Clonmacnois Parish
January 2nd 2022
Second Sunday of Christmas
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)
SECOND SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS
‘The Word was made flesh’
We have just heard an extract from the Prologue to St. John’s Gospel. In the days before the Second Vatican Council this reading was proclaimed at the end of every Mass. Known as the ‘Last Gospel’ it reminded the faithful before their dismissal, of the Good News at the centre of their faith: ‘the Word was made flesh’. Our God walks with us. He has made His home with us and by becoming flesh, has bestowed a sacredness on all of creation. Heaven is literally here on earth. ‘The world around us is the shop front for a greater reality’. We are grateful to John for taking us beyond the surface to the deeper meaning of the Christmas event. The eagle is, appropriately, the symbol of his Gospel. It is believed that the eagle flies higher than all other birds and can look directly into the light of the sun. So it is with John’s Gospel. It takes us higher and deeper into the mystery of our God and the light of His face.
New Year Prayers
As the dawn breaks on a new year, let us give thanks for all we hold dear: our health our family and our friends.
Let us release our grudges, our anger and our pains, for these are nothing but binding chains. Let us live each day in the most loving ways, the God-conscious way. Let us serve all who are in need, regardless of race, colour or creed.
Let us keep God of our own understanding in our hearts and to chant God's name each day. Let us lead the world from darkness to light, from falsehood to truth and from wrong to right. Let us remember that we are all one, embracing all discriminating against none.
May your year be filled with peace, prosperity
and love May God's blessings shower upon you and
bestow upon each of you a bright, healthy and
peaceful New Year.
A Prayer
Do everything calmly and peacefully.
Do as much as you can as well as you can.
Strive to see God in all things without exception.
Consent to His will joyously.
Do everything for God, uniting yourself to Him
In word and deed.
Walk very simply with the Cross of the Lord.
Be at peace with yourself.
St. Francis de Sales.
Names & Characteristics of the Three Wise Men
Gaspar, the king of Sheba, who wears a green cloak
and a gold crown with green jewels on it represents
the Frankincense brought to Jesus.
Melchior, the king of Arabia, who has long white hair
and a white beard and wears a gold cloak represents
the Gold brought to Jesus.
Balthazar, the king of Tarse, who has a black beard
and wears a purple cloak represents the gift of Myrrh
that was brought to Jesus.
Meaning of the Gifts for Jesus
Gold is affiliated with Kings and Christians believe
that Jesus is the King of Kings.
Frankincense is used in liturgical worship in
traditional Churches and represented that people
would worship and praise Jesus.
Myrrh is a fragrance that is embedded on dead bodies
to make them smell pleasant and represented that
Jesus would endure persecution resulting in his death
Sat 1st Jan 2022 7pm Shannonbridge
Sun 2nd Jan 2022 10:30am Clonfanlough
Mon 3rd Jan 2022 10am Mass
Tues 4th Jan 2022 10am Mass
Wed 5th Jan 2022 7pm (Epiphany Vigil)
Thurs 6th Jan 2022 10:30am Clonfanlough (Epiphany Mass)
Fri 7th Jan 2022 7pm Joan Farrelly
Fri 7th Jan 2022 8pm Clonfanlough 1st Fri
Sat 8th Jan 2022 7pm Barney & Christeen Reynolds
Sun 9th Jan 2022 10:30a.m. Pro Populo
Offertory Dec 25th €805 Dec 26th €830
RECENT DEATH Please pray for the repose of the soul of Lottie (Loretta) Horan of Banagher (formerly Darcy, Shannonbridge) sister of Oliver who died
PARISH CALENDARS are available in both Churches
Mass Readers Please call to the sacristy to collect your St Paul Sunday Missal for 2022. Please call to the sacristy to collect your St Paul Sunday Missal for 2022.
UPCOMING FEAST DAYS
Monday 3 January Most Holy Name of Jesus. St. Mainchin.
Thursday 6 Jan. Epiphany of the Lord.
Friday 7 Jan. St. Raymond of Penyafort.
Sunday 9 January Baptism of the Lord.
REFLECTION Jesus spoke of little lights, candles, lamps, not great bonfires, Just small steady flames to brighten some dark corner of the house. Jesus always preached little: - children , flowers sparrows, mustard seeds, loaves and fishes. He didn’t expect people to make big gestures.
