Clonmacnois Parish

February 27th 2022

8th Sunday in Ordinary Time©

(Temperance Sunday)

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

Email: clonmacnoiseparish@gmail.com

     WEB  shannonbridge.blogspot.ie

FACEBOOK    https://www.facebook.com/tomas.macconchoille  (Live)

 

EIGHTH  SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME
‘Why do you observe the splinter in your brother’s eye’?
 An Indian mother was worried about the health of her son who was eating too much sugar. She brought the boy to Mahatma Gandhi to see if he could help. Gandhi thought for a moment and then told the lady to bring her son back in two weeks time. The mother was disappointed but did as the great man asked her. Two weeks later, when she and her son returned to Gandhi he simply said to the young man: ‘you must stop eating sugar; it is not good for your health’. The mother was confused and asked Gandhi why he had not given that basic advice on their first meeting. Gandhi replied: ‘Two weeks ago I could not tell your son to stop eating sugar; I had to stop eating sugar first’. Before we attempt to correct or criticize others, we need to take stock. There is a story behind every person, myself included and if we look for the best in others, we will find it. Another great leader, Abraham Lincoln suggested that the only one who has the right to criticize is the one who has the heart to help. Both Gandhi and Lincoln must have been inspired by the words of the Greatest Teacher of all in His ‘Sermon on the Plain’: 

‘Why do you observe the splinter in your brother’s eye and never notice the plank in your own’?
 
 SHANNONBRIDGE
Sat 26th Feb  7pm Vigil Mass of Sunday
Mon 28th Feb 10am Mass
Shrove Tuesday 1st March 10am Mass Private Intention
Ash Wednesday 2nd March 10am
Thurs 3rd March  10am
Fri 4th March 10am
Saturday 5th March 7pm
CLONFANLOUGH  
Sun 27th 10:30am  Sarah Darcy (M/M)
Tues 2nd 7pm Eve of Ash Wednesday
Sat 5th March 4pm Kathleen Molloy M/M
Sun 6th March 10:30am John Joe Maleney
TRÓCAIRE LENTEN CAMPAIGN - Trócaire boxes available for collection at Church Porch. You can return them during Holy Week (April 11-17th and we will return them to Trócaire for you.
 
CLUAIN CHIARAIN
Next Mass Wednesday, March 9th @ 7:30pm  (please note no Mass in Cluain Chiarain Ash Wednesday March 2nd)
OFFERTORY  February 13th €705
FEAST DAYS
Mar. 1st St David Born around 520, St David is the patron saint of Wales. He founded monasteries through Wales and one at nearby Glastonbury. Mar. 5th St Kieran St Kieran lived in the 5 th century and is closely associated with the diocese of Ossory (Co Kilkenny)
 
Temperance Sunday The Sunday prior to Ash Wednesday, we are invited to reflect on the gift of temperance and the struggle so many individuals and families have with alcohol and drugs. We remember the prayer of the fellowship “Lord grant me the serenity to accept the things we cannot change, courage to change the things we can and wisdom to know the difference”
 
 A Prayer for Ukraine. God of peace and justice, we pray for the people of Ukraine today. We pry for peace and the laying down of weapons. We pray for all those who fear for tomorrow. That Your Spirit of comfort would draw near to them. We pray for those with power over war or peace, for wisdom, discernment and compassion to guide their decisions. Above all, we pray for all your precious children that you would hold and protect them. We pray in the name of Jesus, the Prince of Peace. Amen.
Pope Francis writes: My heart aches greatly at the worsening situation in Ukraine. I would like to appeal to everyone, believers and non-believers alike. Jesus taught us that the diabolical senselessness of violence is answered with God’s weapons, with prayer and fasting. I invite everyone to mark March 2nd , Ash Wednesday, a Day of Fasting for Peace. I encourage believers in a special way to dedicate themselves intensely to prayer and fasting on that day. May the Queen of Peace preserve the world from the madness of war
 Exploring Priesthood—Zoom with Seminarians and Priests: On Tuesday 1st March at 8.00 pm there will be an opportunity for young men to join in on a Zoom to find out more about priesthood and to hear directly from two young men who are currently studying for the priesthood in our National Seminary in Maynooth. The event is being run by the National Vocations Office. Further information and registration details can be obtained by emailing info@vocations.ie or by visiting vocations.ie/zoom
MOORE I.C.A will have Syrah Glennon as guest flower demonstator at 8:30p.m. Moore Hall on Tuesday 8th March  All Welcome
THANK YOU from the St. Joseph’s Conference of the Society of St. Vincent De Paul for the donation of €429 in our  Christmas Appeal
SR. MARGARET MARY ON THE MOVE! Friday last saw Sr. Margaret move house to Ballinasloe. Our parish community is grateful that she will continue to link in with us  and share her gift of music in our parish choir who will return shortly.
THOUGHTS ON PARISH COUNCILS
Who are the members of the Parish Pastoral Council? Vatican II documents speak of parish pastoral councils as “representative” or “reflective of” the People of God.  It’s not about geography, demography.. Members  are“ chosen to reflect the wisdom of the entire people of God “   The parish pastoral council is a consultative body. It is not an executive body that implements its recommendations through a system of standing committees. It is not a legislature The task of parish pastoral council members is to “represent” by “making present” the wisdom of the parish.
 NOMINATION FORMS  AVAILABLE IN CHURCH
 PALM: Traditionally, Palm from the previous Palm Sunday  (we used Spanish Palm Crosses in 2021 as we were closed)  is burned and the ashes are used to mark the foreheads of Parishioners on Ash Wednesday.  Please return palm from previous year(s) and place it in the basket in sanctuary. Ashes from these palms will then be used at Masses on Ash Wednesday.
VOLUNTEERING If you are interested in registering your voluntary organisation or becoming a volunteer contact 083 – 0154669 for more information or register on www.volunteeroffaly.ie
SHANNONBRIDGE EXERCISE CLASSES  Pilates Class Thursday 11am. More Details phone 087 2410587
DATES FOR SACRAMENTS
1st Comm Sat May 7th 2022 @ 12Noon
[Service of Light May 12th 2022]
Confirmation Dates:  Sat May 21st 2022
‘Fasting- More Than Giving Things Up’
Fast from criticism, and feast in praise
Fast from self-pity, and feast on joy.
Fast from ill- temper, and feast on peace. Fast from resentment, and feast on contentment.
Fast from jealously, and feast on love.
Fast from pride, and feast on humility.
Fast from selfishness, and feast on service. Fast on fear, and feast on faith.
 Communion Calls: Fr. Tom will make his Communion Calls on Tuesday March 1st.. Friday 4th March is the First Friday of the month.
 
Temperance Sunday This Sunday is known as Temperance Sunday. We as a Christian Community join in prayer for those who are affected by addiction to drugs and alcohol. We pray also for a change of heart among those who have the power and the resources to tackle this problem so that they will treat it with the priority it deserves and requires.
 
 Ash Wednesday Thought
The dust that we are is already shining with Easter gold  (Fr. Donal O’Doherty died 14/2/22)
 
It is a day of Fast and Abstinence. The season of Lent invites us to pray, to fast and to give alms. St. Peter Chrysologus once said “Fasting is the soul of Prayer, Mercy is the lifeblood of fasting. If we have not all three together we have nothing.”