Clonmacnois Parish
November 27th 2022
1st Sunday of Advent (A)
Fr. Tom Cox (Adm) Tel. 090 9674125/ 0868319500
Email: clonmacnoiseparish@gmail.com
WEB shannonbridge.blogspot.ie
FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/
FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT
‘Waiting is learning’
A new Church Year begins. We move into the season
of Advent. The word ‘advent’ means ‘coming’.
During these days we are asked to think about the
coming of Christ at Christmas, His coming at the
end of time, and His coming into our lives every
day. In other words we look back, we look forward
and we look around. It is really a four-week course
in waiting. Like its cousin, Lent, it is a season for
prayer and reformation. We have travelled the road
often, but sometimes we see something for the first
time on familiar roads. As we gaze on the Advent
wreath today we might reflect on the circle of life
with its constant cycle of endings and beginnings,
comings and goings, while the gentle flame of the
candle should reassure us that the darkest night
cannot quench the light of hope which a tiny infant
brought to our world over two thousand years ago.
“Advent is a journey towards Bethlehem. May we be drawn by the light of Christ made man.”
Pope Francis.
SHANNONBRIDGE (Eircode N37 FV05)
Sat 26th Nov. 7pm Vigil Mass Willie & Julia Dillon
Mon 28th 10am
Tues 29th 10am
Wed 30th 10am
Thurs 1st Dec 10am
Fri 2nd Dec 10am
Sat 3rd Dec 7pm Pro Populo
CLONFANLOUGH (N37 XR81)
Sun 27th Nov. 10:30am Edward & Bridget Mannion & family (Ballyhearth)
Thurs 1st Dec 7pm Kieran & Ann Pillion
Sun 4th Dec 10:30am Devery Family (Clonlyon) Nancy & Sonny Egan
CLUAIN CHIARAIN
Next Mass Wed., Nov. 30th @ 7:30pm
OFFERTORY Nov 19/20th €595
November Dues €1,515
SACRAMENT DATES 2023
First Confession 7pm Shannonbridge Feb 9th
First Communion 12 Noon April 22 Clonfanlough
BASKET COLLECTIONS RETURN It seems appropriate on balance to resume the in-church collection at this time. For the moment other options remain, Moran’s Gala, secure box at back (emptied twice weekly) and online banking– see details below.
Name of Account Clonmacnois Parochial Account. BIC-BOFIIE2DXXX
IBAN-IE90BOFI90368011629381 Please put your name and/or your box number in reference section.
Feast Days
Nov.30th St Andrew (Apostle) Andrew was the brother of the apostle Peter.
First Friday The usual house calls will be contacted on Wed.Family wedding on Friday)
MINISTRIES
Readers: 3/12/22 @7pm Eileen Quinn (SB)/ 4/12/22 @10:30am Declan McEvoy (Cf) Communion 3/12/22 @7pm John Mitchell 4/12/22@10:30am Jacqueline Hennessy Church Care Paula Claffey, Antoinette Kelly, Deirdre Kenny SB:Helen Darcy, Kathleen Norton (Dec) (CF) Counters: Shannonbridge (Dec) Servers; 3/12/22 @ 7pm Shannonbridge Hannah Mitchell, Oisin Kenny 4/12/22 @ 10:30am Clonfanlough Harry Guinan, Alyssa Hennessy, Rose Daly, Holly Maloney
ONLINE ADVENT RETREAT - Word becomes Flesh: An Advent Retreat, “Oh that you would tear apart the heavens and come down!” (Isaiah 64:1). Visit our website prioryinstitute.com or click on this link https://bit.ly/3DWrTkx to find out more.
BLESSING OF THE ADVENT WREATH
We ask you, God, our creator, to bless this Advent wreath.
May it remind us that Jesus is in our midst
and that we are surrounded by his love and care.
Bless these candles on our wreath.
May they remind us that Jesus is the light of the World.
Bless these evergreens on our wreath.
May they remind us that Jesus’ love for us
is everlasting and that nothing we do will ever take it away.
May this wreath remind us to prepare well
for Christmas, each and every day of the Advent Season.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen
EMPLOYABILITY MIDLANDS - Do you have
a disability, illness or injury and would like help
to find a job? If the answer is yes, you can contact
Liam on 086 387 3047 or Patricia on 086 145
1074 and we will be happy to tell you more about
EmployAbility Midlands and how we can help you
find a job.