He knew that little is the currency of
everyday living. We thank God for little lights, the warm smile, the hug, the phone call, a cup of tea, an open door, a talent
freely shared. May our parish carry the lamp of kindness to always give light to those in darkness.
A New Year stands on my doorstep, ready to enter my life’s journey. Something in me welcomes this visitor; The hope of bountiful blessings, The joy of a new beginning, The freshness of unclaimed surprises. Something in me rebuffs this visitor; The swiftness of the coming, The boldness of the entrance, The challenge of a year’s goodbye. Something in me fears this visitor; The unnamed events of the future days, The wisdom needed to walk love well, The demands of giving away and growing. A new year stands on my doorstep. With fragile caution I move To open the door for its entrance. My heart leaps with surprise, Joy jumps in my eyes, For there beside this brand new year Stands my God with outstretched hand! Smiling and gently asking me; ‘Can we walk this year together?’ And I, so overwhelmed with goodness Can barely whisper my reply: ‘Yes, please, welcome in.’ Joyce Rupp
HISTORY OF THE CHRISTMAS TREE
(before it is put away!) Modern Christmas trees have been related to the "tree of paradise" of medieval mystery plays that were given on 24th December, the commemoration and name day of Adam and Eve in various countries. In such plays, a tree decorated with apples (to represent the forbidden fruit) and wafers (to represent the Eucharist and redemption) was used as a setting for the play. Like the Christmas crib, the Paradise tree was later placed in homes. The apples were replaced by round objects such as shiny red balls. After Queen Victoria's marriage to her German cousin Prince Albert, by 1841 the custom became even more widespread as wealthier middle-class families followed the fashion. In 1842 a newspaper advert for Christmas trees makes clear their smart cachet, German origins and association with children and gift-giving. The tradition of placing a Christmas tree as well as the life-size Nativity scene in Saint Peter's Square started in 1982 during the pontificate of Pope John Paul II, when the Polish-born Pope introduced the northern European symbol of Christmas spirit. The tradition of erecting a Christmas Tree was celebrated in northern Europe and in Poland, Pope John Paul II's country of origin, but not in the Vatican at the time
PARISH STATISTICS FOR 2021
16 Baptisms 4 Funerals
Marriages 0
The Annual St. Vincent de Paul Collection: Envelopes have been left in both Churches. This is the only means of fundraising for St. Vincent de Paul in our area and all monies raised will go directly to helping people in our community coming up to Christmas and throughout the year.
SHANNONBRIDGE GAA LOTTO DRAW Dec 27th 2021 Numbers drawn on FB Live 6– 11-14-27 No Jackpot Winner 8 Match 3 winners. Jackpot now €2,200
CHARITABLE DONATIONS SCHEME - Reminder to return forms as soon as possible. Only your Name, PPS Number, Address, Phone Number and email [if applicable] Nothing else. Any queries? Contact me please
COVID-19 Support Line for Older People ALONE manage a national support line and additional supports for older people who have concerns or are facing difficulties relating to COVID-19 (Coronavirus). If you or someone you know needs support this Christmas, please call our National Support and Referral Line on 0818 222 024 from 8am – 8pm, seven days a week. ALONE operates 365 days a year so we will be there to take your call when you need us most
COLLECTIONS - Thank you for your continuing support. Moran’s Gala still receive envelopes, or the secure box in the Main Porch of both Churches, or the presbytery Letterbox. If anybody wants to offer financial support you can do so by electronic transfer
Bank Transfer (Do give your Box No. or name in bank narrative) Name of Account Clonmacnois Parochial Account.
BIC-BOFIIE2DXXX
IBAN-IE90BOFI90368011629381
CHURCH CARE Martha Murphy/Marie McManus Clonfanlough: Mary Guinan, Anne Guinan (Jan.) READER Jan 8th 2022 @ 7pm Christine Fallon. Jan 9th @ 10:30 Anne Rohan Eucharistic Minister Marie McManus (S/B), Jan 8th /Jacqueline Hennessy (C/f) Jan 9th
Church Counters Clonfanlough (Jan)
For last year's words belong to last year's language. And next year's words await another voice. (T.S. Eliot)
For last year's words belong to last year's language. And next year's words await another voice. (T.S. Eliot)
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