Clonmacnois Parish

August 22nd 2021

21st Sunday in Ordinary Time(B)

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)

 

‘‘What about you, do you want to go away too?”
The Christian journey hinges on two words: invitation and response. God invites and we have a choice. From the beginning many have chosen to walk away from Jesus and tread other paths. It’s not a uniquely modern phenomenon. The problem today is that many people walk away withoutmaking a reflective choice. Having received the faith second-hand, they never go deeper. There is no mature decision involved. Faith sees with the ears and the unexamined faith will wither. There is a crisis of knowledge in the Church family. It could be said that we are drowning in information but starved for knowledge. A recent survey in the United States produced the startling finding that atheists and agnostics have a significantly superior religious knowledge to Catholics. ‘Knowledge is the peg on which we hang the hat of faith, ‘the wing wherewith we fly  to heaven’. We cannot have faith in something about which we know nothing! Isn’t it time for the baptized faithful to take a second look and not just walk away?
 
The Curmudgeon’s Prayer Lord, thou knowest better than I know myself that I am growing older and will someday be old. Keep me from the fatal habit of thinking I must say something on every subject and on every occasion. Release me from craving to straighten out everybody's affairs. Make me thoughtful but not moody; helpful but not bossy. With my vast store of wisdom, it seems a pity not to use it all, but Thou knowest Lord that I want a few friends at the end. Keep my mind free from the recital of endless details; give me wings to get to the point. Seal my lips on my aches and pains. They are increasing, and love of rehearsing them is becoming sweet as the years go by. I dare not ask for grace enough to enjoy the tales of others' pains, but help me to endure them with patience. I dare not ask for improved memory, but for a growing humility and a lessening self-righteousness when my memory seems to clash with the memories of others. Teach me the glorious lesson that occasionally I may be mistaken. Keep me reasonably sweet; I do not want to be a Saint—some of them are so hard to live with—but a sour old person is one of the crowning works of the devil. Give me the ability to see good things in unexpected places, and talents in unexpected people. And, give me, O Lord, the grace to tell them so. Amen. (From Birr Parish newsletter)
 
SHANNONBRIDGE(15 seats/Max 50
 SATURDAY 21st AUGUST - 7pm
Mon 23rd 9:30am
Tues 24th 10am
Wed 25th 10am
Thurs 26th 7p.m
Fri 27th  10am
Sat 28th 7p.m.
CLONFANLOUGH   (Max 50)
Sunday 22nd August 10:30am
Mon 23rd August 7p.m.
Sunday 29th August 10:30am Kieran (Harry) Kearns (Anniv.)
OFFERTORY August 15th 2021 €625
SAINTS FOCUS
Aug. 22th St Rose of Lima (1586-1617) Rose of Lima served the poor in Peru. She was a Dominican sister.
Aug. 24th St Bartholomew The only mention he gets in the gospels is his listing among the apostles.
Aug. 28th St Monica (324-387) Brought her husband and her son, St Augustine to Christianity and to a moral life.
 Aug. 28th St Augustine (354-430) Influenced by his mother he became a Christian and later became bishop of Hippo in North Africa. As a theologian he has had significant influence in the church especially on the understanding of God’s grace. He is the patron saint of theologians.
VOCATIONS  Imagine if, in every Parish and faith community, people were encouraged to spend a few minutes discerning who in their midst might be a possible candidate for religious life/priesthood? Then, if they gently and sensitively shared the fruit of their reflection with that person, saying what they saw in the person and then left it for him/her to think and pray about it? What would happen? Only God knows! As well as full time ministry, every community has a need for willing people to serve as readers, ministers of the Eucharist, Mass servers, catechists or members of various committees. God continues to call, sometimes we just don’t hear. Contact the diocesan vocations director: Fr. Seamus O’Rourke. Tel: 071 9620054/ 087 9195315. seamusoro@gmail.com. www.vocations.ie.
 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
BACK TO SCHOOL Best wishes to all our
students and teachers as they return to the
classroom in thE coming days. May the year
ahead be a hapPy and safe one for all.
ALL IRELAND CHAMPIONS Congratulations to Aaron Brazil and the Offaly Under 20 team On their marvellous All-Ireland Final win last Sunday.
SHANNONBRIDGE GAA LOTTO DRAW  16th August 2021 Numbers drawn on Facebook Live  8-9-18-20 No winner,  One  Match 3  Jackpot now €13,800  Lotto can be played online also at clubforce
Challenges are what make life interesting and overcoming them is what makes life meaningful.
 MINISTRIES  IN CHURCH                 CHURCH CARE   S’bridge Marian McManus, Catherina Slattery, Ann Corbett  Clonfanlough: Marian Devery/Ann Kelly (Aug)       READER Aug 28th @ 7pm Pattie Corbett Aug 29th Declan McEvoy 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 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.
Accord Ballinasloe Going through a difficult time in your relationship? Maybe we can help…ACCORD Ballinasloe is open for face-to-face counselling in a safe environment. For more information, call 090 963573/086 4149033 or email: accordballinasloe@gmail.com
Prayer for Afghanistan O God of mercy and of peace We hold before you the peoples of Afghanistan; be living bread to those who are hungry each day. Be healing and wholeness to those who have no access to health care amidst the ravages of the pandemic. Be a true home to all who have been displaced. Be open arms of loving acceptance to whose who fear because of their gender, ethnicity, religious or political views. Be peace to those engaged in armed conflict, and those who live within its shadow. Turn our hearts and minds to your ways of just and gentle peace; open our eyes to see you in all acts of compassionate care. Strengthen our hearts to step out in solidarity with your suffering people, and hold us all in your unfailing love. We pray in the name of Jesus Christ, who emptied himself of all but love, in order to bring life in all its fullness. Amen