Clonmacnois Parish Bulletin October 1st 2023

 

Clonmacnois Parish

September 30th/Oct 1st  2023

26th  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

 

26th SUNDAY OF THE YEAR

 ‘The first son thought better of it and went’.

 In a sense, both brothers were wrong. The actions of the first son is more commendable. At first, he refused his father’s request to go to work in the vineyard. Then he found his better self and went. His change of mind reminds us that first reactions aren’t always the best. Second thoughts are worthwhile. It’s never too late to do the right thing. To change one’s mind is not a sign of weakness but a sign of strength. The second son agreed to go to the vineyard, but he didn’t go. He broke his promise. The world survives on the basis of people keeping their word. The destruction of our planet, the growth of division between peoples, the loss of confidence in institutions, the deepening uncertainty with regard to the future can all be traced back to broken promises. For every promise there is a price to pay. The ideal for the Christian is to make promise and practice rhyme. When deeds and words are in accord, the world is transformed. Both brothers fell short!

 

Prayer to St. Thérèse (not marked this year as it is a Sunday )St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus and of the Holy Face: Teach us to follow your way of confidence and trust. Help us to realise that a Father's love watches over us each day of our lives. Obtain for us the light to see, in sorrow as in joy, in trials as in peace, the loving hand of our Father. Give us your own faith and trust, so that we may walk in darkness, as in the light, holding fast to the way of love, knowing as you did, that everything is a grace.

A prayer to discover your vocation

Almighty God, You have made me to know you, To love you, and to serve you, And thereby to find and fulfil myself. I know that you are in all things And that every path can lead me to you, But, of them all, there is one path especially By which you want me to come to you. Since I will do what you want of me, I pray you; send your Holy Spirit to me; Into my mind to show me what you want of me; Into my heart to give me the determination to do it, And to do it with all my love, with all my mind, And with all my strength, right to the end.  Amen

Hail Holy Queen Conference 2023 is live on Radio Maria Ireland from 2 p.m. on Saturday 7th October. Speakers include Fr. Seán Maguire, Fr. Colum Power, Catherine McGowan, Fr. Freddy Warner. Radio Maria Ireland can be listened to by downloading the Radio Maria Ireland APP, Saorview Channel 210 or listen live at (01)4373277

DATES FOR SACRAMENTS ‘23

Confirmation 2023 Bishop Paul Connell to circulate panel of dates in near future.

First Communion 2023 Parents to be contacted next week about proposed date & meeting

 

 SHANNONBRIDGE (Eircode N37 FV05) 

Sat 30th Sept 7pm Teresa Rocke & Dec’d family members

Sun 1st October Day for Life 12 Noon Funeral of Danny Farrelly

Mon 2nd Oct 10am Mass

Tues 3rd Oct 10am Mass

Wed 4th Oct 10am Service

Thurs 5th Oct 10am Service

Friday 6th Oct 10am Mass (First Friday)

Saturday 7th Oct 7pm Oliver & Philomena (Billie) Macklin

[M/M for Mary Allen  14/10/23@ 12 Noon)   

CLONFANLOUGH (Eircode N37 XR81)

SUNDAY 1st OCTOBER—10:30am

Fri 6th Oct 7pm First Friday

SUNDAY 8th OCTOBER –10:30m

CLUAIN CHIARAIN: 4/10/23 @ 7:30pm

 MONIES: Sept 23/24th  €545  Dues €1,835

FEAST DAYS  

 Oct 1 – St Thérèse of Lisieux 

Oct 2 – Guardian Angels

Oct 2nd Guardian Angels The concept of an angel assigned to look after each of us is a development of Catholic doctrine and piety based on scripture. Jesus’ words to Matthew support this belief “See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven always look on the face of my heavenly Father”

Oct 3 – Bl Columba Marmion OSB  

Oct 4th St Francis of Assisi (1181-1226)  Oct 5 – St Faustina Kowalska (1905-38) apostle of Divine Mercy

Oct 6—Childrens Day of Mission Prayer

Oct 7th Our Lady of the Rosary October has been designated the month of the rosary.

 

DEATHS - Please pray for the repose of the souls of Danny Farrelly (Shannonbridge)

World Mission Sunday on Sunday 22nd October.

