Clonmacnois Parish
March 26th 2023
5th Sunday of Lent (A)
Fr. Tom Cox (Adm) Tel. 090 9674125/ 0868319500
Email: clonmacnoiseparish@gmail.com
WEB shannonbridge.blogspot.ie
TFACEBOOK www.fb.me/saintciarans.
FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT
Lazarus
If only Lazarus had given an interview! We are all fascinated by what lies beyond the grave, and would love to know something of that‘undiscovered country from whose bourn no traveller returns’. The raising of Lazarus from the dead was another one of the ‘signs’ given by Jesus. In this extraordinary episode He appears to be teaching us two things. Firstly, He is showing us that, where there is death He brings life. Secondly, He seems to be telling us that we can be in death even this side of the grave. The images underline the message. The stone is removed; the bindings are cut; Lazarus goes free. Whenever we are tied-down by pride, covetousness, lust, anger, gluttony, envy or sloth
we are already dead. We need the Lord to come
to help us to remove the obstacles and cut the bindings that prevent us from living life to the full and becoming the kind of people we were meant to be. The name Lazarus means ‘the one whom God helps’. So, Lazarus is you and me.
Is gaire cabhair Dé ná an doras!
SHANNONBRIDGE (Eircode N37 FV05)
Sat 25th 7pm Vigil
-Harry Gunning
-Oliver Hilliard
-Paddy & Mary Martin
Mon 27th 10am Mass
Tues 28th 10 am to be confirmed
Wed 29th 10am Service
Thurs 30th 10am Mass
Fri 31st 10am Mass (Stations of the Cross afterwards)
Sat 1st April 7pm Gerry Greene & parents Thomas & Catherine Greene
Palm Crosses available at Porch or if you prefer to bring own greenery-will be blessed.
Sunday 2nd April Baptism 2pm
CLONFANLOUGH (N37 XR81)
Sun 26th 10:30am People’s Mass
Thurs 30th 7pm [Stations of Cross 6:30pm ]
Sun 2nd April 10:30am Passion Palm Sunday
CLUAIN CHIARAIN 29/3/23 @ 7:30pm
OFFERTORY March 17th € 440 March 19th €410
REST IN PEACE: Your prayers are requested for the happy repose of the souls of Louis Maher (Rahan & former ESB Shannonbridge) brother of Celine Grennan
Gabrielle Molloy Fahy, Gurteen, Ballinasloe sister of Mai Fitzgerald. Margaret Rigley (née Kane) former Resident of Shannonbridge Mary Flynn Cloghan
Willie O’Rourke Birch Grove, Ballinasloe
SUMMER TIME this Sunday 26/3 @1am
FEAST DAYS FOR COMING WEEK
April 2nd Palm Sunday Sunday next, is Palm Sunday and the start of Holy Week. Palms will be blessed before Mass. Please collect your piece of palm at the door on your way into Mass. During Holy Week, the church celebrates the mysteries of salvation accomplished by Christ in the last days of his life, beginning with his messianic entrance into Jerusalem
MINISTRIES Readers: 1/4/23 @7pm Fiachra Anderson (SB)/ 2/4/23 @10:30am Noelle Daly (Cf) Long Gospel Readers to be arranged Communion 1/4/23 @7pm Sinead Ryan 2/4/23@10:30am Anne Rohan Church Care Marian McManus, Catherina Slattery, Ann Corbett SB:Josie Egan/Betty Dolan (March)(CF) Counters: Clonfanlough(March) Servers; 1/4/23 @ 7pm Shannonbridge Liam Fitzpatrick, Oisin Kenny 2/4/23 @ 10:30am Clonfanlough Ted Rohan, Jack Rohan, Keelan Kelly, Kara Kelly,
Three Italian dioceses in Southern Italy have suspended the office of baptismal godparents for three years. The bishop said that he practice of choosing godparents had become a social custom in which the dimension of faith is hardly visible. . The decision is to be reviewed in 3 years times. . It brings now to 5 dioceses in Italy where this is happening.
Prayer of the Bereaved Dearest Jesus, who wept at the death of your friend and taught that they who mourn shall be comforted, grant us the comfort of your presence in our loss. Send Your Holy Spirit to direct us lest we make hasty or foolish decisions. Send Your Spirit to give us courage lest through fear we recoil from living. Send Your Spirit to bring us your peace lest bitterness, false guilt, or regret take root in our hearts. The Lord has given. The Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord. Amen.
Trócaire In 1973, when choosing a name for the overseas aid agency of the Catholic Church in Ireland, the Irish bishops chose the Gaelic word for mercy or compassion – Trócaire. ‘Compassion’ is an active word that asks that we see the suffering of others and respond with solidarity and action. The first response of Trócaire is to have compassion for those we work with and to empower them to build their life with dignity and independence. The people of the island of Ireland – you – have made this possible. Your contributions this Lent will ensure that Trócaire can continue to respond with compassion and love.
