Clonmacnois Parish
December 18th 2022
4th 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/
FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT
The exact birthday of Jesus is unknown. Pope Julius I who was Pope (337-352), is credited with selecting the 25th December to celebrate the coming of the Saviour into the world. It was a pagan festival in honour of the ‘sun god’, and since we believe Jesus to be the ‘Light of the World’, the date seemed especially appropriate. Take Christ out of these days and we are back in the pagan space. We should guard against returning to where we were! Let us, rather, be possessed by the mystery and message of these days. Our God is with us. As we stand before the crib, may we find there again the gentle reassurance of His presence, and may we understand with utter confidence, that we are loved. Then, let us fall silent and rest secure in the heart of God. Céad fáilte romhat, a Linbh a rugadh sa stábla.
Christmas Invitation/ Cuireadh an Nollag: An open invitation to all to join us in our parish for Christmas Masses, especially if you have drifted a bit, or got out of the habit of going.
A thought from Pope Francis for Christmas 2022 'It is nice to celebrate Christmas and have parties but let's lower the level of Christmas spending a bit. … Let's have a more humble Christmas, with more humble gifts. Let's send what we save to the Ukrainian people, who need it.'
Putting up the Christmas Tree When the tree has been prepared, the household gathers around it. All make the Sign of the Cross. This tree is a blessing in our home. It reminds us of all that is beautiful, all that is filled with the gentleness and the promise of God. It stands in our midst as a tree of light, that we might promise such beauty to one another and to our world. It stands like that tree of paradise that God made into the tree of life, the cross of Jesus. God of all creation, we praise you for this tree which brings beauty and memories and the promise of life to our home. May your blessing be upon all who gather around this tree, all who keep the Christmas festival by its lights. We wait for the coming of the Christ, the days of everlasting justice and of peace. You are our God, living and reigning, for ever and ever. Response: Amen
SHANNONBRIDGE (Eircode N37 FV05)
Sat 17th 7pm Eileen Higgin (Ann.) 5th A
Mon 19th No 10am Mass (Church closed due to School Carol Service rehearsal 9:20-11:10am approx.)
Tues 20th 10am Mass (Confessions)
Wed 21st 10am Mass (Confessions)
Thurs 22nd 10am Mass
Fri 23rd 10am Mass
Sat 24th Christmas Eve 5pm & 9pm
Sun 25th Christmas Day 12 Noon
Mon 26th Mass 12 Noon
CLONFANLOUGH (N37 XR81)
Sun 18th Dec 10:30am People’s Intention
Wed 21st 7pm Mass & Confessions
Sat 24th Dec Christmas Eve 7pm
Sun 25th Dec Christmas Day 10:30am
CLUAIN CHIARAIN 11/1/23 @ 7:3pm
OFFERTORY Dec 11th €455
DEATHS - We pray for the repose of the souls of Liam Coolahan (Glebe) May he rest in peace.
2023 Parish Envelopes are delivered thanks to our wonderful organiser & distributors. A very big thank you to all who contribute to the Parish. Like everywhere costs have risen steeply. It is reassuring to see such solid support for Clonmacnois parish in these uncertain times.