MINISTRIES Readers: 7/10/23 @7pm  Ciara Macklin  8/10/23 @10:30am Noelle Daly (Cf)Communion 7/10/23 @7pm Sinead Ryan 8/10/23@10:30am Declan McEvoy  Church Care D. Fitzpatrick, D. O’Carroll, L. Moran   SB: D. Fitzgerald (CF) Counters Shannonbridge  (October) Servers; 7/10/23 H Mitchell, O. Kenny  (SB) 8/10/23 Clonfanlough H. Guinan, A. Hennessy, R. Daly, H. Maloney

OCTOBER - MISSION MONTH - Theme: ‘Hearts on Fire, Feet on the Move’. The month is a time for reflection, prayer and support for the missionary effort of individuals, communities and the whole Church. ‘As Christians we cannot keep the Lord to ourselves’. (Pope Francis).                                                            

 The Synod 2023 The Synod on Synodality which takes place in Rome in October is officially the 16th Ordinary Assembly of Bishops. The theme of the Synod is For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, Mission. Pope Francis has said that it is not a parliament with winners and losers but rather an attempt to discern how the Church can better fulfil its mandate to preach the good news in every place and culture for the benefit of all God’s people. In a break with recent Synods Pope Francis has broken the general assembly into two sessions, one in October 2023 and the second in October 2024. Who will be there? The members of the Synod have been designated in 3 different ways. First, by reason of the function they hold as head of various Vatican Departments (Dicasteries) and the patriarchates of Rome, Constantinople, Alexandria, Antioch and Jerusalem. Second, those who are elected to the Synod by the episcopal conferences or by the synods or councils of the 23 Oriental (Eastern Rite) Catholic churches. Pope Francis has decreed that five men religious and five women religious were also to attend – elected by the Unions of Superior Generals that represent men and women religious – previously only men attended. Third, a number of members were nominated by Pope Francis – 50 in all. He has also chosen 70 members (35 men and 35 women) from a list of 140 given to him by the seven continental synods. 363 persons will have the right to vote including 54 women (lay and religious) who for the first time will have the right to vote. Bishops Brendan Leahy of Limerick and Bishop Alan McGuckian SJ of Raphoe (Donegal) will represent the Irish Bishops and the Irish Church.

Our Lady of the Rosary. It entered the general calendar in the eighteenth century. It is a memorial of the Virgin Mary as honoured in the rosary, a form of prayer combining the salutation of the angel (Luke 1:28) with meditation on the saving mysteries of Christ. Patrick Duffy gives the background to the feast. The Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary combines the recitation of the most profound of vocal prayers — the Our Father, the Hail Mary, the Glory Be, and the Apostles’ Creed – with meditation on twenty mysteries from the lives of Jesus and Mary. Originally the rosary was the laity’s “psalter” with the Hail Marys replacing the 150 psalms .This commemoration was established in 1573 in thanksgiving for a Christian victory over the Ottoman forces at Lepanto. The Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary The word Rosary comes from the Latin word rosarium, meaning “rose garden“. Most commonly it refers to a religious exercise in which prayers are recited and counted on a string of beads or a knotted cord. The beads or cord itself, sometimes called a chaplet, is also called a rosary. Many religions have this practice. The most common use of this practice in Christianity is the Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The beads of the rosary or chaplet are arranged in five decades (sets of ten), each decade separated from the next by a space with a larger or more distinctive bead. The two ends of the chaplet are joined by a string holding a crucifix, one large bead, three smaller beads and another large bead.   

 Prayer to St. Thérèse (not marked this year as it is a Sunday )St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus and of the Holy Face: Teach us to follow your way of confidence and trust. Help us to realise that a Father's love watches over us each day of our lives. Obtain for us the light to see, in sorrow as in joy, in trials as in peace, the loving hand of our Father. Give us your own faith and trust, so that we may walk in darkness, as in the light, holding fast to the way of love, knowing as you did, that everything is a grace.

