Clonmacnois Parish Bulletin August 20th 2023

Clonmacnois Parish

August 19/20th  2023

20th Sunday Ordinary Time (A)

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

Email: clonmacnoiseparish@gmail.com

     WEB  shannonbridge.blogspot.ie

FACEBOOK www.fb.me/saintciarans

 20th SUNDAY OF THE YEAR

Woman, you have great faith

This is the only occasion in which Jesus was outside Jewish territory. He visits the region of Tyre and Sidon, modern-day Lebanon, where He is approached by a Canaanite woman who pleads with Him to heal her daughter. It’s a puzzling encounter. At first, He appears to ignore her. Then He seems almost indifferent to her appeal, reminding her that His mission is to ‘the lost sheep of the house of Israel’. The woman’s persistence wins out in the end. She is the only person in the New Testament who manages to change Jesus’ mind, or so it seems! More likely, He is testing her faith and showing her that God’s delays are not His denials. God tests; Satan tempts! He doesn’t test us to see if we are worthy, but to see if we are ready. Sometimes He stands back in order to increase our desire for Him and our appreciation of His gifts. We see in the words and actions of this unnamed woman, an ‘outsider’ and a ‘foreigner’, the very essence of the faith journey. As people of faith, we will be tested often; we will experience the silence of God, but the challenge is to wait and to persevere. Perseverance separates the winners from the losers in sport and in life and in faith. ‘Woman’, said Jesus, ‘you have great faith’

 Thought: There was once a teacher who, like Jesus, used to make his point by telling parables. Some people got the point and others didn’t. One day a student got sick of listening to these parables and asked the teacher, ‘Why don’t you speak plainly and tell us what you mean?’ And the teacher told the following parable; ‘Truth was a man who walked the street as naked as the day he was born. Because he was naked people were scandalised by him. Truth had a lot to say but no one would have him in their home. Whenever he tried to make conversation people would turn their backs on him and tell him to cover himself up. Depressed and dejected Truth decided to leave town. On his way out Truth met Story. Now Story was beautiful woman who always dressed in the finest clothes. Everybody loved the company of Story. She was given the place of honour in every home she called into. Story saw that Truth was depressed. She asked him what was the problem and Truth told his tale of woe and dejection. For the first time someone really listened to Truth and Story was moved by his honesty and wisdom. The two fell in love and got married. Nine months later Story gave birth to a girl called Parable. Parable inherited her father’s honesty and wisdom but she also inherited her mother’s beauty and sense of style. Just like her mother, people loved the company of Parable. She entertained and delighted any home she went into. But she also had a lot to say and people listened for they were disarmed by her charm.

 SHANNONBRIDGE (Eircode N37 FV05) 

Sat 19th August 7pm Larry Murphy M/M

Mon 21st 10am Mass

Tues 22nd 10am Service

Wed 23rd 10am Mass

Thurs 24th 10am Mass

Fri 25th 10am Mass   

Sat 26th Augst  7pm Johnny Coleman 1st A.

 

CLONFANLOUGH (Eircode N37 XR81)

Sun 20th August 10:30am

Sun 27th August 10:30am  Kieran Kearns 6th A

 

CLUAIN CHIARAIN: Wed 23rd  @ 7:30pm

DEATHS - John Bogan (Enfield) husband of Patricia Greene Aidan Farrell

COLLECTIONS - Aug 12/13th €431.42 Monthly €64

FEAST DAYS  

Mon. 21 August.: Anniversary of the Knock Apparition. St Pius X is perhaps best remembered for his encouragement of the frequent reception of Holy Communion, especially by children

Tues. 22 August: Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Pope Pius X11 established this feast. During the Middle Ages, Mary was venerated as queen of the angels and saints. Pope Pius XII prescribed the memorial for the universal Church at the close of the Marian Year 1955. It is placed on this date to stress the connection of Mary’s queenship with the Assumption.

Wed. 23 August: St. Rose of Lima St. Eugene. Rose of Lima entered religious life despite the opposition of her parents.

Thurs. 24 August. St. Bartholomew, Apostle. In the New Testament, Bartholomew is mentioned only in the list of the apostles. Yet the unknown ones were also foundation stones, the twelve pillars of the new Israel whose twelve tribes encompass the whole world

Fri. 25 August: St. Louis of France. St. Joseph Calasanz.

MINISTRIES Readers: 26/8/23 Fiachra Anderson   @7pm    27/8/23 @10:30am Rita Molloy  (Cf)  Communion 26/8/23 @7pm  Marian McManus  27/8/23@10:30am Bridie Coughlan Church Care  Marion McManus, Catherina Slattery, Ann Corbett   SB:Marian Devery, Ann Kelly (CF) Counters: Shannonbridge (August)    Servers; 26/8/23  H. Mitchell, O Kenny,  27/8/23 Clonfanlough M. O’Shea, A. Daly, C. Daly, S. Trainor,

 Year of Vocations 30th April 2023 to 30th April 2024.

