Saturday, February 24, 2024

Clonmacnois Parish Bulletin February 25th 2024

 

Clonmacnois Parish

Second  Sunday of Lent  (B)

February 25th  2024

Fr.  Tom Cox (Adm)                                              Tel. 090 9674125/  086-8319500 

Email: clonmacnoiseparish@gmail.com

     WEB  shannonbridge.blogspot.ie

FACEBOOK www.fb.me/saintciarans

 


SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT

 ‘He was transfigured’

Mountains in Scripture are places of revelation. We think of Nebo, Sinai, Tabor, Calvary. Mountains provide a different perspective. From the height, we see things in a new way. The Tabor event happened 1,800 feet above the plain, when Peter, James and John had withdrawn from the crowd, recalling the wilderness experience of Jesus, which was recounted in last Sunday’s Gospel. The disciples had been accompanying Jesus for a long time. They had walked with Him, talked with Him, listened to Him, but it was only in the quiet space that they saw Him in a different light. Jesus showed His disciples His glory, a glory that had been there all the time. We miss things that have been there all along. Most people spend their time ‘looking at’ life, but not actually ‘seeing into’ it. Children see magic, because they look for it. If only we opened ourselves to the world around us with the eyes of wonder we would notice the fingerprint of God in ordinary things from the spider’s web to the robin’s nest; from the rising of the sun to its’ setting; from the milky way to the ebb and flow of the tide. The glory of heaven is constantly bre     aking-in. Earth is the place where heaven unfolds. Heaven is very near. All we need is perception. ‘Nature is a magnificent book in which God speaks to us and grants to us a glimpse of His infinite beauty and goodness’. (St. Francis)

 

LOVE SONGS,POETRY AND LIGHT BITES Join the Bara singers & friends for lunchtime entertainment on Leap Day Thursday, Feb 29th 12:45-1:45pm in Ballinasloe Town Band Hall. Admission €10

PARISH COUNCIL: The  Next Parish Pastoral Council  meeting on Thurs Feb 29th at 8pm in Presbytery. Items for consideration can be dropped in letterbox in porch of either church

CASH4CLOTHES Fundraiser for Clonmacnois National School Drop off Days : Monday April 8th - Friday April 12th at the school The Final drop off date is Monday 15th April at approx 9.30am We accept All Womens, Mens and Childrens Clothing Paired Footwear, handbags, Belts Soft toys(teddies) Curtains, Towels, Bedlinen(duvet covers, sheets, pillowcases, Blankets, throws)

NO PILLOWS OR DUVETS OR CARPETS

 All Support is greatly appreciated.

 

SHANNONBRIDGE  N37 FV05

Sat 24th  7pm Tommy, Geraldine & Simon McManus

Mon 26th 10am Mass\

Tues 27th 10am Mass

Wed 28th 10am Mass

Thurs Feb 29th10am Mass

Fri March 1st 10am Mass(Stations of Cross)

Sat March 2nd 7pm People’s Intentions

`CLONFANLOUGH N37 XR81

Sun 25th Feb  10:30am Michael Kelly & Wife Mary (Currow) & dec’d family members

Fri March 1st (First Friday)7pm (Stations)

Sun March 3rd 10:30am Sarah Darcy (2a)Joe Darcy (16A) & dec’d members of Darcy family

 

CLUAIN CHIARAIN  Next Mass 28/2/24 @7:30pm

OFFERTORY Feb 18th  €575 Shrove Dues €760 Feb Monthly €367

ST. BRIGID’S CROSSES A total of €302 was raised for Church Funds. Our thanks to all who made Crosses and supported this initiative.

RECENT DEATH Please pray for the soul of Joe O’Leary  Lecarrow & Clonascra

MINISTRIES Readers: 2/3/24 @7pm Eileen Quinn   3/3/24 @10:30 Declan McEvoy (CF) Communion 2/3/24 @7pm John Mitchell 3/2/24 @10:30 Kay Kelly  Church Care Gemma Moor, Doris Claffey (SB)  Maureen Claffey, Bridie Coughlan (Feb) CF) Counters Shannonbridge Servers; 2/3/24 Liam F, Keelan R, Daithi O’D (SB) 3/3/24 Clonfanlough Ted R, jack R. Keelan K, Kara K.