A prayer to discover your vocation

Almighty God, You have made me to know you, To love you, and to serve you, And thereby to find and fulfil myself. I know that you are in all things And that every path can lead me to you, But, of them all, there is one path especially By which you want me to come to you. Since I will do what you want of me, I pray you; send your Holy Spirit to me; Into my mind to show me what you want of me; Into my heart to give me the determination to do it, And to do it with all my love, with all my mind, And with all my strength, right to the end.  Amen

Hail Holy Queen Conference 2023 is live on Radio Maria Ireland from 2 p.m. on Saturday 7th October. Speakers include Fr. Seán Maguire, Fr. Colum Power, Catherine McGowan, Fr. Freddy Warner. Radio Maria Ireland can be listened to by downloading the Radio Maria Ireland APP, Saorview Channel 210 or listen live at (01)4373277

DATES FOR SACRAMENTS ‘23

Confirmation 2023 Bishop Paul Connell to circulate panel of dates in near future.

First Communion 2023 Parents to be contacted next week about proposed date & meeting

 

 KNOCK NIGHT VIGIL ‘A LIGHT TO ENLIGHTEN THE WORLD: ALL-NIGHT VIGIL, 7TH DECEMBER’ Confessions from 10pm until Midnight on the night of Thursday 7th December. The Vigil will continue in the Basilica from Midnight with Rosary, Holy Hour, Reflections and Prayer, concluding with Mass at 4am.

KNOCK - CAROLS BY CANDLELIGHT Sunday 17th December at 8pm. Join with the Schola Cantorum Basilicae and the choirs of Knock in celebrating the joy of Christmas with a collection of carols, hymns and festive favourites at Knock Basilica. Admission free and all are welcome.

OPEN DAY AT ST. JOSEPH’S CONVENT FERBANE Sat 7th Oct 2-4pm to see recently completed works - help us put the finishing touches to the newest green space on the day, with some planting. Equipment provided. Weather permitting.

S.A.R.A (S’bridge Active Retirement Assoc.)

Meeting on October 3rd at 2:30pm  in Old Fort (Moran’s)

OFFALY OLDER PERSON’S NETWORK invite you to our Rambling House to celebrate Positive Ageing Week. On Thursday 5th Oct in Tullamore Rugby Club. Doors open at 7:30p m Admission €10. More info or to book Declan 087 6991226 Ann 086 3081716

MIDLANDS WHEELIE BIN CLEANING SERVICES Domestic & Commercial Fully insured. Call Michael 087 1460414

Shannonbridge GAA are holding a dinner dance to commemorate the 50th anniversary since our club’s foundation. Join us for a night of memories, music & more in the Shamrock Lodge Hotel, Athlone on Sunday 29th October at 7 pm. Tickets are €40. Please call or text Paula Claffey on 087 689 1036 or Roger Ryan on 087 056 3987 to confirm your ticket order.

SHANNONBRIDGE LOTTO Sept 25th ‘23  Numbers drawn 1-7-16-26 No Winner, Two Match 3  Next Draw 2-10-23 Jackpot stands at €12,000

BEST OF LUCK - To the Naomh Ciarán senior team in the County Final this Sunday

SUNDAY EVENING MASS at the Shrine of Our Lady of Clonfert at 6.30pm followed by Rosary &Benediction starting Sun October 2nd

 

“Ok Mrs Dunn. We’ll slide you in there, scan your brain and see

if we can find out the cause of these claustrophobia spells.”

 

 

 

 

 

Clonmacnois Parish Bulletin September 24th 2023

 

Clonmacnois Parish

September 23rd/24th 2023

25th  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

 

25th SUNDAY OF THE YEAR

‘Why be envious because I am generous’?

The crops in Palestine ripened at the end of September. The rains came two weeks later. The window of opportunity was short. The need for workers was urgent. The eleventh-hour arrivals were not idlers. They weren’t chosen. The weak must always wait, but the Lord’s ways are not our ways and the last shall be first. For Him, peoples’ needs always came before their accomplishments. He does not give based on the greatness of our merits, but on the greatness of His compassion. His giving is not dependent on our doing. He doesn’t ask us to be deserving but to be receptive. Those who worked all day were not treated unjustly. They were paid enough, but they couldn’t enjoy what they had when they coveted what they had not. ‘Envy is the pain caused by the good fortune of others’ (Aristotle). The word envy derives from the Latin ‘invidia’ meaning ‘non-sight’. It leads to a form of blindness. It is one of the ‘Seven Deadly Sins’ and is usually directed towards those amongst whom we live and work. ‘Beggars do not envy millionaires; they envy other beggars who are more successful’ (Bertrand Russell). We should never be envious of what God gives to others. We begin to overcome envy by being grateful, rather, for what He has given to us.

