Clonmacnois Parish
December 10th 2023
Second 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
`SHANNONBRIDGE
Sat 9th Dec 7pm Lily Flannery M/M, Kieran , Mary Ann & Brian Flannery
Sunday 10th 12 Noon Funeral of Christy Mooney Clondelara & Athlone
Mon 11th 10am Mass
Tues 12th 10am Mass
Wed 13th 10am Mass
Thurs 14th 10am Mass
Fri 15th 10am Mass
Sat 16th 7pmDamien, Joseph & Brian Kenny
[Christmas Confessions after Mass & on 23rd]
`CLONFANLOUGH N37 XR81
Sun 10th Dec 10:30am Liam Coolahan (1st Anniv.) & wife Phil (22nd Anniv.)
Fri 15th 7pm Mass Christmas Confessions after & 22nd Dec
Sun 17th Dec 10:30am Kieran & Anne Pillion (Carrowkeel) Anniv.
Bambinelli Sunday Blessing of baby Jesus figures at Masses on Dec 16/17th A custom from Pope Francis’ time of wrapping & bringing the family crib Jesus figure to Mass for blessing & placing it safely till Christmas as the first “Gift” to be unwrapped.]
Cluain Chiarain Mass 13/12/23 @ 7:30pm
FEASTS THIS WEEK
Dec. 12th Our Lady of Guadalupe Our Lady of Guadalupe (Mexico) is patron saint of the Americas. Our Lady appeared to widower, Juan Diego, in a village near Mexico city in 1531.
Dec. 13th St Lucy is patron saint of the blind and those with eye trouble. St Lucy is a martyr of the early church in Sicily. She died in 304
Dec.14th St John of the Cross (1541-1591) John, a Spaniard and a Carmelite priest, engaged with the work of reforming the Church. He met with great opposition, persecution and imprisonment. St. John of the Cross Prayer O God, by whose grace Your servant John of the Cross, kindled with the flame of Your love, became a burning and shining light in Your Church: Grant that we also may be aflame with the spirit of love and discipline, and walk before You as children of light; through Jesus Christ our Lord, Who lives and reigns with You, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
RECENT DEATHS Please pray for the repose the souls of Michael Mitchell Birmingham & formerly Moore North, Ballydangan. [Brother of Tom Mitchell, Ballydangan Christy Mooney Clondelara & Athlone, son of Bridget, brother to Mary, Geraldine, John, Seamus & Vinny
Weekly Envelopes Distribution continues for the 2024 envelopes. Thank you to all who take on this task. A summary of the 2022 Accounts in porches Dec16/17 (all parish accounts audited by RBK Accts every year)
BAPTISM: We welcome Sophia Keira Kelly , Deerpark baptised in St. Ciaran’s, Church, Shannonbridge last weekend.
Prayer of Blessing for an Advent Wreath Lord God, your Church joyfully awaits the coming of its Saviour, who enlightens our hearts and dispels of darkness of ignorance and sin. Pour forth your blessings upon us as we light the candles of this wreath; may their light reflect the splendour of Christ, who is Lord, for ever and ever.
Blessing for a Christmas Tree Lord God, amidst signs and wonders Christ Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea: his birth brings joy to our hearts and enlightenment to our minds. Let your blessing come upon us as we illumine this tree. May the light and cheer it gives be a sign of the joy that fills our hearts. With this tree, decorated and adorned, may we welcome Christ among us; may its lights guide us to the perfect light. Amen
Our Advent Prayer. Lord Jesus, Master of both the light and the darkness, send your Holy Spirit upon our preparations for Christmas. We who have so much to do , seek quiet spaces to hear your voice each day. We who are anxious over many things look forward to your coming among us, Amen.
2024 Daily Texts & Reflections Bible Diaries (€10 I’m told) and 2024 Sunday Readings to arrive early v. soon
Bambinelli Blessing takes place at all Masses 16th/17th Dec. Parishioners are invited to bring the baby Jesus figurines from their cribs to be blessed, then taken home, wrapped in a safe place. Perhaps, the youngest member of the family could place the baby Jesus in the crib on Christmas Eve/Christmas Day. If a person lives alone the baby Jesus can be placed in the crib to keep them company and to protect them. For people who join on line or radio they can also share in the blessing of the Baby Jesus Blessing from their home. Thank you.
‘Prepare the way of the Lord’
When the king of Thailand travels around his country, the roads are cleared by the army to make way for him. All obstacles human or inanimate are moved aside to make the royal journey smooth. At Christmas our King comes and during Advent we are invited to prepare the way. It’s a season that should be charged with a ‘hopeful vigilance’. As the booming voice of John the Baptist echoes across the generations from his place of testing in the wilderness we are challenged to straighten the crooked places in our lives, to lay low the rugged hills, to remove from our hearts and minds the things that make us less than we could be. We are asked to take a second look, to think again. It’s no easy thing to change one’s life, but if we are to take Advent seriously we have to take John the Baptist seriously too. Now is the acceptable time. Christians should never live by ‘the rule of tomorrow’, especially in Advent. ‘Repensare’.