CASH FOR CLOTHES
Thanks to all who have already donated. Initial pick up of 108 bags (560kg) done on 23/3/23
All Women, Mens & Childrens Clothing. Paired Footwear, Handbags, Belts, Soft toys (teddies), Curtains, Towels, Bedlinen (duvet covers, sheets, pillowcases, Blankets, throws) NO PILLOWS OR DUVETS OR CARPETS Items may be dropped off at Shannonbridge Hall & Clonfanlough Hall Wednesdays from 5pm-9pm / Saturdays 9am -2 pm from March 1st until April 15th. Final Drop off date at Clonmacnois School Monday 17th April . Please support . Thank you
RENOVATING CLONFANLOUGH CHURCH
By now a small group of Locals have had 2 meetings and reviewed the work needed prior to painting & decoration the interior. A Drone survey of Roof has been carried out on 25/3/23. In summary the main issues needed to be addressed are as follows.
-Specific construct defect – water ingress
- the condition of the small flat roof at side porch junctions with the adjacent walls.
-Localized roof defects arising from missing/cracked slates/ and inadequate rainwater discharge. To audit the roof fixings as it were.
-Condensation accumulation on the main windows.
People with skillsets in these areas are invited to make contact before our next meeting on Thursday 30th March at 7:30pm in Clonfanlough Church. Contact via 086 8319500
DOON/SHANNONBRIDGE GAA LOTTERY -Draw of March 20th 2023. Numbers drawn 6-8-9-26. No Winner. Five Match 3. Next draw 27/3/23 Jackpot €6,000
Shannonbridge GAA membership is now due. New members welcome! To renew or sign up log on to Foireann.ie or contact Paula Claffey 0876891036. Walking track option €20 per year
MINDFULNESS A ND YOGA Boost your wellbeing by joining us for mindfulness & gentle yoga with Antoinette Larkin on Tuesday 10am in Shannonbridge Community Centre. Booking essential Declan 087 6991226, David 087 1782899, Louise 087 6925276
COPIES OF THE IRISH CATHOLIC NEWSPAPER are available. Contact me if interested . Cost €2.50,
FOOT CARE: Mobile Foot Health Practitioner Service, House call available, daytime & eve. Contact Maura at 086 8053671 to arrange an appointment
LOCAL BUS SERVICE twice weekly to Ballinasloe (departs Mon 10am, Wed 12) and Tullamore (departs village Tues 12, Thursday 10am) Please support.
SOCIAL DANCE in Moore Community Hall which takes place on Friday, March 31st from 9:30pm. Music is by Eddie Quinn Hall Eircode: N37 HT68
Hall Eircode: N37 HT68
RASHINA VINTAGE CLUB - Tractor & Vintage Truck, Car & Motorcycle Run takes place this Sunday 26th March. Registration (€20) starts at 10am with departure from Doon GAA grounds at 11.30am. This year the proceeds will be donated to Athlone Sub Aqua Club. Please support.
HIGH STREET/BELMONT WOMEN’S GROUP - Mon. 27th March: Card making with Kathleen Moore. Make your own special card for a birthday or occasion. Bring a scissors and pencil. High Street Hall at 8pm. Adm: €5. All welcome
GAMBLING THERAPY AND SUPPORT SERVICE - Offers FREE and confidential support and community education to those with a gambling problem or those affected by a gambling problem. Located in Boyle Family Resource Centre. Covering Sligo, Leitrim and Roscommon. Contact gamblingsupport@boylefrc.ie or 086-0597441.
May be of interest? OPEN EVENING AT FERBANE CONVENT - Friday 31st March from 3pm-7pm. Before the design process begins for redevelopment of the convent, there is an opportunity for people to come to visit the convent buildings and grounds. Members of Offaly Co. Council Town Regeneration Team will be present to answer questions
Pilgrimage to Medugorje 12th to 19th April. €775 per person sharing. All inclusive of Bed, breakfast & evening meal, Insurance and airports transfers from Split to Medjugorje. Spiritual Director Fr. Oliver Devine. Group leader Amy Guinan 087 6552453
Medjugorje Group Pilgrimage 2023 - Fully escorted trip. Direct flights from Dublin 9th – 16th Aug. €725. Only €100 to secure a place. For more info. contact Aodh 087 2072982 & Carmel Horan 087 2072996. Bus will leave from Banagher.
Lough Derg -One Day Retreat 2023 Season. May 1st, 7th, 9th, 14th, 20th, 27th, 29th. August 19th, 22nd & 27th. September 2nd, 6th, 9th 12th 16th 17th 23rd & 24th. Admission €45. Booking essential. www.loughderg.org 071 9861518.
The April Dementia Cafe is being held on April 3rd at 10.30 a.m. in the Bridge House Hotel with guest speaker Maura Byrne who will give a talk about family carer stress and how to best deal with this. This session will be a huge benefit to family carers and I ask that you spread the word to people who may benefit of this session
Did you Know at the Council of Nicea in 325, the date for Easter was fixed as the Sunday after the full moon after the spring equinox.