Greater Ballinasloe Syrian Refugee Appeal Holy Hour of Thanksgiving & Petition St. Michael's Church, Ballinasloe Sunday 27th November 7-8pm
(www.churchservices.tv/ballinasloe). All welcome as we give thanks for the generosity of all contributors and remembers the needs of all refugees and asylums seekers before God. See www.creideamh.ie/syria for more information.
SVP COLLECTION Dec 3/4th The needs are even greater and more critical as many households face impossible choices this Christmas. “Food or Heat”. Annual appeal takes places on 3rd/4th December next. Or drop in an envelopes simply marked SVP or call 0818 176 176
MOORE HISTORY BOOK , Volume 3, by Sandra and Padraic Kilduff will be launched in Moore Hall on Friday 9th December at 8pm, by Dr. Christy Cunniffe. Refreshments provided. All welcome. Ideal Christmas gift.
BANAGHER COLLEGE - TY’s musical
pantomime, ‘Adrian, the Alternative Pantomime’.
Tickets available on the door. Performance nights
are Wed. 7th and Thurs. 8th December at 7.30pm.
Adm: €12 Adults & €7 Seniors/Students.
An Advent Family Prayer at Bedtime for week 1 You might like to light your Advent wreath or Advent Candle to begin your prayer
Loving God, on this Advent night we turn to you in prayer. As we wait for the coming of your Son, we ask you to bless our family. Free us from any worry or distress that we may have and help us to welcome your light into our lives, a light that gives us your gift of hope.May your hope fill our hearts, our minds &our home. We ask this through Christ our Lord.Amen.
Together we pray: Come, Lord Jesus.
Bambinelli Sunday Dec 10/11th. Children are particularly welcome to bring a figure from their family Crib to either Mass (7pm S/bridge or 10:30am C’fanlough)
Time-out with Our Lady Adult Retreat Day 11am – 4 pm taking place in Donamon Castle on Thursday 8th December. More details @ www.creideamh.ie/ourl ady . 40 places. All welcome. Pre-booking encouraged.
PILATES CLASS Shannonbridge Hall. Thursdays 11am 087 2410587
DOON/SHANNONBRIDGE GAA LOTTERY
-Draw of Nov. 21st 2022. Numbers drawn 14-21-22-29. No Winner . Two Match 3 .(so €400 added to jackpot) Jackpot now €2,200 Next draw 28/11/22
WALKING TRACK lights on! Rachra GAA are pleased to announce that the walking lights are on until 9:30pm every night.
Youth 2000 Christmas Retreat will be taking place in Newbridge College, Newbridge between 9th – 11th December. This retreat is for anyone aged 16-35. Great CRAIC!! Excellent Speakers, Inspiring Talks & Workshops, Fantastic music, Group activities, Youth Masses, Adoration, Reconciliation, Prayer, Drama, Games & plenty of time to chill out, meet new people and find out what it means to be young & Catholic today!! Donation only. Free buses leaving from all over Ireland. Register now on www.youth2000.ie
ECUMENICAL CAROL SERVICE Sunday December 11th at 3pm in Temple Conor Clonmacnois Monastic Site.
CLONMACNOIS N.S. CHRISTMAS CAROL SERVICE on Thursday 15th December 6.30pm in Shannonbridge Church, Tea, refreshments & raffle with lots of spot prizes to be won in hall afterwards. Special guest from North Pole scheduled to drop in! All welcome
CHRISTMAS SOCIAL DANCE - In Cloghan
Hall on Fri. 2nd December from 9.30pm-12.30am.
Music by Dave Lawlor. Light refreshments.
BOOK LAUNCH - Belmont: The Story of a West Offaly Townland by Brendan Ryan, will be launched in High Street Hall on Friday 2nd December at 8.30pm. Hardback, 230 pages. Light refreshments
CENACOLO ANNUAL NATIVITY PLAY the annual live outdoor Nativity play will take place at the Cenacolo Farm, Aughtaboy, Knock F12 WK74 on Saturday 3rd December at 5.30pm. Performed by the lads of Cenacolo with live animals. Duration 40mins approx. All are most welcome to attend
O come, O come, Emmanuel /And ransom captive Israel / That mourns in lonely exile here / Until the Son of God appear / Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel
Light the Advent candle, one:
Now the waiting has begun; we have started on our way; time to think of Christmas day
Candle, Candle, burning bright, shining in the cold winter night. Candle, Candle burning bright,
fill our hearts with Christmas light