CLONFANLOUGH SOCIAL GROUP would like to thank all who attended the Christmas party and helped make it such a success on 26th November. We would like to thank in particular all who supported the event in any way. Without you it would not be possible.
COLLECTION FOR SYRIA, TURKEY & GAZA
Local Man Tom Corbett is helping to as part of a a group collecting (via Trócaire) to alleviate suffering due to natural (February 2023 earthquakes in Turkey/N.W. Syria) & current suffering in Gaza. Please make a donation if you can to Syrian Refugee Appeal A/c No. 31997 Ballinasloe Credit Union. All information & progress can be viewed on creideamh.ie See Porch notices
SHANNONBRIDGE LOTTO Dec 4th ’23 numbers drawn 1-9-10-19 No Winner, Eight Match 3 Next Draw 11-12-23 Jackpot stands at €3,600
A note from ESB to local residents within the Shannonbridge community to brief you on progress with the Temporary Emergency Generation project that is ongoing at the former West Offaly Power site. Due to the nature and urgency of this project there will be some night shift work over the coming two weeks or so. The works will be limited to mainly electrical works, mechanical fitting and some testing/ inspection works.
ADVENT MONDAYS The Way of Gentleness: A personal enrichment journey for Advent on Mondays 8 p.m. 11th and 18th Dec. in St. Patrick’s Church, Strandhill. Online attendance also at churchservices – stpatricksstrandhill.
PILATES with Ger Murray in Clonfanlough Hall continues Mondays at 8pm €10 per Class. Eircode (next door!) N37 D950 All Welcome
OFFERTORY: Dec 2/3rd Offertory € 495
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
IBAN-IE90BOFI90368011629381
CLOTHES COLLECTION in aid of the Meals on Wheels. Please leave any bags of clothes, paired shoes, handbags, bed linen. (No blankets, duvets or pillows) into Shannonbridge Hall. Your support is appreciated.
CAROLS at Shannonbridge Church—SINGING in aid of Offaly hospice will take place on Sat 16th and 23rd Dec before 7pm Mass
MINISTRIES Readers: 16 /12/23 @7pm Cliodhna Fitzpatrick 17/12/23 @10:30 Mary Kelly (CF) Communion16/12/23 @7pm John Mitchell 17/12/23@10:30am Declan McEvoy Church Care Jacinta Kelly, Anne Keena(SB) Helen Darcy, Kathleen Norton(CF) Counters Shannonbridge (Dec) Servers; 16/12/23 H. Mitchell, O. Kenny (SB) 17/12/23 Clonfanlough M. O’Shea. A & C. Daly, S. Trainor
CHRISTMAS MASS BOUQUETS I have some available for people who wish signed Cards
Wed 13th Dec Ballinasloe Flower and Garden Club are holding a Flower Arranging Christmas Demonstration by Samantha Foran, Galway in Gullanes Hotel, Ballinasloe on Wednesday,13th December at 8.00pm. Admission 10 euro.
Wed 13th Dec ANAM CARA MIDLANDS - The organisation that supports bereaved parents, is holding its monthly Parent Evening for bereaved parents on Wed.13th Dec. at 7.15pm in the Mullingar Park Hotel. This event is FREE and open to all bereaved parents. We also offer an online service. For info. call 01 4045378.
Dec 13-14 MUSICAL PANTOMINE The TY’s of Banagher College present , 'Robin Hood and his Musical Merry Men'. Tickets available on the door (CASH ONLY) Wed. 13th & Thurs. 14th Dec. at 7.30 p.m. Admission €12 adults, €7 seniors/students.
Thursday 14th Dec ONLINE LAUNCH - Of Aidan Doyle’s ‘A Revolution in Profiles’, a website profiling Offaly in the Revolutionary Years on Thursday 14th December. Website launch 8pm. Launch can be viewed on Facebook profile, https://www.facebook.com/profile. php?id=61553625544577. The website is available free of charge at https://revolutioninprofilesoffaly.com/
Fri Dec 15th Social Dance Pat Mulchrone will provide a great night's entertainment on Friday, December 15th in Moore Community Hall (N37 HT68) from 9:30pm Rosie (087) 770710
Sunday 17th Dec Cloghan ST. MARY’S CHURCH CHOIR ANNUAL CHRISTMAS CAROL SERVICE - Will take place in St. Mary’s Church, Cloghan at 8pm. All donations from this Service will be donated to the Irish Red Cross. Wishing you and your families a very happy Christmas
SVP National Collection is this weekend If you would like to make a donation, simply use the Blue envelope mailed nationally or mark “SVP” on any envelope and drop it in the Offetory & I will forward it happily for you.
CONFIRMATION 2024 As you will know there is a Constitutional Referendum on March 8th. So we have had to change the Confirmation Date to Thursday, March 7th 2024 @ 11 in Shannonbridge Church…
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