FEAST DAYS

 Thur Mar 1 st St David March the 1st is St David’s Day. St David is the patron saint of Wales where he was an abbot and bishop in the sixth century. Several Irish saints were his pupils and he influenced monastic developments in Ireland. He died around 601.

First Friday March 1st is the First Friday. The usual house calls will be made

the TrĂ³caire Lenten Appeal this year aims to highlight the challenges faced by families in Malawi due to the effects of climate change in Southern Africa. Don’t forget Malita and her family this Lent.

TRĂ“CAIRE BOXES are available in both Churches.

Shannonbridge Action Group invite you to a public meeting on Wednesday the 28th February in the hall at 8:00.  Agenda will include
1. JTF projects current and future.
2. ⁠Destination Shannonbridge
3. ⁠Greenway
4. ⁠BNM Solar farm
5. ESB
6. ⁠AoB
We would welcome your views on a general constructive discussion on the theme “Shannonbridge - Where to from here?”

SHANNONBRIDGE LOTTO Feb 19th  2024  numbers drawn 1-9-22-32 No  Winner, Two Match 3  Next Draw 26th Feb  Jackpot stands at €5,800

MEALS ON WHEELS : If you would like to avail of this service contact 087 2410587

Ardagh & Clonmacnois Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes 2024 takes place 31st May – 5th June 2024. For information and bookings contact Joe Walsh Tours 01 2410800 or email info@joewalshtours.ie

Dates to remember in 2024

Thurs March 7th Confirmation (Shannonbridge) & the first official visit of 11am Bishop Paul Connell to the parish.

Sat May 25th – 12 Noon First Holy Communion. Clonfanlough

NATIONAL PIONEER BALL- Calling Pioneers and Friends to the 25th Pioneer National Ball on Saturday 6th April beginning with Mass at 6 pm. in the Cathedral of Christ the King, Mullingar, followed by guest speaker, dinner and dancing at the Annebrook House Hotel. For details contact 0857201646 or 0876544626.

OUR PARISH - FACING THE FUTURE - An

opportunity to explore the challenges facing Parishes

today. This will be of interest to Parish Pastoral  Councils. A series facilitated by Rev. Dr. Eugene  Duffy at St. John’s Welcome Centre, Knock Shrine  from 8-9.30pm featuring guest speakers by Videolink  commencing on Mon. 26th February: “Who are we  as a local faith community?”, Prof. Rafael Luciani,  Boston College, USA. This series is FREE of charge.  Booking advisable. Email: faithrenewal@knockshrine. ie. Tel: 094 9388100.

MOATE BUSINESS COLLEGE Adult  Education Night Classes - Learn new skills  and hobbies at our night classes starting on Tuesday  27th February in Moate Business College. Check out  our full range of night classes on our website www. moatebusinesscollege.com or our Facebook/Instagram  pages.

THE POOR CLARES IN GALWAY - Are holding a Monastic  Experience Day for young women who might be interested in their way of life from 10am to 5pm on Saturday 2nd March. The day is designed to help those who may be exploring the possibility of a religious vocation to find out more about the Poor Clare way of life. Anyone wishing to book a place should email vocations@poorclares.i0

CLONFANLOUGH HALL                  

Zumba for kids - boys and girls aged 4 to 10 ,continuing in the hall Mondays 4.45 to 5.30
 
-Music Generation Offaly:  Music lessons in Clonfanlough Hall every Wednesday
 Times: 4-5pm ages 8-12 (primary school)  5-6pm ages 13+(secondary school). 
-Pilates with Ger: Monday’s 8.00-9.00pm
-Women’s Fitness class with Nicky: Wednesday’s 7.30-8.30pm

FIRST CONFESSION CONGRATULATIONS to ..

Jack Quinn– Anna Pillion-Mia Duffy– Rian Duffy– Joshua Kelly– Mia Kelly– Katie Guinan– Indie  Maloney– Darragh Shrahan who made their First Confession on Thursday Night 22nd in Clonfanlough Church.