 

SHANNONBRIDGE (Eircode N37 FV05) 

SATURDAY 23rd SEPTEMBER—7pm

Eileen, Sonny & Dessie Keena

Mon 25th 10am

Tues 26th 10am

Wed 27th 10am

Thurs 28th 10am

Fri 29th 10am Annie & James Downey & family deceased

Sat 30th Sept 7pm Teresa Rocke & Dec’d family members

 

CLONFANLOUGH (Eircode N37 XR81)

SUNDAY 24th SEPTEMBER—10:30am

SUNDAY 1st OCTOBER—10:30am

CLUAIN CHIARAIN: Wed 27th Sept @ 7:30pm

 MONIES: Sept 16/17th €600  Pattern €955

FEAST DAYS   

Monday 25 Sept.: St. Finbarr.

Tuesday 26 Sept.: St. S. Cosmas and Damian. They were martyrs in Syria in the early days of Christianity. 

Wednesday 27 Sept: St. Vincent De Paul. (1580-1660) Vincent was born  n a small farm in Gascony, France. He committed his life to the care of the poor and disadvantaged. He founded the Daughters of Charity and the Vincentians, religious orders. He is the patron saint of charitable works.The Society of St Vincent de Paul was founded in 1833 by Fredric Ozanam.  Thursday 28 Sept.: St. Wenceslaus and St. Lawrence Ruiz.

Friday 29 Sept.: St. S. Michael,Gabriel, and Raphael, Archangels. Angels—messengers from God – appear frequently in scripture, but only these three are mentioned by name. (memo: Lucifer was a fallen angel!) Angels are verbs more than nouns– their role/action defines them. Gabriel announces, Raphael heals, Michael protects.  St. Gabriel brought the message to Mary at the Annunciation. St. Raphael was guide to Tobias. St. Michael has been venerated as protector of Christians in general and soldiers in particular.

Saturday 30 Sept.: St. Jerome.

DEATHS - Please pray for the repose of the souls of Kathleen Flanagan (nee Buckley, Killina) Clonshask & formerly St. Kieran’s Park, Shannonbridge and Kay Perry, Belmont. Rest in peace.

DATES FOR SACRAMENTS ‘24 Awaiting the Bishops list of Confirmation Dates expected in 2 weeks. Will alert asap, discussed in school.

 

CRISIS OF FAITH The big challenge facing the Church today is not issues such as the ordination of women but the problem of faith itself, according to the retired Archbishop of Dublin, Diarmuid Martin. In an interview for RTE’s “The Meaning of Life” recently, Archbishop Martin referenced the “big discussion going on in the Church about synodality” and cautioned against the synodal consultations leading to “frustrated expectations.” While admitting that “people’s faith is damaged by a Church that doesn’t respect women’s dignity”, he added, “I don’t expect that women priests will be [seen] in my lifetime”. He said women’s ordination isn’t the biggest challenge for the Church, but rather the problem of faith. “When I became Archbishop, little above 80 per cent of the population of Dublin was Catholic. Now it’s 68 per cent and the second largest religious grouping in Ireland is “no religion”. And in Dublin, between ages 24 and 29, it would be 50 per cent."

 

Sunday 1st October celebrated as Day for Life . 

World Mission Sunday on Sunday 22nd October.

SHANNONBRIDGE LOTTO Sept 18th ‘23  Numbers drawn 3-17-20-25 No Winner, Two Match 3  Next Draw 25-9-23 Jackpot stands at €11,800

