ie/watch
 GIVING OPTIONS People can still drop in envelopes via  Moran’s Gala   or Presbytery Letterbox Clonfanlough Church  Front Porch Box  It’s just inside the front door to the left.   Bank Transfer (Do give your Box No. or name in bank narrative)   Name of Account Clonmacnois Parochial Account.   BIC-BOFIIE2DXXX     IBAN-IE90BOFI90368011629381
 PLEASE SUPPORT OFFALY HOSPICE CHARITY SHOP Offaly St., Tullamore. Our shop is open Tuesday to Saturday  10.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. All donations of Ladies, Gents and Childrens Clothes & Shoes along with Bric a  Brac welcome. Contact Chris on the Offaly Hospice Shop phone number 083 0994754 for further  information.
ACCORD CATHOLIC MARRIAGE CARE SERVICE CLG is currently recruiting volunteers to train as marriage  preparation programme facilitators. Accord is seeking registration of interest from those who have a  positive attitude towards marriage in the Catholic Church and the enthusiasm to be part of a team  supporting couples who are preparing for the Sacrament of Marriage. Successful applicants will receive  professional training and will be part of a team delivering marriage preparation programmes locally in  accordance with best practice. Contact by email to info@accord.ie. The closing date Friday 27 August.  Additional information is available on www.accord.ie.
HIGH STREET/BELMONT WOMEN’S GROUP - Outdoor Cake Sale & Raffle after 12 noon Mass on Sunday 29th August. Items for sale including some Shannonbridge pottery. Your support would be greatly appreciated. Also Outdoor Information Night on Monday 30th August at High Street Community Centre. Information, chat and cup of tea. All welcome.
YOUTH 2000 Summer Festival All talks, testimonies, Liturgies, prayer and worship will take place online For all information and to register : www.youth2000.ie
GOOD LUCK - To Aaron Brazil (Clongowney), and very proud parents and extended family and to Cormac Egan grandson of Bríd Devine (Shannonbridge)   and the Offaly Under 20 team as they go for glory in the All-Ireland Final in Croke Park today
- CONGRATULATIONS  to Emily Darcy & Teagan Daly and the Offaly  ladies u14 Panel  in a very fine Leinster Finalwin Vs Laois on Saturday 14th 2-13 to 1-3  BAPTISM: Welcome to Callum Sheridan (Shannonbridge) who was baptised Saturday
 HERITAGE WEEKS ONLINE EVENTS
August 15th 6pm Opening the door to Offaly's Heritage, Przemysław Skura (Photographic Exhibition) on Facebook Offaly Libraries page
August 17th 12 Noon "The Offaly Hurling Story" with Kevin Corrigan on Offaly Libraries Facebook  Page
August 19th 6pm Offaly Libraries Facebook Page Storytelling & Puppetry fun for children about horrible cures and witchcraft from Co. Offaly
August 20th 12 Noon History & transformation of the Grand Canal & Yellow Canal Brick with Caitriona Devery  Information at 0469731028
August 21st -The Meadow - an Offaly Drama Project (at former Birr Workhouse) Giving voice to the many who perished in the Famine 1845-52  Cailin Keaveny 057 9122911
MINISTRIES  IN CHURCH                 CHURCH CARE   S’bridge Eileen Quinn, Dolly Deeley, Veronica Hynes  Clonfanlough: Marian Devery/Ann Kelly (Aug)       READER Aug 21st @ 7pm Ffionn Anderson Aug 22nd Maura Molloy Church Counters  Shannonbridge (Aug)      Novena Prayer to Our Lady of Knock:(14th –22nd August ) Our Lady of Knock, Queen of Ireland, you gave hope to your people in a time of distress, and comforted them in sorrow. You have inspired countless pilgrims to pray with confidence to your divine Son, remembering His promise, “Ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find.” Help me to remember that we are all pilgrims on the road to heaven. Fill me with love and concern for my brothers and sisters in Christ, especially those who live with me. Comfort me when I am sick, lonely or depressed. Teach me how to take part ever more reverently in the Holy Mass. Give me a greater love of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. Pray for me now, and at the hour of my death. Amen.
MOTHER OF FAIR LOVE , I look to you. Take into your hands the ribbon of my life And see the snarl of knots That keep me bound to sin, anxiety and hopelessness. I beg you, Mother. By your powerful intercession And long fingers of love and grace, Undo the knots in my heart and in my life. Free me to love as Christ loves.
LAOIS OFFALY EDUCATION & TRAINING BOARD - Will be running FREE courses in the Autumn in the LOETB Centre, Banagher. All courses are 6 - 8 weeks in duration: DIY/Woodwork - 16th Sept. at 10am. Introduction to Haircare - 21st Sept. at 10am. Introduction to Healthcare - 15th Sept. at 10.30am. IT Skills - 22nd Sept. at 2.30pm. We will also be running other FREE courses in the different communities. Contact 085 8054579 and Email gcunningham@loetb.ie for more information.
 
 
SHANNONBRIDGE(15 seats/Max 50
Saturday August 14th [St Maximilian Kolbe ] 7p.m.
Mon. 16th: 10am Service
Tues. 17th: 10am Mass
Wed. 18th: 9am - People’s Mass Intn. Thurs. 19th: 7pm Mass 
Fri. 20th: 10am
Sat. 21st: 10am
 SATURDAY 21st AUGUST - 7pm
CLONFANLOUGH   (Max 50)
Sun 15th August 10:30a.m. —
Mon 16th  7p.m. Mass   
Sunday 22nd August 10:30am
OFFERTORY August 8th 2021 €520
SAINTS FOCUS
Tuesday: Our Lady of Knock.
Friday 20th : St. Bernard—reformer of the Cistercian Order (1090-1153) He was made abbot of the Cistercian monastery of Clairvaux (France) in 1115. He is the patron saint of Gibraltar.
Saturday 21st Aug St Pius X  was pope from 1903-1914. He encouraged frequent reception of Holy Communion, to which he admitted young children.
Sunday Aug.: 22nd The Queenship of Mary During the middle ages Mary was venerated as Queen of the angels and saints. Pope Pius XII prescribed the feast for the universal c hurch at the end of the 1954 Marian Year. It is placed on 22nd to stress the connection of Mary’s Queenship with the Assumption.
Eurovision Mass for the Feast of the Assumption Sunday 15 August On the 15th August, the Feast of the Assumption, a special Eurovision Mass will be celebrated and broadcast live from the Basilica. The main celebrant will be Fr Richard Gibbons. The liturgy will feature music by the Schola Cantorum Basilicae under the direction of Úna Nolan with Organist Mark Keane. The Mass will be broadcast on television on RTÉ 1 at 10am and also via the Eurovision Global Network, making it available to watch in France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Switzerland. You can also join with us for this special celebration on our website www.knockshrine.ie/watch