“It is my experience that once you return to the Joy Giver, joy isn’t far behind.” ― Wendy Speake

   

 

Irish Bishops on the voting on March 8th Upon his arrival in Ireland for the World Meeting of Families on 25 August 2018, Pope Francis met at Dublin Castle with representatives of civil, cultural and religious life, including the Taoiseach and members of the Government. Pope Francis said he was visiting Ireland “to help families reaffirm their commitment to loving fidelity, mutual assistance and reverence for God’s gift of life in all its forms, but also to testify to the unique role played by the family in the education of its members, and the development of sound and flourishing social fabric.” In this context, we, the bishops of Ireland, wish to comment on the two important referendums on family and care which are taking place on the 8th of March 2024.

MARRIAGE & FAMILY REFERENDUM: “We believe, however, that the commitment of marriage contributes to the common good in a unique way, by bringing stability to the family and to society, and that it consequently deserves the protection of the State, which is currently guaranteed in the Constitution. The Constitution of Ireland rightly qualifies the Family as a moral institution and one that enjoys "inalienable and imprescriptible rights, antecedent and superior to all positive law". We are concerned that the proposed ‘family amendment’ to the Constitution diminishes the unique importance of the relationship between marriage and family in the eyes of Society and State and is likely to lead to a weakening of the incentive for young people to marry. While ‘Marriage’ entails a public and legal commitment, the term ‘durable relationship’ is shrouded in legal uncertainty and is open to wide interpretation. It does not make sense that such an ambiguous reality would be considered ‘antecedent and superior to all positive law’ and acquire the same 'inalienable and imprescriptible' rights as those ascribed to the ‘family founded on marriage.’ Various commentators have suggested that the term ‘durable relationship’ risks leading to unforeseen and unintended consequences.

CARE REFERENDUM It is right to recognise that care within the family and the wider community takes many forms.. In the words of Pope Francis at Croke Park (25/8/2018)"in any family celebration, everyone's presence is felt: fathers, mothers, grandparents, grandchildren, uncles and aunts, cousins, those who cannot come and those who live too far away". The proposed amendment would have the effect of abolishing all reference to motherhood in the Constitution and leave unacknowledged the particular and incalculable societal contribution that mothers in the home have made and continue to make in Ireland. The present constitutional wording does not in any way inhibit women from working or taking their proper place in social and public life. It does, however, respect the complementary and distinct qualities that arise naturally within the Family. The role of mothers should continue to be cherished in our Constitution

 

 

Clonmacnois Parish Bulletin February 18th 2024

 

Clonmacnois Parish

First Sunday of Lent  (B)

February 18th  2024

Fr.  Tom Cox (Adm)                                              Tel. 090 9674125/  086-8319500 

Email: clonmacnoiseparish@gmail.com

     WEB  shannonbridge.blogspot.ie

FACEBOOK www.fb.me/saintciarans




 

FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT

 ‘The Spirit drove Jesus into the wilderness’

The word Lent means springtime. It is the season of lengthening days, new life, new hope, new beginnings. The Latin root of the word is ‘lente’, which suggests the call to slow down, proceed slowly, gently, carefully. In the first three centuries of the Christian era, the followers of Christ prepared for Easter by praying and fasting for three days. In some places, this was extended to the entire week before Easter. By the fourth century Lent had developed to its’ current length of forty days to replicate the time Jesus spent in the wilderness in preparation for His public ministry. The Wilderness is a barren strip, thirty-five miles by fifteen between Jerusalem and the Dead Sea. In that bleak place, He couldn’t have been more alone. He is confronted by Satan, but emerges victorious from the struggle. Nobody witnessed the dramatic event, so He must have reported it often to His friends. The episode raises the curtain on the Lenten drama and invites us once more to enter the quiet place where deepening and re-evaluation take place.