MINISTRIES Readers: 30/9/23 @7pm  Eileen Quinn  1/10/23 @10:30am Ann Guinan (Cf)Communion 30/9/23 @7pm Dympna Fitzpatrick 1/10/23@10:30am Leanne Quinn Church Care Marion McManus, C. Slattery, A. Corbett  SB:Anne McEvoy, Eithne Rohan (CF) Counters: Clonfanlough (September) Servers; 30/9/23 L. Fitzpatrick, J. Darcy  (SB) 24/9/23 Clonfanlough E. Seery, D. Seery, O. Shrahan, E. Shrahan                                                            TULLAMORE COPD SUPPORT GROUP launch a new FREE exercise programme for people living with COPD.  Offering a social gathering where individuals living with COPD can meet others also living with this long-term lung condition. Classes will be delivered by an COPD experienced instructor We are holding a launch on Fri. 29th Sept. from 1pm in the Tullamore Community & Family Resource Centre. Please contact Katie on 083 086 4118 or email support@copd.ie for more details.                  SOCIAL DANCE - In Cloghan Hall on Fri. 29th Sept. from 9.30pm - 12.30am. Music by Checkers.            QUOTABLE QUOTES ü Training is everything. The peach was once a bitter almond; cauliflower is nothing but cabbage with a college education.” -Mark Twain  ü “You may never know what results come of your action, but if you do nothing there will be no result.” - Gandhi. ü Tough times never last, but tough people do.” - R Schuller  ü “Few minds wear out; most rust away.” - Christian Bovee.  ü “There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work learning from failure.” - Colin Powell.  ü “Education is what survives when what has been learned has been forgotten.” B. F. Skinner                                                                         WORLD DAY OF MIGRANTS & REFUGEES (WDMR) SEPT 24 The Church has been celebrating  (WDMR) since 1914. It is always an occasion to express concern for different vulnerable people on the move; to pray for them as they face many challenges; and to increase awareness about the opportunities that migration offers. This year’s theme, “Free to choose whether to migrate or to stay,” shines a light on the root causes that drive migration. . It’s interesting to note that.. 89.3 million people worldwide were forcibly displaced at the end of 2021 as a result of persecution, conflict, violence, human rights violations or events seriously disturbing public order. ⬧ 83%  of that number are hosted in low- and middle-income countries ⬧ Right now, more people have been forced to flee their homes than ever before. From the crisis in Ukraine to climate shocks in East Africa, global instability is on the rise.

 

ANGER MANAGEMENT: Knock Counselling Service is running a 5-evening Online Anger Management programme, starting on Tuesday 26th Sept. from 7pm to 9pm. For details, contact Peter on 094 93 75032 / www.knockshrine.ie/counselling

KNOCK NIGHT VIGIL ‘A LIGHT TO ENLIGHTEN THE WORLD: ALL-NIGHT VIGIL, 7TH DECEMBER’ Confessions from 10pm until Midnight on the night of Thursday 7th December. The Vigil will continue in the Basilica from Midnight with Rosary, Holy Hour, Reflections and Prayer, concluding with Mass at 4am.

KNOCK - CAROLS BY CANDLELIGHT Sunday 17th December at 8pm. Join with the Schola Cantorum Basilicae and the choirs of Knock in celebrating the joy of Christmas with a collection of carols, hymns and festive favourites at Knock Basilica. Admission free and all are welcome.

EAST GALWAY & MIDLANDS CANCER SUPPORT CENTRE & L.P.I. Ireland  Coffee Morning is being held at the home of Kevin & Mary Flynn, Ballydangan, on Friday September 29th from A.M. All are welcome . Please support this worthy cause.

Ferbane Tidy Towns - join us on Saturday 7th October from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. for some refreshments & music in the An Síolán community garden, St Joseph's convent, Ferbane, to see the recently completed works thanks to the Axa Parks Grant - help us put the finishing touches to the newest green space on the day, with some planting. Equipment provided. Weather permitting.

O.S.P.C.A. OPEN DAY - Looking for Volunteers: We desperately need volunteers so please come and meet us on Saturday 30th September 12 – 3 p.m. at Jenny’s Kitchen, The Mall, Tullamore. If you can’t make it and would like to help call our office on 086 3785584 and a volunteer will advise you.

MIDLANDS WHEELIE BIN CLEANING SERVICES Domestic & Commercial Fully insured. Call Michael 087 1460414

Shannonbridge GAA are holding a dinner dance to commemorate the 50th anniversary since our club’s foundation. Join us for a night of memories, music & more in the Shamrock Lodge Hotel, Athlone on Sunday 29th October at 7 pm. Tickets are €40. Please call or text Paula Claffey on 087 689 1036 or Roger Ryan on 087 056 3987 to confirm your ticket order.

SUNDAY EVENING MASS at the Shrine of Our Lady of Clonfert at 6.30pm followed by Rosary &Benediction starting Sun October 2nd