.MINISTRIES
Readers: 24/12/22 @9pm Pattie Corbett (SB)/ 25/12/22 @10:30am Kathleen Guinan (Cf) Communion 24/12/22 @9pm Sinead Ryan 25/12/22@10:30am Kay Kelly Church Care Eileen Quinn, Dolly Deeley, Veronica Hynes SB:Helen Darcy, Kathleen Norton (Dec) (CF) Counters: Shannonbridge (Dec) Servers; 24/12/22 @ 5pm Shannonbridge Liam Fitzpatrick, James Darcy 25/12/22 @ 10:30am Clonfanlough Eva Seery, Daragh Seery, Oisin Shrahan, Ella Shrahan
CHRISTMAS CONFESSIONS
Confessions “General approach with individual absolution” Tues 20th/Wed 21st @10am Mass (Shannonbridge) also Wed 21st @7pm Mass Clonfanlough
Christmas Eve Sat 24th Individual Confessions: 12:30-2pm (Shannonbridge)
CHRISTMAS MASSES
Shannonbridge Sat Dec 24th 5pm & 9pm/
Sun Dec 25th 12 Noon
Clonfanlough Sat Dec 24th 7pm Sun Dec 25th 10:30am
Blessing of the Bambinelli
God, our Father you so loved humankind that you sent us your only Son Jesus, born of the Virgin Mary, to save us and lead us back to you. We pray that with your Blessing these images of Jesus, who is about to come among us, may be a sign of your presence and love in our homes. Good Father, give your Blessing to us too, to our parents, to our families and to our friends. Open our hearts, so that we may be able to receive Jesus in joy, always do what he asks and see him in all those who are in need of our love. We ask your blessing on our Bambinelli and the children who
present him in the name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. (A sprinkle of Holy Water may be used at the time of the blessing).
We ask you this in the name of Jesus, your beloved Son who comes to give the world peace and lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen
POINSETTIA THOUGHT Every Spring I give out about Christmas Holly Wreaths being left on graves in Clonmacnois which parish volunteers pick up for months afterwards But the thought struck me… why not invite people to “donate” (temporarily) a Poinsettia in remembrance of deceased family members, relatives and parishioners. They can be placed beside the Crib (label if you prefer). They will be prayed for & remembered at our Christmas Masses. Feel free to then bring it out to Clonmacnois Cemetery
2023 CALENDARS shortly available. Features the latest members of our local community from Ukraine. A resilient, noble people whom we welcome. May peace reign there soon.
Dear Fellow Traveller,
This may be the last chance I have to use this page (no pre-printed bulletins available on Dec 25th only the booklets with Carols/Readings/Mass texts) to say a Huge "Thank You" to all our parishioners and friends for their immense help. A parish is about Community and community is about people. Coming together to support and keep each other going. A very big thank you to all who help in our parish. A very Happy and Blessed Christmas to one and all.
-Draw of Dec 12th 2022. Numbers drawn 2-24-25-32. No Winner . Two Match 3 .Jackpot now €2,800 Christmas Draw Mon 19th with additional 10 x €50 bonus prizes
Sun Dec 18th CAROLS BY CANDLELIGHT: Carol Service in Knock Basilica this Sun 18th Dec. at 8pm. Featuring Schola Cantorum Basilicae, together with ConTempo String Quartet and organist Mark Keane. All welcome. The service is free of charge and can also be viewed online on www.knockshrine.ie
Mon Dec 19th CLONMACNOIS N.S. CHRISTMAS CAROL SERVICE (Re-scheduled) on Monday 19th 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
A Christmas Vision
If I decorate my house perfectably with streamers, twinkly lights and shiny balls but do not show love to my family, I am just another decorator.
If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of mince pies , and arranging a beautiful adorned table , but do not show love to my family, I am just another cook.
If I work at the soup kitchen, sing carols in the church and give all that I have to charity, but do not show love to my family it profits me nothing.
If I decorate the tree with fairy lights and attend a myriad of pre- Christmas parties but do not focus on Christ, I have missed the point.
Love stops the cooking to hug the child.
Love sets aside the decorating to listen to love ones.
Love is kind though harried and tired.
Love doesn’t envy another’s home that has coordinated Christmas china and table linen.
Love doesn’t yell at the kids to get out of the way, but is thankful that they are there to be in the way. Love doesn’t give to those who are able to give in return but rejoices in giving to those who can’t. The gift of love will
endure. (Author unknown) Based on 1 Corinthians 13.
MARY’S MEALS: International school feeding charity, Mary’s Meals, are inviting you to join their Big Family Christmas celebrations. A range of gifts are available, a wonderful Christmas gift, but will also provide life changing school meals for a child living in poverty. Gift cards are available to download at www.marysmeals.ie or by calling 01 853 5163.
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