Clonmacnois Parish
December 24h 2023
Fourth Sunday of Advent (B)
Fr. Tom Cox (Adm) Tel. 090 9674125/ 086-8319500
Email: clonmacnoiseparish@gmail.com
WEB shannonbridge.blogspot.ie
FACEBOOK www.fb.me/saintciarans
CHRISTMAS
The Crib’s 800th Birthday
Tradition has it that St. Francis of Assisi created the first crib in a cave in the little hillside village of Greccio in central Italy on Christmas night 1223, exactly eighth undred years ago. Having received permission from Pope Honorius III, he brought the Christmas story to life using real people, a manger with hay and two liveanimals, an ox and an ass. He then invited the local villagers to come bearing candles and torches and behold the simple nativity scene while he preached a sermon about the ‘Babe of Bethlehem’. From these humble beginnings a beautiful tradition developed over the centuries as people throughout Europe and beyond erected cribs in all kinds of shapes, sizes and places during the Christmas season. The crib has an enduring attraction. It is a living gospel that speaks to heart, mind and soul. It still draws people into its’ tender embrace as
they come in throngs year after year to gaze in wonder and gratitude to feel, touch and enter into the mystery, magic and life-giving message of the Christmas event. When asked recently to sum up the message of his more than seventy years of preaching an elderly Dominican friar settled on five short words: ‘God is on your side’. That is the essential message of the Christmas story also and it is the message that Francis wanted to convey when he gathered his little flock in Greccio eight hundred years ago and created the first crib. Happy 800th Birthday!
Sunday 24th
5pm Shannonbridge
7pm Clonfanlough
Monday 25th
10:30 Clonfanlough
12 Noon Shannonbridge
Clonfanlough Sunday 24th after 10:30am Mass
Shannonbridge: Saturday 23rd after 7pm Mass
Sunday 24th 12:30-1:30pm
Why now share your crib on social media
To mark this special anniversary in our faith history, the Irish bishops invite everyone to share a picture, or video, of their crib whether it is at home or in the workplace, along with a message. As every crib has its own story, sharing Christmas memories of the crib would provide inspiration to many people during this season of goodwill and celebration for Christian families. To help spread the spirit of Christmas, why don’t you tag us in your crib post on: Facebook at Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference; Instagram on @catholicbishops; and, X/Twitter on @CatholicNewsIRL.
`SHANNONBRIDGE
Saturday 23rd 7pm Eileen Higgins (6th A)
[Christmas Confessions after Mass again]
Carolling outside in aid of Offaly Hospice
Sunday 24th (Christmas Eve) 5pm Mass of Christmas Eve
Monday 25th 12 Noon Mass of Christmas Day
Tuesday 26th No Mass/Service
Wednesday 27th 10am Ciaran & Kate Daly & dec’d family members (Creevagh)
Thursday 28th 10am /Friday 29th 10am
Saturday 30th 7pm Kieran Kelly leharrow
`CLONFANLOUGH N37 XR81
Sun 24th Dec 10:30am Devery Family (Clonlyon) Nancy & Sonny Egan
[Confessions after: Both General & individual]
Sun 31st Dec 10:30am Paul Kelly (10th A.) Tullabeg
Cluain Chiarain Mass 10/1/24 @ 7:30pm
ANNIVERSARIES AT THIS TIME Frank & Eileen Cahill
FEAST DAYS Dec.26th St Stephen The Acts of the Apostles tells us that St Stephen was a man filled with grace and power and worked great wonders among the people.
Dec 27th St John Today we celebrate the feast of St John, Apostle and evangelist (Gospel writer) In the Gospels he is refered to as ‘the beloved disciple’
Dec 28th The Holy Innocents Herod the Great was a tyrant and master politician. He was fearful of any threat to his throne. He ‘ordered the massacre of all boys, two years old or younger’ Its estimated that 20-25 babies died
Friday: St. Thomas Becket
SUNDAY READINGS freely available for parish reader (€6 otherwise)
CHRISTMAS MASS BOUQUETS some available for people who wish signed Cards.
BIBLE DIARIES (daily lectionary readings as used in Church) available at reduced cost €10
CHRISTMAS EVE NATIVITY PLAY in both churches 5pm Shannonbridge
7pm Clonfanloughall families welcome and children are welcome to dress as shepherd or angels for this mass. Main characters are being drawn fairly. the nativity story replaces the readings of the night
Parish Calendar for 2024— copies available in the Church porches. You are welcome to take extra for people who cannot attend Church and for family members who are living abroad.
Grace before Christmas Dinner Lord Jesus, born in Bethlehem on the first Christmas day: welcome to this meal with us as we gather around the table. We thank you for the food that is provided and we give thanks to you for those who have prepared this meal. We know your love in our hearts today. We remember those who are homeless and may not have food or someone to share a Christmas meal with. Take them into your loving care. We ask your blessing on those who are suffering as a result of the current pandemic in our world. Keep us safe O Lord. Amen.
