Clonmacnois Parish
Fourth Sunday of Lent (B)
March 10th 2024
Fr. Tom Cox (Adm) Tel. 090 9674125/ 086-8319500
Email: clonmacnoiseparish@gmail.com
WEB shannonbridge.blogspot.ie
FACEBOOK www.fb.me/saintciarans
FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT
‘God loved the world so much
that He gave His only Son to save it’
The tomb of St. John Henry Newman bears the striking epitaph: ‘Out of darkness and images into the Truth’. These well chosen words capture the essence of the human search for meaning that fills the pages of Scripture. Nicodemus is a case in point. He was a man of substance, an influential leader within his community, a renowned teacher of the Law and yet he was searching for more. Having heard about Jesus, he was curious. Drawn by the simplicity, freshness and quiet authority of His preaching he approaches the Master under cover of darkness. There in the quiet space he elicits from the Lord the wonderfully consoling teaching that sums up the entire Gospel and will change his life forever. ‘God loved the world so much that He gave His only Son to save it’. In that tender moment of enlightenment a heart is touched, a thirst is quenched and a curious searcher becomes a devoted follower. The expert in the Law meets Love, is surprised by love and is now impelled to spread love because love changes everything. It changes the way we see and hear and respond. We next meet Nicodemus defending Jesus at His trial before the Sanhedrin, and finally and most movingly we see him walking up the Hill of Calvary on Good Friday carrying precious spices in order to give his Saviour a decent burial. It is he, together with Joseph of Arimathea who take Jesus from the cross and return Him to His mother. In Nicodemus, we see someone who, because of his encounter with Jesus, gave up what he was to become what he could be. Having stepped out of the shadows, he discovered the Truth. Isn’t that what the Lenten journey is meant to be?
SHANNONBRIDGE N37 FV05
Sat March 9th 7pm
-Liam Keoghan (1st A)
-Jeremiah (Gerry) Greene & Parents Thomas & Catherine Greene (Blackwater) & dec’d family members
-Maureen Rock (4th A)
Mon 11th 10am
Tues 12th 10am
Wed 13th 10am
Thurs 14th 10am
Fri 15th 10am Mass
Sat 16th 7pm Tom & Bina Nugent
`CLONFANLOUGH N37 XR81
Sun March 10th 10:30am Egan & Mannion Family (deceased)
Thurs 14th 7pm Mass & Stations
Sun March 17th 10:30am People’s Intentions
CLUAIN CHIARAIN Next Mass 13/3/24 @7:30pm
OFFERTORY March 3rd €670 Lenten Alms €204 (along with Diocesan Levy (€5 per head) runs Diocesan Office, Diocesan Advisors Primary& Post-Primary, Youth initiatives, Bishops Secretary, Education Secretary, Safeguarding Office & Training. Bishops Expenses, Contribution to Irish Episcopal Conference & its agencies, Diocesan contributions to Accord & Galway Marriage Tribunal, in-service for priest, some welfare support for Clergy etc. Monthly €214
MINISTRIES Readers: 16/3/24 @7pm Kieran O’Connor 17/3/24 @10:30 Ann Guinan (CF) Communion 9/3/24 @7pm Eileen Quinn 17/2/24 @10:30 Anne Rohan Church Care Marie McManus, Patricia Kenny (SB) Olive Daly (CF) (March )Counters Clonfanlough Servers; 16/3/24 Liam F, Keelan R, Daithi O’D. (SB) 17/3/24 Clonfanlough Harry G, Oisin & Ella S, Lana B.
FEAST DAYS
Mar 17th St Patrick He was taken captive from his home in Wales. He tended sheep on Slemish mountain for six years. He escaped back home at the age of twenty two. After studying in France he returned to Ireland as a bishop in 432. Two writings of his survive:Letter to Coroticus and his Confession written near the end of his life. He died in 491, though other dates have been suggested, 480 or even 461.
Prayer for Those Away from Home Loving God, We pray for those whom we love, but are absent from us. Keep them safe from all harm, evil and danger. Bless them with peace, laughter, wisdom, love and joy. Grant that we may be reunited in the fullness of love; in Christ’s name we pray. Amen
CELEBRATING ST. PATRICK: Friday 15th March, Knock Shrine will host a special evening celebrating Irish music, heritage and culture at Knock Basilica, starting at 8pm. Free admission&all welcome. Details www.knockshrine.ie
TRÓCAIRE BOXES / Envelopes are available in both Churches.
PARISH COUNCIL: The Next Parish Pastoral Council meeting on Thurs March 14th 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.