 ‘Solitude is the audience chamber of God’

 

SHANNONBRIDGE  N37 FV05

Sat 17th 7pm Patrick & Mary Gunning & dec’d family members

Mon 19th 10am

Tues 20th 10am

Wed 21st 10am

Thurs 22nd  10am

Fri 23rd 10am [Stations of Cross after]

Sat 24th  7pm Tommy, Geraldine & Simon McManus

`CLONFANLOUGH N37 XR81

Sun 18th Feb 10:30am  Kathleen (2nd A.) & Michael J. Molloy & granddaughter Maeve

Thurs 22nd 7pm First Confession

Fri 23rd Feb 7pm [Stations of Cross after]

Sun 25th Feb  10:30am Michael Kelly & Wife Mary (Currow) & dec’d family members

CLUAIN CHIARAIN  Next Mass 21/2/24 @7:30pm

OFFERTORY Feb 11th  €613.80

RECENT DEATH Please pray for the soul of Liz Wynne Coventry, England, sister of Peter Kelly (Clonfanlough)

 

TrĂ³caire:

TrĂ³caire Boxes are available at all the Church doors, please take one. If  you would prefer to use an envelope for a single donation, they are also  available. Your generosity over the years has enabled TrĂ³caire to make a real and lasting difference

CARE FOR OUR COMMON HOME - Lenten Challenge

-Buy food that is grown locally - Irish and organic when possible. -Try to grow some of your own fruit/vegetables. -Make compost from fruit and vegetable peelings. -Never waste good food

MINISTRIES Readers: 24/2/24 @7pm Cliodhna Fitzpatrick   25/2/24 @10:30 Maura Molloy (CF) Communion 24/2/24 @7pm Marian McManus  25/2/24 @10:30 Declan McEvoy   Church Care Dympna Fitzpatrick, Linda Moran (SB)  Maureen Claffey, Bridie Coughlan (Feb) CF) Counters Shannonbridge Servers; 24/2/24 Hannah M., Emily M. (SB) 25/2/24 Clonfanlough Alyssa H., Rose D. Olivia D. Holly M

 

For Reflection As we begin Lent, we are reminded that Prayer, Fasting and Almsgiving are the key actions of this season. What do I need to give in to?

What do I need to give up?

What do I need to give out?

 

When you put down your phone, it's easier to lift up your eyes.” Wendy Speake

LENTEN IDEA: THE CHOSEN: the largest crowd funded mini-series of all time, based on the life of Jesus is available freely on many platform. In its 3rd Series. Https//watchthe chosen.tv or download the App to your phone

 

LOVE SONGS,POETRY AND LIGHT BITESJoin the Bara singers & friends for lunchtime entertainment on Leap Day Thursday, Feb 29th 12:45-1:45pm in Ballinasloe Town Band Hall. Admission €10

SOCIAL WALK—Birr Castle Demesne Tues 20th Feb at 11am. You are very welcome to join us for our mnthly social walk. Will suit all levels of fitness and will be followed by a cup of tear and a chat. Meet at the castle courtyard. Booking preferred. Contact Declan 087 6991226  or  Daid 087 1783989

PARISH COUNCIL: The  Next Parish Pastoral Council  meeting on Thurs Feb 29th at 8pm in Presbytery. Items for consideration can be dropped in letterbox in porch of either church

 

SHANNONBRIDGE LOTTO Feb 12th  2024  numbers drawn 3-5-22-28 No  Winner, Nine Match 3  Next Draw 19th Feb  Jackpot stands at €5,600

“Operation Transformation” WALKING CLUB continues at GAA ground Mon/Wed/Fri at 8pm for 2 more weeks.  Please spread the word everyone in the community welcome including non members!

We are also registered for the walking challenge again this year. To register, download the "my life" app from the playstore. Open the "every step counts" link in the app and register with Shannonbridge GAA. There are good prizes to be won if we reach a target of steps required we will be in the draw.

MEALS ON WHEELS : If you would like to avail of this service contact 087 2410587

Ardagh & Clonmacnois Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes 2024 takes place 31st May – 5th June 2024. For information and bookings contact Joe Walsh Tours 01 2410800 or email info@joewalshtours.ie

CLOTHES COLLECTION - Naomh CiarĂ¡n

Football Club are holding a Clothes Collection at Ferbane GAA pitch between 10-11am on Saturday 24th February. Any bag donation appreciated

Dates to remember in 2024

Feb 22nd First Confession 7pm Clonfanlough

Thurs March 7th Confirmation (Shannonbridge) & the first official visit of Bishop Paul Connell to the parish.

Sat May 25th – 12 Noon First Holy Communion.