As you stand before the Crib ‘Look deeper than this pleasant scene. See your God become your food for eternity in a feeding place for animals. See the simple bands wound around the helpless baby, not the embroidered dress. See a man and a woman wearing the clothes of the poor. See and smell the animals. Feel the cold and dirt of the cave, lighted only by a little fire. Then adore your God who took a human heart that could know the greatest love and the sharpest pain, arms that could embrace sinners, the neurotics, the lepers, and hands that could touch cheeks running with tears and be pierced with nails. Adore your poor and humble God’.
BLESSING OF A CRIB AT HOME God of every nation and people, from the very beginning of creation you have made manifest your love: when our need for a Saviour was great you sent your Son to be born of the Virgin Mary. To our lives he brings joy and peace, justice, mercy and love. Lord, bless all who look upon this manger; may it remind us of the humble birth of Jesus, and raise up our thoughts to him, who is God-with-us and Saviour of all, and who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen
Advent Week 4 (LOVE) Candle name: Angel's Candle\ Remind us: God loves us enough to send His only Son God is love. We've heard the phrase so much, but stop this week and really think about it. God is Love. Candle name: Christ Candle Life of Christ that came into the world (Light on Christmas Eve)
Happy Christmas & New Year: Wishing you and your families peace, hope and health this Christmas and every blessing in the New Year. Welcome Home: Céad Mile Failte to all who have come home to be with family and friends. Our prayers and thoughts are with those who live and work in different parts of the world. May the infant child Jesus bless and protect them.
Word of Thanks to our volunteers, to all who prepared and decorated both our Churches inside and outside. Our thanks and appreciation to Choirs, , Church Care Group, Ministers of the Eucharist, Readers, Sacristans, Altar Servers, Collectors, those who open and close the Church and all who helped out in anyway in the parish. Your service and time are greatly appreciated. May the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph bless and reward you for your kindness and support
The light of the Christmas star to you
The warmth of home and hearth to you
The cheer and good will of friends to you.
The hope of a childlike heart to you.
The joy of a thousand angels to you.
The love of the Son and God’s peace to you.
Bishop Paul Connell’s Christmas Message—2023.
We speak a great deal in Advent about the coming of the light. – as Isaiah puts it – for your light has come, the glory of the Lord has come upon you. What light? The light that has made itself visible in the flesh, in this tiny infant in the crib. We are attracted by the same light that enveloped the shepherds and was the guide for the Magi on their journey. This is the light that was in the world from the beginning and by which the world was made. The message of Christmas as St John puts it – the true light which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. And elsewhere in St John - I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life. The feast of Christmas is full of Christian hope, the light will overcome the darkness in our lives. And as we ponder on this message at this Christmas time we are all too conscious of how at times we feel surrounded by darkness. There is so much war and destruction in our world, in Ukraine, in Yemen, in Sudan, in Burma and especially in Gaza, the very heart of the Holy Land. Truly we are witnessing yet again the slaughter of the innocents. So much evil. And then there is the darkness in our own lives, the darkness of addiction of various kinds, the threat to human life at its beginning and now mooted for the end of life, the misery of loneliness and the hatred that comes from racism, misunderstanding and ignorance. So much darkness that we can feel overwhelmed. But the message of Christmas is a beacon of hope, the light will always overcome the darkness. Evil will not prevail. The Lord is near, have no fear. This Christmas we are invited yet again to welcome Jesus, the light of truth, hope and love into our lives. Let us make him this Christmas the Lord of our life and let us commit ourselves once again to walking the journey of life with Him. Bishop Paul
Wed 27th PIONEER 125th Birthday! Pioneers worldwide are invited to attend Mass Wednesday 27th Dec and to prayerfully mark the 125th anniversary of the foundation of the Pioneer Association in 1898. Mass & prayers will be live-streamed at 10am that day via www.pioneerassociation.org
OFFERTORY: Dec 16/17th Offertory €555
Thank you for your financial support. You can also support using electronic transfer if it is more convenient. Bank details are : Clonmacnois Parochial Account.
BIC-BOFIIE2DXXX IBANIE90BOFI90368011629381
Weekly Envelopes Distribution. Thank you to all who take on this task. If you would like to receive a Box of envelopes please contact me. A summary of the 2022 Accounts is available in the Church Porches (all parish accounts audited by RBK Accounts every year)
SHANNONBRIDGE LOTTO Dec 18th ’23 numbers drawn 12-17-20-25 No Winner, Four Match 3 Next Draw 18-12-23 Five Christmas Draw winners of €50 next week. Jackpot stands at €4,000