FOUND : A pair of Glasses was handed into us at Clonfanlough Sacristy. Owner can collect
BELATED (!) Best wishes to Gallen Community School in the All-Ireland Post Primary D Football Final (March 9th) at 2pm Vs Scoil Mhuire Buncrana
SHANNONBRIDGE LOTTO draw 3/3/24 numbers 12-17-25-28 No Winner, One Match 3 Next Draw 10/3/24 Jackpot stands at €6,200
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
BIRR HISTORICAL SOCIETY - County Arms Hotel Mon. 11th March @ 8pm. Illustrated talk by Christy Cunniffe retired Community Archaeologist “would you recognise a Saint if you met one? An examination of Saintly attributes as depicted in Medieval and Early Modern Art
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
Easter Wreath making class with Ruth from Country Blooms & Floristry Saturday 23rd March 4 to 6pm in Clonfanlough Hall. €35 per person. Book your place by contacting Ruth on 0861920226 before 18th March
Ballinasloe Flower and Garden Club are holding a Flower Arranging Demonstration by Sharon O'Sullivan , Malahide in Gullanes Hotel, Ballinasloe on Wednesday, 13th March at 8.00pm. Grower's Competition: House Plant. Admission 10 euro. New members welcomed.
FOOT CARE: MOBILE Foot Health Practitioner Service House Calls Available Daytime and Evening:
CONTACT Maura at : (086) 8053671 for appt..
CONFIRMATION 2024
Thursday last March 7th saw a clear, if cold day dawn on 18 young people & their families as we marked our first Parish Confirmation with our new Bishop, Most Rev. Paul Connell. Our congratulations to them and our thanks to all who made it happen by their hard work of preparation, in home, school & parish.
Charlie Bracken- Conor Buckley- Joey Butler
Harry Guinan -Jack Kearns
Keelan Kelly- Mark O’Shea
Jack Rohan -Jack Samuels
Caoimhin Daly -Liam Fitzpatrick
Alyssa Hennessy -Adam Kelly
Holly Maloney -Hannah Mitchell
Jack O’Duffy -Darragh Seery
Ella Shrahan
Prayer to the Holy Spirit.
Spirit of God in the heavens.
Spirit of God in the seas.
Spirit of God in the mountain-tops.
Spirit of God in me.
Spirit of God in the sunlight.
Spirit of God in the air.
Spirit of God all around me.
Spirit of God everywhere.
Holy Spirit, Spirit of God, help me. Amen.
Statement on Gaza situation from the Catholic Bishops’ Conference This week, Irish bishops emphatically called for a ceasefire in Gaza, stating: “Let us all say: enough … Stop the War! In saying this, we join with many in our parishes, together with all people of goodwill, in demanding an immediate end to the daily horror of killing, wounding and destruction of property and infrastructure there.” Visit the website link below. https://www.catholicbishops.ie/2024/03/05/let-us-all-say-enough-stop-the-war-irish-bishops
The mother’s heart is the child’s schoolroom. Henry Ward Beecher
ANAM CARA MIDLANDS Parent Evening for bereaved parents on Wednesday 13th March at 7.15pm in the Mullingar Park Hotel. This event is FREE. For information call 01 4045378
LUSMAGH DRAMA GROUP - Presents “Cupid Wore Skirts” a comedy by Sam Cree in Lusmagh Hall on 21st, 22nd and 23rd March at 8pm. Booking is essential. Phone or text 086 3969947 6-8pm daily. Booking line opens 11th March.
DAFFODIL DAY Is on Friday 22nd March. If anyone wishes to volunteer please contact Mary on 087 2919314
Athlone Little Theatre 'Art' by Yasmina Reza is one of the most successful comedies ever. A modern classic tale of three friends and one white painting, Runs March 9-16 at 8pm. Sunday matinee on March 10 at 3pm. For tickets, go to www.athlonelittletheatre.ie or Eventbrite now.
OUR PARISH: FACING THE FUTURE: An opportunity to explore the challenges facing parishes today. Guest Speakers by video link: Monday, March 11th: ‘Enlivening Our Parish’ – Prof. Eamonn Conway, University of Notre Dame, Australia Location: St. John’s Welcome Centre, Knock. Time: 8pm to 9.30pm. This series is free of charge. Email: faithrenewal@knockshrine.ie Tel: 094 93 88100 or see Knock Shrine Website for more information
MOTHER’S DAY: We wish all the mothers in our parish a very happy Mother’s Day, and we remember in prayer our mothers who have gone to their eternal reward.
Mother’s Day Prayer Thank you, Lord, for all our mothers. On this day, let us think of them, Whether they are with us or gone to their heavenly home. We think of their kindness, their compassion, their care for us And above all, their love for us at all times. We pray that you will watch over them And support them in the joys and struggles of their lives. This, we ask, through Christ our Lord, Amen
ACCORD - Catholic Marriage Care Service CLG is currently recruiting volunteers to train as marriage preparation programme facilitators. We want to hear from you if you have a positive attitude towards marriage in the Catholic Church. If you have the enthusiasm to be part of the Accord team in supporting couples who are preparing for the Sacrament of Marriage. Successful applicants will receive professional training and will be part of a team delivering marriage preparation programmes locally. Contact Aisling on 01 505 3112 or by email to marriagepreparation@accord.ie - www.accord.ie.
CHURCH CARE APPEAL Our Churches often draw favourable comments from visitors. This does not happen by accident and I am keenly aware of the immense work and care that people have lavished upon our 2 Churches. But as ever, times change and we are experiencing gaps in our Church Cleaning Rota. If you can help in any way. Contact me at 086 83191500
No comments:
Post a Comment