Diocesan Pilgrimage to Knock: The Diocesan pilgrimage will take place on Sunday 3rd September. Ceremonies will begin with the Anointing of the Sick at 2.30pm followed by on-celebrated Mass at 3pm.

CLONMACNOIS DIOCESAN PATTERN DAY September 17th 2023 Pattern 2:45pm Mass 3pm

LOUGH DERG 2023- One Day Retreats: August - Tuesday 22nd, Sunday 27th. September - Saturday 2nd, Wednesday 6th, Saturday 9th, Tuesday 12th, Saturday 16th, Sunday 17th, Saturday 23rd, Sunday 24th Admission: €45, Booking Essential

MOORE COMMUNITY  HALL Summertime Social Dance on Fri Aug 25th. Music: Matt Leavy

SHANNONBRIDGE/DOON G.A.A. CLUB LOTTO  Results 14/8/23 Numbers drawn 1-4-20-23 . No Winner, Six  Match 3  Next draw 21/8/23  Jackpot €10,600

ALONE: Would you be willing to provide companionship or make calls to Older People once a week? ALONE are seeking volunteers in your area. Full training and support provided. If interested please sign up here: https://alone.ie/volunteers/ Info. contact Fiona on fiona.boyle@alone.ie or on 086 1366539.

 Mobile Foot Health Practitioner Service. House Calls Available daytime and evening. Contact Maura 086 8053671 to arrange an appointment.

CULTURE NIGHT! SEAMUS O’ROURKE   IN Moore Hall Fri Sept 22nd  @ 8pm. Tickets €15 from 09096 73538

SUMMER SAYINGS.......

 ü “Never be afraid to try something new. Remember, amateurs built the ark. Professionals built the Titanic.”

ü “Borrow money from a pessimist - they don’t expect it back.”

 ü “A good lawyer knows the law; a clever one takes the judge to lunch.”

ü “Nobody goes there anymore because it’s too crowded.”

ü “Sometimes the road less traveled is less traveled for a very good reason.”

 ü “Never go to a doctor whose office plants have died.

ü We must be global Christians with a global vision because our God is a global God.” -John Stott

ü A fool is known by his speech; and a wise man by silence. Pythagoras

ü It is not the man who has too little, but the man who craves more, that is poor. Seneca

ü Knowledge speaks, but wisdom listens. Jimi Hendrix

 NATIONAL NOVENA TO OUR LADY OF KNOCK 14th-22nd August

(Sessions 3pm & 8pm)

Sun. 20th: Bishop Kevin Doran, Bishop of Elphin, 3pm. Elma Walsh, 8pm.

Mon. 21st: Fr Shane Costello, Curate, Castlebar Parish, 3pm. Fr Richard Gibbons, PP and Rector, Knock Shrine, 8pm. Tues. 22nd: Fr. Tony O’Riordan SJ, 3pm & 8pm.

WORKSHOPS EVERY DAY.

Our Lady of Knock, Queen of Ireland, you gave hope to your people in a time of distress, and comforted them in sorrow. You have inspired countless pilgrims to pray with confidence to your divine Son, remembering His promise, “Ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find.” Help me to remember that we are all pilgrims on the road to heaven. Fill me with love and concern for my brothers and sisters in Christ, especially those who live with me. Comfort me when I am sick, lonely or depressed. Teach me how to take part ever more reverently in the Holy Mass. Give me a greater love of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. Pray for me now, and at the hour of my death. Amen. Our Lady of Knock, pray for us.

 

Awaiting exam results in the coming week?? We’re thinking of you... As we approach the announcement of Leaving Certificate results, we want to extend our warmest wishes to all the young minds in our local  Pastoral Area who have put in countless hours of hard work and dedication. Your efforts have not gone unnoticed, and the entire community stands behind you with pride and anticipation. Examinations are not just about numbers on paper; they reflect the commitment you’ve shown, the knowledge you’ve gained, and the growth you’ve achieved. Each of you has embarked on a journey of learning and personal development, and regardless of the outcomes, know that you are cherished for the remarkable individuals you’ve become. Remember, these results are just a milestone on your educational journey. They do not define your worth, nor do they dictate your potential. Your community, your family, and your friends are here to support you, whatever the results may be. Success comes in various forms, and it’s the lessons learned and the effort invested that truly matter. So, as the results are revealed, embrace them with a positive spirit. Whether the news brings celebration or challenge, know that you have an entire Pastoral Area standing beside you, ready to applaud your achievements and provide a helping hand if needed. Congratulations on reaching this point, and may your futures be filled with endless opportunities and happiness.