NATIONAL PIONEER BALL- Calling Pioneers and Friends to the 25th Pioneer National Ball on Saturday 6th April beginning with Mass at 6 pm. in the Cathedral of Christ the King, Mullingar, followed by guest speaker, dinner and dancing at the Annebrook House Hotel. For details contact 0857201646 or 0876544626.

BANAGHER DRAMA GROUP - Presents “Don’t

Dress for Dinner” by Marc Camoletti and Robin  Hawdon and directed by Brendan Hanamy in St. Rynagh’s College of Further Education at 8pm on  Thursday 7th, Friday 8th, Saturday 9th and Sunday  10th March. Booking essential. Phone booking line  (087) 477 8492, open 5-7pm daily

OUR PARISH - FACING THE FUTURE - An

opportunity to explore the challenges facing Parishes

today. This will be of interest to Parish Pastoral  Councils. A series facilitated by Rev. Dr. Eugene  Duffy at St. John’s Welcome Centre, Knock Shrine  from 8-9.30pm featuring guest speakers by Videolink  commencing on Mon. 26th February: “Who are we  as a local faith community?”, Prof. Rafael Luciani,  Boston College, USA. This series is FREE of charge.  Booking advisable. Email: faithrenewal@knockshrine. ie. Tel: 094 9388100.

MOATE BUSINESS COLLEGE Adult  Education Night Classes - Learn new skills  and hobbies at our night classes starting on Tuesday  27th February in Moate Business College. Check out  our full range of night classes on our website www. moatebusinesscollege.com or our Facebook/Instagram  pages.

HIGH ST./BELMONT WOMEN’S GROUP -

Monday 19th February: We host Louise Marlow,

Image Consultant who will speak on trends, fashion,

scarves etc. Adm. €5. All welcome to High Street Hall

at 7.30pm. Please note change of time

 

A Word in Your Ear... Lent kicked off on Wednesday last with the ‘Day of Ashes’, which for Christians was a day of fasting and abstinence to mark the beginning of Lent. Thirty years ago, about half the deputies in Leinster House wore ashes proudly on their foreheads. Foremost among them was the Taoiseach of the day, Bertie Ahern. In the interests of research, I watched the Dail proceedings on television on Wednesday last! The only person wearing the ashes was the eccentric Tipperary TD, Mattie McGrath. This probably bears out what the Jesuit priest Bruce Bradley was talking about in his homily at the late John Bruton’s funeral. Fr Bradley noted that the many obituaries were rightly generous in their praise of Bruton. However, he did enter a caveat: These accounts celebrate a very gifted and genuinely likeable man who enjoyed a varied and successful career, more than enough to fill many columns. But anyone who knew him in a closer way realised that, underneath everything, he was a seriously religious man and this all-important aspect of his life and self-identity is largely missing from the public commentary. There is a temptation in our culture just now to ignore this aspect of people’s lives, as if it were too marginal or too private and embarrassing to bring up in public or as having too little to do with the real world. The absence of ashes from the foreheads of our Dail Deputies is part of this same pattern that Bradley spoke about. Perhaps the ashes are now regarded as “too marginal or too private and embarrassing to bring up in public?”

Santiago De Compostela Camino 2024 Join Focus Ireland ‘In the Footsteps of St James” on a fully guided walk from Sarria to Santiago de Compostela along the Camino de Frances and help support families in our community’s experiencing homelessness. Dates 27 May to 3 June. Ex Dublin. Contact Monica on 087 954 7007 or email events@focusireland.ie for details and bookings.

CLONFANLOUGH HALL: 
-Zumba for kids - boys and girls aged 4 to 10, starting in the hall Monday 12th Feb 4.45 to 5.30
 -Music Generation Offaly:  Music lessons in Clonfanlough Hall every Wednesday
 Times: 4-5pm ages 8-12 (primary school)  5-6pm ages 13+(secondary school). 
-Pilates with Ger: Monday’s 8.00-9.00pm
-Women’s Fitness class with Nicky: Wed  7.30-8.30pm

FEAST DAYS

Wed 21st St. Peter Damian  Gave up teaching to become a hermit. Outstanding reformer of Church life  & discipline .

Thurs 22nd  Chair of St. Peter

Fri 23rd St. Polycarp Bishop of Izmir, turkey. Disciple of John Martyred 155 AD